A Brief History of Amanda’s Dance Center…

Amanda Bell, Owner and Director of Amanda’s Dance Center, proudly took over ownership of the studio in 1996. She continues to uphold  polished and up-to-date training of the highest quality. Miss Mandie, as her students affectionately refer to her, is overjoyed to carry on the legacy started by Deborah Coe who was her instructor and owner of Debco School of Dance for 24 years prior to the “passing of the torch” to Amanda.

 

Amanda is a long time member of Florida Dance Masters, Inc; a group dedicated to keeping very high the standards of dance education in the state and Florida Dance Association. She has been a workshop instructor for FDM’s Spring Workshop; a guest choreographer for FDM’s performance company, Main Attraction, served on the Scholarship Committee, and is currently 2nd VP of the organization. She also attends teacher’s training workshops at least twice a year with FDM. Amanda holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Organizational Management and continues to further teaching education by attending a variety of dance education workshops such as: Jazz Dance World Congress, The Dance Teacher Summit, IDEA Conference, and Rhee Gold’s Dance Life Teacher Events. Most recently, Amanda became an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor in 2018 and attended the very first MODAS Colloquium for Dance Educators in 2019 in New Mexico. She continues her training with Virtual opportunities that have made learning from those far away so much more viable.

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Amanda’s students have attended college studying dance at Sam Houston State University, Tisch School of the Arts, UC Berkley, Florida State University, and University of Central Florida among others. Amanda’s students can be seen performing locally and nationally. Some have worked, performed, and choreographed with Disney, The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Six Flags, Frontier City, Sesame Street, Moscow, Orlando and Daytona Beach Civic Ballets, So You Think You Can Dance, and NY’s Stage Door Manor. 

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Amanda is beyond excited to be working with young dancers from ages 2 and up and finds delight is seeing their confidence grow as they twirl, leap, and stretch their limits to reach their fullest potential not just as dancers, but as compassionate and responsible members of our community.

Together we can “change the world!”

FACULTY

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"Miss Keri"  ~ Keri Lovecchio joined Amanda’s Dance Center in 2017 after moving to the area from Tampa, FL. She started her dance training at the age of 3 and has been passionate about the art ever since. Keri trained in the styles of; jazz, ballet, tap, acro, lyrical and competed in jazz, tap and lyrical. Keri is a proud Alum of the University of South Florida and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. She was captain of the USF SunDolls dance team, choreographed and performed at athletic and community events, and competed at the UDA College Dance Team National Championship.

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After college she began her professional dance career at Busch Gardens Tampa, performing in shows, such as; DreamWorks Madagascar Live, Treasures of the Mirage, Fiends, and Christmas Celebration. She danced at Walt Disney World Resorts in many parades and shows including; Festival of Fantasy, Disney’s Electrical Parade, Move It Shake It Street Party, Mickey’s Boo To You, and Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime. She also performed at Universal Studios Orlando in the Superstar Parade.

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Keri is grateful for her many opportunities to perform but is ready to focus on helping young dancers discover and develop their own passions and talents. She is thankful to have found the perfect learning environment at Amanda’s Dance Center and looks forward to helping your children grow!

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"Miss Deb" ~ Partnering and Ballet Instructor

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Deborah Coe has been a teacher, choreographer, studio owner, entrepreneur and student of dance for 45 years.  As a lifelong student, she has studied with dozens of master teachers from all across the country.  Her quest to gather and share knowledge about dance has provided the scaffolding for her students to pursue dance careers, become dance teachers and for many, to have a lifelong love of dance–filled with the positive memories provided by a solid dance education.

Miss Deb holds a Master’s Degree in Dance Pedagogy from the University of Idaho and dance teaching certifications in ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics from Dance Masters of America.   She is also a graduate of the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School (Kent State University) and the Vagonova Teaching Methods Workshop at the University of Central Florida. She has studied extensively to keep abreast of the latest developments in the dance field and teaches a process driven curriculum.

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The philosophy Miss Deb uses for teaching ballet is most influenced by the work of Ballet Master David Howard. This method includes the use of energy patterns with special attention to proper body placement and age appropriate movement. Her jazz style is a combination of her studies with jazz master teachers including; Gus Giordano, Luigi, Beverly Fletcher and Tom Ralabate, with strong influence from the modern technique of Lester Horton. As in ballet, proper body placement and age appropriate movement is emphasized.  Early tap and choreography influence came from the brilliant teacher Beverly Fletcher, followed by the impeccable technique and style of master tap teacher Debbie Dee. The fundamentals: the how and why of basic tap movements are the emphasis of Ms Deb’s tap classes.

Ms. Deb directed and taught at her own studio for 24 years then taught and choreographed in the dance programs at Western Kentucky University and Texas A&M University.  She currently does studio teaching, and instructs master classes and teacher training workshops throughout the state.    Ms. Deb holds memberships in Florida Dance Masters, the International Brain Gym Foundation and the National Dance Educators Organization. She has been tested and certified as a dance adjudicator by the National Dance Teachers Council of America and judges at numerous dance competitions nationally.  She has served on the Artistic Board for the Daytona Beach Civic Ballet, the Lauren Cox Memorial Scholarship Concert Series and the Board of Directors of Florida Dance Masters.

 

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