Master Teachers
DANCE DIRECTIVE
MASTER TEACHERS
Rebecca Salcido
Rebecca excels at jazz, hip-hop, modern and lyrical. A street dancer with training, she received a full scholarship to the renowned Gus Giordano School where she performed with Gus Giordano and Susan Quinn. Her versatility has allowed her to work with Walt Disney World and perform in music videos with such artists as Huey Lewis and MC Hammer. Currently, she is the Director of Dance at the University of Texas at El Paso for the Utep Golddiggers.
Tiffany Blansit
Tiffany's choreography has allowed her studio in Missouri to be one of the top in choreography and technique nationally. In 2011, Tiffany had a piece perform professionally at Kidz Roc in Branson, MO. Her greatest pride is helping dancers find and bring out their best dancing abilities.
Donnette Dittmer
Donnette began her ballet training at the age of 8, with Marjorie Kelley and the Royal Academy of Dance. Since then, Donnette has excelled in dance, performing and choreographing such productions as “The Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake”, and even performed at Disney World. Currently, she is the Artistic Director for a studio in Winfield, Kansas and comes in high demand as a teacher, judge, and choreographer.
Shelly Butcher
Shelly's one of a kind tap will change your perspective of what your feet can do.She owns a studio in Arkansas and consistently trains winners in tap, as well as, other types of dance. Due to her ability to produce exceptional tap, Shelly is a well sought after teacher for choreography and master classes. Shelly calls Rison, AR home.
Michele Camozzi-Schmidt
Classic style Ballet and Lyrical. Michelle returns to the Dance Directive staff. She’s a former teacher at The Edge, Millennium in LA, and Steps On Broadway in NY. Currently she teaches in San Francisco, and all over the world.
Jennifer Channon
Jen is a TOP original and is back by popular demand bringing FUN to every dance class at all levels. She will teach your students to love dance as much as she does. Jen teaches classes in Lyrical, Jazz and Hip Hop. She’s from Des Moines, IA.
Don Mirault
Professional dancer, singer, and actor, Don has worked in every dance medium: Broadway, Las Vegas, Movies, Television and Cruise Lines. Don has created three instructional videos, "Lifts...For Your Choreography", "Lifts... For Kids", and "Advanced Lifts and Partner Work". He is also the author of "Dancing... For A Living", a book designed to help dancers develop professional careers. He has been a competition judge since 1992 and we're thrilled to have him as part of the Dance Directive teaching staff. Home for Don is Las Vegas.
Chrislyn Potesta
A total package. Chrislyn can teach it all: Jazz, Lyrical, Music Theatre, Hop Hop and even Tap for all levels. Chrislyn has been with us since year one and continues to be requested year-after-year in city-after-city. Chrislyn comes to us from Indianapolis, IN.
Noelle Reese
Noell returns for another season with the Dance Directive teaching staff. She teaches Classical Ballet, the basis for dance, to all student levels. Noell teaches discipline and structure with class and style. She’s from Baton Rouge, LA.
Jasen Page
Looking for an upbeat, motivational, and an exciting experience , that is what one will find with Jasen Page. After choreographing for the 2006 NBA All-Star game, Jasen returned his attention to the younger generations opening his own studio in his hometown of Cabot, AR and starting his own teen foundation. Your students will leave his classes tired and inspired to be better dancers as well as people.
Hannah Steadman
Hannah is a regular in both music videos and the studio. She has the energy and pep to keep all levels of Hip Hop students moving. You might just catch her in a Lyrical or Jazz class as well. Her talents are virtually unlimited. Hannah is currently from Miami, FL.
Tiffany Esposito-Mackey
Incorporating new age with classical ballet, Tiffany keeps her students interest in every class she teaches. As a dancer, Tiffany has performed professionally in such shows as, “The Four Seasons,” “The Nutcracker,” and “Coppelia.” Tiffany, while still dancing, now excels as a teacher, studio owner, and choreographer. Her home is Columbus, OH.
Kari Herman
Kari's been dancing professionally in many commercials and music videos since the age of 17 and currently is the owner/artistic director of an outstanding studio in Colorado Springs. She brings her versatile background to classes in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet and Hip Hop. Her energetic and insightful teaching style motivates kids to take their training to the next level.
Erin Lamont
Erin returns for a another season with Dance Directive. Her edgy Funk, and Jazz keep kids on their toes. Hers is a fast paced class for our advanced level dancers. Erin is a sought after rising star in the professional choreography industry teaching world wide from LA.
Helen Estrella
Helen is known for her cutting edge, contemporary style. She is a nationally recognized instructor and choreographer who travels extensively teaching master classes and setting choreography on various dance companies. Helen now resides in Colorado Springs where she is a co-director of nationally ranked, Synergy Dance Academy.
Note: TOP reserves the right to substitute teachers as may be necessary due to unforseen conflicts in our master teachers' careers.
