"All I ever needed was music and the mirror. . . "
Anne Marie Undercoffer has earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from The University of Akron. There she was a member of the University of Akron Dance Company where she studied under professors from the Pennsylvania Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Martha Graham Company and Jennifer Muller/The Works Dance Company to name a few.
Prior to college Anne Marie competed regionally and nationally with Abby Dance Center, Inc. earning honors that took her to perform in Las Vegas, New York City and Lake Tahoe as a member of the “I Love Dance Sweetheart Touring Group” and “Dance U.S.A. National Dance Team”. She holds many titles and has been the scholarship recipient for various institutes. Anne Marie was also a member of the Manchester Dance Ensemble where she toured local schools and venues performing educational pieces of work.
Last year Anne Marie produced, choreographed and performed in an independent production called Project 7. This dance / media event exemplified one person’s journey and the effects her choices made on her interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships.
Anne Marie has been a dance educator for a decade now and believes in a nurturing dance environment that encompasses creativity, discipline, technique and progression. Her students have excelled and earned overall placements, regional and national titles, scholarships and have gone on to pursue dance degrees. Anne Marie has judged dance competitions nationally and earned choreography recognition for the past three years for her pieces of work. She is also a certified ZUMBA fitness instructor. Anne Marie is excited to share the knowledge and talent she’s been given with her students and is thankful for the opportunity to do so.
Tara Falcone Pizer, founder of 8 Count Dance is an accomplished dance choreographer and instructor utilizing her professional teaching skills to share the Language of Dance
Tara has studied dance for 15 years locally,nationally and internationally. She has studied at some of the world's finest dance centers including: Broadway Dance Center NYC and Metro Movement Toronto. Tara's training includes classes with many of the nations top choreographers including Frank Hatchett, Mia Michaels, Chris Judd, Brian Friedman, Laurie Ann Gibson, Dave Scott and Wade Robson.
Tara is a past member of the 2004 National Championship Green High Dance Team and The University of Akron Dance Team. In addition to her dance background, Tara has extensive gymnastics training and was a competitive gymnast for 5 years. Tara is also a certified ZUMBA Fitness instructor.
Over the past 7 years, Tara's innovative choreography and passion for teaching have earned her and her students numerous accolades including Platinum and High Score awards. Her choreography has been featured at the Players Guild in Canton Ohio , Barberton Magical Theatre, Lake Local Schools, Hoban High Dance Team and many other venues.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with an Honors Distinction from the University of Akron.
She is currently pursuing her Masters in Arts Administration
Located on RT 619 in the Liberty Business Park next to Donomarc Water
Nate Smith, born and raised in Ohio, began dancing at age 6 under the study of the late Richard Moore. By 14, Nate started teaching master classes in hip hop all over northeast Ohio and parts of California. At 17, Nate began directing and choreographing for numerous shows at Theatre 8:15 and has done work with the Canton Players' Guild.
Making his move to the west coast in 2007, Nate was able to dance at The Edge performing arts center where he studied under and worked with many established dancers in the industry such as Shane Sparks, Havic, Dante 7, Gus Bembery, Michele "Soulchild" Garmen, Phi from the Jabbawockeez, and many others.
Nate can be seen in commercials for Converse and ABC: Dance Wars Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, and has done music video work with Brian Friedman. Nate also worked with Nickelodeon, modeled for Laguna Beach Jean Co, and has performed with the bands, A Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, and The Romantics.
April Templeton is a senior at Kent State University pursuing a BFA in English. She has been seen in numerous performances within the community, including productions with Spotlight Theatre Company, the Green High School Dance Team from 2005-2007, and the Canton Players Guild.
April has studied at numerous studios over the years. Though, she does especially appreciate the instructors who she now has the pleasure of working with! She would like to give a special thanks to Nate Smith, Shannon Salisbury, and especially to Tara for giving her the opportunity to work in such an outstanding atmosphere of talent and fun.
Receiving the Richard Moore award in 2003, National Title for 2005 with the Green High School dance team, as well as many other titles and awards. April remains dedicated to improving consistently each year.
Along side dancing, singing, and teaching; April is working on new innovative ideas for the Kent State Stark Writing Center, creative writing projects, and fresh choreography.
She is extremely excited to start a new inspired year with great enthusiasm and of course great dancing!
Wendy Shocklee has been involved in dance since the age of 3. Taking dance from several studios in the area, she continued her love of dance at the University of Akron where she received a minor in dance. Wendy was a member of the University of Akron dance team and also danced for the Cleveland Cavs dance team for 3 years. Wendy has choreographed for many local high school teams both cheer and dance.
Currently Wendy is a teacher with Green Local Schools where she has coached the Green High School and Middle School Cheerleaders and is currently the Green High School Dance Team coach. As coach of the cheerleaders she led them to four national championships. As the coach of the dance team,
three state titles and two national championships.
Wendy is very excited to get back into the studio dance life and share her passion of dance with the
