The studio is led by the director, Ann Marie Coelho. She has been teaching dance for 37 years. Her early childhood training led her to continue training in NYC while attending college. She was a scholarship student at Phil Black Dance Studio in NYC, under the direction of Phil Black and Des Calderon. She has a BA in dance and economics from Rutgers College, Rutgers University. She chose teaching, as passing on the art, developing dancers of the future, and seeing the joy it brought to the dancer and audience ultimately was her true passion. Her choreography has won numerous awards at both regional and national dance competitions. Her students have gone on to professional careers in dance and theater. Her energy and passion for dance and teaching have kept students training here for the past 33 years. She takes great pride in teaching classes of all ages and knowing that this studio also fosters leadership training and character development for her students growing up here. She is also a proud mom of two dancing daughters.

Alyssa Coelho is assistant director of Center Stage Dance Studio. She is a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance. She is trained in all styles of dance and competed on the CSDC for 19 years. She has won many titles, accolades, and awards throughout her years on the CSDC. She performed in the Keke Palmer Music Choice video “Snack”, in the 2019 Soul Train Award Opening Number, and in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the Coach float with Keke Palmer. Miss Alyssa‘s energy and innovative choreography are sure to be enjoyed by her students. Her choreography has won many regional and national awards at competitions. Outside of teaching dance, she is also a full-time senior consultant at Deloitte in the complex securities team.  

Corrine Alvarado is a graduate of Friends University, where she attained her BFA in Dance. She trained at Steps on Broadway under the late David Howard, North Carolina School of the Arts and the Colorado Ballet. She danced professionally with the Manassas Ballet Theatre and has taught ballet to students of all ages. Following her professional ballet career, she pursued non-profit development in the performing arts. She has worked with the Washington Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

Allison Brown is a graduate of William Paterson University of New Jersey, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in K–12 Physical Education and Health. A lifelong dancer, Allison began training at Center Stage Dance Studio at the age of four and has trained in a variety of dance styles. She was also a competitive member of the CSDC for over 10 years. Allison currently works as an elementary physical education teacher, where she continues to share her passion for movement and helping students build confidence through physical activity. She is beyond excited to return to the studio and share her love of dance with students of all ages, creating a positive, encouraging, and fun environment where every dancer can grow and thrive!

Alyana Coelho is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry on a full academic scholarship. She is trained in all styles of dance and competed on the CSDC for 18 years. She has won multitude of regional and national titles, many division high scores, accolades, and awards throughout her years on the CSDC. She performed in Keke Palmer’s Music video “Amnesia” and in the New Edition Way Tour with New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton at the Prudential Center and the Barclays Center. Miss Alyana loves to share her passion for dance by creating an uplifting and encouraging environment. Outside of the studio, she is also a full-time chemistry teacher at Northern Highlands Regional High School. 

Emily Dowiak is a graduate of Ramapo College, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her master’s in Special Education. She has trained in all styles of dance here at Center Stage from the age of 3 and was a member of the Center Stage Dance Company for over 10 years. She was a member of the Ramapo Dance Club and has been a class assistant and receptionist here at Center Stage for several years. Outside of the studio, Emily is a 2nd grade teacher in Maywood.

Lois Englund is a professional dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher who won acclaim for her portrayal of Val in “A Chorus Line” on Broadway and the National and International companies. In her long professional career on Broadway, TV, and film, she performed in over a dozen Broadway shows, including “Bob Fosse’s Dancin”, “Carousel,” “Showboat,” “Annie,” and “Cabaret”.   Lois had the honor of working for notable choreographers/directors like Michael Bennett, Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, Hal Prince, Agnes DeMille, Margo Sappington, Gillian Lynne, and many others.  She served as Artistic Director and Professor at New York University Tisch School of the Arts and Dance Dept Head of Musical Theatre Works Conservatory in NYC. She also taught ballet at the University of Rhode Island, Ballet Hispanico in NYC, and Theatre Arts Dance America, as well as many local dance studios in NY and NJ, including Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Lois has taught master classes, summer intensives, and judged dance competitions all over the country.  She also directed touring productions of A Chorus Line, Desert Song, Best Little House, The New Yorkers, as well as choreographing ballets for numerous Ballet and Ballroom companies worldwide.

Yoko Kono graduated from William Paterson College with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a concentration in Exercise Physiology.  She danced professionally with Tap City and has taught dance to all ages for the past 15 years. Miss Yoko’s choreography has won various awards and overall high scores at competitions. 

Bella Puso is a graduate of Rider University, where she received her BA in Elementary Education. She is a 4th grade Math and Science teacher. In college, she served as President of the Rider Dance Team where she choreographed the halftime shows for nationally televised basketball games. She has trained in all styles of dance here at Center Stage and was a member of the Center Stage Dance Company for 8 years. She is excited to be back again teaching this season!

Lynn Weimer has been our resident certified Zumba instructor for the past 14 years. She has been teaching Zumba for several years, offering fun and energized instruction! Lynn is also an elementary school Spanish teacher. Come and drop in for a great workout with her!

Julia Zambo has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She grew up in Pennsylvania and trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, modern, pointe, and contemporary. She began competing at the age of 7 and won numerous performance, technique, and overall high score awards throughout her 10+ years of competing.  A recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University, she captained, choreographed, performed, and competed as a member of Jaywalk Dance Team for her 4 years of college. She recently moved to New Jersey to attend Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she is pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology. She has been teaching and choreographing for several years. She is excited to bring her passion for dance and teaching to Center Stage Dance Studio again this year! 

Office Staff – Ann Marie Coelho & Alyana Coelho

Teaching Assistants – Alyana Coelho

You will also enjoy our other guest and master teachers here throughout the season!