About Us
Dance University
Dance University offers a convenient location on Lena Road (SR 70, right off 175) with 2 large studios to accommodate lessons and camps. Studio A provides a custom built sprung dance floor and a large, open space to accommodate large classes and performances. Studio B allows for a more intimate setting for small classes and private lessons and has a professional fitness floor.
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Mission Statement
At Dance University, we aspire to create and nurture a love for dance. To provide technique training that can be brought to life in a variety of dance styles. Each dancer is deeply encouraged at every stage of dance progression to promote self esteem, leadership and team building skills.
Michele Mercier
Studio Director/Owner
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Michele began dancing in New Jersey at age three, studying jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, musical comedy and gymnastics. She became a a member of the dance company at her local studio, attended workshops and competitions in New York City. In 1984 she won the title of Miss Hemisphere Talent. Miss Michele landed her first teaching job at age 15. She taught tap and jazz at a local fitness club in New Jersey. She also created her own after school dance team in high school. After high school, she earned a full scholarship at the prestigious Phil Black/Dance Central Station studio in Manhattan, New York (the same studio that produced Jennifer Lopez). There she studied all styles of dance and also attended classes at Broadway Dance Center. She also performed in Africa for the King of Morocco. Her true love and passion was always teaching. In 1995, her family relocated to Massachusetts and had teaching positions at Boston Ballet, the YMCA, and started a dance program at a country club gym. In 2004, her family relocated to Florida. Since then, she has taught programs at Flex, Southside Athletic Club, the YMCA, Bradenton Cheer Academy, Willis Elementary, the Imagine School, Gullett Elementary, and Wakeland Elementary.
Marina Mercier
Choreographer/
Competition Director
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Marina has been dancing through her youth and teens, dancing at Diane Partington's School of Ballet as well as the Black Pearls Dance Team at Braden River High school. She then went on to coach the JV and Varsity dance teams at Braden River. Marina also coached her own elementary/middle school competitive dance team. Marina specializes in competitive programs, and her teams have won many awards in choreography, technique, and in national competitions.
Jayde Howard
Choreographer/Competition Director and Acrobatics
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Jayde Howard is an internationally recognized dance figure as a master teacher, choreographer and performer. In the commercial dance field, he has worked with such entertainers as: Taylor Dayne, The Cover Girls, Samantha Fox, the LA Laker Girls, and dance music icon Kristine W to name a few. With nearly 30 years in the business he has trained, mentored and choreographed for dance studios, companies, teams, pageants, high schools, colleges, conventions and many other prestigious institutions across the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. As a competitive director for many years for award winning studios on the Florida Coast including his own former training facility Jayde Howard's Dance Legacy, Mr. Howard and his students have received many accolades, scholarships, top overall awards at regional and nationals shows including “Best Technical Performance”, “Top Choreography”, “ADCC Studio Excellence Award”, and “Top Studio.”
As a performer he has appeared in theater, cabaret shows, nightclubs, Las Vegas shows, cruise ships, theme parks, and television. His London and Broadway show highlight credits include: Cats (Mr. Mistoffelees), Fosse (lead dancer), Chicago, Chorus Line (Paul) and 42nd Street. He was also featured in performances of the Boston Ballet and a member of BOP (Body of People), a London based Jazz Dance Company under the direction of Dollie Henry. Mr. Howard is a member of Actor’s Equity Association (NYC), Dance Masters of Florida, Dance Masters of America and has been certified by D.M.A. (Dance Masters Of America) and Acrobatic Arts to teach dance and acrobatics. Mr. Jayde received his formal and competitive training in the Northeast with a former rockette from Radio City, the Southern RI Youth Ballet Company, former Germaine Genga Dance & Gymnastics, Festival Ballet of RI, D.M.A. (Dance Masters Of America) and the Dance Teachers Club Of Boston. His education also includes Tremiane Dance Conventions and the former Tremiane Dance Center in California studying on scholarship with dance icon’s and legends Joe Tremiane & Doug Caldwell and the TDC faculty, The Edge Performing Arts Center (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Pineapple Dance Studios (London) in addition to the many teachers and choreographers he has had the privilege of working with and assisting over the years. Mr. Howard’s many students whom have received numerous accolades and awards including (D.O.T.Y.) “Dancer Of The Year” as well as scholarships to train at regional and nationally accredited conventions and institutions in LA, NY, NJ and all across the country. His students have gone on to work in shows across the country and abroad in professional ballet, jazz and modern/contemporary companies, theme parks, Broadway, LA, Las Vegas, LA cruise lines, music videos, industrials, tours and television. He continues to train by attending events, such as The Dance Teacher’s Summit (NYC & LA) and prestigious conventions across the country to continue to bring his students the very best in dance training and education.
Justine Coulon
Ballet 4 and Pre-Pointe
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Justine Coulon is known as a "Teacher of Teachers" and is a widely sought after dance educator, choreographer and adjudicator nationwide. Her "Coulin Concepts", a dance training program in classical ballet, tap, and jazz is extensively used by numerous studio directors, owners and teachers.
For 18 years she was the owner/director of Centre Danse Academie, in Connecticut where many of her students became professional dancers, choreographers, professors, studio owners and teachers. Ms. Coulon, as a member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America and the National Associates of Dance and Affiliated Artist has taught extensively throughout the United States. She served on the board of directors for the Jazz Dance Congress as well as Vice-Presidents of the Connecticut and Massachusetts DMA chapters. Her teaching credits include Sarasota Ballet, Booker High School VPA, Trinity College, NorthEast Workshop for Dancers, Chicago National Association of Dance, the National Tap Dance Institute as well as dance companies and studios nationwide.
As a performer, Ms. Coulon was a soloist with the Circle Ballet Company, Connecticut Ballet and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and toured Mexico, Germany, Puerto Rico and the United States. She is an accomplished designer of competition costumes, author, graduate of the National Tap Dance Institute and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of New Haven.
Rebecca Kimsey
Ballet 3 and Ballet 4
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Rebecca discovered her passion for ballet at an early age and started taking lessons at just two years old. She has trained in various classical ballet methods, including Balanchine, Cecchetti, and the Royal Academy of Dance, with a strong focus on the Vaganova method.
Her classical repertoire includes principal and soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, The Little Mermaid, Giselle, Paquita, Cinderella, Aladdin, Coppélia, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, as well as the titular role in The Snow Queen, an original ballet choreographed by the late, internationally recognized Ballet Master Vadim Fedotov, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.
In 2023, Rebecca joined Azara Ballet, a professional contemporary ballet company based in Sarasota, Florida. She has worked with notable choreographers including Leiland Charles, Arianna Hughlett, Gabriel Gaffney Smith, and Martin Flowers.
Rebecca is also a ballet instructor, teaching both private and group lessons to the next generation of dancers at local studios such as the International Ballet of Florida, Star Academy, and Dance University.
When she’s not in the studio or performing on stage, Rebecca is a competitive martial artist. She has won several gold medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a gold medal in Historical Fencing.
