Top 50 Studios

It has been 21 exciting years since Jill's Studio of Dance began in 1995. Since that time, their goal has been to give their students the best in dance education through their teaching, training, and love of the art of dance.

Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit Magazine named Jill’s Studio of Dance “Top 50 Studios on the Move.” The studio was featured in the 2006 Competition and Convention Yearbook and was listed in their 2007 Honor Roll. Jill McNew was named Teacher of the Year by the esteemed Company Dance Faculty at their National event in 2008. Jill’s Studio of Dance Company Dancers were awarded National Studio Champions at the Company Dance National Finals in Hollywood, California in 2011.

Jill Hasty McNew is the director and also a choreographer for the Jill's Studio of Dance Company Dancers. Jill's Company Dancers have competed and received top honors at both the regional and national level. Jill's Company Dancers have also won many National titles. Jill's Company Dancers were awarded National Studio Champions at the 2011 Company Dance National Finals in Hollywood, California. They were also awarded National Teen Performance of the year. Past JSD National Champions were seen on the Great American Dance Challenge on FSN and the 2002 Company Dance finals on ESPN2.

Jill has had title holder winners for DMA Chapter 33 in each division Little Miss, Petite, Junior, Teen and Miss. Jill has also had 5 students chosen as Company Dance Teacher Assistants, and two of those students were then selected as Company Dance Apprentices and selected to the Company Dance Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor an individual can receive at a Company Dance Convention. These students tour the country assisting the Company Dance faculty. Jill has had two students make it to the Las Vegas round for "So You Think You Can Dance," and one has made the Top 50. Jill's student, Claire Callaway, also toured with Taylor Swift as a dancer on her "Fearless" and "Speak Now" tours.

This year, Jill won choreography awards for her pieces, “Circus” and “School Dance.” “School Dance” was awarded Most Entertaining at both Hollywood Dance Jamz and DMA33. Jill’s “Rockin Robin” piece won the top NRG Petite/Junior High Voltage Award. Her petite piece”Shake Your Groove Thing” won the highest overall group scores of all ages at Hollywood Dance Jamz. Blake McGrath choreographed “War Child” which was awarded Choreographer’s Pick at The Pulse in New Orleans, and was also the recipient of the Top Convention Performance Award for Pulse New Orleans. Blake’s piece “Hope” was awarded the Senior Faculty Choice Award at Hollywood Dance Jamz. “Proud Mary” choreographed by tWitch Boss and Allison Holker was awarded the top NRG award Senior High Voltage, and Ross McCord’s “Jays on My Feet” was awarded the Junior Faculty Choice Award at Hollywood Dance Jamz. Jill’s Studio of Dance received the Overall Best Costumes Award at Hollywood Dance Jamz.

This year, Jill’s student, Sara Laine McNew, received the highest individual honor at NRG Dance Project in Atlanta as she was awarded Senior Prodigy. She also received The Hollywood Dance Jamz Teacher Assistant Award and will tour with them next season assisting their faculty. Another senior student, Lydia Rotenberger, received the LA Agent Award at Hollywood Dance Jamz and will be afforded agency representation.

In 2014, Jill’s Senior Company Dancers were selected by America’s Got Talent to perform in front of the celebrity judges in Newark, New Jersey. It was an incredible experience and the second time her dancers have been selected to perform in front of the celebrity judges. From 25,000 auditioning acts, Jill’s Studio of Dance was among the 350 that were chosen.

Jill goes to many conventions and workshops throughout the country to learn and stay current in dance. She has also been a guest teacher for different organizations and various studios. She enjoys taking classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York. In addition to attending conventions, she also brings master teachers to the studio. Brian Friedman, Blake McGrath, Tyce Diorio, Nick Bass, Ray Leeper, Greg Russell, Nick Florez, tWitch Boss, Allison Holker, Sonya Tayeh, Tucker Barkley, and Albert Cattafi are just some of the master teachers that have been to the studio.