Meet Our Staff

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The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance

207-G South Church Street

Middletown, MD 21769

Phone: 301-371-4228

Rounded Rectangle: Meet Our Staff

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Rounded Rectangle: Miss Dee (Buchanan) has owned and operated the Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance for 18 years, and has directed her own dance company since its inception eleven years ago. She is a graduate of Hood College, and is a member of Dance Masters of America, the Cecchetti Council of America, and the Maryland Council for Dance. Dee holds her Intermediate Professional Certificate through the CCA, and is a teacher and a coach in the Cecchetti Method. She is certified both regionally and nationally through the Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School to teach tap, ballet and jazz. In 2006, Dee was the Dance Masters of America recipient of the Janet Bachna teaching award, a national recognition awarded through the Teachers Training School program. She is also a Nationally Certified Examiner for Dance Masters of America, and a judge at both the regional and national level. Dee is the current President of Mid-Atlantic Chapter 17 of Dance Masters of America. In addition to teaching at her studio, Dee directs two worship dance troupes—the liturgical dancers at her home church, Zion Lutheran in Middletown, and the Inter-faith Liturgical dancers, which is comprised of dancers of all ages and faiths at her studio. Additionally, Dee (a Middletown grad herself) works year-round at Middletown High School in a variety of capacities. She directs the dance line of the Marching Knights, she is the coach of the MHS Dance Team, and she choreographs the MHS musical each year. Her choreography credits include “The Wiz”, “Lil’ Abner”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, “Oklahoma”, “Into the Woods”, “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Chicago”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Footloose”, “George M!” , “Beauty and the Beast” and “Oliver!”

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Annie (Brockey) has been with the Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance since its opening season (1992-1993). She started first as a dancer, but has been teaching for the past 14 years. Miss Annie is the Director of Programs for Young Dancers, but teaches classes for dancers ranging from ages 4 to adult. Annie is a graduate of Middletown High School and Hood College (B.A. in Early Childhood Education). She is also a member of Dance Masters of America and the Cecchetti Council of America. She is certified regionally through Dance Masters of America to teach ballet, tap, and jazz. Annie has also passed 11 Cecchetti Exams – through Intermediate Professional as a student and Elementary Professional as a teacher! She has attended Dance Masters Teachers Training School, Cecchetti International Summer School, the Maryland Council for Dance Festival, Manhattan Dance Project, and regional Cecchetti and Dance Masters workshops, and has had the privilege of studying in New York City at Steps On Broadway several times..

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Tauri (Munger) is in her 8th year of teaching at The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance. She teaches jazz, tap, modern, ballet, pointe, partnering and lyrical classes, as well as “Beyond Boundaries”, a class for students with physical and/or cognitive limitations. She is a Towson University Graduate. Tauri is a member of Dance Masters of America, having passed her teachers’ certification exams in tap, ballet and jazz. She has also passed her Grade I Teacher’s Exam in the Cecchetti Method. She has taught master jazz dance classes at regional DMA conventions. She won the Tom Ralabate Scholarship in 2003, Dance Masters of America—Chapter 17—Miss Dance of 2004 and a DMA Choreography Award in 2005 for her self-choreographed rendition of “Haunted”. Tauri also won the Maryland Distinguished Scholar—Honorable Mention in 2002. She was a member of the Towson University Dance Company from 2002—2004, and performed at the Kennedy Center in 2005. She finished in the Miss Maryland pageant with the Newcomer Talent title in 2006. While attending college at Towson University, Miss Tauri also held the title of Miss Frederick 2006. Most recently, Tauri won two choreography awards for her modern composition “Stampede”. As a student Tauri was invited into Frederick Arts Council scholarships and won various awards: Junior Jazz—1998, Senior Jazz —2000, Senior Modern —2001 and Senior Tap 2002.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Denise (Hoover) has been a teacher at The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance for six years. She currently teaches Toddler Time and Preschool 1 & 2—and manages our Boutique. She graduated from Frostburg University and has attended year one of Dance Masters of America Teacher Training in Buffalo, NY. In addition to teaching at the studio, she has been a part of the adult jazz class for 9 years as well as a member of the desk duty squad. She is a member of the Frederick Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Fredericktown Players and Lambda Phi Delta Sorority Alumni Association. Active in theatre while attending Walkersville High School, she was glad to return to the stage in a production of “Gypsy” in the role of Tessie Tura.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Jaimie (Hoover) has been dancing for 19 years, 14 of which were at The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance. She has studied the Cecchetti Method passing grades I-IV, elementary & intermediate professional grades V and VI, as well as her Teacher’s Exam Grades I, II and III. Jaimie is a senior at Towson University majoring in Physical Education, and in conjunction with her major she has earned her Spotting Certification. She has attended the Cecchetti International summer school, held in Michigan, on scholarship, and has attended four Dance Masters of America National Conventions, held in various locations across the nation. She has also trained at STEPS on Broadway in New York City. She will attended Dance Masters’ Teachers Training School this summer on scholarship. She has been involved in DMA since 2000 and has received numerous awards. Jaimie was honored to represent Chapter 17 of the Mid-Atlantic as their Miss Dance 2007. She has performed with Dee many times. In 2005, Jaimie was fortunate enough to perform at the Kennedy Center Gala! Outside of dance, Jaimie loves theatre. In 2006, Jaimie held the role of “Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee” in Fredericktown Players production of “Gypsy”. Jaimie started teaching for Dee in 2001 and continued through 2005 and is thrilled to be back after a couple of years at school.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Dana (Doggett) is a senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our studio. She is currently studying the Cecchetti Advanced Professional Syllabus, having passed all four student exams and two Professional exams! In November of 2005, Dana won 2nd Runner-up Over-all in the Junior Auditions at the annual Mid-Atlantic Chapter 17 Dance Masters of America Scholarship auditions. Dana has been a member of the Middletown Marching Knights dance line for four seasons, and Captain for the past two. She also danced in the MHS musicals, “George M!”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Oliver!”. During the summers of 2006 and 2009, Dana attended the DMA Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, New York. In 2004 and again in 2007, she studied in New York City as part of the Dance Masters of America National Convention, and this winter she took classes at STEPS on Broadway in NYC. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World. Dana is also an accomplished musician and a member of the award-winning MHS Jazz Ensemble.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Bethany (Lemasters) is a Junior at Brunswick High School, and is teaching Young Hip-Hop and Young Musical Theatre. Bethany has studied in New York City as part of the Dance Masters of America National Convention, as well as at STEPS on Broadway in New York City this winter.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Kelsey (Swann) is a Senior at Middletown High School. She teaches Musical Theatre. In addition to many hours of dancing and participation in the MHS Dance Line and MHS spring musicals, Kelsey also takes vocal lessons. She has attended Dance Masters of America’s Student Honors Intensive two times, and this summer she was accepted into the renowned Broadway Theatre Project, and she therefore spent three weeks at this exclusive intensive in Florida. Additionally, she attended DMA Nationals in 2007. Kelsey is studying Child Development and she is also doing an internship at the Lucy School. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Emily (Gallagher) is a Junior at Middletown High School. She has been an assistant teacher for dancers of a variety of ages, and this season is teaching Hip-Hop. She is a member of the MHS Marching Knights Dance Line and the MHS Dance Team, and she performs in the MHS spring musicals. She is currently preparing for her second professional Cecchetti exam, having passed all four student exams and the Elementary Professional Exam. This spring, Emily was awarded the Jazz Scholarship in the Teen Miss Dance Scholarship Competition of Dance Masters of America. She attended DMA’s Student Honors Intensive Program in 2008 and 2009. She also studied at the DMA National Conventions in 2007, 2008 and 2009. This winter she took classes at STEPS on Broadway in NYC. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Kelsey (Moore) is a Senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our studio. Kelsey has also been a member of the Middletown Marching Knights Dance Line for three years, and a member of the Varsity Dance Team. She was a dancer in the MHS Spring 2008 production, “Beauty and the Beast”. Kelsey is preparing for her Intermediate Professional Cecchetti exam, having passed all four student exams and her Elementary Professional Exam. She has also studied Child Development at MHS, and has completed her 90 hour certification in Early Childhood Education. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Hillary (Pierce) is a Senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our studio, where she has primarily worked with young dancers and acro students. Hillary is a member of the Varsity Dance Team at MHS. She is currently preparing for her second professional Cecchetti exam, having passed all four student exams and the Elementary Professional Exam. Hillary also studied in New York City as part of the Dance Masters of America National Convention. She has two years’ experience in Child Development at MHS. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Jordan (DuMars) is a senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our studio. She has passed her Intermediate Professional (Grade VI) exam and is preparing for Advanced Professional (Grade VII) exam this season. Jordan has studied Child Development at MHS, and is currently aiding at the Primary School. She also choreographs for the MES productions each spring. This spring, Jordan was the DMA Miss Dance Tap Audition Scholarship Winner and Most Talented Non-Finalist, and last year she won the Jazz Scholarship. During the summer of 2006, Jordan attended the DMA Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, New York. During the summer of 2007, she studied in New York City as part of the Dance Masters of America National Convention. In 2008 Jordan attended both the Dance Masters of America Nationals Convention in Orlando and the Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, and she returned to both events this summer! This winter she took classes at STEPS on Broadway in NYC. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World. In 2003 Jordan was awarded the Kathleen Brown Honorary Scholarship here at our studio. Jordan is a member of the MHS Marching Knights and the MHS Dance Team, as well as a dancer in the spring musicals.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Marissa (Machak) is a senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our studio, teaching young dancers and pointe work. Marissa is the 2007 recipient of the Kathleen Brown Honorary Scholarship. She is also a Junior Member of Dance Masters of America. She is preparing for her Intermediate Professional Cecchetti Exam, having completed all four student exams and her Elementary Professional Exam. Marissa is also a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team. Additionally, in 2007 she studied in New York City as part of the Dance Masters of America National Convention. In 2008, Marissa attended the Dance Masters of America Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY. Marissa has also studied Child Development at MHS. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Brooke (Ritter) is a Senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our dance studio. She is currently preparing for her Intermediate Professional Cecchetti Exam, having passed all four student exams and her first professional exam. Brooke performs as a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team. She also studied in New York City as part of the Dance Masters of America National Convention. In 2008, Brooke attended the Dance Masters of America Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY. This spring, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World. Additionally, she has studied Child Development at MHS, and she is a volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Jess (Carr) is a Junior at Clemson University majoring in Business Management, and although she’s over 9 hours away, she still finds a way to choreograph for our dance company each season! Jess has attended three years of DMA’s Teacher’s Training School, and will return to take her certification exams next summer. She has successfully completed her Grade I Teacher’s Examination in the Cecchetti Method. She also choreographed several worship dance selections for our liturgical dancers this summer. Jess has been the Chapter 17 Bernice Warner scholarship recipient to TTS, and our studio’s Kathleen Brown Honorary Scholarship recipient. She currently works with the Clemson Dancers and Tigerstrut as a teacher and choreographer. While a student at MHS, Jess was captain of the Dance Line, a member of the Dance Team, and a dancer in her high school musicals. She has attended the DMA National Convention five times, the summers of 2004-2008, and she has received numerous judge’s awards at the National level.

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Rounded Rectangle: Miss Cheryl (Gallagher) is the newest member of our office staff. Cheryl and her four children all dance at our studio, and all four of her children perform with our dance company! Cheryl has participated in our Adult Classes for many years, and has traveled with our company since its inception when her oldest son Mat (now an MHS graduate) was still in elementary school!

Rounded Rectangle: Kaitlyn Andree is in her sophomore year at Frederick Community College. She is majoring in Early Childhood Development in hopes of becoming a Pre-School teacher one day. Kaitlyn has been with our studio family for several years now. She is a part of our Dance Company from which she received multiple special awards for her dances “Hero” and “The Prayer”. She is also a co-teacher for our Beyond Boundaries class for dancers with physical or cognitive disabilities. Kaitlyn has been dancing since she was eight years old. She was part of the dance company, “Unbound”, and was given the opportunity to study in Ohio with the Cleveland Ballet’s “Dancing Wheels”. Along with dancing, Kaitlyn has participated in cheerleading and baseball. She was the first seated cheerleader in the state of Maryland, and played the position of catcher on the “Challenger’s League” baseball team. Kaitlyn has always had a passion for children, and continues to strive in helping them have the same opportunities she has had in her life. She believes that a disability should never hold a person back from doing things that they love.

Rounded Rectangle: “One of the best things about working for the studio is that I get to spend a lot of time with my grandchildren, Abby and Sam. Better known as “Miss Dee’s Mom;” and also known as “Grammy,” Miss Jennie (Wiles) has been the bookkeeper/financial director for the studio since the studio space was leased in April of 1992 — first part-time and full-time since 2002. Although Miss Jennie worked previously as a full-time bookkeeper and legal secretary, she’s also been a dance student at the studio, taking adult tap and jazz since the studio opened. “My co-workers are great, and I enjoy being around our students. I also get to write the script for the show each year, which is one of my favorite projects. I really love my job!” When I’m not busy with studio business, you can usually find me in my garden, or acting as zookeeper for our 3 miniature schnauzers, 3 cats, multiple birds, squirrels, and fish.”