Dancenter
Streator * (815)673-2120
Pontiac * (815) 844-2120
Dancenter Staff
Miss Anita - Artistic Director, owner and instructor
I have been dancing for as long as I remember, and this year I am celebrating my 50th year teaching. I started going to the studio at a very young age as my mother was a dance instructor too, and thats where it all started for me. As I grew up, my passion was tap and I took privatly with my mentor, Marjorie Sellers in Zanesville Ohio, my home town. I also studied, ballet, jazz and baton. When I was entering my freshman year of high school, we moved to Illinois and I studied and also started attending intensives and seminars to further my education. I opened my first studio at 19. As dance has evolved, so has my passion for it. I pride myself on being the consummate student, always yearning to learn more, not only about different dance styles but also about technique advances, injury prevention and safety. My goal in life has always been to share my passion with my students and see them grow. Some of my former students have danced with the San Francisco ballet, are professors at Illinois State University, have danced at various theme parks and many are currently teaching at dance studios all over the country. My dancers are my family and there is no bigger pleasure than sharing the love of dance with them all.
Miss Becky - assistant Artistic Director and instructor
Being the daughter of a dance instructor, most of my life was spent in the studio. Naturally, dance became a huge passion of mine at a young age. I have danced all my life, taking only a short hiatus as I attended Lincoln Christian University to receive my degree in Early Childhood. I have also taught for studios in Ottawa and Bloomington, given master classes in Chicago and Springfield, worked with many local high school and college dance teams, choreographed for Engle Lane and Vermillion Players, and taught for many special events in the area. When I'm not in the studio, I work for the Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse, helping adults deal with traumatic brain injuries. I also love devoting time to overseas mission work, which lead me to an opportunity to teach hip hop classes in the Dominican Republic. I believe that dance is a beautiful gift that we, as dance teachers, can give to every student we come across. I am beyond grateful that you have entrusted us the opportunity to be a part of your childs journey
Miss Stacy - instructor
I have been involved at the Dancenter literally since I was born! Dance life really becomes full life once you're in it long enough. Although being a boymom and a dogmom keeps me very busy with sports and band activities, I still teach a bit at the Streator studio and still work with the competition team. This year, I will be beginning my 6th year working for the Streator Elementary Schools. "Forget dancing like Noone is watching.....dance like a toddler, they don't even care if there's music!"
Miss Shannon - instructor
I began dancing at the Streator Dancenter at age 4. I took classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and tumbling running over the course of 14 years. I was also an assistant teacher for 4 years, a member of the Dancenter performance Company for 6 years and a member of the Dancenter Competition team for 2 years. After high school, I attended Eastern Illinois University and was a member of EIU dancers. During that time, I choreographed jazz, hip hop, lyrical and tap dances for their showcaases I have also choreographed for Engle Lane Theater and Vermillion Players. When i'm not at the studio, you can find me working at the Streator Family YMCA or hanging out with my little guy, Peyton. I love being a part of the Dancenter family and look forward to helping your children express themselves through the art of dance.
Miss Abbey - instructor
I started dancing at the age of 3 and started at the Pontiac Dancenter when I was 8 years old. I have trained in all genres of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater and pointe I was a member of the Dancenter Performance Company and the competition team for 6 years. I started assisting in classes at the Dancenter while in high school and have worked with the competition team for the past two years. After high school, I attended Illinois State University to major in middle level education. during college, I was a member of the Illinois State competitive Dance Team. We performed at different events around campus and our big event was attending NDA Nationals in Daytona Beach FL where we placed in the top 10 in 2018. Outside the studio, I have the most rewarding job, being a mom. Although my one-year-old keeps me on my toes, I am so excited to be coming back this year to share my passion of dance. I look forward to building strong relationships with my dancers and seeing them fall in love with the art of dance.
Miss Anya - Instructor
I started dancing at the Dancenter when I was 10 years old and discovered my passion for dance very quickly. I took jazz, tap, musical theater, hip hop, and lyrical classes. I participated in company for a couple of years and competition for 5 years. I also danced in 2 shows in Vermillion Players. After high school I attended community college for a year and then completed a trade school certification for cosmetology. I assisted with dance classes in Springfield. I then moved to Los Angeles and completed a 3 month dance certificate program where I got to take classes from professional dancers that included all spectrums of style, performance, and professional dancing life style. My love of dance has lead me back to the Dancenter to share the love and passion for dancing with the future dancers and students. I look forward to being a part of the Dancenter and seeing the students grow into wonderful dancers and people.​
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Miss Lindsay - Instructor
My love for dance started when I was just three years old and could barely even reach the ballet barre. Some of my earliest memories include dance recitals, tap shoes, and pretty costumes! I am a Bloomington Normal native, and regularly attended dance at several studios in the Central Illinois area over my entire upbringing, including participating in competition team for many years and serving as class assistant. After high school, I continued my dance education as a Dance Minor at Millikin University, and also participated in their fine arts and theater programs as well as the university dance team. Over the years I have studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, hip hop, pointe, and contemporary.
I am happily married to my husband of almost 14 years, and together we have four children, two of which are Dancenter dancers! In my spare time, I enjoy my side hustle as a professional photographer, and also love volunteering with our church’s youth group. Community, creativity, and dance have always been core aspects of my life and I am so thankful for this opportunity to continue cultivating these passions as an instructor at The Dancenter
Miss Hailey - Instructor
Ive been dancing at the Dancenter since I was 4 years old. I've taken all the classes that the Dancenter has to offer such as tap, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, contemporary and pointe. I also was on the company team years ago and started on the competition team when I was about 9 years old and currently still dancing with our amazing team! I graduated high school early in January of 2023 and in my very first year of teaching! During my high school years I helped out at the Dancenter by being a student teacher with the younger kids. I always knew I wanted to keep dance in my life but teaching the littles made me realize this is what I want to do in life! I am very happy to be apart of the Dancenter and cannot wait to see our students grow not just as people but dancers as well!