Mission Statement

To educate children of all ages in a safe, non-competitive and fun learning environment. To share with students the values of discipline, respect, dedication and hard work through innovative arts education experiences. To help students achieve self- esteem and confidence for their future life goals utilizing positive encouragement. To engage the whole child with teaching and learning that fosters and enhances the child’s natural love of movement, their awareness of movement and its creative potential. To instill self-discipline, encourage creativity and motivate students to achieve excellence in dance and arts opportunities.

Faculty on Staff

Mitsie Hilburn Kraack (TADA Artistic Director)(Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Creative Movement) Mitsie is an Atlanta native and has lived in the Tampa area for more than 14 years with her husband, Steve. A graduate of the University of South Florida (B. S., Dance Education), Mitsie has been a professional choreographer and teacher of Musical Theatre, Modern, Tap and Jazz for more than twenty years. Her experience in the Tampa area includes work for Steps School of Dance, Firethorn School of Dance and New Tampa Dance Theatre. Her professional dance background includes work and training with Gary Harrison and Company (Atlanta) and as Co-Director of Souls of the Feet with The Dance Theatre of Georgia, Inc. Most recently, her chorography was seen at Camden County High School's in Kingland, GA Footloose and Randall Middle School's Aladdin. She has choreographed many musicals for local high shcool and community theatre including, Annie, No Frills Review, Bye Bye Birdie, Nunsense, Grease, Narnia, Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factoy, Footloose and excerpts form Westside Story, Carousel, Music Man, Cabaret, 42nd Street, Crazy For You , Dear Edwina, and School House Rock. Mitsie has also directed for Children's Alliance for Summer Theatre for the past four summers. Locally, Mitsie has chorographed for Randall Middle School Showchoir Encore as well as Burns Middle School Showchoir Expressions. Mitsie is a committed young woman dedicated to the education of children in the arts. She is excited and passionate about the opportunity to enhance the lives of young people. She is the mother of three beautiful children, Lillian, David and Catherine.

 

Amanda Keeney (TADA Co-Artistic Director) (Ballet, Modern and Jazz) is an Atlanta native and received her early dance education from the Atlanta Ballet under the direction of Robert Barnett, Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, Georgia Youth Ballet, and Dance Clayton under Olive Popwell Ashley.  Amanda is a graduate of Georgia State University (B.S. in Dance Education) and has been teaching dance for the past seventeen years.  Her training includes scholarships and acceptance to the School of American Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Boston Ballet, Lexington Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in New York City.  She has danced professionally with the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, Georgia Youth Ballet, and the Dance Theatre of Georgia performing many roles including Odette in Swan Lake, Nikiya in La Bayadere, Kitri in Don Quixote, and Myrtha in Giselle with Stars from the American Ballet Theatre. She has also appeared in various contemporary works by renowned choreographers such as Salvatore Aiello, Tom Pazik, and Andrew Kuharsky.  She has served as the Associate Artistic Director for the Dance Theatre of Georgia Junior Company and the Co-Director of the Dance Theatre of Tampa. Many of her students have received scholarships and/or were accepted into various summer programs including the Kirov Ballet Academy, Chautauqua Ballet, The Rock School, Miami City Ballet, Orlando Ballet, School of American Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre.

 

Denise Prebich (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Creative Movement) has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She grew up in Tampa and her first teacher was Marie Chancey Smith. At a very young age Ms. Denise knew she wanted to be a teacher. Denise was a demonstrator at the age of 9 and by the age of 12 she knew she wanted to be a dance teacher! At the age of 14 Denise was in Ms. Smith’s teacher training program. After graduating from high school, Denise attended USF as a dance major while being a full time dance teacher. Denise left college to get married and start a family. Formerly, Ms. Denise was at the Dance Center as the Young Children’s Director and Dance Educator for 9 years. She is a passionate teacher and she wants to instill her love of dance into all her students.

Natalie Paul (Ballet, Tap, Modern) is a Dance Major at the University of South Florida. She has been dancing for sevenNatalieteen years, beginning her training in England with Juliet Locks, Sonia Bond and Lucy Pohl at Buckhurst Hill and Woodford School of Dance. Natalie began her classical training in Cecchetti five years ago, while also studying at Royal Academy of Dance in summer 2006 with Patricia Liton. Natalie has received her National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in dance, both from Havering College of Further and Higher Education, studying with Sandra Broxton and Elaine O’Connor. Presently Natalie is studying with Gretchen Ward Warren and Sandra Robinson at USF where she hopes to continue to grow as a dancer. Natalie was in our teacher training program at Theatre Arts and Dance Alliance training in our Early Childhood Division. Natalie is a dedicated teacher and enjoys sharing her gifts with her students.

Erin Beattie(Hip-Hop, Jazz, Acro) began dancing and gymnastics at age 3. Originally from New Jersey, she trained intensively at the Shore Ballet Theatre School where she completed the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus and Examinations– Grades Pre-Primary through Elementary. At age 10, Erin was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dance in London for a Summer Intensive and at age 13, was the youngest member asked to attend a Summer Intensive held in Aix en Provence, France. She has also trained at the Dance Theatre of Monmouth under Olga Kostritzky, Sean Lavery of the School of American Ballet, Cerise Johns, Kathy Rumpler, and Arturo Lopez. Other acceptances include the School of American Ballet, Summer ’92, Marymount Manhattan College Dance Department, and UMASS Amherst where she was awarded full scholarships to both programs. Erin excels in other art forms as well as she was awarded scholarships to Broadway Dance Center and Steps (NYC) where she trained intensively in jazz, tap, and hip hop and traveled regularly as one of “Frank’s Kids” (Frank Hatchett). Erin is also an accomplished gymnast as she became a competitive gymnast at age 7. During her gymnastic training, she competed All-Around through Level 6, then became a Floor and Beam Specialist through Level 8. Erin has enjoyed teaching children for many years and is committed to passing on her love and passion for the arts.

Michelle Grasso-Downs (Piano)

Josh Fabelo (Guitar)

Lily Meyers (Voice, Piano) has an impressive list of credits, having been trained in Musical Theatre and opera. After receiving her music degree from Australia’s Conservatorium, she received a degree in Voice from London’s Trinity College. She also studied under famed Metropolitan Opera each Ellen Faull and Joyce Hall at the Julliard School of Music. An accomplished performer, Lily has been teaching voice and piano to children and adults for more than 20 years. Her favorite roles in musicals and operas include: in the New York Touring Company, Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Oklahoma, La Boheme, and Madam Butterfly . Lily brings her gifts to TADA to share her love of music to her students!

Stephen Kraack (TADA Business & Production Manager) has been working in the arts his entire life. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (B. S., Aviation Computer Science), Steve has extensive experience and training in all aspects of arts production, including lighting, sound and scenic design, video and audio production, and computer systems. He is an accomplished musician (Tuba and Bass Guitar), designer, and singer. He is married to Mitsie and is the father of three extraverted children.