Faculty & Staff
Allison is a passionate and driven professional ballet instructor who graduated Summa Cum Lauden from Lynn University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Beginning at the age of 13 she received the “National Trainee” scholarship from American Ballet Theater for three consecutive years. At 15 years old she became homeschooled and dedicated her life to ballet training under the prestigious Magaly Suarez at The Art of Classical Ballet. At 18 years old Allison was accepted to the international ballet competition known as Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, where she received company position offers. Due to an injury, Allison chose to pursue a career in teaching ballet rather than dancing. To complement her ballet classes, she completed a 500-Hour Pilates training program and a Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) certification. She began teaching dance privately and in local ballet studios in the South Florida area. Allison is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She also has a passion for choreography, in which her pieces have placed 1st & 2nd in multiple ballet competitions in the US. She won the “Outstanding Choreographer” award at YAGP 2019. Through positivity and love, Allison’s goal is to train dancers to become the ultimate Athletic Artist and be prepared for any professional experience they may encounter.
Michelle Shannon is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, and an all around performer of 15+ years.
After graduating from Dreyfoos School of the Arts, with a major in Dance & Musical Theatre, she went on to pursue her career throughout South Florida & beyond. Such work includes but is not limited to:
- Concert & Commercial Solo/Group Live Performances
- Performances with Independent Artists
- Modeling for World of Dance and YouFit Fitness
- Brand House Leadership
- Choreography for Competitions & Showcases of all ages, Weddings, Private Parties, Group/Solo Events
- Film And Theatre Production
Michelle greatly encourages anyone to follow their dreams and share their gifts with the world!
Ms. Turner’s professional dance training began at the New England Dance Conservatory in Massachusetts. She has performed with Pittsburgh Ballet, Albany Berkshire Ballet, and Hartford Ballet. After graduating from University of New Hampshire, she performed as a dancer and stilt performer with Walt Disney World Entertainment. While at Disney, she became a Staging Specialist and ESQ Specialist, which made her responsible for the “entertainment show quality” of live shows and events. She has collaborated with Broadway affiliates, ABC Productions, MTV Productions, and the Disneyland Entertainment team throughout her teaching career. Projects included the Walt Disney Christmas Parade Filming, Daytona 500 opening ceremony, Tarzan Rocks, Festival of the Lion King, Main Street Trolley Show, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, and the opening team of Finding Nemo the Musical. As an AFAA certified group fitness instructor, Lyndsay also teaches adult fitness classes, Zumba, Barre, and is a certified Pilates Instructor.
Maria Hernandez, born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, began dancing at age 3 with Ballet training, later embracing Colombian Folk and Afro-Caribbean styles like Mapalé, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Reggaeton—both socially and through school programs.
After moving to the U.S., she continued Salsa, winning high school competitions, and discovered Hip-Hop at Sean’s Dance Factory. She began professional Hip Hop training under Sean Green, where she was inspired to expand into other street styles such as Dancehall, Afro, Krump, Punking, Vogue, Waacking, House, and Funk styles like Popping and Locking which she continues to train on. She has also trained nationwide under renowned choreographers such as Jillian Meyers, Kyle Hanagami, Mikey Pasante, and Chris Grant, among many others. She remains committed to learning and evolving as both dancer and artist.
Maria became a dance instructor and choreographer in 2012, developing a distinctive style, and was asked to showcase at Miami’s Black n’ White Choreographer’s Showcase, led by celebrity choreographer Ekandem Essiet. She has choreographed and performed in music videos and tours for upcoming local artists; she has performed in Miami Heat halftime shows and performed with Vanilla Ice and Sugarhill Gang.
From 2013 to 2015, she grew into not only a dancer, but also choreographer, assistant director, and co-director of Sean’s Dance Factory, with whom she won 1st place and M.V.P. at World of Dance New York.
Maria has taught Venus Williams and assisted in choreographing for her and Serena Williams’ annual showcase. She’s taught and mentored students now working and touring with Ciara, Chris Brown, BTS, Ozuna, Daddy Yankee, and more.
Her work has been featured at Broward Performing Arts Center, Kravis Center, Lake Worth Playhouse, and art galleries including The Norton Museum, The Box Gallery, and C&I Studios. She’s led Hip-Hop crews from multiple studios to 1st place wins, always honoring Hip Hop’s foundational elements in her elaborate pieces.
As choreographer for Loud Live Productions and artistic director of her nonprofit We Can’t Stop Won’t Stop—inspired by surviving a life-threatening car accident—Maria creates dance and healing-centered events that empower trauma survivors and aspiring dancers.
She believes in spreading her love for dance and helping dancers of all ages grow with confidence and passion. For Maria, dance is both a form of expression and a lifestyle.