Dana VanPell - Owner/ Director
Ms. Dana has over 25 years of experience in dance education and has devoted her career to inspiring dancers of all ages and skill levels. She is the owner and studio director of A Step in Time Dance Center, established in 2001. At the age of 16, Ms. Dana was a principal dancer for the New Jersey Tap Ensemble, training under renowned legends such as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Deborah Mitchell, and Karen Callaway. She furthered her dance education at Mercer County College, focusing on modern dance and ballet. As the founder of ASIT, Ms. Dana has guided countless students from the ages of three through their senior year of high school. Many of her students have gone on to join collegiate dance teams, pursue professional dance careers, and even become studio owners themselves. Ms. Dana is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where students can advance their technique, express their creativity, build confidence, and, most importantly, discover their love for dance. She remains committed to her own professional growth through online programs, which enhance both her personal knowledge and studio management skills, ultimately benefiting her students. Looking ahead, Ms. Dana is excited to continue guiding the next generation of dancers at ASIT and to share her passion for dance with the community for many years to come.
Patti Crumrine
Ms. Patti has been dancing since the age of 3, training in a variety of classical and street dance styles. She holds a dance certificate from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Patti has performed as an ensemble dancer in the Off-Broadway show Beyond Babel, choreographed and directed by Keone & Mari, and as a dancer for BTS's Love Yourself Tour. She has also been a performer in Stravinsky Reimagined, directed by Jennifer Webber, and is a company member of Shinsa The Collective in New York City. Currently, Patti serves as co-choreographer for Six Flags' Dead Man's Party at Great Adventure, a role she has held for four seasons. She is also an associate choreographer for Shinsa The Collective’s immersive shows B_TTERLAND and Limbo: The Echo, under the direction of Bo Park. With over 9 years of teaching and choreographing experience, Patti has been a judge at True Talent Dance Competition for the past 7 years, where she now serves as a head judge on the panel. Ms. Patti has been teaching at A Step In Time Dance Studio for 8 years, and she takes immense pride in her students' accomplishments, enjoying the process of watching them grow into beautiful artists.
Kiera Scales
Ms. Kiera has been dancing for 19 years and is a proud alum of A Step in Time Dance Center. Growing up, she competed and trained in a variety of styles, including contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, and hip hop. Recently, she graduated magna cum laude from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing and a minor in Supply Chain. During her time at TCNJ, she was a member of the college’s nationally-ranked dance team, competing annually at UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Throughout her four years on the team, Ms. Kiera held three leadership positions, including captain during her senior year. At the age of 17, Ms. Kiera began choreographing for A Step in Time and has since taught at various studios, schools, and workshops across New Jersey. She is thrilled to join the ASIT faculty and is excited to work with students during the 2024-2025 season!
Tabitha Edwards
Ms. Tabitha fell in love with dance at the age of four, and has been dancing ever since. Trained in many different styles, Tabitha enjoys sharing her love of dance through teaching. Tabitha has an Associate’s degree in LA-Dance from MCC. She has performed with, and choreographed for, the Middlesex County College Dance Ensemble, as well as local companies: Artistic Visions Dance Company, Main Street Theatre Company, and the Rahway Arts and Business Partnership. She has performed at Highland Park's Arts in the Park, the Koresh Showcase in Philadelphia, Dance NJ’s Show Up and Dance, and at OSPAC for the FreeSpace Summer Season Performance.
Eliazar Jimenez
Mr. Eliazar is a versatile dancer, performer, and educator with a rich background in various dance disciplines. He began his training at the Broadway Dance Center (CTP) and the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. Eliazar has honed his skills through dance conventions, master classes, and intensives, continually expanding his expertise across all dance styles. His impressive performance credits include appearances on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live (SNL), NBCU Upfront, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Winter Wonderland in Nevada, Target’s The Toy Cracker, and the music video "Wrote My Way Out.
Amanda Boyer
Ms. Amanda is a NYC-based movement artist, educator, and choreographer with a BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts, where she also minored in business, graduating in May 2023. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Amanda immersed herself in various dance techniques from a young age, with a particular focus on contemporary, modern, and improvisational forms. Her education extended to prestigious programs such as Complexions Academy, GALLIM, and the B12 Festival in Berlin. Amanda has performed in works by notable choreographers, including Martha Graham, Doug Varone, Sidra Bell, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Jesse Zaritt, Jordan Demetrius Lloyd, and Mark Caserta. She was also a company member of Klassic Contemporary Ballet Company from 2018 to 2021. Beyond performing, Amanda began her teaching career at 17, sharing her passion in studios across PA, NJ, and NY, and mentoring young artists at the University of the Arts. She is eager to continue growing alongside her students as she advances in her career.
Alexa B
Ms. Alexa has dedicated 20 years to dance, with a deep passion for contemporary/lyrical and jazz styles. Her journey began in high school at the Fine and Performing Arts Program (FPAC), where she first discovered her love for choreography, creating pieces for annual showcases. A proud graduate of Rutgers University, Alexa was an active member of the Rutgers Performing Dance Company, where she choreographed several pieces across various semesters. Continuing her education, Alexa earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Rutgers Graduate School of Education. She now teaches 3rd grade, where she integrates movement into her classroom, crafting a teaching philosophy that combines her love of dance with education. She has been choreographing competition routines for all age levels for several years now, loving nothing more than to watch her students shine on stage. She loves finding the crossovers and countless ways teaching children in the classroom versus the dance studio is similar.
Bella Crescenzi
Ms. Bella is a New York-based dance artist hailing from Staten Island. She began her dance journey at Dance Xpress Dance Studio under the direction of Alison Betso and Daniel Montera, where she competed at regional and national levels. Bella furthered her training through the Broadway Dance Center’s Children/Teen Program (CTP) and performed with the BDC Youth Company: Arts In Motion. She went on to earn her BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts, studying under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Bella has performed in a variety of artistic works by renowned artists such as Jamal Abrams, Josh Assor, Netta Yerushalmy, Paul Matteson, Katie Swords-Thurman, and Curt Haworth. Currently, Bella is continuing her professional training at Peridance Center, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway, while also serving as a multi-genre movement instructor at various dance studios. In addition to her dance expertise, Bella is a certified Yoga Instructor, having completed her 200 HR Yoga Teacher Certification in NYC. She is deeply passionate about creating a supportive and fun environment where her students can grow into their most expressive selves.
Courtney Gelmetti
Ms. Courtney is a graduate of Rider University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance, along with minors in General Business Studies and Sales Management. Her dance training began at an early age under the guidance of her mother, Patricia Schumacher. Over the years, Courtney has developed a strong foundation in ballet, pointe, partnering, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and lyrical dance, studying under esteemed instructors such as Nancy Bielski, Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, Erika Mero, Michael Mindlin, and Geoffrey Doig-Marx. As a dedicated dance educator, Courtney is an ABT® Certified Teacher, having completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also certified in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) and Acrobatic Arts Module One. In addition to teaching, Courtney is a dance competition judge with Impact Dance Adjudicators.
Caleb Sambucci
Mr. Caleb has been dancing at A Step In Time Dance Center for nearly 10 years, specializing in Hip-Hop while also gaining experience in Tap and Ballet. He consistently strives for excellence in his own dancing and encourages his students to do the same in every class. Caleb is passionate about working with aspiring dancers and passing on the knowledge and skills he has gained from his time at ASIT. Throughout his training, Caleb has had the opportunity to learn from industry professionals such as Patti Crumrine, Charlene "Chi-Chi" Smith, the Rubiano Brothers (Nick, Tritan, and Alex), Rosero McCoy, Lane Napper, and Anthony Bounphakhom. He has also attended numerous dance conventions, including Monsters of Hip-Hop and Titans. Caleb is excited to continue sharing his love for dance and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
Sophia Resina
Ms. Sophia has been a dancer at A Step In Time Dance Center since the age of two and is currently a proud member of the competitive Senior dance team. Over the years, she has not only grown as a dancer but also found a second family within the ASIT community, making lifelong friends along the way. Sophia is passionate about passing on the knowledge and skills she has gained to other dancers and loves sharing her passion for dance with those who feel the same. She has trained in a variety of styles, including contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, musical theater, and hip-hop. She has had the opportunity to learn from industry professionals such as Patti Crumrine, Charlene "Chi-Chi" Smith, the Rubiano Brothers (Nick, Tritan, and Alex), and Rosero McCoy. Sophia is excited to continue sharing her love for dance with others and to inspire the next generation of dancers.