Our Dance Instructors
Maritza Barrios
Dance Instructor
Administrative Assistant
Miss. Maritza Barrios has recieved extensive training and built her foundation of dance under the supervision of Miss Susie for over 10 years. Her caring demeanor has allowed her students to grasp the quality dance lessons that SKDS has been known to offer. With a dance background that is comprised of ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, contemporary, pointe and hip hop, she has performed in Walt Disney World, on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas cruise ship, as well as the NJ Nets half time show. Maritza is a licensed ZIN Zumba Instructor and has trained for various dance programs. She is also part of our "Dance Time is Fun Time" program, visiting preschools in our area to work with children 4 and under. Teaching them to learn through dance & creative movement.
Graduated from Berkeley College for Interior Design, Maritza continues to strive for excellence on the dance floor while pursuing her career. Her love for dance shows through her commitment and dedication to all her students.
Gianna Baiamonte
Dance Instructor
Miss Gianna has been studying dance at SKDS for 13 years. She is trained in Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz. Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theater and Acro. While currently a member of the studios competition company she was back to back solo title winner at DECA Dance Competition and That's Entertainment where she won scholarships, top overall high scores and filmed at DECA’s FACES of DECA event. Over the years Gianna performed at RP’s Winter market, holiday showcases, Jamez Eli Fashion Show, several feasts, Hershey Park and Walt Disney World's Magic Music Days.
Gianna continues to further her dance education at her high school, The Academy for Performing Arts where she studies Modern under Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Bollywood, African dance, Jazz under Shelia Barker from Broadway Dance Center , Ballet under Paul McCrae director of NJ School of Ballet.
Gianna enjoys working with children of all ages and passing on her love of dance to them.
Andrea Bautista
Hip-Hop Instructor
A member of the SKDS family since its inception, Miss Andrea Bautista is trained in hip hop, ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, broadway, contemporary, jazz, pop, and Zumba. She has received Susie Karlik’s Dance Sensation Dance of the Year award, as well as top overall high score awards for solo and group performances at many national competitions. “I love to dance because I love the way it makes me feel,” explains Andrea. “It's something I will never stop doing. I'm thankful I get to do what I love with the best people here at SKDS.”
Andrea is currently a Andrea hopes to convey her love for dance with each of her students at SKDS.
Sam Behrens
Master Class Teacher /
Choreographer
Originally from New Jersey, Sam Behrens is a graduate from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, where she received her BFA in dance with a dual concentration in Jazz and Choreography. She was the recipient of Marymount’s Gold Key in Jazz, for the highest achievement in her concentration. Sam is signed as a performer with Resolute Artists Agency in NYC. Some professional dance credits include the Capezio ACE Awards, Bridesmaids: A Dance Narrative at Symphony Space in NYC, and the HBO series, Love Life. Sam is also member of the NYC based commercial dance company, TreadFAST. She has appeared as a featured dancer in several commercial campaigns. Sam has worked on several independent films in NYC as a choreographer and associate director, as well as presented choreography at several venues in NYC, including the Steps on Broadway Choreography Lab.
Sam is also passionate dance educator and a part of the adjunct dance faculty at Kean University. She can also be found judging for multiple dance competitions, teaching for conventions, as well as working with studios and setting choreography around the country.
Ariana Diaz
Receptionist
Dance Instructor
Ariana Dias is an instructor and receptionist at Susie Karlik’s Dance Sensation. She recently graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Kean University and is pursuing a Masters in Education. She began dancing at a young age and was trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical. SKDS has always been her home and will continue to be with the family environment that they build. The studio has shaped who she is as a teacher and wants every student to reach their potential and find the joy in dance the way she did.
Victoria Lorenzo
Dance Instructor
Victoria began competing at the age of five receiving top overall scores and awarded highest scoring routine at competitions. As a competitive dancer she excelled in all genres of dance, nevertheless her true passion is Commercial Dance, Fusion and Hip Hop. Victoria takes pleasure in attending different cities with “ADE” Artistic Dance Exchange as a Noble Prodigy assisting choreographers on stage. In the fall of 2024 she will as well be touring with Revel as a Pro-Reveler assistant. She is also under the instruction of Blake McGrath mentorship program in their “Commercial Track” and trains with the best in the industry. When Victoria is not touring, she is taking classes at NYC Broadway Dance Center and training in ballet technique classes at New Jersey School of Ballet.
Natalia Panciello
Dance Instructor
Miss. Natalia has been a part of the SKDS family for over 15 years. Along with her extensive training in ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz she attended the Academy of Performing Arts as a dance major. She furthered her knowledge of dance at APA studying modern, contemporary, improvisation, aerial arts, as well as anatomy, dancer health, and dance history. Over the years Natalia preformed at local feasts, Hershey Park, APA Main Stage and Art of Creation, Union County Teen Arts Festival, and No Place for Hate Organization at NYU's Skirball Center.
While attending Kean University, Miss Natalia will be studying Special Education and Speech Pathology. She hopes to inspire her dancers to have a true passion for dance and always takes every dancer into account while keeping her classroom a safe space for all ages.
Rena Picciano
Dance Instructor
Rena is a dedicated dancer with 14 years of experience at SKDS. As a member of the Competition team, she has achieved high scores at various competitions and performed at prestigious events such as Disney Magic Music Days. Currently pursuing a major in dance at the Academy of Performing Arts, Rena has showcased her talent at Union County Teen Arts, NYU Skirball Center, Main Stage, and AOC.
Her passion for dance and creativity drives her to spread her love for dance wherever she goes. Rena is set to continue her dance career at Kean University and has plans to pursue a degree in business and marketing after graduation.
Lucero Lopez
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Tara Vecchio
Master Class Teacher /
Choreographer
Tara is currently a professional working dancer and choreographer in the Tristate area. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and HipHop/Foundation styles. Tara has danced with Jennifer Lopez for her VMA Vanguard Performance at Radio City, and her Live Concert on The Today Show. As well as with BTS on their “Love Yourself” tour stop in NYC, and a dancer in the film “In The Heights.” Most recently she has performed with Julianne Hough during her performance on NBC’s 2020 New Years Eve special and with BTS at the United Nations General Assembly.
Tara performed at venues such as NY/LA Carnival, Sybarite, World of Dance, ACE Awards and more. She also has been recognized and won awards for her own choreography at numerous competitions and got selected to showcase her work at the 2019 Young Choreographers Festival in New York. Currently on tour teaching with Artistic Dance Exchange and signed with Clear Talent Group NY.
Rachel Mendoza
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Assistant & SubstituteTeachers
Alesha Brown-Buttros
Alesha Brown-Buttros
Julia Crane