Jaime Popard - Studio Director
​Jaime Popard was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. Her career led her to Charlotte, NC where she owned a dance boutique and was a manager for one of the Top 10 studios in the nation. While back in Virginia, Jaime was the Assistant Director of a company that enriches young children's lives through the art of dance and determination of sports throughout pre-schools. She was also a choreographer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure events and the state representative for North Carolina and Virginia for 'Dance Teachers On-Line'. Aside from being a dance instructor and choreographer, Jaime was also a dance competition judge and the owner of Studio Simplified. Jaime is currently on the advisory council for The State Ballet- Richmond Ballet and teaches all genres of dance for Encore. She is recognized for her creativity and dedication.

Amanda Lowe - Instructor
Amanda Lowe was born in Upstate New York where she started dancing at the age of 3. After moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia, she started dancing competitively in all forms of dance at Encore Dance Center and Governors School for the Arts. She became Miss Dance of Virginia in 2012 where she competed for Miss Dance of America. In 2013, she won the title of National Senior Miss Dance Educator’s of America and toured as their ambassador. She graduated from Pace University in New York City as a Commercial Dance major with an Arts and Entertainment Management minor, concentrating in performance, choreography, and pedagogy. She continues to assist at multiple intensives and choreograph for studios in Virginia. She loves the opportunities that dance has given her and wants to spread these experiences to others.

Madeline Kane - Instructor
Madeline Kane is from Salisbury, MD, where she started dancing at the age of 3. As a student she was part of a nationally recognized competition team, won numerous national dance championships in all styles of dance, and studied under Frank Hatchett, Brian Freidman, and Bev Brown. She attended JMU, where she was a dance major and choreographer for the Madison Dance Hip Hop team. In her third year of college, Madeline moved to New York City to pursue a fashion degree and was also selected to be a part of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleading team. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Madeline has continued to pursue her love of dance at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. As a new resident of Virginia Beach, she is excited to share her love of dance with the students at Encore Dance Center.

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Encore Dance Center

Katie Flint - Instructor
​Katie Flint attended George Mason University where she enjoyed dancing and choreographing for the GMU Dance Company. Katie earned her Bachelor's Degree in Dance with a Minor in Exercise Science.  Katie has also received her Dance Masters of America certification in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. Her favorite style to teach, however, is modern because it is a style that relies heavily on the dancers’ emotions and creativity.  She is currently the modern dance instructor at Salem High School.  What Katie most loves about teaching dance is seeing the students understand a correction, conquer a new step, and discover a connection that wasn’t there before. She loves helping the students find their confidence and a reason to be proud of themselves.

Alexa Dunks - Instructor
​Lexie Dunks is from Virginia Beach, VA where she studied dance at Encore Dance Center and the Governor School for the Arts.  Lexie has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Radford University, and is a certified UltraBarre instructor.   While attending Radford, she performed twice at the American College Dance Festival, and performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Throughout her senior year at Radford, she traveled and performed repertoire by d a n a h b e l l a DanceWorks.  Her favorite styles of dance include contemporary, jazz, and modern.  She is very excited to be back in the area and teaching at Encore!

Alex Marques - Instructor
Alex Marques holds a dance theatre conservatory certification from the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and Hollywood, Los Angeles. Between the two cities, she studied in dance and acting techniques, musical theatre performance, and choreography. Some choreography credits include: Singin In The Rain Jr., Tarzan, The Lion King Jr., Les Miserables , Mary Poppins, Seussical Jr., Xanadu , and several dance studio company based and competition based performances. While residing in Southwest Florida, Alex was lucky to perform in the cast of Brigadoon with GulfShore Opera & Theatre Zone. Alex is a military wife, and a full-time student at ODU. She encourages all young artists to follow their hearts and chase their dreams. Alex is thankful to Encore for giving her a new dance family here in Virginia! 

Brandon Harris - Instructor
Brandon is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and works as an educator in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools system. After having danced for over 10 years, Brandon continues to share his love of dance with the community, especially for youth! A graduate of George Mason University, he has studied hip hop, African and Afro-Cuban dance styles and during his tenure at the university, he served as Vice-President and choreographer for the hip hop team, Urbanknowlogy 101! While living in the Washington, D.C. area, Brandon had also trained with Culture Shock, Washington D.C.'s Scholarship Hip Hop Team! Now, Brandon works as the Executive Director for CREWcial, a local, young-adult, hip hop dance team! As an instructor, healthy expression and measurable fitness and wellness are primary goals that he places for each student, either young or young at heart!

Melissa Moxie - Instructor
​Missy Moxie is from Newport News, Virginia and is a graduate of James Madison University. Missy has her certification from Dance Masters of America. Diane has instilled a love of dance in her.   Missy was Dance Masters of America's "Miss Dance of Virginia 2006". Missy enjoys teaching ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and lyrical here at Encore.

Savanna Ruis - Assistant Competition Team Director
​Savanna Ruis attended ODU where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. Savanna enjoys teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical and has received her certification from DMA. Savanna believes that Encore is a great place to teach and dance because they provide dancers with great opportunities but also keep the environment fun and family-friendly. Her favorite thing about teaching dance is seeing the long-term progression of her students. Seeing the difference between what a student could do at the beginning of the year and their beautiful performance at the end of the year at the annual recital is incredibly rewarding.

Diane Holland - Owner and Competition Team Director
​Diane Holland is the founder of Encore Dance Center which opened in 1998. She attended Point Park College in Pittsburgh on a dance scholarship. Before relocating to Virginia, she taught dance in Houston under associates with the London Ballet. She's currently a member of Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of America,.  She has danced for the Rodriguez Dance Company in Houston, was a performer at Busch Gardens, and a lead dancer for dinner theater productions. She is a firm believer in the concept that anyone and everyone can benefit from dance, and would like to invite everyone to come explore this excellent creative outlet.

Allison Dubreuil - Instructor
​Allison Dubreuil is from Michigan, and has a degree in French from the University of Arizona. Allison has her certification from Dance Masters of America. Allison's grandmother inspired her to become a dancer. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary. Her proudest moment was receiving the "Young Choreographer of the Year" award. Allison likes the positive atmosphere, and dedicated students. She feels that students will gain a strong foundation of technique about dance at Encore.

Instructors

Jodie Teates - Instructor
Jodie Teates grew up in Haymarket, Virginia. She has been dancing for 18 years. As A student she was a part of Gainesville Dance Centers competition team and attended numerous conventions all over the United States. She Attended Radford University where she received a BFA in Dance. Jodie has been awarded many Choreography awards at several competitions for her work. She has been teaching and student teaching since she was 14 in various styles of tap, jazz, ballet, point, musical theater, hip hop, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. Her favorite style to teach is lyrical
because it allows the students to have their own creativity while maintaining strong
technique. She loves sharing the joy and love for dance with young artist.