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Faculty & Staff
About the Director…Michele Ackermann, Owner/Director, is nationally accredited to teach all disciplines of dancing by both Dance Masters of America, Inc. and Dance Educators of America, Inc. She is proud to celebrate her thirty-ninth year as a professional teacher. A native of Miami, Mrs. Ackermann has trained with such noted educators as Judy Bassing, Janice Barringer, Daryl Retter, and the internationally renowned master of Tap, the late Mr. Al Gilbert.
A prolific choreographer, Michele Ackermann’s work in musical theatre has been seen locally on the stages of Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee Little Theatre, Young Actor’s Theatre, and Quincy’s Leaf Theatre. Some of her many show credits include,“Phantom”, “Follies”,
“Me and My Girl”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “Gypsy”, “1776”, “The Who’s Tommy”, “Peter Pan, the Musical”, “Scrooge- The Musical”, “Ragtime” and nationally recognized, “Nine, the Musical”. to name just a few. Mrs. Ackermann has been the Dance Director for Theatre A la Carte since 1993. She was the first resident choreographer for Young Actors Theatre in the late ‘70s and early 80’s. Mrs. Ackermann has enjoyed staging several Leon High School/TCC’s summer musicals, as well as productions for other Leon County Schools. In addition, Mrs. Ackermann was twice honored to have her tap choreography selected to be showcased in the state-wide “Winter Dance Fest Invitational Concert” held at Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida.
“Miss Michele” 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. She currently teaches music to the children of Beginning Steps Ministry. In the 1990's, she presented workshops iat 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’s Magic Kingdom in 1998, 2002, and 2006, after successfully auditioning for this honor. She is proud 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 work 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 pf DanceMakers with the "Marjorie Perry Spirit Award" for her dedication and standard of excellence in Dance Education.
Mrs. Ackermann feels blessed to be wife to John for nearly thirty-five years, mother to Brandon and Joey, and “Nonnie” to eight-year old granddaughter, Philomena.
Nancy Carroll Abbey, Senior /Apprentice Ballet and Adult Ballet Instructor, was primarily trained in the Cecchetti method. She holds eleven Cecchetti examination certificates, and is familiar with Russian, English, and Danish styles as well. A former faculty member of The Dance Studio in the mid to late 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 California's a faculty member of the Sacramento 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, Senior Ballet Instructor, began her teaching career under the direction of the legendary Mrs. Helen Salter, former dancer with The New York City Ballet. Additionally, Ms. Aubrey studied ballet with Tamara Rimes (former soloist with the Paris Opera Ballet), Nancy Carroll-Abbey, Kate Fisher-Levitz, and Richard Sias. She danced with the Tallahassee Ballet Company for five years, until her first child was born. By day, Ms. Aubrey is a licensed clinical social worker who is currently employed at Florida State University in Health Education. As Ms Andree’s love of ballet, enthusiasm for teaching, and genuine interest in helping her students develop, is a great asset to THE DANCE STUDIO. She is celebrating her tenth year on our faculty. Congratulations to Andree and Chuck on their Oct wedding!
Susan Harris, Intermediate Ballet Instructor, studied the Cecchetti method of classical ballet in Virginia for eight years under the direction of Jo Salamone. While taking examinations in the International Cecchetti Technique System, she earned high honors. Susan attended the University of South Florida and continued her dance studies there under the direction of Richard Sias and Michele Starbuck. While living in Tampa, she started her own ballet school, where she taught students of all ages. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and taught high school biology for eight years. Locally, Ms. O’Brien has trained many students who have gone on to achieve high acclaim as performers with The Tallahassee Ballet. She teaches science at Chiles High School. This is her tenth year on our faculty.
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 three she is anxiously awaiting the "debut" of twin granddaughters in December. 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 class a week at the 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 (Anna Norris, 1999-2005) 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 welcome Mike to our faculty teaching vocal classes to our Musical Theatre students as well as private voice and piano lessons.
Ashlee Overstreet, Artistic Associate Director and Contemporary Instructor, began her association with The Dance Studio at the age of five. A founding member of the Dance Studio Company, she has also performed and worked as choreographer’s assistant under Michele Ackermann for Theatre Ala Carte’s production of the musicals, “Scrooge”, “Ragtime”, and “Sideshow”. Ashlee spent the summer of 2005 in New York City, where she worked as an intern for NBC studios in public relations. Ashlee works for an eating disorder treatment center as she finishes her last year of graduate school working toward her degree in Dietetics. Ashlee received her professional dance certification in 2008 with Dance Educators of American. A gifted choreographer and teacher, Ashlee is recently made her musical theatre debut as the choreographer for the The Tallahassee Community College production of the musical, Rent. Michele Ackermann could not be more proud of this talented young woman, who represents THE DANCE STUDIO so well!
Gloria Wallace - Office Manager 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 both support and over twenty years of professional business experience. Welcome to the office, Gloria!
