Instructors

- Julie Berger, Founder and Artistic Director

A pioneer in the dance industry, Julie has fulfilled her lifelong dream with the creation of "Salsa in the Suburbs." As a young girl, she marveled at those who touched lives with the art of dance. Being the driven, passionate person that Julie is, she joined many dance intensive programs at a young age, the first being a national tour with Hoctor Dance Caravan. Throughout the tour, she performed in competitions, assisted with judging and served as a student-teacher in master classes. At the end of this tour, Julie made a commitment to herself to ultimately inspire and change lives by means of dance.

Soon after, Julie took the first step towards realizing this dream by becoming one of the primary tap and jazz instructors at the Media Dance Center; she continued teaching there for the next four years. During these years, her most notable attribute was her natural ability to create and teach dynamic, unique choreography. While simultaneously teaching at the Media Dance Center, Julie decided to make a daring investment to further her dance education. Leaving all that was familiar, she switched schools to attend the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she majored in dance. The experience gained was invaluable.

After graduating high school with honors, Julie attended Temple University both domestically and abroad. While studying in London, England, she discovered the art of salsa dancing. Completely awe-struck by this exotic form of dance, Julie was motivated to seek out and study with internationally renowned instructors in England, France, Sweden, and the United States. After her intensive instruction, Julie developed into a master dance instructor. She was finally ready to realize her lifelong dream.

In 2007, she put thoughts to action with the creation of "Salsa in the Suburbs." Her intention is to use dance as a vehicle to help people gain confidence, learn, grow, and feel inspired. As a secondary goal, Julie wants to make Latin dance accessible to those living far from urban centers.

• PARTIES & EVENTS

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- Joe Donato, Ballroom Instructor

Joe received training from local ballroom and rhythm professionals, along with private instruction from professional ballroom dancers Bob and Julia Powers, John Clark, Cynthia Long, Nick and Elena Kosovich (one of the professional teams from Dancing with the Stars) and Gene LaPierre. He received awards for Top Specialist, and successfully led students from their journey of never having danced before, to choreographed student exhibitions and competitions.

With over five years of dance teaching experience, Joe is skilled in the basics of over 15 traditional Ballroom, Latin and Rhythm dances and dances at a Silver level in well over half of those. He has even created a few dance styles of his own combining moves from various dance traditions for times when the music doesn’t quite serve the foot patterns or timing.

Joe delights in simplifying the complicated; demystifying the intimidating. Students regularly use words like “nurturing”, “non-threatening” and “enlightening” to describe his teaching style.

- Jamine Thomas, Salsa, Merengue, & Bachata Instructor

Jasmine’s love affair with dance became apparent as a youngster, as she would copy, rehearse, and perfect the choreography in her favorite music videos! She was self-taught up until she was a student at Kutztown University, and was accepted onto their Dance team. It was there that she started to study, and expand her knowlege of, dance technique. As a member of the Kutztown University Dance Team (KUDT), she danced numerous times at the Philadelphia 76ers games as well as at various charitable functions. She learned Salsa casually with her friends while in college, and upon moving back to Media, she began looking for ways to pursue this new, fun activity back in her hometown. She feels it was fate that brought her to the doors of Salsa in the Suburbs in 2007. Since that time, she trained extensively as both a student and instructor under the direction of Julie Berger. She has also been a featured performer of both Salsa and Bachata with her dance partner, Luis Sierra. Her students describe her as having an infectious smile, and love her patience and humor throughout her classes. She is available for private and group classes as well as to perform at private functions.

- Nicole Lanciano, Zumba Instructor

Nicole began her dance training as a small child, excelling in both Hip Hop and Salsa. She has performed at many venues, including the 2006 Phiiladelphia Salsa Congress. She has taught hip-hop for the last ten years to both children and adults in and around the Philadelphia tri-state area.

When Nicole discovered Zumba, she was immediately convinced that she was destined to share this amazing Latin-inspired, dance-fitness class with others. She was Zumba trained and certified by Maria Browning in College Park, Maryland. Zumba allows Nicole to combine elements of her favorite dance forms into a fun, fat-burning, dance party.

She is delighted to have the opportunity to bring Zumba to Salsa in the Suburbs!

- Linda Pang, General Manager & Salsa Instructor

Linda studied both dance and music throughout her childhood. While a photography student at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, she also studied Modern, tap, and African dance as well as the drums. She worked and trained at Master Jay’s Dance studio in Philadelphia before returning to Media and discovering Salsa in the Suburbs, while looking for a new creative outlet. She quickly devoured any dance knowledge Julie could impart on her, and soon found herself learning to lead, challenging herself to go further in partnered dances, as well as in Julie’s Performance Class.

Since discovering Salsa in the Suburbs in 2007, Linda has trained extensively under the direction of Julie Berger, and has become an integral part of the company. She teaches group and private salsa lessons and may be seen at salsa parties or working the front desk at the studio. With a constant passion for further education in the Arts, Linda enjoys immersing herself in various forms of creative expression, whether behind a camera, a desk, or on the dance floor.

- Luis Sierra, Salsa, Merengue, & Bachata Instructor

Luis’ passion and enthusiasm for dance was discovered when he was five years old, and began studying Mexican Folkloric Dance. Since that time, dancing continued to be an exciting part of Luis’ life, as he participated in various dancing and singing programs including the highly competitive Ambassador Choir while in High School. While studying at Drexel University, Luis discovered Salsa Dancing and what began as a hobby grew into a strong passion and integral part of his life. He has trained extensively in both the Philadelphia area as well as in Paris, France! After four years of training as a student, he completed his teaching training under the tutelage of Julie Berger. He currently is available for private lessons, to perform at private and public functions, as well as choreograph and/or perform original routines with/for private students. PLEASE NOTE: Luis NEVER refuses a dance, so have fun ladies!

Instructors

- Amar, Bellydance Instructor

Amar is one of New York City's finest Middle Eastern dancers. Known for her natural musicality and clean articulations, she has extensive experience as a soloist and folkloric dancer, both in cabaret settings with live Arabic bands and on the theatre stage. Amar's artistry ranges from classical and folkloric dance to contemporary and fusion musical genres, and from improvised to choreographed renditions. Her professional career encompasses years of work as performer, choreographer, instructor, producer, writer of Middle Eastern dance and its music, and also as a private and studio dance teacher for 13 years.

Amar earned a BA degree in creative writing from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and an MA in classical music composition from New York City's Mannes College of Music. She went on to study Middle Eastern dance intensively with Yousry Sharif her mentor, as well as with the renowned Ibrahim Farrah. She has also learned from Egypt's Mahmoud Reda, Mona Said, Aida Nor, and Raqia Hassan. Being engaged for performances/seminars for special events throughout the Northeast, and in California, France, Japan, and the Middle East, she has frequently worked with well-known artists of the Middle East.

Amar's dance can be best characterized as modeled after the Egyptian style combined with personal expressiveness and new incorporations. Her shimmies and hip technique are exemplary and dramatic. A natural, fluid dancer, Amar's organic movements derive directly from the music and she is very excited to share her unique style with Salsa in the Suburbs students!

-Jennifer Farber, Zumba Instructor

Everyone who knows Jennifer knows she LOVES to dance! When a friend convinced her to go to her first Zumba class, she knew she was hooked. A few months later, she went to NYC to get certified to teach and share her new love (and addiction) with others. She had been the primary Zumba instructor at the Media Community Center for the last year and had taught hundreds of students to fall in love with Zumba!

Jennifer can’t wait to infuse Salsa in the Suburbs with her love and enthusiasm for Zumba!

- Sue Lotman, Ballroom Instructor

In ancient times, if someone didn’t feel well, they would seek out the shaman. The shaman would need to determine the cause of the disease and advise on a remedy, asking the patient, “Did you dance today?”

From a very young age, as a little girl, Sue has loved to dance. This interest did not wane as she grew, instead it intensified. While performing in Narberth Community Theatre’s production of “Gigi,” she was introduced to both the Tango and the Waltz -- and fell hopelessly in love. After entering the sales field, Sue felt unfulfilled and knew that there was an empty dance void that needed to be closed. In order to do so, Sue started training at Society Dance Club, under the phenomenal direction of Bill & Dianne Mitchell. Next, Sue continued her dance education and trained with Arthur Murray in Paoli and Wilmington. Not only did Sue choreograph routines for her students, she also performed in competitions with Arthur Murray.

Sue believes that the reason teaching dance is so rewarding is simply joy. Because no matter where the student comes from, no matter what kind of day he or she has had, no matter how many demands have been placed on them -- dancing is their chance to decompress and concentrate on themselves for a change. In a society where many often put family and friends first, before their own mental and physical well-being, it is important to take time out and recharge.

So ask yourself, how do you feel? Did you dance today?