Business Details
15 Years
experience
Your Ticket to All Things Dance in Rutherford, NJ
Backstage Performing Arts Center has been dedicated to dance education since 2011, offering comprehensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, and more for dancers aged 15 months to adults. Our mission focuses on building confidence through creative expression, with small class sizes ensuring personalized attention. We provide two dance studios and a music room, emphasizing correct technique while fostering self-esteem. Our staff includes experienced instructors with professional backgrounds in performance and education. We host annual recitals, summer camps, and specialized workshops with industry professionals.The facility accommodates both recreational and competitive dancers, offering age-appropriate programs from toddler classes to advanced training. Parent amenities include a comfortable waiting area for observation. We maintain rigorous safety standards while promoting artistic growth in a supportive environment. Our programming extends to piano and voice lessons, birthday parties, and studio rentals. With over a decade of community engagement, we remain committed to accessible, high-quality performing arts education.
Services
Dance Classes
Piano Lessons
Voice Lessons
Birthday Parties
Summer Camps
Workshops
Studio Rentals
Competition Teams
Princess Parties
Event Hosting
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer 18+ dance styles including specialty acro and musical theatre programs
- Our staff includes Broadway performers and competition team coaches
- Small class sizes ensure personalized attention for all skill levels
- We provide age-specific programming from toddler classes to adult instruction
- On-site summer camps and workshops with industry professionals available
Services
Dance Classes
We offer comprehensive dance instruction in 18+ styles for ages 15 months through adulthood. Our curriculum includes ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theatre. Classes are structured by age and skill level with options for recreational dancers and competitive teams. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention while developing technical proficiency and artistic expression.
Summer Dance Camps
Themed summer programs run weekly from August through September with half-day and full-day options. Camps feature technique training, choreography, and arts & crafts activities. Age-specific programming available for children 3-6 years and 6+ years. Participants receive free t-shirts when registering by deadline. Camps conclude with showcase performances for family and friends.
Birthday Parties
We host themed dance parties for children aged 3+ with professional staff supervision. Packages include 1 hour of dance activities, decorations, and 30 minutes for celebrations. Options range from basic to premium packages with character appearances. Setup and cleanup handled by staff with capacity for 10-12 standard guests plus additional attendees available.
Workshops
Industry professionals lead specialized workshops in various dance disciplines throughout the year. Sessions focus on specific techniques like Irish step dance or Broadway choreography. Classes available for different skill levels with pricing starting at $35 per session. Past instructors include Broadway performers and competition specialists.
Piano and Voice Lessons
Private music lessons available for piano and voice with experienced instructors. Sessions offered in 30-minute increments with monthly billing. Discounts available for hour-long lessons. Instruction tailored to individual skill levels from beginner to advanced students with flexible scheduling options after 4:00 PM weekdays.
People
Tiara Maysonet
Studio Director
Tiara Maysonet leads daily operations at Backstage Performing Arts Center with over a decade of dance education experience. She oversees curriculum development and staff coordination while maintaining the studio's artistic vision since 2011.
Cassie Bonventure
Dance Teacher
Cassie Bonventure instructs early childhood dance, hip hop, and acro classes while coaching competition teams. With professional performance experience, she brings practical expertise to her teaching methodology for students aged 3+ years.
Danielle O'Connor
Dance Teacher
Danielle O'Connor teaches musical theatre dance and choreography with Broadway performance credentials. A BFA graduate from Rider University, she has led award-winning competition routines and currently directs the studio's competition team.
AJ Mannion
Ballet and Acro Instructor
Dr. AJ Mannion combines dance expertise with healing arts knowledge in ballet and acrobatics instruction. A licensed acupuncturist with dance education from Montclair State University, he teaches anatomically informed techniques for ages 8+ years.
Kim Tekirian
Owner
Kim Tekirian founded Backstage Performing Arts Center in 2011, establishing its mission to inspire confidence through dance education. With extensive industry experience, she maintains oversight of the studio's creative direction and business operations.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We teach 18+ dance styles including ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, and Irish step dance for ages 15 months through adults.
Do you have classes for toddlers?
Yes, we offer My Munchkin & Me (15-36 months), Tiny Tots (18-36 months), and Pre-K 3 classes with parent participation and age-appropriate movement activities.
How do I register for classes?
Register online through our website or in person at the studio. Summer camp and workshop registration deadlines are typically May 15th with early registration benefits.
Are there performance opportunities?
All students participate in annual recitals. We also host summer camp showcases and offer competitive team performance opportunities with regular competition events.
Do you offer private music lessons?
Yes, we provide private piano and voice lessons for children and adults with 30-minute sessions available after 4:00 PM weekdays and discounted hourly rates.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Cecilia Castaneda
Mar 02, 2021
Report
My child was put last so during performance when I finally knew and could see her ( cause parents were not allowed during practice) she barely appears in the video. The number of girls was uneven and she was put last, I was really mad about this. As a parent who played for her girl to experience for the first time one expects that the choreography is adapted for ALL THE GIRLS TO HAVE A EVEN PART. This was not the case.
Felicita-Marie Espinosa
Dec 17, 2020
Report
Great staff great school even during this pandemic they are making every possible effort to ensure safety of students with temperature checks and socially distanced classes
Kathy Massa
Feb 05, 2018
Report
First Day of ADULT HIP HOP FRIDAYS 6:30! Its an awesome class! Anyone who likes to dance would enjoy this class. If you dont get the steps, no worries we will do it again! Great instructor and cant wait to go back next week! Come try this class, Im 57 and I had a GREAT TIME and I havent had any formal training except for Dance Clubs
Mylene T.
Feb 06, 2016
Report
My rating is and is based on service and my 4 yr old taking classes. We started with a groupon and my daughter loved it. She takes the Pre-K 4 class which consists of ballet and tap....to be exact....ballet starts promptly at 1115am and 1150am they do tap and ends at 12pm. I kinda wish it was a bit longer and use a full hour but I guess being a 4 yr old maybe 45 min is enough. My daughter has fun with it so that's all that matters. The parking is off street....so bring 50 cents for the meters. I don't have much of a problem looking for parking.....so no complaints there.
What&apos
What&apos
Louise M.
Dec 14, 2015
Report
Daughter went to dance class there and had her 4th birthday party there as well. They are fantastic, very good with kids, friendly and the place is spotless. I strongly recommend their dance school!
Kara D.
Dec 15, 2014
Report
My daughter is so happy here. The new studio is awesome! The staff is so friendly and welcoming. The studio we went to before BPAC was not like that at all! My daughter started coming here two summers ago, and we've loved it ever since!
