| Meet Our Faculty & Staff |
You can send an email to a staff member by clicking on their name or photo below.
| 11532 Providence Road Suite O Charlotte, North Carolina 28277 (704) 889-TOES (8637) |
Michelle Rogers - Owner
Michelle is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of UNC
Charlotte, with an extensive background in performing arts and
education. Michelle has been recognized for outstanding
achievements in dance. She represented the Carolinas as Miss
Dance of NC & SC in 1992 at the Miss Dance of America pageant
and was Miss Dance Aquarius 1991. Michelle is a Member of
Carolina Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America and USA
Gymnastics. Other honors include being named one of the 2005
Leading Link Ladies by Charlotte Radio Station 107.9, chosen as the
winner of The Business Journal's "40 Under 40" Business Leaders,
and a finalist for the 2007 Channel 9 " Nine Who Care" award. In
addition to teaching dance, Michelle maintains her commitment
to community service. Michelle was selected as Director for the
2006 & 2007 Teen Miss Dance of America Pageant.
Michelle is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of UNC
Charlotte, with an extensive background in performing arts and
education. Michelle has been recognized for outstanding
achievements in dance. She represented the Carolinas as Miss
Dance of NC & SC in 1992 at the Miss Dance of America pageant
and was Miss Dance Aquarius 1991. Michelle is a Member of
Carolina Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America and USA
Gymnastics. Other honors include being named one of the 2005
Leading Link Ladies by Charlotte Radio Station 107.9, chosen as the
winner of The Business Journal's "40 Under 40" Business Leaders,
and a finalist for the 2007 Channel 9 " Nine Who Care" award. In
addition to teaching dance, Michelle maintains her commitment
to community service. Michelle was selected as Director for the
2006 & 2007 Teen Miss Dance of America Pageant.
Alyson Badgett - Director
Alyson is a native of North Carolina and a Cum Laude graduate
of UNC Charlotte. She was inducted into the Order of Omega
Honor Society, National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Phi Kappa
Phi Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society. In
addition to scholastic achievement, Alyson was Petite Miss
Dance of the Carolinas 1992, Miss Dance of North Carolina 2000
(where she placed in the top ten at the Miss Dance of America
Pageant), and awarded the National Tap Dance Award for
obtaining the highest score for tap at the Dance Masters of
America National Convention in July 2000. Alyson is a Member of
Carolina Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America. She has
been named Co-Director of the 2006 & 2007 Teen Miss Dance of
America Pageant.
Alyson is a native of North Carolina and a Cum Laude graduate
of UNC Charlotte. She was inducted into the Order of Omega
Honor Society, National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Phi Kappa
Phi Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society. In
addition to scholastic achievement, Alyson was Petite Miss
Dance of the Carolinas 1992, Miss Dance of North Carolina 2000
(where she placed in the top ten at the Miss Dance of America
Pageant), and awarded the National Tap Dance Award for
obtaining the highest score for tap at the Dance Masters of
America National Convention in July 2000. Alyson is a Member of
Carolina Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America. She has
been named Co-Director of the 2006 & 2007 Teen Miss Dance of
America Pageant.
Mary Lou Tipps - Instructor
Mary Lou is a graduate of Wingate University with an extensive
background in Elementary Education and Performing Arts. She
was Miss Dance of North & South Carolina 1971 and competed in
the Miss Dance of America Pageant in New York City in 1972. She
is a member of Carolina Dance Masters, Dance Masters of
America and a former member of Drum Majorettes of America.
She owned and operated a dance school for over 20 years and
she was nationally recognized for her choreography.
Mary Lou is a graduate of Wingate University with an extensive
background in Elementary Education and Performing Arts. She
was Miss Dance of North & South Carolina 1971 and competed in
the Miss Dance of America Pageant in New York City in 1972. She
is a member of Carolina Dance Masters, Dance Masters of
America and a former member of Drum Majorettes of America.
She owned and operated a dance school for over 20 years and
she was nationally recognized for her choreography.
Victoria Ellowitch - Instructor
Vicki has been dancing since the age of three. Her early
training was at Les Cher classical Ballet Academy in Maryland,
where she studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet. She
discovered her love of dance when she won her first role at age
seven in "The Nutcracker" with the Ballet Theater of Annapolis.
Vicki has performed roles in many musicals including the
Baker's wife in "Into the Woods" and Phlia in "A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum". Also on her resume are
several dinner theatre productions such as "A Chorus Line" and
"Those Dancin' Feet". Vicki graduated from The American
Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City where she
studied theatre, dance, ballet, tap and jazz along with voice
and acting.
Vicki has been dancing since the age of three. Her early
training was at Les Cher classical Ballet Academy in Maryland,
where she studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet. She
discovered her love of dance when she won her first role at age
seven in "The Nutcracker" with the Ballet Theater of Annapolis.
Vicki has performed roles in many musicals including the
Baker's wife in "Into the Woods" and Phlia in "A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum". Also on her resume are
several dinner theatre productions such as "A Chorus Line" and
"Those Dancin' Feet". Vicki graduated from The American
Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City where she
studied theatre, dance, ballet, tap and jazz along with voice
and acting.
Samantha Glynn - Instructor
Samantha has been dancing at Miller Street since she was
seven years old. She is a Junior at the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte where she is majoring in Nursing with a
minor in Dance. She was Teen Miss Dance of North Carolina
2002 and Miss Dance of North Carolina 2006. Samantha
placed in the Top Ten at the Miss Dance of America
competition in Las Vegas. Samantha has won many awards
including Carolina Dance Masters Overall Scholarship 2005,
High Score of the Day at Encore and Dance USA. She was also
feature in Dance Spirit magazine with the Future Star Award.
Samantha will start nursing school in the spring of 2008.
Samantha has been dancing at Miller Street since she was
seven years old. She is a Junior at the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte where she is majoring in Nursing with a
minor in Dance. She was Teen Miss Dance of North Carolina
2002 and Miss Dance of North Carolina 2006. Samantha
placed in the Top Ten at the Miss Dance of America
competition in Las Vegas. Samantha has won many awards
including Carolina Dance Masters Overall Scholarship 2005,
High Score of the Day at Encore and Dance USA. She was also
feature in Dance Spirit magazine with the Future Star Award.
Samantha will start nursing school in the spring of 2008.
| Office Staff |
Gina Smith - Office Manager/Accounting
Beverly Badgett - Office Staff/Accounts Payable
Kevin Hindsman - Webmaster
Amber Smith - Office Staff & Competition Team Liaison
Sarah Leonall - Service Society Coordinator
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Amy Santoro - Instructor
Amy is certified in Dance Teaching from the Hartford
Conservatory of Music and Dance in Hartford, CT. She is
schooled in all forms of dance including Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop,
Modern, Ballet, Pointe, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Rhythm Tap
and Broadway Tap. Through her years of experience teaching
up and down the East Coast, Amy has amassed an abundance
of various styles of dance and made them her own. She has
been dancing since the age of 6 and has been performing and
teaching for the last 13 years. She has taught at several
institutions of dance education in NY, CT, MA and NC, including
a performing arts high school, The Greater Hartford Academy of
the Arts. From 2002 to 2007, she has been teaching and
studying dance in NY, founding the Competition Team and
working as Team Director. It was there her teaching and
choreography has solely won numerous high point, overall and
special awards for jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop
routines, including highest overall scoring production at Access
Broadway Nationals in Orlando, FL and Grand National
Champion at Encore DCS in Charleston, SC. Her choreography
has made a name for itself by winning several prestigious
awards in all age levels of competitive dance from solos to
productions, beginner to advanced. While she enjoys teaching
competitive dance, she finds it immensely rewarding to teach
toddlers and beginners. Amy feels there is nothing more
fulfilling than being a mentor, and instilling the love of dance in
a child. Amy is thrilled to be back where she feels most at
home, Miller Street Dance Academy.
Amy is certified in Dance Teaching from the Hartford
Conservatory of Music and Dance in Hartford, CT. She is
schooled in all forms of dance including Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop,
Modern, Ballet, Pointe, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Rhythm Tap
and Broadway Tap. Through her years of experience teaching
up and down the East Coast, Amy has amassed an abundance
of various styles of dance and made them her own. She has
been dancing since the age of 6 and has been performing and
teaching for the last 13 years. She has taught at several
institutions of dance education in NY, CT, MA and NC, including
a performing arts high school, The Greater Hartford Academy of
the Arts. From 2002 to 2007, she has been teaching and
studying dance in NY, founding the Competition Team and
working as Team Director. It was there her teaching and
choreography has solely won numerous high point, overall and
special awards for jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop
routines, including highest overall scoring production at Access
Broadway Nationals in Orlando, FL and Grand National
Champion at Encore DCS in Charleston, SC. Her choreography
has made a name for itself by winning several prestigious
awards in all age levels of competitive dance from solos to
productions, beginner to advanced. While she enjoys teaching
competitive dance, she finds it immensely rewarding to teach
toddlers and beginners. Amy feels there is nothing more
fulfilling than being a mentor, and instilling the love of dance in
a child. Amy is thrilled to be back where she feels most at
home, Miller Street Dance Academy.
Rachel Franchi - Instructor
A native of Ocala, FL, Rachel has devoted most of her life to the art
of ballet. She received her early training at Jeanne Benson-Smith
Dance Academy. She has also studied with world-renown
teachers such as Sasha Baderinko of the Bolshoi Ballet, Gladissa
Guatalupe of Cleveland School of Ballet, Kim Tuttle of Dance
Alive, David Howard and Finis Jhung. Rachel has danced with
The Marion Performing Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Arts
Triumphant Dance Conservatory, and Ballet Theatre Midwest. She
has also appeared as a guest artist at The Central Florida
Symphony, Christina Utrera Dance Company, Dance Alive, and
Contemporary Dance Theatre. Her repertoire includes The
Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Carmina
Burana just to name a few. Rachel has had the privilege to be an
instructor with Arts Triumphant Conservatory and travel across the
country and abroad to Holland where she instructed at many
dance intensive workshops. In 2004, she became an instructor for
the prestigious Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet and
Ballet Theatre Midwest where she has choreographed numerous
original pieces. In 2005, as an effort to reach out and give others
the love and joy of dance, she founded the Vineyard Christian
Church Dance Program, offering classes to underprivileged
children and teens. Rachel is extremely honored to be a part of
Miller Street Dance Academy.
A native of Ocala, FL, Rachel has devoted most of her life to the art
of ballet. She received her early training at Jeanne Benson-Smith
Dance Academy. She has also studied with world-renown
teachers such as Sasha Baderinko of the Bolshoi Ballet, Gladissa
Guatalupe of Cleveland School of Ballet, Kim Tuttle of Dance
Alive, David Howard and Finis Jhung. Rachel has danced with
The Marion Performing Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Arts
Triumphant Dance Conservatory, and Ballet Theatre Midwest. She
has also appeared as a guest artist at The Central Florida
Symphony, Christina Utrera Dance Company, Dance Alive, and
Contemporary Dance Theatre. Her repertoire includes The
Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Carmina
Burana just to name a few. Rachel has had the privilege to be an
instructor with Arts Triumphant Conservatory and travel across the
country and abroad to Holland where she instructed at many
dance intensive workshops. In 2004, she became an instructor for
the prestigious Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet and
Ballet Theatre Midwest where she has choreographed numerous
original pieces. In 2005, as an effort to reach out and give others
the love and joy of dance, she founded the Vineyard Christian
Church Dance Program, offering classes to underprivileged
children and teens. Rachel is extremely honored to be a part of
Miller Street Dance Academy.
Ariana Schott - Instructor
Ariana started dancing before she could walk, with formal
training beginning at the age of three. She has studied many
forms of dance including jazz, tap, lyrical, modern and ballet;
and has been trained by ballet instructors from the ABT and The
Washington Ballet. In 2000 Ariana earned the title of Ms.
Capital City and All American Dancer with the National Dance
Alliance. She also received an internship/scholarship with
Broadway Dance Center, where she studied with many ground-
breaking teachers and choreographers. In 2001, Ariana was
recruited by National Dance Alliance to be an instructor and
teach at the summer intensive programs. In 2002 she was a
part of the Towson University Dance Team where they won
Grand National Champions. From there, in 2003, she joined the
NFL and cheered with the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.
With them, she embarked on a wonderful journey traveling to
Italy, Mexico and Dominican Republic to perform Variety Show
performances and work with Armed Forces Entertainment to
help support our troops. This experience allowed her to enter
the world of charity and gain a new appreciation for
community service, taking a special interest in American
Cancer Society and The Children’s Miracle Network. Ariana
looks forward to becoming more involved with community
service at Miller Street Dance Academy and do the one thing
she loves most, Dance.
Ariana started dancing before she could walk, with formal
training beginning at the age of three. She has studied many
forms of dance including jazz, tap, lyrical, modern and ballet;
and has been trained by ballet instructors from the ABT and The
Washington Ballet. In 2000 Ariana earned the title of Ms.
Capital City and All American Dancer with the National Dance
Alliance. She also received an internship/scholarship with
Broadway Dance Center, where she studied with many ground-
breaking teachers and choreographers. In 2001, Ariana was
recruited by National Dance Alliance to be an instructor and
teach at the summer intensive programs. In 2002 she was a
part of the Towson University Dance Team where they won
Grand National Champions. From there, in 2003, she joined the
NFL and cheered with the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.
With them, she embarked on a wonderful journey traveling to
Italy, Mexico and Dominican Republic to perform Variety Show
performances and work with Armed Forces Entertainment to
help support our troops. This experience allowed her to enter
the world of charity and gain a new appreciation for
community service, taking a special interest in American
Cancer Society and The Children’s Miracle Network. Ariana
looks forward to becoming more involved with community
service at Miller Street Dance Academy and do the one thing
she loves most, Dance.