"Miss" Lisa has directed DEDA for 37 years. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Adelphi University and is certified for Fitness, Yoga, Acrobatic Arts and Zumba and received technical training at NJ School of Ballet, Bdwy Dance Center plus years of study with Phil Black, Chuck Kelly and Frank Hatchett. DEDA is professionally licensed by More Than Just Great Dancing and other memberships include IDEA, DEA, ADT of NJ and NADAA. "Miss" Lisa has served as the choreographer for area musicals including HPHS for over 35 years. Her performance experience includes: “Outrageous”, Bally’s Casino, NJ; Hershey Park, Pa.; Green Mountain Guild, Vt. and Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, NJ. "Miss" Lisa was honored with the 2013 Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council's "Arts in Education Award" for Excellence in Arts Education.

"Miss" Ellen is the Artistic Coordinator and a lead instructor at DEDA and has trained dancers in all levels and genres for over 16 years. Ellen began her journey at DEDA at the age of 7, her passion for the art of dance sparked by “Miss” Lisa Schumann. She pursued dance studies at County College of Morris, an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts at Sussex County Community College, and continued her dance education at Montclair State University. “Miss” Ellen’s choreography has earned numerous accolades and awards in regional and national competitions. “Miss” Ellen believes in building self-confidence and encouraging creative expression and hard work in all DEDA students.

“Miss” Kit began her ballet training at NJ School of Ballet and continued her training at Theater Arts Dance America. She studied privately with Kirov Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and American Ballet Theater dancers and prestigious summer programs. Kit danced professionally with Ballet Austin, Evergreen City Ballet, Ballet Neo, and NJ Ballet. Her credits include classics such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker and more. Miss Kit has been teaching all levels of ballet and pointe at DEDA for over 14 years and is also a choreographer and rehearsal coach to the DEDA Performance Company.  “Miss” Kit is excited to continue to foster the love of dance in each and every DEDA student. 

“Miss” Tina is DEDA'S Accounts Manager and Social Media Coordinator. She grew up dancing at Dance Expression dance arts and was a member of the DEDA Performance Dance Company for 8 years. “Miss” Tina attended Slippery Rock University and received her BA in Dance.  Miss Tina’s Dance Education plus her accounting and creative skills keep all the DEDA gears turning in sync! This is her 5th season at DEDA. 

“Miss” Jaclyn has been studying and performing various styles of dance, including: ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and tap, since a young age. Jaclyn attended undergraduate college at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, where she received her BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a Minor in Dance. “Miss” Jaclyn continued her education at Seton Hall University, where she received her MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She currently is a speech-language pathologist in a public school district. “Miss” Jaclyn has been teaching at DEDA since 2007 and is always excited to continue to share her passion and enthusiasm for Dance with all DEDA students!

“Miss" Jenn was a member of the DEDA Performance Company. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and B.A. in Dance from James Madison University with an endorsement to teach dance in public schools. She teaches third grade for the West Milford School District. In addition to teaching at DEDA since 2011, she has established a reading thorough dance program, choreographed for school musicals and videos, taught dance camps, and created and directed an anti-bullying musical which earned the NJ National School Character Award. In 2014 she received her Masters Degree in Education Administration. Her goal is to spread the love and joy of dance to all ages!

“Miss” Ami studied dance through high school performing in dance competitions and teaching young dancers. She attended Marywood University in Scranton, PA and majored in Elementary Education and minored in Early Childhood Education and Dance and was a member of the dance team and ensemble. Ami went on to receive her Masters Degree in Special Education from William Paterson University. She is currently a special education teacher in the West Milford School District. "Miss" Ami began teaching at DEDA in 2012. She loves that she is able to share her love for dance, especially tap dancing, with all the students at Dance Expression dance arts.

"Miss" Kelly begins her 6th season with DEDA and is also the proud mother of two DEDA proud dance company divas, Miranda and Sabrina. Kelly graduated with a BFA from Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, MO. She then pursued the dream of being a musical theatre actress for more than 15 years. She toured Europe playing Kristine in A CHORUS LINE, toured on Holland America's Statendam and traveled the US on performance tours. “Miss” Kelly continues to pursue her love of directing and choreographing, recent credits including off-Broadway’s 27 Santas And An Elf Called Kevin, Ucvt’s The Addams Family, and DEDA’s fabulous jazz team!

“Miss” Yvonne graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance in 2017.  While at MSU, Yvonne performed in works by various choreographers such as Christian Von Howard, Nancy Lushington, Frederick Earl Mosley, Mark Morris, Antony Tudor, and Larry Keigwin.  Yvonne performed at The Joyce Theater and the Martha Graham Studios in New York City.  Upon graduating, Yvonne accepted a professional performing contract with Norwegian Cruise Lines and performed in three shows: Swing! The Broadway Musical, Get Down Tonight, and Blazing Boots. Yvonne is now a NJ Certified Teacher of Dance for grades K-12 and currently teaches middle school students in East Rutherford, NJ.  “Miss” Yvonne loves to teach and choreograph all styles of dance.

“Miss” Kristen is so excited to join the teaching staff of DEDA! She began her dance training at Dance Expression dance arts at age 2 and found her second home.  “Miss” Kristen went on to join the dance company at age 8, performing in both award-winning group choreography and solos and duets.  She continued her dance education at County College of Morris and received her Associates Degree in Dance. “I love being able to share my passion for dance and my experience with all our DEDA Students. Being a dance instructor at DEDA gives me so much joy!” ”Miss” Kristen 

Danielle Gutt danced and performed as a DEDA student for 15 years. Throughout those years, DEDA grew to be a very important part of “Miss” Dani’s life. She trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop and she received numerous Overall High Score and Special Awards as a Dance Expression dance arts Performance Company Dancer. She is currently studying Dance and Nutrition/Food Science at Montclair State University and is scheduled to graduate with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 2023. Over the past few years, she has performed in works by Stefanie Batten Bland, Gregory Dolbashian, Christian Von Howard, and Jessica Dimauro Marks. Danielle is so proud and excited to be joining the teaching staff at DEDA. “Miss” Dani’s love for dance continues to grow stronger every day, and she is so excited to share her creativity and passion with her DEDA students!

Haley Connington is a New Jersey native, who started dancing at the age of three, and began competing at the age of seven. She trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. At FSU, she performed works choreographed by Anjali Austin, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Donna Uchizono, Yayun Li, and Aigars Larionovos and interned at Broadway Dance Center. She is the fitness model for the 2020 Dance Spirit Magazine and for the Broadway Dance Center’s 2020 marketing brochures. Haley choreographed for the BDC summer professional semester performance which showcased at the Dixon Place in New York City. Haley truly enjoys teaching dance to the younger generation of dancers.  She believes in the importance of dance education and allows her students to be creative and represent their individuality.  "Miss" Haley is very excited to join the Staff of DEDA!

-- Guest Teacher/Choreographer

Riley Rienert studied at NH School of Ballet for 16 years and is earning her BFA in Dance at Montclair State University. In addition, Riley has worked with many talented choreographers, like Teddy Forance, Talia Favia, Chaz Buzan, Stephanie Batten Bland, and Roderick George and is currently signed with MSA Talent Agency in NYC. Riley has been teaching/ choreographing for 4 years and is so excited to work with all the DEDA Students!