With over 24 years of experience, Amy is an accomplished dancer as well as an instructor and choreographer. Amy began dancing at the age of 4, and competing by age 6, at Gel’s Dance Centres in Parkersburg, West Virginia.  She is technically trained in a vast number of styles including Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Acro/Gymnastics.

​

At age 12, Amy had the opportunity to travel to Russia with Mr. Jerry Rose and The Beckley Dance Theatre.  Together, they had the privilege to be one of the first American dance groups to perform in the schools of Russia.

 

Amy competed for 12 years as a group and solo dancer, acquiring numerous regional & national championships. Through competitions and professional dance workshops, she has also had the opportunity to study from some of the most sought after dance professionals in the industry today – Mia Michaels, Nick Lazzarini, Mandy Moore, Dee Caspary, Ray Leeper, Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo, Barry Youngblood, and many more!

 

While attending West Virginia University, Amy was a member of the WVU Dance Team, choreographed several of their performance routines and taught classes at Northern WV Performing Arts Academy.  As if this wasn’t enough, she was also still teaching for her home studio.  While serving as the solo director for her home studio, her choreography and soloists received several regional and national titles.

 

After graduating from WVU with a B.A. in Communication Studies, Amy returned home to teach for her home studio until moving to Maryland in 2008.

 

Dance is only one small piece that makes up who Amy truly is. Faith and family are, without a doubt, the two most important things in her life.  Without them, Illumination Dance wouldn't be possible!  Amy truly believes that her purpose in life is to share her God-given talent of dance and to be an inspiration to everyone who enters the doors of Illumination Dance!