George “GEO” Hubela’s career spans 20 years as Choreographer, Artistic Director, Dancer, Teacher, and Owner and Director of ICON DANCE COMPLEX in New Jersey.
GEO has choreographed internationally for stage and screen in France, Germany, the UK and Taiwan. GEO was seen on Season 1 of MTV’s Randy Jackson presents “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “America’s Got Talent” as Director, Choreographer and dancer for the ICONic Dance Crew. Other choreography credits include Kelly Rowland, Lil’ Mama, Brian McKnight on Celebrity Apprentice 2, and industrial shows for companies such as Prudential, Macy’s, Murphy USA, Food & Wine Magazine, the Big Apple Awards and more. He has also choreographed national commercials for Jet Blue, Best Buy, Slim Fast, and was Asst. Choreographer on the Campbell’s Soup campaign starring John Lithgow.
As a performer, GEO has danced with some of the biggest stars in the music industry such as Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, P!NK, Britney Spears, 'NSYNC, Jessica Simpson, Macy Gray, Selena, Smashmouth, Lindsey Lohan, Deborah Cox and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. GEO's other Film and TV credits include; Glee, Standing Ovation, The Wedding Singer, Boys & Girls, Step Up, That 70's Show, Chicago Hope, The Young and the Restless, Fame LA, The Nikki Cox Show, The Miss America Pageant, The Goodwill Games, The NAACP Image Awards and the 69th Annual Academy Awards.
GEO’s ICONic Dancers are performing professionally, appearing at Live events such as Beatstock, the Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden and on TV specials on Nickelodeon and MTV. Currently nine of GEO’s students dance for the Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team as well as the NY Knicks City Kids. They have also performed at special events for such brands as Clearasil, Dance You’re A** Off and more.
His most recent accomplishment is as Creator, Choreographer and Manager of the nationally known ICONic Boyz Dance Crew. The Boyz were recently Runner-Up on Season 6 of Randy Jackson presents America’s Best Dance Crew on MTV and have become teen pop culture dance sensations.
GEO’s biggest reward is passing on his passion for dance to the next generation of dancers and teachers.
Directors
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Beth has been dancing since she was 2 1⁄2 yrs old. Beth, the youngest of four, was the first to start dance lessons, soon to be followed by her older siblings. The family of four soon became well known for their love and devotion to the art of dance. Beth, the small fry prima ballerina, went on to compete regionally and nationally performing with The Horizons Dance Company. Growing up Beth studied at the Joffrey School of Ballet, Broadway Dance Center and Steps in New York City with some of the top teachers in the country. Beth auditioned and was accepted into the Dance program at Marymount Manhattan College. The rigorous program consisted of training everyday in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and performance time.
Beth graduated Marymount with a degree in dance and a minor in education, along with a certification to teach dance to grades K-12. She has taught and directed the dance program at Poly Prep Day Camp, she also taught dance at Poly Prep’s after school program. Beth also taught at Ms. M's Dance Center and at Empire Fitness where she taught dance to adults. Once graduated, Beth became a full time dance teacher for the New York State Board of Education where she taught at P.S. 163 for two years. From there she moved on to teach at Susan E. Wagner High School for one year. Along with teaching full time, Beth auditioned and became a “Firedancer” for the New York Dragons AFL team for four seasons. Beth was also an elite "Soulmate" dancer for the Philadelphia Soul AFL Team owned by Bon Jovi. It has been Beth's dream since a child to open her own dance studio and she is proud to say that she is finally living her dream and has carried her career with her. Beth is also enthusiastically inviting students to her Cheer Funk class, which reflects the pro sports team choreography that she learned and performed with the masters. In 2010, Beth was named one of the first choreographers to bring dance to baseball in its inaugural year for the Trenton Thunder and Lakewood Blue Claws teams. You can meet Beth at ICON and see her performing alongside her students at benefits, KTU's Beatstock and several leading ICON Dance Complex events year-round.
Teachers
Born in Brooklyn and raised in NJ, Joanna has been dancing for 21 years. She has danced competitively since the age of 6 and has performed at numerous venues including Disney's Magic Kingdom and Manhattan's Carnegie Hall. She was selected to be in the Fine and Performing Arts Center(FPAC) program at Howell High School, where she received the "Outstanding Growth in Dance" award and was also captain of her high school's dance team. Joanna attended Towson University, where she was a member of the now 13x National Champion, Towson University Dance Team. Joanna has a passion and love for dance and is thrilled to continue learning as a part of the ICON family.
Jeff Cowans started training in dance later on in his life but quickly fell in love with hip-hop dance. With the right teachers and drive Jeff began working in the industry. Americas got Talent, music videos, commercials, dancing backup for Kelly Rowland and a European tour were all setting him up for more things to come. Now backup dancing for Crystal Waters Jeff still finds the time to do what's most important in his dance life, training and teaching.
Jeff C.
God never gives you more than you can handle
Gabby De la Paz started dancing when she was thirteen years old at ICON Dance Complex in Englishtown New Jersey. She performed at various charities and events with the ICONic Dance Company under the direction of GEO and Beth Hubela. She was an assistant dance teacher at ICON for five years and when she turned 18 she became an official staff member at the studio. She has also appeared as a back up dancer for several up and coming artists and in print ads for dance catalogues. Gabby now teaches hip hop and Cheerfunk, which is a program that was created for girls who wish to pursue a dance career in pro dance. In 2013 Gabby was a Philadelphia Soulmate for the Arena Football Leagues Team the Philadelphia Soul. She was also seen as a dancer on MTVs Show Guy Court. Gabby is currently a student at Monmouth University studying special education and is working on a new project as a choreographer for the 2015 Rutgers Junior Knights pro dance team. She is so excited to continue at ICON doing what she loves most, as a teacher and role model to ICON's little dancers.
Christian was born in 1984 and started to become interested in dancing when he was 12 years old. He first witnessed breaking at bar mitzvahs when he was in middle school. Then when he started high school & met others with the same talent. Where he began performing in shows & other events. This then lead to the start of his dancing career. In 2002, Christian started working as a motivational dancer for Noble Productions which gave him the opportunity to teach at local dance studios in New Jersey. Christian has also competed all over the US, and has appeared on television shows such as MTV's TRL and music videos. Christian is continuing to excel in bboying & choreography.
Donielle Janora began as a performer in her playpen at 2 years old, ending each performance with a somersault dismount exit! After earning her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from the University at Buffalo she studied in Chicago, New York, L.A. and Toronto. Donielle joined the national touring companies of "Footloose"and "The Will Rogers Follies" as dance swing and ensemble member. Internationally she cruised Norwegian Cruise Lines for Jean Ann Ryan Productions. Upon moving to New York City, Donielle began booking jobs as a dancer for film, TV and stage productions. Her varied credits include Pepsi, L'oreal, Paul Mitchell, Studio 54 SiriusXM Radio,Target, XBox Kinect and ILuminate (featured on "America's Got Talent").
Donielle has been sharing her love and knowledge of dance as an educator for over 15 years. In the tri-state area alone, Donielle has proven to be a valued faculty member for over 20 children’s dance studios. Not only has she inspired several students to pursue their passion for dance at the collegiate and professional levels, she is an adjudicator and Master Teacher for several dance competitions in the USA and Canada. She is the Dance Coordinator and Choreographer for the United States National Dance Team where they have performed at Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando. Donielle has taught master workshops nationwide, is on the faculty at STEPS in New York City, is Artistic Director of Allegro Dance Troupe and is a Certified Vinyasa Yoga Instructor. She continues to share her passion for dance, recognizing that the foundation of “the dance studio” is as much about teaching life skills as it is dance technique.
Jackie Lukas is a graduate of Rider University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts with a Dance Concentration through study at the Princeton Ballet School. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Management Concentration.
For 5 years, Jackie worked in the field of Dance Education for American Repertory Ballet’s Princeton Ballet School. Jackie was an instructor & coordinator for a program called DANCE POWER in the New Brunswick Public Elementary Schools, which provided dance education to every 3rd grade student in the district. She was also an instructor & coordinator for DANCE POWER II, which provided after-school classes in various forms of dance for students in grades K-8th. She also taught various forms of classes for the school ranging from children through adults.
Currently Jackie teaches various classes for NJ’s leading hip hop dance studio, Icon Dance Complex. Jackie is also certified in Dance Body Workout where she teaches a range of adult fitness classes for LB Kass THE STUDIO. She also teaches fitness & dance classes for Rutgers University, as well as various classes at Lustig Dance Theatre.
Jackie still fuels her craft by continuing weekly training sessions such as hip hop, ballet, contemporary, pointe, yoga, pilates & dance fitness classes. She has training from NFL & NBA dance team experiences as well as Rockette Intensives. A riveting teaching schedule keeps her on the go. Her style is ‘multi-faceted dancer fusion’. Her Motto: I TEACH WHAT I PREACH, “NEVER GIVE UP”
Robin Passmore has devoted her life to the art of tap dancing and is experienced on many levels. As a competitor, she dominated regional and national competitions. As a member of DVJC, Robin earned first overall as a soloist in prestigious national dance finals, including Rising Star, On Stage America, Dynamite Talent, and Showbiz. She has been named Miss Showbiz, Miss Dance Xplosion, and Miss Headliner. She has been part of national first place overall duets, and small and large groups, at numerous respected competitions. In addition, she has been named “Shining Star” at the Rising Star National Finals, and has won coveted scholarships, including the Slide Convention Dance-Off Scholarship and the Michael DelBianco Scholarship.
While still in college she became the co-owner and co-artistic director of the Dance Conservatory and DVJC competitive troupe. In 2009, she graduated with a degree in social work from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, where she also studied ballet and modern dance. She continues to train in tap in New York City, under such master teachers as Michelle Dorrance, Jared Grimes, Chloe Arnold, and Derick Grant.
Robin has many New York appearances to her credit. She was selected to present her solo as a cast member in the Broadway performance of “Tap Kids.” She was honored to pay tribute, executing a tap piece, at the Peg Leg Bates Memorial and to appear in several Tap Extravaganza events, including a performance in Town Center, New York City. She was also a featured dancer in the culminating performance of SLIDE, performed off-Broadway. Dr. Harold Cromer cast her in the opening number for the 2009 “Tap Extravaganza.” She performed the choreography of Chloe Arnold in “Creations, Choreographic Introductions.” She is most proud to be a cast member of Broadway Underground, which is directed by Jared Grimes, and which the New York Times calls, “One sweet show: very funny, very happy and underpinned by superb live music.” She appears in various Sesame Street segments. Robin also travels the East Coast teaching master classes and choreographing.
Robin is now as dedicated to her students and their achievements as she was and still is to her own talent and growth in the dance world.
Christina Pioli has thrived on her passion for dance. Growing up in Brooklyn doing competitions she wanted to make dance her career. She’s Traveled to Germany representing the USA dance team with the direction of Rachel Bacietto. She has had the opportunity to work with Warner Bro., Cadillac, Joan Jet music video and Shakira on The MTV Music Awards. Christina danced for 2 years off broadway with the DecaDance Company & choreographed countless numbers teaching for the competitive seasons. Since assisting & training under the direction of GEO Hubela, ICON has takin Christina to new hieghts with such credits as kelly Roland, Brian McKnight, Celebrity Apprentice, Dance your Ass off, Beatstock, Old Navy, MACYS, Sobe Life water, Six Flags, Darrin's Dance Grooves, The Big Apple Awards,Old School Mega Jam & Her personal favorite the Fred Astaire Awards Newsies performance honoring Kenny Ortega. Being able to teach at ICON and Perform with the ICONIC Company Amongst the talented Students have gleamed the smile on my face forever ....Can't wait for what's next!
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Gina danced her way onto the stage at the age of two. Many years later her passion for this art form still grows. Gina graduated from Hofstra University in May 2004 with a BA in Dance under the direction of Lance Westergard. Since then, Gina has toured nationally and internationally with several dance and theater companies including, Hydroflow Dance, Darren Possibilities Tour, Push Factor Dance Company, Chase Brock, and Vissi Dance Theater. Gina has performed in many Broadway and off-Broadway shows such as "X-posed,” with Jay Rodriguez, “Good Vibrations,” The International Dance Festival, and “Vintage Variety” to name a few. Gina was a featured dancer and singer on Season Five, Dennis Leary’s “Rescue Me,” She worked closely with choreographer Tricia Brouk and actor Steve Pascquale. Gina was a featured dancer in a music video featuring Neyo, entitled “By My Side.” Gina is the former Dance Captain and dancer for New Jersey Devils!
Gina is currently teaching master classes and conventions around the tri-state area.
Kristin has been dancing, since the age of 2 ½, and has trained in many styles of dance. She’s been a part of the ICON family, from the very beginning, and was an assistant teacher for Geo, Beth and Christina.
Kristin believes that dancers should never stop training and continues to challenge herself with new styles, workshops, intensives & open classes. She has attended the Hollywood Summer Tour (L.A.), The Pulse, Monsters of Hip Hop, The Beat Dance Tour and Complexions & Pushing Progress summer intensives where she’s received numerous scholarships and awards. She has trained at Broadway Dance Center, Steps, Icon, Millennium, IDA and Debbie Reynolds Studio with many well-known dancers & choreographers and was a member of Kelly Peters’ professional hip hop crew “Generation X” for almost 3 years.
Some of Kristin’s performance credits include; Gina Starbuck’s “Meets the I” music video, World of Dance, Carnival (NYC), “A Rhapsody in HUE” with Rhapsody James, Sybarite, Kat DeLuna’s “Drop It Low” music video, ”Beatstock”, Six Flags “Fright Fest”, Oh My Josh’s “Drug Thru the Mud” & “Digital Love” music videos, a pilot for BET network “Who is LJ Battle?”, The Pulse, Philadelphia Soul Jr. Pro Dance Team, Jaymee Lee Frankels’ “My Rollercoaster” music video, The Moscow Ballet’s “The Russian Nutcracker” and performing at a private event for Madonna. She has, also, performed at The PNC Arts Center, Jones Beach, The Ailey Theater, The Hard Rock Cafe (NYC), The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (FL), Madison Square Garden,The Wachovia Center, The Borgata, Trump Taj Mahal, Miami Convention Center and Disneyworld.
Kristin graduated Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education & a minor in Business. At MSU, she trained in modern, ballet, contemporary & jazz styles of dance and studied anatomy, dance science, nutrition & injury prevention. She was a member of the MSU Dance Repertory Company and a “Group X” fitness instructor certified in Zumba, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Tone, CPR & first aid.
Kristin is SO happy to back at ICON! She looks forward to passing on her knowledge to the next generation of dancers and helping them be the best that they can be!
Guest Teachers
Michael Rios is an NYC based dancer, singer, actor, instructor and choreographer. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Michael began his training in high school as a singer and began to pursue dance soon after. His training includes a wide variety of styles including ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, ballroom, tap, hip hop, broadway styles, voice, acting and more from Syracuse University (BFA), Ballet Hispanico, Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Arts City Center, Steps on Broadway and Peridance. As a teacher, Michael has taught master classes at Syracuse University and has been faculty at Brooklyn Ballet, New York Dance Center, Broadway Bound Dance Center an assistant at Broadway Dance Center. Michael has danced professionally in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Bogota, Panama City, Caracas, Orlando and many more! Live credits include: Hello, Dolly! (50th Anniversary Tour starring Sally Struthers) CATS (national/international tour), The Wizard of Oz (national tour), Peter Pan (Northern Stage), Fiddler On the Roof (Syracuse Stage), Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Hospice Benefit 2007/2010 (Syracuse Stage). Film: ABC Upfront (ABC Entertainment), Endangered (PSA, directed by John Caraffa). Michael is thrilled to join Iconic Dance Complex!
