In creating our studio, we had a common goal. Our aim was to provide for young dancers an atmosphere in which talent could be nurtured and developed and interest and love for dance broadened and respected. These aims have remained central to us throughout our history and as they have expanded and grown, so has Le Danse's educational base widened.

Le Danse is a community of dancers who have not only the benefits of training with our amazing faculty of professional instructors, choreographers and performers, but also the sharing of artistic experience as well, in venues like regional and national competitions, year end performances and master classes and workshops. We emphasize our students working together in performing groups, both large and small ensembles and continue to combine the determination to continue to move forward while holding fast to earlier wisdom. The studio reflects the change of environment of the professional arts by emphasizing the broadest possible artistic content for the young, while fostering interaction among students and teachers and offering professional training & education unique in both time and place.

We, the directors of Le Danse, are proud of our outstanding studio, staff, and well-trained students. We are proud of the many accomplishments, awards and accolades that we have all received over the years and hope to continue to guide our studio gracefully.

 

Stephanie Isaacson-Bianchi

Stephanie has been dancing since she was five years old. She has studied and competed in various styles at Le Danse, such as ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, pointe, and contemporary. She began her dance teaching career with Le Danse at seventeen years old. 

Stephanie is an alumna of the Rockette Summer Intensive, where she learned and performed Rockette repertoire for five summers. She also frequently learned from professional dancers at the Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Stephanie continued her dance education at Montclair State University, where she earned her minor in Dance. Stephanie learned from prestigious professors in ballet and modern. While studying at Montclair State University, she became the founding member and Vice President of the Montclair State Dance Team and competed at the Universal Dance Association College Nationals. Upon graduating, Stephanie went on to become the Assistant Coach of MSDT and then the Head Coach. She holds a national championship title from the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Championship during her coaching career. 

 Stephanie is excited to continue her teaching career at Le Danse. She is looking forward to bringing technical excellence and instilling a passion for dance in each of her students!

Jennifer Oehlwein

Jennifer Oehlwein grew up in the competition circuit (both dance and ballroom) and continued her education at Point Park University, in Pittsburgh PA. She received a B.A. in Dance and minor in Musical Theatre. She has made a career of performing, choreographing, judging, and directing professionally for the past ten plus years. 

In addition to dance, Jennifer is also a singer, aerialist, and fitness professional. Over the last year she has founded a company called Freeheart Fitness merging her love of dance and fitness together in an online community. During her college years she had the privilege of interning with River North and Hubbard Street in Chicago for their summer intensives. 

After graduation she took to the seas with Royal Carribean International, singing and dancing all over the world then onto the international tour of “West Side Story”. Upon moving to NYC a new opportunity fell into her lap as a rehearsal director/installer for an entertainment company that casts in a multitude of arenas including cruise-ships, national tours, theme parks, industrial gigs, and more! 

When not working on productions and installing casts of professionals, she assisted the team at dance calls and taught master classes all over the world! Jennifer has performed in various musicals such as Legally Blonde, West Side Story, The Producers, The Bodyguard, Reefer Madness, and the national tour of Elf The Musical! Most recently she was featured in the Disney’s 50th Anniversary footage as well as a commercial for Coca-Cola. She is currently a member of the company the “Latin Connection” here in NYC and performs with them regularly. She is also a regional director for the dance competition, Encore DCS. 

She is very passionate about dance education and training students who love what they do. Jennifer considers herself lucky to have made a career out of her life's passion and looks forward to continuing to do so through inspiring dancers everywhere.

Sarina Lima

Sarina has been passionate about dance since the age of three, training and competing in a wide range of styles including tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and musical theatre.

She has studied at prestigious programs such as the Joffrey Ballet School and The Boston Conservatory and is a proud alumna of the Rockette Summer Intensive. Sarina earned her A.F.A. degree in Fine Arts and has performed professionally in numerous New York City productions, as well as with acclaimed companies including Aries in Flight, Flying Metals Tap Troupe, and Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre, with whom she toured extensively.

In addition to performing, Sarina has dedicated over a decade to teaching and choreography. Her work has earned multiple accolades at both regional and national competitions, including awards for Top Choreography and Excellence in the Field. She is also a certified instructor through Acrobatic Arts and is especially excited to return to her roots at Le Danse—where she once trained as a student—to now inspire the next generation as part of the teaching staff.

Tony Mercado

Tony Mercado is a dancer, actor, and choreographer with over 17 years of experience in the performing arts. A proud Gettysburg, PA native, he grew up in the dance competition world starting at the age of 3. Recently, he was a Swing in the World Premiere of Always Something There... at the prestigious Marriott Theatre in Chicago, and also served as a Swing and Understudy for the record breaking In the Heights at the acclaimed Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C. His additional credits include CATS (Mr. Mistoffelees), The SpongeBob Musical (Squidward Q. Tentacles), Descendants: The Musical (Jay, Dance Captain), Something Rotten, and Young Frankenstein.

In addition to performing, Tony is passionate about mentorship. He has hosted as the emcee for Encore DCS and Dancers Inc. National Dance Competitions. He focuses on encouraging young performers to embrace their individuality and artistry. Currently pursuing his degree at Pace University, Tony is excited to bring his knowledge, energy, and authenticity to Le Danse!

Gianna Raimo

Gianna has been dancing since two and a half and has won numerous high gold, platinum, and overall high score awards competing with the studio. Gianna was second runner up Miss Showbiz and National Dance Week's Most Promising Performer at both Showbiz National Dance Competition and New York Dance America/Olympus. Gianna has also trained in New York City at Broadway Dance Center, Steps NYC, the Joffrey Summer Intensive and the Rockette Summer Intensive.

Gianna is very excited to now be apart of the teaching staff at Le Danse and is looking forward to sharing this knowledge with her students. Gianna has been both a dancer and the Executive Chair of Orchesis, a Dance Group at Columbia University and Scholarship Director of Kappa Alpha Theta and Recruitment Data Assistant.

Gianna just graduated Barnard College Columbia University with a double major in Economics and English (writing). Gianna is excited to begin her advertising career in New York City this summer.

 

580 Valley Road, Wayne N.J 07470. Tel.(973)305-8401

Email:ledanse@optimum.net