Our Instructors
Company Dance is growing, and always looking for professional instructors to join our family. Professional training, professional dance experience, and references are necessary. Please forward resume, bio, and video choreography codancemaurer@gmail.com
Founder, Owner, Artistic Director
Tap & Jazz Instructor
Competition Choreographer & Director
Michelle Maurer
A noted dancer, award winning choreographer, director, and mentor with over 22 years of professional dance experience.
Michelle Maurer grew up in Palmyra, Pa., and is a 1995 graduate of Palmyra Area High School. As a scholarship recipient, Michelle studied dance at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia enhancing her University curriculum with training at The Pennsylvania Rock School of Ballet.
Known for her motivational and enthusiastic teaching methodology, Michelle’s instruction inspires students to develop strong technique, a sense of passion, respect, and integrity of the art of dance. She keeps consistency in her dance studio by having well-trained and experienced faculty that work together as a team to provide a comprehensive dance program. Students develop into well-rounded dancers strong in each style of dance. As the Artistic Director at Company Dance, Michelle not only directs her faculty but is in the classroom teaching students as well. Her involvement in the classroom is vital to making curriculum decisions for her dance program. Her students matriculate to prestigious colleges and universities, and attain professional performing arts careers including Broadway, National Tours, TV Shows,Theme Parks, and Cruise ships.
Michelle’s performances include regional and national engagements, including Kings Dominion Theme Park, Nickelodeon’s national “All That” tour, the NBA’s New Jersey Nets “Power In Motion” dance team as well as touring with several recording artists.
She has served as a choreographer for ABC’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, American Idol’s Ace Young, Curtain Calls 2014 “Costume in Motion” promo video and various charitable events. Her versatility as a choreographer is not only shown in her industrials, but in her National Award-Winning competition numbers. Under her direction, her Company Members have led her studio to many awards both at the Regional and National Competition level. Such awards include: Studio of Excellence, Outstanding Technique, Choreography, Highest Scoring Numbers, IDA Awards, Fusion, Apogee, Odyssey and Title Soloist Awards. Starting her competition team 8 years ago, Michelle kept the team small and only competed at the highest level in every competition. She is proud to announce that she will continue to build her team. In 2020 she will be opening her team up to both Novice and Intermediate level dancers.
Since her studio’s opening in 2004, she has directed and produced Company Dance’s annual performance, The Company Project (TCP), staged at the amazing Hershey Theatre, and choreographs many of the show numbers.
Michelle’s focus continues to be finding a balance in her program between conservatory-based classes and performance opportunities for her dancers. She loves the journey she takes everyday to improve, stay current, innovate and set trends. Michelle currently resides in Palmyra with her husband, Paul Maurer and two children Ava and Zachery Maurer. She is thrilled to be apart of her hometown small business community.
Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Improv
Competition Choreographer
Molly Misgalla
Molly B. Misgalla was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated with a B.A. in dance (cum laude) from Point Park University
Molly B. Misgalla was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated with a B.A. in dance (cum laude) from Point Park University where she trained with Douglas Bentz, Judith Leifer-Bentz, Jodi Welch and the late Ron Tassone. While at Point Park she was a swing for the Pittsburgh Playhouse Production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall. After graduation Molly danced with the site specific modern –based Mary Miller Dance Company and with the Philadelphia based-jazz dance company “Waves” under the direction of (Israel born) Shimon Braun. She performed in the feature film “Living Out Loud” starring Holly Hunter, Inatoriso Cabaret Show in Tokyo, Japan and in numerous industrial and commercials for companies such as Glaxo Smith- Kline. Molly is a Philadelphia-based teacher and choreographer renowned for her innovative jazz/contemporary technique. Her style blends a solid dance foundation: showcasing her characteristically bold yet fluid use of movement through unique interpretation of music, and spacing.
She has taught at The University of Arts, Philadelphia’s High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, The Rock School for Dance Education, DeSales University, Jacksonville University, Metropolitan Ballet (just to name a few). Molly was an artist in residence at Ecole de Ballet and Just Move Dance in Luxembourg. She also has taught master classes in Luxembourg, Paris and London as well as studios and conventions throughout the U.S. Molly has her MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University/White Oak.
Ballet, Pointe,
Contemporary and Jazz
Matthew Zimmerman
Matthew trained at the Horizons Dance Conservatory for 6 years and previously with Melanie Wright school of Dance and Berks Ballet Theatre.
He is trained in all genres of dance but his passion is in ballet and contemporary. Matthew also attended the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet and the Joffrey New York City Jazz & Contemporary Intensives on scholarships. He was company member with West Chester’s Brandywine Ballet for two seasons and also preformed with Brandywine Contemporary, Ballet 180 and Nova Dance Company. His solo choreography and performance “Head vs. Heart” was showcased in Philadelphia at the Kun-Yang Lin Dancers Inhale Performance Series. Along with his duet “Cellophane” at Koresh artist showcase. Matthew is very excited to join Company Dance for another season.
Company Cuties
Level 1 Jazz, Level 1 Tap, Level 1 Ballet
Jessica Rice
Jessica Rice is a Pittsburgh native and began dancing at the age of eighteen months.
Growing up, she studied tap, ballet, jazz, and hip hop. She took her passion for dance to Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a Secondary Mathematics Major and Dance Minor. Jessica performed with the IUP Dance Theater for four years. To add to her portfolio, Jessica studied modern and contemporary at IUP and found a passion for the genres. She had the honor to present at the PSAHPERD convention and performed at many other venues with the Dance Theater.
Upon graduation, Jessica moved to Central Pennsylvania to teach middle school mathematics at a local middle school. While teaching, Jessica obtained her Masters of Science Education degree from Lebanon Valley College and began teaching as an adjunct professor in the Masters of STEM Education Program. Jessica’s true love for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education led her to become the Director of Education at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg. This love of dance, the arts, and education has been a perfect fit with the Company Dance mission. Jessica’s goal is to instill a love of dance and the arts in the Company Cuties while providing them the foundation needed to excel in the future.
Pre-Professional Company:
Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Contemporary
Ryan Michael Tuerk
Ryan Michael Tuerk holds a Master of Fine Arts from Temple University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts.
Ryan has been granted certification in the Vaganova methodology in classical Ballet. Born just outside of Philadelphia Pa, Ryan began his early dance training at the age of 17 at a small local studio in Quakertown Pa. First as a martial artist and later as an acrobat Ryan discovered his true passion for dance and movement and committed himself to pursuing a career in the field of dance as a performer, at teacher, and choreographer. After realizing his calling as a dance artist, Ryan went on to pursue a degree in dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia Pa.
Upon graduation Ryan was hired by several cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruise Lines. While living in Fort Lauderdale Fl, Ryan performed the role of Doody in the musical “GREASE.” Ryan’s classical performance repertoire includes “The Flower Festival of Genzzano,” “Grand Pas Classique,” the “Blue Bird” Variation from “The Sleeping Beauty” and excerpts from “Giselle.” He has performed works by choreographers such as Brian Sanders in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Roni Koresh’s “Sand in Tears” at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, Roberta Mathes’ faculty presentation at STEPS on Broadway in New York, and Dr. Laura Katz-Rizzo’s choreographic re-telling of “Phoebus and Pan” at the Temple Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia. For 6 years Ryan co-choreographed and performed in productions for the Miss West Virginia Pageant as part of the Miss America Organization.
Ryan has been on faculty at Temple University’s Musical Theater department, The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, Montgomery County Community College’s dance department, NGOMA Center for Dance’s summer DANCELAB at the University of Maryland and Circadium, America’s first ever fully accredited circus college, where he developed and implemented the dance department’s curriculum. Ryan has also taught at many dance studios in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida. In January of 2020 Ryan completed a teaching residency at the School of the Arts in South Carolina and beginning in 2018 Ryan has enjoyed traveling nationally with STARBOUND National Talent Competition as a dance adjudicator.
In 2013, while pursuing his MFA Ryan focused his research on understanding heteronormativity in dance performance, gender norms and embodied expression, body politics, and challenging hegemonic cultural assumption of male bodies. The result of Ryan’s research was his Master’s thesis “Deciphering: He, Choreographing Contemporary Masculinities.” Ryan has produced over 20 original choreographic works that have been performed across Philadelphia, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Florida.
Ryan’s choreography has been recognized as a sinewy combination of classical line blended with soft and fluid movement trajectories with a jazz influence. His movement becomes an emotionally palpable dialogue between classical technique and contemporary dance that is rooted in the human condition. Ryan believes the position of a teacher is awarded through an unyielding commitment to excellence; he notes that success achieved by students in any field of study requires a high level of capacity and dedication from their teachers.
Hip-Hop Instructor
Level 1 to Advanced
Ski Sevitski
Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Ski realized his passion for dance and music at a young age.
Creating and producing his own music, Ski stumbled upon the world of dance specializing in Hip Hop. He began his career in dance at the age of 15 and earned a position in the Hip Hop Company, IAMPHRESH/Academy of Phresh. Ski takes the time to travel throughout the US to train under the industry’s best dancers and choreographers. Ski has been instructing at dance studios and colleges throughout the Greater Tristate area since 2011. When Ski is not teaching he takes every opportunity to train and network. Ski’s classes range from beginner to advanced with students of all ages. During his class he likes to cover topics such as musicality, dynamics, wordplay, texture, and body control while focusing on authentic, current Hip Hop styles.
Guest Instructors
Hip Hop
Guest Instructor
Keenan Cooks
Keenan Cooks was born and raised in Boston, MA and began dancing
at the age of 14.
Just two years later, he became a member of Boston based Nia Dance Troupe where he first began his professional training. In 2008, Keenan moved to New York City to pursue dance professionally. Since coming to New York City he has had the honor of working with amazing choreographers such as Rhapsody James, Laurie Ann Gibson, Luam, Kyle Hanagami, Rich & Tone, and Danielle Flora. He has had the privilege of working with artist such as Big Sean, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Flo-Rida, Kendrick Lamar, Prince Royce, Hailee Steinfeld, Halsey, and Dua Lipa. You may have seen him dancing on Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent, Today Show, Good Morning America, MTV Music Video Awards.
As an up-and-coming choreographer, Keenan has had the privilege to choreograph a BET commercial, A Gap commercial, and he was the on-site choreographer/movement coach for an episode of “Blindspot” (Season 2). Keenan has also choreographed for Cardi B, David Guetta, Meek Mill, and Yo Gotti. Keenan has also had the opportunity to teach internationally in Japan, South Korea, China,Germany, Paris, Argentina, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, and Italy. He is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and guest faculty at Movement Lifestyle and Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles.
Jr./Sr. Production Company Director
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theater
Theresa
Theresa has a BA in Dance from Adelphi University where she finished a double major with honors in Dance and English Literature.
Theresa has a BA in Dance from Adelphi University where she finished a double major with honors in Dance and English Literature. She went on to perform on Broadway in the European tour of 42nd Street. Theresa also performed in two tours of Japan with The American Jukebox Show and The American Country Show. She has had the pleasure of being Assistant/Associate Choreographer for Hersheypark for 10 years, with shows also in Atlantic City’s Trump Plaza Hotel and at Busch Gardens in Florida.
Theresa has taught at both Purchase University and Queensborough College for their prestigious youth programs. She has worked with many studios in the tri-state area teaching master classes and competition numbers and has worked as a sub at Broadway Dance Center teaching theater dance in Manhattan. Theresa also served as Children’s Director for Graffiti Community Ministries, NYC and helped develop enrichment programs for at-risk children.
Administrative Assistants
Jessica Meley, Pauline Saunders & Lisa Smith