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Melissa Beck - teaching at okc studios

Melissa has been dancing for over 17 years and is certified to teach through Dance Masters of America, teaching for her third season at Dove Dance OKC. Currently, Melissa is pursuing her Entertainment Business degree with an emphasis in dance at St. Gregory's University under the direction of the renowned Liz Reiter. She has training in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, pointe and modern to name a few. In earlier years, Melissa performed throughout Oklahoma and with a specialized event in New York City as a Senior Company Member under the direction of Susan Webb. She is excited to call Dove Dance her home, which has enriched her life greatly.

Philippians 4:6-7: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

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Doug Buxton - teaching at okc studio

Doug has been teaching recreational and competitive gymnastics for twelve years. In addition, he has worked with young people in full time ministry and in the public school systems. He has obtained his safety certification through USA gymnastics as well as his EMT certification. His interest in coaching came from a love of working with kids and helping them to better themselves.

One of his favorite scriptures is Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

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Christine Comtois - teaching at okc studio

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Andrea Dougherty - teaching at okc & tulsa studios

Andrea graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BFA in Performing
Arts with emphasis in Dance. Upon Graduation, the Lord opened many
opportunities for her to perform. She was a featured dancer for three years
with the award-winning Country Tonite Show in Pigeon Forge, TN and Branson,
MO. Andrea has been married to her husband, Shain, for three years, who is
currently pursuing his Masters of Musical Theatre at OCU. She feels very
blessed to be teaching at Dove Dance this year!

"I know the plans I have
for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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Anna Ellis - teaching at okc studio

Anna joined Dove Dance during it's first summer in 1994. During this time, she has enjoyed performing, competing, and instructing. Anna holds her BA in Human Services Counseling, a Minor in Sociology, and her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. Anna was a member of her pom squad in junior high, high school, and college. In addition, she is certified by Dance Masters of America in Jazz. Anna enjoys time with her husband of fourteen years and chasing her two year old son, Benjamin.

One of her favorite scriptures is Isaiah 40:30-31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

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Kelly Henderson - teaching at tulsa studio

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Sandra McCurtain - teaching at okc studio

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DeeAnn Moren - teaching at okc studio

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Angeli Powell - teaching at tulsa studio

Angeli G. Powell came to Dove Dance Studios in the fall of 2005. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oral Roberts University and 20 years of experience in teaching private piano an voice. She also has ten years of experience in directing children's church choirs and musicals. Her training in classical ballet helps in choreography and stage presence. She has performed with several music and dance groups throughout the years which included touring in the US and overseas with Impact Production's, "The Toymaker's Dream". Her desire is to see the students at Dove Dance sing and perform with freedom and ease as they communicate the gospel message.

Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

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Emily Taylor - teaching at okc studio

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Rebecca C. Zeese - Ballet Instructor Oklahoma City and Tulsa

She has been teaching at Dove Dance since October 2005. She attended and graduated with honors from Texas Tech University with a B.A. Dance, with an emphasis in classical ballet performance. Moreover, she studied classical ballet pedagogy extensively for seven years under the tutelage of Dr. Peggy Willis-Aarnio, a leading authority on classical ballet. Thus, Rebecca is well versed in the “The Teaching Method of Classical Ballet” developed by Agrippina Vaganova and Vera Kostrovitskaya.
She was a soloist with the Willis Ballet for seven years, dancing several leading in Grand Pas de Quatre, Giselle, Gaite Parisienne, Coppelia and a number of variations from Paquita, the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Esmeralda. She has studied under the world famous Galina Panova, Peggy Willis-Aarnio, and Marina Medvetskaya. In addition, to teaching at Dove Dance, she is currently dancing with Company Mayes in Dallas, Texas and also has her own Dance Ensemble “The Texas Demitasses”, both of which she performs in annually.

Let your life be free from love of money
But be content with what you have,
For he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper, And I will not be afraid.
Hebrews 13: 5-6b

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Sherise - teaching at okc studio

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Samantha Maloy - teaching at okc studio

Samantha has been studying dance since the age of seven at Dove Dance. She is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and lyrical.
Samantha has enjoyed being a part of many ministry events such as an outreach trip to Missouri to assist OJ Rhone, former player for the Kansas City Royals, in promoting the YES program for underprivileged children. 
Over the years, she has had the opportunity to minister at many Oklahoma churches and events . She has been blessed to take master classes with Kathy Thibodeaux, Nick Lazzarini, and Jo Rowan, to name a few.
Samantha has won numerous national overall awards as an ensemble member in "Freedom to Dance" and as a lead role in "The Passion", which won 2nd Place at the DMA National Competition in Las Vegas in 2006.
She was honored with the lead role of Laurey in Dove Dance's latest production number, "Oklahoma!", which won the overall production award at DMA state and ADA in 2007. This past season was her first time on stage in a competition solo.
She scored the highest medal standings possible and placed overall at both DMA state and ADA in 2007.  She is also the captain of Dove Dance's SOAR Senior Company.
Samantha is excited to begin her teaching internship at Dove Dance this season.  Her favorite scripture is Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will."

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Leah - teaching at okc studio

Leah has been dancing since age three with Dove Dance and was in their first Oklahoma City recital.  She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, and lyrical.  Leah has been a part of numerous outreach performances with Dove Dance and her home church, Church of the Harvest, which she has been attending for sixteen years. She has performed at conferences with speakers such as Joyce Meyers, The Hillsong team, and Lisa Bevere, to name a few.  She was also part of the dance ministry at the 2007 "Night to Honor Israel" which raised over $40,000 for Israeli families.  Leah has a desire to continue to use dance professionally in ministry and missions.  Her recent Mexico missions trip has inspired her to continue in this call.  Leah also desires to study medicine at Oklahoma University.   
Leah has been a part of seven award winning group pieces, such as "Freedom to Dance" which won the national championship with Showcase USA in 2005. She was also in "Oklahoma" which won the overall 2007 state production award at Dance Masters of America and the American Dance Awards.  Leah traveled with Dove Dance to Kansas City to assist OJ Rhone, former Kansas City Royales player, with the launch of his dance program in his YES organization.  
 
 "God is magnificent, He can never be prasised enough.  There are no boundaries to His greatness." Psalm 145:3

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Savannah Tardibono - teaching at okc studio

Savannah has been dancing since she was two with her mother, Daphne. She is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and acrobatics. Her heart is with Dove Dance and it’s vision of spreading Christ to the nations through dance. Dancing at four International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem events has given her this open door of opportunity. She was honored to be a part of national ministry’s televised program supporting Israel and she has been involved with missions to Mexico.
She has been awarded with numerous regional and national awards in groups, trios, and solo competition. As 2007 DMA Teen Miss Dance of Oklahoma at the Teen Miss Dance of America Competition in New York City, Savannah placed 3rd place in tap auditions and tied the high interview score. She was also a member of the pre-professional tap team, The St. Louis Hoofers Club under the direction of Robert Reed II. While a member, she studied with Mr. Reed in both group and private lessons.
She has been the Jr. Member President for DMA Oklahoma Chapter for two consecutive terms. She recently co-choreographed a routine which was graced with the choreography award. Savannah has enjoyed master classes with Jimmy Slyde, Nick Lazzarini, Patty Obey, and Tyce D’Orio, to name a few. Savannah was honored to be invited by Kathy Thibodeaux, to take private company class with the prestigious, Ballet Magnificat! Alpha Company.
Philippians 2:3-4 is her favorite verse:  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.