Miss Michelle began her dance training at age 3 at her parents dance studio, Academy of Ballet Arts, and has been teaching for over 20 years. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Nova University, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Dance Education from The Ohio State University. Professionally, Michelle appeared as a "Fly Girl" on Fox Televisions In Living Color in 1989 and was a Miami Heat dancer for the 1990 -1991 NBA Basketball season. Michelle appeared in two NFL Superbowls, both as a dancer and choreographer, during which time she toured the East Coast as a Superbowl Staff member. In 2007 Michelle and her students returned to the field where they performed with Prince in Superbowl XLI's Halftime Show. Michelle's greatest achievement in dance was opening Dance Theatre where tens of 1000's of children have learned to love dance as much as she does. As the director of Dance Theatre, Michelle has led her students to such notable accomplishments as the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the Miami Dolphins Dan Marino Retirement Spectacular, the 2004 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the 2006 FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami. Dance Theatre has expanded 5 times and is growing again with the addition of our fourth location in Wellington, opening Fall 2008.

Miss Joni started in show business at age 14 at the Roxy Theatre in New York where she launced her professional career as a dancer. She went on to perform at Radio City Music hall as a Rockette and as a June Taylor Dancer. Later, she and her husband Bob enjoyed tremendous success performing as a dance team all across the world and appearing on television shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Mike Douglas Show". Together they went on to choreograph and produce shows for headliners such as Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and The Smothers Brothers to name a few. Upon retiring from Show Business, Joni and Bob opened and operated Academy of Ballet Arts in Jacaranda and North Lauderdale for over 20 years. This past April Joni was elected president of the Broadway Ziegfeld club where she produces, directs and choreographs shows benefiting various charities.

Currently serves as Artistic Director at all four Dance Theatre locations. Originally from North Carolina, Kimberly received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance and Drama from East Carolina University. Receiving numerous scholarships, Kimberly continued her training with the Conservatory of American Dance, NC School of the Arts, Gus Giordano Dance Chicago, and toured with the Raleigh Civic Ballet Co. and the NC State Ballet. She also has extensive training in musical theatre and has toured and performed featured roles in "A Chorus Line", "Damn Yankess", "Sugar Babies", "42nd St", La Cage Aux Folles, & "Will Rogers Follies" with many professional venues along with Industrials for Sony. As the recipient of many titles, talent and scholarship awards in the Miss North Carolina Pageant system, Kimberly was offered the opportunity to travel the world performing and choreographing productions shows within the Cruise Line Industry. After experiencing life at sea, Kimberly relocated to South Florida continuing to perform and choreograph for local theatres and earning her Actors Equity Card. Other dance highlights include leading Dance Theatre's Competition dance team to many titles and top awards such as Grand Champions at Starbound Nationals and Showstoppers, Top Finalist in the International Dance Challenge Senior Division, Best Choreography Junior Division IDC, and opening number for the 2004 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York CIty. Some of Kimberly's former students have gone on to becoming dance majors in college and pursue professional careers within the industry. Her goal is to inspire and help develop strong fundamentals, discipline, and the love for dance. Currently in her 15th season with Dance Theatre.

Somer has been dancing since the age of three and has been part of the Dance Theatre family for 18 years. She was named Dance Captain for Dance Theatres award winning competition team 2002-2003. Somer has been seen performing in the 1996 Olympics, Dan Marinos Retirement Halftime Show, 2001 Miss Florida International Pageant and was featured in such musicals as Sideshow and Once on this Island. Somer is an Elementary Education major at Florida Atlantic University and is excited to graduate next spring.

Tara has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for over 10 years. Her professional career started at the age of 16 yrs with Body and Soul Dance Theatre, Broward's first contemporary company. Tara has been in several commercials for different names including Coors Lite and Checkers. She has choreographed for several singers and singing groups including the group Stryke 5 which toured on the 2000 Britney Spears tour, as well as choreographed for several corporate events such as Crush Orange Soda and Bijouz Terner. Tara graduated with a BFA in dance from New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL.

Danielle Mednick is an innovative choreographer and teacher. With over 10 years of teaching in all curricula, her focus on jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, ballet, and hip hop have developed an influential class curriculum. Her unique choreographic style takes movement out of the box to challenge traditional dance boundaries. Danielle has been dancing for over 25 years in the South Florida region. She has received numerous scholarships, one of which was to the prestigious Alvin Ailey in New York City. She has competed in many dance competitions winning Titles throughout the state. Most recently she was training in New York City. Performance credits include: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, and Pippin.

Athena began dancing at the age of four studying the arts of Ballet, Jazz, Modern, West African Dance, Hip-Hop, as well as, Acting & Vocal. In her High School years, Athena won 2 Consecutive Regional Gold Medals in Dance in the world renowned NAACP/ ACT-SO competition. She later was a judge for The Disney World Nationals of NAACP/ ACT-SO in the category of dance. Athena has been in videos, performed, choreographed and booked tours with many artists including; Missy Elliot, Jason Derulo, 50 cent , Kirk Franklin, Vickie Winans, Tupac, Mc Lyte, Black Violin, Remy ma, Mims and T-Vice . While Athena is currently teaching at Dance Theatre, she has also propelled her career in Artist Development & Performance Coaching. Athena is married to her husband Ron and together they raise their 3 children, CJ, Demari, & Ronald III.

began her training right here in South Florida, at the young age of 3. Classically trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern and Hip-Hop, she has competed in regional and national dance competitions and has received numerous awards. As a former production member of South Florida's professional hip-hop company Popstarz Inc., she had the experience of working with various choreographers such as Shane Sparks of "So You Think You Can Dance and America's Best Dance Crew," Glenn Douglas-Packard choreographer to Brooke Hogan of "Brooke Knows Best," and Chris Jones of "You Got Served." As a recent graduate of the Florida State University, she was a 4-year member of the nationally ranked FSU Golden Girls dance team. Brittani teaches hip-hop to young students ages 2-18 years.

became a certified dance instructor with Dance Educators Of America back in the 1980s. Before she was teaching fulltime, her many years of dance training led her to performance in dance companies, theme parks, around the world on cruise ships, and finally professional theatre, where she joined the Actors' Equity Association. As a union member, Chrissi performed such roles as Anita in "West Side Story", Morales in "A Chorus Line", Peggy Sawyer in "42nd St". Chrissi then took the next step to choreography and now, aside from teaching at Dance Theatre, she choreographs for professional regional theatres. For her work, Chrissi has received 2 Carbonell awards, 5 Curtain Up awards and a Silver Palm award.

Christine Hodges is native of Caracas Venezuela. Her Dance training includes: Academy Lidija Franklin, Maria Teresa Ballet School and Nina Novak Academy. Mrs. Hodges participated at Jackson International Ballet competition VI and VII. She received 1st place in the summer workshop by the London Ballet in 1995. Mrs. Hodges danced with National Ballet Juvenile of Venezuela, Ballet Classic of Camara, Tulsa Ballet Theater, Ballet Gamonet, South Florida Ballet Theater and has performed with Ballet Florida. Her repertory includes Carmen, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Many Balanchine pieces Theme and Variations, Who Cares, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet , The Cyclical Hour among others. Mrs. Hodges, has been dancing for over 25 years and teaching it for more than 15 years.

Devyn Collins has been dancing & performing since the age of 3. She is an NY native who has trained extensively in Jazz and Modern with the Alvin Ailey company & Broadway Dance Center, while also studying Ballet and Tap and later branching off to Hip Hop and Salsa. Devyn has worked with various artists such as Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Lil Jon & Nelly. Her television credits include MTV's TRL, Star Search, VH1 Fashion Rocks, NBA All Stars, as well as commercials for Redken and Uptown's. Devyn has created her own unique style of dance. Her strong athletic technique fuses Jazz, Hip Hop and Pop. Her passion, love & commitment for dance has brought her to higher levels and will continue her career as a gifted and talented choreographer.

Diane is very excited to celebrate her 18th Recital as a member of the Dance Theatre family!! Over the years she has performed at many local and national events with Dance Theatre. She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Florida Atlantic University. Diane is currently a 5th grade teacher and a proud Mom to a 15 month old baby boy named Brady. Thank you to all of my students for inspiring me and making me laugh everyday!!

Laura Godin has been dancing since the age of four, and culminated 14 years of dancing with Dance Theatre. During her dance training, Laura danced with Dance Theatre's competition team, traveling all over, and receiving many top awards. In July 2006 Laura led the team to 1 of only 8 spots on the International Dance Challenge's Television Spectacular in Daytona Beach. Laura is currently attending Florida Atlantic University as a Elementary Education Major.

Lindsey began dancing at three and specialized in acrobatics and tumbling at the age of eight. She studied at All American Dance Factory in Tampa, FL under the direction of Terri Howell for 11 years. She started performing with the competition team, then advanced to student assistant before finally assuming the role of main acrobatic instructor. In 2008, she started up an acrobatics program at Wakulla Dance Academy in Crawfordville, FL. Lindsey is a graduate from the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and received her Masters in Guidance and School Counseling from Argosy University in 2010. She is very excited to be living in South Florida and being able to pass her love of dance and acrobatics onto her students.

Mary Lou Welker Gordon aka Ms. Lou has been involved in dance since she could walk. Starting with the classics ballet, tap and jazz throughout her highschool years then adding ballroom/latin as an adult. Among her greatest pleasures she counts seeing the smiles on the faces of her youngest to her most mature students, who have just learned a new step. Aside from dance her background includes training to a brown belt in karate, being a certified group fitness and personal trainer and a registered nurse. She is the proud parent of three beautiful daughters, Nicola, Nadia, and Neala, all who love dance.

Natalia graduated from Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Performing Arts. She was the first girl in Dreyfoos history to take a Men's Ballet Dance class for full credit. Natalia attended Alvin Aitey for the summer program and was accepted full scholarship for their BFA Program. She was the Resident Choreographer for Houston Community College in Texas and has been teaching dance to students for 7 years.

Nikki is excited to join Dance Theatre as an instructor. She began dancing at the young age of 3 and hasn't put her shoes down since! Nikki is originally from New Mexico and came to the East coast after obtaining a BFA in dance from West TX A&M University. After studying and performing in New York and travelling throughout the country performing for multiple theatres, she finally settles here in South Florida. Some of her most recent credits have been Sharon-"Girls Night the Musical," Ivy Smith-"On the Town," Gloria Upson-"Mame," and her favorite, Roxie Hart-"Chicago." "Thanks to all of my students for their hard work this past year! I am very proud of you!"

Began dancing over 30 years ago, at academy of ballet arts. owned and directed by Joni and Bob McGrath. Performed extensivly around south Florida with company.. Appeared in several plays and danced for several companies. Performed in the Olympics in Atlanta and has been with Dance Theatre since it's inaugral year. For 18 years Ms Shannon has enjoyed teaching thousands of children. Now a mother of 3, she resides in Parkland and continues to enjoy instilling the love of dance to all her students.

Miss Stephanie began dancing at the age of six in New York. She studied ballet, tap, jazz and specialized in acrobatics. Stephanie's dance training helped her significantly when she became a competitive gymnast on the Junior Olympic team. Stephanie has been teaching for over 15 years, with the focus on acrobatics and team gymnastics. She enjoys sharing her love of dance with children of all ages, whether it be the beginner dancer in first ballet class, or the most advanced acrobat. In her spare time, Stephanie is mom to Melina and Emma, both of whom share her passion for dance and acrobatics. This is Stephanie's 3rd season with Dance Theatre and she looks forward to many more.