Chelarrie Goldsby is the proud owner and director of The Dance Place. A respected dancer, instructor, and choreographer from Detroit, Chelarrie has dedicated her career to teaching and inspiring dancers of all ages and levels. She is deeply connected to the Waterford dance community and also serves as a professional adjudicator for local and national competitions.

Her extensive performance background includes featured roles in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (as Clara), Showboat, The Harlem Nutcracker, and The Wizard of Oz. She was also a regional champion in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics, showcasing her versatility and athleticism.

Chelarrie continued her education at the Specs Howard School of Broadcasting Arts, concentrating in film and television, further expanding her creative lens. For more than two decades, she has been recognized for her captivating, high-energy, and athletic choreography.

Beyond performing alongside artists such as Kashdoll, Flo Rida, and TLC, Chelarrie’s true calling is in leading and educating the next generation of dancers. She is known for her ability to inspire students to reach their full potential while fostering creativity, discipline, and confidence both on and off the stage.
 

Stacey Manzanares has had the pleasure of teaching it’s students for over 2 decades. She inspires recreational dancers to love the art of dance and just as passionately trains serious dancers to become working professionals. She has choreographed for the Corps De Danse, the Dance Place’s Competitive Dance Team, for 20 years, where her work has many times been nationally recognized.

Stacey’s professional performance career encompassed work with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, in The Nutcracker, where she was a principal dancer for several years. Her career also included many years with Dance Detroit/Jacob Lascu, Dayton Ballet, Dreams/Anna Sokolov, Faust/Michigan Opera Theatre, Circles/Alana Barter, Easter Seals/Ed Asner, Pat Paulson & Max Davies Dancers.

"It is a constant reward to impart my love for the art of dance to children of all ages, but the icing on the cake is to be part of this amazing team of experts in the process. I have been blessed with a wonderful staff, loyal dance families, and eager dancers that want to be here as much as we do!"

Educator of the Year 2024: Private Sector
http://www.michigandance.org/news

Jessica Manzanares grew up knowing she wanted to teach at The Dance Place Ltd. to perpetuate the quality dance education she had received since she was 3 y/o. She began a professional teaching/choreography career early, at age 16. Jessica's students of  Technique Class, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical, is in fact a testament to her professionalism.

She has inspired, trained and prepared both recreational and professional level students for a lifetime of dancing success.
Jessica’s choreography has earned top awards from numerous dance competitions nationwide. Her professional award-winning choreography is in demand and includes;  Competitive Dance, Recreational Dance, Industry, Video, Oakland University’s Dance Team and Tinderbox Productions, a theater company in Detroit.

Jessica also toured with Hall Of Fame Dance Challenge, a nationwide dance competition company, where she had the opportunity to study new talented choreographers from all over the United States. 

Alex Hlavaty began his formal dance training at age six, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University in May 2015. Alex has studied in New York City with Gibney Dance and in Montréal with O Vertigo and Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal before joining Eisenhower Dance Detroit. Alex is currently in his seventh season dancing with EDD, where he has performed and taught master classes nationally and internationally. Alex joined The Dance Place Ltd in 2018, and has quickly become a Dance Place Faculty favorite.  Alex is also an avid choreographer and writer. His choreography has been performed in festivals, intensives, competitions, and most recently his original work has been performed at Culture Pop in Detroit. Alex has poetry published in the literary journal The Laureate, 14th Edition and has written for DancePlug online as a resource for dance students, professionals, and educators. He is currently working toward becoming a certified member through Dance Masters of America so that he can continue bringing the best education to his students. 

Kendal Dockter was trained by The Dance Place Ltd from 3-18 yrs old.  She was a principal dancer in our Pre-Pro Dance Team and became an award-winning choreographer,  Kendal began teaching in 2018 and has proven to be a creative and inspiring teacher.  Her classes promote a sense of self-empowerment, and our students love her!

Brianna Purrett, Graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and then proceeded to New York City to continue her education at the Broadway Dance Center under Heather Rigg a choreographer and performer for Britney Spears and Deborah Y. Wilson a teacher and dancer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

While living in New York City, Brianna worked for The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Westwood, New Jersey as an instructor and performer in Ballroom Dance then transferred to Michigan continuing to teach Ballroom, Ballet, Stretch, Latin and Jazz dance.

Brianna's Choreography and Professional Dance credits include Palace Events, News Channels 4 & 7, Wedding/Bridal Shows, Detroit Music Hall, FADS.AAC in Chicago NDC Orlando, in the top ten.  Brianna has recently added acting in a an assortment of movies as part of her Professional credits ranging from being an extra to character parts to  dance ensemble member.

Brianna is a Dance Place/Corps De Danse alumni and we are thrilled to have our girl teaching Preschool, Ballet, Jazz, Technique Class, Ballroom and Wedding Dance again this year

Patience Sawyers has been the friendly face of the front desk since 2016 and is currently the Dance Place Office Manager. She’s the one who will get it done, with a smile while she reads your lips.  She’s hearing impaired but makes up any difference in kindness and efficiency.  That’s why we call her the “Desk Diva” she’s Stacey’s sister, Jes’s Auntie...and sails this ship!