Owner - Michael Isaacs: (Beg/Int & adv Acrobatics)
Michael Isaacs began his dance and acrobatic career at the age of 3 under the expert direction of his mother, Lee Garrard in Butler Pennsylvania. He later furthered his education under some of the finest coaches in the country. Since opening his studio in 1983 Michael has taught hundreds of students many who have received outstanding performance awards and have continued on to professional dance and theatrical careers. Michael is known for his strong technique form and has been on the national faculty for Dance Masters of America from 1997 to the present. He is a regularly sought after instructor trainer for the Canadian Dance Teachers Association.
lee garrard: (choreographer)
Lee Garrard is the National Past President of Dance Masters of America. She began dancing at the early age of 3. At age 17, she auditioned and was selected to become a member of the professional dance/acrobatic troupe, The Lucky Girls. She is certified Licentiate teacher of the Cecchetti Council of America. Lee has furthered her dance education with such teachers as Luigi, Phil Black, JoJo Smith , Paul Draper, David Howard and many more. Lee has devoted her life to dance, as a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. Lee has been teaching for over 50 years. Many of her students have gone on to dance professionally.
ROSANNE SLIFKO: (Preschool Tap/Ballet) (Int Tap/Ballet/Jazz)
Rosanne Slifko owned three dance studios in Pittsburgh, PA for over 30 years before moving with her husband to Parkland in 2008. Rosanne is certified through Dance Masters of America to teach tap, ballet, jazz & acrobatics. She has studied extensively in NYC at Luigi Jazz Center, Broadway Dance Center and American Ballet and Steps. Rosanne has also been a judge for many regional and national dance competitions. She is a current member of the following organizations: Dance Masters of America where she has held the position of Parliamentarian for over 5 years and has served on the board of director as a delegate and director; Cecchetti Council of America(for classical ballet); Dance Masters of Florida Chapter (currently holds the position of Secretary), Dance Master of PA Chapter #10 where she served on the board for over 30 years and held the position of president twice as well as a Recording Secretary; National baton Twirling Judges Association
judy ann bassing: (int & adv Tap/jazz & acrobatics)
Judy Ann Bassing is an international artist in great demand as a Choreographer/Director & teacher. Recipient of six Los Angeles Drama-Logue Awards for outstanding choreography and directing a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for the production of "Sugar" presented at the Lawrence Welk Theatre. France, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, England, Yugoslavia, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Czech Republic are countries where she choreographs, directs and teaches. While in Essen, Germany choreographing "Company", Judy directed and choreographed Gala for the President of Germany, She recently choreographed "Me and My Girl” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starring Bruce Adler, Tony nominee for “Crazy for You”. Theater credits include: “Nunsense”, “Funny Girl”, “Cabaret”, “Sweet Charity”, “Peter Pan”, “Man of La Mancha”, starring Doug Carfare, “She Loves Me”, "Panama Game", Singing in the Rain", “The Unsinkable Molly Brown", "Promises Promises", "Oklahoma", starring Tony nominee Alice Ripley, "Hello Dolly", "Guys and Dolls", "l do, I do" starring Richard Kline of the TV series "Three's Company" and Belle Calaway, "Bells are Ringing", "Dames at Sea", "Anything Goes". Industrial credits are: Merrill Lynch, 'Dance in America”, and M & M Mars. Television: BBC '”Special on Dance", Scotland. "Production Numbers" European International Sports Competition. Judy recently choreographed "Crazy for You" in Las Vegas and was the choreographer for the opening number for the "1999 World Ski Cup Championships". Judy just returned from Prague, where she was one of the guest artists invited to participate in workshops and performances celebrating American National Tap Dance.
claudine carter pereira: (Int/adv ballet & modern)
Claudine Carter Pereira began dancing at the age of three, in Freeport, Bahamas, where she was born and raised, acquiring a strong foundation and love for dance. From the age of nine through most of her teen years, she studied extensively with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City in their Trainee Program. Claudine put her dance career on the “back-burner” to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Loyola College in Maryland and later a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Despite her change in career path, she continued dancing throughout graduate school at both Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond Ballet. She has taught Ballet, Modern (Horton Technique), Jazz and Tap to various age groups ranging from ages three to adult in the Bahamas, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida.
HAYLEY KIRSCHENBAUM: Teacher
Hayley has been studying dance at Michael’s Academy of Dance & Gymnastics for the last 11 years. At Michael’s Academy she has studied under some of the best professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers, including Lee Garrard, Magda Aunon, Ann Polajenko, and Judy Ann Bassing. Hayley has participated in Dance Masters of America Regional and National Conventions since she was 7 years old. She now helps demonstrate at Regional and International dance conventions. Hayley has participated in several summer intensive workshops including, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Broadway Dance Center, Orlando Ballet and Lee’s School of Dance, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Hayley was awarded a merit scholarship to attend Joffrey Ballet Jazz and Contemporary Trainee Program. She continues to teach at Michael's Academy when she is home on breaks and during the summer.