Amber Gilbert
Owner/Director
- Trained At American Dance Academy
- BS in Dance/Business from EMU
- Specializes in Modern and runs TDA’s Modern dance program which is an uncommon genre to find offered at the studio level.
- Also teaches Jazz/Tap
Kim Alexander
- Trained At American Dance Academy
- Danced Internationally in Russia, Poland and Denmark
- Bachelor’s in Elementary Education & Master’s in Early Childhood Development from EMU
- Also teaches Jazz/Tap
- Specializes in and runs TDA’s Hawaiian/Tahitian program
- Leads TDA’s Polynesian Entertainment Group, Na Wahine O Ke Anuenue. For group information, go to www.michiganhula.com.
Karen Eck
- Trained At St. Mary’s School of Dance in Detroit.
- Danced with the Mid-West Ballet Theater Company.
- Member and seat holder on the Board of Directors for Dance Masters of America, Michigan Chapter.
- Certified By TTS at State University of New York in ballet, tap, and jazz.
- Certified by the Cecchetti Council of America through Grade 4 and currently working on Grade 5.
- Specializing in Ballet and programs for young children.
ML Edmonson
- Trained At The O’Day School For Dance and The Dance Academy.
- Competed in Cha Cha, Rumba, Waltz, Swing, Lindy Hop, and Latin Hustle winning the title of Jr. Latin Hustle Champion any years running.
- Mr. ML specializes in Hip Hop, ballroom, and rhythm dances.
- He also works as a party host and DJ.
Michael Hicks
- Trained with Toni Lewis, Luigi, Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, and Gus Giordano.
- Has worked as an advisor to the Cecchetti Council of America.
- Certified by Dance Masters of Michigan.
- Specializes in jazz/production style choreography.
Kelley Paronish
- Trained at Sheryl’s School of Dance and Ginny’s Danceworks.
- Specializes in tap.
- Heads our young and intermediate level competitive tap program with outstanding results.
Samantha Penive
- Studied dance at The Dance Academy for 15 years.
- Specializes in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and sometimes modern.
- Works with our younger competitive dancers.
Selina Pengelly
- Studied dance and voice at BYU-I.
- Teaches jazz, contemporary, and musical theater
- Specializes in dance conditioning/leaps/turns for competitive dancers.
Lisa Podnar
- Studied dance at The Dance Academy.
- Currently attending Wayne State for BA in Dance.
- Certified by the Cecchetti Council of America up to grade 2 and working on Grade 3.
- Specializes in working with dancers on flexibility and technique with a great understanding of how the body works.
- Teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary.
Jon Ross
- Studied at American Dance Academy and various workshops.
- Accomplished performer/entertainer in both dance and illusion.
- Specializes in getting dancers ready to enter the professional performance world and couple’s/social dance.
- Also works as a master MC / Party host.
