About the Director....
Michele Ackermann, Owner/Director/Instructor, is nationally accredited to teach all disciplines of dancing by Dance Masters of America, Inc and Dance Educators of America, Inc. She is happy to be entering her thirty-eighth year as a professional teacher. A native of Miami, Mrs. Ackermnn has trained with such noted educators as Judy Bassing, Janice Barringer, Daryl Retter, and the internationally known master of Tap, the late Mr. Al Gilbert.
A prolific choreographer, Michele Ackermann’s musical theatre work has been seen on the stages of Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee Little Theatre, Young Actor’s Theatre, and Quincy Music Theatre. Some of her many show credits
include ,“Phantom”, “Follies”,“Me and My Girl”, “La Cage AuFolles"
Mrs. Ackermann designed unique, educational, and entertaining music/movement programs for several area pre-schools, including FSU’s Educational Research Center for Child Development, The Creative Pre-School, and Annsworth Academy. In the 1990's, she presented workshops at early Childhood Conferences on the local, state, and regional level in the area of pre-school music and movement. As the director of the award winning, “THE DANCE STUDIO COMPANY”, Mrs. Ackermann and her staff directed and staged thirty- minute dance concerts at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney in 1998, 2002, and 2006, and 2010, after successfully auditioning for this honor. She is thrilled to be among the group of studio directors whose students have achieved National Title Championship several times. She is enormously proud that many of her former students and cast members have worked professionally as both teachers and performers. As a member of the Board of Directors for Florida State University's Friends of Dance, Mrs. Ackermann is very happy to be able to share her life’s work with others who have a passion for dance. She is listed in “Who’s Who in American Women”, and was honored in 2007 by the faculty of DanceMakers, Inc. with the "Marjorie Perry Spirit Award" for her dedication and standard of excellence in Dance Education.
Michele Ackermann feels blessed to be wife to John for thirty-seven years, mother to Brandon and Joey, and “Nonnie” to ten-year old granddaughter, Philomena.
About the Faculty...
Brandon Ackermann, Acting, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Tap is happy to be returning to The Dance Studio as instructor and choreographer, and Assistant to the Director. A former resident of NYC and native of Tallahassee, Brandon literally grew up at the studio where he was a part of The Dance Studio Company, Theatre ala Carte, and The Tallahassee Ballet. Locally, Brandon trained primary with Michele Ackermann, Nancy Carroll Abbey, and the late Damien Middleton. In his youth, he received several honors and scholarships with such organizations as Dance Educators of America and Access Broadway, to name just a few. Brandon has been extremely fortunate to have studied with some of the most renowned masters of dance, including David Howard, Al Gilbert, Mr. Scott Benson, Chet Walker in New York City and at both the Joffrey Ballet School and Alvin Ailey School. Brandon began his professional career as a Walt Disney World “Kids of the Kingdom” performer, where he received his membership in the coveted, Actors Equity stage performers union. Other professional credits include Celebrity Cruise line, Pamela Bolling's Hardrive Productions, and national television appearances with The Doodlebops, R.B.D. and Miley Cyrus, among others. Shifting gears, Brandon served as Associate Producer and Dance Advisor for the Drama Desk-nominated show Surrender at the famed Ohio Theatre in downtown Manhattan. Welcome home Brandon!
Nancy Carroll Abbey, Ballet Mistress and Instructor, was primarily trained in the Cecchetti method. She holds eleven examination certificates, and is familiar with Russian, English, and Danish styles as well. A faculty member of The Dance Studio since the mid 1990’s, Nancy has taught in private studios in Michigan and Florida, as well as in colleges and universities (The University of Michigan, William Smith College, and Tallahassee Community College). She has a special interest in dance injury prevention. To this end, she has completed classes in the prevention and care of sports injuries and also worked with orthopedic physicians. She was Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Ballet during the 1970s and early 1980s. In addition to performing for many years both in Michigan and Florida, she has choreographed more than two dozen ballets and staged many others. Nancy spent six years in Sacramento, California as a faculty member of the Sacremanto Academy of Dance teaching all levels of ballet technique, Pointe, and repertory to children and adults. A number of her former students have gone on to successful professional careers as performers, teachers, and choreographers. 
Andree Aubrey, Ballet and Pointe Instructor, trained primarily with both Helen Salter and Tamara Rines, both students of the Ballet Master, George Balanchine. Miss Andree received her Masters in Social Work at FSU and became a member of The Tallahassee Civic Ballet in the early 1980s (now renamed, The Tallahassee Ballet) under the direction of Nancy Carroll Abbey. By day, Andree is the Director of the Area Health Education Program at the Florida State University College of Medicine. Wife to Chuck Drake and mother to John and Joshua, Andree has been on our faculty since 2000, and is returning to us after a one year sabbatical. We are so happy to welcome back our dear friend!
Scott Benson,Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Scott’s dance career has withstood the test of time for over 30 years. He is more in demand now than ever. Scott's career has taken him all over the world to choreograph and perform with such artists as Michael Jackson, Pink, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Madonna, Sting, John Travolta, Bruce Willis ,Tom Selleck , Paula Abdul, Reba McEntire and Tom Hanks to name but a few. He has been both in front of and behind the camera in countless television shows and commercials, including Scrubs, Jay Leno,The Academy Awards,The Super Bowl, Sea Doo/Ski Doo, Ebay, Hurley and a some of those fun Visa commercials you have seen. Some of his film credits include Pirates of the
Amy M. Taylor, Ballet, Pointe, Character, Lyrical, and Jazz Instructor, hails from About the Staff...
Gloria Wallace, Office and Travel Professional, began her association in 1998 with The Dance Studio as a beginning dancer in Adult Tap One. She has gone on to achieve national standing as a member of our acclaimed Company, "The TipTopTappers", and continues her training in four weekly classes. By day, Gloria is the manager for Sun World Travel. Wife to Don and mother of two, Gloria is Grandma to four grandchildren, Gloria was honored by our students in 2008 as the recipient of The Damien Bright Light Award. "Miss Gloria" is proving to be invaluable to the director for her expertise in travel and for over twenty years of professional business experience.
Karen Kent,traveled all over the world. Perhaps her love of dance and musical theatre was fostered when she was fortunate to see a production of "Hello Dolly" in Okinawa, Japan, starring the incomparable Mary Martin! She is a regular backstage fixture stage managing our annual concert, as well as productions for Theatre a La Carte and Quincy Music Theatre. Mrs. Kent holds a degree in Child Developement from FSU. She and Tommy have been married for thirty-seven years and are the proud parents of Skye, Thom, and Rusty, who are all grown up. Oh yes- the Director is happy to have taught all three of the "Kent Kids" to dance!
