Our Faculty

I have been involved in dance for over 30 years, both in recreational and competitive settings. When Ms. Pam and I discussed starting a business 18 years
ago, we chose to open a dance studio. Ms. Pam took charge of the studio’s operations, while I managed the business and financial aspects. When our daughter
began dancing at age 5, our experiences with various studios taught us valuable lessons about what works, what doesn’t work and the areas for improvement. With the unexpected passing of Ms. Pam in 2021, I became sole owner of the studio. As a studio owner, my role is to ensure that our customers have the best possible experience by creating a positive atmosphere, providing consistent communication,
and offering passionate, caring, and experienced dance instructors. Before diving into the dance world, I spent my career in the automotive industry,
starting in design and engineering during my senior year of high school. Working full-time during the day while attending school at Macomb and then Oakland
University at night. Within 15 years, I was managing three engineering offices across the country. Entrepreneurship kicked in and I started a design, engineering, and staffing company of my own with locations in Michigan and Indiana. I ran these operations for nearly a decade. After selling the company, I worked as a plant operations manager in the automotive sector until I retired in 2024. Throughout the life of the studio, I balanced my day job with evening responsibilities at the studio. I firmly believe that a successful business relies heavily on a strong, dedicated team and providing excellent service to your customer.

Ms. Andrea started dancing at the age of 7, in jazz, hip-hop, tap, and lyrical over seven years. My experience includes both competitive and recreational dancing. I graduated from Baker College in 2016, I earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on healthcare. In addition to my educational background, I quickly discovered my passion for creating organized and welcoming spaces where creativity and efficiency can flourish. I have  been with Drop Everything and Dance for 5 years. My genuine love for children further enhances my role, making me an integral and beloved part of the dance community.
 

Ms. Sarah Kraft has been in the Dance industry as a dancer for twenty five years and teacher/choreographer  in the industry for 17 years. She has performed with the Goo Goo Dolls, Jessie McCartney, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts at the “ Bob that Head Tour” at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Sarah has also been in Taylor Swifts Music video.  Sarah has also traveled to New York City to Train under The Joffrey Ballet School. While training under fabulous New York choreographers Sarah was chosen to perform a piece by Marles Yearby, the choreographer from the Broadway show RENT.   Sarah has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major of Dance and a Minor of Business Administration from Wayne State University. At Wayne State Sarah had the opportunity to train and perform under many professional names and companies while finishing her degree. Sarah has been teaching for 17 years and is the Competition Director  and the artistic director at Drop Everything & Dance Studio. She teaches all ages and can teach all styles. She has choreographed for many high schools, middle schools ,Universities and Studios in Michigan, Ohio and surrounding states. Which have all placed with top Honors and Choreography awards.Sarah has been a Professional Competition Judge for KAR and Rainbow Dance Competition. She also works with Reaction Dance Force as a choreographer and judge. Sarah has also traveled throughout Michigan to teach at many Choreography masterclasses and workshops. Sarah’s choreography has placed with high achievements at all studio and high school competitions. Her choreography has earned her Multiple Nationals and Regional championships, Teacher of the Year at KAR Nationals, Countless National & Regionals Choreography awards. Multiple placements in top 5, multiple Crystal awards, Judges Choice awards, Most Entertaining awards, Scholarship winners, Best Showmanship, Technique excellence awards, as well as many Top and Outstanding Choreography awards.  In 2023 Sarah earned an Industry dance award for her choreography for white lies. Her choreography also earned her a NDA Collegiate champion in 2024; with Alma college. Sarah loves to share her passion for dance and is excited to help other dancers find that same passion.

Ms Jessica was born in southeast Michigan and grew up dancing since the age of 5. She trained in many different styles of dance, with a focus in ballet. She was in the Macomb Ballet Company for 5 years, danced on her high school’s Varsity dance team for a year, and then went on to further her education in dance at Western Michigan University. Miss Jessica danced, choreographed, and was stage manager for an interactive Disney-affiliated company for 10 years, traveling around eastern Michigan. She has been a dance teacher since she was 16 years old at various studios throughout Michigan. She also taught group fitness classes and personal training since 2013. Since graduating in 2015 with a BA in Dance and a BS in Exercise Science, her passions for teaching dance and conditioning dancers for injury prevention have coincided. Miss Jessica’s goal in teaching is to integrate correct anatomical positions with proper dance technique to develop strong bodies that can enjoy movement for a lifetime. When she is not teaching dance, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband and two little girls.

Ms. Shelby has been dancing since age 3, competitively dancing for 9 years. Shelby has been instructing competitive dance since 2011. Ms. Shelby teaches all styles of dance with us. Winning numerous awards with Drop Everything & Dance studio's competition team such as, Overall National Champion, World Series of Dance Champions, Choreography awards, best in category, 1st place, 2nd place and much more.
While instructing competitive teams at D.E.D. Shelby also coached varsity dance. There she coached the team into 3 time Catholic League Champions for the first time in the school's history. She is inducted into the Detroit Catholic League of Michigan Hall Of Fame.
Outside of D.E.D. Ms. Shelby is a graphic designer and Social Media Coordinator. Ms. Shelby is a graduate from Lawrence Tech and Macomb Community College. Ms. Shelby loves spending time with her husband and puppy Birdie!

Ms. Lindsay graduated from Central Michigan University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Interpersonal and Public Communication along with minors in Dance and Recreation. She worked 14 years in the event industry with experiences in sales, coordinating, catering, and decor. She had her first son, Jace in 2017 and her second, Cade in 2018. 

Her dance career began at age 2.5 in ballet and tumbling classes at Borgo Sisters School of Dance in Royal Oak Michigan. She moved into Linda Desment's Dance Class in Sterling Heights taking various classes in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical and modern.  At age 11, she was moved into the advanced ballet training and was on pointe by 13 years old.  

Spent 4 years dancing with the Warren Mott High School Dance Team focusing on Jazz and Pom competing with the Universal Dance Association. At Central Michigan University she performed with the Orchesis Dance Theater. 

Most recently, Ms Lindsay Choreographed Fraser Dance Team Pom and Jazz routines for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons.
So far she has 16 years teaching dance at Drop Everything & Dance Studio. She is most proud of her overall placements including several place finishes and multiple judges awards including Most Entertaining, Broadway Bound, and best in Musical Theater in a National Competition in 2015, 2022 Junior Soloist Champion, and 2024 Teen Small Group National Champions.  On her own, Ms Lindsay has received 6 choreography awards.  In 2022, Ms Lindsay assisted in developing the choreography of Rudy Abru and in 2024, Anna Miller.  Both of which also received choreography recognition during their respective seasons. Most recently for the studio, she has been helping out with many of the studio in house events as well as promoting the studio at local events.

Ms. Nicole graduated from University of Detroit Mercy B.S. in Nursing and R.N. with future goals of M.S. in Nursing. Ms. Nicole has been dancing since 4 years old where she started Assistant Teaching at 14 years old. Ms. Nicole also was a dance Instructor in Mental Health Facilities for 2 years. She also was the captain and Solo Performer with LCN Guard. Ms. Nicole performed in Disney World’s Pre-Electrical Parade and participated in Disney's Performing Arts Clinics.

Ms Amy has been with Drop Everything and dance for eight years. She is a former captain and choreographer for Oakland University's dance team, where she also edited music. Back in high school she was also varsity dance team captain for two years, member for four, and now she is choreographing and consulting for local high school and college teams, including a top-six finish at DTU Nationals. Previously Miss. Amy worked with industry stars like Pete Wentz, Andy Grammer and Bebe Rexha, and a stint on Top 40 Channel 955 in Detroit as Intern A.Shaw. She has been dancing since the age of three in all styles, and also loves music and attending music festivals. By day, she is a senior claims coordinator at a major insurance brokerage. She is also a proud dog mom to Sully, her Pomeranian.

Ms. Ally has been with Drop Everything & Dance for 14 years. She spent seven of those years as a dancer on the competition team, winning multiple regional and national titles with her team. The past seven years, Ms. Ally has been teaching the instructional classes at DED with ages ranging from three to seventeen. She attended Oakland University for two years, majoring in Elementary Education, but later decided her passion was with insurance and is now a licensed insurance agent. She had her daughter Harper in 2021, who now dances at the studio. Her goals when teaching any age are to make them feel like the studio is a safe space to be themselves and feel comfortable to express themselves through dance. She hopes that any child, any age, walks away from her classes feeling accomplished and confident!

Ms. Alix graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Child Psychology and is currently working as an Intervention Specialist in Fraser Public Schools. She has over 30 years of dance experience, 16 years teaching experience - competitive and recreational. She has enjoyed traveling the country judging and stage managing for Legacy Dance Championships for the past 10 years. At the age of 16, Alix received a full scholarship to Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, IL under the direction of the late, great Gus Giordano. She is a master class instructor and has choreographed for many high school dance teams and studio competition teams, earning national recognition for choreography and costuming. She has also assisted in opening number for Legacy Dance Championships and Applause Talent. Ms. Alix performed in America's Thanksgiving Day Parade for 6 years, and has performed alongside artists including Jason Derulo, Kid Rock, Ashanti, MKTO, Mike Posner, Vanilla Ice, the GooGoo Dolls and more!

Ms. Marissa graduated from Wayne State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science,
majoring in dance and a minor in business administration. She is currently enrolled in a
program to obtain her teaching certificate in elementary education. Marissa started dancing at 5 years old and began dancing at Drop Everything & Dance when she was 6. At the age of 9 she began dancing competitively and during her time competing she won awards for her solos, trios, and group dances. One of her biggest achievements was winning the technical excellence award for her solo. She also had the opportunity to recompete her solo after making it into the top 5 in her category. Many of the group dances she was a part of had the opportunity to re-compete for higher placements as well as winning national titles. Marissa had the opportunity to perform in many parades, at numerous pistons games, Minor league baseball games, gymnastics championships, and flash mobs. Marissa has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pom and modern.
While at Wayne she had the opportunity to take classes under many professionals in the
industry. Marissa began assisting classes at 14 and has been teaching at Drop Everything & Dance for the past 4 years. She currently teaches all ages in various styles of dance. While teaching she has found her passion for working with kids and love helping them develop a love for dance.

Ms. Madelyn, also known as “Madz” was trained as a recreational, competitive, and all-star dancer since the age of three at Dancer’s Edge Studio in Shelby Township, MI. She was trained in a variety of styles with a focus on the dance team industry. During her tenure at DES, she achieved 15 UDA National Championships, 6 USASF World Championships, and several individual accolades at regional competitions. She is a recent graduate of Alma College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Dance. During her time at Alma she served two seasons as one of the captains on the Alma College Dance Team. With ADT, she was named a 2 time NDA All-American and earned 6 NDA National Championships, 2 DTU College Classic Championships, and a 2022 DTU Battle Cup Championship. As well as partaking in dance team, Madz was also a member of the Alma College Dance Company performing in works choreographed by guests such as, Winston Dynamite Brown and Laura Kalzack. Outside of teaching, Madz travels the country as a choreographer for BTuck Choreography and a staff instructor for National Dance Alliance. As a teacher and mentor, she strives to empower dancers by providing expert guidance and technical excellence, while pushing the boundaries of the dance industry. Madz is dedicated to teaching and inspiring dancers to express their indivduality and acheive their fullest potential.

Ms. Emily began dancing at the age of 5 at D.E.D. and joined the competitive team when she was 9. She also became an assistant teacher at the age of 14. Throughout her time on the competition team, she won multiple national and regional titles with her teams. She was also awarded several overall placements for her solos over the years, including one she choreographed herself. Emily has worked with multiple high end choreographers during her time on D.E.D.’s competition team which has advanced her training. She has also had multiple opportunities to dance at Piston’s games, Minor League Baseball games, and local parades. Emily is well-trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, pointe, and modern. She is currently pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Macomb Community College. After graduation, Emily hopes to work with athletes and dancers to help them rehabilitate from their sports related injuries.