About M&M Dance Academy
M&M Dance Academy is a family-friendly, values-driven dance studio that encourages growth, passion, and creativity in all its students. Check out our vision, mission, and values, as well as our teacher bios, to learn more about how we make dance an educational and fun experience!
Vision
Our goal is to cultivate a passion for dance in students of every age, background, and skill level. Ultimately, we aim to exemplify and instill the belief that dance is about having fun and discovering a lifelong love of dance.
Mission
M&M Dance Academy is committed to offering dancers of all ages a well-rounded, technique-based education focused not only on proper technique but also on performance quality. We strive to maintain a welcoming family environment and provide every student a complete, accurate, and cutting-edge dance education, whether they dance recreationally or competitively.
Values
Vision
Our goal is to cultivate a passion for dance in students of every age, background, and skill level. Ultimately, we aim to exemplify and instill the belief that dance is about having fun and discovering a lifelong love of dance.
Mission
M&M Dance Academy is committed to offering dancers of all ages a well-rounded, technique-based education focused not only on proper technique but also on performance quality. We strive to maintain a welcoming family environment and provide every student a complete, accurate, and cutting-edge dance education, whether they dance recreationally or competitively.
Values
- Pursuit of creative passion
- Dedication to continuous improvement
- Attention to quality and professionalism
- Commitment to community engagement
- Selection of age-appropriate music and costumes
Miss Megan - Director
Miss Megan is a proud native of St. Louis, MO. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a Bachelor of Science in mass communications from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. While there, she studied with accomplished teachers and choreographers, including those from The Joffrey Ballet, National Ballet of China, the Martha Graham Co., Broadway, and beyond.
After graduation, Megan moved to New York City where she spent three years studying with renowned dancers and choreographers at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, and Steps On Broadway. She also traveled the country and performed various tasks while working with StarQuest Dance Competition. This experience taught her the inner workings of the competitions, from how they are run to what the judges are looking for to how to succeed. In addition, Miss Megan spent a year in Milwaukee, WI teaching and choreographing for Studio One Dance Company, as well as working with their competition lines.
Megan also has an extensive musical theatre background performing at the MUNY and other venues in shows such as Annie, A Chorus Line, Will Rogers Follies, Cabaret, George M!, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, among others.
Today, Megan is excited to offer ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and musical theatre classes at M&M Dance Academy for ages three to adult. She is also proud to manage a competitive company that continues to grow in technical prowess and passion each year. Miss Megan can't wait to get into the classroom to start this exciting and fun year of dance! If you have any questions, feel free to email her at megan@mandmdance.com.
After graduation, Megan moved to New York City where she spent three years studying with renowned dancers and choreographers at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, and Steps On Broadway. She also traveled the country and performed various tasks while working with StarQuest Dance Competition. This experience taught her the inner workings of the competitions, from how they are run to what the judges are looking for to how to succeed. In addition, Miss Megan spent a year in Milwaukee, WI teaching and choreographing for Studio One Dance Company, as well as working with their competition lines.
Megan also has an extensive musical theatre background performing at the MUNY and other venues in shows such as Annie, A Chorus Line, Will Rogers Follies, Cabaret, George M!, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, among others.
Today, Megan is excited to offer ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and musical theatre classes at M&M Dance Academy for ages three to adult. She is also proud to manage a competitive company that continues to grow in technical prowess and passion each year. Miss Megan can't wait to get into the classroom to start this exciting and fun year of dance! If you have any questions, feel free to email her at megan@mandmdance.com.
Miss Keli - Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical
Keli Brook Hermes is originally from Dallas, Texas. She graduated with distinction from the University of Oklahoma in 2006 with a BFA. in Modern Dance Performance. Upon graduation, Keli began dancing with Modern American Dance Company (MADCO) touring nationally and performing in concert performances including a feature role in ‘Chimera’ by Todd Weeks. She also performed works by Robert Battle, Michael Foley, Jon Beasant III, and Cecil Slaughter. In 2009, Keli was hired as a teaching mentor for St. Louis Artworks and was also a guest artist with the University of Missouri-St. Louis dance program. Additionally, her choreography has been shown at 60×60 Dance, Cottey College, Lindenwood University, National Dance Week, Principia College, and Creekview High School. Keli has been a dancer and choreographer with Leverage Dance Theater since 2013 where she has performed in seven full length concerts, toured regionally, and performed as a lead character in the company's elementary school educational programs. She was promoted to assistant director of Leverage Dance Theater in 2017. Keli is excited for the opportunity to teach at MMDA!
Miss Lydia - Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical
Miss Lydia received her early training at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. She is a graduate of Virginia School of the Arts where she also started teaching creative movement and ballet. During her time there, she received the Dame Margot Fonteyn Award and the Jan Petrus Bosman Award. While with the Richmond Ballet, she performed in The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Cinderella.
In 2009, Miss Lydia moved to Missouri to further pursue her dancing career with Missouri Ballet Theatre. Since then, she has taught ballet, pointe, and modern classes at several schools in the St. Louis area.
In 2009, Miss Lydia moved to Missouri to further pursue her dancing career with Missouri Ballet Theatre. Since then, she has taught ballet, pointe, and modern classes at several schools in the St. Louis area.
Miss Sharon - Acro, Ballet & Tap
Miss Sharon grew up dancing at her mother's studio, North’s Dance Studio, in Hazelwood, MO. She put on her first pair of tap shoes at 18 months old and has never stopped. She was a dance major at Webster University and has been sharing her love of dance for over three decades. She is always ready to tell stories of her past students’ great accomplishments but is especially proud of her many students who went on to careers in the performing arts and/or teaching. She is also proud to say that she has many second generation students and feels blessed to carry on the passion, techniques, and skills of dance that her mother shared with so many over the years.
Sharon loves teaching all forms of dance, but her favorite is tap--specifically, rhythm tap. She studied for many years with Mr. Robert Reed, founder of Tap Heritage in St Louis. He and her mother were great mentors and role models. Like her mentors demonstrated to her, Miss Sharon’s students will always have a loving home at dance and will always have a special place in her heart.
Sharon loves teaching all forms of dance, but her favorite is tap--specifically, rhythm tap. She studied for many years with Mr. Robert Reed, founder of Tap Heritage in St Louis. He and her mother were great mentors and role models. Like her mentors demonstrated to her, Miss Sharon’s students will always have a loving home at dance and will always have a special place in her heart.
Mr. Fred - BreakDance
Fred ("Shoulders") is a co-founder of the Unofficials Crew, which has been seen battling across the nation. He has also won Bboy (breakdancer) of the Year 2015 and S.L.U.M. Fest (St. Louis Underground Music Festival) 1v1 BreakDance Battle 2013.
Fred has been teaching at M&M Dance Academy for a few years now. His BreakDance class started out as just a summer class, but its popularity has made it a year-round offering! Fred teaches many technical steps, including top rock, 6 step, windmills, and many more. He especially enjoys freestyle and in-class battles!
Fred has been teaching at M&M Dance Academy for a few years now. His BreakDance class started out as just a summer class, but its popularity has made it a year-round offering! Fred teaches many technical steps, including top rock, 6 step, windmills, and many more. He especially enjoys freestyle and in-class battles!
Mr. Tyrus - Hip Hop
Tyrus has led choreography for local hip hop events including performances and music videos for local music artists. He has been featured on local news channels, and he also has performed in a number of TV commercials. Tyrus has viral YouTube videos, was featured on World of Dance, and showcased on The TedX (TedTalks) stage performing his signature dance style. His most memorable moment has to be when he was featured on the popular dance show So You Think You Can Dance (Season 12) where he was in the final 25 out of 220 competitors!
At 30 years old he is still adventuring in new dance projects, and his #1 goal is to inspire all and grow dancers.
At 30 years old he is still adventuring in new dance projects, and his #1 goal is to inspire all and grow dancers.
Miss Jen - Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary
Miss Jen is a Midwest native with over 20 years of dance experience. She began dancing at age 3 in Fort Wayne, IN at LA Dance, followed by Tiffany and Company Studio of Dance. She has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, modern/contemporary, and lyrical. While at Tiffany and Company, Jen was a member of the Master Company competition team. She was also given the opportunity to assist the studio’s head instructors and the owner of the studio in their classes for the younger and recreational companies. When Jen was in High School she was given some of her own classes to teach focusing on technique and strengthening. Jen was also a member of her high school’s Hip Hop only dance team where she served as Captain her senior year.
Jen then attended the University of Notre Dame for college, majoring in Film, Television and Theatre (akin to communications) and minoring in Photography. While in college she was a member of the Notre Dame Pom Squad, the school’s dance team, where she was able to continue dancing and choreographing for pep rallies, basketball games, and more.
After college, Jen moved to Maryland for 6 months to work as a Web Producer at a local news station. She decided to relocate to Springfield, MO to pursue her Masters of Sports Management at Missouri State University. While in Springfield Jen joined the team of teachers at Dance Canvas Performing Arts Center for 3 years. She taught all ages and styles and choreographed for the studio’s competition team.
When she completed her Master’s Degree and the 2018-2019 dance season at DCPAC, Jen relocated to St. Louis to work for Channel 5 in their sales department. After spending a year getting settled and searching for a new dance home, Miss Jen is very excited for the opportunity to teach at M&M Dance Academy and meet all the awesome families!
Jen then attended the University of Notre Dame for college, majoring in Film, Television and Theatre (akin to communications) and minoring in Photography. While in college she was a member of the Notre Dame Pom Squad, the school’s dance team, where she was able to continue dancing and choreographing for pep rallies, basketball games, and more.
After college, Jen moved to Maryland for 6 months to work as a Web Producer at a local news station. She decided to relocate to Springfield, MO to pursue her Masters of Sports Management at Missouri State University. While in Springfield Jen joined the team of teachers at Dance Canvas Performing Arts Center for 3 years. She taught all ages and styles and choreographed for the studio’s competition team.
When she completed her Master’s Degree and the 2018-2019 dance season at DCPAC, Jen relocated to St. Louis to work for Channel 5 in their sales department. After spending a year getting settled and searching for a new dance home, Miss Jen is very excited for the opportunity to teach at M&M Dance Academy and meet all the awesome families!
Miss Paige- Ballet, Jazz, & Contemporary
Miss Paige is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and began her training at Arts in Motion School of Dance. She graduated from Webster University in 2019 with a BFA in Modern Dance and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. Her training outside of Webster University includes Nashville Ballet, The Big Muddy Dance Company, MADCO, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In addition to performing as a part of the Webster University Dance Ensemble, she has also performed at the American College Dance Association Regional Conference for three consecutive years. She also had the opportunity to perform in Geneva, Switzerland while studying abroad with Webster University. She is currently dancing with Leverage Dance Theater in St.Louis and looks forward to continuing her movement research in the community.