Faculty

Amanda Grace: Owner

Amanda Grace is a professional choreographer, coach, director and local mother. She was the NJ Devils Dancers (NHL) Director, where she choreographed all routines, trained and managed the team. She was also seen at Devil's home games as the In-Game Host at the Prudential Center Arena in Newark, NJ, where she narrated fun trivia games and exciting entertainment in between action on the ice. Amanda was regularly featured on NJD TV as the Director of the Dance Team and the commercial spokeswoman.

Formerly a NY Knicks City Dancer (NBA) at the World Famous Madison Square Garden, Amanda started blending her passion for dance and sports in 2007 when she became a member of the NJ Ironmen Dance Team (MISL) in their inaugural year at the Prudential Center. That same year, she also danced for the NY Titans (NLL) also at Madison Square Garden. Amanda went on to coach and choreograph for the Somerset Patriots Dance Team (Atlantic League of Professional Baseball) and was also asked to choreograph and perform in the NY Knicks City Dancer's 20th Anniversary Alumni Performance at Madison Square Garden with Rob Base.

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Aside from her extensive experience in professional sports team dancing, Amanda choreographed musicals at Plays In The Park theater in Edison, NJ ("Grease," "Xanadu," and "Bye Bye Birdie"). The Asbury Park Press reviewed Amanda as "the star of the show" for her high energy, entertaining choreography in "Grease" in 2012. Amanda was also hired as the choreographer for St. John's University's theater department, where she staged "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".  She most notably choreographed "Newsies" in May 2019 at the Cranford Dramatic Club in which she won a Perry Award from the NJACT (New Jersey Association of Community Theaters) for Outstanding Choreography.

As for her journey in becoming an entrepreneur... Amanda began teaching dance at the age of 16 at local studios and continued to do so throughout her professional sports career.  In 2010, she created her own dance company Urban Flair, which was a dance agency that provided professionally trained dancers for functions and events.  She then went on to open Flair Dance Academy in 2012 and has been nonstop since!  She has been a teacher, coach and choreographer for children, adults, and professionals for over 20 years and is beyond proud of the community and talent Flair has created since opening!

Having many years in the industry, she has shared her knowledge of dance with thousands of dancers in the tri-state area. Her choreography has won numerous first place and overall awards at both regional and national dance competitions. Amanda is grateful every day that her passion has become her career and enjoys volunteering at local senior centers to share her love of dance in every aspect that she can.  Her biggest accomplishment to date is her daughter Caiden Grace, who was born on 3/23/22.  We're sure you'll see her around the studio!

Feel free to email Amanda for more information at: [email protected]

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Rachel

Head of Acro Dept.
Rachel is a professional gymnastics coach that has been teaching and coaching gymnastics for over 20 years. Throughout her award-winning career, she has coached over 750 gymnasts in over 200 competitions.

Rachel- Head of Acro Dept.

Rachel is a professional gymnastics coach that has been teaching and coaching gymnastics for over 20 years. Throughout her award-winning career, she has coached over 750 gymnasts in over 200 competitions.

Besides teaching nearly 100 students at Flair each year, she is the Head Gymnastics Coach at the Somerset County YMCA for over 75 boys and girls within eight different competitive levels and another 150 recreational level gymnasts.

She has led many gymnasts and teams to victory in regional and national competitions, claiming 1st place all-around in the YMCA State Competitions over ten times. Many of Rachel’s star gymnasts also dance at Flair. Rachel feels very strongly that adding acro into a dancer’s weekly schedule ensures that they become more robust, more flexible and enhances their ability to perform in other sports such as dancing, wrestling, cheerleading, and football.

Rachel has been a gymnast for over 30 years and was awarded the prestigious SCIAA Scholar-Athlete award. Rachel has all of her safety certifications through USA gymnastics, completed Rutgers Coach Training for Cheer, Pop Warner Coach Training, and has extensive training for athletic/sports injuries, including CPR/AED and first aid training. A former certified nurse aid, Rachel is a Hillsborough resident who spends quality time with her family. She is thrilled to be teaching her 7th year of Acro at Flair!

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Nanako

Head of Ballet Dept.
Nanako began her ballet training in Japan at Geiutsuza Ballet Studio 'Jardin des Arts'. She performed such roles as Clara in Nutcracker, Rose Adagio in The Sleeping Beauty, and the title role in Cinderella.

Nanako Head of Ballet Dept.

Nanako began her ballet training in Japan at Geiutsuza Ballet Studio 'Jardin des Arts'. She performed such roles as Clara in Nutcracker, Rose Adagio in The Sleeping Beauty, and the title role in Cinderella. In 2005 she was selected to attend the prestigious Royal Ballet Summer School. In 2006 she was accepted to Elmhurst School for Dance in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet 2006 and trained with Don Tolj, Elizabeth Rae, Samira Saidi, and other staff.

She has performed for His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in Elmhurst productions and the grand re-opening of Birmingham's town hall. In 2009 Nanako joined on National Tour with Birmingham Royal Ballet and graduated from Elmhurst, having received the National Diploma in Professional Dance and successfully gained distinction in the Royal Academy of Dance. She has also performed with Boca Ballet cast as peasant pas de trois, leading Willis in Giselle and soloist in La Bayadere. During a trip to the United Kingdom in 2011, Nanako was invited to participate in the Elmhurst Outreach project entitled Tale of Beatrix Potter.

In addition to this, she was also invited to lead the audition classes to launch the Elmhurst Associate program in Manchester, Sunderland, and Plymouth. Nanako joined New Tampa Dance Theatre as an artist in residence in 2011. She was a guest artist for world-renowned choreographer Christopher Fleming's performances in February and his ballet Gaspar a Pirate Fantasy in January 2012. In August 2013, she joined the American Repertory Ballet in NJ, where she is currently a principal dancer.

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Alex

Alex

Studio Manager & Director of FCDC
Alex started dance and gymnastics when she was three. She also was a part of a drama club, where she was featured in lead roles in musicals.

Alex Director of FCDC

Alex started to dance and gymnastics when she was three. She also was a part of a drama club, where she was featured in lead roles in musicals. She then joined a competitive cheer team for five years, where she was simultaneously cheering for two different levels. In 2009, her team won first place at Nationals in Oregon.

Alex was also part of the Jr. SeaGals program at halftime during the Seattle Seahawks games for four years. There, she was noticed by the Director of the SeaGals and was asked to be on live TV to discuss the program. The Director also asked her to attend the taping of the New Day Morning Show on the local Fox station to speak about the program and perform. She went on to assisting tryouts and auditions while with the organization.

During her time with cheer teams, Alex was an assistant coach for the mini competitive squad, where she helped lead the team, taught routines, and trained the cheerleaders. After moving from Seattle to NJ, she decided to make dance her main focus.

Alex has been working alongside Amanda Grace since the day Flair opened and has quickly become her "right-hand gal" as well as an award-winning teacher and choreographer at both Regional and National competitions. She is thrilled to be a part of the Flair Family and is eager to extend her passion for dance and gymnastics to her students.

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Gabbie

Contemporary, Hip Hop, FCDC
Gabbie started dancing 25 years ago, then competitively 13 years ago, and began teaching 10 years ago.

Gabbie

Gabbie started dancing 25 years ago, then competitively 13 years ago, and began teaching 10 years ago. 

After graduating high school, she studied dance at Broadway Dance Center and then went to American Musical and Dramatic Academy of the Performing Arts LA Campus, where she was a Dance Theater major. Although her main focus through college was dance, she was also taking acting and singing classes which furthered her development as an artist.

Within a year of graduating in LA, Gabbie auditioned for and accepted a contract for Kelly Donovan and Dancers, based in New York. She moved back to the east coast and performed with the company for one year. Following that, her dance performance journey took her back to Cali to perform in a Salsa infused Hip-hop show called “Hot Rhythm Nights” at California Great America.

In addition to teaching at Flair, Gabbie owns and directs Reflection Dance Company and Reflect Training Company, coach’s Kean University’s Dance Team, assistant coach’s Hillsborough High School’s cheer team, is back in college pursuing a degree in Social Work and works in the Health Office at Hillsborough High School during the day. 

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Brionna

Acro
Brionna graduated from Rider University with her Bachelor’s degree in May 2018 and is ready to get back on the dance floor with Miss Amanda! Before college, she danced at Flair for two years at our old location.

Brionna

Brionna graduated from Rider University with her Bachelor’s degree in May 2018 and is ready to get back on the dance floor with Miss Amanda! Before college, she danced at Flair for two years at our old location. In her last year as a high school senior, she danced for Flair’s inaugural competitive team. Brionna is well-rehearsed in various genres of dance, but her first love was gymnastics. She was a gymnast for 16 years under the coaching of Miss Rachel and Miss Leah and had been competing since she was just six years old, starting in the USAG league.

She went on to the USAIGC league as a Silver gymnast at age 7. As she developed her skills, Brionna advanced and competed as a Gold and Platinum gymnast. She's won multiple awards, medals, and titles throughout her competitive years, including being a two-time Champion in two different levels. One of Brionna's proudest accomplishments was winning 1st place at Nationals with her High School team in Florida.

After competing, she went on to coach gymnastics and continues to coach at the YMCA. Although away at college for the last four years, she stayed involved by helping backstage at every Flair Recital to date. She has a passion for dance and gymnastics and is happy to be back “home” here at Flair. With over 15 years of experience, Brionna is excited to share her knowledge with her Flair dancers and can’t wait to see everyone achieve their goals!

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Cali

Ballet, Contemporary, FCDC
Cali is thrilled to be teaching at Flair for her 6th year. She is a graduate of The University of North Carolina Wilmington where she was a leader and teammate of the UNCW dance team while getting her BS in Business Administration.

Cali

Cali is thrilled to be teaching at Flair for her 6th year. She is a graduate of The University of North Carolina Wilmington where she was a leader and teammate of the UNCW dance team while getting her BS in Business Administration. She performed at all Men’s and Woman’s NCAA basketball games and promoted UNCW athletics while donating time and talent to the community.

Cali began her dance career with a National Title in Lyrical, at 4 years old.  She was a competitive dancer for 15 years, and has intensely trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theatre, lyrical and contemporary. While on the Hunterdon Central dance team in high school, Cali was given the opportunity to choreograph Varsity Jazz which won first place at States.

She has taken classes at every major dance competition, attended workshops with Travis Wall, Suzie Taylor, Joe Lanteri, and Scott Jovovich where she received numerous scholarships over the years. Cali was chosen to perform at Symphony Space under the choreography of Ariana Crowder for the Young Choreographers Festival and has worked closely with choreographers such as Marinda Davis, whose choreography was featured on Dancing with the Stars.

Cali’s dance experience and knowledge has allowed her many opportunities outside the dance studio. She has studied voice and acting and is a proud member of SAG/Aftra.  She has been in commercials, soaps, movies and was featured on Saturday Night Live on two occasions. Cali has modeled at New York Fashion week as well as Atlantic City Fashion Week and has been featured in several magazines.

 

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Skylar

Skylar

Acro
Skylar began her dance journey at 3 years old. At 5 she shifted gears to gymnastics, which lead to eight years of competitive gymnastics with the USAG, USAIG and YMCA programs.

Skylar

Skylar began her dance journey at 3 years old. At 5 she shifted gears to gymnastics, which lead to eight years of competitive gymnastics with the USAG, USAIG and YMCA programs. Skylar returned to dance in 2015 when she found Flair Dance Academy, quickly advancing from a one class student to studying all dance styles while continuing to compete in gymnastics. 

Intrigued by all aspects of the studio, Skylar became an assistant teacher to various styles and ages of dance at Flair.   In addition to her six years with the Flair Competitive Dance Company, she was a part of the State Champions and Nationals Finalist Hillsborough Dance Team for two years.

Skylar is excited to work with her students to share her love of dance with them.  She feels extremely lucky to be a part of the Flair Family.

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Katie

Musical Theatre, Beginner Classes
Katie has been classically trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary and has been dancing now for over 32 years.

Katie

Katie has been classically trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary and has been dancing now for over 32 years. She started her training at Dance Dimension, where she was a part of their competitive team at age 5. Katie won her first regional competitive title at age 9, and had many more titles followed. She continued her training in dance at Middlesex County College and received the Dean’s Award for “Excellence in Dance” and then transferred to Montclair State University to continue her training. Katie has kept up her training in dance by taking classes in New York at Broadway Dance Center under Broadway Choreographers and Guest Teachers. 

She has been teaching dance since the age of 16 and choreographing competitively since the age of 24. Her competitive routines have won her Platinums, Regional Championships, High Score Overalls and also an invitation to World Champion Competitions. Since 2010, she has been a dancer/choreographer for Artistic Visions Dance company. Katie also has been a part of the musical theatre world since the age of 7, participated in school and community productions, as well as choreographing plays at the age of 12. She has been seen on the stage at Plays In The Park in “Dancing In The Park V,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Singing in the Rain,” and “High School Musical.” 

Katie had a role in an independent film, “Mary Horror” and “Mary Horror 2.” She also appeared as an extra in “Jerseylicious.” She has her cosmetology license and when not teaching dance, she is a Dental Assistant for Princeton Center for Dental Aesthetics. 

Katie is excited for the opportunity to teach at Flair and pass on her experience and passion for dance to her students. 

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Chloe

Chloe

Director of Flair Force, teaches all genres
Chloe began dancing at the age of three. By age six, she was on a competitive cheer team, eventually competing at two different levels simultaneously.

Chloe Student Teacher

Chloe began dancing at the age of three. By age six, she was on a competitive cheer team, eventually competing at two different levels simultaneously. There, she was recognized by the director of the Jr SeaGals program and was asked to join the team.

During her time with the Jr. SeaGals, Chloe was performing at halftime during the Seattle Seahawks games. The Director asked her of the SeaGals to be on live TV to discuss the program. The Director also asked her to attend the taping of the New Day Morning Show on the local Fox station to speak about the program and perform. She went on to assisting during tryouts and auditions while with the organization.

Upon moving to NJ, Chloe joined Flair at the age of nine, where she started with Acro and Hip Hop and adding all other dance styles soon after. She was involved in some musicals with her church club, landing one of the lead roles.

Currently, She is working at the YMCA gymnastics program, teaching preschool classes and pre-team. In the summer, she also works as a camp counselor.

She was trained as a dance teacher by being an assistant here at Flair for four years and had been teaching ever since.

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Juliana

Acro
Juliana has been a gymnastics coach for over eight years at the Greater Somerville YMCA.

Juliana

Juliana has been a gymnastics coach for over eight years at the Greater Somerville YMCA. Her journey with gymnastics began when she started taking gymnastics classes at the YMCA at the age of 9. Soon after, she grew to love the sport and became a competitive gymnast at the YMCA and a 4-year varsity gymnast for the Somerville High School team. While still in high school, she started her coaching career by working gymnastic summer camps, where she taught the beginner levels. After graduating high school, she began coaching the team girls and devoting more time to the program. Within the last five years, Juliana has helped develop their skills, leading them to win numerous meets. Her passion for the sport has also led her to become an official judge at high school meets.

Juliana’s formal experience with dance has been limited to gymnastics floor routines. However, that has never stopped dance from being a big part of her life. As part of her cultural heritage, she has learned traditional dance styles such as Salsa and Merengue from her family. Outside of her family, she has always enjoyed dancing to all types of music. After all, she was crowned “Most Likely To Be Caught Dancing” by her high school gymnastics team!

Juliana is super excited to be part of the Flair team and ready to use her gymnastic prowess to help develop the dancer's acrobatic skills.

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Kayla

Tap
Kayla has been dancing since the age of 3 and has experience in most styles but enjoys tap and lyrical the most. She danced competitively all through Middle and High School and even continued dancing with a club upon entering college at Liberty University.

Kayla

Kayla has been dancing since the age of 3 and has experience in most styles but enjoys tap and lyrical the most. She danced competitively all through Middle and High School and even continued dancing with a club upon entering college at Liberty University. There, she graduated with a bachelors of science in interior design with a minor in psychology. Kayla started teaching at the age of 18 and taught every year until the world was put on hold in 2020. Since 2020 Kayla has gotten married to her husband Jeremy, moved to Flemington, New Jersey, and had her first son Cooper who is one year old. Now that all that craziness is over, it’s time to get back to teaching what she loves. Some of Kayla’s favorite memories with dance were dancing at Disney World, tying her best friend for second place in a lyrical solo at competition, and her first dance with her mother at her wedding.

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Gianna

Beginner Classes
Gianna began dancing at the age of eight and has been at Flair Dance Academy ever since. She is a recent graduate of Hillsborough High School where she was a member of the HHS Dance Team.

Gianna

Gianna began dancing at the age of eight and has been at Flair Dance Academy ever since.  She is a recent graduate of Hillsborough High School where she was a member of the HHS Dance Team.

Having been trained in various styles, Gianna was a principal dancer in our Annual Nutcracker Productions as well as numerous Competitive Productions with the FCDC, most recently portraying the roll of Jasmine in “Prince Ali”.   She has won countless awards and titles as a valued member of our team competing all over the state at both the regional and national level.  During her free time at Flair as a student, Gianna would assist various weekly classes and has learned all she knows from her mentors at the studio. 

She is so excited to now take on her own classes and is eager to teach her students the beauty of dance. 

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Front Desk

ASSISTANT TEACHERS

We believe that allowing young dancers to learn and work side by side with our professionals is an invaluable experience. We train dancers to one day become dance teachers while instilling in them the importance of responsibility, gaining social skills and leadership qualities. Our Assistant Program not only extends our dancer's training to another level but helps shape them for their future endeavors in more ways than one, no matter what their career goals are.