Ashley Tabano
Owner
Ashley started dancing at the age of three and enrolled as a student at the Encore Performing Arts Center (EPAC) at the age of five. She grew up dancing at EPAC and began competing on their award-winning competition team at the age of eight.
As she continued to train, Ashley earned a multitude of national titles and awards. In her high school years she began assisting instructors during classes at EPAC and eventually began teaching and giving instruction on her own as well.
Ashley graduated with honors from New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts program with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. After completing her BFA, she returned to teaching at EPAC in 2004 where she took over the role of directing the competition team.
In addition to her role in the operations of the EPAC studio, Ashley is also a NJ certified teacher of Dance and has been teaching Dance in public schools for the past thirteen years. She is currently the Dance teacher at Cedar Creek High School, in the Greater Egg Harbor School District of AtlanticCounty.
At the turn of the 2018 new year, Ashley became the sole proprietor and director of EPAC. Her goal as owner/director is to continue the legacy of dance that the studio has established for the past thirty years, and to bring EPAC and its new generation of dancers into the modern era. Ashley is devoted to continuing to build positive relationships with all current EPAC families, as well as welcoming the next generation of dancers to the EPAC family. Ashley inherently believes that educating young artists to attain their artistic and life goals is Encore’s primary mission and believes herself to be a living testament to that mission.
Ashley currently resides in Cape May County with her husband and three daughters.
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Austin Dillon
Contemporary / Hip Hop Teacher
Initially, an interest in hip hop got Austin into the dance studio. As a teen, he trained at a Performing Arts High School, Cooper Ballet and Joffrey Ballet, while dancing competitively at a local dance studio, in Contemporary, Hip Hop and Tap. Transitioning from dancer to teacher came naturally to Austin. Austin has trained with various choreographers and dancers including Michael Susten, Matt Steffanina, Kyle Robinson, and has danced with Megan "Megz" Alfonso, Derek Piquette, and Dushaunt "Fikshun" Stegall of So You Think You Can Dance. He is signed with Divine Management Company and has appeared on "The Americans", "The Leftovers" and the movie "Demolition". Currently, Austin is on staff at Encore Performing Arts Center in Egg Harbor Township NJ as a contemporary and hip hop choreographer.
Judi Engle
Ballet / Lyrical Teacher
Judi Michael-Engle began her dance training with Encore Productions. In 1994 at the age of thirteen, Miss Judi was accepted to study on scholarship at the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow, Russia. Miss Judi graduated from the Bolshoi Academy in 1995, and competed in the Prix de Lausanne International Ballet Competition in Lausanne, Switzerland. Judi was placed in the top 24 dancers in the world.
Dessie Baker
Tap Teacher
Dessie Baker has been dancing since the age of 3 years old. She has studied various styles including ballet, tap, modern, and jazz. She has been able to performed in many competitions and shows throughout New Jersey. Recently she has gaduated from Stockton University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism but continues to teach and share her love of dance.
Todd Jones
Music Teacher
Todd Jones attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, majoring in Music Production & Engineering. There he honed his musical skills, and learned to write and arrange music for large ensembles. hired as musical director, singer, and bass player for a nationally touring show band.
In 1987, after a year of touring, Todd relocated to Las Vegas to continue with his career as a band leader/performer. Todd used the experience to garner more opportunities, writing music for local shows, both on and off the Las Vegas strip.
In 1994, Todd built his own commercial recording studio, Montage Productions, which he operated for the next seven years. During that time, he became an accomplished audio engineer, and recorded and produced dozens of CDs and hundreds of projects. Over the last several years Todd’s music has been heard on several network televisions programs, including Dateline NBC, and America’s Most Wanted. In 2007, he scored the music for the 13-part documentary series, ‘Odyssey: Driving Around the World’, which aired in over 80 countries on National Geographic’s Adventure Channel.
In 2011 Todd relocated to NJ. In addition to his job a music director for ENCORE, he works a music producer/composer, and audio engineer.
Rachell Gaskill
All Genres
Rachel Gaskill grew up dancing at Mary Jane's School of Dance in Greene, Maine. She currently resides in Margate. She is in her 15th year as the dance teacher and dance team advisor at Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2015. Rachel has earned a B.S. in Dance Education from East Carolina University and a M.A. in Dance Education from New York University. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization and a certified Zumba instructor. She has taught at numerous studios; The Greenville Civic Ballet, Little People's Creative Workshop, Young Dancers in Repertory, Staten Island Academy and for a variety of public schools in North Carolina and New York. She has choreographed for numerous Dance Concerts, recitals and school musicals.
Andrea Posner
All Genres
Andrea is an Encore Alumni dancer who trained and competed for several years. She's not only an award winning performer but is also a National Award winning choreographer. Her classes are both challenging and artistic. Andrea is currently training and pursuing her professional career on the West Coast but makes many visits throughout the year to educate and help with the training and artistry of the dancers at Encore. Her love for her home studio and dedication to her art form is what makes her a special addition to the Encore Staff Family.
Debbie Baker
Creative Arts and Tumble Teacher
Miss Debbie has been developing her creative arts program for many years. She incorporates song and dance to engage her little dancers in both creative movement and learning. Her students enjoy her educational activities that help them develop their coordination and movement. Her classes are both fun and educational.
Dana Daniels
All Genres
Dana Daniels was born and raised in Galloway, NJ. Miss Daniels studied ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and gymnastics at Encore Performing Arts Center under the direction of Donna Daniels, Pamela Clark, Ashley Tabano, and Judi Engle. She continued her education at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts and graduated with Bachelor’s of the Arts degree in Economics. She is currently on staff at Encore and teaches dance and gymnastics.
Nikki Mason
All Genres
Nikki’s passion for the performing arts began at the age of two when she started dance and acro classes. She continued her training at Encore and studied all styles of dance. After competing regionally and nationally for many years, she attended Rutgers University, where she was the President of Rutgers Performing Dance Company. Nikki currently teaches ballet, lyrical, jazz, and acro. In her classes, she emphasizes the importance of technique through strength, conditioning, and flexibility. Providing these elements in an encouraging, positive environment builds the confidence needed for success in the classroom and beyond.
Donna Daniels
All Genres
Donna founding owner has been with Encore for over 30 years. She recently stepped down as director and will always have Encore as her family. She is proud of the legacy that she built over the years and is confident in in the fresh new direction Ashley will continue continue to pursue.
She has worked as a professional dancer, director and choreographer of numerous shows throughout the United States. You will still see her around the studio!
Caleb Green
HipHop/Contemporary/Aerial/Tumble Teacher
Caleb Green began his dance training at Encore! Performing Arts Center at the age of nine. He has trained in various styles of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop, acro/tumbling, and aerial arts. He has performed in the movie Breaking Brooklyn, Just Right’s production of Dream Girls, and in various works by Matt Steffanina, Hamilton Evans, and Hannah Wintrode. Caleb has received a lifetime scholarship as an assistant with Artist Simply Human convention. He also has performed in the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the first ever hip hop number choreographed by WilldaBeast and Janelle.
Jenny Husta
Tap/Hip Hop Teacher
Jenny is an Encore Alumni who was an award winning member of our competition team while a student. She graduated from Stockton University in 2020 with a B.A. in Dance Pre Movement Science. She is now teaching dance at multiple studios in New Jersey and is a first company dancer with the Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble who perform in the Philadelphia area.
Corey Critelli
Acting Teacher
Corey is a South Jersey based performer born and raised in Mullica Twp where he got his start in instrumental music. Once catching the music bug he began to pursue other forms of art including vocals, acting, and dance. This training also included high school where Corey studied under Ashley and garnered the excellence in performing arts award through graduating. Corey has been training in the arts for over a decade and has also performed in award winning shows through the South Jersey area including Saturday Night Fever and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Along with performing, for the past three years Corey has assisted the Buena High School Drama Club with their yearly productions as an assistant director and choreographer. When not teaching or performing he is can be seen in New York continuing his training in voice and acting so he can pass his expanding knowledge to his students
Office Staff
Jodie Cortellesa
Office Staff
Janelle Clark
Administrative Assistant
Jenn Wimbish
Office Staff