Jamie Rodriguez — Owner and Creative/Artistic Director
As the owner and creative/artistic director of Dancer’s Edge Dance Studios for 20 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 Vl Professional Intermediate Certificate, qualifying me as a licentiate member of the Cecchetti Council of America.
Having been involved with the Cecchetti way of life as a dancer since the age of 5, as a teacher I have always incorporated this method into my ballet classes. It is my belief that the structure, technique and precise nature of this curriculum will take any young dancer in the direction that he/she wants to go. To this end, my current Dancer’s Edge ballet curriculum reflects the grade levels and class structure outlined by Cecchetti himself, which expands upon the principles set fourth by Carlo Blasis.
Here in our ballet classes at Dancer’s Edge, 3 year olds through adults learn the important basics of the 19th century Cecchetti classical ballet method. I teach my preschool students through creative movement, while I teach my school age students through the standardized Cecchetti curriculum. I look forward to training my future charges in this exciting path to classical ballet training.
Rachel Marks — Modern, Tap, & Ballet 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, ballet, and modern classes at the studio. When she’s not dancing, Miss Rachel teaches English at the University of Central Florida.
Megan Kuczajda — Ballet & Pre-Ballet Instructor
Miss Megan is our Ballet and Pre-Ballet dance instructor. She began dancing at Dancer’s Edge when she was three years old, and has grown up dancing at the studio. She is trained and certified in levels I-V of the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet. Miss Megan, a UCF graduate, having studied Biomedical Sciences and Dance, is working to obtain a doctorate in physical therapy. Throughout her time at UCF, she had been involved in the dance program, performing as a soloist in UCF Celebrates the Arts’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” at the Dr. Phillips Center and choreographing in a number of UCF productions. Miss Megan looks forward to sharing her passion for dance and performance with her students at Dancer’s Edge.
Jayden Livingston — Hip Hop Dance Instructor
Jayden Livingston has been studying dance at Dancer’s Edge for 14 years. She has experience in several styles, including ballet, tap, modern and hip hop. She is excited to now be the studio’s hip hop instructor and teach her favorite style of dance. In addition to teaching dance, Jayden is currently a senior at Winter Park High School. She continues to share her passion for hip hop and the experience she has gained through years of performing.
Rachel Brown — Flamenco Dance 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.