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 19 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 8 year old Finn and 5.5 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 45 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 over 50 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 2026-27 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 graduate of the University of Michigan, where she majored in Sport Management and minored in Entrepreneurship and Sales and Business Development. During her time at Michigan, she was honored to be a four-year member of the nationally ranked University of Michigan Dance Team. In 2025, at UDA College Nationals, Carigan and her team proudly finished in third place and took home the bronze medal in D1A Jazz. Carigan's love of dance began at The Dance Shoppe, where she was trained in all styles of dance. She was a member of the Classy Dancer troupe for 9 years and the Select Team for four years. She has had the pleasure of teaching and choreographing for various studios and high school programs throughout Michigan. Currently, Carigan is employed with the Detroit Lions as the Coordinator of the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders. She loves sharing her passion and experiences with the next generation of TDS dancers and inspiring them to continue reaching new heights.
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, competing annually at UDA College Nationals and proudly representing the university at athletic events and special appearances throughout her college career. Katie grew up dancing at The Dance Shoppe for 14 years and is a proud alumna of the Classy Dancers, Select Team, and Lakes Area Ballet Company. After graduating from Michigan, she returned to TDS and spent six years teaching before taking time away to raise her family. Now entering her third year back on faculty, Katie loves being back at the studio, sharing her passion for dance with the next generation of dancers. She especially enjoys watching her students grow in both confidence and technique while helping foster the supportive, family atmosphere that has made The Dance Shoppe feel like home for so many years. Katie is grateful to continue the legacy of the studio that played such an important role in her own dance journey.
Sophie Olson
INSTRUCTOR
Sophie Olson was a student of The Dance Shoppe for 7 years, and a 2023 Clarkston High School graduate. She has been assisting in TDS classrooms for the past 7 years, and began teaching in 2022. She is a favorite amongst our littles at the studio, and loves to share her love of dance with students young and old!
Sophia Santia
INSTRUCTOR
Sophia Santia is a Dance Shoppe alumna who trained at TDS for 14 years, where she was a member of the Class Dancer troupe for 8 years and the Select Team for 4 years. Before earning her teaching position, Sophia spent several years assistant teaching a variety of classes and age levels at TDS. She is currently entering her junior year at the University of Michigan, where she continues her dance training through university classes and performs on to collegiate dance teams. Sophia is excited to return to the studio that shaped her as both a dancer and person, and she looks forward to inspiring the next generation by sharing the love of dance that has meant so much to her.
Rhyan Marshall
INSTRUCTOR
Rhyan Marshall discovered her passion for dance at just 3 years old. She trained at The Dance Shoppe for 15 years before graduating in 2022. Since then, she has continued sharing her love of dance through teaching and has enjoyed inspiring young dancers over the past four years. Outside of the studio, Rhyan enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and hiking. She is excited to return to TDS this season and looks forward to a wonderful year with her students!
Beth Bailey
INSTRUCTOR
Beth Bailey has been teaching dance for over 30 years. She is certified in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz through DMA Teachers Training School. Beth also has a strong knowledge of Acro, Modern, Musical Theatre and Children's Work. An active member and Past President of Dance Masters of America, she has run many of their events. Her love for finding new ways to teach and connect with dancers is what continuously motivates her. When not at the studio, Beth and her husband own North Window and Door.