712 E. Bay Avenue #4 & #21F
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609)756-7380
officemanager@starlightpac.com
Instructors and Guests
Lisa Carlson
Owner/Instructor
Lisa@starlightpac.com
*Private Lessons (voice, acting, dance)
Audition Coaching, Career Coaching, Agent/Manager Coaching, Self-Tape Coaching, Artist Development Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Commercial Jazz, College Prep, Audition Prep, Musical Theatre.
Lisa Carlson has been working professionally in the entertainment world for over 20 years. Lisa’s career has allowed her to travel and work on 4 continents and 38 of the 50 states. Her performance career included National tours of The Buddy Holly Story and Sweet Charity, many regional theatre productions, film, TV, Dance Companies, and vocal groups. Lisa has performed singing the duet originally sang by Barbra Streisand “Enough is Enough” with Donna Summer in Atlantic City and Minnesota . Lisa was also a back up dancer for the Neil Young “Greenville Tour” choreographed by Russ Tamblyn (Riff in the Original West Side Story movie) at local prominent venues like PNC Bank Arts Center and at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Her international performances as a soloist across Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria highlight her exceptional ability to represent American music on the global stage. Lisa also worked on the “Technical Side” of the entertainment industry with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf, and Donna Summer touring the world for six years!
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Lisa’s teaching career started at 17 and she quickly fell in love with the idea of education and giving back to her community. As a passionate educator and studio owner, Lisa seamlessly blends her extensive performing experience with her dedication to nurturing and mentoring talent. She specializes in voice, acting, and dance, drawing from her rigorous training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC and the Broadway Dance Center. Lisa is committed to inspiring both parents and students, encouraging them to embark on their unique artistic journeys.
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Lisa's students have gone onto Broadway, National Tours, Television, Netflix, Film, and Commercials. Lisa has coached her students into many college programs over the past 13 years such as University of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan, Wagner College, Westminster Choir College, Rider University, Montclair State University, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Sarah Lawrence, Penn State, Pace University and more.Lisa is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s NYC campus in Musical Theatre. Lisa's Choreography credits include Nunset Boulevard with Ocean Professional Theatre Company, The Sound Of Music (06) through Grease (12) on the Southern Regional Stage, many years of SRMS and SRHS choral and vocal ensemble concerts, SRMS drama productions and many competitive and recital dances over the years! Lisa’s choreography has won countless awards and special recognitions over the years.​ Lisa knows that a very small percentage of students in her studio will pursue it as a career, but she believes that every student deserves the best training possible, so the choice is theirs to make and so that they can experience all the arts can give them to be a leader in life in whichever path they choose. Her unique combination of professional experience, teaching expertise, and enthusiasm for the arts makes Lisa an exceptional mentor for aspiring performers. Join her in exploring the transformative power of the performing arts and discover the joy of self-expression through training and performance.
Jenny Stodd
Composition, Piano, Violin, Ukulele, Voice, Music Theory, Harmony, SpaCappella, Musical Theatre
Jenny grew up in Illinois, surrounded by a family of music educators! She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from St. Ambrose Univeristy and spent six years in New York City. Jenny's 20 years of performance credits have taken her to stages such as The Laguna Playhouse, Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Wayside Theatre, The El Dorado Casino, and more! She also performed in two National Tours of The Buddy Holly Story. In addition to theatre, voiceover, commercial and film credits, Jenny enjoys arranging music for Starlight's performance groups. For more, visit www.jennystodd.com.
Krista Reagan
*Fall musical director, Private/group Acting coaching, Group musical theater, College prep, Audition technique.
Krista Reagan, originally from Brooklyn, NY, has over 20 years of experience as an actor, director, and performing arts educator in the Tristate area. She received her graduate degree from New York University in Educational Theatre with NYC/NYS Teacher Certification and holds a BA in Creative Arts (Theatre/Visual Arts) from Siena College. Krista has taught students from all walks of life, from ages 2- 72, in acting, improv, audition technique, college prep, movement, stage combat, public speaking, Shakespeare, puppetry, and more! She established and ran several high schools Performing Arts departments in NYC and Bergen County, NJ. Krista feels very fortunate to have moved down to Barnegat with her husband and three children and is very excited about embarking on this new adventure by joining the starlight communityKrista’s students are attending/graduated from recently: NYU Tisch, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (London), University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Muhlenberg College, Boston University, AMDA NY & LA, Rutgers University, Rider, Wagner College, SUNY Purchase. Krista will be available for private lessons and upcoming workshops in Acting, College prep, audition prep, Shakespeare/Classic Monologue/scene prep, public speaking, Musical theatre (acting the song), film/Tv/ Commercial Audition prep, or coaching for a role.
Cait Kraemer is an accomplished dancer and teacher. With an impressive background and a passion for dance, Ms. Cait is ready to inspire our students this year.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance and Theatre, Cait has also studied global dance practices in Arezzo, Italy at the renowned Accademia dell’Arte. Her experience as a company member of DanceMax Moving Company showcases her dedication to community outreach, bringing the art of dance to schools in Allentown and Philadelphia.
Cait has presented original works at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Brockport, New York as a part of the American College Dance Association, and at Dixon Place in New York City. Past performances include features in main stage dance and theatre productions at Muhlenberg College, Philadelphia Fringe with a dance theatre, and music videos for Domenick Martino and Monica Rose.
Her diverse experiences will enrich our classes and provide students with unique opportunities to learn and grow.
Ms. Cait will be joining us on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings, and we’re even considering adding adult classes in the mornings! Don’t miss out on the chance to learn from such an accomplished dancer and teacher. We can’t wait to get started, and we encourage all parents and students to register for her classes!
Cait Kraemer
Ballet, Lyrical, Technique, conditioning, Contemporary, Creative Movement, Dance Series, Adult Classes
Liz Trotta
*Pre-School Dance, Special needs certified dance instructor, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theater.
Elizabeth was 14 years old when she started assisting and teaching classes for local dance studios. Ever since, she has made it her goal to share her love for dance with the next generation of dancers. With a huge passion and over 20 years of dance experience, she has gone on to teach children’s ballet at the City University of New York, and has taught numerous Hip Hop classes at Broadway Dance Center. Elizabeth is trained in various styles such as Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theater, Ballet, Freestyle, and more! Her passion for dance is never limited. Being a versatile dancer and choreographer is something Elizabeth takes to heart. With having the chance to live in New York City for over 4 years, Elizabeth has performed with numerous companies, taught for various workshops, and has choreographed for music videos. Throughout her years of dance Elizabeth has learned a lot about teaching dancers of all ages, levels, styles and has picked up a variety of teaching methods from her instructors. Elizabeth is taking everything she has learned about teaching, dancing, performing and applying it to every class she teaches.
Emily Gulden has had a love affair with theatre from the minute she stepped foot on the stage for her dance recital at three years old. As a Manahawkin local, the foundations of her training were instilled in her at Starlight Performing Arts. Lisa Carlson was her first voice teacher and role model. She introduced her to the importance of hard work and embracing your uniqueness that Emily carries with her to this day. She hopes to pass on this message to her students. Emily grew up with Starlight Performing Arts. At eight years old, you could find her taking voice lessons from Lisa’s living room every Tuesday! At 13 years old, she started student teaching and assisting with competition numbers. At 17 years old, she taught her first class, Pre-Musical Theatre. Learning under the guidance of Jenny and Lisa, Emily realized how instrumental teachers are in the development and training of young performers. She recently graduated from Wagner College with a BA in Theatre Performance and two minors in Film/Media Studies and Political Sciences. Outside college and Starlight PAC, Emily has trained at Steps, Broadway Dance Center and attended the Rutgers High School Musical Theatre Academy.
Emily Gulden
*Group-Voice, Musical Theater.
She has worked closely with Denise Simon, Raquel Nobile, and Michael Lee Brown of Badiene Magaziner’s vocal studio, Dave Hibbard, and broadway director Phil Wm. McKinley. Her favorite credits include Toffee in Zombie Prom, Laurie in Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Emmy in A Doll’s House Part Two. Since completing college, Emily has continued to work professionally at Asbury Park Theatre Co. in their production of American Idiot and Catalyst Theatre Company in their production of Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens starring Scott Baker and Chloe Fiddler (of the West End) as Anna and dance captain under the advisement of THE Shiela Barker. She’s also been busy performing at various cabarets in the city, working with ReelArc, auditioning, and creating her own business (Reel Edits by Emily)! She is excited to return home to share her passion, knowledge, and experience with young students who share her dreams.
Daniel Booda
Jazz, Theatre Dance, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, College prep, Acting, Musical Theatre, Voice
Daniel Booda is an outstanding educator and choreographer with a wealth of experience in the performing arts. With a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University and a professional semester at the Broadway Dance Center, Daniel brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical expertise to his classes.
As a faculty member at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center, he has honed his skills in teaching students of all levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned performers. His engaging workshops and master classes at various institutions, including The Pulse Performing Arts Studio and Rider University, showcase his ability to inspire and motivate students, fostering a love for dance and performance.
Daniel’s impressive background in regional theater, including productions like "Cats," "Gypsy," and "Mamma Mia," allows him to share real-world insights and experiences with his students, making each class not just a lesson but a journey into the heart of musical theatre. His work as a choreographer and dance captain further emphasizes his leadership skills and creativity, ensuring his students receive top-notch training.
Parents can rest assured that their children will be guided by an instructor who is not only skilled but also deeply passionate about nurturing the next generation of performers. With Daniel Booda at the helm, students will not only learn the techniques of dance and theatre but also develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the arts. Enroll now to experience the magic of performance under his expert guidance!
After spending a decade living in New York City as an actor/musician, Todd moved to the Jersey Shore, where he has enjoyed performing at numerous Long Beach Island venues and in the surrounding area for the past five years. He played Buddy Holly in the national tour of THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY musical back in 2015. His guitar playing has also been featured in regional productions of other musicals such as RING OF FIRE, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ALL SHOOK UP, and PUMP BOYS & DINETTES. When he's not acting in shows or performing acoustic covers at his favorite local joints, he can be found performing around the country and on cruise ships with his band, The Rave-Ons. Todd has been playing guitar since the age of 16 and he is excited to spread the joy of music with Starlight students intersted in the instrument. You can learn more about him and listen to his music at www.toddmeredith.com.
Todd Meredith
*Private Guitar Lessons.
Jim McCabe
*Improv, Acting, Adult Improv workshops, Page to Stage workshops, Directorial coaching.
Jim McCabe is the Improv teacher at Southern Regional High School. He directed the District musicals for over 15 years. "McCabe" is also involved with Bellarine Theatre Company and has directed shows for them over the years. His improv classes are full of fun and on the spot thinking. They encourage public speaking, quick thinking, and build confidence. Check out a class this week!
Jannah Tabbaccino
Ms. Tabb is a graduate of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, and teaches performing arts at Southern Regional, right here in Manahawkin! Ms. Tabb grew up studying a variety of music and performing in many areas of the arts, both in school and the community, and continues to do so to this day! Her “whole heart” is teaching her “nuggets” and watching them grow into their success, and she also enjoys performing in musicals and taking on lead vocals in the Ned Ryerson Band! Her 30+ year background in voice, theatre, and dance has allowed her to work with many local and NY based professionals and experience a variety of performance styles, which has shaped her approach to both teaching and performing. Fun Fact — Ms. Tabb’s introduction to "all things arts" was TAP DANCING !! She is thrilled to get those feet tip tapping and moving and grooving again with Starlight! At home, Ms. Tabb loves to spend time with her fiancé and fur babies, playing with her nieces and nephews, going thrifting, and cooking!
*Tap, Vocal.
Adina Paciello
*Private Vocal, Audition Prep and coaching.
Adina is thrilled to be back teaching with Starlight PAC, where her love for performing began over a decade ago! She is a graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Over the past few years Adina has been touring all over the US and Canada as the Swing and Dance Captain in Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour and Shrek the musical, and has also made her debut in London’s West End in Blippi the Musical, along with a short residency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. When Adina is not touring, she can be found in NYC performing in various cabarets, readings, taking classes and working on her craft. Simultaneously, she is teaching as an early childhood educator at Little Maestro’s, New York’s #1 infant and toddler music program. She hopes to help students use theatre and music as a way to have fun and learn to express themselves in new and exciting ways
Mia Spallina has trained in the tap world since she was very young. She began her professional-level training in classes with Maurice Chestnut from 2015-2022. In 2017, she debuted as a member of the youth ensemble in the Philadelphia-based tap company, The Lady Hoofers, in "The Tapcracker, " led by Kat Echevarria Richter and Katie Budris. In 2019-2020, Mia joined the New Jersey Tap Ensemble as an NJTap2 apprentice dancer. Here, she began intense training in rhythm tap with legends Karen Callaway Williams and Deborah Mitchell. NJ Tap also provided her with masterclasses led by Jason Samuels Smith, Lisa LaTouche, and more. NJ Tap was involved in many community outreach programs, and Miawas invited to perform on stage with them at their 25th Anniversary Celebration at NJ PAC.In 2020, Mia returned to the Lady Hoofers as a high school apprentice, where she performed in a virtual adaptation of "The Tapcracker". In the 2022 in-person season of "The Tapcracker", she was featured in the youth ensemble and was creatively challenged with first company pieces, including one with an onstage snowball fight. Mia also performed with them in their spring concert "On Tap" this year and will continue to train with the company throughout her senior year of high school.
Mia Spallina
*Tap
Mia's goal is to share her love for tap as an art form with students and teach them that it's more than just doing a few steps in shoes with metal on the bottom. Tap can be a dance, a conversation, a history lesson, and even its own song.
Rob Hilliard
*Technical director, Stage combat.
Rob is the resident technical director for Starlight PAC, and has extensive design credits for lighting, sets, and sound, stretching across nearly every local arts organization in South Jersey. He toured with Donna Summer, has worked with casinos and arenas across the Tristate area, and spends a majority of his time every year working technical aspects for the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition, Rob has a deep appreciation for theatre and theatre education, is licensed in stage combat, and even has a background in dance! If that's not enough, you can catch him playing percussion in the band Third Wheel at local establishments throughout the year!
Charles Ray
*Musical Choreographer
Charles is currently in his fourth year of study in Pace University's Commercial Dance program. He has choreographed several projects for Southern Regional High School, taught choreography for The Orchestra Moves at Carnegie Hall, and is an award-winning dancer, performing at Surflight Theatre, The Chita Rivera Awards, and numerous projects in NYC!
Elizabeth Troxler began her dance training in Western Pennsylvania with Paula Scriva Jersey. She continued to study at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Boston Ballet, and under Vagonova Masters Irina Kolpakova, Vladilen Seminov, & Mansur Kameletdinov of the Kirov Ballet (now Mariinsky Ballet). Later Elizabeth trained under Maureen Price with the Royal Academy of Dance where she passed all of her RAD vocational exams with Distinction (including a perfect score on Advanced 2). She continued on to achieve her Solo Seal Award with the Royal Academy of Dance, and is now a Certified Teacher for the Royal Academy of Dance.Elizabeth has performed roles such as the Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and the Pas de Trois from Swan Lake with The Nacional Ballet de Panama & The Illinois Ballet. Other ballets in which she has enjoyed performing are Don Quioxte, Les Sylphide, Ballet Etudes, The Little Mermaid & Alice in Wonderland. She conceived, created, choreographed and produced a full length ballet version of the Hans Christian Andersen tale The Snow Queen, as well as a children's production of The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg in conjunction with Northern Arizona University.As the dance captain and a performer, Elizabeth travelled with the National Tour of Sweet Charity.
Elizabeth Troxler
*Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Jumps and Turns, Pointe
She has also performed in regional theater productions of Mame (Riverside Theatre), Beauty & the Beast (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), The Wizard of Oz (The Fireside Theatre), Anything Goes, CATS, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Thoroughly Modern Millie (OPTC), as well as in Peter & the Wolf at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. She has choreographed many musicals including productions of Dames at Sea, Godspell, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sweet Charity.Elizabeth has trained and coached hundreds of students for the Royal Academy of Dance Children's and Vocational Exams and the Youth American Grand Prix Ballet Competition. Her students have continued on to dance with American Ballet Theatre, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Elements, New York Theater Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and in various National Tours, Broadway, and Off-Broadway shows such as 42nd Street, Beauty & the Beast, Oklahoma!, and Bullets Over Broadway.Elizabeth is currently on the faculty at the Martha Graham Dance Company & School and teaches weekly at Broadway Donation. She continues to teach and guest teach in and around NYC, coaching and training dancers of all ages and disciplines. Elizabeth directs a monthly choreography lab in which she creates new works of all genres of dance.
Dylan Pearce is a freelance teacher, choreographer, and performer from New York City. He began dancing at the age of 5 going on to study extensively at the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC on scholarship along with Broadway Dance center, Steps, and The Ailey School. Dylan is an Assistant Choreographer for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and before that spent 7 seasons performing in the Christmas Spectacular. He also performed in the Radio City Spring Spectacular along side Derek Hough and Laura Benanti. He has choreographed for the Samsung Group, Radio City Rockettes, Americas Got Talent, Brenda K. Starr, Amy Lynn and The Gun Show, and all over the United States for studios and Universities. He’s performed in televised and staged productions including Off Broadway in Shea Sullivan’s ‘Dancing on a Dream’, WNBA All-Star Halftime Show, Miss New Jersey, Miss New York and The Miss Florida pageants, The Michael Awards, Trump Signature Events, Equity Fights AIDS, Knicks City Dancers, Jazz Dance America’s Tri-State Youth Invitational, Ray-Ban and Rite Aid industrials, and the International Dance Festival in NYC. Dylan toured with Recording Artists Brenda K. Starr, and Tina Ann, and was a dancer in the modern company, Momix.
Dylan Pearce
Guest Instructor/Choreographer
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop.
He was also dance captain for Walt Disney World’s “Twas The Night Before Christmas” and toured the world performing and setting shows for Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Dylan is a highly sought after Master Teacher and Choreographer. His distinctive style sets his choreography apart and gives his dancers a cutting edge above the competition.
Deanna Drago Stojkoska
Sub/Choreographer
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Deanna has danced and toured the world, 52 countries to be exact! After receiving her BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts (2016), the world was her oyster. One of her most notable performance opportunities has been performing as the “West Coast feature” in Swing the Broadway Musical for Norwegian Creative Studios.(2021-2022) Deanna had the opportunity to learn the role from the original Broadway West Coast featured female dancer, Beverly Durand. She has also had the honor of being the Dance captain as well as a featured dancer for Broadway choreographer, Warren Carlyle’s, production show “Palace of Lights”(2022-2023). She dance captained, and was a dancer/aerialist in Broadway choreographer, Patti Wilcox’s, production show “Elements” (2019-2022 & 2022-2023) as well. Deanna has had the opportunity to train and work with former Cirque Du Soleil artists as well as notable choreographers in the industry and in 2022, her and her dance/ aerial partner premiered their own guest act on board a vessel for Norwegian Cruise Line. Off the stage, she is also known as Miss Deanna, as she has taught at multiple dance studios, theatre schools, summer intensives, workshops, and conventions, throughout New Jersey. Deanna continues to pursue her career in dancing, aerial, teaching and choreographing, and hopes her love of dance reaches and teaches everyone she knows.
Lily Targett
Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acting, Voice
Starting this September, Lily returns to Starlight Performing Arts—where she first trained as a student—to teach Musical Theatre and Dance. An alumna of the studio, Lily’s passion for performance began right here, and she’s excited to now guide the next generation of performers.
After graduating, Lily moved to Los Angeles to pursue professional theatre. While there, she trained extensively in dance, acting, and voice, took specialized classes in musical theatre, and performed in improv, sharpening her skills in both comedic timing and character work. Her dedication to the craft led her to join Actors’ Equity Association two years ago, marking her as a professional in the field.
Lily’s recent stage credits include Ariel in Footloose at Algonquin Arts Theatre, Maureen in Rent at Chance Theater (LA), and Wednesday in The Addams Family at Torrance Theater Company (LA).
Drawing on her professional training and stage experience, she brings energy, creativity, and a supportive teaching style to her classes, focusing on both technical skill and authentic performance.
She is thrilled to be back at Starlight—this time not just as a performer, but as a mentor—to help students discover their own confidence, artistry, and love for the stage.
Lulu Nelson
Vocal Coach- Pop, Rock, R&B, Musical Theatre
Lulu Nelson is a dynamic vocalist and performer, best known as the lead singer of the high-energy cover band Royals. She has been performing since childhood, with standout moments including taking the stage at the Apollo Theater at age eleven and being scouted for American Idol at sixteen.
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With Royals, Lulu has performed at a wide range of venues and events across the East Coast, captivating audiences with her powerful vocals, versatility, and engaging stage presence. Her repertoire spans pop, rock, R&B, and more, allowing her to connect with diverse crowds and create memorable live music experiences.
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Lulu brings her extensive performance background into her teaching, helping students grow not only as singers but as confident, expressive artists.
Tony Caine
Vocal Instructor- Musical Theatre, Pop, Classical
Being the son of a professional vocalist and the nephew of a classically trained vocal teacher, I started my journey with singing at a young age. I continued my journey with years of training in musical theater, working in several union and non-union professional theaters. I’ve also had the privilege to train and perform multiple styles of music including pop, rock, and classical, and continue to sing professionally today.
I take a holistic approach to singing and use scientifically proven methods, to not only improve vocal performance, but also give an understanding of what is going on internally as you sing. This approach helps maintain vocal health and reduce injury. I am very passionate about the art of singing and I look forward to helping you on your journey.