Embracing the Freedom of Movement
About Us
The Moderne Academie of Fine Arts has been fostering the love of dance for over 50 years. When you mention The Moderne Academie in Scotch Plains, you’re likely to hear a lot of people say, “Oh I went there!” MAFA alumni are now sending their children for dance instruction at their alma mater.
Here at MAFA we develop dancers. When building skills, it is necessary to begin with a good foundation. Our high standards and ideals are taught by patient and enthusiastic instructors who not only hold degrees in dance, but also regularly attend education workshops with leaders in the field. Our instructors are members of the Dance Masters of America in New York City, as well as Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey.
The instructor's love of children is apparent in every class. We get excited about dance! Personal attention is given to every detail of performance, technique, and individual needs. Our main goal is to help every student achieve their maximum dance ability with minimal strain. We aim our energies on “You can do it!”
The college-educated staff is dedicated to providing fun dance class for all ages. With a small student to instructor ratio, the staff can concentrate on teaching technique with a creative approach and atmosphere. Scholarships and workshops are also available, as well as Dance Exams with certificates for special incentives that help elevate the curriculum. Children’s classes are energetic and full of fun dance games.
The 50 years of experience helps to keep students motivated, eager to learn, and to reach their maximum potential and goals. There are classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Pointe, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop. We offer a wide range of classes for all levels and ages.
What People Are Saying
“[I] have been there for 16 years. The best studio around! Focused on technique, and doing it right. I have volunteered there every summer for years and would never go anywhere else. MAFA is a family that you’re lucky if you can be apart of :)”
— Morgan B.
“I think back a lot to what and who really shaped me into the person I am today and it will forever be MAFA and everyone who was a part of that journey”
- Blair B.
“Love this dance studio! My sisters and I grew up here and now my daughter has been dancing here. This is her 4th year, and she LOVES it! Not only have they taught us the techniques of dance and how fun it is to dance but they taught us that there is family outside our own family!”
— Heather M.
Competition Awards
2021 BTS Diamond Award – 5th Place Overall and Top 10
2019 Nationals Dance Xplosion— 1st Place Overall Winner
2015 Nationals Dance Xplosion — 1st Place Overall Winner
Dancers from MAFA have been in movies, television, Broadway, commercials, dance companies, fitness professionals
Scotch Plains Small Business of the Month 2020
Chaliff Scholarship Winners 1st, 2nd and 3rd place SWEEP four years in a row — 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021