Our Philosophy and Mission Statement
It is the philosophy of Amanda's Dance Center that being involved in the music and dance arts helps to round out the total educational experience offered by the school, parents, and community. Each student is offered the opportunity to gain appreciation, fulfillment, and self-reward through the classes offered. With an emphasis on technique rather than trophies, we look to provide quality, up to date, and professional training that will serve the students well and prepare them for the future. Whether the student takes classes as a hobby, or to eventually pursue a career in the arts, the discipline required in the performing arts classes helps develop skills in concentration, problem solving, teamwork, public speaking, self-reliance, initiative, coordination, self-confidence, and sensitivity. These skills not only enhance the students' future, but positively affect their schoolwork, relationships, and self image. We look forward to helping our students develop these important skills.
Form Object
A Brief History of Amanda's Dance Center...
Amanda Bell, as Owner and Director of Amanda's Dance Center, completed her 10th year of ownership of the studio, located in South Daytona. The studio, formerly known as Debco School of Dance under the direction of Miss Deborah Coe, has been in business for a combination of 30 years. The first ten years in New York and the last twenty in Daytona Beach. Mrs. Bell was a student of Deborah Coe's and is proud to carry on the tradition of up-to-date training of the highest quality, in the Daytona area, offering BALLET, TAP, JAZZ, ACRO, TUMBLING , HIP-HOP, & POINTE to students starting at the age of 3. The studio also offers Kindermusik classes, (by licensed instructor David), to parents and childen up to age 3.
Amanda is a long time member of Florida Dance Masters, Incorporated; a group dedicated to keeping very high the standards of dance education in the state. She has been a workshop instructor and special guest choreographer for FDM's workshop and performance company; Main Attraction.
Amanda's students can be seen performing locally and nationally. Some have worked and performed with Disney, The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Sesame Street, Silvertree Productions, The Joffrey, Moscow, Orlando and Civic Ballets, and even as finalists on the first season of FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance."
Amanda is a long time member of Florida Dance Masters, Incorporated; a group dedicated to keeping very high the standards of dance education in the state. She has been a workshop instructor and special guest choreographer for FDM's workshop and performance company; Main Attraction.
Amanda's students can be seen performing locally and nationally. Some have worked and performed with Disney, The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Sesame Street, Silvertree Productions, The Joffrey, Moscow, Orlando and Civic Ballets, and even as finalists on the first season of FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance."
Owners/Directors
Amanda Bell has been the owner and director of Amanda’s Dance Center for over 13 years, where she teaches ballet, jazz, point, tap, and acrobatics. Prior to her taking over the studio, she was a 13-year alumnus of Debco School of Dance. As a member of the “Debco Dancers” Competition Group, Amanda taught for 4 years and also won numerous awards and scholarships. She is currently a member-through test certificationof Florida Dance Masters. She has served on their board of directors, and is currently on the scholarship committee. She is also the Artistic Director of the Lauren Cox Memorial Benefit Concert in Ormond Beach. Amanda’s students can be seen performing at various community events and have won numerous awards and scholarships on the regional and national level. Most recently her dancers won Gold & Platinum awards at OnStage NY’s Nationals Competition in Orlando. “Exceptional Choreography” awards were given to Amanda & Shannon for the creation of those dances as well a “Class Act” Award for the studio demonstrating appropriate costuming & etiquette. Some of her students have even gone on to dance & perform at Oklahoma City University, Tisch School of the Arts, University of Florida and Florida State- one student is currently in the Theatre Program at FSU.
In addition to teaching at the studio, Amanda has been a guest choreographer and instructor for several Florida Dance Master events in West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Sanford. She also choreographed the American Musical Theatre’s production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Seabreeze High School, the world premier of Disney’s New version of Aladdin with Center Stage Kids, and was the dance & acrobatic instructor for the Atlantic Center for the Arts at the Harris House for the past three summers. This season Amanda is developing a dance curriculum that can be integrated into the after-school programs & daycares to bring the benefits of dance to those kids that are unable to attend studio classes. Her three greatest productions are her sons Dillon Matthew and Addison Lee and daughter Caydon Hawley!
Amanda@amandasdancecenter.com
David Bell has developed and directed summer theatre programs for six schools and two theatres. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and taught high school English and Drama full time in Stuart, Florida. He began his theatrical career at age 12 and has acted in, produced, directed, and worked on community, semiprofessional, and professional productions throughout Florida, and also appeared in a feature film. Several years ago, he had the pleasure of performing with and directing his friend, Alicia Minshew, (All My Children’s Kendall Hart) in the musicals Little Shop of Horrors and Godspell. David worked as a substitute teacher for Volusia County Schools. He is employed by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department and is theowner, drama instructor, and artistic director of Center Stage Theatricals, featuring the Center Stage Kids Musical Theatre Camp, producing such shows as Grease, Mulan, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, The Wizard of Oz, and High School Musical. Last year, Center Stage Kids produced the pilot and world premier of Disney’s new version of Aladdin Kids, lending ideas and concepts that have been incorporated in the script being published and distributed by Disney, worldwide! This summer,his theatre production company produced the very first production of Disney’s High School Musical 2 Jr. His group was one of 50, out of 35,000 selected to perform in Atlanta for Music Theatre International’s Junior Theatre Festival.
david@amandasdancecenter.com
In addition to teaching at the studio, Amanda has been a guest choreographer and instructor for several Florida Dance Master events in West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Sanford. She also choreographed the American Musical Theatre’s production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Seabreeze High School, the world premier of Disney’s New version of Aladdin with Center Stage Kids, and was the dance & acrobatic instructor for the Atlantic Center for the Arts at the Harris House for the past three summers. This season Amanda is developing a dance curriculum that can be integrated into the after-school programs & daycares to bring the benefits of dance to those kids that are unable to attend studio classes. Her three greatest productions are her sons Dillon Matthew and Addison Lee and daughter Caydon Hawley!
Amanda@amandasdancecenter.com
David Bell has developed and directed summer theatre programs for six schools and two theatres. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and taught high school English and Drama full time in Stuart, Florida. He began his theatrical career at age 12 and has acted in, produced, directed, and worked on community, semiprofessional, and professional productions throughout Florida, and also appeared in a feature film. Several years ago, he had the pleasure of performing with and directing his friend, Alicia Minshew, (All My Children’s Kendall Hart) in the musicals Little Shop of Horrors and Godspell. David worked as a substitute teacher for Volusia County Schools. He is employed by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department and is theowner, drama instructor, and artistic director of Center Stage Theatricals, featuring the Center Stage Kids Musical Theatre Camp, producing such shows as Grease, Mulan, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, The Wizard of Oz, and High School Musical. Last year, Center Stage Kids produced the pilot and world premier of Disney’s new version of Aladdin Kids, lending ideas and concepts that have been incorporated in the script being published and distributed by Disney, worldwide! This summer,his theatre production company produced the very first production of Disney’s High School Musical 2 Jr. His group was one of 50, out of 35,000 selected to perform in Atlanta for Music Theatre International’s Junior Theatre Festival.
david@amandasdancecenter.com
Teachers
Deborah Coe owned and operated her own studio in the Daytona Beach area for 14 years before returning to college to earn her Master’s Degree in Dance Pedagogy. She has taught and choreographed in the dance programs at Western Kentucky University and Texas A&M University. In addition to teaching in Daytona Beach she teaches master classes and teacher training workshops throughout the state. Ms. Coe holds memberships in Florida Dance Masters, and the Educational Kinesiology Foundation. 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. Her students have gone on to dance professionally in venues from Disney World to the Joffrey Ballet. 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. She is the co-director of the ADC Outreach Performance Program. Her articles on dance can be found at http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Deb_Coe, and authors an informational blog at dancestudiocorner@blogspot.com. Most recently her choreography was presented awards including: “High Score of the Competition”, “Best Choreography”, “Best of Show” and a special award for “Flowing Transitions.” Her goal is to use the discipline dance offers as a tool to help students be successful in all of their endeavors.
missdeb@amandasdancecenter.com
Shannon Johnson grew up in Daytona Beach, FL where she began dancing at the age of 4 at Debco School of Dance now known as Amanda's Dance Center. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, acrobatics, modern, and musical theater. She was a member of ADC Elite. While living in Florida, Shannon was extremely involved in the dance community locally and statewide. She was awarded many awards and won the over-all dancer scholarship with Florida Dance Master's at the age of 18. She performed at many community events such as Volusia County Dances, Central Florida Dance, Volusia County Fair, Remembering Lauren: A night of Song and Dance, and Florida Dance Master's Main Attraction. Shannon particpated in many workshops and conventions classes with numerous icons in the dance world; Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, Lizzie MacKenzie, Randy Duncan, and Patsy Swayze. She was also a part of Jazz Dance World Congress. She left Florida to attend Oklahoma City University's Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management to study Dance Performance. She studied extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, dance pedagogy, anatomy, and choreography under such people as Jo Rowan, Robert Reed, Tiffany Van der merwe, Patricia Oplotnik, and Kay Sandel. While attending OCU, Shannon was a part of the prestigious American Spirit Dance Company for 4 years. While at OCU, she performed with and honored such celebrities as Susan Powell, Art and Nancy Stone, Cholly Atkins, Leonard Reed, Marion Coles, and Donald O'Conner. Shannon also worked as Magician's Assistant and Dance Captain for The World of Magic and The Magic of David Thomas. Shannon is currently working on choreography and developing a broader understanding of the concepts from which dance derives. Shannon was awarded "Excellence in Choreography" for her contemporary piece "New Beginnings" at the 2009 OnStage New York Nationals Competition Summer 2009. Shannon has recently worked with Spruce Creek High School's Papillon Dance Ensemble and Creekside Middle School Dance Teams in Port Orange, Fl. Shannon is a firm believer that the true dancer lies from within. Everyone has the ability to dance, it is just a matter of finding the strength from within to believe you can. Shannon is currently teaching at Amanda's Dance Center In Daytona Beach and is available for choreography and master classes in the Central Florida area, including and not limited to Port Orange, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Sanford and Orlando.
shannon@amandasdancecenter.com
http://www.dancebrought2u.com
Heather Fisher has been dancing since the age of 4. She grew up in Port Orange, FL starting her first years of dance at Debco School of Dance. After dancing for 5 years, Heather decided to become a part of the performing company as a dedicated member for 7 years. She performed and competed in many styles of dance with ADC Elite including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and lyrical. Heather did find her nitch. With her long graceful limbs and delicate frame, ballet came natural. After years of hard work Heather was awarded Runner Up in the Miss American Dance Awards where she competed Nationally for the title in Boston, MA. She was also awarded ballet scholarships from the prestigious Florida Dance Masters Scholarship Program. Heather was a part of the Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker" for 3 years. Heather's love of dance started at young age and has continued to flourish as she has recently come into motherhood. Heather is excited to be a part of Amanda's Dance Center again!
heather@amandasdancecenter.com
missdeb@amandasdancecenter.com
Shannon Johnson grew up in Daytona Beach, FL where she began dancing at the age of 4 at Debco School of Dance now known as Amanda's Dance Center. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, acrobatics, modern, and musical theater. She was a member of ADC Elite. While living in Florida, Shannon was extremely involved in the dance community locally and statewide. She was awarded many awards and won the over-all dancer scholarship with Florida Dance Master's at the age of 18. She performed at many community events such as Volusia County Dances, Central Florida Dance, Volusia County Fair, Remembering Lauren: A night of Song and Dance, and Florida Dance Master's Main Attraction. Shannon particpated in many workshops and conventions classes with numerous icons in the dance world; Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, Lizzie MacKenzie, Randy Duncan, and Patsy Swayze. She was also a part of Jazz Dance World Congress. She left Florida to attend Oklahoma City University's Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management to study Dance Performance. She studied extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, dance pedagogy, anatomy, and choreography under such people as Jo Rowan, Robert Reed, Tiffany Van der merwe, Patricia Oplotnik, and Kay Sandel. While attending OCU, Shannon was a part of the prestigious American Spirit Dance Company for 4 years. While at OCU, she performed with and honored such celebrities as Susan Powell, Art and Nancy Stone, Cholly Atkins, Leonard Reed, Marion Coles, and Donald O'Conner. Shannon also worked as Magician's Assistant and Dance Captain for The World of Magic and The Magic of David Thomas. Shannon is currently working on choreography and developing a broader understanding of the concepts from which dance derives. Shannon was awarded "Excellence in Choreography" for her contemporary piece "New Beginnings" at the 2009 OnStage New York Nationals Competition Summer 2009. Shannon has recently worked with Spruce Creek High School's Papillon Dance Ensemble and Creekside Middle School Dance Teams in Port Orange, Fl. Shannon is a firm believer that the true dancer lies from within. Everyone has the ability to dance, it is just a matter of finding the strength from within to believe you can. Shannon is currently teaching at Amanda's Dance Center In Daytona Beach and is available for choreography and master classes in the Central Florida area, including and not limited to Port Orange, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Sanford and Orlando.
shannon@amandasdancecenter.com
http://www.dancebrought2u.com
Heather Fisher has been dancing since the age of 4. She grew up in Port Orange, FL starting her first years of dance at Debco School of Dance. After dancing for 5 years, Heather decided to become a part of the performing company as a dedicated member for 7 years. She performed and competed in many styles of dance with ADC Elite including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and lyrical. Heather did find her nitch. With her long graceful limbs and delicate frame, ballet came natural. After years of hard work Heather was awarded Runner Up in the Miss American Dance Awards where she competed Nationally for the title in Boston, MA. She was also awarded ballet scholarships from the prestigious Florida Dance Masters Scholarship Program. Heather was a part of the Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker" for 3 years. Heather's love of dance started at young age and has continued to flourish as she has recently come into motherhood. Heather is excited to be a part of Amanda's Dance Center again!
heather@amandasdancecenter.com