JLS will be closed beginning 12/21 through 1/5 for the Holiday Season. Classes resume on 1/6.
Julie Lang Owens, Director
Miss Julie's dance education started in 1983 when she took her very first tap class. Since then, she has pursued training opportunities to achieve mastery in dance. She is a highly experienced and creative dance educator and choreographer with years of experience working with dancers of all abilities. Miss Julie’s energy, dedication to her students, and vivacious personality provides a positive and engaging learning experience. With 40 years of dance training and decades of teaching expertise, she is happy to extend the opportunities to learn from her experiences to her students.
Julie is well known in the community, born and raised in Manchester, CT. She is trained in a multitude of styles including, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. She has worked with a large range of students, from recreational dancers to competitive dancers. Julie prides herself on continuing her education and training by attending dance conferences, seminars and workshops in NYC, Boston, and Las Vegas. She continues to study at Broadway Dance Center, NYC and Steps on Broadway. Attending classes and engaging in professional opportunities has helped Julie to stay inspired, motivated and bring fresh ideas into her teaching. She was recognized by Broadway Dance Center and Dance Spirit Magazine for her continued training and completed certification.
Miss Julie is extremely committed to her work, and finds genuine fulfillment in connecting with dancers through movement. She has devoted her life to dance and her students and is incredibly grateful. Outside the studio, Julie enjoys downtime time with her family and friends, interior design, and baking.
Ray Owens, Associate Director
Mr. Owens' positive attitude and fun-loving style is a hit among the students. He has been B-Boying, Poppin’ and Lockin’ for more than 40 years and has over 25 years of experience teaching, including Latin ballroom. Ray has taught or been a part of Vernon Adult Education, Manchester Community Center, UConn Breakin’ Club, Trinity College Latin American Student Organization, UHART Summer Camps, as well as in dance studios in other towns. He started his own family dance crew at age six and joined his first street breakin’ crew (The Wizards) when he was just seven years old and continues today. After becoming a middle school, Social Studies teacher, he created the Channel 99 Breakers, a 40-dancer crew that serves as a school involvement and community outreach program. Outside the studio, Ray spreads the culture of hip-hop and dance through seminars, workshops and DJ performances.
Mr. Owens directs hip-hop and breakin' programs while also teaching salsa and fitness classes.
Stella Demand, Instructor
Miss Stella's love of theater and all things Broadway are only matched by Miss Julie's. As a University of Connecticut graduate of Theater Studies, one can only imagine why. Stella has been dancing since the age of 5 and began with the late Richard Risley of Coventry, CT. She has been teaching dance in some capacity for over 20 years and has returned as our stage manager at recital for several years. Her specialities are tap and jazz. She is also a science teacher at Coventry High School. During the summers, she participates in theater camp and puts on yearly productions. Besides her passion for dance, Miss Stella enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
Miss Stella instructs the musical theater, preschool, and youth tap and ballet classes.
Emily Mangiafico, Instructor
Miss Emily is a true performer and an accomplished professional dancer. She started dancing at the age of 2 and has studied at the Hartford Ballet, Connecticut Concert Ballet, Anita Deprey Studio of Dance, and Burklyn Ballet Theater. She graduated from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford with honors and holds a BFA in Dance Performance. While at Hart she performed in world-renowned works such as Sleeping Beauty. Miss Emily has danced professionally with Full Force Dance Theater and the Sonia Plumb Dance Company. Emily has also worked to integrate science and dance within the Hartford Public School system. She is also a certified Pilates instructor. Miss Emily enjoys sharing her love of dance with her students and children.
Miss Emily teaches the ballet, technique, and lyrical programs.
Saige Rago, Instructor
Miss Saige brings a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm to her classes and believes in creating a comfortable learning environment for her students to try new things. She began dancing with JLS under the direction of Miss Julie at age 10. Saige has been assisting with classes or teaching in some capacity at the studio since she was 14 years old. Saige has trained in the world-renowned program, CAPS University NYC, and continues to train in all styles to stay current with the most recent trends and hone her skills. Miss Saige holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hartford and while in attendance choregraphed many of the hip-hop dance team’s competitive and UDA national routines. She has worked in collaboration with videographers to direct and choregraph video shoots and has choreographed and danced with several local performance artists including Marcus Rodriguez.
Miss Saige teaches recreational and competitive hip-hop classes.
