Faculty
Shea Alvarez | Owner, Creative Director
Shea began dancing at Karl & DiMarco before she was three years old. Her mother saw the company perform at a local show and knew that was the studio she needed to take her daughter to. Shea fell in love with dance and at the age of 9 became a member of the American Musical Theatre Company, Karl & DiMarco’s dance company.
Throughout her dance training at K&D, Shea performed and competed with the Company earning multiple awards and competing nationally. Shea began teaching at K&D at the age of 15 and continued her dance education through conventions, training at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in NYC as well as dance teacher seminars such as Dance Teacher Summit. Shea is also Acrobatic Arts certified.
After graduating from USF with a degree in Advertising, Shea became a wardrobe stylist for film and television and traveled all over the country and internationally creating costuming and wardrobe for various clients such as ESPN, Maxim Magazine, independent films and countless live events. During this time, Shea lived in NYC while she continued her dance training. She was a director of K&D’s competitive company, receiving multiple awards for choreography, costuming and overall placement at various competitions. Shea is thrilled to continue the legacy of Karl & DiMarco as the owner of the south studio and is committed to giving every student the opportunity to dance in an inspiring, nurturing and inclusive environment.
Bri Solberg | Office Manager
Brianna was born and raised in North Tampa. She attended Freedom High School and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2018 with a Bachelors in English Literature. She works as K&D south’s full-time office manager and brings passion into every avenue of her life.
Brianna handles all billing, scheduling and general studio communication as well as Company event management.
Carolyn Rose | Ballet, Costume & Merchandise Manager
Carolyn Rose was born in Brooksville, FL, and started dancing at age six. After completing R.A.D examinations under Gillian Davis, she started her professional career at 15. She has had the honor of performing soloist and principal roles such as Bluebird and Lilac fairy from 'The Sleeping Beauty’, Odette/Odile from 'Swan Lake’, Coppelia from 'Coppelia’, Mina from 'Dracula’, Sugar Plum Fairy from 'The Nutcracker’, as well as original choreography from beautiful contemporary ballet minds.
While continuing to strive for perfection, she has been teaching classical ballet for over 10 years in the hopes of spreading the knowledge and passion that has been given to her by so many.
Carolyn manages costumes for recital and studio merchandise.
Aly LaHay | Jazz, Contemporary, Technique, Company Director
Aly has been dancing since the age of 2 and added gymnastics to her repertoire when she was 7. She joined the competitive dance team when she was 9 years old and has been fostering her love of dance ever since then. In high school, she was named captain of the dance team and was awarded “All-American Dancer.” On top of dancing, she began teaching at her local studio when she was 16 and fell in love with choreographing for other young girls with a love for dance.
After graduating high school, Aly began completing her business management degree at State Fair Community College while moving to New York City to audition and dance professionally. In the two years of living in the big city, she performed in three contemporary productions, three musical theater productions, two ballet productions, and multiple nonprofits. She was able to find studios in need of teaching and was able to teach kids from the age of 16 months up to graduating high school seniors. While completing school, teaching, and auditioning she continued her training by taking weekly classes at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Alvin Ailey Dance Center.
Aly manages all Company event registrations as well as our competition team.
e: aly@kanddsouth.com
Allison Voiland | Jazz, Hip Hop, Technique, Stretch, Company Director
Allison danced at Karl & Dimarco starting at the age of 4 and became a member of our competition team at the age of 8. She taught classes and assisted during her high school years. Allison danced on the H.B Plant High School dance team (Danceros) and was a co-captain her senior year. During college, she worked on Staff for Universal Dance Association (UDA), including middle school and high school dance team summer camps/competitions all over Florida. Allison held a lead dance position for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi (ADPI), choreographing and competing in philanthropy dance competitions and winning several titles. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a minor in Dance. Since graduating, Allison has continued to work around high school dance teams through Dance Team Union (DTU) at highschool dance competitions in Florida.
Allison now holds a Masters degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, with a focus on Human Performance, through the University of Florida. She's excited to apply her education and knowledge in the dance industry!
Allison is the contact for Performance and Prep team communication.
e: allison@kanddsouth.com
Erica Rubero | Ballet, Pointe, Company Director
Erica has been dancing since she was 3 years old and was asked to join her studio’s competition dance team when she was 8 years old. While competing she won many Platinum awards and some notables which included NUVO Breakout Artist, NUVO Stand-out in Ballet and Hall of Fame’s Dance Challenge All Stars just to name a few. She also participated in America’s most prestigious ballet competition, The Youth American Grand Prix for 4 years and was in the top ten two times.
Erica loved to spend her summers away at different Ballet Intensives learning different styles of dance as well as training with many different artistic directors. She has attended summers intensives at Orlando Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, The Miami City Ballet, Alvin Ailey in New York and the Carreño Dance Festival in Sarasota.
She joined the Next Generation Ballet’s year-round trainee program (at the age of 11, as one of the youngest dancers in the company) where she trained for 2 years. During that time she had the opportunity to dance in the opening number of the YAGP Gala in the Lincoln Center.
In high school, Erica continued her dance training at Blake High School of the Performing Arts. She is very excited to be able to share her enthusiasm and artistry of dance by teaching at Karl & DiMarco.
Deana Brickley | Jazz, Musical Theater, Company Director
Deana, a native of Kissimmee, Florida, where she is currently residing, is one of the dance community‘s most accomplished dancer and choreographer. She had the honor of being a Radio City Music Hall Rockette for several seasons. Among her other accomplishments: the Glee, Smash, Bad Romance video with Lady Gaga, PSA with Beyonce, performed with Jennifer Lopez at the American Music Video Awards show, America’s Got Talent, and worked with many other prestigious artists and choreographers.
Deana proudly assisted choreographer Tessandra Chavez, as well as having performed in many videos of up-and-coming musical artists. Locally, she also enjoyed being on stage performing in the Equity Production of Beauty and the Beast as well as a high-kick dancer in Universal Studios‘ Christmas Parade. She considers herself an “all-around dancer” and has been dubbed a “chameleon” adapting to all genres of dance. Her skills as a dancer have taken her all around the world and her work has won her many awards and scholarships at numerous competitions and conventions. Deana is looking forward to a joyous and fruitful dance experience as she pursues her dance, choreography, singing, and acting career.
Karen Ritchie | Acro, Precision Dance, Progressive Ballet Technique
Karen is a Canadian-born performer who spent her early years racing from the gym to the studio. She was an elite competitive artistic gymnast through the age of twelve, but when push came to shove, she chose to focus on dance. Her technical studies in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe and acrobatics led her to a worldly career - from working as a dancer, tumbler and aerialist on cruise ships to performing multiple contracts at Tokyo Disney in Japan.
In 2005, Karen became a Radio City Rockette and was thrilled to perform across the United States and Canada in the Christmas Spectacular for nearly 20 years. She performed in both the New York Spring Spectacular choreographed by Warren Carlyle and the New York Spectacular choreographed by Mia Michaels. Karen has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, the Rockefeller Tree Lighting, the Tony Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, America's Got Talent, the NBA All-Star Game and the Life Ball in Vienna, Austria. Through these performances, Karen has had the opportunity to perform alongside Derek Hough, Jenna Ortega, Pitbull, Flo-Rida and Christina Aguilera. She can also be seen in the Hallmark movie “A Holiday Spectacular”, the Kasey Musgraves Christmas Show on Amazon Prime, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and several television commercials.
Karen is on staff with Acrobatic Arts as a Course Conductor and Examiner and is also certified in Progressive Ballet Technique. She has taught master classes and workshops at Radio City Music Hall and Broadway Dance Center, as well as throughout the United States and Canada. Karen is very excited to call Tampa Bay her new home and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise with the local dance community!
Shelby Russ | Contemporary, Technique, Modern, Company Choreographer
Shelby Russ was born and raised in Tampa, FL where she danced from age 3 in a local studio. At 15, she attended the performing arts school Howard W. Blake High, where she trained in ballet, modern, choreography and had the opportunity to work with Jennifer Archibald, Jon Ole Olstad, Duncan Cooper, and Bliss Kohlmyer. She then continued on to train at the University of South Florida and worked with Stephanie Martinez, Joshua Peugh, Michael Foley, Jeanne Travers, and Paula Nunez. Upon graduating in 2023 with her Bachelor in Fine Arts, her self choreographed solo “Woman’s Search” was selected for the American College Dance Association national gala in Long Beach, CA and than was further selected (1 of 5) to perform at the 2023 Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival. She is now a company member with the Tampa City Ballet Dance Theater.
Lindsey Schadt
Lindsey Schadt | Lyrical, Ballet, Technique
Starting at just 2 years old, Lindsey grew up dancing at a prestigious studio in Massachusetts, training competitively in contemporary, jazz, ballet, modern, acrobatics, and tap, under the instruction of Stephanie P. Kemp, Jill D’Aguanno, and Hope Spect. She won a multitude of top scoring awards and assisted as an Elite Dancer with the Excel in Motion Convention. At the age of 14 she began assisting and teaching classes.
She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance performance at the University of South Florida. While studying there she trained with artists such as Michael Foley, Andee Scott, Bliss Kohlmyer, Jeane Travers, John Parks and many others. Her performances include Michael Foley’s Dusk (2016) and Be Right Back (2017), Bliss Kohlmyer’s Catalyst (2017), and Alex Ketley’s Ballast (2018). During her time studying at the University she was a recipient of the Hug Scholarship for choreography.
The Summers of 2017-2018 she worked as Dance Administrator for a New England Summer Day Camp organizing and executing all dance activities and performances. In her years of experience educating and sharing her passion for dance with students along the East Coast, she has received multiple top scoring and specialty awards for her choreography. In 2018 she became certified in Acrobatic Arts and finds it important to continue her dance education so she can best serve her students.
Being a momma of two little girls, Lindsey understands the positive impact she can have on her students and is regularly reminded of the importance of fostering her ability well. Dance isn’t just what she does, but it’s a huge part of who she is. She is passionate about sharing that with her students and using it as a way to help mold them into the best individuals they can be on and off the dance floor.
Marta Ortega | Ballet
Marta began her ballet studio at the Elementary Ballet School "Alejo Carpentier"and later at the National Ballet School (today "Fernando Alonso") and in 2005 she changed her focus to the specialty of Modern, Contemporary and Folk Dance, graduating in 2008, with the Golden Title of his promotion. That same year, she became a part of company Danza Contemporánea d e Cuba, directed by maestro Miguel Iglesias, where she remained for 8 years. During that time she became Principal Dancer and Maitre. As a part of the group, she works with with renowned choreographers all over the world, premiering much of the active repertoire that the company still maintains: Mats Ek, Rafael Bonachela, lan Linkens, Juan Kruz, Itzik Galili, Julio César Iglesias, George Céspedes, P e d r o Ruiz, Carlos Acosta, Annabelle López Ochoa, Billy Cowie and Ángels Margarit, among others.
Marta graduated from the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA), in the specialty of Contemporary Dance. Gold Title, 2015. She was part of the founding group of ACOSTA DANZA company (2015), directed by the prestigious dancer and choreographer Carlos Acosta and with that company she performed on remarkable world stages performing works such as: Imponderable and Alrededor no hay Nada, by Goyo Montero, Carmen and Don Quixote, in the versions of Carlos Acosta, Twelve, by Jorge Crecis,Portal, b y Juanjo Arqués, Derrumbe, by Miguel Altunaga, Paysage, soudain, la nuit, by Pontus Lidberg, Rooster, by Christopher Bruce, Soledad, by Rafael Bonachela, Mundo Interpretado by Julianno Nunez and Mermaid, b y Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, a duet created especially for her And Carlos Acosta.
In 2022 she co-starred with dancer Brian Gonzalez, a musical produced in Cuba under the direction o f Ivan Belaustegui "ALMA, The Musical". Together with Brian, she is currently developing a training program in Cuba to prepare students who study specialized dance careers. It is a project that combines classical ballet and contemporary dance techniques (floor work) with the aim of forming a more complete and versatile dancer, bringing their personal and professional experiences as artists, who have assumed in their careers, roles that have required them to master several dance techniques.
Maggie Reed | Combo, Tap, Musical Theater
Born and raised in the South Chicago suburbs, Marguerite (Maggie) began Irish Step dancing when she was seven years old, and went on to compete as a soloist and team dancer at the Regional, National, and World championship levels. She started participating in school musicals in the fifth grade and training in other dance styles, such as ballet, jazz, and tap.
By freshman year of High School, Maggie was a full-time ‘theatre kid’ and had hung up her Irish Dancing shoes. She served as the Music Director and was a member of her high school show choir, and in 2019, she won ‘Best Actress’ at the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards and attended the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, The Jimmy Awards, in New York City. In April 2024, she graduated from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts with her BFA in Musical Theatre.
Marguerite is a true triple threat performer, but she enjoys working on the production side of shows just as much as she loves being in them, and has vocal directed and choreographed musicals like RENT, Newsies!, and Spring Awakening. She’s also a multi-instrumentalist, proficient in flute, piano, piccolo, guitar, percussion, and ukulele.
Maggie is incredibly passionate about arts education, and is so proud to be a member of the K&D Family, working with the next generation of artists!
LD | Hip Hop, Company Choreographer
LD was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He is a man of many talents, and for him, on of the purest things he can do is move to the music. he has been a dance instructor since 2012, and he always tries to find ways to bring the best out of his students. LD has performed on stages such as Wild Splash and opened up for artists in the industry such as Mindless Behavior, Kevin Gates, Fat Joe and more. He has also has been in the World of Dance stage finals in the dance battle bracket. LD has won more than 10 dance jams from free-styling and has also Dj’d events as well. His beats have been played and danced to not only here but overseas in Thailand and the UK. He enjoys making funny videos that have gotten countless views. LD works hard to bring everything he’s learned to his students and tries to lead them in the right direction in life.
Teddy Evans | Hip Hop, Company Choreographer
Tedrick Evans was born in Tallahassee, Florida. Growing up he wasn’t much of a talker, but as an artist, his head was always on a new project that challenged his mental and visual skills. At first, dance was just a hobby he did when he wanted to feel good while the music was playing, but eventually, through college, his love for art became more dance focused and eventually joined a dance team and started competing, and creating choreography for teens, and young adults. This led to awards, and opportunities that he didn’t expect at first but was grateful to have experienced. After graduating college, he placed dance on hold and to move to another city to work in a business. He eventually knew this wasn’t all he wanted to do and got back into dancing and focused heavily on teaching the future of the dance community. During these years, as a coach he has provided the tools to help his clients and team members win pageant awards, World of Dance competitions, and teaches in various studios in the country.
Amanda Griffeth | Acro
Amanda Healy began dancing at age two and soon after began intense training in acrobatics and contortion. Throughout her childhood, she won numerous regional and national titles as a competitive acrobat. While attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, she was a highly sought after acrobatic and contortion instructor. In 2015 she relocated from New Jersey to Saint Petersburg, FL. Now, she has over ten years of teaching experience and is certified by Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility, and Progressing Ballet Technique. Her students have been very successful in competitions as well as finding work in the industry. Her teaching style in the classroom encourages growth and motivation while building strength and mental confidence.
Kelsey Nelson | Technique
Kelsey has over 25 years of dance experience, from major motion pictures, teaching students across North America, judging at prestigious dance competitions within the United States and creating her own conditioning program for dancers. With a Bachelor of Science in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University, Kelsey's professional performing credits include working with renowned choreographers like Fatima Robinson, Mia Michaels, and many more on projects like Anchorman II: The Legend Continues, Rock of Ages, and Disney's Million Dollar Arm. She has also shared her talents with well-known companies such as HSN, Royal Caribbean International, Feld Entertainment, and Cirque Productions, to name a few. But Kelsey's passion goes beyond performing. She is equally dedicated to providing quality instruction and choreography. With experience at various universities, dance studios, and national conventions, she has continually honed her teaching skills and choreography portfolio. As a Master Instructor for various organizations, Kelsey has the privilege of connecting with dancers from all corners of the country.
Addy Mickler | Contemporary, Hip Hop, Transition, Company Choreographer
Addison began dancing at K&D when she was 6 years old and became a Company member at age 11. Addison is a recent graduate of H.B. Plant High School where she was involved in the Plant Choir as a choreographer for performances on stage. She is now attending the University of South Florida majoring in business while minoring in dance. She is thrilled to continue her dancing career by teaching at K&D South!
Jared Stone | Tap, Company Choreographer
Jared Stone is a 19 year old dancer from Jacksonville Florida. He currently attends the University of south Florida where he is attaining his BFA in contemporary dance. Jared has been tap dancing, along with all other styles of dance, since he was 3 years old. He has competed solos under the choreography of Aaron Tolson and has taken classes from Derrick Grant, Sarah Reich, and Dormesha Sombre-Edward’s. Jared is so excited to be an official tap teacher at K&D South!!
Sophia Fernandez | Combo, Hip Hop, Contemporary
Sophia Fernandez has been dancing for 12 years and was on the 5th Dimension Dance Center competition and travel team. She trains in all styles and has earned recognition around the country. Some being True Performer at Intrigue Dance Convention, Streetz Company for Streetz Dance Convention, Heat Assistant for Heat Dance Convention, and Protege and Vip finalists for Radix and Jump Dance Convention. She has also placed top 3 in multiple improv competitions (In10sity, Streetz, and Intrigue) and has won a choreography competition (Intrigue).
She attended Blake High School where she studied ballet, modern, and choreography to further her technique. There she trained under instructors such as Layla Amis, Daniel Lewis, and John Lehrer. In her senior year she debuted her collaboration piece “The Fracturing” at the National High School Dance Festival at Point Park University. Additionally throughout her time at Blake she was ABT certified and was vice president of the National Dance Honor Society.
In the fall, she will be attending USF and will continue to choreograph and teach at studios in the area.
Peyton Hussey | Combo, Hip Hop
Peyton began dancing at K&D at the age of three and became a company member at the age of 7. She has placed overall at competitions many times and has received multiple scholarships throughout her time as a competition dancer. Peyton began assisting classes when she was 9 and has helped with camps over summer since she was 12. Peyton is currently going into her senior year of high school (class of 26’). She has also been apart of Plant High School’’s dance team, Danceros, since she was a freshman and has learned to balance both a competitive dance and school dance lifestyle. Peyton hopes to one day be apart of a college dance team where she can continue to grow as a dancer. She plans to cherish her last year as a competitive dancer taking in every lesson she’s taught and making the most of the time she has left with her dance family.
Chela Levy | Contemporary, Hip Hop, Improv, Company Choreographer
Growing up at K&D, Chela began dancing at the age of 2, and became a Company member at the age of 7. Throughout her time with the Company, she toured with convention events as a Streetz Company assistant (23’-24’), and an Intrigue Senior Assistant (24’-25’), performing consistently with the faculty and setting a total of 10 works over the span of the Regional/National Tour.
Chela is a recent graduate of the Howard W. Blake Dance Department earning a Master Certification in Dance. Through the program she has gotten to work with instructors such as Layla Amis, Daniel Lewis, and John Lehrer. In her senior year her collaboration piece “The Fracturing” debuted in the National High School Dance Festival Showcase at Point Park University among many of the nation’s up and coming young choreographers.
Chela currently continues her dance education as a student of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she will obtain her BFA in Contemporary Dance. She hopes to use all she is learning to inspire others and continue growing as an artist and choreographer.
Jaidah Laws | Hip Hop
Jaidah is graduate of the University of Tampa with a degree in Psychology. She was the Choreographer Captain of her school's club hip-hop dance team, Unified Dance Crew. Dance has been apart of Jaidah’s life since she was three years old training in Hip-pop, Jazz, Ballet, etc. She also danced pom style for 4 years in high school and attended the hip-pop convention Kaos. Jaidah’s classes are centered around the foundations of Hip-pop and most importantly fun!
