Bonnie McCluskey, Acting Instructor, became a member of the staff in 1996 and remained so even with a commute from Jacksonville! A graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in English, Bonnie’s unique and positive approach will continue serve as an opportunity for our dancers to be better performers through the techniques of pantomime, improvisation, and character development. In addition to the acting/voice classes to elementary through adult students, Bonnie will rotate throughout the year guest teaching acting in several dance classes. A former faculty member of the Young Actor’s Theatre where she served as Junior Company Director for many years, Bonnie is an accomplished professional television and film actress and mime. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from the University of Tampa. She and Tom have two talented sons, Dan and Bill.
Becky Miller, Beginning Ballet Instructor for Children and Adults, hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and received her degree in elementary education from Ohio State University. After she and her husband Dan relocated to Tallahassee in the 70's, Becky taught in our public schools system for 4 years. As a young mother, she returned to her other love - dance performance - by becoming a founding member of the Tallahassee Ballet Company, under the direction of Helen Salter. Mother of three and grandmother of five future ballerinas, she recently retired after teaching twenty-five years of both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at Annsworth Academy. Our Miss Becky has taught ballet at The Dance Studio for a number of years, specializing in beginning students of all ages. She is a member of "The TipTopTappers" and still takes several classes a week at The Dance Studio. Much beloved by her peers, Becky was the first recipient of The Damien Bright Light Award in 2007.
Michael Norris, Piano & Vocal Instructor, is an old friend of The Dance Studio and the Director, as both a studio parent and Mrs. Ackermann's esteemed colleague with Theatre A La Carte. Mike is equally at home conducting choral and instrumental programs with children, college students, and adults. He has been featured conductor at Carnegie Hall and The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Mike is Music Director for several organizations including Theatre A La Carte, Theatre TCC, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Tallahassee Little Theatre. We are thrilled to have Mike on our faculty teaching vocal classes to our Musical Theatre students as well as private voice and piano lessons.
Katrina Reid, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop Instructor, began her dance training in Lilburn, GA and continued at Valdosta State University where she received her BFA in Dance. At Valdosta, she was a member of the VSU Reperatory Dancers, where she performed works by Eric Nielson, Sarah McCallister, and Catherine Schaeffer. Ms Reid also performed and choreographed for the American College Dance Festival in Florida, Tennessee, and New York. Additionally, Ms Reid instructed students at the university dance club and a local studio. Upon graduation, she was honored with the College of Visual Arts Research and Creativity Award. Ms Reid now attends the Graduate program at Florida State University School Dance.
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.