Lake Orion, MI 48360 Phone No. (248) 393.1339

Meet The Staff

 

Laura Berger, Owner, Director, Instructor

Miss Laura has been dancing since the age of three. Growing up, she took classes in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz dance. She started competing at the age of 11 and won many regional and national awards. She has been teaching both recreational and competitive dance for the past seventeen years, fifteen of those years as owner and director of L. A. Dance. Her students have won numerous first place awards and Platinum medals. Some of her past and current students have won titles such as “Miss Petite Dance of Michigan,” "Mr. Petite Dance of Michigan," “Mr. Teen Dance of Michigan,” and "Miss Dance of Michigan." They have also gone on to perform in ballet companies, compete and place at the Youth American Grand Prix, study at Blue Lake, Ballet Met, and Interlochen. She has won many Choreography Awards at Regional and National competitions. She is also a judge for the Hall of Fame National Dance Competition, Kid's Artistic Revue National Dance Competition and Rainbow Dance Competition. She continues to travel around the United States to learn from master teachers. Miss Laura is also a Tap Instructor/Choreographer at Spotlight Dance Works.

Miss Laura is available for choreography in tap, hip-hop, & jazz. Please call the studio to set up your master workshop or for private and group choreography.

Jill Zmijewski, Jazz/Hip-Hop Instructor

Jill Zmijewski has been dancing and choreographing professionally for over 10 years. After briefly attending the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship, Jill took her dance studies to Los Angeles. While in L.A., under the representation of D.D.O Talent Agency, she trained with many of the industry’s top choreographers while also booking television, stage, and music video jobs. Currently back in Detroit, Jill teaches all over the Detroit area and also teaches master classes, workshops, and does choreography nationally and internationally. She recently traveled to Finland to work with Lightning Dance Studio. Her students and choreography have won numerous awards. She is currently on staff in the Oakland University Dance Department. Jill was the choreographer of the first two seasons of Michigan’s first ever international television series, The Wannabes, which aired on ABC Family and HBO family overseas, a well as Starz Kids in the US. During this time she choreographed for the up and coming singing group, Savvy. Jill also choreographs for high school and college dance teams, including the Harvard Crimson Dance Team. She has worked with artists from Usher to Miley Cyrus to George Clooney and has worked with companies like Xbox, Chevy, Comerica Bank, and local Detroit radio stations Radio Disney AM910 and Channel 955. Jill is the founder and producer of Motor City Movement, a large and successful live dance showcase of Detroit’s hottest dancers and up-and-coming and established choreographers. We are very excited to have Miss Jill at L. A. Dance!

Carmen Wade, Ballet Instructor

Miss Carmen's dance education includes Steps on Broadway, New York, NY 2004, 2006; Ballet Academy East, Steps on Broadway, New York, NY 2005; Royal Winnipeg Ballet (Summer Teacher Seminar), Canada 2003; David Howard (Teacher Seminar), Kalamazoo, MI 2002; Dimitri Roudnev (Teacher Intensive), Lansing, MI 2001; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 1992; Further training includes Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York, NY, 1987 to 1988; Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI, 1986 to 1992; Full Scholarship Chicago City Ballet, Chicago, IL, 1986. Summer Program Chicago City Ballet, Chicago, IL, 1985; Summer Program Lascu School of Ballet, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 1981 to 1986; Robert and Norma Tayton Ballet School, Detroit, MI, 1975 to 1981. We are very excited to have Miss Carmen at L. A. Dance!

	Lesley Kay, Contemporary/Musical Theatre/Hip-Hop Instructor

Lesley has been teaching dance since the age of 14. Lesley is a former Detroit Pistons dancer and has choreographed for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ERS, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. She is a promotion team member for the Detroit Lions and choreographs their nationally televised Thanksgiving Day halftime show. Lesley has been featured in a Playstation game and performed along side Boyz II Men, Enrique Iglesias, Jon Bon Jovi, Gladys Knight and Deborah Gibson. Her students successes include Top 3 ON ‘SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE’, Juliard School in NYC, Washington Wizards, Radio City Rockettes, Disney World and many more. We are very excited to have Miss Lesley teaching at L.A. Dance!

Asad Clinton, Hip-Hop Instructor

Asad comes to us from Colorado and is now with the Detroit Pistons as the Director of the D-Town Dancers. We are very excited to have Asad on the staff of L. A. Dance!

Leanne Carberry, Tap/Jazz/Clogging Instructor

Miss Leanne has been dancing since the age of three. She has been with L.A. Dance since it opened in 1998 as a student and is now entering her sixth year as an instructor for ballet, tap, jazz, and clogging classes. She teaches both recreation and competition classes. As a competitor Miss Leanne won many Platinum and Gold medals including Top Overall awards. She also won scholarships to attend workshops both locally and in New York. Miss Leanne has a great passion for dance and continues to attend workshops locally, and out of state to New York, Texas and Chicago. She enjoys spending time with children and is very happy to be an instructor at L.A. Dance passing her wealth of knowledge and talent to all her students.

Jamie Okopny, Tap/Jazz/Hip-Hop Instructor

Miss Jamie is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied Early Education. She has been involved in dance for 14 years, during which she learned a variety of dance styles including tap, ballet, hip-hop, clogging, modern, jazz and lyrical. She was involved in competitive dance throughout middle school and high school, during which she won multiple awards, as well as scholarships to various dance conventions. Miss Jamie's interest in music extends beyond dance. She played the oboe for seven years, and was honored the position of principle chair in the top band during her last three years of high school. Furthermore, she has studied the acoustic guitar. She has a passion for working with children. Miss Jamie is very excited to begin her seventh year of instructing at L.A. Dance, and she is thrilled that she has the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for dance with her students.

Linda Fournier, Tap/Jazz Instructor

Nicole Neff, Ballet Instructor

Miss Ann, Office Manager

Miss Ann has been with L. A. Dance since its start in 1998 and is available to everyone to answer questions and assist with any problems or concerns. She is in charge of shoe, tight, and leotard orders. Please feel free to contact Miss Ann for anything you may need!

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS

Nick DiNicolangelo, Tap Choreographer

Beginning his teaching career at the age of 15, Nick has become one of the most in-demand tap choreographers in the country. His efforts to incorporate aspects of others forms of dance while remaining true to classic rhythm and style has set his work apart from the rest. With his unique and energetic approach to teaching, Nick hopes to inspire students across the country to embrace tap dancing and explore its rich history and culture. Nick was a charter member and captain of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble as well as an original member of Mike Minery’s Tapaholics. Entering his sixth year on the Adrenaline Dance national tour, Nick feels blessed to be able to travel, teach, and choreograph for studios across the country. Recently, syn.co.pate, Nick’s own summer tap intensive, brought together many of the most talented tap dancers in the nation.

Liz Schmidt, Contemporary Choreographer

Liz Schmidt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in dance from Wayne State University. As a performer she has danced with top jazz and contemporary companies around the Detroit area including Detroit Dance Collective and Gravity Dance Company. As a teacher / choreographer, Liz spends most of her time pursuing her main passion as the artistic director of Spotlight Dance Works. Her students at Spotlight have consistently earned her recognition for best choreography at various regional and national pre-professional dance organizations. Liz has also been a national talent judge for Hall of Fame Dance Challenge for many seasons. Liz was named by Dance Teacher Magazine as Best Contemporary Choreographer of 2008. Liz has been on faculty at the University of Michigan, teaching advanced jazz technique to dance and theater majors. She has also enjoyed guest teaching positions at the Wayne State University Dance Department, Western Michigan University Dance Team, Michigan State Dance Team and many local studios and workshops. She is currently on faculty for The Sessions; a contemporary workshop featuring some of the best up and coming teachers and choreographers in the nation. In the past, Liz received choreography grants under the Wayne State University Dance Umbrella Program and has also accepted a position as a guest writer for Movmnt Magazine.

Chris Jacobsen, Lyrical/Modern Choreographer

Chris was born and raised in San Francisco, California and graduated from San Francisco's school of the arts high school. He now resides in New York City. Chris has also toured with PUSH Entertainment, dancing and choreographing for such artists as Jackie Chan and Coco Lee. Chris is a nationally sought out choreographer and teacher. He travels the country setting pieces and teaching for many studios and workshops. Chris and his students are known for their versatility and 'raw' style of dance. His classes emphasize strong technique and exploring different movement. Chris is on faculty with Adrenaline Dance Competition. Chris likes to challenge and bring out the best in each of his students

Sean Harrington, Jazz Choreographer

Bio coming soon!

Sonya Tayeh, Choreographer

Detroit, MI is the home of Motown, Techno, and many forms of inventive dance. Growing up in such a diverse environment, sound and movement became Sonya Tayeh’s nature. Listening, feeling and analyzing music as a child, allowed Sonya to move according to the sounds she heard and felt. She experienced the freedom of freestyle movement until she reached the age of 17. At this time, Sonya realized that with this rooted style there had to be a base, a form, and a technique. Searching for a foundation, she decided to study dance at Wayne State University. She received her BFA in dance studying dance history, anatomy, and performance. Indulging herself in this art, she graduated one year early. Sonya now teaches a self-titled class called Combat Jazz, which incorporates her deeply rooted form with the essence of contemporary technique mixed with her own 'quirky' style. This stylized, free-flowing movement is aggressively formulated through one on one physical contact. In this form of movement, the importance of core strength and body awareness is a constant. Sonya Tayeh now resides in Los Angeles where she is faculty at the Edge Performing Arts School and is represented by MSA Agency for choreography. Her work has gleamed through television screens on So You Think You Can Dance. She also travels the world teaching workshops, intensive master classes, and setting works. Sonya has had the pleasure of collaborating with choreographers such as Tabitha and Napoleon, Shane Sparks and many more. She also choreographs and conceptualizes for Kerli, a new innovative singer signed with Island Def Jam. She has received much recognition and prestigious accolades at various choreography competitions and University Gala performances. “I believe having a strong sense of self as a human being allows movement to become natural like nature. Nature changes…it’s constantly evolving. Being of this earth, we must do the same. If we move with nature, our bodies will never lie, it will simply be natural.”

Nick Zborowski, Hip-Hop Choreographer

Nick began his training at the young age of eleven, studying all forms of dance and attending various workshops across the country. Specializing in hip-hop and tap dancing, Nick has been able to work with artists, choreographers, and dancers all over the world. Based out of Dallas for four years, Nick’s entertainment career took off. He began teaching for Adrenaline and Showbiz “The Class” National Convention. He also began choreographing award-winning pieces for dance studios all over the country and sharpening his skills in music/video editing. He quickly became known for his smooth style and energetic choreography. Nick has since relocated to Los Angeles and added acting to his many talents. Nick has appeared on episodes of MTV’s hit television show Punk’d, print advertisements, and commercials. He was selected as a dancer for Latin superstar Cheyanne for his World Tour and MTV’s Latin Video Music Awards. He also performed in Europe and Panama for the Ms. World Pageant and the Ms. Universe Pageant consecutively. His choreography is in demand from studios all over the United States and he also teaches hip hop at one of LA’s premier dance studios: Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio. In 2007, Nick became the director of Urban Legends Hip Hop Workshop and has enjoyed watching it grow. Nick is also traveling with some of the Urban Legends faculty offering mini workshops at studios in the Los Angeles area. He is enjoying educating serious dancers on the realities of the professional dance industry. Nick’s many talents have paved the road to success. Nick’s hard work, unique style, and professionalism make him one of the most the brightest talents in the entertainment industry.

Kyle Molter, Jazz/ Lyrical Choreographer

Kyle is a Backstage Manager for Nextstar Dance Competition as well as an employee of Hall of Fame Dance Challenge. He is a Platinum winning soloist winning an incredible 7 regional titles in 2006. He has been recognized for his amazing performance quality at Rainbow Dance Connection by becoming a "Dancer of The Year" Candidate. He has worked as a Teachers Assistant for 3 years and now works as a competitive dance instructor. Kyle has a love for dance that is seen through his teaching and his ablity to motivate dancers to believe in greatness! Kyle is a 3 time competitive scholarship winner as well as an inspiration to the students at Haja where he is an Assistant Director.

Kyle is also currently working with the Toledo School for the Arts, Burn The Floor, Flex Pointe and L.A. Dance doing master classes as well as choreography.