Meet the Instructors
Miss Michelle
Miss Michelle, our studio owner and executive director, boasts over 25 years of experience in dance education. She began her journey at local studios before attending a professional ballet school in her early years. Her dance classes have included training in various styles at prestigious institutions such as Alvin Ailey, and she even learned tap from the legendary Gregory Hines. With a focus on tap, ballet, and jazz, Miss Michelle is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the next generation of dancers. Outside the studio, she enjoys working from home, spending quality time with her dogs, and curling up with a good book.
Miss Illy
From her very first dance class at about 18 months old, Miss Illy has been deeply immersed in the art of dance. She attended daily dance classes at Dance N Beyond for almost 15 years before leaving to earn her business degree in NYC. She has trained across a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, Caribbean, and her specialties, contemporary and lyrical. Over the years, she has enriched her dance education through numerous intensives and trainings. As our business manager and artistic director, Miss Illy is most passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for our students, while providing an unforgettable, family-focused experience for the entire Dance N Beyond community.
Miss Sammie
Meet Miss Sammie, our dedicated dance instructor and lead choreographer who began her journey in dance education with us at the age of 2. Growing up in our studio, she enhanced her skills at prestigious institutions like Greater Hartford Arts Academy, The Joffrey Ballet School, and The Broadway Collective. Miss Sammie is a versatile instructor, proficient in various dance classes, including ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics, lyrical, and contemporary dance styles. She holds certifications in Ballet, Early Childhood Dance Education, and Performing Arts through NYU. Additionally, her background includes acting and musical theater. With her passion and extensive training, she inspires our younger dancers to excel in their artistic pursuits.
Miss Ann
Ann Sovak embarked on her dance career after graduating from Mercyhurst University with a B.A. in dance education, and at the remarkable age of 23, she became the owner of a dancing school in the northwest corner, dedicated to offering a variety of dance classes in all styles. Ann eventually transformed the school into Dance N Beyond, recognizing the need for dance and fitness to unite. In 2011, Ann became licensed in Zumba Fitness and began teaching diverse dance classes and fitness formats. In 2021, she passed the torch to current owner, Michelle Deraleau. She continues to inspire students by teaching Zumba and Ballet at the studio today.
Miss Taylor
Miss Taylor is a mom of 3, an RN, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and a group fitness instructor with over 17 years of experience. Her wellness journey took off in 2008 when she stepped into her first Zumba dance class and felt her soul ignite. That transformative moment changed everything—leading her to teach dance education, open fitness studios, and assist countless people in discovering the joy of movement. During the pandemic, she returned to school and became a nurse, which enhanced her understanding of health and healing. Today, she blends her nursing expertise with fitness coaching to help individuals bridge the gap between rehab and lifelong wellness. Her mission is simple: to empower others to feel strong, confident, and alive through movement.