According to Candice Mancini, Company Director and Head Choreographer, In the Spotlight in Waldwick, New Jersey, has something to offer for everyone from beginners to advanced dancers. They have a family type atmosphere and always try to make it fun for the kids while striving to be the best. In The Spotlight has offered the very best in dance training in Bergen County since they opened in September, 1988. They offer dance classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop and tap to the pre-school through the teens . All of their instructors are professionally taught and teach in a professional, energetic and fun atmosphere. They encourage each child to strive to obtain their own optimum level and “to be the best they can be.” Proper technique is always stressed at In The Spotlight as their instructors infuse each class with the most recent styles and steps. They believe it is imperative for students to receive individual attention as they improve and learn. As always, the number one element is fun! In addition to receiving numerous accolades including winning many national awards, Tremaine Dance Conventions named In The Spotlight the 2008-2009 Dance Educators of the Year.
In Candice’s opinion, what makes their studio different from other schools is their staff! To begin with, their founders, Tom and Jane Karaty, were former Broadway performers. They also have award winning choreographers, a ballet mistress from SAB and New York City Ballet, a So You Think You Can Dance judge and choreographer as well as one of the best tap teachers in the country . . . not to mention, many alumni that grew up through In The Spotlight and now teach for them. In Candice’s eyes, their staff is the best across the board in every level and style of dance according to Candice.
Candice is very proud to see all of the hard work that goes into their Spring Concert pay off. It is very amazing! From the first year the studio was in business to the present 28th year, it has 
never changed! She is always proud when they see the kids on stage at the end of every season.
She believes the biggest mistake that she sees dancers make is wanting to jump ahead to the hard things they are not capable of executing and consequently do not take the time to master the basic skills.
In the beginning of every year, In The Spotlight sets goals for all their students. They set out to accomplish these goals week after week no matter how difficult. However, it is a long year and some classes are better than others. Talk to her in July – haha!
In the Spotlight was founded by Tom and Jane Karaty, Candice’s parents, after they retired. Her father retired from Broadway and television and became a stock broker for 25 years. Her mother also retired from Broadway. Together they had five children. Her father had been looking around and one day when Candice was about 14 years old and dancing at a ballet studio, he realized that there were a couple of decent studios in the area but NONE that offered every style and had a family atmosphere. Additionally, he wanted to offer a high quality dance education no matter what level dancer the student was. As a result, her father and mother opened the doors of In The Spotlight in 1998 and formed what Candice believes is one of the best dance studios around. Tom and Jane are still a very big part of In The Spotlight. Tom Karaty is the Director and Jane Karaty is the Director of Pre-School and Head of Costuming.
In the Spotlight is very proud of everything their dancers do but probably what they are most proud of is the benefit show they do every year. Since 9/11 they have done a benefit performance for a different charity and 100% of the money raised goes to that charity. She is amazed that they have raised over $600,000 so far and very happy to have been able to give 
it back to their communities. In 2014, their Benefit Concert raised over $60,000 for the Youth Consultation Services (YCS). They believe in teaching their students that they can use their talents to do such great things for others and it’s not always just about winning a trophy. They are so proud of all their kids that have joined us in these benefit performances over the last 15 years. Thanks to them they have raised a ton of money for so many people in need!
The national award winning ITSDC (In The Spotlight Dance Company) provides their members with a truly exciting and rewarding opportunity. The Company is made up of the studio’s most accomplished and serious dancers who display a dedication to both the Company and dance itself. Being a member of the Company is a gratifying and demanding decision that the members do not regret. Not only are they a part of the ITSDC, they are part of the ITS family where they grow as a person and a dancer. As part of the team, they have memorable experiences and develop friendships. The Company consistently earns accolades around the nation and wins titles such as Best Choreography, Critic’s Choice, and Best of Show. Additionally, many of ITSDC’s members have been named Dancer of the Year. Numerous alumnae have appeared in Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, in national commercial campaigns and in many Broadway shows.
Broken into two age levels, the DigiBones Hip Hop Company is taught by the best instructors available in both the local area and in New York City. It is the hottest hip hop program around. Their instructors teach the moves from all of the latest dance music videos.
If you would like more information about In The Spotlight, visit their website at http://www.danceinthespotlight.com, call them at 201-670-6797 or. email them at Mrkinthespotlight@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Candice Mancini of In The Spotlight.
