Meet our Dance Educators
Lisa Botalico
Spanish Flamenco Instructor
Lisa is Director of Lisa Botalico Fiesta Flamenca and Assistant Director/Principal Dancer of Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre also toured the USA as Artistic Director/Principal Dancer of La Compañía Folklorica Latina for National Theatre of the Performing Arts. She was featured on NJN’s Images/Imagenes, including the Emmy Award winning documentary, The Spanish Guitar. Lisa has performed throughout NJ, including NJPAC, Community Theatre, Crossroads Theatre and George Street Playhouse. Lisa’s photo was included in 100 Years of Flamenco in NYC at NYC’s Library for the Performing Arts Lincoln Center. She was Arts Council of Princeton’s Fall 2014 Artist in Residence.
Jackie Eisenmann
Ballet Instructor
Jackie Eisenmann is a graduate of Rider University with a degree in elementary education and dance. She began dancing at Just Dance! where she trained in many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, hip-hop and acrobatic contortion. She was also a member of their competition team where she was often recognized for her flexibility, technique and stage presence. Jackie also trained at Rider University under Dr. Kim Chandler Vaccaro in many styles including pilates, modern, world dance and improvisation. While at Rider University she trained at the Princeton Ballet School in ballet, jazz hip-hop and COMBO (connection of mind and body training). She was also a member of the Rider Dance Ensemble and performed with them twice a year. Along with this she performed in Rider Dances the annual showcase of the Rider University dance department. She has taken classes with many dancers such as members of the American Repertory Ballet, Complexions Dance Company and Derek Hough. Jackie has been teaching dance for four years and has taught a variety of styles. Jackie has worked with the Summer Ballet Camp at the YWCA of Princeton for the past five years as an assistant dance instructor and now lead dance instructor. While working with the summer ballet camp she planned and taught ballet classes to put together a show in a variety of themes. She has spent her time learning the importance of safe and healthy dance training and brings that knowledge into each of the classes she teaches. Jackie has a love for dance and hopes that she can bring and share that love with all of the students she teaches.
Nycole Nurse
Hip Hop Dance Instructor
Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary, with more than more than 15 years of experience, Nycole Nurse knows the discipline and dedication it takes to be a great dancer. A graduate of Drew University, Nycole received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in dance. While studying at Drew, Nycole participated in the dance shows from 2012 to 2016. During those years, she also served as choreographer and showcased her talent through pieces that reflected issues of social justice, depression & unity, just to name a few. In May 2016, she was awarded the 2016 Rumi Choreography Prize, which is awarded to one graduating senior each year whose work shows promise for more professional development. Nycole has also performed professionally as a part of the Nimbus Dance Company. Nycole along with several other Drew students & alumni had the privilege to challenge themselves in this raw and vulnerable piece that similarly displayed issues around social justice & equality. Since graduating from Drew in May 2016. Nycole has been busy working as a teacher for multiple dance studios and programs including working as an Assistant Dance Instructor during our 2019 YWCA Summer Ballet camp, while pursuing her passions as a choreographer and dancer, showcasing her work and artistry within festivals and showcases. All while preparing for graduate school and law school. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to her developing future generation of dancers.
Kim Leary
Belly Dance Instructor
Kim has been involved in the multi-cultural music and dance genre since 1989 and has performed at numerous venues such as Lincoln Center, The Ohio Theatre (SOHO), CAMI Hall (NYC), DanceSpace (NYC), FIT (NYC), The Evolving Arts Theatre (NYC), The Black Box Theatre (NJ), as well as at many colleges, universities, and festivals as a soloist and with her own dance company, and with SaZ Dance Theatre, Jamila Salimpour’s Bal Anat and Dalia Carella’s DNA Project. Kim holds certifications in Training & Development, Multiple Intelligences and the Arts and BA degree from Kean University. She is a certified dancer in the Salimpour School of Dance, Berkeley, CA. Kim is a recipient of Dance New Jersey 2010 Educators in Dance Scholarship and was voted New Jersey’s Favorite Belly Dance Teacher in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014. She has taught a variety of workshop topics at many festivals and events nationally. Her acclaimed dance company, Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble has performed at festivals and theatres nationally and their performances have been partially supported by funds from the NJ State Council on the Arts.