JUSSARA ZERIBINO

Jussara Zerbino has extensive training in Ballet, Jazz and Modern dance in the U.S., England, Brazil and Spain. She had studied with such dancers as Jose Meier (Alvin Ailey School), Jeanette Neil (Boston), Leni Dale (Brazil), Judith Field Polgar (England), and Montserrat Catarineu (Spain). Jussara worked with Penha de Souza, vice president of the Association of Dance Professionals,Sao Paulo, Brazil, and also worked with Montserrat Borreda in Barcelona. She owned a dance studio in Brazil for 9 years where she founded a Professional Dance Company. Before moving to Miami 25 years ago, she lived in New Hampshire where she worked with Barbara Mullen of the Royal Academy of Dance in New England, becoming registered with the Royal Academy of Dance. Jussara has three wonderful children, Juliana, Mariana, and Roberto and 3 grandchildren, Isabella, Eric and Liam. The decision to open ABC Dance Studio stems from her love for the art and the desire to pass along all she has learned during her 42 years as a dancer/studio director. The idea behind the Dance Studio is to keep it small and family oriented.

MARIANA ZERBINO

Mariana Zerbino was introduced to the world of dance by her mother, Jussara Zerbino, at a very early age. Jussara, who at the time was the owner of Studio De Danca in Florianopolis Brazil, began to teach both of her daughters Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance at the age of 3. At the age of 8 she began her Gymnastics classes in Porto Alegre, Brasil. She perfected her technique and at Manchester Gymnastics Academy where she was part of their competition team. She also studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Acrobatics, at the New Hampshire Academy of Dance and Dance Works Unlimited under Kim Maihot, Chris Kolher and Jussara Zerbino. Under the supervision of Barbara Mullen of the Royal Ballet Academy of Dance, Mariana Joined the Royal Ballet Program. Upon moving to Miami, Mariana embraced Modern dance with well-known dance and choreographer, Mia Michaels, known for her participation in the show “So You Think You Can Dance.” While at FIU, she studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and Modern with renowned instructors such as Mariana Brake (National Ballet of Washington), Diego Salterini (Momentum Dance Company), Gary Lund (Two’s Company), Andrea Mantell-Seidel (Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble), and Roberto Dias (Brazarte). Mariana is the Director at ABC Dance Studio and has led ABC Dance Company’s competition team for several years where she has received numerous choreography awards and has led the dance team to win many National Championships and Victory Cups.

JULIANA ZERBINO

Juliana Zerbino born in Santa Catarina, Brazil, Juliana began her dance training at the age of 3 with mom, Jussara Zerbino. Throughout the years she has strengthened her Ballet and Jazz technique at many distinguished dance schools in Brazil and United States. At the age of 12, she discovered her love for tap and began her training under the supervision of Kim Maihot. Upon graduating high school, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Florida International University, graduating on the dean’s list. Juliana has trained with world-renowned dancers, and choreographers such as Katherine Kramer (Rhythm Explosion), Edwin Holland, Brenda Buffalino (award winning Grade Dame of Tap Dance, Diego Salterini (Momentum Dance Company), Mariana Brake (National Ballet of Washington), and Roberto Dias (Brazarte).

isabella berry

Isabella Berry Has been dancing with ABC Dance Studio since was two years old training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro, and Hip Hop. She began competing at the age of five and has won numerous awards with her solos and group dances. Isabella was accepted into Southwood Middle School Magnet Dance Program where she competed with the national winning dance team, “Superstars.” She was later accepted into Coral Reef High School Magnet Program. Here she competed with the dance team, “Cudettes,” winning six national titles over the last three years. She was also awarded “Most Likely to Become a Professional Dancer” by her fellow classmates for three years straight. Isabella hopes to bring to her students the same love her teachers have instilled on her.

ROBERTO DIAS

Roberto Dias Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mr. Dias participated in the most prestigious dance companies in the country and quickly moved into theater and television performances. He was the solo artist for Opera Porgy and Bess, an American production in the renowned Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro Brazil. In television, Roberto was part of a variety of TV shows and soap operas for TV Globo and TV Manchete (Brazil). In Miami, Roberto Dias’ grand debut involved choreographing the Rio Ecstasy Show - a production bringing 38 artists from Brazil to open the Scala Miami Show house. Following its success in Miami, Roberto Dias was invited to author and choreograph Performances around the world. Recently, Roberto has been working in Miami with his dance company: the Brazarte Dance Company. BRAZARTE DANCE COMPANY is a modern contemporary dance company formed in 1999 aimed at combining the excitement and joy of the Brazilian culture with a group of dedicated and experienced dancersto present a world-class performance to our audiences

KIMIKA POPOWSKI

Kimika Popowski started dancing at the age of 3 taking tap classes at Miami-Dade. She joined ABC Dance Studio at the age of 4 and began competing at the age of 6. Being trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro, Hip Hop, and Tap, she plans on furthering her knowledge with other styles of dance as well. At the age of 11, she entered a local talent competition, “Young Talent Big Dreams,” where her and her duet partner won “Best Group Dance.” Kimika was accepted into the Southwood Middle School Magnet Dance Program and was a part of their dance team, “Superstars,” winning 1st in the nation. She later then attended the Coral Reef High School Dance Magnet Program and was a part of the “JV and Varsity Cudettes” dance team where she won multiple national championships. Kimika was awarded “Best Overall Dancer” for 7 years straight voted by her peers in both middle and high school. Kimika hopes to one day be performing on stages all over the world and to share her love of dance with her students, grow as a teacher and choreographer, and make something of herself in the dance community.

julianna acosta

Julianna Acosta has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She was a competitive dancer for 14 years, as a dancer here at ABC and on her school dance teams. Throughout her years she has won numerous national championships and scholarships. She was excepted into the dance magnet at Southwood middle school and Coral reef senior high school. Julianna was the Captain of Coral reefs dance team, “Cudettes,” her JV and Varsity years where she lead them to become national champions. She’s won best technique and performance awards at many competitions. Julianna is trained in ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz. She hopes to pass on her love for dance and to help her students reach their potential. Julianna wants to be a role model for her students and help them understand how amazing they truly are.

YARA DUARTE

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Yara Duarte initiated her dance studies with Carla Perotti and received her Royal Academy of Dancing Method Degree in 1981.

Demonstrating Aptitude and passion for teaching from the start, she began giving dance lessons right after finishing her studies. In 1982, Duarte became the owner and director of Ballet Carla Perotti, the dance studio where she began her ballet training. Duarte ran the school for 20 years, continuing Perotti’s unique work while turning it into one of the city’s most prestigious dance academies. During this period, she was a registered RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing) method teacher. While producing and choreographing yearly presentations for her students, she directed two professional renditions of Adolphe Adam’s masterwork Giselle. Duarte also directed and coacher her own school team, winning various regional and national dance festivals.

Duarte relocated to Miami, Florida with her family in 1999. In 2003, she became teacher at Just Dance It! Studio. Along with ballet classes, she coached the competition team, cleaned choreography, and gave private lessons for 15 years. Duarte also worked with Ballet at Your School (from 2003/2006), taking a ballet program to several pre-schools around Miami-Dade.

In 2018, Duarte moved with her family to New York City where she continued to teach dance. She taught professional level ballet classes at both ASB Company and ASBallet Academy. In School’s competition team as well as providing choreography cleaning and conditioning.

Duarte plans to move with her family back to Miami, where she will continue to teach dance in 2022.

Jacqueline Lopez

Jacqueline Lopez, a native of Miami, FL, began her dance training with Ballet et Cie, later continuing with ABC Dance Company under the direction of Jussara Zerbino. In 2012 Jacqueline graduated from the prestigious University of Miami with a B.A. in Criminology and a minor in Dance. After college she spent two seasons with Momentum Dance Company performing original works by Delma Isles. In 2020 Jacqueline earned her second degree, a B.F.A in Dance from New World School of the Arts. While at New World she has had the opportunity to perform in works by Gerard Ebitz and Merce Cunningham as well as have her choreographic work Malki, showcased at the Perez Art Museum Miami. In addition, she is currently on staff at New World School of the Arts as an adjunct faculty and is assisting with Momentum Dance Company’s teaching residencies.

Nicole Muniz

Nicole Muniz started her training at ABC Dance Studio when she was just 5 years old. Her journey in dance has been shaped by training in diverse styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical and Hip Hop. She has performed in renowned dance companies such as Brazarte Modern Dance Company directed by Roberto Dias and, Showstoppers Dance Company directed by Susie Garcia. These opportunities have allowed her to showcase her talent on television programs aired on Telemundo & Univision as well as performing in professional modern dance concerts. Being a well rounded dancer aided her in being selected as a captain of dance teams like the The Coral Reef High School 'Cudettes', The Southwood Middle School 'Superstars', and The Florida International University 'Dazzlers'. She has accumulated 7 National Championship Titles at Universal Dance Association (UDA). With a decade of experience as a dance instructor and choreographer in the Miami area, she has received over 25 choreography awards and entertainment awards and was nominated for Choreographer of the Year by Nexstar National Talent Competition in 2023.