Faculty

Jessica Gibson

Jessica has been dancing since the age of three, training in all styles. She dedicated her childhood to competitive dancing from ages six through eighteen, winning countless high scores, national titles, and special awards for both, solo and group performances. Despite this, the biggest rewards include the confidence gained, the true understanding of teamwork, and the ability to self-motivate while learning about commitment at such a young age. Jessica has danced around the world, in countries such as Dominican Republic and China. Through her travels, she represented Team USA as a prelude to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, performing in numerous parades and festivals. Following high school, Jessica furthered her dance education at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she performed in shows as well as choreographed routines for classmates.

In 2011, she graduated with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance. Jessica knew that immediately following college she wanted to pursue her dreams of educating young dancers while instilling confidence and a shared love for the art. She went on to teach hundreds of dedicated students who she continues to be an excellent role model and inspiration for. She continues to grow in the field, attending workshops and seminars in New York City. Jessica’s passion of dance and choreographing routines is apparent through her choreography awards earned at competitions. Jessica loves educating her students to become the best artists and dancers that they can be and is so proud to continue doing so as the Artistic Director at Elite Performing Arts Center.

Ashley Colombo

Ashley was born and raised in New Jersey and has been dancing since the age of five. Her younger years were spent at Stagelite Centre of Performing Arts, experiencing a plethora of genres and styles. As her passion grew, so did her experiences. In high school, she was given opportunities on the basketball court, performing for the Nets Halftime Show. She was also fortunate to travel to China, representing Team USA as part of the International Tourism and Cultural Tour. After high school, Ashley danced her way to Point Park University as a jazz dance major, receiving her BA. Throughout her time following college, she traveled the world, completing two contracts at sea dancing for Princess Cruise Lines.

She also performed at Hershey Park in the “Wild Country” summer show in 2011, as well as their Christmas show, “A Rockin’ Music Box Christmas” in both, 2011 and 2012. Her latest performances included trading the stage for the sidelines, as she spent four consecutive years dancing as a Jets Flight Crew Cheerleader. Ashley is very thankful for the experiences she has had, but she is now most proud and grateful to be a business owner of Elite Performing Arts Center, sharing her passion of dance and performing with all her dedicated students.

Robert Mark Burke

Deemed the “hottest young talent on the New Jersey dance scene today”, Robert Mark Burke finds himself a dancer, choreographer and teaching artist. Performing both nationally and internationally, Robert is a company member of Lucinda Childs Dance Company, 10 Hairy Legs, and Megan Williams Dance Projects. He also performs regularly with Meagan Woods and Company, has worked with Bryn Cohn and Artists and has apprenticed with Doug Elkins. Having a passion for dance education, Robert Mark Burke is an adjunct professor at Rutgers University, has been a guest artist at Rider University and has been a guest lecturer at Montclair State University. Over the past 10 years, Robert has developed relationships with performing arts high schools and studios throughout the tri-state area. He has developed a unique and fresh teaching style for students ages 6-18 that creates a positive and creative learning environment, all while teaching modern and contemporary dance ideas that Robert find integral to furthering a student’s technique and artistry. In 2015, Robert launched Robert Mark Dance as a way to create invigorating new works that push, reflect upon and unveil the human experience through the use of performance and education.

The company has shown Burke’s work throughout the United States including the wild project, Dixon Place, Paramount Theater (Boston), Hofstra University, Rutgers University, Rider University, Dance New Amsterdam, Jersey City Theater Center and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Robert Mark Burke has received numerous awards, including the 2015 Dance on the Lawn Emerging Choreographer Grant, under the direction of Charmaine Warren, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center Jersey (New) Moves Fellowship in both 2015 and 2017, The 2015 and 2016 CoLab Arts Space Grant, and The 2017 Eryc Taylor Emerging Choreography Grant. Over the past four years, the company has developed many relationships with organizations such as CoLab Arts (New Brunswick, NJ), TruSelves, the transgender support group of the Pride Center of New Jersey (Highland Park, NJ), chashama (New York City, NY), and Jersey City Theater Center (Jersey City, NJ). Robert has also collaborated with choreographer Lauren Connolly, costume designer Meagan Woods, and composers Casey Mullen, Keith Lalley, and Mark Sanderlin.

Sarah Purner

Sarah began her performing arts training at the age of five. She danced competitively, studying ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. Sarah also enjoyed acting and vocal performance classes and took part in several musical theatre productions. She found her passion for teaching when she was in high school, while assistant teaching for dance classes.

She has been teaching for six years and loves watching her students grow and learn each year! Sarah strives to create a welcoming environment in all her classes while encouraging students to reach their highest potential.

Kara Drake

Miss Kara is excited to be joining the staff of Elite Performing Arts Center. Kara has been teaching dance since 2010 when she started assisting dance classes at Dancers Pointe. Apart from teaching dance, she also teaches acting/improv and voice classes. Miss Kara has a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre.

Her favorite genre of dance is Musical Theatre style and she has performed in several shows including: Gas Lamp player’s Shrek (Princess Fiona), NJYT’s West Side Story (Velma), Plays-in-the-Park’s Sister Act, CCM’s Legally Blonde (Brooke), & The Sound of Music (Liesl). Most recently, Miss Kara has accepted the position of choreographer for this year’s spring musical “Mamma Mia” at Scotch Plains-Fanwood high school! She looks forward to a fun & creative year at EPAC working with students of all different ages and talents and helping them grow in their love of “the arts”.

Danielle Watson

Danielle Watson began dancing at the early age of 2 ½. She continued dancing throughout her high school years; competing in large group, trio, duos and solo performances. She has trained in ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater, and tap. She started teaching dance while attending Seton Hall University.

This season will begin her seventh year of teaching dance. Danielle looks forward to each and every dance class as she shares her love of dance with her young dancers. Recital season is one of her favorite times of the year. Danielle continues to take classes in New York City and is eager to begin her first season with Elite Performing Arts Center.

Jackie McDyer

Jackie began her training at Cathy Karosick Dance Studio at the age of four, where she continued her training for fifteen years. She spent those years competing with the studio and partaking in various performances throughout New Jersey. Jackie went on to become a dance educator and has been teaching for 25 years.

She has taught at various local studios and ran the dance program at Union Catholic High School for 9 years. She enjoys watching her students grow and is excited to begin her first year at Elite Performing Arts Center!

Kristin Licata

Kristin Licata received her BFA from the Ailey/Fordham University program. Post graduation, she danced with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, Felica Lesser Dance Theatre, Regina Nejman and Company, Tamara Saari Dance, Vabang!, Vox Luminere, and Yuka Kawazu/Danse En L’air. She has also worked with choreographers Sean Curran, Chanel DaSilva and Michael Spencer Phillips.

She can be seen in the film Jaaneman. Kristin is currently dancing with Ariel Rivka Dance, Covenant Ballet Theatre, Matthew Westerby Company, and Valerie Green/Dance Entropy. She is an ABT certified teacher, advisor to Covenant Ballet Junior Company, and also on faculty at Covenant Ballet Academy, and Rivertown Dance Academy.

Kerry Mara Cox

Kerry Mara Cox is a scholarship graduate of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and became an apprentice with that company under the direction of Patricia Wilde. She performed for 10 years with Saint Louis Ballet, where she rose to the rank of principal, and was a principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet for 7 years. Kerry is a featured guest artist with Kelly/McCarthyDance/Music in New York City. Her extensive repertoire includes Odette/Odile in Swan Lake; Waltz Girl and Dark Angel in Serenade; Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty; Myrtha in Giselle; Snow Queen and Sugar Plum in Nutcracker; and the title roles in The Three Riddles of Turandotand Carmen, among many others.

In addition to her performing career, Kerry has taught ballet at all levels for over 18 years. She was a faculty member at Saint Louis Ballet School, and has taught, choreographed, and coached for several dance studios in New Jersey. For 5 years she was a faculty member and ballet mistress for the Usdan Center on Long Island, New York. Kerry is also a certified Level 5 Romana’s Pilates instructor and teaches both group and private sessions.

Jessica Lourenco

Jessica Lourenco was born and raised in New Jersey. She began dancing at the age of five and still continues to take classes. She has trained in multiple styles including ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. She currently attends Montclair State University and is majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Dance.

Jessica is delighted to be teaching at EPAC, as she loves working with her students and motivating them to reach their goals.

Kevin Raponey

Kevin Raponey is originally from Bristol, CT now residing in New York City! He studied dance for 10 years before attending the dance program at University of the Arts.

Since then, Kevin has performed at Theme Parks, on Cruise Ships and in Broadway National Touring Productions! You may have seen Kevin on the National Tours of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, Nice Work If You Can Get It and The Who’s TOMMY. Kevin was also in the World Premiere of Ever After at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ just to name a few.

Previously, Kevin has worked for multiple dance studios in the tri-state area. Kevin has been a Dance Educator for 13 years and his choreography has been recognized with special judges awards and top scores at numerous Regional and National competitions. Currently, Kevin is on Staff at Artistry Dance Project in Pleasantville, NY and Elite Performing Arts Center in Scotch Plains, NJ teaching Jazz, Tap and Theatre as well as Man In Motion, an NYC based company which brings dance education to dance studios, competitions and conventions all over the US and beyond!

Now, Kevin is Assistant Dance Captain/Swing in Rock Of Ages at New World Stages in New York City!

Alyssa Rae Fulmer

Alyssa Rae Fulmer, originally from Easton, Pennsylvania, started her dance journey at the young age of five at a local studio where both her mom and aunt attended classes. Her training includes ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, tap, acro, hip-hop and musical theater as seen on the conservatory and competition stage. She was the second graduating class of her high school, Lehigh Valley Charter H.S. for the Performing Arts in Bethlehem, PA where she studied dance and then went on to graduate magna cum laude with a BA in dance from Point Park University.

Since graduating, she has been happily following her dreams, performing professionally for The Joffrey Ballet, and teaching children and young adults in the Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas. When she’s not teaching you can find her cooking at her new home in New Jersey, with her two pugs, Courtney Sue and Oakley Boo! Alyssa loves being able to pass on her love for dance in a fun, supportive and educational environment and looks forward to her first season at Elite Performing Arts Center!

Sabrina Silverman

Raised in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Sabrina Silverman began her training with the New Jersey School of Ballet under director Carolyn Clark. There she became a part of the Junior Company and performed alongside the New Jersey Ballet Company in productions such as Nutcracker, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty and more. During her seven years with the school and company she danced a variety of roles starting from younger roles such as soldiers, pages and little girls and graduating to professional roles such as flowers, snow, courtiers and Clara.

In 2019, Sabrina graduated Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance Performance and BA in Arts Management. There she was able to train in a variety of styles some of which were the modern Limon, Graham, and Cunningham techniques, as well as ballet, improvisation, and choreography. At Purchase she performed in classic works such as José Limón's Psalm, contemporary ballets such as Norbert de la Cruiz III's Talsik and modern pieces such as Manuel Vignoulle's Catching Notes and Hannah Garner's Here to Here. Other credits include, performing restaging of Merce Cunningham's Interscape, Jacqulyn Buglisi's Table of Silence and Paige Bodnard's A Weigh Out.

​Jessica Gibson​