Meet The Staff
Miss Kelsay is the owner and director here at Trademark. She opened the studio with the help of her amazing staff in 2016 and has never looked back! She is passionate about not only dance but about utilizing dance and its platform to create amazing humans.
She has trained with some of the most amazing teachers and choreographers in the US, but one of her favorite experiences was dancing with Beth Level for Disney at the age of 11. Miss Kelsay is also an SDA/Dance ONE Adjudicator and judge since 2020 and is very proud to be an advocate in the competition dance world.
She has a Bachelor's degree in public health with a minor in dance from Stockton University.
Miss Kelsays' strengths are a variety and she tends to keep them that way. Technique and training to choreography and creativity, she strives for greatness with not only herself but her staff and students as well. "Myself and my staff have created an amazing environment for dancers to train and succeed. Not only are they multi talented award winning teachers and students but they are great people and that is what we strive for here. Between winning choreography, entertainment, overall awards and titles on a regional and national level there is something to be proud of in more ways than I could count."
Her teaching philosophy is to always strive for greatness in proper technique, so that you can give dancers more freedom in their journey to success. "I want dancers to love dance and never lose that passion so guiding them to that place is something I am passionate about"
Fun fact: Spending time with Gronk and Bamber (miss kelsays dogs) is my favorite!
Miss Emma is our assistant director and co-company director. Emma Smith is also our acrobatics director and our marketing and media manager.
Emma Smith grew up in the dance studio. Being raised as a ‘competition kid’, she fell in love with the aspects and knew it was her life’s passion and purpose. Winning multiple convention scholarships, apprenticeships, along with regional and national titles, she grew passionate for the competition lifestyle. At the young age of 12, she began assisting alongside her teachers and by the age of 16 she led her own classes.
Now teaching for over 6 years, she is the company director of our successful dance company and is our assistant director. Emma is also our acrobatic director and our marketing manager. Her competitive dance experience has also led her to become a judge for SDA/DanceOne.
Miss Emma has been awarded many choreography awards, entertainment awards, regional championships, and led multiple students to winning both regional and national titles
She thrives on creation and evolution. Her strengths lie in choreography and production design. She prides herself on being a positive role model for the members of her team, and the commitment she pours into the company that she once was a part of.
FUN FACT: Emma’s favorite band is Fleetwood Mac
Miss Courtney is the Recreational Co-Director.
Courtney has studied many genres of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, and improv. Courtney also studied to receive her BA in Dance with a minor in Business Administration from Georgian Court University.
Throughout her many years of both competitive and noncompetitive dance, Courtney has been trained by many different artists and teachers. During her competitive years, Courtney was awarded the “Most Photogenic” award at the national level from On Point Dance Competition. She was also invited to attend their nationals, take master classes, and perform in the Ultimate Victory Performance!
Overall, Courtney’s love for dance started at a very young age and continues to grow tremendously each day. She believes one of the most rewarding jobs is being a dance teacher and hopes to share that love with all of her students.
Courtney continues to aspire and work towards her goals not only as a dancer and performer herself, but as a teacher as well. She is so excited to be a part of the TDA team.
FUN FACT! Miss Courtneys favorite food is sushi!
Miss Kayla is the Studio Operations / Office Manager.
Miss Kayla started dancing at the age of 2 and has danced throughout college. She has studied ballet, modern, improvisation, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical. She had the privilege to dance on the Barnegat Dance Team through middle school and high school. Kayla also had the opportunity to continue her dance journey at the OCVTS Performing Arts Academy.
Kayla has recently completed her BA in Dance with a concentration in studio operations and her BA in general business studies from Stockton University. While she was earning her degree, she was given many opportunities to perform and choreograph for the Stockton Dance Company. Through these experiences, she had the opportunity to travel to Palm Springs, California to perform with the Michael Nickerson Rossi Dance Company in February of 2022.
Miss Kayla is very excited to be joining the TDA family for season 9! Make sure you stop by the front desk and say hello!
Fun Fact: Miss Kayla knows sign language
Miss Dawn brings 40 years of dance teaching experience to TDA! Professionally trained in Ballet, Tap and Jazz, she continues her training through dance teacher workshops, seminars and attending class whenever she can.
Dawn’s performance experience includes Lead Dancer at Six Flags Great Adventure, performer with Chandris (Celebrity) Fantasy Cruise Line, and summer community theatre with Plays in the Park, Middlesex County where she not only performed but choreographed as well.
A graduate of Rutgers University, Dawn founded and was artistic director for the Absolute Dance Co. in Monroe NJ, which is now owned by one of her former students.
“What I love about teaching at Trademark is that everyone is welcomed, accepted and encouraged to be the best they can be! I’m proud to be part of the amazing TDA Family!”
Fun Fact: In college, Miss.Dawn sang in a band.
Miss Sara is a professional ballroom dancer. She has been trained in all styles of ballroom dance since childhood. Her specialty style is “International Latin”, including Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive. She competes regularly and trains with top coaches; including Tony Dovolani from “Dancing with the Stars!”
Sara is passionate about sharing her love of dance, and looks forward to each opportunity to teach students and bring out the best in them. Her philosophy is to train hard, but to still have fun and remember the joy that dancing brings.
Sara’s love for performing and dancing started as soon as she could walk, and she is grateful to work and spend her time immersed in what she loves.
Fun Fact: Miss Sara’s favorite drink is Green Tea!
Miss Ashlyn is one of our newest additions to Trademark staff. Ashlyn is joining our team as a teacher and company choreographer.
Ashlyn discovered her love for teaching and choreographing when she first began assistant teaching. Working along side Miss Emma, Miss Britt and Miss Courtney, she learned what it means to be a trademark teacher and she is excited to create her own legacy.
Musicality is definitely Miss Ashlyn’s strong suit. She is so eager to share her ideas and energy with our TDA fam throughout this season!
Miss Madi, has been a dedicated member of Trademark since it began in 2016. Her dance journey began at the age of 4, and by 10, she was competing in a variety of styles.
Madi started as an assistant to various Trademark staff members and through her experiences, she has developed a deep passion for teaching, particularly in tap dance.
In teaching the youngest students, Miss Madi focuses on creating a nurturing and engaging environment that fosters both enthusiasm and foundational skills.
Madi is committed to inspiring her young students and supporting their growth with every class. She values the opportunity to work, learn, and share her love for dance every day.
FUN FACT: Miss Madi’s favorite animal is pandas
Miss Morgan is a dance teacher and choreographer. She is super excited to join the TDA family this year!
After starting dance at age 11, continuing through high school, and then receiving her school’s dance scholarship, she decided to continue her dance education in college. Morgan then went to Stockton University where she double majored in Dance and Teacher Education. Through the Stockton Dance Program, Morgan was given the opportunity to learn from professional dance artists and present her choreography in multiple shows.
Currently, Morgan is an elementary school teacher by day, and dance instructor at night. She specializes in teaching acrobatics, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, and more, to dancers of all ages and ability levels. Morgan is Acrobatic Arts and Alixa Flexibility certified and loves attending workshops and different professional development opportunities to grow as a dance teacher. In addition, Morgan has worked with brands such as The Rockettes, Dream Duffel, Acrobatic Arts, and more through her social media following.
Morgan builds a focus on technique while also developing artistry and movement quality within her classes. She adores the art of choreography, the world of competition dance, watching dancers shine on stage, and instilling technique and passion into young and aspiring dancers. Morgan loves to create entertaining, technical, and artistic routines which have been awarded entertainment, choreography, and high score awards.
Morgan is so excited to spread her love of dance and acrobatics to Trademark!
FUN FACT: Morgan has a twin sister who is also a dance teacher!
Miss Emma is 17 years old and has been training at Trademark since the doors opened in 2016.
Emma began dancing at the age of 2 and competitively at the age of 8, which she has trained in many styles including: tap, jazz, hiphop, ballet, and more.
For several past seasons Emma has assisted beside Miss Courtney and Miss Madi to learn what it means to be a Trademark teacher and is excited to share her passion of dance with her students. She has learned how to express her self through different styles of music while assisting aside multiple trademark staff members.
Miss Emma’s goal is to make sure each class her kids leave remembering something new. She is so grateful to be able to watch them grow as dancers , but also for her to be able to grow as a teacher along side them.
FUN FACT: Miss Emma’s favorite songs to dance to are from the movie(s) “DESCENDANTS”