Staff
Brittany Ramsey - has been trained since the age of five in tap, jazz, and ballet at Dance Etc. School of the Arts in Woodbridge, Virginia. Opportunities with Dance Etc. have enabled her to perform in Beijing, China, Disney World, and other local venues. Brittany also performed with Junior Redskins Cheerleaders and was selected to be an All Star Cheerleader. After graduating from Garfield Senior High School in 2006, Brittany is pursuing her dance career and has most recently been selected as a member of the professional Washington DC based dance company Capitol Movement.
Michelle Ayler - After studying the piano for four and a half years Michelle Ayler was accepted into Duke Ellington School of the Arts, an arts high school located in Washington D.C. She worked to earn not only her high school diploma but a diploma in instrumental piano studies. After graduating in the top ten of her class, Michelle went on to Radford University where she majored in Music Composition. Currently, Michelle works as a piano teacher and composer. Even though Michelle "adamantly stated" she would never teach music when she got older, teaching has become a way she can express herself and share her musical gift. To her, nothing is more exciting than watching young musicians grow, learn and succeed.
Kat Whitesides studied at Catholic University, with Jody Gatwood, and received the degree of BM in violin performance, magna cum laude with a minor in Philosophy. Before attending Catholic, Kat was a member of the inaugural class of SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. While at the Governor’s School, she toured the states as a member of the Honors Quartet, to raise awareness and support for the Arts in South Carolina. She has experience teaching group classes and coaching chamber music as well as teaching private lessons. Kat has been on staff at the Duke University String School and SC Governor’s School Honors program. She is a member of the Maryland Symphony and is an active freelance musician in the DC area.
Capriece Threat - has 10 years experience in the performing arts field and has been passionate about dancing since she was a child. In Junior high school, she created and choreographed a dance team of 20 girls; that became an official athletic team. In high school, she held the position as dance team captain for 4 years and had the opportunity to travel and perform in many major events in many states including Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and DC. She also had the pleasure of dancing for some of the Washington Wizard’s halftime shows, a Washington Redskins halftime show, and an Orlando Magic halftime show. As a professional hip hop, jazz, and modern dancer; she has appeared on the FOX hit reality show “So you think you can Dance?” season 1, and appeared twice at the DC Television station’s DCTV programming as a instructional dance leader and dancer. She is known to be an outstanding, exciting, and talented dance instructor that is all about the children. Her dance mission is helping to keep the performing arts alive for the dancers of tomorrow!
Veronica Miller - has been performing hip-hop since the age of 13, when she was a dancer in the Jamnastics summer performance troupe in Cambridge, MA. She went on to lead her high school's dance team and dance with Pittsburgh's Psalms in Motion liturgical dance ministry. As a student at Howard University, Veronica joined the Vizion Performance Team, performing in various showcases in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. She served as the team's Executive Director for two years, performing at Howard's Homecoming Yard Fest concert and winning prizes in various hip-hop dance competitions. Veronica now teaches hip-hop at Dream in Color and remains involved with Vizion as an alumni advisor.
Estela Valez, Furia-Flamenca - A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ms. Velez trained intensively with Maestro Antonio Santaella and recognized Spanish flamenco figures La Tati, Omayra Amaya, Mercedes Amaya, Joaquin Grilo, Vero "La India" Pastora Galvan, Belen Fernandez, and Cristobal Reyes. She has a background in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and belly dance. She has bee performing flamenco in the Washington D.C. area since 1998. In 2001, Ms. Velez was invited to perform with Ballet Antonio Santaella in a production of "Julia en Flamenco" at El Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ms. Velez is recognized for her dancing style which combines the traditional flamenco gypsy with a modern touch, and for her strong technical delivery. She has been noted for her elegance and vitality. She delivers a strong, graceful performance to a haunting piece of Flamenco and Native American fusion music.
Jennifer Tether - has danced all her life, though she found her home with the soulful richness of belly dance (raqs sharqi). She began her raqs sharqi training in 1999 and has studied with many teachers, including: Hossam Ramzy, Suhaila Salimpour, Jamila Salimpour, Yousry Sharif, Zahra Zuhair and members of the Bellydance Superstars. Jennifer is currently Level II certified in the Salimpour format. She has also trained extensively in classical ballet and jazz, providing her with a deep understanding of how music relates to expression in motion. In addition to her dance studies, Jennifer has been practicing Sivinanda& Vinyasa yoga for ten years. She completed a yoga teacher apprenticeship in 2001. Jennifer brings her love of music, movement, and expression to the classroom. As a teacher, she shares a sense of humor, individual expression and enjoys sharing the art for with others.
Tyree S. Ramos - Since the age of three Tyree has trained in the art of dance. She grew up studying at Chris Collins Dance Studio and later on became a member of the CCDS dance company. In her many years of dance with CCDS she has received awards for her dedication and was Chris Collins 2002 Recipient of the sought after "Student of the Year" award. Tyree has competed in local dance competitions such as Hall of Fame Dance competition, Showstopper Dance Championship, Foot Loose and Accent on Youth. She was very fortunate to dance to perform in places like Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, The Children's Fair in Prince William County, VA and she was honored to be selected to perform in a production number, "God Bless the USA," for the crowd assembled at Alexandria City Hall as the Olympic Torch made its way through our city en route to Salt Lake City, UT for the 2002 Winter Olympics. In her efforts to convert her dance knowledge into Choreography and Teach students to enjoy dance as much as she has over the years, Tyree has been blessed to have many of her dancers be accepted into local dance companies as well as compete and place first and second overall. Miss Ramos has danced and attended conventions with famous choreographer/dancers such as The Tap Dogs, Bob Rizzo, Kathy H. Gray just to name a few. She was also chosen to dance in a new and up and coming Dance company FUSION. Tyree has been certified by the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School and is a third year student where she will continue her studies to receive her Masters.
Ms. Sloane-Hornseth - has a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music, with an emphasis in vocal performance, from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Sloane-Hornseth has a Certificate of Performance in Theatre from the Catholic University of America; a Certificate of Performance in Opera from L’Academie International d’ete, Nice, France; and a Master of Music Education, with a focus on vocal performance, from George mason University. Ms. Sloane-Hornseth’s Masters project is about teaching voice to children and teenagers.
Ms. Sloane-Hornseth appeared in 13 operas, with the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She has sung with both the Pittsburgh Symphony and the National Symphony. She has also performed roles in musical comedy at area dinner theaters. Ms. Sloane-Hornseth directs two children choruses at Vienna Presbyterian and St. Andrew the Apostle school. She teaches both piano and voice, and her great love is to see her students learn and succeed
Shauna Barker - is the Tap Company Director, and is a native of the Washington Metropolitan area, Shauna has been dancing and teaching tap, rhythm tap, ballet, jazz and musical theatre for more than 20 years. She began dancing under the direction of Gary Pate and his Superstars Showtroupe. She studied with the Dance Theatre of Harlem as an apprentice and is an alumni of the nationally renowned “Tappers with Attitude” Tap Company. Her tap influences and extensive studies include working with the late Fayard Nicholas, Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde, Diane Walker, Brenda Bufalino, Baakari Wilder, Lane Alexander, Josh Hilberman, LaVaughn Robinson, Barbara Duffy, and Yvonne Edwards. She has performed Off Broadway, The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian, Warner Theatre, Carter-Baron Theatre, Wolf-Trap Performing Arts Center, Lisner Auditorium and an industrial with Schick.
Shauna proudly adds earning her Bachelor of Science Degree from George Mason University in Health Fitness and Exercise Science and Dance to her repertoire. While attending George Mason University, she was a member of the nationally ranked Masonettes Dance Team and coached the top high school dance team in the region. Her students have consistently won numerous high score awards on the Local and National level and were invited to perform in a Tribute to the late Gregory Hines. Most recently, one of her students was the recipient of the “Future Star” award for Dance Spirit Magazine in New York City.
In addition to teaching, she judges for some of the largest National Talent Competitions in the United States and travels across the country teaching Master Classes in Tap. Shauna’s gift for teaching and the experience of her professional career provide dance students of all levels a unique opportunity to study all forms of dance. Shauna believes in the self-empowerment that all people achieve when encouraged to tap into their own creative intelligence. She has been fortunate to learn from some of the greatest legends in dance and it is her dream to “pay it forward.”
Candra Preshong - has worked for many years with both children and adults in lyrical, jazz, and contemporary dance. She attended Point Park College as a dance major from 1997-1999. Locally she studied under Mark Mejia, Linda Kintz and Michelle Sarson. Candra now studies Psychology at George Mason University, and continues her dance training with the faculty at the University and by attending workshops with elite choreographers from both the east and west coasts. Candra has an extensive performance history to include performances at the Kennedy Center and the Jack Guidione Theatre with Michelle Sarson’s Performing Company. Candra has trained and choreographed award-winning soloist and group routines – including Solo Title and High-Scoring Group Choreography, at both the regional and national levels. She is currently the Artistic Director of her professional performance company, Fusion Dance.
Theresa Siller, Dance Instructor – “Terri” has danced since the age of 4. She began her training at Cuppett Performing Arts Center and continued at the Washington School of Ballet. She was invited to take classes at Joffrey School of Ballet in New York City for the summer. She danced professionally at the West End Dinner Theatre, appearing in “Oklahoma”! She also danced professionally with Arlington Dance Theatre. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from George Mason University. Terri is currently studying an Advanced Professional Cecchetti Teacher Syllabus.
Staff Positions
- Do you have a passion for the arts?
- Do you want to contribute your time and talent to a program where you can truly make a difference in the life of a child?
- Do you want to teach in an environment that is nurturing and supportive?
- Do you want your artistic ideas and input to be a part of the Dream in Color concept?
Instructor Job Description - Teach dance classes at all levels in various genres such as modern ballet, modern, lyrical/liturgical , jazz, tap, hip-hop and stepping. Teachers must demonstrate artistic creativity in choreography, exceptional technique, the ability to teach students of all ages with a balance of discipline and respect, and most importantly represent themselves and the studio with integrity and passion to uphold our mission. The ability to mentor students and assist in academic areas a plus. (See class descriptions for more information) We offer a competitive salary based on experience with benefits.
Fitness instructors may also be hired as independent contractors for conditioning, strength training, and spiritual continuity such as Aerobics, Pilates, Yoga or Thai Chi. Rate negotiable based on enrollment.
Look for announcements for administrative support positions and our volunteer needs to be posted later this summer.
Serious inquiries only, please.
Dream in Color Foundation
Tax ID: 20-2359446
Dream in Color Dance & Music Studios
7373 McWhorter Place
Annandale, VA 22003
703-642-1711 Ph
703-642-1713 Fax