Accent School of Dance

A graduate of the University of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Dance, Miss Karen has performed extensively throughout her career. These performances include many Atlantic City Casinos, the Famous Palumbo’s in Philadelphia, performing in a TV commercial for Power 99, and gracing the field of the Vet as an Eagles Cheerleader. One of her most memorable experiences was performing at the World Trade Center. With more than thirty years of teaching experience, she will be teaching children’s work, tap/jazz combo classes and Jazz classes. Miss Karen also enjoys assisting in the direction of the Competition teams and takes pride in their award winning routines! In addition to teaching, Karen is excited to be entering her 28th year as artistic director. Throughout her years as Director, Miss Karen is proud of the many studio awards Accent has received. These include, outstanding technique, choreography, entertainment and overall high scores!

Miss Stacey started her dance training at age four at Accent! She graduated in 2016 from Bucknell University with a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Culture, Media, and Leisure Studies and a minor in Dance. During her time at Bucknell, she was an active member of the Theatre & Dance Department, participating in dance productions as a dancer and choreographer as well as assisting in lighting design. She had the opportunity to perform in student and faculty choreographed pieces. She was also selected to perform in guest artist pieces choreographed by artists such as Salim "Slam" Gauwloos, C. Kemal Nance, Tara Madsen Robbins, Nick Ross, and Marie Canal. She was also a member of the Bison Girls Dance Team, where she performed at half-time at the men’s home basketball games and other events on campus. Miss Stacey was also selected to represent Bucknell at the American College Dance Festival at Brockport, NY. In addition to dancing in college, she enjoyed spreading her love of dance through the local community by teaching at a dance studio in her college town, where she taught a variety of classes as well as choreographed for their competition teams. She also participated in local arts outreach events for middle and high school students as a demonstrator for her dance professors. In addition to teaching at Accent, she has been choreographing for the Allentown Central Catholic High School Dance Team for the last 12 years. When she’s not teaching or choreographing, Miss Stacey works in the Office of Admissions at Muhlenberg College as an Associate Director of Admissions. She enjoys continuing her dance education by taking classes in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. She is so excited to be entering her ninth season at Accent!

Miss Stephanie returns for her 5th year on our Accent staff after serving as a 7 year veteran and 4 year captain of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleading squad from 2009- 2016. Prior to her time cheering on her favorite team in the NFL, Stephanie graduated from Drexel University with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Design and Merchandising and a minor in both Business and Dance. While at Drexel, Stephanie was a 4 year member and captain of Drexel’s Division 1 Dance Team and a member of the Drexel Dance Ensemble. After earning her undergraduate degree Stephanie then went on to attend Philadelphia University where she earned her MBA and had the opportunity to study abroad in India. Stephanie currently works full-time as a Senior Project Manager for Lehigh Valley Health Network. Stephanie has been trained in the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, and theatre and is very excited to bring her passion for dance back into the studio as a member of the Accent teaching staff.

Miss Erika grew up at Accent learning from her Mom, Miss Karen! She is excited to be back at the studio taking the next step as an instructor! She is a 2015 graduate of DeSales University with B.A. in Dance. While at DeSales, she had the opportunity to perform in both student and faculty concerts. Erika was also chosen three times to participate in the American College Dance Festival in Wisconsin, NY & Georgia! Erika was a dancer in the Screen Dance Film Festival and has also appeared in films for the Television and Film Department at DeSales. The past two summers she was fortunate enough to study at the Trinity Laban Dance Conservatory in London, England. While there, she interned at MWW, a public relations firm. She has taken classes in LA and NYC, and enjoys furthering her education every chance she gets! This season, Miss Erika is thrilled to choreograph for the Senior Dance Ensemble!

Miss Rachael grew up dancing in the Lehigh Valley, competing in regional and national dance competitions. She is a graduate of Temple University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. During her time at Temple, Miss Rachael was a Division 1 cheerleader, and competed at the UCA National Cheer Championships in Orlando, FL. Upon Graduation, Miss Rachael returned to the Lehigh Valley to begin her teaching career and is currently working full-time as the Assistant Director of High School Connections at LCCC . Miss Rachael continues her dance education with various professional dance organizations. She has earned her Dance Masters of America teacher training certification in Jazz and Ballet Instruction. Miss Rachael’s choreography has received many high awards and honors, including top scores and specialty recognition. Some notable highlights include New York City Dance Alliance Critics Choice, Top Choreography at True Dance & Dancers Inc., National Invitations, Studio Choreography and Technique awards, just to name a few. This year, Miss Rachael will be teaching Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe, Pre-Pointe, Jazz technique, and Dance Conditioning. She is also choreographing for our competition Senior Jazz, Junior Lyrical, Productions, and various solos and duos. Miss Rachael is very excited to be entering her 20th season at Accent!

Miss Dawn has been teaching at Accent School of Dance for 21 years and is grateful to be able to be a part of the Accent Family for so long. Miss Dawn is the director of the Studio Dance Academy and a dance teacher at William Allen High School in Allentown, PA. She also serves as the Assistant Director and Choreographer for the high school’s musical productions. She began her dance training at age 7 and grew up as a competitive dancer in various genres and styles. Blanco attended Temple University and Kutztown University. She holds a K–12 teaching certification in the state of Pennsylvania and a Dance Masters of America Certification in Ballet, Jazz and Modern Instruction. Miss Dawn has an expansive background teaching at studios, colleges and universities throughout Pennsylvania. She has also spent several years as the director of a large dance studio in downtown Allentown. Miss Dawn has dedicated much of her career to teaching and inspiring students in underserved communities. Because of the impact she has had, Blanco was a guest on The Queen Latifah Show and had a feature story on PBS. She has won several awards in recognition of her creative choreography, choreographing for nationally competitive dance ensembles, soloists and high school dance teams. Many of her former students have gone on to dance professionally on Broadway, The VMA Awards, NY Fashion Week, and Cruise lines and some are teaching at distinguished studios and universities, including Millennium Dance Complex in Vegas. Blanco’s passion in life is inspiring students and paving a path for them to pursue their dreams.

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Native Pennsylvanian, Jaclyn Du Chateau received her dance training here at Accent, as well as the Lehigh Valley Performing Arts High School. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Performance from Columbia College, Chicago. Her degree allowed her to cover numerous genres of dance. Her choreography has been seen on the Columbia stage during Student Performance nights as well as past recitals for Accent. In addition to teaching, Jaclyn has a passion for photography and she offers dance movement sessions throughout the year. Jaclyn has a photography business called Jaclyn Du Chateau Photography. Jaclyn is also a Barre3 Lehigh Valley instructor, and is thrilled to be on staff at Accent, returning for her 9th season as an instructor!

Celina, a Birmingham UK native with Jamaican heritage, is a dynamic dance educator with a passion for fostering wholeness through creative expression. Teaching since the age of 16, Celina values individuals and uses the arts to encourage others to live their lives authentically and fully. She has a special interest in somatic and inclusive practices and aims to apply them to empower her students of all ages. 

Specialising in Ballroom and Latin dance, Celina’s dance versatility spans multiple genres and international stages, including the USA, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Spain. She takes pride in being a versatile teaching-artist with high professional standards.

With a degree in Music and Professional Practice, Celina remains committed to continual professional development and has acquired teaching diplomas under the International Dance Teachers Association, the National Association of Teachers of Dancing, the Performing Arts Awards and the Wheelchair Dancesport Association UK.

Celina’s colourful personality shines through her commitment to bridging creative communities alongside her love for laughter and a proper cup of tea!

Miss Brittany grew up as a part of the Accent Family, and was a student of Miss Karen’s since the age of three! In 2007 she became a proud faculty member! She is a 2009 graduate of Temple University with a B.F.A. in Dance. While at Temple, she performed for many students and faculty members in and around, the Philadelphia area. Miss Brittany was the former coach for the Parkland Middle School Dance Team, a choreographer for both the PHS Varsity and JV Dance Teams and recently choreographed a piece for the William Allen Dance Academy. Miss Brittany furthers her education through various classes, workshops and conventions. She is certified through Dance Master’s of America to teach Jazz and Modern. Her choreography has been recognized both regionally and nationally! Most recently she began a new adventure with Judging dance competitions! As a 2023 Recipient of the Georgia Deane Memorial Scholarship, she is thrilled to be teaching Pre-School Combo classes, Pom, Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and choreographing for our competition teams.

Miss Brenna is excited to be entering her ninth season at Accent. Miss Brenna earned her Bachelor’s Degrees in Dance and Communications from Cedar Crest College. While in college, she studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Modern. She was a member of both the Cedar Crest College Dance Company and The Monarch Dance Company. Miss Brenna also performed in several Musical Productions at Cedar Crest including the role of Velma Kelly in Chicago the Musical and Violet Newstead in 9 to 5! In her free time, Miss Brenna enjoys taking yoga classes and spending time with her family. Miss Brenna's passion for dance is fulfilled every week by teaching tap to all of the amazing students at Accent. She is so grateful to have this opportunity and to be part of the Accent Family. This year, Miss Brenna is looking forward to continuing to share her love for tap dance with Accent dancers and the Tap Ensemble teams.

Sarah Buonocore is a multifaceted artist and educator who specializes in dance performance, choreography, and fitness. Sarah grew up in New Jersey and has trained in a range of dance genres such as modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, and hip hop. Sarah received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography and minor in Entrepreneurship from Towson University in May 2023. During her time at Towson University, Sarah learned from Tracie Burton-Hooper, Runqiao Du, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Robert Kleinendorst, Nicole Martinell, and Caroline Rocher Barnes. She also had the opportunity to participate in guest artist residencies with Ephrat Asherie, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Xiang Xu. Sarah was an apprentice with Nickerson-Rossi Dance in Palm Springs, CA during the summers of 2022 and 2023. Sarah has also trained in precision jazz dance through various workshops with past and current Rockettes. Sarah became a certified Pure Barre Instructor in 2023 and is passionate about teaching people how they can improve their lives through movement and fitness.​

Miss Lea began dancing at Accent at the age of 3. She is now returning to Accent as an instructor for her 10th season! She is excited to be leading the Acrobatic and Irish programs. She will also be teaching Hippity Gym! She is excited to make the classes a fun and an enjoyable environment for all! Lea attended LCCC with a concentration in early childhood education. She is also a past dancer and choreographer for Dorney Park and a past competitive choreographer for Pocono Academy of Dance. She works at White’s Machine Inc.

Julia Ramirez is an emerging dance artist based in Jersey City, NJ. At Rutgers University, she graduated with her Masters in Dance Education and BFA from Rutgers University and was awarded the Margery J. Turner Choreography Award. Her work has been featured in the 2024 All Over Westfest Festival (NYC), MODarts Dance Festival, 2023 92 NY Future Dance Festival (NYC), International Washington Dance Festival (DC), Dumbo Dance Festival (NYC), Kun-Yang Lin’s Performance Series (PHL), Koresh Artist Showcase (PHL), Uptown Rising Performance Series (NYC), Waxworks Festival (NYC) and Rutgers University (NJ). She is currently a performing artist with Dance Visions NY, adjunct professor at Rutgers University, and had the privilege of working for David Dorfman Dance as their Media and Artistic assistant from 20’-23’. Her first evening length work, “Everything, but the Kitchen Sink” premiered at Mignolo Arts June 2024 which was granted by the Director’s Choice Award in the ’23 Spring for Spring festival (NJ) and will be featured in the Emerging Artists Theatre's Fall 2024 Spark Theatre Festival NYC in September 2024. Throughout 2023, she completed a residency through Shared Space at Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY creating Kinematic Indeterminacy. . She is currently a dance educator at Lehigh Valley Charter High School of the Arts, Washington Rock Dance, Mark Morris Dance Center, and Accent School of Dance and guest artist/choreographer in the tristate area.

Maddy Slick began dancing at the age of 3, right here at Accent! Maddy graduated from Penn State University in 2020 with a degree in public relations and Spanish. During her time at Penn State, she performed with both the Whiplash Hip Hop Dance Team and Orchesis Dance company. The highlight of her college dance experience was performing in front of 15,000 as a part of the Penn State Dance Marathon. Maddy has trained in the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, and lyrical. She is also a Barre3 Lehigh Valley instructor and is looking forward to her 3rd season as a member of the Accent teaching staff! This year Miss Maddy is looking forward to sharing her love of hip-hop and jazz. You can also catch her subbing and teaching various guest classes throughout the year.