Teachers
Teacher's Name: Miss Maureen - Director/Owner
Bio: Miss Maureen has been dancing since the age of six. With now over twenty years of teaching experience she decided to start her own dance studio because of her passion of ballet.. She started her dancing career at Blue Bell School of Dance, located in Blue Bell, PA under the instruction of both Miss Irene Evans and Miss Wanda Klazack. She went on to further her education receiving a Bachelor's in Business at Gwynedd Mercy College.
Some other accomplishments include:
Choreographed yearly performances for Archbishop Kennedy High School including: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, How to Succeed in Business & Fiddler on the Roof
Choreographed Wissahicken High School Summer Theater performances including: Oklahoma, Finneian's Rainbow & Annie Get Your Gun
Appeared and danced professionally in City Line Dinner Theater production of Hello Dolly
Appeared and danced professionally in Mickey Rooney's Dinner Theater production of Grease
Continues to attend dance conventions, competitions and seminars both in New York and Philadelphia throughout her dancing career.
Classes Taught: General I/II,III, Ballet & Pointe / Competition Teams
Teacher's Name:Miss Bridget
Bio: Bridget Flanagan, a Philadelphia native, began her training at the age of three under Liz Fitchett-Tillotson and Scott Jovovich. She performed with the Mid-Atlantic dance Theater and competed in numerous dance competitions throughout her high school years. In 2004 Bridget earned her B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography from Temple University. In addition to her technique and composition studies in the music and dance program, she also was the Co-Captain of the nationally ranked Temple University Diamond Gems Dance Team which performed at Temple University supporting events. After graduation Bridget was a member of both the Philadelphia 76ers Dancers and the Philadelphia Soul Dance Team. In addition to performing, Bridget has had the wonderful opportunity to teach, direct and choreograph in various schools throughout the tri-state area.
She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Education and teaching pre-school and kindergarden and very excited to be part of the staff at Rising Star!
Classes Taught: Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, General I & II , Solos /Competition Teams
Teacher's Name: Miss Sandie
Bio: Miss Sandie has been dancing since the age of three. She is currently enrolled at Gwynedd Mercy College pursing her Bachelor's in Science in Radiology. She has performed in several area competitve dance compeitions and conventions. In addition to her primary training, Miss Sandie has studied with Ron DeVito (Original Broadway Producrtion of "Cats"), Missy Lay Zimmer, Andrew Hubbard (Broadway Productions of Cats", Footloose", "Jesus Christ Superstar") and owners of Planet Dance & Exhale Dance Company and Thom Lake (The Joffrey Ballet). Before coming to Rising Star she has had several years teaching General Classes, jazz, and tap. She continues her dance education attending various conventions/seminars throughout the year. We are very proud to have her on board with her extensive experience.
Some other accomplishments include:
The Radio City Rockettes Experience
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Performer
Dance Team member at Gwynedd Mercy College
Classes Taught: Jazz,Solos/Trios/Competition Teams
Teacher's Name: Miss Alyssa
Bio: Alyssa Spangler remains with Rising Star for her second year. She is from Allentown, PA and started dance at the age of four. She graduated from Temple University majoring in Kinesiology and Excercise Science in Spring of 2011. Has been with the Temple Diamond Jems Dance Team all four years of college and was captain her last year. She is responsible for all the choreography for this team. She teaches at the fitness center on campus and area fitness gyms. Her goal is to work with Senior Citizens.
Some other accomplishments include:
Currently working in Universal Studios, Florida at The Blue Man Group at City Walk - "The Beatlettes"
Current member for Philadelphia Souls
Team Captain for Temple Gems Dance Team
That's Dancin' 2006
William Allen Dance Academy 2002-2006
William Allen "Allegro" Dance Team 2004-2006
Trained in ballet/modern/hip-hop/tap/jazz/African styles/aerobics
Classes Taught: Hip-Hop,Jazz & Tap / Competition Teams
Teacher's Name: Miss Amy
Miss Amy graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in dance from Temple University with concentrations in modern, jazz, and ballet. For three years, Amy has worked for the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts where she was formerly a modern dance scholarship student. She is the assistant director for the TapOlé Dance Company located in New Jersey, performing everywhere in the tri-state area. Also, she performs, choreographs, and is a featured tap dancer with the Call Me Crazy band. Amy has performed with many local companies at such venues as The Arts Bank, The Ethical Society, the Community Education Center, Conwell Dance Theater, The Academy of Music, The Drake, The Painted Bride, Rittenhouse Row, on the Liberty Bell Boat on the Delaware River, The Kraine and Apollo Theatre in New York City, and throughout New Jersey including Atlantic City. Amy has also studied with many independent choreographers such as Mike Shulster, George Alley, Michelle Van Doeren, Tim Early, and Derrick Yanford, along with directing and choreographing for her own dance company, The AccoMpanY Dancers. She has taken master classes with Barbara Duffy, Ray Hesselink, Derick Grant, Bob Rizzo, Meghan Braun, Shimon Braun, Crystal Frazier, Mia Michels, Dan Karaty, Gil Stroming, and Mike Minery. Her choreography has won numerous commendations such as Entertainment Award, Exceptional Precision, Exceptional Footwork, Best in Show, and many first place awards. Recently, Amy has shared her love of music, writing music and lyrics for three musical cd’s, and teaching piano
Classes Taught: Ballet/Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary/Modern/Tap
Teacher's Name: Mr. Tony
A native of Philadelphia, Tony began his formal training at the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts. He later went on to study at PHILADANCO, the Rock School for Dance Education, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. He was a 2004 Coca-Cola Arts Award Scholar and Presidential Scholarship reciepient to the University of the Arts. In 2008, Tony recieved a B.F.A. from the University of the Arts in Ballet Performance. He has choreographed and performed with the Eleone Dance Theatre and Smoke, Lillies & Jade Arts Initiative. Tony also has worked with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company, Dance Del Belllo, Philadelphia Opera Company & Philadanco's D/2. Tony has performed works by Louis Johnson, Christopher Huggins, Roni Koresh, and Darrell rand Moultire, to name a few. He also teaches and choreoraphs in various forms of dance thoughout the tri-state area, including contemporary, jazz/funk, hip-hop, tap & afro-modern.
Classes Taught: Tap, Hip-Hop
Teacher's Name: Mr. Matt
Matt Thomas is a native of Philadelphia, PA. He began his training at age 6. He studied at L&L Dance Studio, YTPC, Philadanco and Pennsylvania Ballet - The Rock School. Matthew performed in the Duke Ellington's Harlem Nutcracker. Matthew was an original member of Eleone Connection and joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2007.
Classes Taught: Ballet, Jazz & competition teams