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 20 years, and has directed her own dance company since its inception thirteen 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 DMA, and a judge at both the regional and national level. Dee is the current Past President of Mid-Atlantic Chapter 17 of DMA, as well as National Membership Co-Chair and Director of the National Petite & Master Scholarship Competition. In addition to teaching at her studio, Dee directs two worship dance troupes—the liturgical dancers at her home church, Zion Lutheran, and the Inter-faith Liturgical dancers, which is comprised of dancers of all ages at her studio. Additionally, Dee works year-round at Middletown High School in a variety of capacities. She directs the Marching Knights Dance Line, she coaches the MHS Dance Team, she is the co-advisor of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society, and she choreographs the MHS spring musical. 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”, “Oliver!”, “Grease!” and “Crazy for You”. Dee worked with Fredericktowne Players for the first time in 2010 choreographing “Chicago”.

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 16 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 10th year of teaching at The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance. She teaches jazz, tap, modern, ballet, pointe, partnering and lyrical classes. 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. 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 eight 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 (and most recently Adult Musical Theatre class) for 10 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 Fredericktowne Players production of “Gypsy” in the role of Tessie Tura.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Jaimie (Hoover) has been dancing for 21 years. 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-IV. She is certified regionally through Dance Masters of America to teach ballet, tap, acrobatics and jazz. Jaimie is a graduate of Towson University with a degree in Physical Education, and in conjunction with her major she earned her Spotting Certification. She has attended the Cecchetti International summer school, held in Michigan, on scholarship, and has attended five 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 attended DMA’s Teachers Training School in 2009 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! Since 2006 she has been in numerous musicals with FTP and WOB. She is also the choreographer of “Hairspray” at WOB. Jaimie taught for Dee from 2001-2005, and returned in 2009 while finishing up her degree. She is currently teaching Middle School Physical Education in Howard County.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Richelle (Nazelrod) started dancing at the studio during its 3rd season (1994-1995). She was an assistant teacher in 2000-2001 and started teaching in 2002. She continued teaching until 2007, when she took a 3-year hiatus before returning during the 2010-2011 season. She choreographed for the company from 2002-2007 and was the assistant company director during the 2006-2007 season. Richelle passed her Dance Masters of America teaching exams in ballet, tap and jazz in 2005. That same year she was fortunate enough to join five other dancers from the studio to dance at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala hosted by Julie Andrews. Richelle is a 2001 graduate of Middletown High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from Towson University in Communication Studies. She also recently graduated from Frostburg State University’s graduate program with a 4.0 GPA, receiving her Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Elementary Education. She is glad to be back at the studio she calls “home” and very excited for the studio’s 20th season!

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Kara (Nelson) is a senior at Brunswick High School and a second year teacher at our studio. She attended the Dance Masters of America National Convention in 2007, and Student Honors Intensive Program in the summer of 2008 in Buffalo, NY. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Advanced Professional exam. She studies at STEPS on Broadway in New York City each January. She is a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team. She is also our studio’s 2009 recipient of the Tom Waters Honorary Scholarship in Jazz. This spring Kara received a high score tap audition recognition in the regional Miss Dance competition. She is a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society. She also studied this summer at the DMA National Convention in Orlando.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Kaylie (Miller) is a junior at Middletown High School. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Intermediate Professional exam. Kaylie is also a member of our studio’s Inter-faith Liturgical Dance, and a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team. She was a member of the 2009 MHS Marching Knights Dance Line. During the summer of 2007, she studied in New York City as part of the DMA National Convention. She studied at the Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY in 2008. In 2010, Kaylie travelled to Holland, Michigan to participate in the Cecchetti International Summer Intensive. This summer she travelled to Orlando to study at the DMA National Convention. She is also a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Abby (Buchanan) is a senior at Middletown High School and a second year teacher at our studio. She is preparing for her Cecchetti Intermediate Professional exam. She has studied Child Development at MHS, earning her 90-hour certification, and she is also interning at our studio this season. She is a member of our studio’s Inter-faith Liturgical Dance group and Zion Lutheran Church’s Worship Dance group, a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team, and Captain of the MHS Dance Line. She is a Junior Member of Dance Masters of America. In 2008, Abby attended the Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY. In January of each year, she studies at STEPS on Broadway in New York City. She has studied at the DMA National Convention every summer since 2007! She also studied at the Cecchetti International Summer School for two weeks last summer. This summer, she also participated in the DMA Jazz Intensive. Additionally, Abby has performed in the MHS musicals, “George M!”, “Oliver!”, “Grease!” and “Crazy for You!” She is a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society. In the spring of 2009, she performed in Walt Disney World.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Ally (Caho) is a junior at Middletown High School. She dances with our Inter-faith Liturgical dancers and is an Apprentice at our studio. She is also Assistant Captain of the Marching Knights Dance Line, and a member of the Varsity Dance Team at MHS. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Intermediate Professional exam. Ally attended the Dance Masters of America’s Ballet Intensive and Student Honors Intensive Program in 2009 in Washington, DC, and Buffalo, NY respectively. In 2010, she travelled to Holland, Michigan for the Cecchetti International Summer Intensive. This summer she travelled to Orlando for the DMA Ballet Intensive and National Convention. She also participated in the MHS spring musicals, “Grease!” and “Crazy for You”, as well as Valley Theatre’s summer productions of “The Music Man” and “The Wizard of Oz”. Ally is also a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society. She is our studio’s 2010 recipient of the Kathleen Brown Ballet Scholarship. In January, she studied at STEPS on Broadway in New York City.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Bryana (Duley) is a senior at Middletown High School. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Advanced Professional Exam. Bryana is also a member of our studio’s Inter-faith Liturgical Dance, and a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team. She is a Junior Member of Dance Masters of America. She studied at the Dance Masters of America National Conventions in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Bryana has also participated in the MHS musicals, “Oliver!”, “Grease!” and “Crazy for You”. In the spring of 2009, she performed at Walt Disney World. In 2010, Bryana travelled to Holland, Michigan to participate in the Cecchetti International Summer Ballet Intensive. She is a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society. She has also studied at STEPS on Broadway in New York City. She is currently Miss Mason-Dixon’s Outstanding Teen.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Ally (Soule) is a junior at Middletown High School. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Intermediate Professional exam . Ally is also a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team, and she was a member of the 2009 MHS Marching Knights Dance Line. She studied at the Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY in 2009. This summer she participated in the DMA National Convention in Orlando. She is our studio’s 2008 recipient of the Kathleen Brown Scholarship. She modeled for Curtain Call catalog in 2009. Ally travelled to Holland, Michigan to participate in the Cecchetti International Summer Intensive in 2010. Ally studied at STEPS on Broadway in January of this year. She is also the reigning Miss Outstanding Teen of Frederick...and Miss Outstanding Teen of Maryland!

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Angela (Thomas) is a senior at Middletown High School. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Advanced Professional exam. Angela is also a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team.. During the summer of 2007, she studied in New York City as part of the DMA National Convention. In the spring of 2009, she performed at Walt Disney World. She attended the DMA Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY in 2008, and studies at STEPS on Broadway each January. In 2010, Angela travelled to Holland, Michigan to participate in the Cecchetti International Summer Intensive. She also studied this summer at the DMA National Convention in Orlando. She is also our studio’s 2010 recipient of the Victoria Gordon Memorial Scholarship. Angela is a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society. She is also Miss Outstanding Teen of Middletown.

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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.”

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Jordan (DuMars) is a sophomore at University at Buffalo majoring in Dance. She was one of three sophomores accepted into the BFA program AND the UB Dance Company this fall. She has passed her Intermediate Professional (Grade VI) exam and is preparing for Advanced Professional (Grade VII) exam. Jordan studied Child Development at MHS, and aided at the Primary School. In 2009, Jordan was the DMA Miss Dance Tap Audition Scholarship Winner and Most Talented Non-Finalist, and in 2008 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 in 2009! During the winter of 2009 she took classes at STEPS on Broadway in NYC. In the spring of 2009, she had the opportunity to study and perform in Disney World. This summer, she studied at the DMA National Convention in Orlando. In 2003 Jordan was awarded the Kathleen Brown Honorary Scholarship here at our studio. Jordan is an MHS graduate, and was a member of the MHS Marching Knights and the MHS Dance Team, as well as a dancer in the spring musicals, and Frenchie” in the musical her senior year, “Grease!”.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Nicole (Sevin) is a junior at Middletown High School. She is currently preparing for her Cecchetti Advanced Professional exam. Nicole is also a member of the MHS Varsity Dance Team, and was a member of the MHS Marching Knights Dance Line for two seasons. Nicole studied at the Student Honors Intensive Program in Buffalo, NY in 2009. In 2010, she travelled to Holland, Michigan to participate in the Cecchetti International Summer Intensive. This summer she participated in the DMA National Convention in Orlando.

Rounded Rectangle: Miss Cheryl (Gallagher) and her four children have all danced at our studio. Mat and Emily are now away at college, but Colleen and Michael are busy with a multitude of classes. Cheryl has participated in our Adult Classes for many years, and has traveled with our company since its inception when her oldest son Mat was still in elementary school!