Our Team

Our team in Michigan has 100+ combined years of performing arts experience. We have teachers here who’ve performed on many professional levels including The Rockettes, Hardcore Detroit Dance Crew, and the St. Petersburg Opera to name a few.

13 Teachers

in our Michigan location

10 Programs

choose your favorite dance style

We aim to provide a positive learning environment for all ages whether you’re signing your kids up for their first class, or maybe you’re dusting off your old dance shoes.

Don’t be shy we have a friendly staff who is knowledgeable and well equipped with the proper know how and tools to give you the confidence you want for the perfroming arts

Our instructors will introduce knowledge of technical, musical, creative, and performance skills, and will develop these skills for all levels. Our developmental programs builds confidence, self-esteem and coordination to create a well-rounded whole artist.

Amy Emmett

Owner/Founder – Next Step Broadway

11 Years as a Radio City Rockette
Master Choreographer
42nd Broadway National Tour

Specialty:
Amy has developed a program that builds confidence, self-esteem, & coordination to create a well-rounded whole artist.

Miss Mary

Studio Manager, Hip Hop, Breakin’, Jazz

Hardcore Detroit and Venus Fly Crews as BGIRL MAMA
Toured with Caravanserai and filmed a video Zine project with Nike
Bachelor of Science in Business Management

Specialty:
Mary is a hip hop specialist and professional artist known as BGIRL MAMA. You will learn the culture behind this dance that has mesmerized so many around the globe. www.bgirlmama.com

Miss Amanda

Triple Threats Manager, Asst. Studio Manager, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Combo

Years of competitive dance experience
Performed and choreographed for the Detroit Tap Repertory
Performed for Radio Disney and Variety

Specialty:
With over 20 years of dancing and 13 of them were competitive for ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical dance. Amanda will make sure you’re ready for any competition.

Miss Grace

Studio Manager, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Combo

Dance Education and Performance Major at Oakland University
Over 19 years of dance experience
Extensive dance training experience

Specialty:

Training experience at Oakland University, Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio, Ballet Magnificat, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (Counselor and Camper)

Miss Kasi

Triple Threat Coach, Ballet, Acro, Jazz, Modern, Combo, Contemporary, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Haitian

B.S. in Dance & Spanish: Wayne State University
Performed with Afro Brazilian & Haitian Dance Companies in San Francisco & Brazil
Starred in French impressionist dance film "Gymnopedie: Unlock the Beauty"

Specialty:
Dancing for most of her life from the beginning under Letha Fulton in Ludington, Michigan, then moving to Mexico City and San Francisco to further her dance studies before settling in Detroit. She helped Joori Jung in the preliminary stages of ARTLAB J. She is also Power Pilates certified.

Miss Beth

Triple Threat Coach, Ballet, Jazz, Combo, Contemporary, Creative Movement

B.F.A. in Dance
Performed in the Detroit Opera House
Member of More Dances Contemporary Dance Company

Specialty:
Competitively dancing since age of 3 Beth is sure to make sure you are on top when it comes to preforming still dancing with the DDC and guest performer with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble to name a few

Miss Erica

Assistant Studio Manager, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Combo, Musical Theatre Production

“Outstanding Teacher” award in 2011
Michigan State University: Bachelor’s of Science
Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Specialty:

Erica started dancing at the age of 4 and has been teaching dance for over 16 years. She studied dance under various instructors, and world renowned choreographers. In addition to teaching classes at local studios in the Metro Detroit area, she was the competitive tap coach at an award winning dance studio in Lansing, Michigan. Erica has won multiple high overall awards for her choreography. In June 2019, she became a certified WERQ Dance Fitness instructor.

Miss Heidi

Triple Threat Coach, Hip Hop, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, Acro, Combo

Nationally Awarded Choreography
Choreographed for Disney Performances
Featured in Flo Rida’s "My House"

Specialty:
When it comes to choreographing you won’t find anyone better having worked directly with well known choreographers like NappyTabs, Luthor Brown, and Matt Steffanina to name a few.

Miss Ashley

Musical Theatre Production, Voice, Acting

MFA in Acting: American Conservatory Theater
Performed in regional theaters across the country including California Shakespeare Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company and Indiana Repertory Theatre
Taught in schools and companies across the country including Stages on the Sound (NYC), Emerald City Theatre Company (Chicago) & The Chicago Shakespeare Project

Specialty:
Miss Ashley has professionally acted all over the country and is a member of Actors Equity Association. In terms of teaching, she has taught students of all ages (3 years-18+) in the concentrations of acting, acting for the camera, Shakespeare and other classical texts as well as improv and imagination and audition prep. She has passion for using the arts to encourage and instill self-confidence, ensemble building, problem solving, collaboration and listening skills in her students. Visit her website for more info: www.ashleywickett.com

Miss Kristi

Front Desk, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary

BA in Dance
Over 20 years of dance experience
Extensive dance performance experience

Specialty:
Kristi began her dance training at the age of six at the Detroit Windsor Dance Academy. During her early years of training, she performed at the Detroit Opera House, The Detroit Music Hall, Ford Field, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College Chicago, where she studied Dance. While attending The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, she had the opportunity to work with dance companies such as Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, David Roussève, Compagnie Käfig, Delfos Danza Contemporanea, and Batsheva Dance Company.

Mr. D

Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop Crew Coach

Dance Education and Performance Major at Oakland University
Over 19 years of dance experience
Freelance dancer and choreographer

Specialty:

Mr. D is a wonderful ballerino and teaches Ballet, Hip Hop and Contemporary dance styles. He started ballet at the age of 15 and joined the Louisville Ballet Company straight out of high school at the age of 19! We’re excited to have his energy and expertise.

Miss Mollie

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Combo

Dancing and Teaching dance in the greater Detroit and Ann Arbor areas for over 20 years
Teaches all styles of dance but enjoys getting the youngest dancers started in the preschool classes the most
Trained at cutting edge studios in LA, at universities and has performed regionally at numerous venues

Specialty:

Mollie Centala could be found dancing and teaching dance in the greater Detroit and Ann Arbor areas for over twenty years. Her students have gone onto prestigious dance programs at top universities and earned major scholarships, including to Interlochen Fine Arts Academy. She began dancing and teaching at Backstage Dance Theatre with Karen Corder. She trained at cutting edge studios in LA, at universities and has performed regionally at numerous venues. Miss Mollie teaches all styles of dance but enjoys getting the youngest dancers started in the preschool classes the most. Another favorite is creating flattering custom choreography giving the bride and groom a beautiful first dance together. “Seeing families blossom and grow is one of the reasons for my ongoing passion for teaching dance,” Miss Mollie.

Miss Alanna

Front Desk

Bachelor’s in English with a minor in Theatre. Master’s degree candidate - Oakland University
Competitive cheer and dance background
Extensive theatre and voice experience

Specialty:
Alanna was a competitive cheerleader for 8 years, danced at a young age for Orion Oxford Dance Arts, and was more recently a member of the Vitality Dance Club at Oakland University. Alanna has graduated with a BA in English with a minor in Theatre and has extensive experience with playwriting, directing, and dramaturgical work. Last fall, Alanna served as the dramaturg for Oakland University’s production of “She Kills Monsters” and went on to be a finalist at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival at U of M – Flint for her lobby display, actor’s packet, and program note. Last summer, Alanna submitted two original plays; “The Interrogation” and “The Great Adventure” to the 2022 Creative 360: Art Speaks Playwriting Festival. Both plays went on to be finalists and had staged readings at the festival in Midland, MI. Alanna plans to return to Oakland in the fall to earn her Master’s in English in hopes of one day pursuing a career in higher education.

Miss Autumn

Front Desk, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary

BS in Dance
Primary movement coach for the Plymouth-Canton color guard. Autumn loves color guard and can spin flag, rifle and sabre.
Currently employed by a local professional dance company, with plans to continue freelancing in Michigan

Specialty:
Autumn Short is an avid dancer and choreographer in the Metro-Detroit area. A Michigan local, Autumn has their degree in Dance with minors in Spanish and Yoga & Mindfulness. Teaching dance is her passion and she loves teaching everyone of every age. Short specializes in post-modern and contemporary techniques when setting choreography. She teaches a variety of styles all over southeast Michigan, including ballet, tap, jazz, beginner hip-hop, and contemporary. Autumn is a company dancer and secretary for Dance Uprising and has experience in freelance dancing and choreography. Her favorite color is green!

FALL CLASSES

SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES

View and download.

STAFF LOG IN

Interested in becoming part of our team?

We are always looking for more experienced individuals to join our team to help teach the wonderful world of the preforming arts. If you think you have what it takes to join our team click the “Apply Now” button below

APPLY NOW

Our Team

Amy Emmett

Miss Mary

Miss Amanda

Miss Grace

Miss Kasi

Miss Beth

Miss Erica

Miss Heidi

Miss Ashley

Miss Kristi

Mr. D

Miss Mollie

Miss Alanna

Miss Autumn

Interested in becoming part of our team?

Birmingham Location

Southfield Location