About Stars Studios

Manager/  Instructor

Justine Torres is an experienced dancer, vocalist, instrumentalist, and actress. Her dancing days began at the age of two.  Justine began her studies of ballet, tap, and jazz at Candy’s Gotta Dance Studio in Chalfont, PA.  She progressed to dance at Knecht Dance Academy in Levittown, PA.  Her dance career continued as part of the dance team at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ.  In college and beyond she studied Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing.  She made her dream of teaching on her own a reality in 2014 at Budzynski’s Dance Studio.   Justine has been teaching Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing at Stars Studios.  Stars Studios currently operates in Plumstead, PA.  Since a young age Justine has been a singer, pianist, and actress performing in shows such as Grease, West Side Story, and many more productions.  Justine has taken the crown and ranked for pageants such as Hawaiian Tropic, Premiere Productions, Miss Sunburst, Miss New Jersey just to name a few.  She exudes excitement for the performing arts through teaching and is excited to be a part of the Stars Studios team.

Helen Mitchell began her dance exploration at age two at Dance Unlimited in Philadelphia. As a teenager she furthered her dance career at Pennsport Scool of Dance and Tracy Hall Dance Company. Helen then ventured into her South Philadelphia roots to join a Philadelphia Mummer’s Fancy Brigade leading into positions such as head dancer, co-captain and assistant choreographer. Presently, Helen is a member of the 2nd Street Shooters New Years’s Brigade and will be seen on television in this year’s parade. Furthermore, Helen has studied all sorts of dance styles but specializes in hip hop, reggae dancehall, old school and dance fitness. As an adult, Helen currently takes classes to improve her skills at places such as DAT dance studio, Koresh, Powerhouse, Philly Dance fitness and is certified as a house party fitness instructor. Helen’s primary purpose is not to teach steps but to help people find themselves by feeling the beat and dancing with moves that solely come from the heart. She feels there's always freedom and  joy in being yourself!

Marisol Custodio is currently teaching yoga and kickboxing at Star Studios. She completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training and is registered through Yoga Alliance. Through the American Council on Exercise, she earned the certification of Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Mind-body specialist. Marisol also has 17 years of experience in over 10 styles of martial arts and recently obtained her cardio kickboxing certification. She specializes in health and wellness for mental health and loves to help people heal and make peace with their body through exploration and the creation of safe spaces.  

Carly D'Angelo has been dancing since the age of 3 and has experience in Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop.  She first started dancing at Ginny Lee Dance Studio in Bensalem.  She spent most of her childhood dancing at Dance Arts Collaborative in Plumstead.  Most recently she has choreographed for Tohickon Middle Schoole where she led the team to win district championships. She loves to choreograph and has choreographed many cheerleading and dance routines.

Carly has led an impressive academic and philanthropic career at West Chester University. She is currently a senior working towards a degree in Communication and Media. In 2019, she was given the honor of winning the Leadership, Academic, and Highest Interview awards by the Miss West Chester University Scholarship Organization in which contestants must qualify in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and community service. These areas are the core of her work as a student and sister of the philanthropic sorority Phi Sigma Sigma.

Carly’s academic concentrations have facilitated the growth of her knowledge and success professionally as the on-campus weather anchor for WCU Weekly TV. This opportunity led her to landing her dream internship at FOX 29 News in Philadelphia, where she had hands on experience working in one of the largest news markets in the country. In her free time, Carly enjoys spending time with her cat, Mocha, shopping, and taking naps.

Paula Phillips had some exposure to dance classes as a child, but somewhat limited since she lived in a rural setting.  
     As a young adult in college, she became interested in modern dance and studied at the University of South Florida.  She trained sufficiently well to take Master classes from leaders in the modern dance community such as Paul Taylor Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and Alvin Ailey Dance Company.
      Paula changed interest in college and developed a career in science, but she maintained her interest in dance as a hobby.  It was difficult to find modern dance classes, so she switched to ballet and studied at Brandywine Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet Arts, and Budzynski Studios.  
      Paula taught Zumba for several years starting in 2009 at Northampton Community College, The Bucks Club, and at several large corporate venues. She also studied Improvisational Tribal Style for several years, performing with Daughters of the Hip, Tribal Spirit, and Hipnosis.