Meet Your Teachers

Mid American Studio takes pride in providing our students with a motivational, talented, and dedicated team of instructors. Our instructors come from various backgrounds, and each brings an exciting element to their classes due to their unique personal experiences in the dance field.

Miss Jillian T.

Jillian has been dancing since she was three years old where she competed in numerous competitions held all over the United States. She was a Varsity member of her high school pom team for four years and won back to back Mid American pompon State Championships. She was also a Mid American three year All Star member. She has had the opportunity to dance at events with celebrities such as Mary J. Blige, Jojo, Wyclef Jean, etc. She was a member of the Detroit Piston Dance Team Automotion for five years, where she was Captain of Automotion for three years. Jillian has choreographed pom and dance routines for many high schools teams, Detroit Shock Dancers, and Automotion. She has been working at Mid American since summer of 2007. She currently teaches Pom, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. Jillian is also the Director of Intense Dance, an all-new dance camp and clinic division of Mid American Pompon, which launched in July 2010.

Miss Natalie

Natalie graduated with highest honors from Wayne State University in 2009, majoring in Dance Education. Soon after, she obtained certification as a Michigan K-12 dance educator, and became a trained STOTT Pilates instructor. While at WSU, Natalie not only practiced various dance styles (including modern, ballet, jazz, pointe, and African), but also studied dance history, choreography, anatomy, kinesiology, curriculum design, and educational psychology. Natalie has been teaching dance since 2003, and has worked with Spain School, Farmington High, Harrison High, and Cranbrook Middle and High Schools. Natalie loves to challenge students artistically, and works together with them to create choreography unique to their individual talents and personalities. Leaving her students with much more than a recital routine, she values a well-rounded class and shares her knowledge of movement science and dance history as much as possible. Above all, Natalie believes dancing should be challenging, freeing, and FUN!

Miss Michelle M.

Michelle has been dancing for 20 years. For 14 years she danced in Farmington Hills and competed nationally. In 2005, she was recognized as the studio’s “Dancer of the Year”. Michelle was a 4 year member and 3 year Captain of the Varsity Pom Pon squad at Harrison High School, placing 3rd my Senior Year at the Mid American State Championship in 2005. In addition, she was a two-year member of the Mid American All Star Team where she was able to travel on a Cruise to the Bahamas performing for fellow travelers. Her dance career continued through college where she was a part of Impulse Dance, a dance club at Michigan State University. She was then accepted onto the Michigan State University Dance Team from 2007-2009. Michelle has a growing passion and appreciation for dance and really enjoys having the opportunity to share her love of the arts with fellow dancers. Teaching children dance and pom has made her year amazing and she appreciates the time and dedication each student has contributed!

Miss JC

Jillian has 11 years of dance experience in jazz, hip hop, ballet and tap. Jillian was a four year member of her High School Pom Pon Team. She was a three year member of the varsity squad and Captain for two years. Jillian was also chosen to be a member of the Mid-American Pom Pon All-Star Team for three years. During the summer of 2010, Jillian became a member of the Mid American Summer Staff. She is currently a member of the Mid American teaching staff. Jillian is proud to be a member of the Mid American Teaching Staff and looks forward to the opportunity to share with others her love and passion for Pom. Jillian attends Schoolcraft College.

Miss Laura

Laura was a Varsity member of her high school pom team for four years and her team won a Mid American Pom Pon State Championship her Senior year. Laura is a graduate of Albion College, where she was honored as the top communications student in her senior class. She currently works at Campbell-Ewald Advertising as a social media specialist. Laura’s fondest memories of high school are from her experiences on the Pom team, and her love of Pom Pon has followed her beyond high school. She continues to hold a great passion for Pom and truly believes that it is not only a great work out but also builds many important life skills including discipline, teamwork and confidence. She hopes to share her love of this life-changing sport with others!

Miss Rachel

Rachel began dancing at the age of 3 at local studios, and continued to passionately engage herself in the field until she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance through Wayne State University in 2008. During her time in school, Rachel studied in all genres of dance, such as modern, ballet, jazz and african, as well as completed coursework in the areas of dance history, anatomy and kinesiology for dancers, movement analysis, dance pedagogy and choreography. Rachel has had the pleasure of dancing with Mack Avenue Dance Company since 2010 and stays involved by performing and presenting at many Detroit-based events. Following her degree, Rachel wanted to share her knowledge and love of movement with others, not just dancers, and has recently completed her Full Certification as a STOTT PILATES Instructor. Rachel has been with Mid American since 2008 and couldn’t be happier to now have two teaching jobs (teaching kids and their parents!) that challenge and inspire her on a daily basis.

Miss Lauren

Lauren danced for 11 years starting when she was three years old. Lauren was a part of the Plymouth High School pompon program for four years; she was a varsity pommer for three years, and a captain her senior year. She was a part of the Mid American All Star team for two years, and was a recipient of the Mid American Pompon Scholarship at the end of her senior year. She became a part of Mid American’s Summer Camp Staff in the spring of 2011 and is now a member on Mid American’s teaching staff, as well as another collegiate pom team. She is very passionate about pompon and looks forward to sharing her passion with all of Mid American’s lovely dancers!

Miss Katerina

I have been dancing since I was three years old. I have studied the art of ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, chorus line, modern, hip hop, pointe, and musical theater. After I graduated high school, I went on to college and created the Schoolcraft College Dance Team. I am the founder, President, choreographer and instructor of the team. Dance to me is more than just an art form, it is my passion, my release and one of my ways to communicate with whomever is watching. I am excited to have the oppertunity to share my love for dance with children!