Ambition Dance Academy

Mary Ann DeCarlo
Mary Ann DeCarlo has over twenty years of training in various styles of dance. Starting dance class at age three she knew immediately she wanted to grow up to be just like her dance teacher. Mary Ann soon became captain of her dance troupe and competed in solo and group dances in tap, jazz and lyrical dance in regional and national competitions. She performed as a feature dancer throughout New Jersey, appeared on Channel 9 Children Programs and danced at PaperMill Playhouse with the New Jersey Ballet Company. After High School, she focused on ballroom and latin dance, learning lifts, styling and technique from world class champion trainers. She performed and competed throughout the U.S. with multiple entertainment companies for five years. Mary Ann successfully completed her teacher training through Dance Educators of America and has been teaching performing arts and ballroom dance ever since. She continues her training with the commitment to stay current with the newest dance moves and trends. Using her knowledge of the dance world and her eclectic background she founded Ambition Dance Academy in the summer of 2006. Mary Ann is extremely thankful to her family and friends for their love and constant support!
Meg Barden
Meg Barden began dancing at the early age of four. She danced for various companies throughout Bergen County. During this time she won regional and national talent competition awards for solo and group performances in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet and hip hop. Meg has studied under the area’s top teachers and has had the pleasure to work with renowned music video choreographers such as Dan Karaty and Keith Dioro. She attended James Madison University where she performed as well as choreographed for the dance team and the Contemporary Ensemble. During her time spent in the Contemporary Ensemble she had the great honor of dancing for the ACDFA (American College Dance Festival Association) in Washington DC. After graduating and receiving her minor in dance Meg has gone on to instruct dancers of all ages and levels. Miss Meg is very happy to join the faculty of Ambition Dance Academy!
Lily Muniz
Lily Muniz began her formal dance education when she was two years old. She graduated from Oneidas Dance Studio in Guttenberg New Jersey where she participated and completed the Dance Educators of America Medal Testing Program. She graduated with superior honors and received various achievement awards. Lily has not only received formal training in ballet but also in others forms of dance including salsa, hip hop, lyrical, tap, jazz, tango and many more. Throughout her years dancing she participated in local, regional, and national dance competitions placing in the top 5 and winning numerous gold and platinum awards.
Linnea Quintino
Linnea began her dance career at four years old. She received her formal dance training from local dance studios in New Jersey. Linnea has studied ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, modern and musical theater. She attended Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she studied dance, education and business. She currently holds a NJ Teaching Certificate and has been teaching dance in NY/NJ for the past three years. She has also choreographed regional/high school musicals throughout NJ. She is very happy to be part of the staff at Ambition Dance Academy.
Samantha Wilson
Samantha is currently attending Montclair State University where she is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in History with a Social Studies Teacher Certification. She has always had a passion for dance, as well as for cheerleading. Over the years she has studied many styles of dance including ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and jazz. She is a member of the dance group Rhythm Nation at Montclair State. The group incorporates many styles of dance and performs at various activities, including their own showcase. It was dance that lead her to cheerleading years ago and she began her cheer career at age 8. Samantha cheered for 10 years right through high school. During those years she gained experience in cheering for a variety of sports as well as in competitions. In high school, her varsity squad brought home 1st and 2nd place trophies at their Mountain Valley Conference competitions. She was named a captain her senior year and represented her high school at the annual Snapple Bowl, an all star game between Union and Middlesex counties. Her passion for cheerleading continued and she earned a coaching certification through the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y clinic. She currently is a volunteer coach at St. John the Apostle Elementary in Clark, NJ where she choreographs competition routines. She enjoys working with children and help to prepare them for the exciting, competitive world of cheerleading.
Theresa Lewis
Theresa Lewis is extremely excited to be a new addition to Ambition Dance Academy! She recently moved to Bergen County from Long Island, where she trained since she was six years old. Over the years she has trained in jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, and pointe. This past year Theresa was the competition teacher for the award winning competition team at her local studio. Theresa attended SUNY Cortland where she studied Adolescence English Education. While attending SUNY Cortland, Theresa was a founder and choreography of the Cortland Dance Company. The company incorporated many styles of dance and performed at different functions on and off campus, as well as their own end of the year recital. She is now a certified 7-12 English Teacher and Literacy Specialist in New York. She is happy and grateful to have found a family in ADA!
Rebecca Aburomi
Rebecca Aburomi has been dancing since the age of 4 and has trained in various schools throughout New Jersey. She had entered into dance competitions in NJ, NY, and PA winning numerous awards, top overalls, and titles on both regional and national levels of competition. She has performed in Mountain Creek’s “Wacky World” dance variety show, as well as judged dance competitions such as Sophisticated Productions. She is a member of the United States Achievement Academy/”National Awards for Dance and Cheer”. Rebecca attended Morris County College as a Dance Major achieving her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science and was awarded the Argenis Belle Memorial Dance Scholarship. Later she went on to achieve her Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a Dance Minor from Montclair State University. She has taught classes of all genres, levels, and ages and choreographed many pieces for recitals and competitions. Rebecca’s routines have won numerous regional and national awards including choreography, “judge’s special”, “judge’s choice”, and top overall high score. For the past 7 years she has been a regular judge for Passaic Valley High School’s Annual Girl’s Show for dance, cheer, and exercise. Like most dancers, she has a strong passion for the art of dance, and it is something she has been involved in all of her life.
Sara Funicello
Sara Funicello began dancing at the age of 3. She trained at with Debra DiNote in Turnersville, NJ where she was a member of the DANCE! Workshop Company. During this time she performed lead roles in company productions as well as won regional and national awards at numerous dance competitions for performances in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and musical theater. Sara is currently in her final year at Montclair State University where she is earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Education. While at MSU Sara was a member of the Repertory Dance Company and had the privilege of performing works by influential choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Charles Weidman, David Gordon and Doug Elkins. She was asked to perform Fredrick Earl Mosely’s Running Spirits at the American College Dance Festival Association Gala Performance as well as part of a showcase at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio. Sara is currently a volunteer at Hillside Catholic Academy where she has started an after school dance program. She loves sharing her knowledge with younger dancers and is excited to be on faculty at Ambition Dance Academy!
Janine Dayson
Janine Dayson received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from George Mason University in Virginia. She studied under Susan Shields, Dan Joyce, Linda Miller, Elizabeth Price and Jim Lepore. She was cast in faculty and student pieces and performed throughout her four years there. She also studied Dance Teacher Education classes. Janine has been teaching dance to students of all ages for almost 10 years and has choreographed award winning routines for competitive teams. Besides teaching dance, Janine recently received her Master's in Special Education and teaches at a school specializing in children with Autism. She is excited about teaching lyrical and ballet at Ambition Dance Academy and is looking forward to a great year with the girls!

Mary Ann DeCarlo

Mary Ann DeCarlo has over twenty years of training in various styles of dance. Starting dance class at age three she knew immediately she wanted to grow up to be just like her dance teacher. Mary Ann soon became captain of her dance troupe and competed in solo and group dances in tap, jazz and lyrical dance in regional and national competitions. She performed as a feature dancer throughout New Jersey, appeared on Channel 9 Children Programs and danced at PaperMill Playhouse with the New Jersey Ballet Company. After High School, she focused on ballroom and latin dance, learning lifts, styling and technique from world class champion trainers. She performed and competed throughout the U.S. with multiple entertainment companies for five years. Mary Ann successfully completed her teacher training through Dance Educators of America and has been teaching performing arts and ballroom dance ever since. She continues her training with the commitment to stay current with the newest dance moves and trends. Using her knowledge of the dance world and her eclectic background she founded Ambition Dance Academy in the summer of 2006. Mary Ann is extremely thankful to her family and friends for their love and constant support!

Meg Barden

Meg Barden began dancing at the early age of four. She danced for various companies throughout Bergen County. During this time she won regional and national talent competition awards for solo and group performances in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet and hip hop. Meg has studied under the area’s top teachers and has had the pleasure to work with renowned music video choreographers such as Dan Karaty and Keith Dioro. She attended James Madison University where she performed as well as choreographed for the dance team and the Contemporary Ensemble. During her time spent in the Contemporary Ensemble she had the great honor of dancing for the ACDFA (American College Dance Festival Association) in Washington DC. After graduating and receiving her minor in dance Meg has gone on to instruct dancers of all ages and levels. Miss Meg is very happy to join the faculty of Ambition Dance Academy!

Lily Muniz

Lily Muniz began her formal dance education when she was two years old. She graduated from Oneidas Dance Studio in Guttenberg New Jersey where she participated and completed the Dance Educators of America Medal Testing Program. She graduated with superior honors and received various achievement awards. Lily has not only received formal training in ballet but also in others forms of dance including salsa, hip hop, lyrical, tap, jazz, tango and many more. Throughout her years dancing she participated in local, regional, and national dance competitions placing in the top 5 and winning numerous gold and platinum awards.

Linnea Quintino

Linnea began her dance career at four years old. She received her formal dance training from local dance studios in New Jersey. Linnea has studied ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, modern and musical theater. She attended Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she studied dance, education and business. She currently holds a NJ Teaching Certificate and has been teaching dance in NY/NJ for the past three years. She has also choreographed regional/high school musicals throughout NJ. She is very happy to be part of the staff at Ambition Dance Academy.

Samantha Wilson

Samantha is currently attending Montclair State University where she is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in History with a Social Studies Teacher Certification. She has always had a passion for dance, as well as for cheerleading. Over the years she has studied many styles of dance including ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and jazz. She is a member of the dance group Rhythm Nation at Montclair State. The group incorporates many styles of dance and performs at various activities, including their own showcase. It was dance that lead her to cheerleading years ago and she began her cheer career at age 8. Samantha cheered for 10 years right through high school. During those years she gained experience in cheering for a variety of sports as well as in competitions. In high school, her varsity squad brought home 1st and 2nd place trophies at their Mountain Valley Conference competitions. She was named a captain her senior year and represented her high school at the annual Snapple Bowl, an all star game between Union and Middlesex counties. Her passion for cheerleading continued and she earned a coaching certification through the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y clinic. She currently is a volunteer coach at St. John the Apostle Elementary in Clark, NJ where she choreographs competition routines. She enjoys working with children and help to prepare them for the exciting, competitive world of cheerleading.

Theresa Lewis

Theresa Lewis is extremely excited to be a new addition to Ambition Dance Academy! She recently moved to Bergen County from Long Island, where she trained since she was six years old. Over the years she has trained in jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, and pointe. This past year Theresa was the competition teacher for the award winning competition team at her local studio. Theresa attended SUNY Cortland where she studied Adolescence English Education. While attending SUNY Cortland, Theresa was a founder and choreography of the Cortland Dance Company. The company incorporated many styles of dance and performed at different functions on and off campus, as well as their own end of the year recital. She is now a certified 7-12 English Teacher and Literacy Specialist in New York. She is happy and grateful to have found a family in ADA!

Rebecca Aburomi

Rebecca Aburomi has been dancing since the age of 4 and has trained in various schools throughout New Jersey. She had entered into dance competitions in NJ, NY, and PA winning numerous awards, top overalls, and titles on both regional and national levels of competition. She has performed in Mountain Creek’s “Wacky World” dance variety show, as well as judged dance competitions such as Sophisticated Productions. She is a member of the United States Achievement Academy/”National Awards for Dance and Cheer”. Rebecca attended Morris County College as a Dance Major achieving her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science and was awarded the Argenis Belle Memorial Dance Scholarship. Later she went on to achieve her Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a Dance Minor from Montclair State University. She has taught classes of all genres, levels, and ages and choreographed many pieces for recitals and competitions. Rebecca’s routines have won numerous regional and national awards including choreography, “judge’s special”, “judge’s choice”, and top overall high score. For the past 7 years she has been a regular judge for Passaic Valley High School’s Annual Girl’s Show for dance, cheer, and exercise. Like most dancers, she has a strong passion for the art of dance, and it is something she has been involved in all of her life.

Sara Funicello

Sara Funicello began dancing at the age of 3. She trained at with Debra DiNote in Turnersville, NJ where she was a member of the DANCE! Workshop Company. During this time she performed lead roles in company productions as well as won regional and national awards at numerous dance competitions for performances in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and musical theater. Sara is currently in her final year at Montclair State University where she is earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Education. While at MSU Sara was a member of the Repertory Dance Company and had the privilege of performing works by influential choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Charles Weidman, David Gordon and Doug Elkins. She was asked to perform Fredrick Earl Mosely’s Running Spirits at the American College Dance Festival Association Gala Performance as well as part of a showcase at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio. Sara is currently a volunteer at Hillside Catholic Academy where she has started an after school dance program. She loves sharing her knowledge with younger dancers and is excited to be on faculty at Ambition Dance Academy!

Janine Dayson

Janine Dayson received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from George Mason University in Virginia. She studied under Susan Shields, Dan Joyce, Linda Miller, Elizabeth Price and Jim Lepore. She was cast in faculty and student pieces and performed throughout her four years there. She also studied Dance Teacher Education classes. Janine has been teaching dance to students of all ages for almost 10 years and has choreographed award winning routines for competitive teams. Besides teaching dance, Janine recently received her Master's in Special Education and teaches at a school specializing in children with Autism. She is excited about teaching lyrical and ballet at Ambition Dance Academy and is looking forward to a great year with the girls!