MEET THE TEAM

Alicia began dancing at the age of 3 when she started studying Ballet and Tap. Throughout her childhood she continued studying multiple styles, adding Jazz and Broadway Jazz to her list, while strongly focusing on Tap. In 2005, Alicia joined Precision Dance Company in Rockledge, FL led by Marty (Eyster) Mercado, performed around the county, and continued to further her education into other styles, including Modern, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. During this time, Alicia began to gain experience teaching tap and hip hop classes to children ages 4-10, and was an assistant teacher to Natalie McKnight-Palmer during her summer musical theater workshops. Alicia spent the next few years performing with Evolution Dance Company at different events, including baseball games at Space Coast Stadium as a part of Space Coast Surge Entertainment. In 2019, Alicia choreographed for the musical "Guys and Dolls" at Eastern Florida State College. She also works alongside the Brevard Achievement Center with a residency in their Arts4All program working with Special Needs students for their annual Performing Arts Showcase and is a Certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor. Alicia's passion for dance is long-lasting and she hopes to bring something new and exciting to Brevard County by offering a wide range of classes for everyone to enjoy!

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Memberships/Certifications/Credits

• Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Certification

• National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Member

• Creative Dance in Early Childhood (NDEO-Endorsed CEUs)

• CLI Studios Member

• Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) Certification

• First Aid/CPR Certified

Erik is a very entertaining and inspiring dancer, whose specialties include Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Acrobatics. After graduating High School, Erik began his professional career as a performer at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. You may have seen him as a featured dancer on seasons 5, 6 and 11 of “So You Think You Can Dance” making his way to the top 11 male contestants. Erik's style and choreography has won numerous awards and made him a sought after choreographer and dancer in many parts of the country. Other than choreographing for names such as Kodak Black, Rich Homie Quan, and WildnOut, Erik considers his biggest accomplishment being his performance in "The Chocolate Nutcracker" being alongside the legendary Savion Glover.

Amanda Manis is a performer and educator born and raised on the Space Coast. She took lessons with Ms. Marty at Precision Dance and expanded her horizons as a performer with theater classes, gymnastics, and cheerleading. When Ms. Amanda went to college at the University of Florida she majored in History but joined Extreme Dance Company keeping her hand in the performance game. After college Ms. Amanda pursued performance as a profession. She has performed locally for the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, Titusville Playhouse, and the Henegar Center. She has also had the honor of performing in musicals and large scale productions on the West Coast of Florida and two tours with Feld Entertainment Disney Live! and Disney Jr. Live! shows one domestic and one international. Ms. Amanda has taught and choreographed at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse for the STARS of Tomorrow program, at the Henegar Center for Black Box and MainStage shows, and at Better Than Broadway Dance Studio. She assistant directed a studio production of the Little Mermaid in Tampa. She has volunteered with the Cocoa Police Department to teach a ballet class to underprivileged girls and loves nothing more than challenging her students to do more than they ever thought they could. When she isn’t performing or teaching Ms. Amanda works as a 911 dispatcher for a local agency.

Brooke began dancing at the age of 2 in a studio located in Brusly, Louisiana. At age 6 she began competitive dancing and by 13 she began traveling and assisting for Tremaine and The Streetz Dance Conventions. Brooke spent time assisting and learning from many esteemed dancers and choreographers such as Paula Abdul, Joe Tremaine, and Derrick Schrader to name a few. During the summer, Brooke would travel to study dancing at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio located in Los Angeles, California and Joffrey Ballet School located in San Antonio, Texas. At age 15 Brooke began choreographing and teaching many different styles of dance including technique, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and ballet classes around Louisiana. When she graduated, she moved to Orlando, Florida to begin her career as a performer for Walt Disney World. Brooke performed for 2 years and was even cast in the 2019 “Mickeys Most Merriest Celebration” Castle Stage Show for Walt Disney World. Brooke now works for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort as a Children’s Activities Hostess and is studying to become an Elementary Teacher. She is excited to share her passion and skill for dance with many aspiring dancers in the studio and hopes to become a valuable role model in your children’s lives. 

Stephanie has been dancing since the age of 2 and when she took her first dance class,
she immediately fell in love with the art. Her favorite style to dance is Hip Hop and her
favorite style to teach is all of the above! She has been trained in all genres of dance
including; Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, Clogging, and
Breakdancing. Stephanie was in a pre-professional company, Boston Community
Dance Project, from ages 12-15. Stephanie has had the opportunity to dance at Epcot,
has won numerous national titles and has been recognized by many nationwide
choreographers; Travis Wall, Aaron Tolson, Peter Sabasino, Twitch, Skooj-Choreo,
and Allison Holker. Stephanie has traveled across the country for several dance
opportunities and to teach alongside these choreographers. She has been
demonstrating/teaching students since she was 13. She loves every child she works
with and she believes the most rewarding part of the job is being able to give children
the space to be themselves as well as make connections with her students year after
year. She is excited to teach children the joy of dance and can’t wait for what this year
has in store!

Marlene started dancing in 2005, fell in love with dance and never gave it up. Throughout the years she has gained passion and experience in various styles of dance including Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Pom and Latin. While living in IN, she made her start in competitive dance, where she competed at State Finals through IHSDTA in Jazz, Pom and Lyrical. Ballet and lyrical, however, remained her true passion. During this time, she also performed in the Musicals "Anything Goes" and "Good News", the CHS Music Department Variety Shows and Christmas Programs. In addition, she participated in the CHS Color Guard which competed with the marching band at State Finals as well. In 2009, Marlene went to college at Spring Arbor University in MI, and participated in the Swing Dance Club there as a hobby. In 2012, Marlene joined Jackson School of the Arts in Michigan as a dance instructor for 3 years, and continued taking ballet classes there for herself. She also taught Ballet classes at the local YMCA in Jackson, MI during that time. In Sept of 2021 Marlene furthered her ballet training by joining Southold Dance Theatre in South Bend, IN. Finally, in November of 2022, she and her husband moved permanently to FL, where she joined Dance Variations as an instructor. Marlene also gives ballet lessons at Space Coast IcePlex for figure skaters on behalf of Dance Variations. In her spare time, Marlene enjoys Yin yoga, playing piano, painting, and the outdoors. She's currently a band member at ECCC in Merritt Island as a piano player, since music has also been a life long passion. Her Greyhound and long haired cat are her "children." Marlene is very passionate about teaching, dancing, and the welfare of every student she influences.  

Tallyn has a passion for movement and authentic expression, and such a purpose has been a cornerstone throughout her early adulthood as a Personal Trainer, Coach, Zumba Instructor and Latin Dance Instructor. She expanded her dance vocabulary when she joined Porabba, a Latin dance company based in the DMV, and has performed at Latin congresses and festivals throughout the DMV area to New Jersey. She has a background in gymnastics, hip hop, Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Zouk and Kizomba, though loves teaching Bachata, Salsa and Latin infused choreography predominantly. 

Rachael began dancing at the age of 5. She took 15 years of ballet, jazz, and pointe. She always loved dance and ended up getting into Show Choir in College, where she continued to perform and enjoy dancing. She also found a love for both the music and the dancing genre of swing and salsa. When she graduated college the first time her career path took her away from
dancing. After having her first 2 children, she found Yoga and Zumba both of which are a former dancer’s friend. She has taught Yoga and Zumba for over 9 years at the YMCA and then at the Melbourne Athletic Club. She is happily married and a mother to 4 amazing children and a pug. She now works as a registered nurse while teaching on the side. She believes dance brings joy and she loves bring joy to others.