Stacey Manzanares is the owner of The Dance Place Ltd. and 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. 

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

Ms. Pelkey has been a part of The Dance Place family since she was 4 years old. She was a member of the DP competition team for 10 years including 2 years as a captain. After graduating, she recieved her Bachelors of Science from Oakland University in Health Science with a concentration in Exercise Science. Ms. Miranda is now pursuing her Masters of Science in Exercise Science also at Oakland University. She is a Graduate Assistant  for the program and teaches two different undergraduate level Exercise Science courses. During her masters education she researching the cardiovascular benefits of dance in children as the topic of her thesis and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric cardiology as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.  All throughout her time in school she has been teaching at The Dance Place and has also been a member of the Detroit Tigers Energy Squad since 2013 where she works with in game promotions and entertainment. Ms. Miranda has a passion for all types of dance, especially tap!

NBA Dancer, Hip Hop , Tap and Jazz teacher, Expert Gymnastics Teacher, background dancer for TLC, Bobby Brown and Flo Rider!
So excited to have Ms Chelarrie join our DP Faculty.

Growing up, Miss Chelsea danced at The Dance Place Ltd. also competing with her home Competitive Teams. After high school, she was accepted into the Grand Valley State University Dance Department. She graduated from GVSU with undergraduate degrees in Special Education and Comprehensive Science and Art for Teaching along with a Dance minor. Chelsea is now teaching special education at a High School and teaches Ballet and Contemporary at The Dance Place Ltd. She recently started the My Ability Dance Program, a dance class specifically geared towards students with disabilities. Chelsea also works with the competition team at The Dance Place and has received an Outstanding Choreography award.

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. 

Tara Charvat graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University. While attending WMU, Tara performed works by renowned choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Anthony Tudor, Lew Christensen, Frank Chavez and Brian Enos. She attended summer programs with New Dialect, chuthis., BODYTRAFFIC LA, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Big Muddy Dance Company and DanceWorks Chicago. In 2018, she received a scholarship to the Lou Conte Dance Studio where she attended weekly class with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago artists and presented her own choreography. In 2019, Tara joined NewDances, a collaboration between Thodos Dance Chicago and DanceWorks Chicago. For the 2019-2020 season, she apprenticed with Eisenhower Dance Detroit performing works by Stephanie Pizzo, Laurie Eisenhower and BAIRA. In Fall 2020, Tara was promoted to company member. Tara joined the Dance Place Ltd Faculty in 2020 and has brought our students joy and inspiration through her work.

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!

Alessandra Crabtree is one of our Dance Place Students gone-Professional Dance teacher since 2017.  She led our Pre-Pro Dance team for years as Dance Captain, Assistant Teacher and Substitute Teacher, before going pro herself. Her classes are high energy, amazingly exciting and are in high demand.  Ale will be completing her Nursing degree summer of 2022  and will still be teaching at her homeschool; The Dance Place Ltd.