Spotlight Dance Works

Classes are available in all styles for dancers of all ages! Seasonal camps and sessions are added throughout the season to keep your children dancing all year long!

Additional technique class offered to IGNITE Senior Select dancers.

Optional additional technique class offered to IGNITE dancers.

Included in IGNITE Monthly Tuition (Sept-June).

Must take at least 1 of the 2 training sessions offered. 4 day Training Program (M-TH).

Must take at least 1 of the 2 training sessions offered. 3 day Training program (T-TH).

IGNITE is a program at Spotlight Dance Works for dancers seeking competitive training and team experience without the steep commitment of our Pre Pro Company. IGNITE is for dancers ages 5 and up with at least one year of recreational dance experience. The IGNITE company will represent Spotlight Dance Works at local talent competitions, community events and SDW performances.

SPARKS Summer Competitive Clinic is offered every Monday and Wednesday from July 7th to July 30th as part of the purchase requirements for the Sparks program.

Each Sparks routine requires a 30 minute rehearsal class per week, which are spread out over two evenings. Styles of these competitive routines will be jazz, contemporary and tap.

One Sparks Contemporary technique class is part of the weekly training commitment during the fall season for the Sparks Competitive Company.

One Sparks Acro technique class is part of the weekly training commitment during the fall season for the Sparks Competitive Company.

One Sparks Tap technique class is part of the weekly training commitment during the fall season for the Sparks Competitive Company.

One Sparks Jazz technique class is part of the weekly training commitment during the fall season for the Sparks Competitive Company.

Two Sparks Ballet technique classes are part of the weekly training commitment during the fall season for the Sparks Competitive Company.

Our Teen Advanced Program is designed for dancers in 8th-12th grade (13 years & older) who want to be pushed to their potential both physically and artistically. These 45 minute classes challenge dancers to explore new movements and work toward advanced technique concepts. Teen Advanced level classes are for experienced dancers, and teacher approval is required.

Our Teen Program is for dancers in 6th-12th grade (11 years & older) with dance experience recommended. These are dancers who are comfortable in a professional class structure and seek a challenge. Teen classes are 45 minutes long and teach dancers how to contribute artistically to the classroom. In teen classes, dancers focus on refining their technique while learning exciting new skills. Teen level classes are recommended for dancers with some dance experience.

Our Junior Program is 3rd-6th grade dancers (8-11 years) who are ready for a more professional class structure. Junior classes are 45 minutes long and aim to take a young dancer’s dance education to the next level. Junior dancers are exposed to a wide range of movement vocabulary and technique.

Our Mini Program is for Kindergarten-2nd grade dancers (5-7 years). Mini Classes are 45 minutes long and allow students to learn basic terminology and movements in each style. Mini dancers continue to work on strength, flexibility, coordination, spatial awareness, confidence, and creativity.

Our Pre Program is for preschool aged dancers (3-4 years). Pre Classes are 30-45 minutes and give children the opportunity to learn independence from their caregiver(s). Our Pre Program aims to build a solid foundation on which young dancers can find success in the art of dance. Our main goals are to instill children with the ability to develop fundamental skills such as strength, flexibility, coordination, spatial awareness, confidence, and creativity.

Tiny Tots Music & Moves is for 2-3 year old dancers. This class is the perfect introduction to dance for your toddler! Tiny Tots dancers come to class to learn independence from their caregiver(s). Dancers will engage in lots of fun songs and activities while enhancing motor skills, spatial awareness, and coordination, as well as class etiquette and peer interaction. We do this through pretend, role-play, use of props and song & dance related games to stimulate grace and creativity.

Teen ADV is for dancers in 8th-12th grade (12 years & older) with dance experience and teacher approval. Class placement is based on the grade level of each dancer.

Teen is for dancers in 6th-12th grade (10 years & older) with some dance experience recommended. Class placement is based on the grade level of each dancer.

Junior is for 3rd-6th grade dancers (8-11 years). Class placement is based on the grade level of each dancer.

Mini is for Kindergarten-2nd grade dancers (5-7 years). Class placement is based on the grade level of each dancer.

Pre is for preschool aged dancers (3-4 years). Class placement is based on the grade level of each dancer.

Tiny Tots is for 2-3 year old dancers. Class placement is based on the grade level of each dancer.

Isabella Varon regularly teaches ballet and contemporary techniques to pre-professional students across the Metro Detroit area and provides college preparation guidance for aspiring dance majors. Her teaching experience includes work with colleges, intensives, and festivals nationwide. Isabella is currently on faculty at Spotlight Dance Works and Viva Dance Company.

Isabella Varon regularly teaches ballet and contemporary techniques to pre-professional students across the Metro Detroit area and provides college preparation guidance for aspiring dance majors. Her teaching experience includes work with colleges, intensives, and festivals nationwide. Isabella is currently on faculty at Spotlight Dance Works and Viva Dance Company.

Ashley Taravella is certified as a teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. Ashley also loves training in Pilates to supplement her dancing. She is currently a recreational and company instructor at Spotlight Dance Works. As a dance instructor, Ashley emphasizes both technique and artistry, and teaches her students the importance of both hard work and fun.

Ashley Taravella is certified as a teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. Ashley also loves training in Pilates to supplement her dancing. She is currently a recreational and company instructor at Spotlight Dance Works. As a dance instructor, Ashley emphasizes both technique and artistry, and teaches her students the importance of both hard work and fun.

Ashley Taravella is certified as a teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. Ashley also loves training in Pilates to supplement her dancing. She is currently a recreational and company instructor at Spotlight Dance Works. As a dance instructor, Ashley emphasizes both technique and artistry, and teaches her students the importance of both hard work and fun.

Anna Taravella is an Acrobatic Arts Certified teacher, focusing on safety and proper technique in acro, and is also certified to teach Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. She is also certified in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program designed to help teach dance to children with special needs. Anna’s goal as a teacher is to make sure her students enjoy their time in class and gain self-confidence while learning new things!

Anna Taravella is an Acrobatic Arts Certified teacher, focusing on safety and proper technique in acro, and is also certified to teach Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. She is also certified in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program designed to help teach dance to children with special needs. Anna’s goal as a teacher is to make sure her students enjoy their time in class and gain self-confidence while learning new things!

Anna Taravella is an Acrobatic Arts Certified teacher, focusing on safety and proper technique in acro, and is also certified to teach Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. She is also certified in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program designed to help teach dance to children with special needs. Anna’s goal as a teacher is to make sure her students enjoy their time in class and gain self-confidence while learning new things!

Anna Taravella graduated from the Honors College at Oakland University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2024. She is now a professional apprentice with the dance company Take Root, under artistic direction of Ali Woerner. At OU, she performed in and choreographed for both Oakland Dance Theater and Repertory Dance Company. Before college, Anna trained under Liz Schmidt in the Pre Professional Training Program at Spotlight Dance Works. As a performer, Anna has had the opportunity to study with internationally recognized choreographers.

Sara Sellers has a strong background in gymnastics, having coached for three years and taught students ranging from basic coordination to advanced tumbling skills. She also trained at Spotlight Dance Works for five years, competing for four years with the Senior Ignite Company. Sara is passionate about fostering an environment where dancers can build confidence, explore creativity, and discover joy in movement.

Sara Sellers is a STOTT Pilates trained instructor as well as a professional dancer and choreographer. She was introduced to Pilates throughout her dance career and believes it is the reason her body has stayed healthy and strong during all her years of dancing. She also brings a strong background in gymnastics, having coached for three years and taught students ranging from basic coordination to advanced tumbling skills.

Meg Paul brings a wealth of significant professional experience in classical and contemporary ballet, Broadway performance, choreography, and teaching artistry. Her career spans four decades and encompasses a wide range of national and international experience in performance, choreography, curating, directing, teaching, program development, community engagement, and arts management.

Meg Paul brings a wealth of significant professional experience in classical and contemporary ballet, Broadway performance, choreography, and teaching artistry. Her career spans four decades and encompasses a wide range of national and international experience in performance, choreography, curating, directing, teaching, program development, community engagement, and arts management.

Meg Paul brings a wealth of significant professional experience in classical and contemporary ballet, Broadway performance, choreography, and teaching artistry. Her career spans four decades and encompasses a wide range of national and international experience in performance, choreography, curating, directing, teaching, program development, community engagement, and arts management.

Meg Paul brings a wealth of significant professional experience in classical and contemporary ballet, Broadway performance, choreography, and teaching artistry. Her career spans four decades and encompasses a wide range of national and international experience in performance, choreography, curating, directing, teaching, program development, community engagement, and arts management.

Nicole Meredith is versed in teaching classical ballet technique, as well as contemporary and lyrical styles. Her choreography has won numerous top honors at both regional and national competitions. Nicole’s passion is to equip her students with a solid base in classical training while evoking artistry and expression in their performance.

Nicole Meredith is versed in teaching classical ballet technique, as well as contemporary and lyrical styles. Her choreography has won numerous top honors at both regional and national competitions. Nicole’s passion is to equip her students with a solid base in classical training while evoking artistry and expression in their performance.

Nicole Meredith is versed in teaching classical ballet technique, as well as contemporary and lyrical styles. Her choreography has won numerous top honors at both regional and national competitions. Nicole’s passion is to equip her students with a solid base in classical training while evoking artistry and expression in their performance.

Elizabeth FadeLL taught ballet, pointe and partnering classes to dance majors at Grand Valley State University. She also taught ballet at Grand Rapids Ballet School, and in their Dance Immersion program where she taught ballet in the inner city public schools in Grand Rapids.

Elizabeth FadeLL taught ballet, pointe and partnering classes to dance majors at Grand Valley State University. She also taught ballet at Grand Rapids Ballet School, and in their Dance Immersion program where she taught ballet in the inner city public schools in Grand Rapids.

Elizabeth FadeLL taught ballet at Grand Rapids Ballet School, and in their Dance Immersion program where she taught ballet in the inner city public schools in Grand Rapids. She also taught ballet, pointe and partnering classes to dance majors at Grand Valley State University.

Advanced jazz technique taught by Liz Schmidt at Wayne State University and University of Michigan. She has also enjoyed guest teaching positions at Oakland University, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and ACDFA as well as serving on faculty for The Dance Sessions.

A wide variety of class offerings including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, acro & hip hop. We offer classes for children 2 years and older, with skill levels ranging from beginner & intermediate as well as advanced levels.

Final decision for company readiness & Company/ Group Placement for the upcoming season.

All prospective and returning IGNITE dancers must audition to be eligible for summer company training.

The SPARKS Summer Intensive is a required participation event from August 4th to 8th as part of the purchase requirements for the Sparks program.