Faculty

Originally from a dance-oriented family based in North Carolina, Sandra grew up in a dance studio and quickly developed a passion for the art, studying all genres of dance. She attended the Governor’s School of North Carolina for Performing Arts through Dance and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Sandra then attended Elon University, where she continued dancing and performing with the Elon Dancers.

Throughout college, Sandra taught at two local dance studios and served as the Technical Director for their competitive teams. It was during this time that she fell in love with the art of teaching.

Sandra graduated in 2008 and moved to Maryland, where she began her career at Centre Pointe Performing Arts. She has received numerous top choreography awards, including national recognition for her performance groups. Sandra is an active member of Dance Masters of America, Mid-Atlantic Chapter 17, and is certified to teach through the organization.

Susan Joines holds a BA in Dance from Towson University and an MA in Dance from George Washington University. She studied classical ballet at the Peabody Institute and Baltimore Ballet, and later trained and performed in New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C.

In 1983, Susan founded Centre Pointe Performing Arts, and in 1999, she established Common Ground Dance Company, where she served as Artistic Director. She also worked in the Development Department at City Center Theatre in New York and served for three years as a panelist for the Maryland State Arts Council. Susan has taught at Towson University, George Washington University, Harford Community College, and Notre Dame Preparatory, and she served as a dance specialist for Cecil County Public Schools.

This year, she was appointed to the Harford County Cultural Arts Board and looks forward to advocating for and supporting the arts in the region. She currently directs the classical track at Maryland Classical Dance Academy, the nonprofit division of Centre Pointe. Her students have been accepted into top programs including Towson University, Oklahoma City University, Elon University, Mercyhurst University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. They have earned honors such as Maryland Distinguished Scholar in Dance and Youth America Grand Prix awards, and have performed professionally with companies including Complexions Contemporary Ballet, the Joffrey Touring Company, Disney Cruise Lines, and on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance.

Nicolle Canapp began her dance training early in life at DJ’s Dance Studio under the direction of Doris Jean Stroh, where she danced competitively for many years. She attended numerous conventions and traveled to New York City to study at Broadway Dance Center. Nicolle continued her dance education at the prestigious Point Park University, where she earned a B.A. in Dance. She furthered her training at Western Kentucky University’s Dance Educators of America teacher training school. While in college, she was awarded a dance scholarship and was a resident dancer in the university’s dance company. In 2018, Nicolle became a Certified Module One teacher through Acrobatic Arts and a USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Instructor.

Nicolle worked professionally as a dancer with Carnival Cruise Lines and American Entertainment Productions before returning to Maryland to begin a successful teaching career. She taught for over 15 years at DJ’s Dance Studio in Perry Hall, where she received numerous choreography awards for her work with their competitive teams. Nicolle has also choreographed for children’s theater at Cockpit in Court (BCCC) and has both performed and choreographed for local dinner theaters. Early in her dance career, she could be seen dancing at Memorial Stadium as a Baltimore Orioles Ball Girl and as a member of WJZ-TV’s show Shakedown.

Nicolle joined the Centre Pointe Performing Arts family in 2010—when it was still Dancemoves—and has since had the pleasure of revamping the Children’s Program and working with the youngest troupe members. She is honored and thrilled to be teaching her second generation of dance students and looks forward to watching them grow and learn. Nicolle has a passion for teaching children of all ages, and many of her former students have gone on to perform with touring companies, entertainment groups, and cruise lines.

Allie has been competitively performing since the age of six. She began her training at Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts and later continued at Dance Explosion. Allie trained with Deborah Engerman, Shannon Torres, Colleen Parker and many others. She has won various high scores, titles, awards and scholarships throughout the US in jazz, lyrical, ballet and contemporary. Her solo placed in the top ten for Youth American Grand Prix and her studio placed in the top twenty for Jazz Dance World Congress. She also attended summer intensives at The Rock School, Nutmeg, New York City Dance Alliance, Complexions, Broadway at Tropea and others. Allie is a graduate of Baltimore School for the Arts where she trained in classical ballet and modern under the direction of Norma Pera, Stephanie Powell, and Sandy Lacy.At the age of 16, Allie was given the opportunity to be an extra in the movie Step Up. She also attended The Boston Conservatory and was awarded The Jan Veen Scholarship. Throughout her dance career, she has been able to travel all over the country and Europe to train with professionals. Some include Desmond Richardson, Dwight Rhoden, Michele Assaf, Joe Lanteri, Mia Michaels, Denise Pons Leone and many more. Allie holds a degree in Dance from UMBC.

Molly began her dance training at the age of four at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts in Joppa, Maryland. She continued her training through high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she focused on ballet technique and had the opportunity to perform as the “Lead Elf” in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s annual Tap Dancing Santas in their Holiday Spectacular.

Molly earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there, she also trained in contemporary and jazz, performing works by Ronen Koresh, Douglas Becker, Anastasia Babayeva, and Tommy Waheed-Evans. She was honored with the UArts Faculty Award for “Outstanding Performance in All Styles.”

For the past four years, Molly has lived in New York, building a freelance dance career while sharing her passion for dance through teaching. She is thrilled to bring that passion to the students of Centre Pointe Performing Arts!

Trinity Brechtel began her dance education at the age of 4 at Centre Pointe Performing Arts. She has trained in multiple styles of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, and contemporary. Growing up as a competitive dancer, Trinity has gotten the opportunity to work with professional dancers at multiple dance conventions and summer intensives. She is a current sophomore at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, training under Brandon Russell, Shaness Kemp, Sandra Lacy, and Ann Sofie Clemmensen. She is pursuing a major in dance and studying for the Education Certificate in dance. She is a recipient in the Linehan Artist Scholars Program, collaborating with many artists from different cohorts and disciplines, and is a part of the Honors College at UMBC.

Liz DePasquale, from Bel Air, MD, radiates positivity and motivation in the classroom. She strongly believes in the transformative power of dance, using it to foster confidence, discipline, and self-expression in her students. Her dynamic classes blend energy, creativity, and technical skill, catering to dancers of all levels.

Liz began her dance journey at the age of 3 at Dancemoves Studio under the direction of Susan Joines. She received comprehensive training in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary, and hip-hop, and thrived as a member of Dancemoves’ nationally award-winning competitive team. She pursued her passion for teaching by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Towson University and a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Beyond the studio, Liz is a proud mother to Harper and Logan—as well as many chickens, two cats, and her beloved Goldendoodles, Molly and Marley.

Rhoda has been teaching dance in the Baltimore area since 1986. Before beginning her teaching career, she was a competitive baton twirler, held the title of Miss Maryland College Majorette, coached numerous state and national title winners, and was an NFL Baltimore Colts Cheerleader.

She attended Towson University, where she studied Education with an emphasis in Mathematics. Drawing from her extensive understanding of child development, Rhoda created a comprehensive syllabus for young dancers that combines principles of early childhood education with foundational dance movement. Her approach emphasizes the pure joy of dance in a fun, encouraging, and disciplined atmosphere.

Rhoda was thrilled to join the Centre Pointe faculty in 2011 and looks forward to continuing to inspire and guide young dancers. Alongside her fulfilling career as a dance educator, her most cherished role is being a mother of three and “Rho Rho” to seven grandchildren.

Wyndee McGovern is a master teacher certified by both Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of America.

For 25 years, Wyndee proudly owned and operated Spotlight Studio of Dance in Millersville, MD, where she oversaw a comprehensive program in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop for dancers ages 2 to 18. In 2002, her choreography for Slippin’ into Darkness earned her a finalist spot in the Jazz Dance World Congress’ prestigious Choreography Event sponsored by Leo Dancewear, which recognizes outstanding achievement in choreography worldwide. That same year, she founded “Jazzfuzion,” a pre-professional performance company specializing in Contemporary and Jazz.

In March 2004, Wyndee and her company made their Broadway debut in Nothin’ Like a Dame – 2004 at the St. James Theatre with their interpretation of Michael Jackson’s In The Closet. Her dancers were later awarded the Silver Medal for Choreography at the 2009 Leo’s Choreographic Event held at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago. Most recently, she was named Jazz Head Coach for Team USA with the International Dance Organization, leading their performance at the World Dance Championships in Warsaw, Poland in 2024.

In 2008, Wyndee was commissioned to choreograph the Kirov Academy of Ballet’s Holiday Concert in Washington, D.C. That same year, she implemented a new Contemporary program for their advanced and pre-professional levels, where she continues to serve as resident instructor.

Wyndee also served as the chief dance advisor for The Winning Way College Preparation Program, guiding and mentoring junior and senior students as they pursue careers in dance. She continues to adjudicate and judge for many prestigious organizations including Inferno, Dance Masters of America Title Pageants, Performing Arts Scholarship Program, Showbiz National Talent Competition, Legacy Talent, Onstage America, Dance Team Union, and Dance Educators of America.

Her students have gone on to perform in some of Broadway’s most acclaimed productions, including Hell’s Kitchen, Hamilton, MJ, and Funny Girl. They’ve also appeared in Black Panther and its sequel, ABC’s Will Trent, with the Marvel Universe, and with The Bad Boys of Dance in Rock the Ballet, The Radio City Rockettes, The Lion King in Las Vegas, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and numerous collegiate dance teams and companies.

Wyndee made her television debut on Health Matters, where she discussed a dance injury prevention program she developed in partnership with Dr. Alan Sokoloff of the Yalich Clinic and team doctor for the Baltimore Ravens. Her system, The McGovern Method, has been presented in Baltimore County Public Schools and at the Maryland AHPERD Convention. It was later adopted into Dance Educators of America’s Teacher Training Program, becoming the official warm-up method for their Title Scholarship and Musical Theater Nationals event—thanks in part to the support of her mentor, Fran Peters, President of DEA.

She also co-hosted the web series Cornered with her friend and colleague Justin Misenhelder. After two appearances, the show was filmed from her home during the Baltimore riots, covering topics ranging from political issues to pop culture.

Wyndee has a deep passion for teaching and mentoring her “dance babies,” treating them like family. Her motto: “They will give up on me long before I give up on them.”

Above all, Wyndee is a proud single mother to her beautiful daughter, who is following in her footsteps as both a dancer and the 2024 Ideal Miss Junior Teen of Maryland.

Jillian Miller, a Baltimore native, began dancing at the age of 2. She competed as a member of Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts, earning countless titles and national awards throughout her competitive career. She attended Carver Center for Arts & Technology in high school as a dance prime, then began her college journey as a Jazz Dance major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She later transferred to Towson University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Dance in 2005.

After graduating, Jillian moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a professional dance career. In LA, she was represented by Bloc Talent Agency for dance and Angel City Talent for acting and commercial work. Some of her favorite credits include dancing on the entire final season of Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out, performing alongside Justin Timberlake at the ESPY Awards, and dancing in multiple episodes of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. She also appeared in numerous music videos, national commercials, and even filmed comedic skits with Funny or Die.

While in LA, Jillian continued her dance training at Millennium Dance Complex, Edge Performing Arts Center, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, studying under some of the most renowned dance instructors in the world.

Now back on the East Coast, Jillian is a proud wife and mom to Dalen, Harper, and Finley. She believes that dance is truly a gift—and it’s one that should be shared with as many people as possible.

Anne Magill O’Brien grew up in Bryan, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas in 1997 with a B.A. in History. While in college, Anne danced with and choreographed for the UT Dance Team and was a member of Third Coast Jazz Dance Company.

She later taught at Art In Motion Dance Studio in Illinois, where she also choreographed for their nationally award-winning competitive performance groups. In 2005, Anne earned a second bachelor’s degree in Dance Performance and Education with K–12 Certification from Towson University.

Anne has received numerous top choreography awards during her time as Director of Dancemoves’ nationally recognized performance groups. She is also the proud mom of Daniel, Lucie, and Rosie.

Norma Pera began teaching at the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) when it opened in 1979 and assumed leadership of the Dance Department in 1992 following the retirement of renowned classical dancer Sylvester Campbell.

Her dance training began at the age of three in a children’s ballet class at Carnegie Hall, and continued from age seven in the studio of Martha Manners on Long Island, NY. Norma went on to perform with the ballet company at Radio City Music Hall, Rudolf Nureyev and Friends, and the Maryland Ballet. She trained extensively under Elena Tchernichova and later taught ballet classes at both Carnegie Hall and in Baltimore.

Campbell, her colleague at the Maryland Ballet, recruited her to join him at the then newly established BSA. At the time, many students had no prior ballet training, and Norma embraced the challenge of designing a curriculum that taught not only ballet technique but also its history and traditions.

As Dance Department Head, she expanded the curriculum to include men’s classes, pas de deux, and men’s and women’s variations classes. Under her leadership, BSA became one of the few high schools in the nation granted permission to perform works by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine.

Dancers trained under Ms. Pera have gone on to perform with esteemed companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Béjart Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Kidd Pivot, Lines Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Sacramento Ballet, and the Washington Ballet.

Beyond the world of dance, BSA alumni under her guidance have also found success in a wide range of fields. They have worked with organizations such as DreamWorks Animation, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, and have become doctors, social workers, and dance studio owners, among many other professions.

A native of Fort Worth, TX, Brandon Perry-Russell began his dance training at the relatively late age of 17 at Diane West Dance Studio, Texas Ballet Theatre School, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. In 2001, he was named NYCDA’s Regional Outstanding Senior Male and won the National Dance Alliance’s Best Senior Male Dancer title.

Brandon continued his academic and dance education at Southern Methodist University, where he studied a variety of dance techniques and composition. His choreographic aspirations were nurtured by mentors Larry White and Nathan Montoya. During his time at SMU, he was awarded numerous scholarships and trained at prestigious institutions across the country, including Edge Performing Arts Center, The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem School, Joffrey Ballet School, Houston Ballet School, and others.

After leaving SMU, Brandon moved to New York City to pursue a professional dance career. He has performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre, Lydia Johnson Dance, Errol Grimes Dance Group, Rohan Bearden Contemporary Ballet, Balance Dance Theatre, and Subtle Changes Inc.

In addition to performing, Brandon has taught ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics, and has choreographed for numerous companies, schools, studios, fine arts programs, and summer intensives. He is also a proud founding choreographer and the Operations Manager for Bad Boys of Dance.

Debra Robinson Deckelbaum began her dance training in Baltimore with Ellen Gniazdowska and Wally Saunders. She furthered her studies at the Joffrey Ballet School and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Upon returning to Baltimore, she performed with the Maryland Ballet and later attended Goucher College.

Debra developed a passion for dance education and pedagogy, studying and teaching alongside Wendy Robinson at both the Baltimore Ballet and the Peabody Preparatory. She served on the faculty of the Baltimore School for the Arts from 1988 to 2023 and continues to teach at Peabody Preparatory.

Debra is an ABT® Certified Teacher, having successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also a certified instructor of Progressing Ballet Technique.

Kelly Sneddon Walker, originally from Baltimore, MD, began her dance training under the guidance of her mother, Susan Joines. She continued her studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where she trained with Brenda Daniels under Dean Ethan Stiefel, and performed in Elizabeth Parkinson’s excerpt of West Side Story. She later attended Towson University, studying under Runqiao Du and Catherine Horta-Hayden. Kelly went on to train year-round at The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, where she performed with the Joffrey Ballet School Touring Company, danced in Gelsey Kirkland’s The Nutcracker, and studied with Brian McSween, Era Jouravlev, Davis Robertson, and Nicole Duffy. Her early talent was recognized with honors such as Maryland Distinguished Scholar for Dance and Ballet Finalist by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts.

Kelly danced professionally for many years with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, working closely with Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, and Jae Man Joo. With Complexions, she performed in numerous world premieres and toured internationally throughout Europe and Asia. She later joined Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE as a soloist, stationed in Las Vegas. Early in her professional career, Kelly was named a Capezio Athlete and has graced the pages of esteemed publications, including The New York Times, Dance Magazine, and Dance Informa Magazine. She has performed at prestigious events including the Dance Open International Ballet Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Fire Island Dance Festival, the USA International Ballet Competition Gala, Laguna Dance Festival, Chautauqua Institution Gala, and CityDance DREAMscape Gala.

Currently, Kelly holds the position of School Director of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where she works closely with Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty and Artistic Director Tom Mossbrucker. In this role, she is responsible for maintaining and developing the school’s curriculum, managing faculty, guiding student progression, mentoring pre-professional dancers, and leading the staging of both the annual production of The Nutcrackerand the spring performance. A committed educator and mentor, she serves as an adjudicator for national dance competitions, teaches as a guest artist across the United States, and has been recognized for her choreography at national dance competitions. She continues her affiliation with Complexions as a member of the company’s Academy Guest Faculty.

Beyond her dance career, Kelly is a certified Integrative Health Coach and holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland, Global Campus. She brings a wellness-focused approach to both her teaching and creative work, blending her passion for movement with a commitment to holistic well-being.

A native of Maryland, Chelsea Sneddon Nori began her dance journey at the young age of 2.5. Her early training was shaped at the Mid Atlantic Center for Performing Arts (MCPA), where she trained intensively with both MCPA’s National Dance Team and their pre-professional ensemble. Under the guidance of Shannon Torres, and with the influential mentorship of Shelly Masenoir, Ninel Cherevko, and Dimitri Maliki, Chelsea achieved notable success, including qualifying for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) finals in New York City.

Her training covered a wide range of dance styles, with a strong emphasis on ballet, pointe, jazz, and contemporary. Chelsea went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Towson University, where she studied under Runqiao Du and Catherine Horta Hayden, and performed works by renowned choreographers such as Will Bell.

After graduation, Chelsea continued her training in New York City with Shelly Masenoir and was later accepted as a performer with RW Cruise Lines. Ultimately choosing to remain in Maryland, she taught barre fitness classes and joined the faculty at Dancemoves Studio of Dance—now Centre Pointe Performing Arts—where she shared her passion for dance and performance.

After a brief hiatus, Chelsea is thrilled to return to Centre Pointe Performing Arts and looks forward to collaborating once again with its exceptionally talented dancers and staff.

Adrienne Yocum began dancing at the age of two under the guidance of Donna Jean Wienecke in Baltimore. Throughout her continued studies at Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA), she trained with Deborah Engerman, Shelly Masenoir, Shannon Torres, and Karen Katrinic. She practiced ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and pointe during her studies.

Adrienne competed with MCPA’s national dance team for ten years, consistently placing within the top five dance teams in the country, earning numerous awards. Her credits include performing on the Tomorrowland Stage at Disney World and Broadway Dance Center under Frank Hatchett’s instruction. She graduated high school with honors from Carver Center for Arts and Technology, where she studied ballet and modern techniques, performing in seasonal showcases and concerts.

Adrienne began teaching ballet at the age of fifteen at MCPA, choreographing recital dances for various ages and levels. Her teaching experience continued with Ballet Schools of Owings Mills and Cockeysville through Baltimore County Rec and Parks. She also carries a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Her lifelong love for dance and teaching children continues here at Centre Pointe.