Maria "naja" Richardson

Studio Owner, Fat Chance Belly Dance Style Certified Instructor
Maria is global dance performer, choreographer and Instructor from Brooklyn, NY now in Linden, NJ. and is a founding member of the world renown troupe, Manhattan Tribal of NYC. After traveling abroad with Manhattan Tribal, Maria branched out creating her own troupe Tribe Hamsa, which as toured the US. She has studied under some of the most prestigous teachers such as Dalia Carella, Carolena Nericcio, Sarah Johansson Locke, Puela Lunaris, Silvia Salamaca and many others. Her style is contemprary yet traditional and is sought after to teach and perform regularly.

Kim Leary

Bally Dance & Yoga Instructor
DANCE/ MOVEMENT EDUCATOR, CHOREOGRAPHER AND PERFORMER Leary is a world dance performer, choreographer and instructor who is well regarded for her teaching skills which focus on identifying learning styles of her students and incorporating her knowledge of anatomy, music and cultural context for an enriched and creative learning experience. She is Co-Artistic Director of Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble and Co-Director of her school, The Drum & Dance Learning Center. Kim has been involved in the multi-cultural music and dance genres since 1989. Kim holds a certification in Training & Development as well as certification in Multiple Intelligences and the Arts. She has studied intensively within the Salimpour School of Dance for 15+ years with both Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour. She has earned dance certifications in Sahra Saeeda's Journey Through Egypt Program. She also has earned her 200 RYT Yoga certification with specializations in Gentle and Restorative yoga.

Marilyn Burgos

Yoga & Dance Instructor
Marilyn is a yoga instructor with an RYT 500 credential through the Yoga Alliance. She is also an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Marilyn was introduced to yoga more than a decade ago and continues to educate herself in movement modalities and promotes holistic health through functional movement. Marilyn has an extensive background in dance and fitness instruction along with a passion for martial arts that encouraged her to achieve a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. Marilyn possesses an authentic and compassionate teaching style and students will find a sense of belonging in her classes. She is also certified in the BellyQueen Format.

Omar Abdallah

Boot Camp Fitness Instructor
Omar is a Personal Trainer and Boot Camp Fitness Instructor. In the summer months, you can find him with his students in the parks doing their workouts outdoors. He is a 6 degree blackbelt and former kickboxing champion. Hailing from Newark, NJ, Omar is also one of the premier DJs in the NJ House Music community and has been featured as a guest DJ on WBLS.

Karen Miles

African Dance Instructor
Karen Miles Founder/Director of Zawadi African Dance and Drum, Inc. for 27 successful years. I started my dancing career in 1982 with Silimann Dance Company. From there I have freelance for many companies. I have had the opportunity to study African dance with Maria Basse Wiles a Princple dancer for the National Ballet of Senegal for over 21 years. I thank my ancestors for paving the way for me.

Douglas Hawkins

Line Dance Instructor
Douglas, known as "X-Man, i s anative of Baltimore,MD who now resides in Plainfield, NJ. has been involved in Line Dancing for over 18 years as a participant and instructor. He is the co-founder of step 4 Step Line Dancers of Newark. He is a Certified Line Dance Instructor since 2012 as well as a Safety and Wellness certified with Youth Protection Advocates in Dance.

Alumni Instructors

Esther Walker Grant

African Dance
Esther Grant, a native of Costa Rica, has been studying dance for the past 50 years. During her childhood she dance trained in traditional European dance genres: ballet, tap, and modern dance. Ms. Grant became exposed to West African Dance and instantly loved the power of the drum and movement. This sparked a connection to African dance and folklore that has spanned well over three decades. She has studied and danced with the late Papa Ladji Camara, Wilhemina Taylor, Abdel Salaam, Fatou Sam, Nafisa Sherif, Jewel Love, Ndaye Gueye, Youssouf Koumbassa and a host of talented teachers and choreographers in the NYC tri-state area. She has performed with NYC-based companies: Forces of Nature, Sabar Ak Ru Afriq, and Papa Ladji Camara’s African-American Dance Ensemble. Ms. Grant has danced at major venues and events i.e. B.A.M. Dance Africa, Radio City Music Hall, the Apollo Theatre, Newark Symphony Hall, Central Park Summer Stage, the Odunde Festival, Dance Mobile, and the Rhythms of the World Festival - to name a few.

Algernon "Al" campbell

Line Dance
Algernon J. Campbell, from Savannah, GA, is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA where he began his dance training. He started taking dance classes at Spelman College and Ballethnic Academy of Dance. He moved to New York after graduating from college to attend the Ailey School’s Certificate in Dance Program. While living in New York, he worked at the Metropolitan Opera, Seraphim Dance Company, and the Joan Peters Dance Company. He was a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre for 4 years. He has performed nationally and internationally. He teaches ballet, jazz, modern, and other styles of dance