South Brunswick Dance Studio Seeks to Cultivate Talent, Passion and Character

Dance isn’t about costumes, competitions, or shows. Dance is about passion, life lessons, and community, according to founder and owner of Dance on Q, Maria Quedaza.

“My philosophy has never changed,” said Quedeza, who founded the dance studio about eight years ago at a small, one room space on Ridge Road in South Brunswick.

“I’m committed to the art form and I’m committed to teach the kids much more than just dance,” Quedaza said.

Now located at the corner of a Route 1 strip mall, the studio provides more dance space and consequently, more class opportunities. In a matter of years, enrollment grew from starting numbers to an overwhelming demand, according to Quedaza.

“It was [both] easy and difficult to make the decision to open a new studio,” Quedaza said. “Easy, because I’m so passionate about the art and making a difference and doing it through the art form, but difficult because I’m so committed to my families and dancers. I was worried about juggling both, but I have a strong support system that kept me focused.”

The business is supported by a staff of two administrative directors, Karen Finklestein and Karen Romanchik, who both started with the studio as dance parents, and about 14 instructors, a handful of which are graduates of the school.

 “I like that the teachers rare dedicated to the kids,” said Remy Bentivegna, a South Brunswick mother of twin girls who attend the studio. “They show warmth and caring towards the kids but are serious when it’s time to be serious and learn the routines.”

The studio offers classes for beginner to advanced students in jazz, tap, ballet, Pointe, lyrical and contemporary, hip hop, acrobatics, and break dancing.  In the summer, the studio also offers training camps for students and special classes open to students and adults, such as Zumba, musical theatre, and acrobatics.

“I really love teaching dance and watching them on stage,” said Kate Romanchik, an instructor at the studio and daughter of administrative director Karen Romanchik.

“I would love to continue to this for a long time,” Romanchik, a history and education student at the College of New Jersey, said. “Eventually I’d like to open a studio maybe or stay here if I can.”

Dance on Q also offers an audition-based competition team, though Quedaza stresses the importance of dancers training technically, regardless of whether they belong on the competition team or not. The team has nationally placing soloists and groups and is consistently recognized for technical training and choreography, according to Quedaza.

“[Dance] also builds self-confidence and gets them really exposed to public speaking when they’re interviewed by judges,” Romanchik said. “It really takes them a long way.”

In addition to confidence, the studio also gives students the opportunity to gain leadership skills, discipline, and to learn about proper eating and exercise, in addition to other life lessons, according to Quedaza.

“Working in the studio and dancing brought that out in me, my true talent,” said Joe Valdiviezo, an instructor and the studio’s music editor. The Hightstown High School senior started with Quedaza at her original studio 11 years ago and realized his passion for music editing at Dance on Q.

Regardless of its growth, the studio was caught in the economic instability two years ago, resulting in financial difficulties for the studio itself and many of the families who attended the studio.

“It was a big struggle for me not only business wise, but because I knew these families and I knew how important dance was for some of these kids,” said Quedaza, who worked with struggling families to keep their dancers in the studios.

Quedaza, who is trained in dance and business, hopes to continue the progress and growth of Dance on Q through program and staff improvement.

“Our goal is always providing top notch dance education and doing anything we can do to keep it fresh,” Quedaza said.

Classes started for both locations on Sept. 12. The studio hosts a yearly recital at Montgomery High School to showcase the results of the dancers’ progress and training.