The Dance Academy of North Jersey

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Dance Programs

School Year Classes
Ages 2 - 18

Preschool & Combo
Ballet & Pointe
Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop
Lyrical, Modern
Contemporary
Musical Theater
Tumbling & Acro
Flip Hop & More

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Competition Team
Ages 5 - 18

Company Team
Mini Team
Tap Dancers Only
Hip Hop Crew
Competitions
Conventions
Benefit Performances
Community Service

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Summer Classes
Ages 2 - 18

Preschool
Combo & Tumbling
Flip Hop
Acting for Dancers
Theater Jazz Dance
July & August Intensives
Ballet Bootcamp
Master Classes

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Special Needs Classes
All Ages

Performing Hearts
Tap Class
Creative Movement
Adult Class
All Classes are Free
Age 6&Up Welcome
Perform in DANJ Recital
501 (c)(3) Corp

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summerclasses

Summer Classes

“DANJ's Summer program includes a wide variety of styles taught by influential artists that keep you focused on your dancing during the summer.”

Conner Bormann, Principal Dancer Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT); The Juilliard School

“DANJ's Summer program includes a wide variety of styles taught by influential artists in a comfortable space, and offers a challenging environment that keeps you focused on your dancing.”

Conner Bormann, Principal Dancer Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT); The Juilliard School

schoolyearclasses

School Year Classes

"The professionalism and care in nurturing and training its students sets DANJ among the best dance programs in the nation."

Myra Daleng, Dir. of Dance Emerita, University of Richmond

The professionalism and personal care in nurturing and training its students sets DANJ among the best university and conservatory dance preparation programs in the nation.

Myra Daleng, Director of Dance Emerita, The University of Richmond

competitionteams

Competition Teams

Company Team (Age 7-18)

Company Choreographers

Results!

DANJ dancers have consistently demonstrated high performance levels at conventions and competitions.

6 Critics Choice Awards
All Age Divisions in Overalls
Conservatory Scholarships

Top Studio Award
60+ High Score Overalls
3 Choreography Awards

Top Studio Award
45+ High Score Overalls
Ten Scholarship Winners

3 Critics Choice Awards
40+ High Score Awards
Studio Versatility Award

Fighting Childhood Cancer
Two Company Performances
Collaborated with 10+ Studios

What is Company Team?

The 'Company Team' is a group of dancers ages 7-18 who train, rehearse, and perform in a supportive, inspiring, and fun environment. They are advanced to semi-professional and train 3 to 5 days per week. DANJ Company dancers focus on being the best version of themselves in class, choreography, and on stage. They work hard, growing their skills in a safe, steady manner! View Team Achievements.

Technique Training

Company dancers train 5-15+ hours per week. In addition to ballet (required for team members), dancers can choose their curriculum from the following: jazz/musical theater, contemporary, modern, tap, lyrical, hip hop, stretch, leap & turn, and more! These school year "advanced classes" are described on the Advanced Classes Page. Company dancers also attend Summer Intensives and Ballet Bootcamp.

Choreography & Rehearsals

Company dancers select the styles of dance they are interested in competing in as well as the number of groups, solos, and duo/trios. Choreography and rehearsals are conducted as separate sessions (not in classes), generally on weekends.

Competitions & Conventions

Competitions provide dancers a fun and inspiring way to perform on stage for family and friends, and to receive professional feedback. Conventions enable dancers to train with their peers outside the studio with top industry professionals. The Company attends four local competitions, a national competition, and performs in the DANJ annual recital and benefit concerts. Company dancers may attend additional optional competitions and conventions.

How To Join

Dancers are invited to join the team based on faculty observations in class, and/or auditions. Anyone interested in joining the DANJ team should contact the studio office to set up a meeting. Younger dancers are welcome to join the Mini Team.

Mini Team (Age 5-7)

"For Christmas"

"Fabulous"

Results!

Mini Team dancers have the unique opportunity to have these experiences at a very young age. Their confidence and skills are growing at a rapid rate. Just watch the dancers below in The Name Game and Risky Business. They were minis only a few years ago!

What is Mini Team?

The 'Mini Team' is a group of young dancers ages 5-7 who train, rehearse, and perform in an inspiring and fun environment. Mini Team dancers train between 2.5 & 3 hours per week. View Team Achievements.

Technique Training

School Year Classes - Mini Team dancers are required to train in ballet, tap, and jazz and, if interested, acro. The 2024 classes are Mondays (4:30-5:15 Tap & 5:15-6:00 Jazz); and Thursdays (5:15-6:15 Ballet & 6:30-7:00 Acro).

Summer Classes - Mini Team dancers attend DANJ's Summer Tech and Ballet Bootcamp programs.

Choreography & Rehearsals

Mini Team dancers learn two dances - tap and jazz. The choreography and rehearsals for these pieces are held on Saturdays from 11:00-12:45.

Competitions & Conventions

The Mini Team attends three regional competitions. Mini Team members can attend additional 'optional' conventions and competitions.

How To Join

Dancers are invited to join the Mini Team based on faculty observations in class and/or auditions. Anyone interested in joining the DANJ Mini Team should contact the studio. Once you have finalized your decision and choices, click on the register links below or use the Portal to enroll in the following classes for Mini Team dancers:

Tap Dancers Only (Age 7-18)

What is Tap Dancers Only?

Tap Dancers Only is a program for dancers ages 7-18 who are interested in competing in just tap.

Technique Training

Tap classes are listed at => Class Page. Tap dancers may train in other styles. Class placements are skill-based.

Choreography

DANJ choreographers create original tap works. Choreography and rehearsals are on weekends.

Competitions & Conventions

The competition team attends four regional and one national competition. Dancers may attend additional conventions and competitions.

How To Join

Anyone interested in joining the competition team should contact the studio office to set up a meeting with the director.

Hip Hop Crew (Age 7-13)

What is Hip Hop Crew?

Hip Hop Crew is for children ages 7-13 interested in training in Hip Hop and performing at local competitions.

Training & Choreography

Hip Hop Crew members attend a weekly class on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:15pm to learn hip hop technique and tricks. The class also includes choreography and rehearsals for the performance piece.

Competitions & Conventions

Competitions provide a fun and inspiring way for the Crew to perform on stage for family, friends and for professional feedback. The Hip Hop Crew attends two local competitions and performs in the DANJ annual recital. Interested crew members may attend hip hop conventions.

How To Join

Anyone interested in joining the Hip Hop Crew should contact the studio for more information.

"It is clear that DANJ Company dancers are well prepared for the professional dance world. Their technique is beyond their years."

Terk Lewis, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artist In Residence and Western Michigan University Asst. Professor

It is clear that DANJ Company dancers are well prepared for the professional dance world. Their technique is beyond their years and they appreciate the artistry of their amazing choreographers."

Terk Lewis, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artist In Residence

Faculty

Jason Luks and Jenny LeProtto, DANJ Artistic Directors, lead an incredible team of dance educators and choreographers including Broadway performers, leading dance company members, and university and conservatory faculty. They have graduated from, and serve as faculty members and guest choreographers for prestigious university and conservatory dance programs including NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, Juilliard, Ailey, and Marymount; as well as teaching at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway.

"DANJ students have the unique opportunity to train with gifted professionals in a safe, respectful, and inspiring environment."

Randy Skinner, Director, Choreographer, and Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Astaire award nominations

The Dance Academy of North Jersey provides its students the unique opportunity to train with gifted professionals in a safe, respectful, and inspiring environment.

Randy Skinner, Broadway Director and Choreographer, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Astaire award nominations

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Studio Tour

Eleven, large, ultra-modern studios, all dance floors sprung for safety and finished with the highest quality surfaces. Spacious lounges for parents and dancers. All rooms heated and air-conditioned with home/office quality systems.

Professional stage-sized modern studios

Sprung dance floors essential for safety

Three lounges for parents & dancers

Central AC & heating for comfort

Viewable CCTV in all dance rooms

"DANJ embraces the same infrastructure and standards as the leading conservatories including Boston Conservatory, SAB, Steps, & BDC."

Christopher Grant, Stage Step Master Installer

DANJ embraces the same standards and infrastructure as the leading universities and training centers including BDC, Steps, Boston Conservatory and SAB.

Christopher Grant, Master Installer

performinghearts

Performing Hearts is dedicated to providing special needs individuals the opportunity to experience the art of dance - in weekly Creative Movement and Tap classes - at no cost. DANJ hosts, and provides faculty for the program, and its dancers volunteer as mentors for the students. Every year, the dancers perform in DANJ’s recital. www.performinghearts.org

DANJ is the proud sponsor of Performing Hearts, an organization dedicated to providing special needs individuals the opportunity to experience the art of dance. DANJ hosts weekly Creative Movement and Tap classes. DANJ dancers volunteer as mentors for the students. Every year, the dancers learn new, fun movements and perform in DANJ’s recital. www.performinghearts.org

Creative Movement - “Dancing In The Streets”

Tap Dancers - “Sea Cruise”
Creative Movement - “I Feel Better When I'm Dancing”

Tap Dancers - “Do You Believe In Magic”
Creative Movement Dancers - “Popcorn Calling Me”

Tap Dancers - “Candy Man”
Creative Movement Dancers - “The Happy Dance”

Tap Dancers - “Locomotion”
Creative Movement Dancers - “Body Rock”

Ballet Dancers - “What A Wonderful World”
Creative Movement Dancers - “Clap For Love”

Creative Movement Dancers - “Scarf Dance”
Creative Movement Dancers - "Shakin' It"

Creative Movement Dancers - Video Tribute

"We recognize and thank Performing Hearts for its contributions to the State and its people."

Dolores A. Kirk, Secretary of State, The New Jersey State Senate & General Assembly in a Joint Legislative Resolution

We recognize and thank Performing Hearts for its contributions to the State and its people.

Dolores A. Kirk, Secretary of State and The New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly in a Joint Legislative Resolution

Location

768 Route 15 S, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
Minutes from Rockaway Mall & Sparta
(behind Dunkin Donuts)

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Dancers from Morris (Jefferson, Oak Ridge, Rockaway, Randolph, Roxbury, Chester, Mendham, Denville, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Wharton, Morris Plains, Boonton, Parsippany, Pequannock), Sussex (Sparta, Newton, Andover, Hopatcong, Branchville, Byram, Franklin, Fredon, Green, Lafayette, Stanhope, Vernon), and Passaic (Wayne, Pompton Lakes, West Milford) counties.

General Resources

Guest Pass
Staff Portal
Weather Closings

Quick Links

School Year Age 2-7
School Year Age 8-18
Summer Classes

Comp Team

Request Login
Rehearsal Schedule
Team Home

768 Route 15 South
973-663-2009
Message Us

General Resources

Guest Pass
Team Home
Staff Portal

768 Route 15S
973-663-2009
Message Us

Jason Luks is a performer, choreographer and teacher. He is currently on faculty at Steps on Broadway, NYCDA, and Joffrey Ballet School teaching Musical Theater. He was a member of the Tony Award nominated Falsettos choreography team with Director and Pulitzer Prize winner, James Lapine. He worked with Josh Prince and James Lapine on the choreography for "Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing." Jason served as Ryan Reynold's dance instructor for the Apple movie "Spirited" while also dancing as a member of the Spirited Dance Company. Jason's performance credits include “White Christmas” (Broadway), “On The Town" (Barrington Stage), “My One And Only” (Stages St. Louis), Rasta Thomas' Tap Stars, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the Late Late Show with James Corden, MTV’s Video Music Awards, and Good Morning America. He has performed at the Kennedy Center for Presidents Obama and Bush. Jason is a member of the award winning The JaM Project. He won the Adult World Tap Dance Solo Championship at International Dance Organization’s World Tap Dance Competition, and ADA’s National Choreographer of the Year. Jason’s choreography has been presented on Broadway's Walter Kerr Theater (Falsettos), the Kennedy Center, and Symphony Space NYC. Jason graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance.

Jenny LeProtto started dancing at age four, studying all forms of dance including tap with Mike Minery (Tapaholics, Slide, American Tap Festival, JUMP Director) and performing works by Ray Leeper (So You Think You Can Dance Choreographer, NUVO Director). While she trained in all forms of dance, Jenny's current fortes are teaching tap, hip hop and jazz, as well as teaching all styles of dance for young children. Jenny is best known for her tap choreography. She was recently recognized by American Dance Awards for many of her tap, jazz and lyrical pieces. Jenny’s work has been described as “intricate, polished and exciting!” Jenny is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a major in Education.