Fit to Dance Studio
facebook instagram youtube twitter

1 S. Main Street
Mullica Hill, New Jersey
(856) 417-3207
info@fit2dancestudio.com

    

Meet Our Faculty

KARA THOMPSON  •  Co-Owner & Director

kara

Kara Thompson grew up in Mullica Hill and has always been fascinated with health, nutrition, and fitness. As a child, she was a dancer and gymnast and in high school and throughout college she played softball and was part of the swim team. Kara pursued another passion in college and received a B.A in communications from Rowan University, but always dreamed of starting her own business.

After having a baby and missing her days as an athlete, Kara decided to try Pilates, Zumba, and other group fitness classes. After one class, she was hooked. She loved the feeling of gaining confidence, strength, and burning calories while having fun…and she knew other moms like her wanted the same thing offered in a flexible schedule. Kara has taught adult fitness and student dance classes at the studio, but you will usually find her managing everything that goes into running the studio behind the scenes.

Kara and her sister-in-law Megan, started Fit to Dance Studio with the dream of bringing a love of DANCE and FITNESS to Mullica Hill. They are thankful everyday for the F2D family of students, FIT clients, and staff. It is a pleasure to watch people young and old alike grow and express themselves through dance and fitness. To stay in shape both physically and mentally, Kara enjoys taking walks and bike rides with her husband Tom, sons Garret and Reid, and dog Harlee, where they live in East Greenwich.

 
MEGAN DATZ  •  Co-Owner & Director

megan

Megan Datz started her dance career at Dance! By Debra DiNote at the age of 7 and was a member of the Dance! Workshop Company for 11 years. Throughout her time at DDN she was in countless competitions, workshops and performances where she earned her way as a top performer and lead dancer in roles like Cinderella in "Once Upon a Glass Slipper".

Megan attended Rowan University and graduated in 2008 with a BA in Child Drama and a Minor in Dance. While attending Rowan University she was a member of the Rowan Dance Team and Dance Extensions, holding the office of President of Dance Extensions. She was recognized with several awards and Honors, including the award for Best Choreographer and the recipient of the Bryna G. Goldhaft Dance Medallion Award and Scholarship, the highest honor a graduating senior can receive to acknowledge superior performance in her field. She has been an annual guest teacher at Dancing for Sheena in Allentown PA, for many years to honor her cousin who inspired her to begin dancing.

Megan has taught at various schools in New Jersey which led her to open up Fit to Dance Studio with her sister in law Kara, in Mullica Hill, NJ in 2012. The Studio has grown steadily every year and has nearly 300 students at all levels. They started a dance company called F2D Elite which competes and does various events in the community. Megan has earned top choreography awards at competitions with the Fit to Dance Elite dancers. She hopes to instill the love of dance and inspire young dancers to be the best they can be!!

 
KATHLEEN HORNUNG  •  Office Manager

kathleen

Kathleen Hornung has spent several years managing businesses and helping them excel. She has been the office manager at Fit to Dance since 2017. She absolutley loves putting a smile on everyones face and is thrilled to be a part of the Fit to Dance family. You can find her at the front desk with a smiling face, ready and happy to help you with anything you need.

 

 

 

 

 

MARIA JARQUIN  Office Manager 

Maria Jarquin has years of experience managing human resources and payroll departments. She has an Associates in Business Administration and is currently working on her Bachelors in Finance from Rutgers University. It was Ms.Marias dream to be a dancer when she was young so she is super excited to be working at Fit to dance to be able to help other little girls achieve this dream. Ms.Maria enjoys spending her free time sewing, crocheting, and spending time with her family.

 

 
KIMBERLY HILL  •  Dance Team Leader

kim

Kimberly Hill Kimberly Hill’s dance journey began at the age of four in Pennsylvania. She continued her training in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she was a member of the prestigious IUP Dance Theatre and had the privilege of performing works and trainings with numerous influential choreographers. She is classically trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. Kim has performed with multiple dance companies and holds a Master of Arts degree from Drexel University in Dance/Movement Therapy. She has worked with children and their families in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and in their homes assisting with medical, behavioral, and emotional challenges. In recent years; she has continued to study, perform, choreograph, and attend dance teacher workshops throughout the region. Kim is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and is a member of the National Dance Education Organization.  Routed with a strong technical foundation, Kim utilizes her love of dance, along with her therapeutic skills to maintain a positive, fun, and safe education setting for her students. Kim has been a part of the Fit to Dance family since 2013. 

Celia Cioffi •  Instructor

nicole

Celia Cioffi began dancing at 8 years old and has trained in a variety of styles including ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, pointe, lyrical, tap, and musical theatre. She joined a competition team at age 11 and competed for years, winning many national titles. In 2020, she earned her BA in Dance from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ where she further developed her skills as a dancer as well as a choreographer and an instructor. She continues her education through taking master classes all throughout the NYC and Philadelphia area. Celia has also worked for Groove National Dance Competition as a Scorekeeper & Emcee where she had the opportunity to run dance competitions all across the country. She loves sharing her passion with her students here at Fit to Dance!

MORGAN DUFFEY •  Instructor

Photo
Coming
Soon!

Morgan Duffey has been with Fit to Dance Studio since we opened the doors 11 years ago and a member of the Elite Dance Company as well. She loves working with kids and hopes to continue to teaching after she graduates from high school!

 

 

 

SAMANTHA EACHUS  Instructor

kathleen

Samantha Eachus has a passion for dance and gymnastics that roots back to her days as a teacher of ballet, tap, jazz, and pom poms at the former Let’s Dance Studio in Glassboro that helped her work through college to obtain her teaching degree. She majored in Health & Physical Education and minored in Dance. Samanthat has spent 15 years coaching youth cheerleading, as well as 5 years as a teacher at Atlantic Coast gymnastics in their toddler and preschool program through their pre-team and recreational levels. Additionally, she has taught numerous gymnastics units in her 10+ years experience as a Physical Education teacher. She is currently sharing her passion for dance and cheer as the assistant coach for the Woodstown High School Cheer team. Samanthat has also lived in the Mullica Hill area for 27 years. She has 4 kids,  and enjoy traveling and spending time with them as much as she can. Samanthat is so excited to be a part of the Fit 2 Dance family, and can’t wait to meet everyone!

TAJA FOOKS-THORNTON  •  Instructor

laurie

Taja Fooks-Thornton is a native of South Jersey where she attended Cherry Hill High School West and competed at Dance Worlds as a member of the Cherry Hill West Dance Team. Taja began her formal dance training under the mentorship of Dara Meredith and Laceda Nelson. Between 2011 and 2014 Taja danced with Eleone Connections, the second company of Eleone Dance Theatre. In 2018, Taja received her BFA in Dance from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts where she performed works by Brian Brooks, Yvonne Rainer, Camille Brown, and Darell Grand Moultrie. While at Rutgers, she also worked to receive a BA in Communications & Public Relations. In addition to being given the opportunity to perform at the world-renowned Joyce Theater in NYC with Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA), Taja’s choreography was recognized when MGSA awarded her the 2018 Dance Plus Choreography award for her work, undoneTogether. After leaving Rutgers, Taja traveled the world with Disney Cruise Line under contract as a Main Stage Performer. Most recently, she has begun her journey as a Pilates instructor and is on track to complete the Balanced Body Comprehensive Instructor Training. Taja believes everyone can benefit from mindful movement regardless of age. Whether teaching children or adults, Taja prides herself in prioritizing discipline, etiquette, and technique. Every student in her class will learn to excel through dedication and hard work. 

WANDA HOAGLAND  •  Instructor

wanda

Wanda Hoagland is a dedicated and inspiring instructor with a varied and extensive background as a professional dancer and gymnast. A talented and gifted choreographer, she has choreographed the Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant and is frequently asked to judge other pageants and competitions. Immersing herself in the disciplines of dance and gymnastics since childhood, she proceeded to win numerous scholarships and awards recognizing her accomplishments. Honors from Dance Masters of America and Dance Olympics included. Wanda's intensive training has led to roles in movies, and her professional experience in Resorts International, USO, and several television shows.
 

SARA KOVAROVIC  •  Instructor

sara

Sara Kovarovic started her dance career at Dance! By Debra DiNote at the age of 4 and was a member of the Dance! Workshop Company for 9 years. She began competing at the age of 6 and also performed in yearly productions where she earned lead roles for 3 consecutive years. Sara attended Drexel University, where she was a member of the Drexel Dance Team for four years. During her time on the team she choreographed for the team and also performed during all basketball games, other sporting events, galas and competed on the national level. Sara now works at URBN Urban Outfitters Inc. as an event planner, but still has a love for dance! Sara previously has taught adult fitness at Fit to Dance, and has taught student classes for the last two years. She is excited for the upcoming year to teach hip hop again to such wonderful students at Fit to Dance!

ERIN MAHONEY  •  Instructor

erin mahoney

Erin Mahoney was born and raised in Boston and moved to South Jersey after finishing college at Franklin Pierce University in 2012 with a BA in Theatre with a concentration in dance. She has been dancing since age three and is trained in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and acro. During her time at Franklin Pierce she was on the Raven Thunder Dance Team as a dancer and choreographer. She has performed with KN Dance & Entertainment for multiple events over the past six years. Included in these events is the annual CHOP Halloween Party hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the past few years she has organized multiple charitable dance fundraisers for Suicide Prevention at Fit to Dance featuring professional dancer and choreographer Matt Lopez, from New York City. Erin continues to actively learn through a variety of classes in NYC and the surrounding NJ area.  In addition to her dance career, Erin is also an accomplished writer and has published five novels.

STEPHEN MCCLAIN •  Instructor

Stephen McClain began dancing at age 13, and quickly found a love for tap. He went on to join the Fit to Dance Elite Company, where he competed in tap across the Tri-State Area, and made amazing friendships in the process. Through dance, he discovered a passion for teaching. He strives to help his dancers grow in their love of dance, and in values that they can take out of the classroom. Stephen’s experience also extends to musical theater, where he has performed in many productions across the South Jersey area, including lead dance roles in shows such as Matilda and Holiday Inn. His love of singing and wide variety of accents often appear in his classroom.When he’s not tapping out crazy rhythms at the studio or doing pirouette sequences throughout his house, Stephen is a student at Rowan University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Dance. He also loves parkour, climbing anything in sight, playing piano, pie, dogs, and Jesus. John 15:13.

HALEY MIGEOT •  Instructor


Haley Migeot began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained, competed, and taught in many styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, irish step, contemporary, hip hop, pom, and modern. Haley attended Rowan University where she earned a BA in Dance and a BS in Biology. She was a member of the Rowan Dance Team and president of Dance Extensions Contemporary Company. She has performed on Broad Street in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center, Arts Bank Theatre and Wilma Theatre with Footwerx Tap Company and The Jubilate Deo Orchestra in Irish Step Dance. Haley has been continuing her dance training with Flair Dance Company as well as through local classes/performances. She is so excited to share her love for dance with her students at Fit to Dance!  

Kiera Perry •  Instructor

tiara
Kiera Perry has danced since she could walk. She danced at several studios before finding her true love of dance at Fit to Dance Studio. It was here that she gained life long friends and truly developed her talents. As an alumni of Fit to Dance, Kiera was an active part of Fit to Dance’s Elite Company and participated in many events. She danced with Fit to Dance Elite for 8 years. Kiera has participated in many competitions and brought home many 1st place awards and titles including, Premier Miss NexStar 2021. She’s competed on the stage at Fine Arts Nationals for 3 years and was ranked top 10 in the country. Kiera has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical. Kiera loves instructing “littles” and has assisted at Fit to Dance for the last 4 years. She is excited to instruct others and see them have the same positive experience at Fit to Dance that she has had.
JADE PRATTA-CHISHOLM  Instructor 

 

 

Photo
Coming
Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!
ALY SCHROEDER •  Instructor

nicole

Aly Schroeder began dancing at age five at Elite Dance Company in her hometown of Richboro, PA.  She went on to study classical ballet at The Koresh Dance Center and Symmetry Dance Wellness in Philadelphia, PA. Aly is also a certified group fitness instructor and licensed clinical social worker. Currently, Aly continues to pursue her love of dance as a dancer with KN Dance and Entertainment, dancing professionally in corporate and community events throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia, PA. She also pursues continued education in dance by participating in master dance classes and attending dance workshops throughout the region. Aly loves to share her passion for dance, fitness and emotional and physical health with all ages. Aly combines strong dance technique with fun and creative movement to create dance classes that enable each dancer to reach his/her full potential. Aly is a certified dance teacher through the Associated Dance Teachers of NJ.

JENNA SCOTT •  Instructor

nicole

Jenna Scott is excited to be a part of the Fit to Dance staff for a fifth year! Miss Jenna, a history teacher at Clearview Regional High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in History from West Chester University. She has studied dance at Trisha Sloan Dance Studio and was an active member of the dance company by performing in various competitions, holding various roles as a cast member of "The Little Match Girl" and performing in Walt Disney World. She performed with Ballet South in their productions of "The Nutcracker" and "Coppelia." Miss Jenna also studied at Kathy Henkel School of Dance and The Professional School for several years. At West Chester University, she continued to study dance and was a member of the Dance Production Workshop. She also works as the choreographer for Clearview Regional High School musicals, and lives in Mullica Hill with her husband Chris and their two children, Annabelle and Brandon.

Bailey Shirk •  Instructor

nicole
 
Bailey Shirk was a competitive cheerleader for six years, and captain of the high school cheerleading team. She competed in the Colonial League Cheerleading Competition and placed 2nd. Bailey studied at Binghamton University were she trained in many styles of dance including Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, and Modern. In her free time she loves writing, going to the beach, and spending time with her dog Shelby. Bailey is so excited to join our Fit to Dance Family and can not wait to dance with her students!
Assistants 

 


nicole

BOTTOM ROW

Devon Caldes has been with Fit to Dance Studio since we opened our doors 11 years ago and will be starting her 7th year as a member of the F2D Elite Dance Company. Devon has studied almost all styles of dance at Fit to Dance including pointe, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, and acro.  Her favorite style of dance is ballet. Devon has competed in varoius dance competitions and earned numerous awards for team, duo and solo dances.  When she is not dancing at the studio, Devon is an honor student at Clearview High School. 

Brayden Wilson He started his dance career at Fit to Dance Studio when he was four years old. Here he has been trained in 5+ genres of dance as well as acro. He says "The staff at Fit to dance has inspired me so much and I am so excited to help inspire future dancers like the F2D staff has inspired me."

Mia DiRienzo is in eighth grade. She has been dancing at F2D for the past 10 years.  Mia has also been on the F2D Elite Dance Company team for the past 5 years.  She is looking forward to helping your young dancer(s).

 

TOP ROW

Gabrielle Buck is in 8th grade and has been dancing at Fit 2 Dance for 9 years. This will be her first year being a student assistant and she's super excited!  

Janina Caputo is 13, has been dancing for 12 years and is about to start her 10th season at Fit to Dance studio.   She loves ballet, contemporary and tap.  She is very excited to share her love of dance by assisting classes this season.   

 

 
 
- back to top of page -
facebook instagram youtube twitter

Fit to Dance Studio  |  1 S. Main Street  |  Mullica Hill, NJ  08062  |  info@fit2dancestudio.com  |  (856) 417-3207