Faculty

Miss Maureen began her dance training at age seven with the Wilkes-Barre Ballet Theater Co. in Pennsylvania. Barbara Weisberger, who went on to establish the nationally recognized Pennsylvania Ballet Company, founded the Wilkes-Barre Ballet Theater Company. Throughout her high school years, Maureen was accepted to train with several prestigious Ballet Schools including: national Academy of the Arts in Illinois un Gwen Ashton; Skidmore University under Melissa Hayden; North Carolina School of the Arts under Robert Barnett and School of the Pennsylvania Ballet under Lupe Serrano and Benjamin Harkavy. After graduation, Maureen joined the Joffrey Ballet in New York City where she danced for three years.

Miss Amy joins our staff from Warren, Ohio. She has danced since the age of 5 and has continued her passion as a competitive dancer/ performer. While studying at Youngstown State University, she furthered her dance career at Jamie's Dance Force, in Boardman, Ohio. Amy is a Teacher and Choreographer of Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tumble, and Gymnastics. She has trained under the phenominal John Crutchman, Alan Sherfield, John Goodman and Tina Caspery-Cyphert just to name a few. Her other studies include Mia Michaels, Cory Finn, and Dee Caspery. Amy has performed in local Off- Broadway plays and shows and was an Award-winning soloist with pieces choreographed by Ray Leeper and Jenny Ballard with whom she personally worked with. Her love for dance continues in the classroom today and her passion and talent for dance exceeds our expectations. Her choreography excels with the changing of time, and she is always ready for a challenge. We welcome Miss Amy with open arms! She instructs Jazz, Tumbling, Turns/Leaps/Tricks, Contemporary, and assists with STEPS Performing Company.

Miss Anna graduated in 2005 from Montclair State University (Upper Montclair, NJ) with her BFA in Dance. While at Montclair, she began her career choreographing works for Dance Collage 2003, Dance Collage 2004, Danceworks 2004, and Danceworks 2005. She also taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Hip Hop, at Broadway Bound Dance Center (Dumont, NJ). Before relocating to Florida, she earned certifications in CPR/AED, American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid, YMCA Lifeguard, Ellis & Associates Lifeguard, and National Certification for Water Fitness Instructors. Her reputation preceeds her in our area. She instructs Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Tumbling, assists with STEPS Performing Company, and the Adult Division classes but everyone knows her favorite dancers are the pre-schoolers!

Dominique began dancing at STEPS when she was 2 1/2 years old. She has performed in 12 Spring Productions and she has been a member of STEPS Performing Company for 8 years during which time has earned Platinum, High Gold, Divisional Overall, and Top Score Overall Awards. Her accomplishments include: Acceptance into the Sarasota Ballet Summer Program, 2009; Access Broadway “Triple Threat” Full Tuition Scholarship, 2009; Tremaine Dance Full Tuition Scholarship, 2008; Tremaine Dance Scholarship Finalist, 2007; Professional Dance Teacher’s Association (PDTA)Full Scholarship, 2007; Tremaine Dance Full Tuition Scholarship, 2006.

Amanda began dancing at STEPS when she was 3 1/2 years old. She has performed in 12 Spring Productions and she has been a member of STEPS Performing Company for 9 years and has earned numerous Platinum, High Gold and Divisional Awards. This past season, she earned the "Top Tapper" Award at Hall of Fame Dance Challenge. In previous years she was awarded the "Hall of Fame All-Star" Full Tuition Scholarship and was invited to the Hall of Fame National Competition to train with nationally recognized, top industry professionals where she was featured in the "All Star Performance."

A Dance Educator in the area since 1986, Maureen and her husband Scott founded STEPS in 1987 and began a journey toward excellence and education. Maureen was the sole "Children's Ballet Mistress" for the Miami City Ballet's George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" from 1990 - 2008, and was named "Repetiteur" for the Children's roles of the George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" by the Balanchine Trust.

In April of 2002, Maureen received the "National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts" Award, recognizing her encouragement and support of students for exceptional artistic achievement. Selected from over 6,000 applicants, her students placed in the top 9% of the Nation! As a winner, Maureen was also nominated for the NFAA's Coca-Cola Corporation's "Distinguished Teacher in the Arts" Award. She has also had the distinguished honor of sitting on the Judge's Panel for the "Walker's Rising Star Scholarship" Competition since 2003.

Her direction is evident. Several of her students have gone on to perform with the following Professional Companies: Cleveland-San Jose Ballet Co., Carolina Ballet Co., Pennsylvania Ballet Co. and Miami City Ballet. Maureen has also provided the Broadway Theater Project (BTP) with several dancers, including Elizabeth Stacey, who also served as an Assistant to this unique musical theater program held at our very own USF campus and Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Maureen has been providing excellence in dance education in a caring and nurturing environment for over 20 years! Her goal at STEPS is to nurture the art of dance with professional training and discipline in a safe, structured and well-directed environment.

Upon leaving New York City, she accepted a soloist position with the Baltimore Ballet for two seasons along with beginning her teaching career. Wanting to travel to Europe, Maureen applied for and accepted a position as Ballet Mistress in Helsinki, Finland, only to land in Clearwater a year later-- 20 degrees below zero was cold enough!

Miss Susan graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She promptly moved to NYC where she spent 5 years managing in such places as ~ " Windows on The World" in the World Trade Center, "Nicole" in the Omni Park Central, "SOB's - Sounds of Brazil" Night Club, and "Bahama Mama" Caribbean Restaurant. She moved to Florida in 1992 and was the Assistant General Manager for The Dockside Restaurant on the Dunedin Causeway. Wanting a career change, she came to STEPS in 1998. Miss Susan's various departments include: Office Manager, Costume Manager, Production Manager, Fundraising and Volunteer Coordinator, and Web development and Management.

Miss Carmella is lovingly known as "Grandma Carmella." She has been with STEPS since 2004 and not only does she serve as Assistant Office Manager, but her other departments include: Desk Receptionist, Billing, Email Coordinator, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, and Production Assistant. She also helps to coordinate outside performances including the Largo Stroll, Dunedin Holiday Parade, and the Safety Harbor Holiday Parade.

Miss Lesley began her dance training at the age of 3 in Houston, Texas at the Joee Shapiro School of Dance. She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Lyrical. In 1993, Lesley moved to Portland, Maine to continue her training at the Maine State School for Performing Arts. At the age of 15, Lesley was invited to join the Maine State Ballet Company where she danced such roles as: "Marzipan," "The Woodland Glade Fairy," "The Fairy of the Songbirds," and "Cupid" in Don Quixote. Throughout the years, Lesley has had the privelege of training at The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Houston Ballet. She has studied with such teachers as Adam Luders, Benjamin Millipied, Mranda Weese, Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff, Linda and Jon Miele, Edward Villella, and Phillip Otto. Miss Lesley is very excited she has found a home at STEPS! She instructs Ballet, and Pointe, and assists with STEPS Performing Company.

Hayley began dance at age 6 at Frank Rey Dance Studio in Tampa, FL and continued dance at Centerstage Dance Academy in Carrollwood. She graduated from Sickles High School in Tampa iwhere she was a member of the Dance/Drill Team for four years. She has studied Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Guard (winterguard and field guard). Hayley has received multiple high awards for top placings and "Superior"/"Excellent" ratings for solo/ensemble work. While currently studying for her B.A. at USF, She has taught for Ruth Eckerd Hall in the Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre departments. She also choreographed for the Ruth Eckerd Hall Production of "I.S.S.: The Musical." She is a Camp Instructor and also instructs Intro to Dance, Ballet, and Tap.

Mr. Leighton started dancing about 5 years ago with some friends. His first big dance move was the "Robot." He has experienced big dance offs called "battles" at BBoy (breakdance) tournaments, and loves to "Freestyle," working on stunts. He future plans include starting his own Dance Team/Crew to prepare to dance live or on television. Mr. Leighton instructs Boys Hip Hop.

Caitlin has been dancing her whole life. She auditioned and made it to the Vegas round of "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 8. Her accomplishments include Scholarships from Jump VIP, Nuvo Break-Out Artist, LADM Magic Performer, iHollywood A-Lister, and NYCDA Outstanding Dancer. She recently traveled to Los Angeles, auditioned and was awarded a $12,000 Scholarship into the 2011-2012 EDGE Performing Arts Center Professional Scholarship Program. EDGE accepts up to twenty people per season who participate in sixteen to eighteen assigned classes per week, three two and a half hour scholarship classes and five hours of apprentice work. Miss Caitlin assists with STEPS Performing Company and will continue instructing Master Classes.