Kara Thompson grew up in Mullica Hill and has always been fascinated with health, nutrition, and fitness. As a child, she was a dancer and gymnast and in high school and throughout college she played softball and was part of the swim team. Kara pursued another passion in college and received a B.A in communications from Rowan University, but always dreamed of starting her own business.

After having a baby and missing her days as an athlete, Kara decided to try Pilates, Zumba, and other group fitness classes. After one class, she was hooked. She loved the feeling of gaining confidence, strength, and burning calories while having fun…and she knew other moms like her wanted the same thing offered in a flexible schedule. Kara has taught adult fitness and student dance classes at the studio, but you will usually find her managing everything that goes into running the studio behind the scenes.

Kara and her sister-in-law Megan, started Fit to Dance Studio with the dream of bringing a love of DANCE and FITNESS to Mullica Hill. They are thankful everyday for the F2D family of students, FIT clients, and staff. It is a pleasure to watch people young and old alike grow and express themselves through dance and fitness. To stay in shape both physically and mentally, Kara enjoys taking walks and bike rides with her husband Tom, sons Garret and Reid, and dog Harlee, where they live in East Greenwich.

Megan Datz started her dance career at Dance! By Debra DiNote at the age of 7 and was a member of the Dance! Workshop Company for 11 years. Throughout her time at DDN she was in countless competitions, workshops and performances where she earned her way as a top performer and lead dancer in roles like Cinderella in "Once Upon a Glass Slipper".

Megan attended Rowan University and graduated in 2008 with a BA in Child Drama and a Minor in Dance. While attending Rowan University she was a member of the Rowan Dance Team and Dance Extensions, holding the office of President of Dance Extensions. She was recognized with several awards and Honors, including the award for Best Choreographer and the recipient of the Bryna G. Goldhaft Dance Medallion Award and Scholarship, the highest honor a graduating senior can receive to acknowledge superior performance in her field. She has been an annual guest teacher at Dancing for Sheena in Allentown PA, for many years to honor her cousin who inspired her to begin dancing.

Megan has taught at various schools in New Jersey which led her to open up Fit to Dance Studio with her sister in law Kara, in Mullica Hill, NJ in 2012. The Studio has grown steadily every year and has nearly 300 students at all levels. They started a dance company called F2D Elite which competes and does various events in the community. Megan has earned top choreography awards at competitions with the Fit to Dance Elite dancers. She hopes to instill the love of dance and inspire young dancers to be the best they can be!!

Kathleen Hornung has spent several years managing businesses and helping them excel. She has been the office manager at Fit to Dance since 2017. Kathleen grew up in Williamstown and now resides in Carneys Point with her three children and loving fiancée. She absolutley loves putting a smile on everyones face and is thrilled to be a part of the Fit to Dance family. You can find her at the front desk with a smiling face, ready and happy to help you with anything you need.

Gabrielle Sclocchini's love for dance started when she was just three years old. She danced at Tricia Sloan Dance Center where she was a member of their Dance Company. She received her dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary. Gabrielle was involved in their production of The Nutcracker as well as numerous other performances as well as competitions. Gabrielle received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Rowan University and her Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Rutgers University. Gabrielle is currently a School Social Worker for Pennsville School District. 

Kimberly Hill Kimberly Hill’s dance journey began at the age of four in Pennsylvania. She continued her training in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she was a member of the prestigious IUP Dance Theatre and had the privilege of performing works and trainings with numerous influential choreographers. She is classically trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. Kim has performed with multiple dance companies and holds a Master of Arts degree from Drexel University in Dance/Movement Therapy. She has worked with children and their families in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and in their homes assisting with medical, behavioral, and emotional challenges. In recent years; she has continued to study, perform, choreograph, and attend dance teacher workshops throughout the region. Kim is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and is a member of the National Dance Education Organization.  Routed with a strong technical foundation, Kim utilizes her love of dance, along with her therapeutic skills to maintain a positive, fun, and safe education setting for her students. Kim has been a part of the Fit to Dance family since 2013. 

Amanda Vahey has been a part of the Fit to Dance family for over 5 years and has loved watching the students grow. As our Acro and Kids Dance Fitness leader, her background comes from competitive cheerleading, and she's also a certified gymnastics instructor (USA Gymnastics) and a Zumba instructor. A new mom to son, Brayden Joseph, Amanda is also a special education teacher at Woodbury Heights Elementary. She loves working with kids of all ages and abilities and looks forward to another great season at Fit to Dance.

Taja Fooks-Thornton is a native of South Jersey where she attended Cherry Hill High School West and competed at Dance Worlds as a member of the Cherry Hill West Dance Team. Taja began her formal dance training under the mentorship of Dara Meredith and Laceda Nelson. Between 2011 and 2014 Taja danced with Eleone Connections, the second company of Eleone Dance Theatre. In 2018, Taja received her BFA in Dance from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts where she performed works by Brian Brooks, Yvonne Rainer, Camille Brown, and Darell Grand Moultrie. While at Rutgers, she also worked to receive a BA in Communications & Public Relations. In addition to being given the opportunity to perform at the world-renowned Joyce Theater in NYC with Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA), Taja’s choreography was recognized when MGSA awarded her the 2018 Dance Plus Choreography award for her work, undoneTogether. After leaving Rutgers, Taja traveled the world with Disney Cruise Line under contract as a Main Stage Performer. Most recently, she has begun her journey as a Pilates instructor and is on track to complete the Balanced Body Comprehensive Instructor Training. Taja believes everyone can benefit from mindful movement regardless of age. Whether teaching children or adults, Taja prides herself in prioritizing discipline, etiquette, and technique. Every student in her class will learn to excel through dedication and hard work. 

Madison Hall is a 6-year dance teacher here at Fit to Dance Studio. She started dancing at just a year and a half. She grew up dancing at Let’s Dance Studio and Jamie’s Dance Odyssey where she was a member of their performance and competition teams. Throughout her years, she performed at Philadelphia Soul and Philadelphia 76'ers games, Pitman Broadway Theater, and many other places. Madison was a competitive cheerleader from ages 6 to 22 for the Kingsway Dragons and Interboro Hornets. Madison completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in May 2016 and her Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice with a concentration in Criminal Behavior in May 2017. She is now working as a Behavioral Health Worker at the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia. Madison is looking forward to another year at Fit To Dance Studio, where she loves the opportunity to share her passion for dance with her students!

Wanda Hoagland is a dedicated and inspiring instructor with a varied and extensive background as a professional dancer and gymnast. A talented and gifted choreographer, she has choreographed the Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant and is frequently asked to judge other pageants and competitions. Immersing herself in the disciplines of dance and gymnastics since childhood, she proceeded to win numerous scholarships and awards recognizing her accomplishments. Honors from Dance Masters of America and Dance Olympics included. Wanda's intensive training has led to roles in movies, and her professional experience in Resorts International, USO, and several television shows.
 

Sara Kovarovic started her dance career at Dance! By Debra DiNote at the age of 4 and was a member of the Dance! Workshop Company for 9 years. She began competing at the age of 6 and also performed in yearly productions where she earned lead roles for 3 consecutive years. Sara attended Drexel University, where she was a member of the Drexel Dance Team for four years. During her time on the team she choreographed for the team and also performed during all basketball games, other sporting events, galas and competed on the national level. Sara now works at URBN Urban Outfitters Inc. as an event planner, but still has a love for dance! Sara previously has taught adult fitness at Fit to Dance, and has taught student classes for the last two years. She is excited for the upcoming year to teach hip hop again to such wonderful students at Fit to Dance!

Jenna Scott is excited to be a part of the Fit to Dance staff for a fifth year! Miss Jenna, a history teacher at Clearview Regional High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in History from West Chester University. She has studied dance at Trisha Sloan Dance Studio and was an active member of the dance company by performing in various competitions, holding various roles as a cast member of "The Little Match Girl" and performing in Walt Disney World. She performed with Ballet South in their productions of "The Nutcracker" and "Coppelia." Miss Jenna also studied at Kathy Henkel School of Dance and The Professional School for several years. At West Chester University, she continued to study dance and was a member of the Dance Production Workshop. She also works as the choreographer for Clearview Regional High School musicals, and lives in Mullica Hill with her husband Chris and their two children, Annabelle and Brandon.

A Fit to Dance Studio Alumni, Nicole Testa is currently a Sophomore double major in Dance and Nutrition/Dietetics at Rowan University. At Rowan, she is a member of Dance Extensions, the contemporary dance company, which has given her numerous opportunities. In her first year, she was cast in Rowan University's Main stage production of "Danse Macabre," the choreography showcase: "Movemeant," and also performed in and choreographed a Senior project entitled "No Love Dying." Nicole has trained in numerous styles of dance and has attended many workshops including ACDA, The American College Dance Association conference held at the University of Maryland. In December of 2014, Nicole performed is Andrea Michaels Dance Project's holiday production: "Tis the Season," at Dante Hall in Atlantic City. While at Fit to Dance, she was a member of F2D Elite, their competition team.

During Nicole's junior year of high school, she started assisting classes at F2D and has always been so grateful for the opportunity to share her passion and knowledge of dance with her students. She is so excited to continue on this journey, and cannot wait to see how much her students grow this year!