Traditions & Technique
The Dance Shoppe traces its roots back 40 years, when it was owned and operated by Terri Newman and formerly called Terri Newman's Dance Shoppe. The traditions and values of strong technique with a family-friendly atmosphere continue to thrive today under the ownership of Lauren Lenter.
The studio itself features:
- 3 stage-size rooms with high ceilings, plus a 30' x 30' room
- Class observation windows
- Raised wood flooring which is friendly to dancers' bodies as they jump and turn
- Professional Marley dance flooring
- Wall-mounted mirrors and ballet barres
Meet Our Faculty
Lauren Lenter
STUDIO OWNER
Lauren Lenter has owned and operated The Dance Shoppe for the past 17 years. She is professionally certified by examination through Dance Masters of America in the diciplines of tap, acrobatics, and jazz. She is certified through the Cecchetti Council of America at both the student and teacher levels. She is active in Dance Masters Chapter 4, and works in many facets of their organization. In addition to running the studio, at The Dance Shoppe, Lauren heads up the preschool, tap and tumbling programs. Her competitive students, the Classy Dancers, have achieved numerous accolades on both the regional and national level. Lauren has trained former and current Dance Masters and American Dance Awards title holders at all age levels. Lauren loves working with all of her students, in nearly every subject The Dance Shoppe offers. She enjoys spending time with her "little dancers" just as much as she enjoys working with the more experienced ones. Lauren is also the founder of the studio's popular Dazzling Stars performance group.
Lauren is proud of her roots growing up at The Dance Shoppe, where she was a member of the Classy Dancer intensive program, as well as the Lakes Area Civic Ballet. Following graduation, she spent two years studying Dance and Arts Management at Oklahoma City University. She also performed with the RhythM Tap Ensemble while studying at the University of Michigan. Lauren toured with the cast of "Sesame Street Live" as well, in the lead role of Zoe. Lauren continues to study around the country with master teachers, to further her dance studies, and stay up to date with the latest dance innovations. She is the proud mommy of 6 year old Finn and 3.5 year old Oliver, and when not at the studio, loves spending time her her boys.
Terri Newman
INSTRUCTOR
Terri Newman owned The Dance Shoppe for the first 26 years and continues to teach full time. She founded the Classy Dancers in 1989 when her dancers were invited to perform in the Soviet Union. Terri's extensive teaching credits include being a master instructor at both the Dance Masters of America and American Dance Awards National Conventions. Terri has taught her turning technique throughout the country and produced the DVD entitled, "Turn Your Dancing Around". She is proud to have trained numerous dancers that have pursued successful dance careers, including members of the internationally recognized Alvin Ailey and Kegwin Dance Companies, smaller regional dance companies, roles in Broadway shows, cruise ship performers, arena show stars, collegiate dance team members and captains, Rockettes, and numerous dance teachers and studio owners throughout Michigan and the country.
Terri's competition credits include numerous regional and national title holders, choreography awards and groups that were recognized for outstanding technique. Terri is certified by examination as a professional dance instructor by both Dance Masters of America and the Cecchetti Ballet Council of America. Currently, Terri is teaching her own adjudicated system of ballet called, "Metamorphosis". She has judged in both the U.S. and Canada. Most importantly, in her 44 years of teaching, Terri is proudest of the thousands of strong, confident, courageous young women that danced at The Dance Shoppe. She finds fulfillment in maintaining contact with so many alumni, and in teaching many of their children.
Jamie Hetherington
INSTRUCTOR
Jamie Hetherington has been tap dancing for over 20 years. Her most extensive training was at The Dance Shoppe. Although she trained in all forms of dance, tap quickly became her passion. She has attended many classes/workshops all around Michigan and studied at The EDGE performing arts center in Los Angeles on scholarship. She has guest taught and choreographed tap numbers for numerous studios including Star Strut Dance Center in Oxford. Her competitive tap numbers have placed in the overall high scores for their age/category. She was one of the original faculty members at Tap Dance Detroit in Ferndale, MI. Jamie has a B.F.A. from Grand Valley State University, where she studied many types of art, but specialized in ceramics. Her commissioned wall hangings are displayed throughout the GVSU campus and in other Michigan businesses and homes. Jamie's passion for all areas of art makes her a stronger teacher, by encompassing a focus on art into her teaching. Jamie is married with two young sons and lives in Clarkston. She hopes to instill her love and passion for tap dancing into her students.
Bernadette Foth
INSTRUCTOR
Bernadette Foth is an accomplished dancer with a diverse performance background, as well as being an award-winning choreographer, master class instructor and sought after competition adjudicator. She is a certified member of Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of Michigan, Universal Dance Association and Dance Masters of America. Bernadette is the co-owner of our sister studio, Tina Marie School of Dance. Her dancers have received extensive nationwide accolades for their technique and performances, and many have gone on to dance on Broadway, cruise lines, commercials, music videos and for the Radio City Rockettes. She currently travels throughout the country teaching at conventions and intensive programs, along with judging for many competitions such as Lifetime’s hit show, Dance Moms. She also choreographs the opening routines, television appearances and various floats for the Hobble Nobble Gobble and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Bernadette has dedicated her entire life to cultivating talent and enabling her students to reach their fullest potential and enjoys sharing her talents with The Dance Shoppe students. She is the proud mommy of Finn and Oliver, and enjoys being a mom as much as she loves her time in the classroom.
Laurie Papovich
INSTRUCTOR
Laurie Popovich has been teaching dance for 49 years. Her professional career includes modeling, performing with the Detroit City Ballet, Detroit Express Soccer Team's Cheerleaders/Dancers, the Maui Maidens Hawaiian dance line, and in 1990, traveling throughout the United States with the International Auto Show as a narrator for Jeep/Chrysler. In 1979, Laurie was cerified to teach by examination from Cecchetti Council of America and Dance Masters of Michigan/Dance Masters of America. Laurie is one of few who hold the honor of achieving the Diploma teaching certificate of Maestro Cecchetti's Method of Ballet. In addition to serving as the 1st Vice President of the Cecchetti Council of America's National Executive Board, she is a Principal Examiner and serves as a Liaison Officer for the Method. She is a member of the CCA Development Committee, serves as the Scholarship Chairperson for students and teachers and is a member of the Summer School Committee as the Dorm/Counselor Coordinator.
In 2022, Laurie retired as a business owner of 43 years and the Artistic Director of Main Stage Center for the Arts and Nouveau Dance Company. Laurie's career continues to include training students, coaching teachers, teaching at university dance departments and studio workshops throughout the U.S., as well as at the CCA International Summer School and Teacher's Course. Many of her former students have the honor of performing with and/or receiving dance scholarships to university dance programs or professional training schools, including National Ballet of Canada, Parsons Dance, Giordano Dance Chicago, Austin Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Oklahoma City Univeristy, Ballet Memphis, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Wayne State Univeristy, Grand Valley State University, Marymount Manhattan College, Rutgers University, various cruise lines, along with many other dance companies and community dance productions. She largely attributes her current and former students' successes to the technical discipline and artistry of the Cecchetti Method. Laurie is very excited to once again join the TDS teaching staff for the 2024-25 season and share her love of ballet and the Cecchetti Method.
Megan Stuart
INSTRUCTOR
Megan Stuart's love for dance started at a young age and her passion grew upon receiving her B.F.A. in Dance Theatre Performance from Marygrove College, where she graduated with honors. She is a senior company member with ConteXture Dance Detroit and is honored to be a part of the incredibly talented dance community throughout Detroit. Amidst her career, Megan has had the privilege to work with many incredible instructors and choreographers including Kevin Iega-Jeff, Kiki Lucas, Meredith Dincolo, Brian Hare, and Jordeen Ivanov-Ericson. She has performed in numerous festivals and showcases across the nation including Midwest RAD Fest, Brighton Dance Festival, the Art Lab J Dance Race, American College Dance Festival, Motor City Choreography Collective, and Dumbo Dance Festival in NYC. While her love for dance began with performing, it has grown into a fervor for teaching and choreographing, where she is inspired to share her knowledge with the next generation of dance artists. She has taught and choreographed for college and high school dance programs, as well as numerous competitive studios across Michigan. Her teaching style is rooted in the belief that all people are capable of achieving exceptional things when given the appropriate tools. In her classes, she aims to help her students grow their passion by demonstrating safe and effective exercises to develop both strong technical roots, as well as a deeper understanding for how to mature their emotional artistry. Megan accredits the best parts of who she is, as both a human and a dancer, to what she has learned from teaching children.
Carigan Price
INSTRUCTOR
Carigan Price is a 2021 Dance Shoppe alumnus. While at TDS, she was a member of the Classy Dancer troupe for 9 years and the Select Team for 4 years. Carigan is trained in all styles of dance and has had the pleasure of teaching at various studios throughout Michigan. Currently, Carigan is entering her senior year at The University of Michigan, majoring in Sports Management with an Entrepeneaurship and Cappo Sales minor. She is honored to represent the block M for her fourth year as a member of The University of MI Dance Team. Carigan and her team are proud to be nationally ranked in jazz, hip hop and game day. In her free time, you can always catch Carigan at the studio, where she loves to share her passion and inspire young dancers. She is excited to return again to the TDS faculty for the 2024-25 season!
Katie Demorest
INSTRUCTOR
Katie Demorest is a graduate of The University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Elementary Education. She was also a 4-year member of The University of Michigan Dance Team. Katie grew up dancing at The Dance Shoppe for 14 years and is a proud alum of the Classy Dancer troupe, Select Team and Lakes Area Civic Ballet Company. After college, she returned to TDS and taught for 6 years before starting a family. Katie is excited to be back in the studio this year to continue spreading her love and passion for dance!
Nicole Piette
INSTRUCTOR
Nicole Piette is a 2015 Dance Shoppe alumnus. She was a student of The Dance Shoppe for 12 years and was a student demonstrator and classroom assistant for 3 years. Nicole is excited to begin her sixth season of teaching! She enjoys working with the Pre/Kinder program, our recreational students, and our Dazzling Stars. Nicole graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Science (Pre Physician Assistant Studies) and in 2021, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Oakland University's Accelorated Second Degree Nursing Program. In addition to teaching dance, Nicole works as a registered labor and delivery nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital. She excited for the 2024-25 dance season and is grateful to continue sharing her love of dance with her students!
Caylee Stasevich
INSTRUCTOR
Caylee Stasevich is a 2016 Dance Shoppe and Clarkston High School Varsity Dance Team alumnus. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in packaging. In additon to teaching dance, she is employed as a buyer at General Motors. When she's not in the classoom, you may recognize Caylee as a friendly face around the studio - working our front desk, assisting at performances, and connecting with students and their families. She thoroughly enjoys working with children and is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach again this year!
Sophie Olson
INSTRUCTOR
Sophie Olson was a student of The Dance Shoppe for 7 years, where she participated in both the Classy Dancer troupe and Select Team. She currently attends Oakland Community College where she majors in Elementary Education. Before earning her teaching position in 2022, Sophie spent 5 years assistant teaching various subjects and levels of classes at TDS. Being the outgoing, positive presence she is, Sophie is a favorite amongst our students, both young and old! She is excited to share her love for dance during her third year of teaching this season.