TAOD TEACHERS
Ms. Melissa is the owner and director of The Art of Dance and the proud mother of three amazing children! Melissa is a certified through Dance Masters of America. For the past 25+ years, Melissa has created a creative and fun teaching style that not only helps a dancer grow technically, but also in self-confidence and art appreciation. As a mom, she knows that the decisions you make for your children are very important and is honored to be a part of your family’s life. She is committed to providing your children with quality arts education, positive role models, and lots of fun!
Ms. Kati joined The Art of Dance team in 2012. She is a graduate of Oakland University. She has been dancing for over 36 years and teaching for more than half of those years. She is certified through Cecchetti Teacher Level 5, but enjoys teaching all genres of dance with her favorite being ballet & pointe. In Ms. Kati’s free time she enjoys spending time with her husband & adorable daughter who dances at the studio and is on our Intensive Team and is a faithful fan of Bon Jovi (you should see her watches).
Ms. Mary Beth has been a dancer for as long as she can remember. She joined The Art of Dance team in 2012. Certified Cecchetti Teacher Level 3, Ms. Mary Beth has a love of ballet. She has been teaching dance for more than 20 years, and even with the blessing of 3 beautiful children.
Ms. Anna danced for 15 years and has been teaching for over 8 years. She had also danced on a Hip Hop Team out of Detroit for two years and trained in Hip Hop. Anna is also an elementary school teacher.
Ms. Robin graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business and Dance from Grand Valley State University. She received her Grade V Elementary Professional Cecchetti certifications under the instruction of Susan Carter. Ms. Robin has also competed across the US & has attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She has worked with the Cambrians Dance Company & has worked numerous artists while dancing with Grand Valley State University Dance Company, as well as with BODYART Dance Company. Robin has danced with Suttle Dance Company, a professional contemporary dance company located in Novi, Michigan.
Ms. Annalee Has been teaching dance for over 7 years. She has a Bachelor of Science in DANCE from Wayne State! Annalee is also an elementary school teacher.
Ms. Kim started dancing at the age of 4 and began teaching at age 16. She is certified in Cecchetti method Grades 1-3 and is a certified Dance Fitness Instructor. Ms. Kim also has a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University, where she danced on their performance team. Ms. Kim works mostly with our preschool dancers but loves that every BODY is capable of dancing and making it their own, no matter the age, style or skill level! She loves the joy she sees on a student’s face when they master a skill they have been working on!
Ms. Stacie started dancing at 6 years old and has been teaching dance at The Art of Dance for over 6 years. She helped start the Poms Team at Our Lady of The Lakes and was also their Varsity Coach! Stacie has a passion for teaching our little dancers!
Ms. Sylvia started dancing when she was 3 years old & has been teaching dance for over 10 years. She is the Artistic Director of a Modern based dance company that performs all over the Detroit area called Suttle Dance Company. Suttle Dance has performed at Henry Ford College, Sidewalk Festival, Dally in the Alley, Dance at Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, NewDANCEFest with Eisenhower Choreography Showcase, Regeneration, Assemble and Women’s Work with Kristi Faulkner Dance, The Scarab Club in Detroit, 2015-2016 Best of 17th Detroit Dance Race, and at Artlabj Festivals/Detroit Dance Races/Detroit Dance City Festival.
Ms. Gracie has been dancing for over 14 years at TAOD and has been teaching dance since 2022! She is on The Art of Dance’s Intensive Team and is on the Varsity Poms Team at her school! She has attended the Boston Conservatory Intensive at Berklee multiple times and is traveling with Encore Perfroming Arts as a Protege & with Revel Dance Convention as a Pro Reveler.
Ms. Aly has been dancing for over 14 years & has been teaching dance at The Art of Dance since 2023! She has been on The Art of Dance’s Intensive Team for 14 years & is on the Varsity Poms Team at her High school.
Ms. Ava has been dancing for over 14 years & has been teaching dance at The Art of Dance since 2024! She has been on the TAOD Intensive Team competing for 11 years.
Ms. Katie began dancing at the age of 11 at The Turning Pointe and has been teaching for the Art of Dance since 2016. She competed her undergraduate degree at Oakland University where she danced on the Dance Team and then went on to help form the competitive dance club “Vitality” at OU. As captain of vitality, she found her passion for teaching and choreography. She is also in the process of obtaining her doctorate degree with the University of Lynchburg. Katies’ favorite style to teach and choreograph is lyrical but jazz is a close second.
Ms. Megan started dancing at the age of 2 (Ms. Missy was her class assistant). She transferred to TAOD in 2005 and was on The Art of Dance Competition Team. After high school, Megan attended Central Michigan University where she was on the Infusion Dance Team. Se return home in 2009 to continue school at Oakland University. She started teaching dance in 2010 and has been with TAOD ever since. Ms. Megan is certified through Grade 3 in Cecchetti and has master classes from many famous choreographers. Megan was a member and coach of Clarkston High School’s Dance/Poms Team and went through UDA training classes.
TAOD OFFICE STAFF
Ms. Autumn (Office Manager) has been with The Art of Dance since the beginning, and dancing with Ms. Missy (Melissa) since she was in elementary school. She has been working as the office manager for The Art of Dance since 2005. Ms. Autumn is extremely passionate about what she does, and each child that walks through our front door. Ms. Autumn’s daughter also dancers at the studio and the Intensive team! In her free time she spends time with her daughter, her dogs and loves crafting.
