Michelle McGrath Gerlick - Director
Miss Michelle began her dance training at age 3 at her parents dance studio, Academy of Ballet Arts, and has been teaching for over 25 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", and was a Miami Heat Dancer for the NBA. Michelle also appeared in two NFL Superbowls, both as a dancer and a choreographer, during which time she toured the East Coast as a Superbowl Staff member. Michelle's greatest achievement in dance has been 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 for the past 20 years, Michelle has led her students to such notable accomplishments as the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, and Superbowl XLI. Michelle is excited to announce that Dance Theatre is growing once again. Dance Theatre at Plantation Promenade will be opening this Fall. With 6 locations Nationwide, Dance Theatre is the largest children's dance program in the Eastern, U.S.

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.

Kimberly Davis Bruce - Artistic Director
Currently serves as Artistic Director at Dance Theatre. Originally from North Carolina, Kimberly received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Drama from East Carolina University. Upon graduation she continued her dance training under scholarship at NC School of the Arts, the American Conservatory of Dance and Gus Giordano Dance Chicago. She has extensive pageant experience earning her numerous titles, awards, and scholarships. Kimberly developed quite a diverse performance career with Ballet and Musical Theatre companies and traveled the world choreographing and performing on Crown and Cunard Cruise Lines. She is a member of the Actor's Equity Association. Some of her dance highlights here at Dance Theatre include leading the Dance team to many titles and top awards such as Grand Champions at Starbound Nationals and Showstoppers, Top Finalist in the International Dance Challenge Senior Division, numerous Best Choreography awards, and opening number for the 2004 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Now in her 22nd year at Dance Theatre, Kimberly is currently the DTX Team Director at Dance Theatre at Wellington Green.

Shannon Piccininni - Dance Company Director
Shannon began dancing at the age of 2. She became a member of the company at Academy of Ballet Arts and spent years performing all around South Florida. Shannon also had the privilege of performing in Atlanta in 1996 during the Olympics. While in college, she continued dancing and performing many styles of dance. Shannon has the immense pleasure of being with Dance Theatre all 20 years. Teaching children is her passion and she is extremely grateful for all her wonderful students. When she's not teaching she is probably at a baseball field, or with one of her 3 children.

Tara Goodman - Dance Company Director
Tara has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for over 10 years. Her professional career started at the age of 16 yrs with Body and Soul Dance Theatre. Tara has been in several commercials for different names including Coors Lite and Checkers. She has choreographed for several singers and singing groups including the group Stryke 5 which toured on the 2000 Britney Spears tour, as well as choreographed for several corporate events such as Crush Orange Soda and Bijoux Terner. Her dancers have moved on to work professionally on broadway and commercials as well as train in prestigious college dance programs such as FSU, UF, USF, University of Arizona & much more. Tara graduated with a BFA in dance from New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL.

Alexa Sanabria - DTX Team Director
Alexa began dancing at the age of three, training in jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, and modern/contemporary dance. She has been part of the Dance Theatre family in South Florida for 18 years, where she danced competitively. As captain of the DTX team, she helped lead the team to win several Top National Titles. Alexa then went on to attend Florida State University where she majored in Dance and trained under many prestigious teachers in ballet, modern, jazz, pilates, gyrokinesis, choreography, and kinesiology. During her senior year of college, she was selected to attend a program called FSU in NYC. This program allowed her to complete her final semester of school in Manhattan where she continued her training while interning at Peridance Capezio Center. Upon graduating with a BFA in Dance, Alexa remained in New York and danced for a modern/contemporary dance company under the direction of Jenna DelMonte.

Laura Rollison
Laura Rollison 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. In July 2006, Laura lead the team to one of only eight spots on the International Dance Challenge's television spectacular in Daytona Beach. Now a mother of two, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and sharing her passion of dance with her students.

Nikki Meyer - Dance Company Director
Nikki began her love for dance 15 years ago at Dance Theatre. During her training she was a part of the Dance Theatre Competition Team, earning many awards including Top overall production at Starbound National Competition in 2008 with her team mates. She was captain of the 2012-2013 DTX season. Nikki has performed in the Orange Bowl, Marlins half time show and also the 2006 Miami City Ballet Nutcracker. When Nikki is not at Dance Theatre she is hard at work rhinestoning everything in sight for her business "Bling it Up".

Kameron Blink
Kameron Bink was born and raised in South Florida and started his Training at the Age of 6. He started working professionally at the age of 16 dancing in Miami with artists such as Paulina Rubio, Ivy Queen, Don Omar and Celia Cruz. In 2007 Kameron was a Top 10 Finalist on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance". Kameron also had the opportunity to work under renowned Contemporary Choreographer Larry Keigwin and Premiered his Piece "Runaway" at the Joyce Theatre in New York City. Kameron is Currently living in South Florida where he continues his education in Dance and hopes to continue moving and bringing joy to audiences and inspire young dancers all over the world.

Kelly Pryor
Kelly has a strong dance background. She began her studies at the age of 3 in Spokane, Washington. She was trained in ballet, jazz and tap. Ballet was her main focus and was trained in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. At the age of 17 she started dancing professional and traveled the US with a huge magic show called "Vertigo." She has done many different shows "Chicago," "Grease," "Dirty Dancing," "Motown," "Victor Victoria," "West Side Story," "Tribute to Barry Manilow," "Cirque Du Monde," "Cirque Fantasy," "Hot Latin Rhythms," and many more. Kelly as appeared in "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Justin and Kelly" movies. Kelly enjoys teaching kids to dance and is still dancing professionally.

Chrissi Ardito
Chrissi became a certified dance instructor with Dance Educators Of America back in the 1980s. Before she was teaching fulltime, her many years of dance training led her to performance in dance companies, theme parks, around the world on cruise ships, and finally professional theatre, where she joined the Actors' Equity Association. As a union member, Chrissi performed such roles as Anita in "West Side Story", Morales in "A Chorus Line", Peggy Sawyer in "42nd St". Chrissi then took the next step to choreography and now, aside from teaching at Dance Theatre, she choreographs for professional regional theatres. For her work, Chrissi has received 2 Carbonell awards, 5 Curtain Up awards and a Silver Palm award.

Devyn Collins
Devyn Collins has been dancing & performing since the age of 3. She is an NY native who has trained extensively in Jazz and Modern with the Alvin Ailey company & Broadway Dance Center, while also studying Ballet and Tap and later branching off to Hip Hop and Salsa. Devyn has worked with various artists such as Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Lil Jon & Nelly. Her television credits include MTV's TRL, Star Search, VH1 Fashion Rocks, NBA All Stars, as well as commercials. Devyn has created her own unique style of dance. Her strong athletic technique fuses Jazz, Hip Hop and Pop. Her passion, love & commitment for dance has brought her to higher levels and will continue to propel her career as a gifted and talented choreographer. This season Devyn welcomed baby Maverick into the world.

Christine Hodges
Christine Hodges is native of Caracas Venezuela. Her Dance training includes: Academy Lidija Franklin, Maria Teresa Ballet School and Nina Novak Academy. Mrs. Hodges participated at Jackson International Ballet competition VI and VII. She received 1st place in the summer workshop by the London Ballet in 1995. Mrs. Hodges danced with National Ballet Juvenile of Venezuela, Ballet Classic of Camara, Tulsa Ballet Theater, Ballet Gamonet, South Florida Ballet Theater and has performed with Ballet Florida. Her repertory includes Carmen, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Many Balanchine pieces Theme and Variations, Who Cares, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet , The Cyclical Hour among others. Mrs. Hodges, has been dancing for over 25 years and teaching it for more than 15 years.

Meet Our Staff
Meet the heart of Parkland Dance Theatre! Our talented instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the studio, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention and encouragement to reach their full potential.