Spring 2024 Schedule

Instructors

Mallory

Mallory

BIO

Dr. Mallory grew up dancing and performing since the age of three, locally in Tampa with her niche as a musical theater performer. She now acts as an audition coach and judge for multiple Thespian and Dance competitions.
 
Dr. Mallory is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). As a ballet instructor, Mallory holds a certification in the Progressing Ballet Technique method which provides muscle memory training for classical ballet. In addition, she is a certified acrobatics teacher through Acrobatic Arts. Dr. Mallory has taught group dance and fitness classes for over a decade at reputable studios in the area before owning her own studio. 
 
Dr. Mallory holds a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis and has multiple published research studies in scientific journals on various topics of using principles of ABA to teach dance and decrease coercive coaching styles. She utilizes the principles from ABA as an ACT therapist to ensure her dancers are loved and supported while also being safely pushed to their highest potential.

fun fact

Mallory loves her pets, Baldwin and Gwen!  

Kim

Kim

BIO

Kim is a dancer with a background in classical ballet and modern dance. Kim’s dance studies include the DeParis School of Ballet, St. Petersburg College, and as a dance major at USF. Kim professionally danced with the Florida Gulf Coast Ballet Co. and St. Petersburg College Modern Dance group. Kim has a 200 hour Yoga Certification, 85 Hour Prenatal Yoga Certification, and is also certified in the BarScuplt Barre method. Kim is passionate about sharing dance with others and her classes are always fresh, fun, and challenging in an encouraging environment.

fun fact

Kim is absolutely hilarious 

Allison

Allison

BIO

Miss. Allison is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. She has a BA in Communications from IUPUI and also attended Columbia College Chicago.

She has taught at many performing arts programs and different dance intensives throughout the US. Due to her traveling professional dance schedule, she subs for various studios for group classes, summer intensives, and at public and private schools. Her recent professional credits include Legoland NY, Valleyfair, RWS Entertainment Group, Odd-O-T’s Entertainment, Sea World Antonio, and Cedar Fair Entertainment.

fun fact

Her favorite food is sushi!

Jennah

Jennah

BIO

Miss. Jennah has been dancing for twenty years and loves sharing her love of dance with her dancer! “The biggest reward with teaching is to share the passion of dance. This art form builds character, teaches students the cost and reward of hard workers well as teaching dancers how to take care of themselves mentally and physically.” Outside of dance, she loves to draw, paint, craft, and design new clothes. When she’s not teaching, she spends her time looking for new projects, trying new foods, and playing with her dog. 

fun fact

Her favorite color is purple and her favorite animal is a penguin!

Victoria

Victoria

BIO

Victoria Leggett has been dancing since she was just two years old! She took classes locally for 12 years and competed for four of those years. Her favorite styles of dance are hip-hop, musical theater and acro. She attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with her bachelors degree in Marketing. Victoria not only an instructor for dance and adult fitness classes but she is also our studio Marketing Manager! You can often find her sharing stories on our social media accounts and snapping professional photos of our dancers.

fun fact

Victoria has worn hearing aids practically her entire life as she was born with a hearing disability. This hasn’t stopped her from accomplishing anything! 

Alexis

Alexis

BIO

Alexis was born and raised in Tampa, where she grew up dancing since the age of 4. She was a competitive dancer for fourteen years and the captain of her team for two years. She taught acrobatics at her dance studio and was a teacher assistant that often subbed for other teachers. Currently, she is studying mechanical engineering at USF as well as being a member of the USF Sundolls dance team. They recently performed at NDA Nationals in Daytona, where they placed fourth overall in the D1A Team Performance Division. Alexis has a strong passion for dance and is excited to be a part of the ABASI Dance Lab family!

fun fact

Chocolate ice cream is her favorite dessert!  

Jen

Jen

BIO

Meet our studio manager, Jen! She is the glue that keeps us together! Jen not only runs the studio, she also teaches combo classes to our mini dancers and specializes in behavioral therapy! 

fun fact

Jen loves Disney!

Shelley

Shelley

BIO

Ms. Shelley has been teaching dance for over a decade in the Tampa area. She was awarded a scholarship to train and dance with the Baltimore Ballet, and has also danced professionally with the Tampa Ballet Theatre and the Brandon Ballet. She has performed in many classical and contemporary ballets such as Swan Lake, La Bayadère, Chopiniana, Dracula, Carnival of the Animals, and Alice in Wonderland.

She specializes in teaching all ages and levels in ballet, as well as pointe (including pre-pointe), and classical variations. She is also certified in the three levels of Progressing Ballet Technique; an innovative conditioning program assisting dancers to achieve their best through understanding the correct activation of muscles, and proper alignment and weight placement. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced dancer, private lessons with Ms. Shelley will help you reach your goals!

fun fact

Shelley once shared the stage with the infamous Evgenia Obraztsova, a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet!

Melissa

Melissa

BIO

Melissa is a former professional ballet dancer for the Atlanta and Central Florida Ballet, an ABASI certified instructor in our proprietary POINTE Program, and Creative Loafing’s “Best of the Bay” Choreographer! Melissa is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, an innovative program for muscle memory conditioning for classical ballet. Melissa especially loves teaching adults and seeing them improve in technique and performance. She is silly, creative, and known for her incredibly precise teaching style.

fun fact

Melissa rescues animals ALL THE TIME.

Erin

Erin

BIO

Erin is a Tampa native and is proud to live in this very artistic community filled with art of all kinds. Her husband and two daughters are her highest priority. Her passion is leading a well balanced lifestyle that encourages others while sharing her many creative talents with her community and beyond.

fun fact

Erin loves to create fluid art!

Jordan

Jordan

BIO

Originally from Tampa, FL, Jordan Freed is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she earned her BFA degree in Dance – with a concentration in Ballet. While attending USF, she had the opportunity to perform in numerous works by faculty members Andrew Caroll, Paula Nunez, John Parks and Andee Scott as well as guest choreographers Alex Ketley and Claudia Lavista. She has studied all dance forms including the codified techniques of Lester Horton, Martha Graham, and Jose Limon. 

Jordan previously attended Peridance, in NYC, for the BluePrint intensive where she studied under Rachel Patrice, Joshua Beamish, Enzo Celli, Antonio Brown and Laura Rae Bernasconi. She also had the opportunity to perform in a work choreographed by Joshua Beamish in the final showcase. 

Post graduation, Jordan worked as a guest dancer with the Tampa City Ballet under the direction of USF faculty member Paula Nunez. She has performed in two parts of a trilogy called 7th Ave & Ybor. 

Prior to earning her BFA from the University of South Florida, she graduated from Blake High School and Orange Grove Middle Magnet School, and spent her years training at Frank Rey Dance Studio as well as taking summer intensives at Patel Conservatory. She has had the opportunity to study under many excellent teachers such as Kelly King, former captain of the Rockets, Ivonne Lemus, Ballet Mistress at Patel Conservatory, Duncan Cooper, former ballet dancer with San Francisco Ballet and the Dance Theater of Harlem, as well as Carlos Dos Santos, former dancer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Alvin Ailey. 

fun fact

She is certified in Spin, Yoga & Barre Techniques.

Christi

Christi

BIO

From a young age, Christi has been drawn to deepening her spiritual way of living as well as the mind body connection. She loved yoga right from the start and has been practicing ever since. It’s been about 8 years now that each day, she steps on her mat to practice mindfulness. She is a certified kids yoga teacher through Kidding Around Yoga and is a certified 200 hr Yoga Teacher. During the day, Christi is an energetic third grade teacher and also teaches kids yoga, family yoga, and has led camps at our studio!

fun fact

Christi has a dog name Bruno! 

Shreeya

Shreeya

BIO

Shreeya is a PhD student in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the University of South Florida. In 2018, Shreeya completed a B.S. in psychology at the University of Florida during which time she assisted in ABA research for problem behavior and skill acquisition. She began her clinical work in ABA at a center that treats children with Autism. In 2018, Shreeya returned to her home in Tampa to begin her M.S. in ABA at the University of South Florida which she completed in May 2020 under supervision of Dr. Raymond Miltenberger, and research with Dr. Mallory Quinn at ABASI Dance Lab.

Shreeya has a background in Indian classical dance and other styles which inspired her research in dance performance. As a master’s student, she worked with beginner-level recreational dancers at ABASI Dance Lab to help them improve their performance using ABA procedures. As a PhD student, Shreeya is continuing her research in ABA and dance.  

Shreeya is currently working at ABA Sports Innovations and ABASI Dance Lab as a Registered Behavior Technician through the Behavior Analysis Certification Board and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She provides ABA therapy in combination with dance or personal training to individuals with special needs. She also assists in training competitive dancers using behavioral interventions and conducting training seminars on behavioral coaching procedures in the POINTE program.  

fav quote

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”  -Walt Disney

Kelly

Kelly

BIO

Originally from Athens, Greece, Kelly began dancing at the age of nine at a local dance studio after observing a dance class at her elementary school. At the age of 14, she received a full scholarship to attend a dance school of her choice and started to attend competitions. In 2011, she won first place in the Ladies Styling division at an international ballroom competition, Acropolis Dancesport, in Athens. 

 

In the summer of 2012, Kelly moved to Florida, US and started teaching Hip Hop and Latin dance classes at a local studio, while continuing her training alongside instructors such as Dave Scott, Laura Edwards, and Brian Friedman. In addition, she has performed for artists such as Flo Rida, Wiz Khalifa, Cardi B, and Lil Wayne, and has danced at several private events. Kelly fell in love with dance instantly, and even more so after exploring its history and culture. She has completed her Associates in Arts Degree at Saint Petersburg College and is pursuing a Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education. Until she becomes a school teacher, she has made it her mission to show others the beauty dance holds by sharing her passion through dance instruction.

fun fact

Kelly also teaches Ballroom and is our only Ballroom dancer.

Mark

Mark

BIO

Mr. Mark is a local hip hop and tap teacher with 8+ yrs of dance experience as well as 3 years of teaching experience. He also has many credits as a regional musical theater performer and majored in musical theater in college. In addition he works as a substitute teacher and has experience as a sub ESE teacher for all abilities.

fun fact

Mark’s favorite animal is a dog!