Starz Dance Galaxy Staff
It is hard work to fill a staff with individuals who excel at teaching dance. At Starz Dance Galaxy that is just the beginning. We also insist that all of our teachers are incredible people as well. We know that your children will be spending many hours with our staff, we want them to not only learn to dance during this time but also have a great example to look up to and learn from in all of our teachers. With decades of experience in the dance industry we have the ability to make sure we have the right individuals to teach more than just dance.
Miss Kelly - Starz Dance Company Artistic Director
Ms. Kelly McGuire grew up dancing and competing in the Orlando area since the age of 2. Throughout her competitive career, Kelly received many first overalls and scholarships from accredited competitions and conventions which allowed her to travel to Los Angeles and New York City to study all styles of dance. After graduating, Kelly went on to audition for 'So You Think You Can Dance', making it straight through to Vegas. Kelly was accepted and completed an internship in the summer of 2008 at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in NYC. She has worked professionally since 2010 on numerous local events with production companies and was a Dance Captain at Universal Studios for 4 years, as well as a Show Trainer for shows at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Kelly also traveled with the Star Dance Alliance where she gained an abundance of knowledge regarding the competitive dance circuits. Kelly has been teaching since the age of 16 and has traveled all across the state to teach master classes and set competition pieces at many studios. She continues to receive Choreography and Artistic Excellence awards for her work. Kelly is very excited to be a leader and role model for dancers of all ages and looks forward to refining the technique of dancers while creating true artists and of course...having fun!
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our Starz Dance Company Artistic Director Miss Kelly and the cast of 'Flight' for being awarded the 2019 National 'Excellence in Entertainment' award from NexStar at the Star Dance Alliance Circle of Excellence Gala on August 1, 2019!
It takes a village and we couldn’t have done any of this without Miss Kelly's incredible choreography, our amazing Dancers (especially the cast of 'Flight'), awesome prop dads who built this incredible zipline prop, DREAM TEAM staff for providing top tier training and keeping us so organized, and all of the support from our dance families! Humbled, honored and grateful beyond words! Thank you to our entire Village and to NexStar and the Star Dance Alliance for recognizing our hard work!
🎉⭐🎉⭐🎉
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our Starz Dance Company Artistic Director Miss Kelly and the cast of 'Flight' for being awarded the 2019 National 'Excellence in Entertainment' award from NexStar at the Star Dance Alliance Circle of Excellence Gala on August 1, 2019!
It takes a village and we couldn’t have done any of this without Miss Kelly's incredible choreography, our amazing Dancers (especially the cast of 'Flight'), awesome prop dads who built this incredible zipline prop, DREAM TEAM staff for providing top tier training and keeping us so organized, and all of the support from our dance families! Humbled, honored and grateful beyond words! Thank you to our entire Village and to NexStar and the Star Dance Alliance for recognizing our hard work!
🎉⭐🎉⭐🎉
Ms. Kristin - Studio Director/Office Manager
Miss Kendall - Assistant Studio Director
This Mother/Daughter team is the at the center of the Starz Dance Galaxy universe! You will see one of them at the front desk during all office hours. Ms. Kristin has been the Office Manager for Starz over the last 20+ years and has long been the glue that helped keep everyone together during the twists and turns of many dance seasons. During most of those years Kendall was a student and award winning member of the Rizing Starz Performance Company. Upon graduation Kendall has become Kristin's assistant at the Starz front desk as well as teaching for our recreational & competitive programs.
If there is anything you need to know in the Starz Dance Galaxy universe these wonderful ladies will have the answers.
If there is anything you need to know in the Starz Dance Galaxy universe these wonderful ladies will have the answers.
Miss Kendall - Assistant Studio Director and Recreational Dance ages 5 and up
Ms. Kendall started dancing at the age of two, and competing at the age of six. During her years competing she won various titles, overalls, scholarships, and awards on both the regional and national levels. While growing up she also experienced opportunities to expand her training in both New York City and Los Angeles. After graduating she attended college to study Neuropsychology, and also quickly jumped into the professional performance world. She has worked at Universal Studios Orlando as a dancer in the SuperStar Parade, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Marilyn Monroe and the Diamond Bella’s, as well as various special events. Some of her favorite opportunities have been being part of the opening cast for the new Holiday Parade as well as being part of the opening cast for the holiday version of the Marilyn Monroe show. Ms. Kendall has been teaching at Starz since 2014. Throughout the years she has taught many different styles and disciplines for the recreational program, as well as teaching and choreographing for the Starz Dance Company. Ms. Kendall is so excited to start a new season and hopes to share her love of dance with all her students!
Ms. Keri - Company Ballet and PBT
Ms. Keri began her training in eastern Pennsylvania with the Lehigh Valley Ballet Guild. During this time she was awarded a full scholarship to study dance at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts. Upon graduating from high school Keri earned a talent scholarship to study at Point Park University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance. Throughout her training she had the opportunity to study with many renowned ballet masters such as, David Howard, Edward Villella, Violette Verdy and Finis Jung. She has performed in numerous roles in ballets including Swan Lake, Les Sylphides and The Nutcracker. After earning her degree Keri performed and taught throughout the Pittsburgh area. She relocated to central Florida in 1996 where she continued teaching and choreographing. She owned a successful dance studio for many years. Earlier this year she became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Ms. Keri is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm of ballet with her students at STARZ.
Miss Allie - Company Jazz
Miss Allie is a dancer and choreographer originally from Cincinnati, OH. Allie began dancing many genres of dance at a young age before beginning her professional career at age 15. She furthered her dance education at Point Park University where she received her B.A. in Dance, concentrating in Jazz. Throughout college, Allie performed with many reputable choreographers and completed internships with Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Allie is a member of the Actors Equity Association as an Equity dancer in “Dream Along With Mickey” at the Walt Disney World Castle Stage and Disney Event Group. She has completed several contracts with Royal Caribbean traveling the world as a dancer/aeralist. Allie is currently performing in Orlando with shows at Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and live event groups. Allie is honored to be a part of the first Co-ed Hip hop team dancing for the NBA with the Orlando Magic. Her other credits include Oceania Cruise Lines, opening for musical artist Cher, Chimelong, CLO Theater, multiple production companies and more. Allie continues to educate and choreograph with studios/ performing arts schools all over the country. She has worked for Starpower Talent Competition , Power Pak, The World Dance Pageant, and Imagine Dance Challenge as an adjudicator and guest teacher. Allie has a passion for educating young dancers and nurturing artistry. Allie is extremely excited to become a part of the Starz family!
Mr. Niko - Company Hip-Hop
Niko started dancing at the young age of 3. When he was just 4 years old, his father began training him in all styles such as Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz and Ballet. Since Niko was 8 years old he has performed at competitions and showcases with huge success.
As Niko pursued his passion for performing, teaching and choreographing, he has had the privilege of assisting world-known professional choreographers such as Dave Scott, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Nappytabs, The Jabbawockeez, Laurie Ann Gibson and Julie Johnson.
His stage performance credits are impressive including Universal Studios, Citywalk, America’s Got Talent, World of Dance and the Orlando Magic. In addition, as a competitive dancer he has participated in worldwide competitions with Extreme All-Stars and Studio One earning National and International Champion titles at events such as the Dance Worlds at Walt Disney and Hip Hop International in Las Vegas.
Currently Niko works for the Orlando Magic as member of The 407 hip-hop dance team and has used his talents to contribute choreography for the team. Show production is another passion of Niko's and he has run shows for organizations such as Dancing 4 Diabetes and many more. His latest TV stage credits include Season 2 of NBC’s World of Dance as a member of The Funkywunks in the upper team division. Niko is currently teaching and dancing all over the country, as he continues to pursue his career, vision and passion in the areas of live show production and choreography.
As Niko pursued his passion for performing, teaching and choreographing, he has had the privilege of assisting world-known professional choreographers such as Dave Scott, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Nappytabs, The Jabbawockeez, Laurie Ann Gibson and Julie Johnson.
His stage performance credits are impressive including Universal Studios, Citywalk, America’s Got Talent, World of Dance and the Orlando Magic. In addition, as a competitive dancer he has participated in worldwide competitions with Extreme All-Stars and Studio One earning National and International Champion titles at events such as the Dance Worlds at Walt Disney and Hip Hop International in Las Vegas.
Currently Niko works for the Orlando Magic as member of The 407 hip-hop dance team and has used his talents to contribute choreography for the team. Show production is another passion of Niko's and he has run shows for organizations such as Dancing 4 Diabetes and many more. His latest TV stage credits include Season 2 of NBC’s World of Dance as a member of The Funkywunks in the upper team division. Niko is currently teaching and dancing all over the country, as he continues to pursue his career, vision and passion in the areas of live show production and choreography.
Mrs. Leila - Company Acro
Mrs Leila started dancing at age 6 in Stuart, FL. She is trained all styles, but acro quickly became her favorite, with tap a close second. To advance her acro training, Leila began training with a top gymnast and stunt woman.
She was a leader in her studio and started assisting at age 11, followed quickly by teaching at age 13. As she zeroed in on her love for teaching and the discipline of acro, she made this discipline her primary focus and has been teaching it for the last 13 years. She takes a focus on building the muscle, strength, flexibility and body awareness Dancers need in a way that not only compliments their dance training, but also activities outside of dance as well. She takes great pride in helping her students grow each and every class.
Mrs. Leila is certified in courses 1 and 2 with Alixa Flexibility and regularly takes continuing education with Acrobatic Arts through CLI.
She was a leader in her studio and started assisting at age 11, followed quickly by teaching at age 13. As she zeroed in on her love for teaching and the discipline of acro, she made this discipline her primary focus and has been teaching it for the last 13 years. She takes a focus on building the muscle, strength, flexibility and body awareness Dancers need in a way that not only compliments their dance training, but also activities outside of dance as well. She takes great pride in helping her students grow each and every class.
Mrs. Leila is certified in courses 1 and 2 with Alixa Flexibility and regularly takes continuing education with Acrobatic Arts through CLI.
Ms. Ashleigh - Company Study Hall and Recreational Dance ages 2-7
Ms Ashleigh has been dancing since the age of 2 years old. She started competing at the young age of 6. She has had the opportunity to dance for wonderful organizations such as, Give Kids the World, many nursing homes, Disney, and has won many national awards under the Rising Starz Performance company. Ashleigh fell in love with the sport and the freedom dance made her feel. Ashleigh also trained with many teachers and assisted in many styles so that she could one day become a dance teacher. The amount of joy and passion for teaching was brought to light during this time and Ashleigh realized what she truly was destined to do. Ashleigh has had the pleasure of teaching all ages and styles for over 16 years. The love Ashleigh has for all of the beautiful dancers she encounters is insurmountable. Ashleigh is so honored to be part of such an amazing studio where she gets to share her passion with young dancers. Her favorite ages to teach are the younger ages ranging from our tiniest at 2 years old to our elementary school dancers at 8 years old. “Being able to make an imprint on kids at such a young age, being able to watch them grow and fall in love with dance is a dream come true!” she says. Ms Ashleigh can’t wait to start the new season with all the new beautiful dancers!
Ms. Helaina - Recreational Acro
Born and raised in the Orlando area, Ms. Helaina studied under Edith and Bill Royal and was a member of their Ballet Royal Company for many years. A certified teacher from Florida Dance Masters in ballet and acrobatics, she has taught for over 34 years in the Central and West Coast of Florida.
Ms Helaina has an extensive background in the dance and entertainment industry. She performed in shows, on television and modeled! In addition, she choreographed competitions, local pageants and awards shows. She also has experience judging auditions and competitions.
Ms Helaina has been a teacher with Starz for 20 years and loves cultivating a passion for the acrobatic arts with each and every one of her students!!
Ms Helaina has an extensive background in the dance and entertainment industry. She performed in shows, on television and modeled! In addition, she choreographed competitions, local pageants and awards shows. She also has experience judging auditions and competitions.
Ms Helaina has been a teacher with Starz for 20 years and loves cultivating a passion for the acrobatic arts with each and every one of her students!!
Ms. Ashley - Recreational Hip-Hop
Ashley started taking dance classes at the age of 6 and started competing at the age of 8. She competed all around the United States and Canada winning various titles and scholarships; most notably Jr Miss Dance of Florida and a nomination for the America's Young Choreographer Award. After graduation, Ashley stayed at her home studio in Maitland, FL helping found the performance team & co-directing the competition team. In the summer of 2016, Ashley moved to Nashville where she was fortunate enough to dance behind Mandisa and Matthew West at the 2018 K-Love awards, be a featured dancer in Jordan Feliz's music video "Changed" and perform with Mandisa on her "Girls Night Out" tour as well as at the Spirit of Austin Fest. Ashley loves being in the studio and can't wait to get back to sharing her love of dance with the younger generations!