Owner/Artistic Director
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Jamie, a Florida Dance Master’s Certified Teacher, is a native of Florida, but has also studied dance in Indiana, Kentucky, and Los Angeles, California. In 2001, Jamie pursued a degree in dance with a full arts scholarship to Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. While in Gainesville, she studied with greats such as Alberto Alonso, Antolino Alvarez, and Maximum Dance Company of Miami. She served as President of the performing group, as well as, choreographed and directed the student choreographed show “Angels of Dance”.
In 2003, Jamie went on to perform commercially in Los Angeles, California and was selected to dance with top performing groups throughout the city. After returning to Florida in 2007, she became the resident teacher for Donna Lee Dance Studio in Miami, Florida, teaching tap, jazz, ballet, and acrobatics to all ages. She also choreographed works for their dance company, “Expressions”. In addition to teaching at local studios, Jamie has had the privilege of teaching at national conventions such as the Florida Dance Master’s Convention where dance studios from across the state come to learn from the best in the industry. In 2016, she left The Dance Company of Ocala where she instructed ballet and acrobatics, as well as choreographed for their award winning competition team, to pursue her dream of opening Momentum Dance Arts. A well-rounded education and a love for the arts has allowed Jamie the opportunity to share her passion and abilities with children and artists from all around the world. With almost 19 years of teaching experience, she cannot wait to inspire and build strong dancers within the Gainesville, Alachua, High Spring and surrounding areas! |
Ms. JessieResident Guest
Teaches Ballet, Pointe, Conditioning, Technique 
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Jessie Dominguez, Principal Dancer, trained at the National School Ballet earning numerous awards which include: Silver Medals in 1998 and 1999 and Bronze in 2000. She graduated in 2001 and became a member of the National Ballet of Cuba, elevated to principal dancer. She has toured internationally and performed on the most important stages in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Canada and the US. Dominguez joined Dance Alive National Ballet in 2016, where she is current company member and has had many featured roles.
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Ms. DawnTeaches Tap/Jazz and Ballet Level I, Mini Acro, Little Hip Hoppers, Combo Classes, Creative Movement, Theater, Adult Ballet/Tap
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Dawn comes from a dancing family. Her mother had her doing time steps in the kitchen before even taking her first professional lessons! Dawn’s love for all styles of dance was encouraged by her dance teachers while she began studying cecchetti ballet technique with Ruth Hanf, a nationally recognized dance educator who produced her own dance teaching technique music and training materials. After being a model dance student, Dawn was asked to become an assistant instructor as a teenager. She knew right away that her happiest moments were inspiring children through the arts. While only a senior in high school, Dawn obtained an additional teaching position where she was trained in the Al Gilbert advanced tap dancing technique and the Gus Giordano jazz style.
After moving to South Florida Dawn studied with Mia Michaels at her father’s studio, The Joe Michaels Dance Studio in Miami, FL. Mia’s music and inspirational style led Dawn to become the director of a successful dance program through Dade County Public Schools where she trained other dancers to become excellent instructors and reached out to over 200 families each school year. As the sole proprietor of her own dance studio, Dance Attitude, in the South Miami area, her students won awards at competitions, earned scholarships to prestigious dance programs and have gone on to have successful careers in the arts. Since closing her school, Dawn has remained active in dance through running a travelling dance/gymnastics business and teaching for dance and theatre schools in North, South and Central Florida. Dawn became a USA gymnastics certified coach and enjoys teaching gymnastics and acrobatics through a developmental approach. While living in Jacksonville Dawn was invited to become a part of an improvisational theatre troupe and performed with the ARC repertory dance company. You will find the students in Dawn’s classes full of joy and experiencing many opportunities to express themselves through music and movement. Her classes foster and “I Can Do It” attitude where all learners are encouraged for their efforts. |
Ms. AlexaTeaches Hip Hop, Tap/Jazz
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Ms. Alexa has been dancing since the age of four at several different studios around the country. Throughout high school, Alexa was a part of her senior dance company and her dance studio's competition dance team. Alexa has been instructing dance and coaching cheerleading since 2014. Currently, Alexa is a Dance major at Santa Fe College and she plans on receiving her BFA at the University of Florida. |
Ms. TeresaTeaches Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary
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Teresa began dancing at the age of three at Donna Lee Studios in Homestead, FL. There she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, pointe and contemporary. She was a member of Expressions Dance Company, a pre-professional company within Donna Lee Studios, until she graduated from South Dade Senior High in 2014. While in high school, Teresa was a member of the competition dance team and choreographed a few pieces for competition. She also attended several summer intensives, including American Ballet Theatre, Florida State University and Orlando Ballet.
Teresa graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Agricultural Education and Communication in December 2017. During this time she choreographed pieces for Expressions Dance Company and began teaching dance at Momentum Dance Arts. |
Ms. MeredithTeaches Tap/Jazz and Acro
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Meredith has trained in dance since the age of three at Karl and Dimarco in Tampa, FL. She was apart of their company from 2010-2017. She performed at multiple NFL football games, charity galas, as well as danced in the Macy’s Thanksgivings Day Parade.
She currently attends the University of Florida pursing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. While at UF, Meredith was a member of the University of Florida Dazzlers for the 2018 season. During the summer, Meredith is a UDA instructor, teaching dance to middle and high school dance teams through various camps and conventions. Meredith’s passion and heart for both dance and children shines through her teaching, and she cannot wait to bring a new and exciting energy into the studio this season! |
Ms. MarisaTeaches Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap/Jazz, Ballet
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Marisa Pelham is a native of Jacksonville, FL, where she began dancing at the age of four. She began her training at Jacksonville Center of the Arts and is professionally trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, HipHop, and West African. She had the privilege of attending Lavilla School of the Arts Middle School and later graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts High School under the direction of Dr.Phyllis Penney. Marisa was also chosen as a company member of CooperMorgan Dance Theater and RareBreed Dance Project in high school. After graduating from her home studio, Britney Boyd Dance Company, she is currently furthering her dance career with Danza Dance Company at the University Of Florida where she currently serves as the Fundraiser Chair. She has taught and choreographed at the University of Florida and various dance studios for competition teams, pageants, and local performances. She has participated in the Community Nutcracker, Chocolate Nutcracker, National Dance Week, Florida Ballet Summer Intensive, and many more. Besides spending countless hours in the dance studio, she enjoys competing in pageants, volunteering as a Nike Community Ambassador, and making custom dance costumes for dancers and studios. Marisa is honored and excited to join the MDA faculty and can’t wait for an awesome year.
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Ms. Kiera Manna
Teaches Ballet, Tap/Ballet, Acro, and Creative Movement
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Kiera Manna began dancing as a child with Marilyn Budzynski in Pennsylvania. She continued her training with Kristen Olsen Potts at the West Coast Conservatory of Ballet in Southern California. Kiera performed and toured with companies including the Orange County Regional Ballet (Ballet Unlimited), Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Santa Clara Ballet, Boulder Ballet, and Rocky Mountain Ballet.
Kiera is an ABT® Certified Teacher in Primary through Level 3 for 8 years & has been teaching ballet for 18 years. Kiera has been an assistant teacher in Montessori & Waldorf schools. She is also a certified yoga teacher with years of experience teaching adults & children's yoga classes. |