Season Calendar & Events
2018-2019 Season
Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul
AUGUST 2018
301 . 371 . 4228 | office@dbdance.com
Faculty
Dee Buchanan
Dee has owned and operated the Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance since 1992 and began a studio competition team in 1998. She is a graduate of Hood College. Dee holds her Intermediate Professional Certificate through the CCA and is certified through Dance Masters of America in tap, ballet, jazz, modern and acrobatics. She holds her Module 1, 2, and 3 Acrobatic Arts Certifications as well as her Module 1-5 Alixa Flexibility Certifications. 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. Dee continues her training at regional and national Dance Masters of America Workshops, and at Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars. In addition to teaching at her studio, Dee (a Middletown grad herself) works at Middletown High School as the coach of the MHS Dance Team and co-choreographer for the MHS musicals. She also loves choreographing shows for her friends at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre.
Annie Brockey
Annie has been teaching at the studio since 1995. She is a studio administrator and full-time employee, serving clients as a teacher and program director. She holds her Elementary Professional Certificate through the CCA and is certified through Dance Masters of America in tap, ballet, and jazz. Annie also holds her Alixa Flexibility Module One Certification. She holds her Level 1 Tap Teacher certification through Hillary-Marie’s iTap, and is currently working on Level 2. Annie has her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Hood College and continues teacher training through DMA Teachers Training School, regional workshops and Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars.
Abby Buchanan
Abby has been teaching at the studio since 2010. She is a studio administrator and full-time employee as a teacher, social media director, theatre director, assistant director of the Competition Team, and choreographer, and she also photographs our dancers for special events and social media. Abby has directed our theatre productions since 2020, most recently, Matilda. Abby works with our children’s camps throughout the summer, including directing our Magical Musical Adventure Camp. She is certified through Dance Masters of America in tap, ballet, jazz, and modern. She also holds her Module One and Two Acrobatic Arts certifications and is certified in Alixa Flexibility through Module 5. She has been a part of Alixa’s team since 2021. Abby continues her teacher training through DMA national and regional workshops, NYCDA workshops, DMA’s Teacher’s Training School and Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars. She graduated from Shepherd University in 2016 with her B.S. in Strategic Communication, and from Southern New Hampshire University with her Masters Degree in 2022. Abby also has choreographed for MHS Drama’s spring musicals since 2022 and multiple community theatre productions.
Ally Keller
Ally has been teaching at the studio since 2018 and is the DBSD Event Coordinator. She runs studio birthday parties, directs summer camps and seasonal Saturday mini-camps, coaches the studio’s Junior and Secondary National Honor Society for Dance Arts programs, and designs the celebratory photo ops at all DBSD events. Ally graduated from East Carolina University in 2017 with her B. F. A. in Dance Performance. After college she spent a year as a character performer in Walt Disney World. Ally is certified to teach Ultra Barre fitness classes and has her Module One, Two & Three Alixa Flexibility certifications, as well as her certification in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance. She is a member of both Dance Masters of America and the Cecchetti Council of America. Ally is certified through DMA in ballet and jazz. She has also completed her Cecchetti teacher exams for Grades I-VI. Ally continues to train through Progressing Ballet Technique Workshops and by attending Rhee Gold DanceLife Seminars.
Tauri Munger
Tauri has been teaching at the studio since 2001 and is also a choreographer for our competition team. She is certified through Dance Masters of America both regionally and nationally in tap, ballet, jazz and modern. She has also completed her Cecchetti Teacher’s Grade I Exam, and is certified in Module One and Two of Alixa Flexibility. Tauri graduated from Towson University with a degree in communication studies. She continues her teacher training through DMA national and regional workshops, NYCDA workshops, DMA’s Teacher’s Training School and Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars. Additionally, she judges competitions at both the regional and national level.
Denise Hoover
Denise has been teaching at the studio since 2002, and she is also our studio seamstress. She loves teaching many of our youngest dancers! She has her B.S. degree in Business Administration from Frostburg State University. She also enjoys designing costumes for our dancers. Denise continues her training through Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School and Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars.
Jaimie Lea Kiska
Jaimie has been teaching at the studio since 2001 and she is also a choreographer for our Competition Team. She is certified through Dance Masters of America in tap, ballet, jazz and acrobatics. She is also a member of the ECC Cecchetti Council of America and has taken her teachers exams for Grades I-VI. She also holds her Module One, Two & Three Alixa Certification, and her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certification. She attains additional teacher training through DMA national and regional workshops as well as Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars. She has her B.S. in Physical Education from Towson University and her Masters of Education from UMUC. Jaimie also has an extensive musical theatre background. Favorite credits include Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Doralee in 9 to 5, and Paulette in Legally Blonde.
Sarah Schreiber
Sarah has been teaching at the studio since 2017 and graduated from Middletown High School in 2020. She graduated from Hood College in the Spring of 2023 with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Math Education. She currently teaches Kindergarten for FCPS at Valley Elementary School. Sarah is certified through Dance Masters of America in tap, ballet, and jazz. She also holds her Module One Alixa Flexibility certification, as well as her Rhythm Works Integrative Dance certification.
Lori Maly
Lori joined our office staff full time in 2021, began teaching young dancers in 2023, and is Intellidance Method certified in “Babies”, “Tots”, and “Tykes”. She has her BS in interior design from Radford University, has worked in the design field, and ran her own childcare business for 13 years. She has been a part of the studio family with her daughter for many years and enjoys taking the adult musical theatre and tap classes herself. Lori loves the studio family and working with all of the programs we have to offer our amazing dancers.
Sam Buchanan
Sam has been teaching at the studio since 2013. He is a graduate of the Commercial Dance Program at Pace University in NYC. He recently completed a run of Adrienne Canterna’s Rock the Ballet: X in Hamburg. He played the dual roles of Plato/Macavity in the North American Tour of "Cats" in 2022 and 2023. He has performed in two cycles of Dance Lab in NYC. A current resident of NYC, Sam continues to choreograph for our Competition Team and to guest teach regularly. He is certified through Dance Masters of America in tap, ballet, and jazz. He trained in the Cecchetti Method as a student, successfully completing the Advanced Professional Student Exam, and then earned his Grade I Teacher’s Certificate in 2018. He is certified in Modules One and Two of Alixa Flexibility, and continues his training through Dance Masters of America and Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars. Sam represented Dance Masters of America as the 2018 Mister Dance of America. He also has an extensive musical theatre background. Favorite roles include Baby John in West Side Story, Joe in Damn Yankees, Willard in Footloose, and ensemble of Mamma Mia!
Lisa Dodson
Lisa has been teaching at the studio since 2016. She is our Dee Buchanan Theatre Experience Vocal instructor. She earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance & Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in 2000. She also has a B.A. in Music (Voice Performance) from Towson State University in 1996. She is a Professor of Voice at Hood College and has a private voice studio at home. She has been an active member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) since 2011.
Victoria Endicott
Born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised in Frederick, Maryland, Victoria moved to New York City in 2020 to attend Pace University as a Commercial Dance major. She graduated summa cum laude in the Spring of 2024. She has extensive training in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, theater dance, street styles, and contemporary. Through Pace, she has performed and worked with artists such as Rachel Leigh Dolan, Melissa Bobick, Brandon Leffler, Jess Hendricks, Jillian Meyers, and more. She is a 3rd-year member of Bo Park's company, Shinsa: The Collective, and has worked on a variety of professional projects with choreographers and groups including: Free People, Andy Blankenbuehler, Max Rae, Ladies of Hip Hop, Will Bell, Bob's Dance Shop, Bo Park, and Club NYC. An MHS and DBSD graduate, Victoria continues to guest teach at DBSD, and is a choreographer for the studio’s Competition Team.
Desi Denton
Desiree has been teaching at the studio since 2016. Desiree holds a B.A. in Communications and Theatre Arts with a minor in Business. She received her diverse training in many places including Marywood University, Brooklyn College and NYU. After auditioning in NYC in the 2000’s, Ms. Desi put her acting talents to good use in corporate marketing and international training programs. She also loves to sing and perform whenever she can. Past favorite roles include: Emily in Our Town, Martha in The Secret Garden, Agnes in I Do! I Do! and Maggie Mundy in Dancing at Lughnasa. Upon moving back to Middletown in 2009, Desiree received her secondary education certification and she currently teaches Theatre Arts and English at the same high school she graduated from, Middletown High School.
Keller Knight has been a staff member since 2020, is currently studying music production at Elon University, and graduated from Middletown High School in 2023. Keller is a current assistant director of our theatre program, a Competition Team choreographer and teacher at the studio. In 2022 he completed a Fundamentals of Hip-Hop teacher’s training program. Some of Keller’s recent theatre roles include Frank Jr. in Middletown High School’s production of Catch Me if You Can and Gomez Addams in the DBTE production of The Addams Family. He also assistant directed and choreographed for our DBTE productions of The Wizard of Oz and Matilda, and our 2023 and 2024 Magical Musical Adventure Camps.
Jordan Wanuck has been on our staff since 2020, is currently studying dance at Point Park University, and graduated from Middletown High School in 2023. Jordan is a Competition Team assistant and teacher at the studio. She is also a certified Rhythm Works assistant, Mid-Atlantic Teen Miss Dance 2021, and has been an Alixa Flexibility demonstrator and model since 2020.
McKenna Dunn has been a staff member since 2021, is currently studying Dance and Elementary Education at Shenandoah University, and graduated from Middletown High School in 2024. McKenna is a teacher and assistant at the studio. She holds her Acrobatic Arts Assistant Certification and is working on completing her Acrobatic Arts Module One and Two certifications. McKenna is certified in all 5 Alixa Flexibility Modules and often demonstrates/models for Alixa Flexibility courses. She has trained in the Cecchetti Method as a student and successfully completed her Advanced Professional Exam with honors. McKenna has also completed all 3 Acrobatic Arts Pre-Professional Exams. She has earned national scholarships and has been a dance captain in DBTE and MHS theatre productions. Previously, McKenna was a captain of the MHS Dance Team and the MHS Dance Line. She has participated in theatre through DBTE and MHS Drama since 2015. Favorite roles include Lipschitz in Chicago and Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Mckenna is ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act); through the Epilepsy Foundation she has her seizure recognition and first aid certification; and she holds her 135-hour child training certification.
Allison (Ally) Beck has been a staff member since 2021. She graduated from Middletown High School in 2024, and is currently studying computer science at Pace University. Ally is a teacher and choreographer, and as well, enjoys helping with the theatre productions. Ally has starred in multiple DBTE Productions including the roles of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, in Mary Poppins and Betty in White Christmas as well as Roxie in MHS Drama’s 2024 production of Chicago: Teen Edition. Ally is also ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act).
Kate Hartinger has been a staff member since 2021, is currently studying Strategic Communications at Elon University, and graduated from Middletown High School in 2024. Kate is a teacher and assistant at our studio. Kate is a certified Acrobatic Arts assistant teacher, is certified in all 5 Alixa Flexibility Modules, and is currently working on completing her Acrobatic Arts Module One and Two certifications. Kate trained as a student in the Cecchetti method and completed her Advanced Professional Exam with honors. Kate has also completed all 3 of the Acrobatic Arts Pre-Professional Exams. Kate has been a dance captain in our theater productions, was a captain of the MHS Dance Line and the MHS Dance Team. She has participated in theatre through DBTE and MHS Drama since 2016. Favorite roles include Velma Kelly in Chicago: Teen Edition and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family. Kate also often demonstrates and models for Alixa Flexibility.
Bailey Hardison has been a staff member since 2022, is currently studying Elementary Education at the University of Delaware, and graduated from Middletown High School in 2024. She is a teacher and assistant teacher at the studio. She is also a certified Acrobatic Arts assistant teacher. In the past she has participated in the MHS Dance Line and Dance Team and the theater productions at the studio.
Izzy has been a member of our staff since 2022 and is currently studying criminal justice and dance at the University of Delaware. She graduated from Middletown High School in 2024, where she was a member of the MHS Dance Line, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and a captain of the MHS Dance Team. Izzy is a teacher at the studio, was a member of the Competition Team and Competition Team’s Teen Creative Team, and passed her Cecchetti VII Advanced Professional Exam with honors.
Emma Kufta has been a staff member at the studio since 2020. She is a 2023 graduate of Middletown High School and is currently attending West Virginia University where she is studying to be a Speech Language Pathologist and minoring in Dance. During her time at the studio, she studied the Cecchetti Method in which she completed her Intermediate Professional Student Exam.
Hannah Middlekauff has been teaching at the studio since 2020 and is currently on a pre-med track at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also participates on a performance dance team. Hannah is a certified Acrobatic Arts assistant teacher and has been in a selection of DBTE shows with notable roles being Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family.
Emily Smalt has been a staff member since 2023, is currently studying nursing at Stevenson University, and graduated from Middletown High School in 2024. Emily teaches and assists at the studio and is ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act).
Maddie Weir has been a member of our staff since 2020 and graduated from Boonsboro High School in 2023. She currently attends Coastal Carolina University and is a returning member of the Chanticleer Girls dance team. Maddie has also completed her Acrobatics Arts Assistant Certification.
Our Student Staff
Alli DeVriendt has been a staff member since 2024 and is a member of Middletown High School class of 2025. Alli is an assistant teacher, a member of National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and a part of the studio’s Competition Team. She has also been a part of MHS Dance Team and Dance Line. Alli is also ADA certified (Including All Children and the American with Disabilities Act).
Lexi Maly has been a staff member since 2023 and is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2025. Lexi is a teacher and an assistant teacher, a member of our Competition Team and the Competition Team’s Teen Creative Team, a member of the MHS Dance Team, and she has been a part of our theatre productions for many years. Lexi holds her Acrobatic Arts Assistant Certification, is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and is ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act).
Emily Mathews has been a staff member since 2024, and is a member of the Boonsboro High School class of 2025. Emily is a member of our Competition Team, and also a part of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
Sophie McKenzie has been a staff member since 2023, and is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2026. Sophie is a teacher, assistant teacher, and member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She is also a member of our Competition Team, along with being a part of the MHS Dance Team. Sophie has also been a part of DBTE and MHS theatre productions throughout the years.
Madison Whipp has been a staff member since 2023 and is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2025. Madison is a part of National Honor Society for Dance Arts, a team member of our Competition Team and has been a part of our theatre productions for many years, some notable parts including Grandma Addams in The Addams Family and the Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
Lila is a junior at Middletown High School and has been a staff member since 2023. She both teaches and assists dance classes, and is a member of our Competition Team’s Teen Creative Team. She has participated in numerous DBTE and MHS theatre productions. Lila is ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act) and holds 120 hours of Professional Early Childhood Education certification. Lila is a part of the Educators Rising Club, National Honor Society for Dance Arts and the MHS Dance Team. Lila holds her Acrobatic Arts Assistant Certification, and is in the process of earning her Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Assistant Certification.
Meredith Dunn has been a staff member since 2023 and is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2026. Meredith is a teacher, assistant, and a member of our Competition Team’s Teen Creative Team. She is a member of our Competition Team, MHS Dance Team, and National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She holds her Acrobatic Arts Assistant Certification and is a demonstrator for Alixa Flexibility. Meredith is ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act) and holds her 120 hours of Professional Early Childhood Education certification. She has been a part of our DBTE productions both onstage and off.
Madelyn Kiska has been a staff member since 2023. She is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2026. Madelyn is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and is ADA certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act). She is a team member of our Competition Team and Teen Creative Team, and has been a part of MHS and DBTE productions both on stage and as stage manager.
Brynn Munger has been a staff member since 2024 and is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2027. She has been a studio apprentice for many years, a member of our Competition Team, on the MHS Dance Team, and involved in theatre productions through DBTE and MHS. Brynn holds her Acrobatic Arts Assistant Certification, is a demonstrator through the Alixa Flexibility program, and is part of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Brynn is also a Junior Member of Dance Masters of America.
Amber DeVriendt has been a staff member since 2024 and is a member of Middletown High School class of 2027. She is an assistant teacher and a member of our Competition Team. Amber is currently working towards her Acrobatic Arts Assistant Certification.
Eliana Bergman has been a staff member since 2024 and is a member of the Middletown High School class of 2027. Eliana is an assistant teacher, a team member of our Competition Team, a member of the MHS Dance Team, a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and has been a part of our theatre productions for many years. Eliana is a part of the MHS Educators Rising Club and is ADA-certified (Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act).
Our Support Staff
Sandy Buchanan, Colleen Dunn, & Karen Waters
Sandy is a full time Office Staff Member at the studio. She is the mother of four children and grandmother of five. She has attended classes in early childhood education and worked in the corporate world of insurance and mortgage preservation most of her life, so she is enjoying her many jobs at the studio she has had since 2015. She has attended a variety of trainings through Rhee Gold DanceLife seminars. Sandy loves watching the dancers grow and learn throughout the year and calls every dancer a “Shining Star".
Colleen Dunn joined the studio family in 2011 with her two daughters and joined our staff in 2021. She graduated from Radford university with a B.S. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and teaches Pre-K at MPS. She loves watching all the dancers shine on and off the stage.
Karen joined our studio in December of 2015. She helped to run her husband’s dance studio for almost 31 years. There, she taught the 3 to 8 year olds in ballet, tap, and jazz. Her own 2 children literally grew up and danced in the dance school which was in their home. It is overwhelming special to be around the students, costumes and dance family again.
