Meet Our Staff!

Corinne Messina started dancing at the young age of 3 and has been dancing ever since. She has taught in the styles of Lyrical, Jazz,Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tap, Ballet, Modern, and Musical Theatre. In 2016, Corinne graduated with top honors from Middlesex College receiving her AA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Dance and later received her BA in Dance from Hofstra University in 2018. At Hofstra University, she trained under Rachel List, Heather Waldon, Robbie Cook, Amy Marshall, Colin Stilwell, Anita Feldman, Karla Wolfgangle, and Ellie G. Kusner. While working towards her degree, she performed with the MCC Dance Ensemble and has performed in the Hofstra Faculty Show. She has learned and performed pieces from professional choreographers Lees Hummel and Claire Porter. In 2021, Corinne received her MS from the University of Florida in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a concentration in Human Performance. She utilizes this knowledge to create an anatomical approach to teaching technique to help her students perform safely and efficiently. Professionally, Corinne has performed at Six Flags Great Adventure in various character shows, dance shows, and parades and has also performed in Dance New Jersey’s Show Up and Dance event. As a choreographer, her pieces have went on to receive choreography awards, entertainment awards, special judges awards, first place ranks, and invitations to worlds. Corinne finds most enjoyment when she sees a students “AHA!” moment and seeing what each of them can bring to her choreography. Her mission is to provide a positive, judgment free space for her students to learn, thrive, and grow.

Mary Jo Garman is thrilled to be joining the Turn It Out staff and to share her vast knowledge and many years of dance experience with the studio’s dance family. She simply cannot recall when DANCE was NOT a part of her day. She started dancing at age 3 with her older brother and sisters at Miss Gregory’s Dance Studio, Staten Island, NY and literally hasn’t stopped! Her teaching career began during her high school years when she started choreographing and teaching dance routines to several championship cheerleading squads. She then moved on to teaching several styles of dance at two different dance academies in New York – Wendy Barker School of Dance and Starlet Dance Studio. Miss Mary Jo also studied dance extensively in college. Some of her favorite workshops included Afro-Haitian dance studies, Modern dance classes and an extensive study of the music and movement from the country of India. Throughout her college and young adult years she was afforded the opportunity to travel and perform with the Louines Louinis Haitian Dance Theatre dance troupe (The National Folkloric Troupe of Haiti) under the artistic direction of its founder, Mr. Louinis. In June 2002 she took on the responsibility of owner/director of the Academy of Dance, Point Pleasant, NJ. She has successfully created a positive studio vibe and a classroom setting that is relaxed and comfortable for students of all ages. Miss Mary Jo demands proper technique and believes that at dance education should be challenging, but at the same time be free of stressful pressures. In the Fall of 2008, Mary Jo became a certified Zumba® Instructor and not only taught such fitness classes at her own studio, but also offered these exciting workouts at Starstuck Dance Studio (Staten Island, NY), at local Ocean County gyms, and at fitness facilities near her lake home in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. After owning, operating, and teaching at her own studio in Point Pleasant for over 19 years, overseeing hundreds of students and their families, she is redirecting and moving her focus to where her heart lies – in the dance room teaching, loving, and encouraging dancers of all ages to blossom and grow and to enjoy the many benefits DANCE can offer. She is known in the dance community and competition circuit for her award-winning Production Numbers – which, at times, incorporated over 250 dancers! Miss Mary Jo is grateful to Miss Corinne for the opportunity to be part of the Turn It Out team of talented instructors. To be entrusted with a child’s dance education is an honor that Miss Mary Jo holds with the highest regard, and she couldn’t be more excited. Let’s dance!

Gianna Garman began dancing and performing before she was out of diapers!  She began her dance education journey at Star Struck Dance Studio, Staten Island at the age of 1 ½ and hasn’t stopped.  In September 2001, after her family moved to NJ, she started taking as many classes as she could at Academy of Dance in Point Pleasant, NJ.  In June 2002, her mom took over the studio’s directorship position and Gianna was right by her side every step of the way.  Growing up in a studio owned and operated by her mom has taught Gianna the “ins and outs” of the industry and has certainly given her a unique insight and exclusive perspective on teaching and educating students.  She’s been a competitive dance student for many years and has been singled out by judges -- more often than not -- for her superb technical abilities and exceptional performance talent.  Her unique contemporary style and fresh/innovative choreography has won her top awards at regional and national competitions.  One of her most memorable and treasured recognition in the dance world was winning first place in Turn It Up Dance Challenge’s April 2018 Regional Competition for her unique choreography for a duo in which she also performed.  In July 2019, she was invited to participate in SynthesisDANCE’s summer intensive/apprentice experience for teens and pre-pro dancers.  SynthesisDANCE is a NYC-based Contemporary Lyrical Dance company under the direction of Tracie Stanfield. After completing the intensive, Gianna participated in the company’s summer concert.  In the fall of 2022, she was honored to perform with NYC-based Contemporary Dance Company, Animus Movement (a project-based company) under the direction of Rebecca Allen Stewart. Her favorite styles of dance (but are not limited to) are Contemporary, Hiphop, and Lyrical/hiphop. Gianna is super excited to be part of Turn It Out’s teaching staff and cannot wait to meet and share her dance experience with the beautiful and talented dancers.

Meaghan Appuliese began dancing at the age of three and danced her way all throughout college. She has a natural love for dance and teaching the art of dance to all ages. She has experience in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Modern, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Spoken Word, and Contemporary. Tap and Contemporary are her favorite styles to learn and teach. She had graduated from OCVTS Performing Arts Academy as a dance major in 2018, was also a part of the Jackson Memorial High School Varsity UDA Dance team and then continued her journey to college. In 2022, Meaghan graduated from Widener University with a Bachelors in Arts and Sciences and in 2023 with a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. At Widener University she was a part of Widener Dance Company as a choreographer for Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary classes. She was also part of the Pride Pack Dance team becoming Captain her senior year focusing on Jazz, Hip Hop, Poms and Band Dance. In October of 2021 Meaghan and her Pride Pack Dance team were on 6abc for the Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade. Meaghan is super excited to join the Turn It Out team and can not wait to meet and share her love of dance with the dancers!