Miss Alyssa Zolnowski
Owner/
Artistic Director
"I love teaching dance because I love watching each dancer
grow in not only their technique, but their confidence,
stage presence, and as a human."
Miss Alyssa began dancing at age 2 and has never stopped. She is trained in many genres of dance and has spent more than 20 years teaching dancers of all ages and levels.
After graduating, Miss Alyssa auditioned for and was accepted onto the nationally ranked Rutgers Dance Team. During her four years on the team, Rutgers consistently placed in the top four nationally, and she served as Team Captain her senior year.
Since her time at Rutgers, Miss Alyssa has choreographed award-winning routines and received numerous awards for her choreography. She was also a member of the Miss America Organization, competing for the title of Miss New Jersey as Miss Middlesex, where she won the talent portion of the qualifying pageant.
Miss Alyssa was a first-grade teacher and coach of the Highland Park Dance Team. She has performed as Clara multiple times in the Duke Ellington version of The Nutcracker. She is certified by Dance Educators of America and has taught many genres of dance to children and adults of all ages and levels. Miss Alyssa received her own dance training at Metuchen Dance Centre, where she later joined the teaching staff, as well as at the School of the Arts.
Teaching has always been at the heart of Miss Alyssa's love of dance. Owning Millstone Dance allows her to bring together her passion for dance, teaching, and performing while creating a studio where dancers can grow, find their confidence, and discover their own love of the art. She is especially proud to do this in Millstone, the town she loves and where she is raising her family with her husband and four children.
Miss Kolbi Buckholz
“I love teaching because I love watching my students work hard to reach
their goals and being able to inspire and encourage them along the way.”
Miss Kolbi began dancing at Jackson Dance Center at age 2, training in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, contemporary, and lyrical.
She continued her dance education at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, where she expanded her training in jazz, modern, and ballet. Her modern training included Graham, Limón, and Horton techniques, while her jazz studies included vernacular and Fosse styles. She was also introduced to a variety of cultural dance styles, including Flamenco, Umfundali, Mexican Folk, and Classical Indian dance.
During her second year of college, Miss Kolbi continued her dance career with the Suffolk University Dance Company. She performed in a variety of shows, choreographed an original piece, and even had the opportunity to perform during a Boston Celtics game.
Miss Kolbi loves encouraging dancers to work toward their goals while helping them discover what they are capable of. She brings her extensive training, enthusiasm, and love of movement into the studio and is excited to continue inspiring the next generation of dancers at Millstone Dance.
Miss Sofia
Cortes
"One of my biggest passions is teaching younger dancers. I love helping kids learn, build confidence, and grow both as dancers and as people."
Miss Sofia has been dancing for 14 years and began training competitively at the age of 10. Dance has always been a huge part of her life, and she currently trains and performs in New York City with the company Royal Thieves. She is also a member of the dance team at Saint John Vianney High School.
Sofia has a passion for working with younger dancers. She loves helping kids learn, build confidence, and grow both as dancers and as people.
Outside of dance, Sofia enjoys spending time with her twin sister and younger sister, who are both very important to her.
After high school, Sofia hopes to attend college in New York and continue her dance training while pursuing a professional career. Her ultimate dream is to perform on a professional stage and tour with an artist such as Tate McRae or Chris Brown.
Miss Sofia is excited to continue growing as a dancer, performer, and teacher while inspiring the next generation of dancers. She can't wait to spend the season learning and growing alongside her students!
Miss Sara
De Furia
“I enjoy sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for dance
with young people. I hope it might help someone
the way dance helped me growing up.”
Miss Sara grew up dancing, singing, and acting locally. At age 9, she joined her studio's competitive company, competing in jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop while also training in ballet, pointe, acro, acting, and musical theater.
In eighth grade, Miss Sara was accepted into FPAC, the Freehold Regional Performing Arts Center, where she trained in ballet, jazz, modern, musical theater, voice, acting, and aerial silks. She later pursued conservatory-style training at the New Jersey Dance and Theatre Ensemble, focusing on ballet, pointe, modern, and contemporary dance.
Miss Sara earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Indiana University, along with her 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher certification. At IU, she trained in contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, tap, house, Afro-Cuban and African diaspora dance, musical theater, and aerial silks, while also studying choreography, dance pedagogy, movement analysis, kinesiology, and adapted physical activity. She received the Korinek Merit Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters, Indiana chapter, for her senior thesis solo.
Professionally, Miss Sara has performed with Buglisi Dance Theatre, WellBeing Dance, Petty Love Productions, Legoland New York, and Kings Dominion. She has also taught dance, yoga, and fitness in a variety of settings and has choreographed for Red Bank Theatre for Young Audiences.
Miss Sara loves sharing the joy and freedom that dance has brought to her throughout her life. She hopes to give her students the same opportunity to find confidence, connection, and a love of movement that stays with them long after they leave the studio.
Miss Karlie
Ives
“I love watching my dancers grow in confidence, step outside their comfort zones,
and discover just how much they’re capable of. Most of all,
I love seeing the joy that dance brings them.”
Miss Karlie began dancing at age 5 and spent 16 years as a competitive dancer, training at Freehold Academy of Performing Arts in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Throughout her competitive career, she earned multiple national and World of Dance titles.
Dance wasn't her only passion growing up. Miss Karlie was also a varsity cheerleader in high school and developed a love for yoga, continuing to explore movement in different ways.
Miss Karlie attended Rowan University and is now a first-grade teacher at Millstone Primary School. She loves working with children and brings that same patience, energy, and encouragement into the dance studio.
For Miss Karlie, teaching is about so much more than learning choreography. She loves watching dancers grow in confidence, challenge themselves, and discover what they are capable of. Being able to combine her love of teaching and dance—right here in the Millstone community—is something she is incredibly excited about. She can't wait to see what this year brings for our dancers!
Miss Michelle LaGrasso
“I love helping my students reach their goals and discover
their potential, while sharing my love of dance with them.”
Miss Michelle started singing and dancing at age 5, and performing has been a part of her life ever since. From church choir to tap, jazz, and musical theater, she has always loved being on stage. At 16, she began teaching dance with the Edison Recreation Department and later danced on the team at Middlesex County College.
Miss Michelle graduated from Kean University with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health. She continued pursuing her love of performance, dancing, singing, and acting in a variety of productions, including Blood Brothers at George Street Playhouse, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown with Off-Broadway Theater, The Wiz at the Count Basie Theater, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show with South Mountain Theater Works.
Miss Michelle is an avid Disney fan and especially loves visiting the parks with her husband and two children, Angelina and Anthony. She also enjoys bringing dance into her community, including helping Girl Scout troops celebrate Multicultural Day through dance.
For Miss Michelle, there is nothing more rewarding than helping students discover what they love and watching them grow. Her high-energy, enthusiastic approach makes the studio a place to explore, perform, and have fun.
"What I love most about teaching is watching my students
grow in both their dancing and their confidence."
Miss Grace began gymnastics at the age of three and has spent years developing her skills through extensive training and competition. A highly accomplished gymnast, she is a USAIGC State, Regional, and World Champion title holder with a strong background in competitive gymnastics.
Alongside gymnastics, Miss Grace has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, and hip-hop, giving her a well-rounded foundation in dance and movement. She also holds her dance teacher certification.
Miss Grace loves working with students of all ages and especially enjoys helping younger dancers build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and discover what they are capable of. She also enjoys supporting older dancers as they refine their skills, challenge themselves, and work toward new goals.
Miss Grace
Loufek
Miss Kayleigh Meagher
Miss Kayleigh began dancing at the age of two and has spent the past 15 years training in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, ballet, and musical theatre. She also has a strong background in competitive ice skating, which has deepened her understanding of movement, musicality, balance, flexibility, and performance. In addition to her studio training, Kayleigh is on the high school dance team.
Outside of dancing, Miss Kayleigh has a passion for theatre and choreography. She regularly choreographs for theatre companies in Howell, bringing her creativity and love of storytelling into her work both on and off the stage.
Kayleigh hopes to pursue a career as a professional dancer and plans to continue studying dance in college. She brings her love of performance, creativity, and movement into everything she does.
As a teacher, Miss Kayleigh strives to help dancers build skills and confidence that extend far beyond the studio. She is passionate about creating an inclusive, encouraging environment where students feel supported as they learn, grow, and discover their own strengths.
Miss Kayleigh is thrilled to be part of the Millstone Dance staff and to have the opportunity to help young dancers grow their love of dance, just as her own teachers did for her.
Miss Becca
Ruimy
"Teaching is my purpose.
I love to inspire my students and give them
the opportunity to grow as dancers and individuals."
Miss Becca began dancing at age 2, and from the moment she saw those pink pointe shoes, she knew dance would be part of her future. During her adolescent years, she performed with the Atlantic City Ballet and Moscow City Ballet and earned Gold for her ballet performance of Once Upon a December. She continued developing her strength and technique throughout her years of training.
Miss Becca has extensive experience in tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, jazz, pointe, acro, and theater. She continued dancing through high school before taking her training to the next level in college.
She attended Georgian Court University on a full scholarship, earning a BA in Dance Education and a BA in English & Writing. While there, she served as captain of the university dance team and performed at pep rallies, athletic events, and school programs.
After college, Miss Becca continued expanding her knowledge of dance education and dancer wellness. Through her work with Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, she learned more about helping dancers recover from injuries and return to their full strength. She has also studied anatomy and physiology, dance wellness, and athletic nutrition to better support the dancers she teaches.
Miss Becca has been teaching for more than 10 years and loves helping dancers grow both inside and outside the studio. She brings her passion for dance, education, and dancer wellness to every class and is proud to be part of the Millstone Dance family.
Miss Andrea
Scafuri
"I love that dance gives people the freedom
to be themselves, express how they feel,
and just have fun."
Miss Andrea is a mom of two amazing girls, one of whom is already part of the Millstone Dance family, so she knows firsthand how meaningful these early dance experiences can be. Watching children discover something they love, build confidence, and proudly show off a new skill has always been one of her greatest joys.
She has always had a special place in her heart for working with young children. Their big personalities, endless imaginations, and excitement for learning make every class an adventure. As a self-proclaimed "big kid" herself, Miss Andrea loves bringing energy, creativity, and plenty of smiles into the classroom while creating an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to participate.
Miss Andrea believes these first dance experiences should be about so much more than learning steps. Her goal is to help every little dancer feel welcomed, loved, and confident while having fun, making friends, and falling in love with dance. She strives to create a positive classroom where children can grow not only as dancers, but as confident, happy kids.
When she's not at Millstone Dance, you can usually find Miss Andrea cheering on her daughters at their activities, spending time with family, or working as a permanent makeup artist. She feels incredibly fortunate to have careers that allow her to combine creativity, connection, and helping others feel their very best.
Miss Cami Smith
“I love sharing my passion for dance while watching my students
grow in confidence, discover their love for dance, and reach new goals.
Encouraging them along the way is what makes teaching so rewarding.”
Miss Cami began dancing at age 2 and competing at age 7 at Freehold Academy of Performing Arts. Throughout her competitive career, she earned national titles including Ms. Backstage 2023 and Ms. Starbound 2024, recognized for her musicality and commanding stage presence.
She continued her training through Howell High School's Dance Program, where she expanded her artistry and discovered a love for aerial apparatus, including silks and lyra. After high school, Miss Cami was accepted into the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
Miss Cami has also trained with Menina Fortunato through The Business of Dance mentorship program and has been featured multiple times on the Business of Dance Podcast. She appeared in the Journey competition ad campaign in 2023 and continues to grow her work in both commercial and concert dance.
Miss Cami is passionate about helping dancers find their own confidence, creativity, and love of movement.
She is excited to build meaningful connections with her students and their families while sharing her passion for dance at Millstone Dance.
Miss Sarah Warren
"I love teaching dance because it's about more than choreography and technique. I love sharing my passion for movement while encouraging creativity, expression, dedication, and individuality."
Miss Sarah has loved dance for as long as she can remember. She began taking ballet and hip hop at age 5 and went on to train in jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theater, ballet, and hip hop. Tap remains her favorite!
At age 11, Miss Sarah was accepted into the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, where she trained in ballet and modern and performed for two years. Throughout her training, she has also had the opportunity to learn from renowned choreographers including Kenny Wormald, Mischa Gabriel, Mandy Moore, Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Al Blackstone, and Lisa and Mikey Minery.
After high school, Miss Sarah continued her dance education at MCCC. She is a certified dance teacher as well as a certified Barre and group fitness instructor, and she loves both teaching and taking fitness classes.
Miss Sarah has been part of the Millstone Dance family for many years and loves watching her students grow from season to season. She believes dance gives children a place to be creative, express themselves, work hard, and simply enjoy moving. She is grateful to continue sharing something she loves so much with the dancers at Millstone Dance.