Jamie Rodriguez — Owner and Creative/Artistic Director
As the owner and creative/artistic director of Dancer’s Edge Dance Studios for 23 years, I am grateful to be living out my dream as a studio owner. I began my career in Flint, Michigan, performing as a soloist with the Flint Ballet Theater. After earning a BFA in dance from Western Michigan University, I received a scholarship to the Harkness House School of ballet in NYC. Although my vocation is classical ballet, I teach all dance forms we offer at the studio. I am currently studying to become an examiner of the Cecchetti method of teaching classical ballet. I currently hold the teacher’s grade VI Professional Intermediate Certificate, qualifying me as a licentiate member of the Cecchetti Council of America. Cecchetti focuses on theory and technique allowing us to uphold a standard of excellence.
Isa Villafane — Team Coach
Miss Isa is our Competition Team Coach. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She began dancing at the age of 7 and has been ever since. Miss Isa has been teaching and choreographing for the past 10 years. She was the Assistant Artistic Director for 3 years at a studio in Tallahassee, has co-directed various productions, and has co-founded 3 successful performance groups. She has performed for recitals, competitions, dance concerts, and has done guest-artist work. She has choreographed for various competitions and productions. She currently teaches workshops and choreographs for multiple studios around Florida. She believes in dance training that is centered around longevity and body health. Miss Isa is excited to continue her dance journey with us at Dancer’s Edge!
Michelle Phillips – Lyrical, Jazz, & Ballet Instructor
Miss Michelle is our Lyrical, Jazz, & Ballet instructor. She has been dancing for the last 16 years and has trained in various styles including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, and Hip-Hop. She trained in her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida and she graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. She has many years of experience in the dance competition scene and was a part of the dance studio Barbra Thompson School of Dance. She recently moved to the Orlando area to further her education and is working on her degree in Entertainment Management from the University of Central Florida. Miss Michelle looks forward to continuing to grow with and alongside her dancers. We can’t wait to see her choreography on stage at both competition and recital!
Rachel Brown — Flamenco & Ballet Instructor
Miss Rachel is our Flamenco teacher and teaches ballet as well. She studied ballet as a student at the School of Performing Arts in Fern Park, Florida. She went on to Albaquerque, New Mexico to earn her degree in Flamenco Dancing. After dancing and touring in Spain, she returned to Florida to teach for Dancer’s Edge, along with her accompanist, El Papi, Flamenco guitarist.
Rachel Marks — Tap Instructor
Miss Rachel has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Growing up, she studied all genres of dance, but her favorites were always tap, lyrical, and modern. Rachel continued to pursue dance at Rollins College, studying Theatre Arts and Dance. A few years ago, she came to Dancer’s Edge in order to rekindle her love of dance. She now teaches tap at Dancer’s Edge. When she’s not dancing, Miss Rachel teaches English at the University of Central Florida.
Raquel Hill — Hip-Hop Instructor
Miss Raquel is our Hip Hop instructor! Miss Raquel has been dancing since the age of 3 here at Dancer’s Edge Dance Studios! Miss Raquel has trained in Hip Hop, Tap, Flamenco and in the Cecchetti method of Ballet. Miss Raquel would love to continue her dance journey while earning her PA license in Dermatology. We are super excited to have Miss Raquel this year!