Thomas has been coaching dance, gymnastics, and cheer for over 18 years, he is the owner/director of Aerial Elite in Stuart. He has been a choreographer and/or performer for Nishay Fisher, Molly J, Meghan Ritmiller, Vanilla Ice, Mzlady Zae, Mia Michaels, and creative director for Mzlady Zae tour. Tom was also hired as backup dancer for a tour with DJ Khaled. Tom’s passion and love of dance inspire all, with and without disabilities.
Born and raised in Arizona, Rebecca O’Neill has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Although she’s studied many forms of art in both Arizona and Florida, most of her training is in contemporary and ballet. Moving across the United States has helped her to gain experience in a variety of ways including workshops, competitions, masterclasses, and conventions. She continues to train her technique in order to expand her creative work as a performing artist. In 2021, she choreographed and performed for Speaklife the Musical (a nonprofit organization for anti-bullying awareness). She has shared her passion for serving Martin Country by contributing to many artistic and faith-based organizations. She recently graduated from Clark Advanced Learning Center and IRSC. As she continues to grow in the teaching industry, she plans to pursue dance and holistic nutrition at USF next year. Rebecca enjoys portraying themes of life through movement. Her heart for all her students is to know that they are valued beyond their skill but as an unique individual with a story to tell.
Maddie fell in love with dance at the young age of three in her first pre-ballet class. After 15 years of training in all styles of dance she attended Indian River State College on a scholarship for dance. Maddie has been teaching and choreographing since 2017. She uses her diverse dance experience to shape strong and confident dancers who love the art as much as she does.
Jesse Seth Hammel has professionally performed throughout the United States, Japan, Canada and Bermuda with ballet companies like James Sewell Ballet, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Ballet Pacifica, Grand Divas, Ballet Florida and Demetrius Klein Dance. He has been a founding Ballet Director for Downtown Dance and Wellington Ballet Theatre, as well as directing his own school and company, Ballet Atlantica. He also holds a Master of Science degree and professional licenses as a physician of Traditional Oriental Medicine.
Mr. Hammel joined our teaching staff In 2018.
Shelby Trembly was born and raised in Palm City, Florida. She danced locally since the time she was 3 at Florida Arts and Dance Company and Dance Academy of Stuart. While in high school, she performed at the Orange Bowl Halftime Show with Dierks Bentley, the Russel Athletic Bowl Half Time Show with Nico & Vinz, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Spirit of America’s. Shelby studied dance at Indian River State College, on scholarship, after graduating high school for two years. While at IRSC, Shelby taught at Dance Academy of Stuart, and was a part of Miss Alicia’s company, Atlantic East Coast Dance Theatre. She then transferred to Santa Fe College and studied dance for another year. After receiving her AA from Santa Fe College, she then transferred to the University of Florida where she majored in Event Management, and continued to study dance in their arts program. She was also a part of Extreme Dance Company while studying at UF. This past year, Shelby danced with a local dance studio in Gainesville called Cameron’s Dance Center. She graduated from the University of Florida Summer of 2021, and began teaching at The Dance Academy of Stuart in 2021. She is so excited to be back with her dance family teaching!
Kim Lorenzatto began her training locally at the age of seven in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Acrobatics with an emphasis on Jazz and Lyrical. She competed throughout her childhood and young adult years on regional and national levels earning National High Scoring titles. Throughout her 25 years of teaching, Kim has choreographed competition pieces that have earned Judges’ Choice Awards and Platinum Medals. Kim is certified to teach through Dance Educators of America and is a 2-time attendee of Dance Masters of America Teacher Training Seminar in Buffalo, NY. Kim has continued her education as an adult by attending master classes with teachers from across the country. Kim received her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique and enjoys incorporating this method with cross-training to the students of DAS with a focus on strength and proper technique.
Kim has been instructing at The Dance Academy of Stuart since 2009.
Philip Kendrick (also known as P.K.) was born in West Palm Beach FL. And is a native of south Florida. As a dancer he is part of Tae Talent which is one of the most respected agencies in Miami. As one of the most sought after Hip Hop teachers in Florida he has taught/is teaching in some of the most respected and talked about studios through out South Florida. (DanceTown. Dance Attack, Focal Point, Stars, Sean's Dance Factory, etc.)
P.K has also shared the stage with Jason Derulo, Don Omar, Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, Trick Daddy and Danity Kane and has done videos with the likes of Luis Fonsi, French Montana, Yandel, One Direction, Flo Rida etc.
And it doesn't stop there he has also appear on shows such as MTV Super Sweet 16, BET Spring Bling, Premios Juventud and Premios Lu Nuestro.
His passion for dance has inspired others through his artistry of dance. And he is happy to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers as a sought after master teacher and judge.
Philip joined the Dance Academy of Stuart in 2020.
Ryan began dancing locally at the age of 6. Since she began, Ryan has been training to be diverse in many styles of dance ranging from Ballet to Hip-Hop and everything in between. Ryan also grew up competing where she has won numerous awards, scholarships, and has met/learned from praised choreographers. Along with competition, she was part of the DAS Stuart City Dancers pre-professional company. At the age of 11, Ryan became a teacher’s assistant for the younger ballerinas and at the age of 15 she began teaching her own classes. Now, Ryan continues to teach in multiple genres and choreographs for our DAS competition team! In 2017, Ryan became an official instructor of DAS and a company dancer with the Atlantic East Coast Dance Theatre. In 2020 she has also received her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT).
Sonya began her ballet training at the age of 14 with the Ft. Pierce City Ballet under the direction of Nataly Nijinski. She was Bolshoi/Kirov trained at the age of 17 and went with Ms. Nijinski as an observer at the Olympics of Ballet Competition in Bulgaria and took ballet classes with the American team. She danced soloist/principal classical roles for the FPC Ballet for 17 years and began teaching beginning/intermediate level ballet to the students during the last seven years she was with FPC Ballet. Sonya has been with the Dance Academy of Stuart since 2008.
Susan Horton brings 10 years of experience in ballet instruction to The Dance Academy of Stuart. Her training and professional dance experience include dancing for: Ballet Florida, the Iranian Nivaran Ballet, State Ballet of Augsburg, Germany, the Harkness Ballet Co., and a Trainee at the Joffrey Balley School in New York City. She has attended ballet teacher seminars at Purchase College in NY and received the American Academy Certificate of Excellence. She also received a Dance Teacher Magazine Certificate of Recognition. Susan has been with the Dance Academy of Stuart since 2008.