Michelle McGrath-Gerlick

Miss Michelle began her dance training at age 3 at her parents dance studio, Academy of Ballet Arts, and has been teaching for over 20 years. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Nova University, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Dance Education from The Ohio State University. Professionally, Michelle appeared as a "Fly Girl" on Fox Televisions In Living Color in 1989 and was a Miami Heat dancer for the 1990 -1991 NBA Basketball season. Michelle appeared in two NFL Superbowls, both as a dancer and choreographer, during which time she toured the East Coast as a Superbowl Staff member. In 2007 Michelle and her students returned to the field where they performed with Prince in Superbowl XLI's Halftime Show. Michelle's greatest achievement in dance was opening Dance Theatre where tens of 1000's of children have learned to love dance as much as she does. As the director of Dance Theatre, Michelle has led her students to such notable accomplishments as the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the Miami Dolphins Dan Marino Retirement Spectacular, the 2004 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the 2006 FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami. Dance Theatre has expanded 5 times and is growing again with the addition of our fourth location in Wellington, opening Fall 2008.

Joni Arlen McGrath

Managing Director Miss Joni started in show business at age 14 at the Roxy Theatre in New York where she launched her professional career as a dancer. She went on to perform at Radio City Music Hall as a Rockette and as a June Taylor Dancer. Later, she and her husband Bob enjoyed tremendous success performing as a dance team all across the world and appearing on television shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Mike Douglas Show". Together they went on to choreograph and produce shows for headliners such as Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, and The Smothers Brothers to name a few. Upon retiring from Show Business, Joni and Bob opened and operated Academy of Ballet Arts in Jacaranda and North Lauderdale for over 20 years. In her spare time Miss. Joni currently acts as choreographer for the Broadway Zeigfeld Club. This year, Ms. Joni's show with the Broadway Zeigfeld Club was so successful they raised over $20,000 for charity and will be the opening number for the "Senior Idol" competition held this month at Parker Playhouse. Break a Leg Ladies!

Kimberly Bruce

Originally from North Carolina, Kimberly attended the East Carolina University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Drama, along with a teaching certificate for grades K-12. Receiving numerous scholarships, Kimberly continued her training with the Conservatory of American Dance, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Gus Giordano Dance Chicago. She toured and performed with the Raleigh Civic Ballet Co. and the North Carolina State Ballet. She also has extensive training in musical theatre and has toured and performed featured roles in "A Chorus Line", "Damn Yankees", "West Side Story", "42nd St.", and "Will Rogers Follies" with the Musical Theatre Company 5,6,7,8 and other professional venues. She has worked along side such great notables as Baayork Lee, Marvin Hamlisch, and Ray Kennedy. As the recipient of many talent and scholarship awards in the Miss North Carolina Pageant, Kimberly was offered an opportunity to travel the world performing and choreographing production shows within the Cruise Line industry. After experiencing life at sea, she relocated to South Florida continuing to perform and choreograph, and earning her Actors Equity card. Currently in her 12th season with Dance Theatre, Kimberly has been promoted from Team Director to Artistic Director of all 3 Dance Theatre locations.

Shannon Piccininni

Originally from New Jersey, Miss Shannon began her dance training in South Florida at the age of 2.5 at the Academy of Ballet Arts. As a student of the Academy for over 12 years, Shannon performed extensively with the West Broward Ballet & Modern Jazz Ensemble in both the Junior and Senior Companies throughout high school. Shannon then attended Georgia Southern University and became proficient in all forms of dance and theater. Shannon's outstanding achievements include performing with the Dance Theatre Olympic Team for Coca Cola at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. She is currently in her 15th season with Dance Theatre. In her spare time, Shannon is mom to 3 wonderful children.

Diane Elliot

Diane is very excited to celebrate her 15th recital with Dance Theatre. Over the years she has performed with Dance Theatre at the 1996 Olympics, The Dan Marino Retirement Show and at the 2001 Teen, Ms. & Mrs. International Pageants in West Palm Beach. She was also captain of the award winning competition team for two years. Diane has been featured in and assisted choreography with such musicals as Joseph, Guys & Dolls, Sideshow and Once on This Island. She was also seen in Broadway Arts Production of Sugarbabies. Diane has been teaching at Dance Theatre for seven years and looks forward to many more. Diane got married this past December -- Congratulations Diane & Adam!

Somer Trice

Somer has been dancing since the age of three and has been part of the Dance Theatre family 15 years. She was also the Dance captain for Dance Theatres award winning competition team. Somer has been seen performing in such events as the 1996 Olympics, Dan Marino's Retirement halftime show, and the 2001 Miss Florida International pageants in West Palm Beach. She was featured in such musicals as Sideshow and Once On The Island. Most recently Somer was seen performing with Pfuzion Dance Company in Hip Hop Symphony. She is looking forward to many years with Dance Theatre.

Athena Nobles

Athena was born in Bronx, New York, and was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Beginning as a teen, Athena began dancing at the tender age of 4 studying African, jazz, ballet and modern dance. While in High School Athena won two regional gold medals in dance for two consecutive years. Right out of high school Athena won a dance scholarship to Broward Community College. Since college Athena has traveled and performed with several dance companies; (Tony Lardge Dance Theatre and Jubilee Dance Theatre) just to name a few. She is currently the Artistic Director of Pfuzion Entertainment Inc. You can catch Athena in videos and performances with many artists including; Missy Elliot, 50 cent , Kirk Franklin, Vickie Winans, Tupac and Mc Lyte. Athena is currently developing dancers throughout South Florida working with adults and children as well as dance competitions around the country.

Chrissi Ardito

Chrissi has been dancing since she was four and performing since she was ten. At eighteen she became certified dance instructor with Dance Educators Of America and has taught for various studios through the years. She joined the Actor's Equity Association in 1987 and has appeared in numerous musicals in the S. Florida area. Her favorite roles include: Peggy in "42nd St.", Nickie in "Sweet Charity", Lola in "Damn Yankees", Morales in "A Chorus Line", Anita in "West Side Story" in which she received a Carbonell nomination and Mrs. Potiphar in "Joseph...Dreamcoat" where she won the Carbonell award for best supporting actress. Chrissi's choreography credits include: "Company" (Curtain Up award), "Crazy For You" (Curtain Up award), "A Chorus Line", "Parade", & "Carousel".

Shara Trice

Shara has been a part of dance theatre since the age of five. She has been training in all areas of dance for the last 15 years. As a member and former captain of dance theatre's competition team she has received numerous awards for her outstanding performaces. She has participated in numerous Community events such as Dan Marino's retirement half time show, FedEx Orange Bowl, Broward County Fair, etc. Dancing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was one of the most memorable experiences with Dance Theatre. As part of the musical theatre program in high school she was dance captain and choreographer. She was a featured dancer in Joseph and the Amazing Color Dreamcoat, Aida, Suessical the Musical, and Once on this Island. She is currently working on her fine arts degree. Dance has always been her passion and she loves to share her passion with others. She recently auditioned for Ashanti and was one of the only 3 selected from 75 dancers. Next season, Shara will pursue her dance career full time, and will be the first of our Dance Theatre students to Dance Professionally. Congratulations Shara!

Danielle Mednick

Danielle Mednick is an innovative choreographer and teacher. With over 7 years of teaching in all curricula, her focus on jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, ballet, and hip hop have developed an influential class curriculum. Her unique choreographic style takes movement out of the box to challenge traditional dance boundaries. Danielle has been dancing for over 20 years in the South Florida region. In May of 2005, Danielle graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor in Communication. She has received numerous scholarships, one of which was to the prestigious Alvin Ailey in New York City. She has competed in many dance competitions winning Titles throughout the state. Danielle has choreographed for an event production company for the past 6 years. Most recently she was training in New York City with Tracie Stanfield, Ginger Cox, as well as Chuck Kelly. Performance credits include: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, and Pippin.

Christine Hodges

Christine Hodges is a native of Caracas, Venezuela. Her ballet training includes the Academy Lidija Franklin, Maria Teresa Ballet School and Nina Novak Academy. In 1995, she received first place in the London Ballet's summer workshop, and in 1998 and 2002, participated in the Jackson International Ballet Competition. Christine danced with National Ballet Juvenile of Venezuela, Ballet Classic of Camara, Tulsa Ballet Theater, Ballet Florida, and Ballet Gamonet. Her repertory includes Carmen, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Theme and Variations, Who Cares, Dracula by Ben Stevenson, and Romeo & Juliet, among others. Christine Hodges has been teaching Ballet, Point and Lyrical for over ten years.

Laura Godin

Laura Godin has been dancing since the age of four, and culminated 14 years of dancing with Dance Theatre. During her dance training, Laura danced with Dance Theatre's competition team, traveling all over, and receiving many top awards. Last summer in Daytona Beach Laura led the team to 1 of only 8 spots on the International Dance Challenge's Television Spectacular. Laura is currently attending Palm Beach Community College as a Business Major.

Daryl Philibert

Daryl Philibert graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Dance. From NYC to LA he has had training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Ballroom. He has performed in many shows throughout the country and now here in South Florida. He currently teaches here at Dance Theatre, a fitness studio in Delray Beach, and several country clubs in Palm Beach County.