Courtney Serpone

Teacher

Courtney Serpone (Teacher) began her dance training at Gail DeSantis Dance and Performing Arts Studio at the age of three, where she took classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop. She began performing in theatrical productions at Hanover Park High School where she also was also a member of the Chamber Singers, Color Guard, and Mock Trial Team. At age sixteen she began to shift her focus to study voice privately under the tutelage of Ms. Barbara Cornelia.

Courtney continued her vocal studies at Immaculata University under Ms. Diana Borgia-Petro. While at Immaculata, Courtney was actively involved in clubs & organizations. She founded the a cappella group "In Unison" in addition to performing with the Cue and Curtain Players. In 2013 she was admitted into Alpha Psi Omega, the national honor society for theatre, for her dedication to her musical and theatrical studies. Courtney was an active member of her sorority, Omicron Pi Epsilon, where she held numerous leadership positions for both social and community service initiatives. Additionally, she was a staff member for the New Student Orientation Program, where she worked in staff development. In May 2013 Courtney graduated from Immaculata with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

Following graduation Courtney was hired part-time at Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, NJ to teach Choir and Music Appreciation. The following year, Courtney was hired full-time at McManus Middle School in Linden, NJ where she directs 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Choirs, the Select Choir, teaches American Popular Music, Music Technology, and Foundations of Music classes, Directs the Dance Team, and Directs/Produces multiple performances for the Drama Club. Additionally, she is a member of various school leadership teams and has spearheaded creating Social Media use in the classroom amongst her colleagues.

Courtney went on to continue her studies in music at Montclair State University. During her time at Montclair she studied how to incorporate themes of social justice in the modern music classroom. Her graduate thesis utilized themes from West Side Story to incorporate more culturally responsive pedagogy into her classroom. Story Courtney was also the President of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the Graduate Honors Society, and a member of the Dean's Advisory Board. She graduation in May 2019 with a Master of Arts in Music Education.

Currently, Courtney is studying in the Summer Principal's Academy (SPA) at Teachers College, Columbia University for her Master of Education in Organizational Leadership. She will be completing her internship this year and as she works to become a school principal. She is excited to continue teaching at Studio J Dance Academy and knows it will be an amazing season of performing!