About Us

From its humble beginnings in the basement of a home in Huntington, New York,
the Jan Martin Dance Studio has grown to become one of the premier dance schools on Long Island.

In 1969, Jan Martin opened her home-based studio with 50 students. A new mother, Jan was able to fulfill her love of teaching dance to children, while keeping her newborn son close at hand. Word spread about this dynamic dance instructor and within a year enrollment grew to 250 students, forcing Jan to leave her basement and move her studio to facilities on Jericho Turnpike. In 1985, Jan opened her second studio in Woodbury.

Today, there are two Jan Martin Dance Studios serving Long Island's North Shore - one in Huntington, and the other in Plainview. Jan is now happily teaching children of her original students!

Jan Martin - Director/Founder

Jan began her dance career at the age of 8 in Maspeth, Queens, New York. As a high school student, Jan taught dance classes at the Kaye Gorham Dance Studio. She also studied at the world-famous Broadway Dance Center and with the renowned June Taylor.

After dancing professionally in nightclubs, Jan went on to teach throughout the United States for Dance Olympus and in Canada for Dance Educators of America.

Over the years, Jan has taught thousands of girls who have gone on to careers as dance professionals, including Broadway performers, members of dance troupes, dance studio owners, and college dance professors. Even those students who have chosen other career paths have benefitted from their years of dance training. ""Many of my former students have gone on to become school teachers, and tell me their dance training helped in so many ways. It gave them confidence, discipline and insight into working with children," says Jan.

Jan is the proud mother of two sons and two adorable grandchildren!

Roe Noviello - Director

Roe met Jan Martin when they both danced at the Kaye Gorham Studio as teenagers. When her oldest daughter was ready to start taking classes, Roe took her directly to Jan's studio in Huntington. Today, both of Roe's granddaughters are dancing at the Studio!

Roe, who began studying dance while in Kindergarten, went on to an extensive professional career, including two stints as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Other career highlights include appearances at the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City, the halftime show at the Super Bowl, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and numerous television performances on programs including The Ann Margaret Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and HBO's Comic Relief.

Roe, who specializes in Tap, hopes her students gain self-esteem and a love of dance, but most importantly, she wants them to have fun!

Roe is the current President of the Rockette Alumnae.

Colleen Schiavo - Director

Colleen was one of Jan's first dance students! She went on to study at various dance schools in Manhattan, including Steps on Broadway and The Broadway Dance Center.

The studio's resident Jazz guru, Colleen is an experienced choreographer who has been involved in dozens of high school and community productions. She has also choreographed numerous routines for both gymnasts and dance teams.

Colleen is a dedicated teacher who takes pride in seeing her students shine. Both of Colleen's daughters, Nicole and Amanda, studied at Jan Martin and continue to be active at the Studio both as teachers and performers.