Dance Innovations Inc.
About Us
Dance Innovations Inc. celebrates over 37 years of excellence in dance education and artistic innovation, led by Artistic Director Susan McCutcheon Coutts. Offering over 70 classes for preschoolers through adults, we provide a range of disciplines from beginner to advanced, including Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and more.
Years of Excellence
Classes for All Ages
Advanced dancers have had the opportunity to perform at Disney Imagination Campus, Universal Studios, Give Kids the World Village, aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and at Performing Arts Educators Invitational Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center Performances. All performing groups have show opportunities at retirement facilities, benefit walks for organizations supporting local and regional causes, and hospital centers such as Matheny Medical & Educational Center, Lyons Veteran Hospital in Basking Ridge, and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey. Dance Innovations also has performances throughout the year such as the annual Nutcracker and at venues such as the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey and KnJ Theater at Peridance in New York, NY to fundraise for the Dance Innovations Performance Foundation. Please see the DIPF tab for more information on the causes this organization supports.
Dance Innovations prides itself in the art and science of dance therapy, welcoming individuals of all abilities. This goal is reached by mainstreaming students with special needs into the regular class curriculum. Dance Studio Life Magazine featured an article highlighting Susan and Dance Innovations for their passion in mainstreaming special needs students. In September 2014, Envision Dance Exchange was formed. EDE is a performance group created to perform, educate and support dancers with all abilities through integrated dance.
Dance Innovations Inc.
Teachers
Get to know our dedicated faculty, whose expertise and passion shape every dancer’s journey with personalized instruction and inspiring mentorship at Dance Innovations Inc.
Susan Coutts
Artistic Director
Susan Coutts
Artistic Director
Bonnie Zwigard
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Bonnie Zwigard
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Cassidy Svercauski
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Cassidy Svercauski
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Connor Bourke
Guest Teacher
Connor Bourke
Guest Teacher
Danielle Gurcan
Musical Theater Instructor with Focus on Vocals
Danielle Gurcan
Musical Theater Instructor with Focus on Vocals
Diane Bellas
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Diane Bellas
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Eileen Durma
Instructor
Eileen Durma
Instructor
Kayla Coutts
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher, Crosstraining Instructor
Kayla Coutts
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher, Crosstraining Instructor
Erin Dowd
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Erin Dowd
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Anna Tan
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Anna Tan
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Heather Williams
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Heather Williams
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Holly Jahn
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Holly Jahn
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Jennifer Coviello
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Jennifer Coviello
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Julianne McGee
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Julianne McGee
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Katie Steimer
Instructor
Katie Steimer
Instructor
Lara Friedman Kats
Instructor
Lara Friedman Kats
Instructor
Lauren Bristow
Instructor
Lauren Bristow
Instructor
Leanna Cotton
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Leanna Cotton
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Lihi Dor
Instructor
Lihi Dor
Instructor
Lindsay Osten
Guest Teacher
Lindsay Osten
Guest Teacher
Raquel Serrano
Instructor
Raquel Serrano
Instructor
Reese Schultz
Instructor
Reese Schultz
Instructor
Rio Browne
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Rio Browne
Instructor, Performing Group Teacher
Sarah Bovat
Instructor/Performing Group Teacher
Sarah Bovat
Instructor/Performing Group Teacher
Shannon Dempsey
Instructor
Shannon Dempsey
Instructor
Tislarm Bouie
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Tislarm Bouie
Modern Repertoire Instructor
Dance Innovations Inc.
Office Staff

Jennifer Coviello
Office/Boutique Personnel

Tracy Dante
Office/Boutique Personnel

Pamela Sandler
Office/Boutique Personnel

Sarah Sherman
Office/Boutique Personnel
Dance Innovations Inc.
Testimonials
I highly recommend dance innovations. The skilled instructors are highly qualified and exceptional teachers. Dance Innovations has a long history of providing its students with a space to not only learn choreography and technique but the skills to navigate challenges with confidence and bravery. D.I. will give your child a creative outlet for their imagination while instilling the greatest gift , which is to share it.
I danced at DI for 7+ years and have the BEST memories. Sue and the entire DI team taught me the true meaning of teamwork, unwavering dedication and self-discipline. I graduated from high school and DI over 10 years ago and I'm still friends with many of the girls. My memories and experiences from DI are engrained in me and I'm forever grateful I was able to be a part of it.
My daughter has been loving and thriving at Dance Innovations since she was in Kindergarten! Now in middle school she has evolved into a confident, beautiful dancer in multiple disciplines. I am so thankful to Sue and all of the teachers at DI for creating and maintaining a lovely atmosphere for all dancers to excel.
I was fortunate enough to call Dance Innovations "home" for over 10 years. Sue cares deeply about her students' well being, self esteem and growth. she's extremely community focused with outreach and charitable performances at nursing homes, local fairs and festivals, etc. I would recommend DI for a dancer at any age or skill level, it's a wonderfully welcoming dance environment.
Dance Innovations is a wonderful performing dance studio. Both my girls spend hours a week dancing and have grown to be beautiful dancers along with their classmates. DI's mission is to raise money to give scholarships to special needs children in the Arts. Truly wonderful for the girls to be part of Such a wonderful group that gives back. My girls are gaining life lessons and the love of dance.
Join the Dance Innovations Family Today!
Ready to ignite your passion for dance? Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned dancer, or seeking inclusive classes in Chatham, NJ, Dance Innovations Inc. offers ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and more for all ages. Take the first step toward a joyful, creative, and transformative dance journey.
Dance Innovations prides itself in the art and science of dance therapy, welcoming individuals of all abilities.
3 Townsquare, Chatham, NJ, USA
+1 973-635-1205
diinfo@danceinnovations.org
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