Our Teachers
Diane Dragone
Diane Dragone is the founding director/choreographer /teacher for the Kennedy Dancers Repertory Company and the Kennedy Dancers School since 1977.
The Kennedy Dancers is a non-profit corp. Diane Dragone created the Dance curriculum for the Hudson County Schools of Technology. She taught the gifted and talented and special education dance programs at Hudson County High Tech and Hudson County prep schools as well as classes at the Hudson County Juvenile Detention center. She was also a returning guest teacher of dance at Hudson County Community College. Ms Dragone is a certified teacher of dance in the state of New Jersey. During her career she has performed and created countless choreographies for many regional dance, theater and opera companies The Kennedy Dancers have performed in over 400 grammar, high schools and universities and performed in theaters up and down the eastern seaboard including the White House as well as U.S.O. tours. The Kennedy Dancers are 6 time award winners of Citations of excellence from New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Diane is the executive producer of the 8 time award winning cable television program “Dance Vista” seen on assorted cable television systems throughout and beyond 22 states.
Kat Reese
Kathryn “Kat” Reese is a member and Co-Director of the Kennedy Dancers Professional Dance Company and Director of our Teen Inner City Youth Dance Company. She grew up in Eatontown, NJ, & began dancing at the age of 3. For 15 years, Kat studied & performed a range of styles, including modern, ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, & musical theatre. From there, Kat went on to attend Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. In 2014, she graduated summa cum Laude with her BFA in dance, after working with numerous renowned teachers & guest artists including Doug Elkins, Stefanie Batten Bland, Brian Brooks, & Manuel Vignoulle. She is currently a member of The Equus Projects, directed by JoAnna Mendl Shaw, & is in her Third year teaching for The Kennedy Dancers, Inc.
Eli Cano
Eli Cano is a member and Co-Director of the Kennedy Dancers Professional Dance Company and holds a BFA in Ballet from Texas Christian University & has studied with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre & The American Dance Festival in Duke University. He has performed choreography by Robert Battle, Mark Dendy, & Dance China NY. Eli is active as a dancer & teacher with The Kennedy Dancers, Inc. & the Calpulli Dance Company. His film & television experience include “Gossip Girl,” “Law & Order SVU”, & the original HBO movie “The Normal Heart.” Eli lives in New York City.
Lorraine Mendoza
Lorraine Mendoza is an experienced dancer with 14 years of classical ballet training at Yolanda’s Academy of Music and Dance in West New York, New Jersey, and 4 years (8 Showcases) as part of the Rider Dance Ensemble at Rider University. She is disciplined in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, and Modern. She is an experienced choreographer. She choreographed 3 showcases for the Rider Dance Ensemble and Hudson Catholic High School’s Production of “Annie.”
Ebo-ne Green
Ebo-ne Green is an Assistant Teacher. Ebony has been a member of the Inner City Youth Perfor-mance and Competition Team for the past three years. She continues to hone her dance skills while performing and training at The Kennedy Dancers, Inc. Ebony is a multi-gold medal winner at the Starbound Competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Policy & Classes
What is the Registration Fee?
Registration fee is $65. The Registration Fee includes:
Free Leotard and Tights (Value of over $30)
TUITION
Tuition is paid on a monthly basis and must be paid by the 5th of the month. Otherwise, there will be a $10.00 late fee applied—NO EXCEPTIONS!
Pricing:Children 2.5 years to 17 ?
1 Class per week—Monthly Tuition—$80.00
2 Classes per week—Monthly Tuition—$140.00
3 Classes per week—Monthly Tuition—$160.00
4 Classes or more per week—Monthly Tuition—$180.00**
**For four or more classes, you may select as many classes that are suitable for the
student’s age and ability. This is the most economical way to pay for dance classes.
Pricing:Adults 18 to 59?
Adult Registration—$40.00 per year, no matter when they register.
Adult Classes—$75.00 per month for any number of classes; however, the classes must be appropriate for their age and ability. Adults may not take classes for children. The $75 tuition for adults is a tremendously low price, especially if you are taking more than one class weekly. GREAT OFFER!!!
Studio Closings & Holidays
The studio will be closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
WEEKS PER MONTH
Some months have five weeks, instead of four. We do not charge extra for those months, when there is an extra week. Therefore, for students taking weekly classes, will receive a FREE week of classes.
FREE SENIOR CLASSES!!!
Seniors & Adults with Disabilities
All seniors (age 60+) who live in Hudson County may attend for FREE*!
All adults (age 18+) with documented disabilities may attend for FREE*!
*Proof of residency and medical condition
required.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!!!
Need based Scholarships are available for
children ages 7 to 17. Please contact Miss Diane Dragone-Executive Director
Sweet Deals & Incentives!!!
MAY TUITION
Tuition for the months of May and June must be paid together—NO EXCEPTIONS!
SPECIAL INCENTIVES
Great Deal!!! Pay Tuition two months at a time and receive $10 off payment.
Pay for five months in advance ( September –January or February to June) of classes in advance (either September 2019 to January 2020, or February to June 2020) and receive 5% off! GREAT SAVINGS!!!Enroll two or more children (must be actual siblings: brothers / sisters ) and receive $5.00 off the total monthly fee. Pay registration for one child only!
Uniform Policy
Appropriate Uniform and Shoes must be worn at ALL times. For each class and age group. Please do not purchase uniform/shoes from another source. We are a non-profit. Purchases are tax deductible. All monies raised from uniform sales help defray the cost of our Inner City Youth Program.
Uniform
Pink Leotard: Ages 3 to 6
Purple Leotard: Ages 7 to 10
Black Leotard: Ages 11 and Up
Belly Dance: Coin Skirt
Shoes
Ballet: Ballet Shoes
Tap: Tap Shoes
Hip-Hop: Tan Jazz Shoes
Jazz: Tan Jazz Shoes
Belly Dance, Modern, Lyrical,
Contemporary: Foot Undies
Adult Classes
NO JEANS! Appropriate Clothing Required. Clothing must be form fitting.
FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS:
BARE FEET ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ANY CLASSES!!
TRIAL CLASSES
(Ages 3 to 17)
1 Class only—$25.00
You may try any class that is suitable for the student’s age and ability on a one-time basis for $25.00. If you like the class, you may enroll for regular classes at the rates indicated under pricing. The $25.00 trial class fee will be deducted from the registration charge, but you are required to pay for the rest of the classes for the month. If you do not register after your trial class, the fee is NOT REFUNDABLE.—NO EXCEPTIONS!
NOTE: For Trial and Drop-In classes, outside shoes may not be worn in the class! You may wear clean socks or appropriate white soled dance shoes. If you register for a class you must purchase dance shoes appropriate for that class.this text in the module Advanced settings.
Refunds & Make-Up Classes
There are NO Refunds on classes, registration, tuition, dancewear or shoes.
MAKE-UP CLASSES
If you miss a class, you may make it up in another similar class within the month. If you quit the program, you can not make up missed classes. You can not deduct money from your tuition for missed classes. If the studio is closed for a holiday or inclement weather, you may make up the class that falls on that date. However, you cannot deduct any holidays or bad weather days from your tuition!
Private Dance Lessons
Private Lessons are available for all Genres/Styles.
$60/hour
**Must be paid 4 classes at a time**
If you would like a solo for your child’s recital, that can be arranged.
*Choreography can be arranged for any special event.
Our Certified Therapy Cats...
Therapy animals are appearing all over the country in recreational programs, hospitals, nursing homes and even prisons. They provide comfort and a soothing atmosphere. They also give assistance to students with social disabilities by promoting empathy.
