MICHELLE Merrill, OWNER
Growing up, where did you take dance classes?
Maine Attraction
What is your favorite dance memory?
Winning the "Congeniality (Spirit) Award" with my team at Nationals when I was young! Although we won tons of awards through the years, it was only this one and this moment I remember clear as day. I actually wrote my college essay on this moment and my team.
Proudest achievement?
Opening up the studio 💙
Favorite workshop classes?
Monsters, anything Martha Nichols (I could just listen to that woman speak for days!) and my girl Rumer!
Professional Dance Experience?
Dancer and captain of the Lady Red Claws for their inaugural season. Head coach for the Maine Mammoths Dance team, the Tuskhers.
What is your favorite "dance move"?
Either The Carlton or the moonwalk... depends on the moment
What is your favorite color?
Yellow
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
30 days without my phone no question!
Do you have any superstitions?
I think the easier question to answer is what superstitions do I NOT have!
If you got stuck in an elevator and were forced to listen to only one song, what would it be?
Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas Is You. That song will never. get. old.
Your karaoke song of choice?
I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Whitney Houston
DIMITRA BRYANT
What “Dance Moves” are you currently teaching?
Musical Theater, Cardio Dance, Strength & Stretch
Beyond high school, did you further your dance training?
I was a part of the University of New Hampshire Dance & Aerial Company and received my Bachelors degree at UNH in Musical Theatre & Dance
What is your favorite dance memory?
Anytime we went to nationals for dance competitions Vegas, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, NYC.... It was a whole week long of convention classes, competition, and sight seeing! The week always ended with a fancy banquet dinner at the competition and everyone would get dressed up and we had so much fun!
Proudest achievement?
My little family....Adam, Adri & Diam. <3
What is your favorite color?
Purple (or glitter/sparkles!!)
What's the most unusual or useless talent you have?
I can cross one eye at a time!
What is your spirit animal?
A sparkly unicorn!
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
30 days no phone. I always need dessert after meals!
If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?
Ooooo dinosaurs!
Your karaoke song of choice?
Alone- by Heart (which I’ve actually sang at karaoke MANY times because I LOVE karaoke!)
MADISON MITCHELL
Proudest dance achievement?
Being offered a job at the same studio I was taught at!
Favorite workshop/convention?
Revel Recharge at DMME w/ Rumer, Trevor & Brea!
What is your spirit animal?
Peacock
What is your favorite color?
Purple
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
30 days without my phone
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi!
Do you have any superstitions?
Right eye twitches it means good news/good luck & left eye means bad luck/disappointing news.
If you got stuck in an elevator and were forced to listen to only one song, what would it be?
Live version of Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?
Orca whale
Your karaoke song of choice?
Supersonic by J.J Fad
FRANCESCA KNAPP
Proudest dance achievement?
Being Clara in the Nutcracker
Proudest achievement?
Following my dreams!
Favorite class/masterclass/workshop/convention?
Workshop with Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal
Did you perform professionally?
Robinson Ballet Company, Bangor Maine
Favorite "dance move"?
Turns! Pique, pirouette, fouetté etc.
What is your spirit animal?
Penguin, I love the snow and ice
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
Audrey Hepburn
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
30 days without phone
If you got stuck in an elevator and were forced to listen to only one song, what would it be?
I don’t go in elevators for fear of being stuck in one!
If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?
Dogs
RACHEL EPLING
Growing up, where did you take dance classes?
Spindrift School of Performing Arts
What is your favorite dance memory?
Performing in an ancient open air church, with a view of the Italian Alps in the archways. It was magical.
Proudest achievement?
Touring Europe with the UCSB Dance Company, while also completing a double major (one in dance!), and also working in the scene shop.
Favorite "dance move"?
I love a good wiggle, the sillier the better.
What's the most unusual or useless talent you have?
I can weld.
What is your spirit animal?
I'm pretty sure I'm part puppy. I like long walks, treats, laying in the sun, and I'm excited to see everyone.
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
Take my phone, give me the chocolate please!
If you got stuck in an elevator and were forced to listen to only one song, what would it be?
"Into the Unknown" from Frozen II
If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?
Moose, but I've got to find one first.
Your karaoke song of choice?
"Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent
ALEXIS SPURGIN
Growing up, where did you take dance classes?
The Dance Factory in Nebraska
What is your favorite dance memory?
Performing in my last dance concert at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Proudest achievement?
Following my dreams to make dance my career!
Favorite masterclass?
So hard to pick just one! Maybe the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Masterclass
What is your favorite color?
Purple... and Black!
What is your spirit animal?
Cat; independent, curious and I love naps!
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
30 days without my phone. Dessert is life!
Do you have any superstitions?
Always take a quick sniff of ylang ylang essential oil before going on stage
If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?
Whales!
Your karaoke song of choice?
Don't Stop Believing by Journey
ABBY O'BRIEN
Growing up, where did you take dance classes?
Dance Moves Maine!!
What is your favorite dance memory?
There are too many, but being Gaston is definitely up there.
Proudest achievement?
Getting back up after I fell on my face in front of hundreds of people while competing my first ever solo. It was not pretty, but I was proud of myself that I finished it!
Favorite masterclass?
Martha Nichols jazz class at Nuvo!!
Favorite "dance move"?
The death drop of course!
Would you rather go 30 days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?
30 days without my phone, this woman needs dessert in her life!!!!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Strawberries!
Do you have any superstitions?
ALWAYS knock on wood.
If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?
Dogs!
Your karaoke song of choice?
Anything from High School Musical, preferably "Fabulous" by Sharpay Evans.
CASEY HOOPER
Growing up, where did you take gymnastics?
Maine Academy of Gymnastics
What is your favorite color?
Green
Would you rather go thirty days without your phone or 30 days without dessert?
No dessert, I don't like sweets.
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Rack of lamb
If you could take to any species of animal, which would it be?
Dog
Your karaoke song of choice?
Ciara, One Two Step
EMILY MURRAY
HANNAH RANCO
What is your favorite dance memory?
Dance rehearsals with my friends in college
Proudest Achievement?
I bought a house this year!
Did you dance in college?
I received my BFA in dance from Dean College
Professional Dance Experience?
NBA dancer for the Boston Celtics
Favorite "dance move?"
Contemporary floor work
What is your spirit animal and why?
A dog, specifically my dog Jax because we are besties
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi
DREA HASKELL
Growing up, where did you take dance classes?
Dance Moves Maine!
What is your favorite dance memory?
Being able to make lifelong friends and watch everyone grow in their dance life and personal lives.
Proudest Achievement?
Attending Point Park University and joining a ballet company
Favorite class/workshop or convention?
Taking ballet class from Girard and Kwang at school at 8am
Professional dance experience?
Corps de Ballet dancer with the Maine State Ballet
What is your spirit animal and why?
Cats because they love to sunbathe
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza, there's so many different topping choices
If you got stuck in an elevator and were forced t o listen to only one song, what would it be?
Sugar Plum Pas de Deux by Tchaikovsky
EMILY GAGNE
What is your favorite dance memory?
Some of my favorite memories actually come from teaching! My senior lyrical team (from my previous studio in PA) qualified for Worlds in Disney World! It was so incredible watching them perform and meeting choreographers and dancers from so many other countries.
Proudest Achievement?
My acapella tap choreography was featured in the American College Dance Association conference in 2019.
Favorite class/workshop or convention?
Shane Kesneck
Did you dance in college?
I was a dance minor and student choreographer at the University of Maine. (Fun fact: I have my BS in Biology and my MS in Ecology - when I'm not dancing, I'm a scientist!)
IF you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tacos :)
Do you have any superstitions?
I always listen to pump-up music before big life moments
If you got stuck in an elevator and were forced t o listen to only one song, what would it be?
Anything by Noah Kahan