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 Jaimee

Dance has been a BIG part of Jaimee’s life since she was three years old. Over the past 20+ years, Jaimee has had the chance to perform and compete on a national level. In 2002, Jaimee was awarded Ms. Universal Dance Association (UDA) Great Lakes and also had the honor of joining the Detroit Fury Dance Team. Jaimee continued her professional dance career and had the opportunity to perform with Disney Radio, Gravity Professional Dance Group, Enrique Iglesias, Neil Young, and Mary J. Blige. The summer of 2010, Jaimee was selected to be part of the Intense Dance Staff, which is the newest division of MidAmerican Studio. Jaimee has also had the chance to train at Broadway Dance Center and Steps located in New York. In addition, Jaimee was part of her high school varsity dance team for all four years. Even though dance is Jaimee’s #1 passion, she had decided to take some time to complete college with an Electrical Engineering Degree from Western Michigan University.

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 Ashley M.

Ashley has studied dance for her entire life. She received the bulk of her training at a studio where she competed regionally and nationally for over 17 years. In addition, she has studied nationally with numerous world-renowned choreographers and at prestigious dance studios in New York City and Orlando, Florida. She was certified as a high school cheerleading coach by the National Cheerleading Association, where her squad won Top Team honors. Ashley has performed in the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game and with the Walt Disney Company.

Miss Ericka

I love to dance and have been dancing most of my life. I am formally trained in many styles of dance including tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet and ballroom. After graduating with a BBA in marketing I went back to school for a degree in Early Childhood Development. I was a preschool teacher for years.I also am a certified Zumba Instructor.I have recently received my Zumbatomic certification as well, which is Zumba for children ages 4-12 years old. I have directed, produced, and choreographed four productions. To me dancing is all about having fun. My classes are filled with lots of smiles, laughs, and good times. Many of my students do not want to leave when class is over. I show my love for dance in all my classes and my students learn to share my passion and enthusiasm. I teach some of the youngest students at the studio. My degree in early childhood education and my love of children helps make my students first experience in dance so special. I am not only a dance teacher; I am a wife and mother. I have an amazing husband and two beautiful boys. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with you and your children.

Miss Holly

Holly began dancing at the young age of three, studying many forms of dance. She enjoyed both both performing and competing for many years. She was also a member of her high school pompon squad, was captain for two years leading her team to the Mid-American State Championship. She has been teaching all forms of dance (including jazz, tap, ballet, pompon, hip hop, ballroom, swing and Latin)to both children and adults for over 15 years. She is also a certified Zumba instructor. Holly’s goal for class is that it is fun yet educational.

Miss Kyra

Kyra was introduced to dance at the age of four. Starting out studying classical ballet, her love for every genre of dance grew quickly. Dancing in a studio setting six days a week by the age of 10 gave her challenges,discipline, a creative outlet, body awareness and sense of self confidence. She was introduced to the sport of Pompon in High School in 2000. Making the team sophomore year gave her a new love. This passion was unlike anything experienced prior. After graduation and becoming a Mid American Pom All Star, and captain, this pommel needed more! The year of 2005, Kyra, took the position of head varsity coach at her high school alma mater. Coaching through the winter of 2010, the team she coached was awarded hip hop champions, back to back high kick champions, and 4th in the state in 2010. Her love of pom led her to kick start and coach the first college all star team, Extreme 2007-2009. Pom Pon and Dance has created purpose, passion, and everlasting bonds for Kyra. She is thrilled to be sharing such a rewarding experience with the dancers of Mid American Studio!

Miss Courtney

Courtney started dancing when she was three years old and took classes such in ballet, jazz and modern until she made her cheerleading team in middle school. She then went on to become part of the Motor City All-Star team where she performed for the Detroit Lions and various events around the Motor City. Courtney made her High School Varsity Pompon team her freshman year and became captain her senior year where they went on to win the State Championship title in 2005. She then became a Mid American Staff member where she taught high school teams at pom camp every summer for six years. She also became part of Grand Valley State University’s very first pom team and became president before graduating in 2009. She continues to work at Mid American and teach youth classes at the studio.

Miss Leah

Leah has been dancing since she was four. She took classes at various studios in Farmington Hills for 10 years. In middle school she began to take pom classes at Mid American, and went on to make the varsity pompon team in High School. She was a four year varsity member and named Most Valuable Pommer in 2008. She also led the team as a captain her senior year. In addition to this, she was a two year member of the Mid American All-Star team. During her high school pom teams off season, she enjoyed being a Specialty Dancer in the annual school musicals. The summer of 2010 marks her second year being employed as Mid American Pompon summer camp staff. She is also a member of the pom team at the University of Michigan where she lives and attends school. Leah loves performing and teaching pom, as well as spreading her enthusiasm and excitement for the sport with anyone interested.

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 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 Kristen

I am a Zumba certified instructor who loves teaching Zumba to my own kids who have inspired me to share my love of Zumba with other children. While attending Michigan State University, I took several aerobics classes which began my love of fitness. I also took formal lessons in ballroom and Latin dances in East Lansing. I love to encourage children to be active. I believe the key to a healthy life is starting young.