• Who Are We?
• Services
• Benefits of Dancing

Take The Lead Dance Studio was born out of our collective "Dream" of a place where all art forms including music, dance, visual art, poetry, acting, and theater can join forces to create a home for collaboration, creativity, and community. "Art Loud" is the name given to the collaborative events that arise from the connections made at Take The Lead. We invite you to participate in any way you can, either by contributing your artistry, or by coming to enjoy the artistry of others in our community!

~ Jennifer & Garincha

About Us

Located in vibrant University City, Take The Lead Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio was founded by co-owners & artists Garincha Hilaire and Jennifer Janson. Garincha and Jennifer's combined experience in the arts, both dance and music, total many years between the two of them, as well as many honors.

Garincha Hilaire

Co-owner Garincha Hilaire realized his dream of opening a center for social dance in 2006 when the beloved "Nicole's Gift Shop" of University City became available. Garincha began dancing at the age of 13 in Haiti, when his mother insisted that he learn how to dance in an effort to cure his extreme shyness. Because of her gift, Garincha has since trained with champions, and has been certified and worked for many years as an instructor by Arthur Murray (NYC), winning the Dance Teacher Professional Competition in 2002. He enthusiastically and lovingly brings the wealth of his experience, training, and knowledge to Take The Lead Dance Studio.

Garincha's appreciation and love for choreography is also evident in his unique performances at many Take The Lead Dance Studio's parties and showcases. In addition to striking choreography, Garincha also focuses on wonderful set design, lighting effects and short stories to portray his creations. In addition to opening Take The Lead Dance Studio, Garincha currently teaches and choreographs for the UPENN Ballroom Society, Drexel University, Beacon Center at DeSales, and is the Senior Teaching Artist for Dancing Classrooms Philadelphia.

Jennifer Janson

Besides being a place where dance is celebrated, modeled, taught and encouraged, Take The Lead Dance Studio is also where co-owner Jennifer Janson endeavors to bring music to our community through "Flute & Friends." Her unique music studio provides flute instruction to students of all ages and abilities. Influenced heavily by the Suzuki philosophy, family music making, and performance opportunity, "Flute & Friends" has blossomed into a warm and welcoming musical community. Degrees in both music performance and music therapy allow Jennifer to guide people in the use of music for their personal growth and healing.

In addition to music, Jennifer has also been greatly influenced by the art of dance. She began dancing Ballet when she was 3, and shortly after began figure skating competitively until the age of 17. Jennifer trained and performed in her hometown of Poughkeepsie, New York, and spent summers training in Lake Placid, NY. In 1993, Jennifer began teaching figure skating at her local rink where she discovered a love of choreographing programs for her students. In 1998, Jennifer taught at the University of Delaware training facility as she simultaneously finished up her music degree. It wasn't until later in her career that Jennifer discovered Latin and Ballroom dancing.