FOUNDER

Julie founded Stage Door Dance Studio in 1992 and is enjoying her part time retirement. She is so proud that her daughter, Kelly Colgan has fully taken over the company. She truly enjoys watching all of these kids grow up and becoming life long friends.

Director

Kelly is the director of Stage Door Dance Studio and Stage Door Dance Company. With a strong foundation in dance growing up, Kelly also attended a three-year training program at New York City's renowned Broadway Dance Center. Kelly's passion for dance extends beyond the studio walls. As a valued member of the staff at On Stage America National Talent Competition, she contributes her talents as both a staff member and choreographer for their National Gala Opening Number. Kelly's choreographed routines for Stage Door have earned numerous overall top scores, choreography awards, and entertainment awards at various competitions throughout the year. In both 2013 and 2017, she received the coveted Teacher of the Year award at the National Awards Gala hosted by OSA. Kelly's commitment to continuous growth and professional development is evident through her diverse certifications. She holds credentials as a Flexi Stretcher Instructor, Acro Arts Instructor, Alixa Flexibility Instructor, Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor, and possesses a McGovern Method Certification. Kelly is also proud to be a member of the Youth Protection Advocates In Dance. These certifications not only showcase Kelly's versatility but also her commitment to staying at the forefront of dance education and offering her students the most comprehensive training possible. Kelly has helped lead dozens of dancers to pursue their dreams after high school including college dance teams, college dance programs, Cruise Ships, NBA/NFL teams and more. With a rich background in teaching, choreography, and an impressive list of accomplishments, Kelly continues to inspire dancers of all ages, nurturing their talent and fueling their passion for dance.

Instructor

Meghan, a lifelong devotee of dance whose journey began at the tender age of 3 and has continued to shape her life for the past 27 years. Her unwavering passion for dance led her to pursue a higher education at James Madison University, where she not only honed her skills but also assumed leadership roles within the dance community. As the President of the Madison Dance organization, Meghan played a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant dance culture on campus. Additionally, she served as the head choreographer for the street team, showcasing her exceptional creativity and artistry. Meghan’s love for dance extends beyond her university years. At her home studio, she shares her expertise by teaching Hip Hop and Jazz Technique to aspiring dancers. Her dedication to her craft is evident through the award-winning Variety and Hip Hop routines she has choreographed for local High School Varsity Dance Teams. Meghan takes immense pride in witnessing her choreography come to life on stage, empowering and inspiring her students to reach new heights of artistic expression. In addition to her dance pursuits, Meghan has achieved her AFAA Group Fitness Certification in 2014, highlighting her commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. However, her true calling and most fulfilling role in life lies in imparting her passion and knowledge of dance to her students. Meghan finds tremendous joy in nurturing young talent, fostering their growth, and instilling in them a deep appreciation for the art form. With over two decades of experience, Meghan continues to be driven by her love for dance, constantly seeking opportunities to expand her horizons and refine her skills. Her infectious enthusiasm, coupled with her expertise, makes her a cherished mentor and a beacon of inspiration within the dance community.

Instructor

Candra Preshong began her training in Northern Virginia and studied under Michelle Sarson, Mark Mejia, Linda Kintz, and with various professional teachers/choreographers through workshops locally and nationally. After attending Point Park University and finishing her degree in psychology at George Mason University, Candra began teaching and having success at the regional and national level with her choreography, winning high score and choreography awards at the solo and group level both regionally and nationally. This along with Candra’s artistically demanding and innovative class structure has made her a highly sought after master instructor. In 2009 Candra co-founded IMPACT DANCE, a pre-professional company with unique and dynamic choreography, technical excellence, and unparalleled artistry cultivated by fusing the elements of concert dance with contemporary movement and creating a captivating performer. IMPACT alumni have danced with the Ailey School summer program, Joffrey summer program, BalletMet, represented by BlocLA and BlocNYC talent, VCU, NYU, Shenandoah Conservatory Dance, PACE University, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, and have been faculty at PeridanceCenter. Candra co-founded fusiondance in 2006 and through this professional company, her choreography graced the stages of the Lincoln Theater, The Lang Theater, The Lisner, The Jack Guidone, The Ernst Cultural Center, SyneticTheater, Schlessinger Center, the Workhouse Arts Center, Dance Place, Dance Loft, and in 2015 premiered an evening length work at Dance Place in the 10th Annual Capital Fringe festival to rave reviews. Since 2015, fusiondance has premiered four original evening length works across the DMV area and beyond with dancers performing all over the US and parts of Europe. she continues to strive to elevate the contemporary dance scene with a dynamic group of dancers who excel in all styles of dance in this prestigious pre-professional program.

Instructor

Gianna has been dancing since she was two years old. She began dancing at Stage Door in 2007. She is trained in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. While in high school she was on the Battlefield Varsity Dance Team all four years and was captain her senior year. She graduated from Beauty School and loves doing hair and makeup and how it all ties into being in the dance world. Gianna has a very outgoing personality that everyone who knows her loves her and she has a gift working with children. Gianna loves teaching the kids and being apart of the Stage Door Staff.

INSTRUCTOR

ALEX GRADUATED FROM GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE AND A MINOR IN DANCE IN 2010. WHILE IN COLLEGE, SHE DANCED PROFESSIONALLY AS A WASHINGTON REDSKINS CHEERLEADER AND TAUGHT VARIOUS CLASSES AT STUDIOS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. ALEX IS A CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER AND YOUTH EXERCISE SPECIALIST WITH THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE. SHE IS THRILLED TO BE TEACHING AT STAGE DOOR DANCE STUDIO THIS YEAR!

Instructor

Minda’s commitment to dancing began when she was 2 and it has remained a constant in her life over the past 25 years with Stage Door has been her dance home since 2011. As a graduate of Prince William County Public Schools, Minda participated in the dance program through the Center for Fine and Performing Arts when it was housed at Woodbridge Senior High School. During her junior year in high school, Minda began assisting in classes at Stage Door Dance Studio and discovered that her love of teaching and dance could work together. After high school, Minda received her Bachelors in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina. During her time at USC, she would teach summer classes at Stage Door. Through these summers she was able to put her education knowledge to use while continuing to explore her love of dance - especially tap. Using her extensive knowledge of child psychology and development and her love of foundational dance, Minda has continued to teach preschool, mini and petite level classes at Stage Door. Minda also enjoys working with middle and high school dancers to help them refine their skills as growing dance educators. In recent years, Minda has committed to continued education in the field of dance. She is a proud Member of the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance. She has also received training through Team Julie Kay, the DiscoverDance Experience and iTap Trainings with Hillary-Maria. Minda also assists with the management of Stage Door Dance Company and is a sixth grade science teacher at Benton Middle School.

Instructor

Sydney Johnson has been dancing since she was three years old. At eleven years old, Sydney was invited to train under Ska Von Schöning, a renowned contortionist and trainer, at her facility in Las Vegas, Nevada to further her knowledge and education of contortion.Upon graduating high school, while earning her cosmetology license and college educations, Sydney was entrusted with a leadership role at Synergy Performing Arts Academy in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. As the head of the Acro and Contortion department, she shared her expertise, knowledge, and love for these art forms, inspiring and mentoring aspiring performers. Sydney’s commitment to the world of dance and acrobatics extended once she joined the Stage Door Dance Studio staff as head of the Acro department. During her time with Stage Door, Sydney has continued her education and acquired several certifications, including Modules 1-3 through the Alixa Flexibility Program, Hand Balancing through the TADA Program, Preschool and Module One of the Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher Program, PBT Training Program, and is also YPAD Certified. These qualifications reflect her continuous pursuit of excellence and her commitment to providing the highest quality instruction and guidance to her students. Through her performances, teachings, and certifications, she leaves an indelible mark on the world of dance, acrobatics, and contortion, inspiring others to reach new heights and discover their own artistic potential.

INSTRUCTOR

KELSEY TIMMERBERG BEGAN DANCING AT THE AGE OF TWO AND STARTED TRAINING WITH DEGRASSE DANCE STUDIO WHEN SHE WAS SEVEN. ALTHOUGH TAP IS HER FAVORITE, KELSEY IS EXTENSIVELY TRAINED IN BALLET, LYRICAL, JAZZ AND MUSICAL THEATRE. AT HER HIGH SCHOOL, BISHOP O'CONNELL, KELSEY WAS ON THE DANCE TEAM ALL FOUR YEARS AND WAS THE TEAM'S CAPTAIN HER SENIOR YEAR. WHILE ON THE DANCE TEAM SHE TRAINED IN POM, JAZZ, HIP HOP AND KICK. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, SHE WENT TO & GRADUATED FROM GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND STARTED HER CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES FROM THERE. IN RECENT YEARS, KELSEY HAS DECIDED TO FOCUS ON HER CREATIVE CAREER & WORK FULL-TIME AS AN INSTRUCTOR AND COACH. FROM 2006 UNTIL 2024, KELSEY COACHED HER HIGH SCHOOL'S DANCE TEAM, THE BISHOP O'CONNELL ROYALETTES. SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE TEAM'S CHOREOGRAPHY, FROM PEP RALLIES TO COMPETITION ROUTINES. KELSEY'S CHOREOGRAPHY HAS QUALIFIED THE TEAM FOR VARIOUS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & ALLOWED FOR THE TEAM TO BE RECOGNIZED AS 21ST IN THE NATION AT THE THE NATIONAL DANCE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS. FROM 2012 UNTIL 2024, KELSEY WAS DEGRASSE DANCE STUDIO’S TAP TEACHER AND CONTINUED THE CLASSICAL STYLE OF HER MENTOR AND LATE DEGRASSE INSTRUCTOR, ROBERTA DALE. KELSEY CHOREOGRAPHED CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, LYRICAL, HIP-HOP AND TAP FOR DEGRASSE'S COMPETITION TEAM. HER ROUTINES HAVE WON MANY HIGH ADJUDICATIONS AND OVERALL TOP SCORE AWARDS, WHILE ALSO BEING RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY AND CONCEPTS. STUDENTS HAVE USED KELSEY'S ROUTINES FOR AND AT EVENTS & AUDITIONS SUCH AS: NATIONAL YOUNGARTS WEEK, NYU SUMMER INTENSIVE AND WORLD DANCE PAGEANT. FOUR DEGRASSE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS "FUTURE STAR'S" IN DANCE SPIRIT MAGAZINE WITH KELSEY'S CHOREOGRAPHED SOLOS. 2024 BROUGHT ON BIG CHANGES FOR KELSEY & SHE IS EXCITED TO WORK AND TEACH FOR VARIOUS DANCE STUDIOS IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA. SHE FOUND A LOVE FOR INSPIRING & MENTORING YOUNGER LIVES THROUGH DANCE AND IS GRATEFUL TO BE CONTINUING THAT JOURNEY TODAY.

Instructor

Amanda began her dance career at the age of five. At the age of 12 Amanda began her intensive professional training at the following schools, The American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet (SAB), The Vaganova Ballet Academy (St. Petersburg, Russia), Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), and Dance Masters of America. Amanda trained under the watchful eyes of such accomplished instructors as; Arthur Mitchell, Shannon Torres, Anatoli Kucherok, Olga Tozyakova, Christine Spizzo, Charmaine Hunter, and Laveen Naidu. After graduating from high school, Amanda began her professional dance career with Dance Theatre of Harlem. Her performances include; George Balanchine's "The Four Temperaments, "Grand Battement Girls" and "Serenade", Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Creole Giselle" and "Firebird" choreographed by John Taras of Dance Theater of Harlem, originally choreographed by Igor Stravinsky. Upon completing her work at Dance Theatre of Harlem, Amanda relocated to Northern Virginia and started a family. She has a daughter of 13 and a son who is 12 years old. While raising her children Amanda teaches, choreographs, and mentors at Stage Door Dance Studio, Mission Dance Project, as well as throughout the DMV area. Her students have won local, regional, and national competitions and gone on to attend Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Joffrey Ballet School, and The American Ballet Theatre School. My goal is to enrich the lives of children through the art of dance while inspiring and shaping the next generation of professional dancers.

INSTRUCTOR

Dianna Cuevas is a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled dance instructor. Dianna has over 15 years of experience, teaching various styles such as Acro, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical and most importantly Technique! She has a strong background in Ballet & Contemporary training under the Southern New Jersey Academy of Performing Arts, Rowan University, Koresh & Philadanco. Dianna believes everybody should dance, it’s good for the soul! She focuses on creating a supportive environment where her students can explore their creativity, develop their technique, and express themselves through the art of dance. Dianna has dedicated her life to dance and wants to share the love and passion she has for the art with everyone!

Abriela T.

Mackenzie C.

Nadia S.

Avery C.

Genesis M.

ROXSANA FLORES, ERICA CHROST AND AVERY COLGAN