La Luna Dance Studio
Teens & Tots Dance Program
Faculty & Staff
Sonya Elmore, Owner
Sonya immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 14 where soon began training in competitive International Ballroom Dance. She found solace in her ability to express herself fully through dancing and gained confidence and strength in her natural ability. Sonya excelled in the Latin dances and through dedicated training and generous sponsorships appreciated a marvelous amateur career. In 1999, after years of successful competition, Sonya decided to move on from ballroom dancing to explore her new found passion, Salsa. Sonya has been featured on several television programs including NBC 10 Philadelphia News, and FOX29 Good Day Philadelphia. Sonya's latest accomplishment includes placing 5th in ESPN World Salsa Championships (Cabaret division) in December 2006. Sonya has created Philadelphia's most comprehensive dance program for all ages including American Ballroom, Argentine Tango, Swing, Salsa & Street Latin, Hip Hop, Belly Dancing, and La Luna's Teens & Tots children's which encompasses Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, and more. Sonya now enjoys spending her time with her husband and 3 beautiful children.
Shannon Anderson, General Manager & Program Director
Shannon studied ballet extensively throughout childhood and continued her studies at Rider University and The Princeton Ballet School under the direction of Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, and Dr. Kim Chandler Vaccaro. At Rider, she earned her Bachelor's in Business Management while minoring in Dance. While a student at Rider, Shannon performed in numerous original modern dance works and contemporary ballet pieces. Upon graduation, Shannon joined the faculty at New Jersey's leading dance company, American Repertory Ballet, for the company's Outreach and Educational Program, teaching dance to elementary school students in New Brunswick, NJ Public Schools. Shannon joined La Luna Dance Studio in 2005, and not long after, joined La Luna's semi-pro Ladies Salsa dance team, Las Estrellas. She has been teaching Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, and Pre-School Dance classes and serving as Director for the TNT Dance Program for the past 20 years. Miss Shannon has also served as the Director of our Jr. and Sr. Ballet Companies and choreographs and coaches solo routines for our annual recitals and dance competitions. In addition to her dance training, Shannon also received a certification as a Pilates Mat Instructor back in 2006. Her most recent accomplishment in 2017 was receiving her certification as a PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) instructor, and she is very excited to be able to share this technique with her students. When she's not teaching, Shannon enjoys taking Ballet Classes with her dance mentors and Barre Workout classes with friends! She also volunteers and fosters dogs and puppies with her husband for a local Animal Rescue organization.
Josie Abruzzi
Josie began studying dance at the age of 3 and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Dance Studies and Elementary Education from Rider University. While at Rider, she served as Dance Mentor Coordinator and Mentor for the School of Fine & Performing Arts and was also awarded the Mildred C. Hawkins Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship. Previously, Josie was a dancer/performer with Sesame Place from 2015-2020, and has also choreographed musicals for Villa Joseph Marie High School. We are thrilled to have Miss Josie join us for the 2024-2025 dance season and beyond!
Elizabeth Bickel
Elizabeth has been dancing since the age of four, studying many different styles of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and modern. While pursuing her education degree at Neumann University, she also participated in and taught for the dance team on campus for four years. She loves to dance and perform, as well as to teach. Elizabeth currently teaches Kindergarten in Philadelphia and loves working with her students and watching them learn. She is thrilled to be joining La Luna Dance Studio this year!
Kira Long
Kira has been dancing since childhood at local suburban studios, school dance teams, and performed at local shows/events in the Tri-State area. As she moved onto adulthood, she continued to attend adult hip hop dance classes and heels workshops in northeast Philadelphia. During her college years, she spent two seasons choreographing and performing for the Holy Family University Dance Team. During her senior year she became the HFU Dance Team President, Chair of Choreography, and was the founder of the newly established Choreography Committee. In that same year, she contributed to the creation of the team’s first annual showcase. Also, Kira has currently completed her third year of coaching the Pennsbury High School Dance Team. As a dance coach, she specializes in the organization of halftime performances, annual showcases, and occasionally provide the team with halftime styled choreography. One of Kira’s leading accolades with the PHS Dance Team is the booking of their holiday performance at the Christmas Village in Center City, Philadelphia. Kira began teaching hip hop dance classes shortly after graduating high school. She began her career as a dance teacher when she started the hip hop program at Strength & Grace Dance Academy. She has been a hip hop dance teacher for 5 years in the Bucks County and Greater Philadelphia areas. Kira is excited to join the La Luna family this Fall!
Ragan Yates
Ragan is a Pennsylvania native with an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Bucks County Community College, and she’s earning an Associates Degree in Dance as well! Ragan grew up dancing and performing in theater, coached by Broadway alum, Jennine Babo. She has performed with Kelsey Theater, Salt Performing Arts, Music Mountain Theater, and YGENYK Productions. For the past 5 years, Ragan has choreographed musicals at Poquessing Middle Schools. Other choreography work includes The Central New Jersey Ballet Theatre and Neshaminy Summer Stock. As a dance teacher for the past 4 years, Ragan hopes to spread nothing but positivity and kindness to her students.
Toni Schwartz
Toni Schwartz is a distinguished dance educator and accomplished performer with a career spanning over 4 decades. Her journey in dance began as a therapeutic necessity to address a congenital ankle condition, a challenge that she transformed into a lifelong passion and a professional calling.
In 1977, Toni earned the title of Miss Dance of Pennsylvania, followed by her recognition as the First Runner-Up and Most Talented Contestant in the 1980 Miss Bucks County Pageant. While building a foundation in the corporate world. She remained dedicated to her craft, refining her skills through intensive study at the Pennsylvania Ballet, national conventions, and premier studios across the region.
In 1988, Tonu and her husband, Mike, founded the Toni Schwartz Studio of Dance, which she successfully owned and operated for 31 years. Under her leadership, the studio expanded into a premier three-studio facility, employing a staff of 11 and fostering an elite, award-winning competition team. The studio became a cornerstone of the local arts community until its closure during the pandemic.
Following her tenue as a studio owner, Toni transitioned into the public sector, serving in the office Pennsbury High School East. Though now retired, she continues to support the district. Toni resides in Yardley with her husband, Mike, and 2 black cats, where she enjoys a vibrant family life with their 2 daughters and five grandchildren. Toni is dedicated to mentoring and empowering the next generation of dancers.
