some of our alumni
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If you are one of the studio's alumni, please fill out an information form so that we may publish your biography!
Miss Allison Hyland was a member of MSSOD for 13 years, from the ages of 3 to 17. Her favorite type of dance was tap which she won many awards for in competition. She is currently majoring in Physical Education at SUNY Cortland.
"Practice Makes Perfect!"
Hyland87@cortland.edu
Mrs. Deana Olles (formerly Connell) has danced at Marilyn's since the age of 3 (she is currently 25) and is still teaching for her. Her favorite type of dance was lyrical, growing up, which has recently changed to Hip-Hop. Deana received a dual degree in the fields of Mathematics and History from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Master's of Science in Applied Mathematics from RIT in 2006. She is currently a full time professor at RIT and a part time professor at MCC.
"There will always be bumps in the road. The best way to overcome struggle is to learn and grow from old experiences."
deana.olles@gmail.com
Ms. Nicole Simmons was a member of the studio since the age of 5, where she excelled in performance and stage presence. Her favorite type of dance was jazz for all 15 years of her experiences at Marilyn's. She is currently working at Delphi while taking classes at Monroe Community College.
"Anything is possible if you practice and dance from the heart!"
Nicole012986@yahoo.com
Mrs. Shannon Burke (formerly Anderson) danced at the studio for 15 years, beginning at the age of 3. Her favorite type of dance was tap, as she says that "it's the best way to break a sweat". In July of 2006 she graduated from Trocaire College in Buffalo and also married her high school sweetheart, Tom. After that she moved to Florida to join him and enjoyed the great weather and beautiful beaches. In May they relocated to Las Vegas, where they just bought their first home. Shannon currently works as a per diem in Cardiology and Radiology so that she can have the freedom to travel.
"Dancing is not just about learning moves. Dancing teaches you to take care of your body, to work hard at what you want in life, and gives you the opportunity to make life-long friendships. Dancing at Marilyn's taught me that not everything is easy in life and that if you work hard enough you can accomplish anything."
ShanBurke@gmail.com
Miss Angela Todaro, once a teacher at MSSOD is pursuing her dance career at the University at Buffalo, while majoring in both dance and business. She had trained with Marilyn for 13 years, while she enjoyed the forms of jazz and hip-hop. Over the recent summer months, Angela performed in Le Grande Cirque at Darien Lake. Angela has won many awards and scholarships for her talents throughout the years and was a member of the Company at MSSOD for most of her training. In the spring of this past year, Angela stepped up as the 1st runner up to perform the duties of Miss Dance at DMA.
"I taught at Marilyn's for 4 years. It was a wonderful experience with wonderful kids that I will never forget."
amtodaro@buffalo.edu
Miss Lori Wilson is currently living in Charlottesville, VA, working full time in leasing/marketing at Wade Apartments. She also teaches at a local dance studio and dances for the modern dance company, Miki Liszt Dance Company. She trained at MSSOD for 11 years, beginning at the age of 7, where her favorite type of dance was lyrical, and is now modern. She graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2005 with a BA in Dance with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. During and after college, she worked as a performer at Walt Disney World.
"Appreciate the time and the friends you make at the studio, and work hard because you will take the training, experience and friendships with you in whatever you do...You never know what your future holds."
lildancer47@hotmail.com
Miss Courtney Connell, one of the studio's current faculty members, danced competitively from the ages of 3 to 23 at MSSOD. Her experience and love for entertaining comes from her vibrant personality in everyday life. She has recently begun the now very popular Musical Theater class, which has grown to have members of all ages. Outside of teaching at MSSOD, Courtney works as a National Product Specialist with PAETEC, one of the nations top telecommunications provider.
"Never strive to be better than someone. Strive to be better than your best."
courtney.connell@paetec.com
A student at MSSOD since 1983 after bouncing around studios for 9 years prior, Tina Crandall Colquhoun found her home here and has transitioned into the role of teacher after completing a degree in Dance at University at Buffalo. Tina also maintains a full time job while attending graduate school for education, volunteering at Seneca Park zoo as a Docent, and spends time as an avocational ice age paleontologist. Whew!!! She is also the mom of Michaela, who is also an MSSOD dancer. Her favorite style of dance is old school tap (think Gregory Hines) and loves coming up with insane routines to challenge her students. In her spare time, Tina likes to read, scrapbook, camp, and hike.
Mrs. Kimberly Muscato (formerly Tramonto) was a dancer at Marilyn's for 10 years, ages 11-21. Her favorite type of dance was lyrical through which she always seemed to catch the audiences attention. She is currently teaching in the Rochester City School District. After getting married about three years ago, she and her husband recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl (pictured to the left).
"Dancing for Marilyn has made me realize that hard work pays off. I have learned that I have life long supporters in all that I do. Thanks for everything."
kbt9772@peoplepc.com
Miss Andrea Lucas was a dancer at Marilyn's since the age of four. Her favorite types of dance were tap, modern and jazz. She graduated with BFA in dance from University at Buffalo and performed in Las Vegas for two years (Red models agency, Las Vegas Hilton, Rio, MGM Grand, Flamingo). She is currently loving life in Scottsdale, AZ and teaching for the Arizona Angels!
"I am grateful for all of the life lessons at MSSOD. Push yourself, have fun, have respect, be nice and smile a lot!"
pung83@hotmail.com
Mrs. Sue (Emma) Bell danced at Marilyn's from the age of 13 until the present time. She enjoyed tap and jazz. Currently, she is a legal assistant doing personal injury law at the law firm of Burke, Albright, Harter & Reddy. She is very active in four statewide volunteer firemen auxiliaries and still takes tap classes. Married to Stew Bell, Sue has two great kids, Shannon (also a dancer at the studio) and Eric. In her "free time", she enjoys counted cross stitch, camping and traveling.
"Don't give up on your goals and dreams. Eventually goals and dreams will come to be a reality."
sbell988@hotmail.com
alumni information form
Please only fill in those areas you would like people to see!
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Length of Training at MSSOD
Ages Danced
Favorite Type of Dance
What are you up to now?
Any words of wisdom or advice for the kids at the studio?
Did anything happen to you during your time at Marilyn's that you feel has had an affect on your life? Awards won?
Miss. Kayla Grass, presently teaching at MSSOD has danced from the age of 3 to 18. Her favorite type of dance is lyrical and has won Platinum, Gold, High silver, and Silver medals, along with Dancer of the year my Junior year of High school. She was a company dancer for about 5 years and says that being in company let me experience so many things that I will never forget, and the people I will never forget. Kayla is presently a full time Sales Rep at Cricket, and teaching dance for MSSOD
"MSSOD is an amazing studio and family to be a part of. Marilyn and the staff take great care of you. Even if your their to dance for fun, or your their to further your career in dance, it's a place for so many opportunities, with doors wide open for your future."
aerochic1617@yahoo.com
