About
Dore Ann Rogers
Owner, Teacher, Choreographer
I am a local Jersey Shore girl born and raised in Middletown. I fell in
love with dance and the arts at an early age. My mom took me to Broadway’s Annie, the ballets, and even the opera. From that time on I was hooked, and my dancing journey began. Throughout my teen years I danced and performed throughout Monmouth County. I attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where I had the chance to study with the teachers from Alvin Ailey as well as various ballet and tap masters. After several years of performing locally and in small venues, working and letting life happen I settled into teaching. Of course, it took time to meet a great man, marry him, and have a lil’ boy. After 15 years of teaching in a variety of studios – pre school dance all the way up to high school, as well as competition dance – I was ready to start my new venture, Starfish Dance.
Starfish Dance is a place for young dancers to learn that their sparkle comes from within, not from the clothes they wear or a costume. Dance teaches self discipline. It is also an art form, that allows great self expression. At Starfish Dance I encourage and support creativity, which builds self confidence – this is the foundation on which Starfish Dance stands. Not only will students learn how to dance, but that music and dance come from a place in the heart. A young dancers first experience with ballet can be so magical. It is my wish to share my passion with each starfish dancer. Parenting a very spirited beautiful boy has further fired my passion to teach.
Children love things that shine and sparkle, like medals, trophies and fancy clothes. But what is most important is that they find and embrace their own inner sparkle. At Starfish Dance we will always leave the social pressures at the door, and we will listen to the music and dance, and always…. sparkle.
See you soon Miss Dore!
Mary Saydan
Instructor
Miss Mary is excited to share her love of dance with the dancers at Starfish Dance Studio! She started dancing at the age of two, when her older sister was attending a dance class for children with special needs and Miss Mary begged her mom to let her join the fun. From that first dance class, she became not only a dancer, but a teacher to her peers with special needs.
She recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education from Seton Hall University and is continuing her studies to earn a master’s degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. Miss Mary loves teaching children for the moments of joy when they discover they can accomplish something new or difficult. She has taught with Miss Dore this past year and cannot wait to help the Starfish dancers discover their inner sparkle, love of dance, and joyful new accomplishments!
Hope Kline
Instructor
Hi, I am Miss Hope! I took my first ballet class at the age of 9 when my older sister forced me to try it with her. At that time, I was extremely shy and reserved, and I definitely did not want to try anything new (despite my mom’s begging me to join an activity). After my first few classes I absolutely fell in love with dance. It became my place to express everything that I was feeling, and to just be myself. Soon enough I dedicated the majority of my days to rushing home from school and straight to the studio, spending 5 to 6 days each week classically training in ballet and pointe, as well as tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. I took some time away from dance for a few years after graduating from High School to receive an Associates degree in paralegal studies. I am so happy to be back in my element and I am unbelievably excited to be a part of Starfish Dance because it represents everything I believe dance to be: an art that allows your inner sparkle to shine. Dance is such a special thing that brought me out of my own shell in so many ways. I can honestly say it changed my life. My hope is to give all the Starfish students exactly what I needed as a child: the support and the space to grow as both a dancer and a person, and to gain an overall confidence with who you are.
In my free time, I can usually be found napping with my dogs, hanging out with my friends and family, going to concerts, traveling or shopping: specifically for my newest pair of white sneakers (or I will see you at the studio!).
Maddie Manath
Instructor
I am so excited to meet, work and shine with everyone! I started gymnastics when I was just 4 years old and loved every minute of it. I moved on to a USAG Trampoline team a few years later. This is where my journey began. At the age of 11 I wanted to start my new found love of dance, and learned about acro. Since then, acro has been my favorite style of dance. It felt like home. I loved every second of what I did. I knew I had to share my passion. Now, I teach acro and tumbling in Monmouth County. I am in my senior year of college at Monmouth University. I am studying Elementary Education, Special Education and English. I have always loved working with children so I knew this was the right place for me. I am so excited to meet and learn with everyone.
Audrey Carroll
Instructor
Audrey is a Jersey Shore girl and is very excited to be joining the Starfish Dance family. She discovered the love of dance at a young age with Miss Dore and went on to graduate from the Red Bank Dace Program in 2013. She studied dance at Drew University , where she was a teaching artist at the Dreamyard Project. She choreographed and performed in nine main stage productions. Audrey’s work was shown at the American College Dance Association festival. She is so excited to share her love of dance with all the dancers at Starfish.