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Miss Donna - Director
Miss Donna has been involved in the dance world all of her life. Her grandmother and mother danced in Vaudeville and Off Broadway therefore when Donna was barely age 2, she started dance lessons. She danced at Caroline Daniels School of Dance until she was 17. She graduated from Queens College with a degree in primary education but since she had opened a dance studio while a freshmen she decided to continue with her studio instead of teaching school.
Through the years she has choreographed children’s TV shows, Charlotte Summer Stock Theater, Carowinds Theme Park and many public school productions. Miss Donna has judged competitions all over the USA for the past 20 years.
Many of Miss Donna's students are now dancing professionally on cruise ships, theater, in Hollywood and numerous commercials. Miss Donna is very proud to say that 7 of her former students now have their own dance studios.
To quote Miss Donna, "Working with children has become my whole life and I cherish and love every minute I have with your child. I give you my word that I will always conduct my school in a manner which you will be proud to say, 'My child dances at Miss Donna's'."
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Miss Patsy - Assistant Director
Miss Patsy came to Miss Donna's at age 10 as an older beginner taking ballet, tap and jazz. She excelled in ballet and at age 11 was a very accomplished dancer on pointe. She was awarded the top beginner student and several years later was presented the prestigious award Oustanding Student (there have been only 3 students in 51 years receiving this award). Miss Patsy started assisting classes at age 11 and at age 13 taught her own classes. She was born a dancer and a teacher!
After teaching ballet, tap and jazz for 25 years she was asked to take the position of assistant director of Miss Donna's which along with competition director is her current position. Miss Patsy has been associated with Miss Donna's since 1958. Her wonderful organizational skills keep everyone - students, parents, teachers and Miss Donna in line. She is truly a wonderful person.
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Miss Jana - Instructor and Choreographer
Jana Murphy leads competition, choregrapher and instructor in Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop.
Jana started dance training at the early age of 2 with Pat Hall's Dance Unlimited where she continued through high school taking classes in Ballet (cecchetti method), tap, jazz, gymnastics, modern, lyrical and hip-hop. She has taken extensive Master classes from Frank Hatchett, Shiela Barker, Rhonda Miller, Dee Caspary, Dennis Caspary, Janson Parson, Mia Michals, Barry Lather, Brian Friedman, Ray Leeper, Tymme Reitz and Amy Reitz.
Jana has worked in the past with Jonathan Lewis who was one of Janet Jackson's back up dancers. She was also in the cheerleading/dance sequel, "Bring It On Again". Jana toured with Star Systems on a scholarship program for 2 years. When competing, she placed 1st overall with her solos in the Junior and Senior division at Showstoppers, Starpower, On Stage, Star Systems and Show Biz.
Jana graduated with a B.A. in Dance from UNC in Charlotte. she was on the Dance Team placing 1st nationally for 4 years. She coached and was a choreographer for the UNCC Dance Team (Gold Dusters). Jana is a staff instructor and choreographer for the National Dance Alliance; an organization for high school and college dance teams.
We are very proud to have Jana on our staff. She wants to share her love and passion for dance to every student and to inspire all of them to reach thier highest potential.
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Miss Pat - Instructor, Choreographer and Costume Designer
Pat is nationally recognized as a dance instructor, choreographer, costume designer, consultant and judge for many dance competitions including Showbiz and Headliners. She began dancing at the age of four and received extensive training in all forms of dance. Pat performed with the North Carolina Ballet Company. She also studied dance in New York and Las Vegas.
Pat has developed, choreographed and directed numerous dance programs in and around North Carolina. She was a studio owner for 25 years before selling two studios in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1999.
Pat continues to teach in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. She is a current member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America and holds the office of treasurer for Cecchetti Council of America. Pat has been a great asset to Angelic Academy of Dance as a workshop instructor and consultant for the N Step Dance Company. Her knowledge and expertise is invaluable and very much appreciated at Miss Donna's School of Dancing.
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Miss Jannelle - Instructor and Choreographer
Coming Soon!
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Miss Neely - Instructor, Choregrapher and the Harrisburg Studio Manager
Miss Neely is a dancer, gymnast, teacher, friend and role model. She graduated with distiction from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Exercise Science. She is also an ACSM Certified Health Fitness Instructor. Miss Neely was born to dance! She started at the age of two and hasn't stopped since! Her love for dance allowed for a successful dance and cheer competition career which began at the age of eight. By the end of her senior year in high school, she had brought home many regional and national dance and cheer awards. At 16, Miss Neely was chosen as a Charlotte Sting dancer. She went on to dance as a Charlotte Hornets "Honey Bee" during their last year in Charlotte.
Miss Neely has spent the last six years teaching either gymnastics or dance (or both). She is dedicated not only to choreographing and teach dance and cheer, but also to promoting the physical and emotional health and well being of all the young people she works with.
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Miss Shannon - Instructor and the Indian Trail Studio Manager
Bio Coming Soon!
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Miss Lynne - Instructor and the Mountain Island Studio Manager
Miss Lynne graduated with honors and received her B.A. in Dance from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. She began her training in Harrisburg, NC where she studied at the Next Step for four years before it changing to Miss Donna’s School of Dance where she continued her dance training. Her training includes 19 years of study in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, and world dances including Irish and Russian. Along with her training, Miss Lynne was in a competition group that won many top honors at several regional and nationals, including Star Systems Nation Talent Competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Her dance career also includes teaching for eleven years of children ages two to teen.
Miss Lynne states, “She is so grateful that she has had such a great opportunity to continue her passion for dance and use it to pursue a life-long career. Miss Lynne’s ultimate career goal is to use her dance degree in a dance related career that brings joy not only to herself, but also to the world around her.”
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Miss Ginny - Instructor
Miss Ginny started dance lessons at age 10 at Miss Donna's. The first year of her dance training she was awarded "Outstanding 1st Year Student". She danced through her teenage years then retired from dancing to get married and raise a family.
After having a girl then a boy, she decided to come back to dance class with her daughter. Ginny started teaching pre-school classes at Miss Donna's 10 years ago and now is teaching age 2 through teen in ballet, tap and jazz. Mis Ginny also teaches dance class at JCC, Kids R Kids, Gateway Raintree, Gateway Ballantyne and Ruckus House Learning centers.
Ginny loves every student and gives each one special attention. To have danced with Ginny as a teacher is a great dancing experience as she gives her all.
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Ashley Mitzel - Instructor
Ashley is a competition instructor. Ashley started dance lessons at age 2 and has continued through her teenage years. She has completed in lyrical and jazz since age 4. Ashley has received many overall awards throughout her dance career and was awarded the "Oustanding Student Award" by Miss Donna. This prestigious award has only been awarded three times since 1956!
Ashley attends Winget University and is majoring in human resources.
Ashley says, "I would rather dance than do anything - I love it so much!"
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Miss Connie - Instructor
Miss Connie has been a part of Miss Donna's for 15 years. Her daughter, Haley is a competition student and after spending so much time at the studio, she decided to become an assistant at the Sardis studio. Connie is now an Instructor at the Harrisburg studio and a Back Stage Manager for competition students.
In addition her dance career, Connie is a kindergarten teacher assistant for Pitt School Elementary in Cabarrus County. Her love for children and background in childhood education has made her decision to teach dance a joy, as dance was always her true love. Her goal is to instill the love of dance in every child she teaches.
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Miss Katie - Instructor
Miss Katie was born in Palatka, Florida and has lived in North Carolina for the past 18 years. At the age of five, gymnastics, cheerleading and dance became a big part of her life. In Katie's senior year at Sun Valley High School, she started teaching at Miss Donna's School of Dancing. While continuing her study of modern dance at Central Piedmont Community College, Katie earned her Associate's Degree in General Education and Diploma of Office Systems Technology. Currently, she teaches advanced classes at the Indian Trail studio and also works full time as an Office Coordinator at Hussmann Services Corporation.
After teaching at Miss Donna's for eleven years, Katie still looks forward to seeing those smiling faces come in the studio. The wonderful children and families that she has been so fortunate to be a part of through the years, has made her job very rewarding. According to Katie, "It's an absolute privilege to work for Miss Donna's School of Dancing and have the opportunity to teach each child the love of dance".
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Miss Mandy - Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
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