Mrs. Pennello - Dance Educator

Mrs. Pennello began her training at age two, at local dance studios in NY and NJ. Mrs. Pennello went onto perform in regional and national competitions throughout the tri-state area, as well as performing in the half time shows of the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida and Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. She has also done print work for various costume catalogs. Mrs. Pennello received a B.F.A. in Dance from Montclair State University and her M.A. degree in Dance Education from New York University. She has performed with various professional dance companies, such as NYC Hip Hop Company From the Ground Up, and is a founding company member of moe-tion dance theater, established in 2007, and continues to perform professionally in NYC and NJ. Mrs. Pennello spent a summer studying, creating, and performing in Montescuidao and Castiglioncello, Italy. She was a guest choreographer and has also taught as an Adjunct for a number of years at Middlesex County College. She has performed lecture demonstrations for Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Mrs. Pennello was the Head Dance Instructor at Mercer County Performing Arts High School from 2006-2009, and pioneered the dance program at Union City High School in 2009. Mrs. Pennello is the Co-Director with her colleague and long-time friend Mrs. Amanda Papa, of their dance company, Solo Danza. While at Union City High School, Mrs. Pennello pioneered and developed the dance program. She established the UCHS Dance Company in 2009, coached for the Drillettes Dance Team, and choreographed the following musicals here at the high school: The Wiz, Pippin, West Side Story, Urinetown, In the Heights, and Xanadu.

Mrs. Pennello founded the New Jersey High School Dance Fest in the spring of 2013, and runs this annual festival every year at Union City High School. With the help of many important Dance Professionals, including fellow colleague Erin Pride, it was made possible and has continued annually ever since. For her efforts, Mrs. Pennello was presented with the very first "Jete Award" by members of Dance New Jersey in June of 2013 for 'Taking a Leap of Faith' and creating this festival for New Jersey's High School dance students. Mrs. Pennello is a member of Dance NJ and NDEO, is an active advocate for Dance Education, and truly believes in having Dance for Every Child as a crucial component to NJ's education system.