Coletta Piurowski has been dancing since she was a young child. Whether taking classes, performing as a high school majorette, USF Bullette (now known as the Sun Dolls), Tampa Bay Swash-buc-ler (now known as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders), or teaching dance classes, dance has always been a part of her life. Coletta has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is a third grade teacher at Turner Bartels K-8 School in New Tampa.
Nanette Sherrill has been dancing since the age of 5. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, and tumbling and is certified to teach in all subjects. She is a member of Dance Masters of America, Florida Dance Teachers Association, and Professional Dance Teachers Association.
Nanette performed with Tampa Jazz Dance Company as well as the Tampa Bay Swash-buc-lers. She has studied in New York with such greats as Chuck Kelly, Luigi, Germaine Salsberg and Sheila Barker. Nanette continues her dance education by attending summer conventions and workshops.
Nanette was the choreographer for Robinsons Department Store’s Teen Board fashion shows as well has being a guest teacher at Dance Masters of America summer conventions. She was also asked to choreograph The Ray’s baseball team’s “7th Inning Stretch” dance. Nanette worked with Sony music group, PYT, as dance coach and tour manager. She traveled with PYT on tours such as Brittney Spears, Destiny’s Child, 98 Degrees, and Aaron Carter.
Bio coming soon...
Lizzy Smith has been dancing since the age of three. She was trained in Vagonova ballet under the direction of Carol Lee and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). She is also trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, and tumbling. Lizzy is a four-year All-American Cheerleader and was selected twice for the Cheer Hawaii Invitational Camp. She is a past member of Florida State Universities competitive dance team, Seminole Dance Force. Lizzy was an NFL Cheerleader with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 6 seasons and was captain for two of them. She has toured Europe with the NFL performing at various US Military bases.
Lizzy graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. She is a registered and licensed dietitian working in nutrition education and counseling. She has taught at Dancemakers for over 10 years and is a director of the studio’s competition team, Attitude. Lizzy loves sharing her passion for dance and performing with her students, challenging them to become the best version of themselves, and watching them grow both on and off the stage.
Jackie Fernandez has been teaching dance for over 20 years. She began dancing at the age of 5. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, and tumbling. She performed and competed in the Tampa Bay Area and throughout Central Florida for many years. She was selected to be a Universal Dance Association (UDA) All-Star two years in a row and captain of her high school dance team. Jackie has studied dance in New York with jazz master “Luigi”, taken many classes at Broadway Dance Center, and continues to further her dance education.
Jackie teaches many styles of dance and is a teacher for the studio’s competition team, Attitude. Jackie is also a certified Zumbini instructor. She has choreographed competition routines for high school dance and cheerleading teams throughout Tampa. She has a degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Early Childhood. She taught at Bowman Academy in Tampa for many years. Her goal as a dance instructor is to give her students a strong foundation in technique and to foster a love and appreciation for dance in every child.
Lindsay began her ballet training with West Florida Youth Ballet at the age of three. She studied the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum under the direction of Jessica Davies and Rue Lynn Galbraith. She continued to study with a number of teachers in the Bay area including Esther Suarez Moreno, Mark Jelks, Trinity Hamilton and Diane Partington, and danced a variety of repertoire as a company member of the West Florida Ballet.
Lindsay attended summer intensive programs with American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet and Orlando Ballet, where she had the opportunity to study with renowned artists such as Fernando Bujones, Giuseppe Canale, Magali Messac, John Meehan, Melissa Hale Coyle and Christine Spizzo. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and English from Barnard College, Columbia University, studying ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz under Robert La Fosse, Cynthia Anderson and Mary Cochran.
Lindsay has performed on a number of professional stages throughout New York such as the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Miller Theatre and New York Live Arts, performing the work of various choreographers, including Robert La Fosse, Keith Thompson and Nora Chipaumire. Lindsay has danced professionally in a national television commercial for OfficeMax, as a company member with MishiDance, a contemporary ballet company based in New York, and as a company member with Tampa Ballet Theatre.
Lindsay has taught ballet at Dancemakers School of the Dance for four years and loves challenging her students and watching them grow.
Alex Voltz discovered his passion for entertainment as a child. He started dancing with Dancemakers in 1991, studying tap, jazz and ballet. He graduated from Blake Performing Arts High School in 2004 where he studied Art and Theatre. Inspired by tap dancers such as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover and Gene Kelly, he spent summers in New York City at Broadway Dance Center taking master classes in Tap. He ultimately entered a professional career in the performing arts, working for Busch Gardens Tampa for 11 years. He started teaching and choreographing in 2008 where he found a love and a passion to inspire others.
Christy Pelphrey has been dancing since the age of three. She began dancing at Dancemakers in 1999 and was a member of Dancemakers' performance and competition team, Pizazz. Christy graduated with honors from Gaither High School and USF. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2010. Christy is currently teaching 3rd grade.
Christy has studied in New York, taking classes at Broadway Dance Centre, Martha Graham Studio, Luigi’s Jazz Dance Centre, and others. She has enjoyed teaching, choreographing, and sharing her passion for dancing at Dancemakers since 2005. Christy is married to Matthew Pelphrey and has two wonderful boys, Connor and Caleb.
Kayla Kochan has been dancing at Dancemakers since the age of three. She has studied tap, ballet, jazz, and lyrical. She was a member of the Dancemakers performance team Pizzaz and the competition team, Attitude.
Kayla attended the University of Central Florida and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor's in communications. She looks forward to continuing her teaching career at Dancemakers.
Willow’s passion for dance and dedication to her students have made her an invaluable asset to the Dancemakers family. With her extensive background in multiple dance disciplines and her experience in competitive and performance settings, she brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to every class she teaches. Willow’s academic background in psychology has also played a significant role in her approach to teaching.
Understanding the mental and emotional aspects of performance, she is adept at providing support and motivation to her students, ensuring they excel in their dance abilities and develop a strong sense of self and resilience.
Her journey through dance has been marked by numerous achievements and experiences that have shaped her into the dynamic instructor she is today. As a coach for the Barron Collier High School Dance team, Willow was able to inspire and mentor young dancers, helping them to improve their skills and build confidence both on and off the stage. Her performances at various events around Fort Myers highlighted her versatility and commitment to the local dance community, earning her recognition and respect. At the Universal Dance Competition (UDA) Nationals for College Dance held annually in Orlando, she showcased her skills, demonstrating the spirit of teamwork and perseverance and contributing to her team’s success on the national stage. The camps at The University of Alabama provided her with further training and insight into the art of dance, allowing her to refine her techniques and coaching methods. She now serves as one of the coaches for the Florida Gulf Coast University Dance team, a Division I Program. Willow is also certified through the National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA) in dancer safety & risk management. She strives to keep her athletes happy and healthy.
Completing a 500-hour Pilates Instructor certification has further enhanced Willow’s expertise. This certification has equipped her with advanced knowledge of body mechanics, enabling her to offer specialized training that focuses on injury prevention and efficient movement. Her Pilates classes are tailored to complement dance training, providing dancers with the tools to enhance their technique through low-impact exercises that build strength and flexibility.
Returning to Dancemakers as a teacher in 2017, Willow has continued to share her passion for dance with her students. Her classes are known for their energy, creativity, and attention to detail, making her a beloved instructor among novice and experienced dancers. Willow’s commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment ensures that every student feels valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Looking forward, Willow is excited to continue her teaching career with Dancemakers, where she aims to inspire the next generation of dancers through her dedication, expertise, and love for dance.
Alissa Ferlita has been dancing at Dancemakers since the age of three. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and acrobatics. She was a member of the Dancemakers performance team, Pizzaz, and the competitive team, Attitude. Alissa traveled to New York City with Attitude to take master classes from the cast members of the Broadway shows Aladdin and On the Town. She has also studied at Broadway Dance Center.
After graduating from Sickles High School in 2018, she became part of the Dancemakers staff. She is currently pursuing her Elementary Education Degree while working in a Kindergarten Classroom in the Hillsborough County School District. Alissa is excited to continue her passion for dance as a teacher at Dancemakers.
Monday 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Tuesday to Thursday 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Sunday Closed
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