Julie Lang

Miss Julie began dancing with the Turner School of Dance under the tutelage of Betty Jane Turner. On staff with Turner for nine years, and associate director of the Turner School of Dance, Miss Julie Lang demonstrated a commitment and an unconditional love for dance. In July of 2006, when Miss Turner announced her retirement after fifty-two years in the business of dance education, the studio was passed into the hands of the inspiring "Miss Julie".  Julie Lang, director and teacher has 27 years of dance training.

She is an experienced full time teacher, choreographer, and dancer. Her talent and love for dance, along with her positive and patient personality, are reflected in her vivacious and unique teaching style. Julie is a member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts, the International Tap Association, and a professional member of the National Dance Education Organization. Julie is dedicated to promoting standards of excellence in dance education. She currently studies dance at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

Julie believes in the importance of continuing education for maximum growth and creative inspiration. She completed a certified and accredited teacher workshop this summer, where she was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from Dance Teacher Magazine and a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of successful completion of dance training at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Julie also took part in the Summer Dance Festival in NYC this July, training with headline choreographers from the hit television show "So You Think You Can Dance" including Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Dave Scott, and Brian Friedman. The event hosted the cast of Broadway's Legally Blond and Hairspray, Fox Television National News, TV Guide, Dance Spirit Magazine and a meet and greet with the producers of A Chorus Line; currently on Broadway.

James M. Marino

Also returning to the staff this year is Sharon LaFargue with her expert instuction in elementary ballet, tap, and jazz.

Julianne D'Iorio received her early dance training at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven under the direction f Susan Mahteke.  She recently earned her diploma in Dance Pedagogy and Performance at the Hartford Conservatory where she studied with Jeanne Giroir, Sonia Plumb, and Linda Burns and interned with Jacques D’Ambroise of the National Dance Institute. While attending the Conservatory, Julianne participated in the 2006 and 2007 American College Dance Festivals, held in Boston, and Williamstown, MA, respectively. She also performed at the 2006 and 2007 Ted Hershey Dance Marathon held here in Hartford, CT.  Julianne continues to study and expand her dance training with weekly classes in Ballet and Modern.  She is delighted to work with the students at the Julie Lang Studio of Dance.

Mr. Ray Owens has been B-Boying (breakin'), Poppin' and Lockin' for thirty years.  He started his own family dance crew at age six, and battled his way into his first street Breakin' crew         (The Wizards) when he was seven.  Mr. Owens continued to break while he dance went from mainstream to underground.  Once he was hired as a teacher of United States History at Vernon Center Middle School, he started a crew of more than forty dancers call the Channel 99 Breakers as a school involvement and community outreach program.  Mr. Owens is now in his thirteenth year of teaching the eighth grade and has completed his eleventh year of coaching basketball, cross country and track & field.  He has decided to continue making dance a major part of his career and teaching experience; by teaching Breakin' and Latin Ballroom (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Mambo etc...) for the Vernon Adult Education, Manchester Community Center, UCONN Breakin' Club, Trinity College Latin American Student Organization, UHART Summer Academic Camps, as well as in dance studios in Norwich, Wethersfield, Hartford, Vernon and now Manchester.  As a long time DJ and dance instuctor Mr. Owens hires Connecticut breakers and public speakers to help spread the culture of Hip Hop and dance through seminars, workshops and performances, and looks forward to bringing his excitement and passion for dance to the Julie Lang Studio of Dance for the 2009-2010 season.

Assistant teacher Roberta Merrill returns to the studio with her expertise and experience with preschool children.

Roberta started dancing at the age of 6. She has extensive experience working with children. She previously worked for the Headstart Preschool program. In 2004 she became a Child Development Associate. Miss Roberta assists with Tap, Jazz, and Ballet.