Student Success Stories
Through hard work and dedication to The FUNKtion Dance Complex, many of our students go on to become professional dancers.
Hayley Bochner
@HayleyBochner
Hayley Bochner, born and raised in New Jersey, started dancing at age five. She studied the classical styles- ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, as well as tap. A few years later, she found her love for contemporary, hip hop, popping, and breaking, of which she is very passionate. When she came across her teacher and future mentor, Eric Samson, she gained an understanding of the hip hop culture and the dance industry. With him, she started training in street styles like breaking, popping, locking, house, wacking, new jack swing, and vogue. Upon graduating high school, she moved to New York City to pursue her passion for dance.
Training at various studios in Manhattan and at The Funktion Dance Complex in New Jersey, Hayley continues to grow and excel in her craft. Hayley appeared on season 8 of “So You Think You Can Dance” as part of the top 50 dancers. She is represented by Clear Talent Group and can be seen as a featured dancer in commercials for Verizon Wireless and Xbox’s Dance Central. Recently, Hayley toured the country with Zara Larsson, Sweden’s young pop artist, on Cher Lloyd’s “I Wish Tour”. Within this past year, Hayley performed for companies like Nike/NFL and Nokia. She was a featured dancer on season 7 of America’s Got Talent and danced on Glee, Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and Live with Kelly and Michael. She also worked with artists such as Meghan Trainor, Pharrell Williams, Chris Brown, Nikki Minaj, and Psy Oppa. Hayley took part in Rhapsody James’ Motivating Excellence and recently, toured the country with The Pulse On Tour, assisting some of today’s top choreographers in the industry. She has also had the privilege of working with such choreographers as Napoleon Dumo, Fatima Robinson, Brooke Lipton, Brian Friedman, Rhapsody James, Danielle Polanco, Adrian Wiltshire, Tweetie, and Brooke Wendle.
Anthony D'Astoli
@Antdazzbc
Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started training and performing when he was 8 years old. He was exposed to jazz and ballet before being introduced to the style of hip-hop. His inspiration to become a dancer became more realistic after meeting his mentor, Eric Samson. Eric showed Anthony the ways of becoming a talented, well rounded dancer, and teaching him how to make it in the professional industry. Anthony has been trained in hip-hop/urban styles (b-boying, popping, locking, house, new jack swing, waacking, vogue), industry styles (commercial street jazz), traditional styles (contemporary, ballet, jazz and lyrical).
Anthony has toured all over the East And West Coast, and has been recently featured on Fox’s Glee. He performed at venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Gramercy Theatre, House of Blues, Hard Rock Live, B.B.King's, Trump Taj Mahal, Terminal 5 and many more. Anthony has worked with Chris Brown and other numerous upcoming artists, one of which was part of Cartoon Network's Camplified Tour in the summer of 2012 & 2013. Anthony is inspired by those who love the art of dance just as much as he does.
Ariana Crowder
@ArianaCrowder
Ariana Crowder is 22 year old dancer and artist based in NJ and NY. Upon becoming a member of Beat Club Crew 5 years ago, she began training in various styles including Hip Hop, Contemporary, Street Jazz, and Ballet as well as learning about Hip Hop culture and the industry dance scene. Ariana can be seen performing with Beat Club in NY and NJ at several different showcases and events, as well as with Chris Brown and Wendy Williams, and in the upcoming feature film Bolden! She would like to thank all of her mentors, teachers, friends and family for their support, and is grateful to have the opportunity to share her art with others.
REPRESENTED STUDENTS
More and more FUNKtion students get representation each year, congratulations to those who are signed to Clear Talent Group
Hayley Bochner
Ariana Crowder
Anthony D'Astoli
Mikey D'Astoli
Doug Henry
J'loni Jones
Jake Korolev
Fiona Krkruti
Tara Vecchio