Meet the Instructors at Scarborough Dance Center
Our instructors are of the highest caliber.  We encourage you to stop by our center and meet with your instructor prior to signing up for courses.

Melissa Willey (Owner/Director)
Melissa has been dancing in Maine for 20 years.  She bought the dance center in 2004 & strives on making the studio a home for both young & young at heart, beginner thru advanced.  She is a member of Maine Dance Teachers Club & also a teacher for the club.  She has taken classes at Broadway Dance Center, Boston Ballet, Steps, & Portland Ballet.  She feels a great teacher never stops learning, so she prides herself on taking classes to improve herself & the studio.  She has taken workshops with Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Talent America, American Dance Awards, & Maine Dance Teachers Club.  She has taken classes from… Jolenta Valikete, Peter De Hart, Frank Hatchett, Rhapsody, Linda Giancaspro, Juan Sanchez, Dan Barris, & Brian Santora.  Melissa has competed in regional and national dance competitions earning top scores and technique awards.  Melissa’s love for teaching is rare and her smile welcomes you everyday.  She cares about each student and pushes them to their highest level.  She has a positive attitude and urges never to give up.  She lets students know they can achieve anything if they work hard enough for it. Melissa has won numerous awards…unique choreography, best technique, best ballet technique, precision, most entertaining, most dramatic, best use of props, best patterns, & top score prizes.  Melissa has worked with American Cancer Society, Toys for Tots, Perform for a Cure, and Project Graduation.  Melissa brings a true love for dance to the classroom & every student leaves inspired.

Juliette Lauzier
Juliette has captivated audiences for years both as a dancer & teacher.  She is an original member of Maine State Ballet and a featured dancer for the company.  She was a soloist with Ram Island Dance Company & a featured dancer in Best of Broadway.  She has been a teacher at the studio since 1994.  She is a magnificent teacher with a great eye for technique.  She is sought after throughout the state for her teaching & choreography. 

Julie Umel
Julie has been an accomplished dancer & teacher for 20 years.  She was originally trained at Michelle Goodwin’s School of Dance in Townsend, MA.  She was a member of SPA Dance Company & a soloist at Michelle Goodwin’s studio.  She has a degree in Education & worked as elementary school teacher for several years.  Julie will be taking classes at Broadway Dance Center this summer.  She has been with the studio since 2005 & has become a favorite for both children & adults. 

Tricia Bride
Tricia joined the studio this past year.  Tricia has a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts ) degree in Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance.  She graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA.  She was the President of the Emerson College Dance Company for 2 years and a member for 4 years.  She has attended conferences with Dance Olympus & Dance Educators of America.  She has taught at College of St.  Joseph and Miss Lorraine’s School of Dance before coming to the studio.  She is a wonderful addition to the studio, with her depth of knowledge & love for children. 

Miranda Benner
Miranda has been a teacher at the studio since 2004 & has signed on to work full time as the secretary this upcoming year.  She has been dancing since the age of 3 & continues to take classes.  She danced competitively for years & won gold & platinum awards.  She has taken classes with Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, & lessons with Melissa Willey.  She has a warm & compassionate way with children, making her a wonderful teacher. 

Tyla Hagan
Tyla Hagan has been dancing with SDC since she was 4.  She has been Aladdin in “Aladdin” and Charlie Bucket in “Willy Wonka”.  She is one of our most advanced dancers, who have been featured over the years.  She has taken classes with Dance Educators of America & Maine Dance Teachers Club.  She lights up the stage with her animated personality and wonderful technique.  Tyla is great with children with her bubbly personality & detail to technique. 

Karen Schooley
Karen is new to the Scarborough Dance Center staff.  She is a certified nurse and mom of a dancer at the studio.  She has trained privately with Melissa Willey in Irish Step dancing for years and continues to.  Her eye for perfection and superior technique make her an excellent teacher.  Karen also emphasizes the importance of dance to our bodies health, physically and mentally.  Karen is winning the heart of students with her “can do” attitude and thirst for knowledge. 

Elizabeth Avantaggio
Elizabeth comes to us straight from New York with an extensive dance background.  She attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dancing.  She took classes form such dance greats as: Scott Jovovich, Carol Skarloff, Donald Lunsford, Hollie Wright and LaVaughn Robinson.  She has performed in a plethora of ballets from Coppelia to Swan Lake, not to mention the very famous Nutcracker.  She taught for The Westchester Dance Academy and South Jersey Performing Arts Group, where she taught classes for 4-16 year olds and developed lesson plans weekly.  Elizabeth has a “can do” attitude and brings pure beauty to movement.  We are excited to have her at the staff of SDC. 

Nicole Libby
Nicole has been dancing with SDC since she was 4 years old.  She has competed in Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and Hip Hop.  She has been featured as the “Genie” in Aladdin and as “Willy Wonka” in Willy Wonka.  She has great energy as a teacher and a lovable way with the students.  Students are eager to participate in her fun filled classes. 
 

A High Quality of Learning
At Scarborough Dance Center we strive for excellence in dance as well as in life.

• At Scarborough Dance Center our teachers are highly experienced dancers, teachers,  and are great with children.
   
• Our teachers must continue with their education and travel to seminars and conventions throughout the year. The teachers keep updated with cutting edge choreography and learning techniques.
   
• Every dancer learns a different way and it is our goal to make sure every student understands each step.  We may introduce a step in 10 different manners to ensure everyone understands.
   
• Each teacher has a curriculum to work from for each class, to ensure the highest level of learning.
   
• Here at Scarborough Dance Center, we provide a fun learning environment.
   
• We strive to teach the best in technique and have successfully done so for 25 years.
   
• Our staff is professional, knowledgeable, patient, and energetic.  The student is our top priority and each student leaves feeling loved and respected.  We want very student to leave the studio with a smile and knowledge of the art of dance.  Dancing teaches grace, pose, self confidence and showmanship, it is an honor to be part of that growth.  We believe learning can be fun and students can enjoy a structured atmosphere.  To learn, three and four year old children are introduced to structure at a very young age.  The owner, Melissa Willey, constantly brings creativity to her teaching and choreography.  Melissa’s passion for dance is undeniable and you can feel the enthusiasm when you enter the studio.
   
• We also pride ourselves on organizational excellence.  Every parent is informed with newsletters, calendars, recital packets, bulletin boards, email, and the website.  Our organization is helpful to families with busy lives and keeps both students and parents happy.
   
• Our favorite phrase… “dance like no one is watching; dance to let your soul free”.