FACULTY

At Professional Arts Academy we pride ourselves in hiring top-notch professional staff.  Our faculty have performed on Broadway, Off Broadway, National and International tours, regional theater, cruise ships, NYC stages, commercials, television shows, music videos, etc.

Maureen Straub (owner/Artistic Director)

Maureen graduated from  American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan and immediately began working as a professional dancer.

Maureen has performed (as well as held the title of dance captain and assistant choreographer) in several shows on tour across the world, the USA,  NYC stages,  and regional and dinner theatres.  Her favorite role was dancing with Broadway icons Anne Reinking and Ben Vereen.  She can be seen as the host on an award winning childrens' fitness video series called the Monkeydoos.  She played Judy Garland in a documentary series called ICONS.  Portraits of Maureen starring as Judy Garland are hanging  in various restaurants and galleries in New York City.

Maureen's choreography has been featured at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the IZOD center, and the Bergen PAC.  Some of Maureen's former students have been accepted into prestigious institutions such as School of American Ballet in NYC, Alvin Ailey, NYU Tisch, Northwestern, Interlochen, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Jacob's Pillow.  Some are now performing as professional dancers.

 Maureen hopes to cultivate a passion for the arts the same way it was instilled in her.  She reminds all the students at Professional Arts Academy: "If you can dream it, you can become it.  Let nothing stand in your way!"