Jennifer Deane is the Owner and Director of Michigan Dance Alliance. She has been teaching for over 20 years specializing in Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary and Technique classes. She started dancing at the age of three at Masters of Dance Arts under the training of the late Mary Helen Stewart. She was a competition dancer for 15 years and won numerous awards at the Regional and National level. At Marygrove she double majored in Dance Performance and Business on a full presidential scholarship while performing as a member of the prestigious Marygrove College Dance Company. While at Marygrove, her choreography was selected to perform at the American College Dance Festival. Jennifer graduated from Marygrove College with a B.F.A in Dance Performance and a B.A in Business which led her to open Michigan Dance Alliance in 2014. Over the years she has worked with numerous accomplished artists and has been chosen for numerous performance opportunities. Besides being an accomplished dancer, Jennifer is also an inspiring teacher and choreographer. Her students have won countless Overall, Excellence, Entertainment and Choreography awards both Regionally and Nationally.

Alie is a Detroit native and a graduate from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance with concentration in modern under the direction of Garfield Lemonius. During her studies, Alie trained under artists such as Slowdanger (Anna Thompson and Taylor Knight), Jason McDole and Judith Leifer-Bentz, as well as performed works by Kyle Abraham, Kate Skarpetowska and Martha Nichols. Alie has traveled internationally for multiple intensive workshops including the B12 festival Berlin, Vim Vigor’s summer workshop and the Rubberband Intensive at Domaine Forget De Charlevoix. Her additional performance experience includes repertoire and new creations by Sonya Tayeh, Liz Schmidt, Adam McGaw, Victor Quijada and Alan Lake. Alie currently dances with Take Root dance company in Rochester, Michigan under the direction of Ali Woerner.

Lauren, a Plymouth-Canton native, graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While at WMU, she studied jazz, ballet, pointe, and modern under accredited faculty members and participated in Orchesis concerts, Graduating Presentations, and Great Work Concerts. Lauren has now found her home working for the Star Dance Alliance. Lauren works with Nexstar National Talent, Wild Dance Intensive, the World Dance Pageant, and the World Dance Championship. Lauren proudly directs the SDA/Youth Villages and Janie’s Fund campaign - which has raised over $164,000 for the programs at Youth Villages that benefit young women and girls suffering from abuse. Teaching dance for ten years, Lauren is excited to continue to share her passion and love for dance with the dancers at Michigan Dance Alliance!

Erika has been teaching and choreographing competitive routines for over 10 years. She has also worked as the dance team coach at the University of Detroit Mercy.  In her past, Erika has also danced with performers such as Kid Rock, Jesse McCartney, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Shontelle.  While working as a professional dancer, Miss Erika has also worked in 3 featured films.  She has worked on Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful alongside James Franco and Mila Kunis, Into the Storm, and Batman vs. Superman with Ben Affleck. Along with her dance skills, Erika is a NASM certified personal fitness instructor. Erika currently teaches group fitness at AKT, a cardio-dance based fitness studio that was created by Shakira’s personal trainer, Anna Kaiser.  Fun fact:  In her spare time Erika likes to hang out with her toy golden doodle, Chuck!

Kelly started dancing at the age of 3 and has been teaching for most of her adult life. She has had numerous opportunities to train and compete at the regional and national levels and has won many awards for her performances and choreography. She has performed in Disney World, Las Vegas, Washington DC and King's Island. Ms. Kelly enjoys keeping up with the latest dance trends by taking classes around the country whenever possible! She enjoys working with students of all ages and levels, and challenging them to be their best while providing a positive, safe, and fun environment! Ms.Kelly earned her Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan - Dearborn and her MBA from Wayne State University. She is also a Certified Group Fitness Instructor through The American Council on Exercise and a Certified Flexibility Instructor through Alixa Flexibility. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, working out, traveling, and mixing music!

Natalie, a Plymouth-Canton native, started dancing at the age of 4. She grew up competing at a local studio, where she won several titles, regional and national awards, and was a member of the PCEP Varsity Dance Team in high school. Natalie attended Grand Valley State University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Exercise Science. She was also a member of the GVSU Laker Dance Team, winning four national championships at the collegiate level. During her four years at Grand Valley, she had the privilege of working with: Josh “Hazmat” Ulep, AJ “Headache” Pak, Ivan Koumaev, The Lab, Sienna Lalau, and Karl Mundt. Natalie is currently an assistant coach for the PCEP JV Dance Team and continues her dance training and performing as a member and captain of the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders. Through this experience, she has danced with Bebe Rexha, Quinn XCII, Jack Harlow, and has appeared on America’s Got Talent. Natalie is excited to share her love of dance and provide an encouraging and positive environment for the dancers at Michigan Dance Alliance!

Raegen brings over 20 years of dance experience across all styles to the studio. With more than 5 years of teaching both competitive and recreational dancers, her choreography has earned numerous awards—including national titles, entertainment awards, and two Premiere Victory Cups. She is also a proud recipient of the Star Dance Alliance Circle of Excellence Entertainment Award. Raegen is known for her creative, high-energy routines and her ability to connect with dancers of all ages. Her background includes extensive work with children, both in and out of the studio. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Early Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University and will graduate in spring 2026.

Presley, a Michigan Dance Alliance Alum, started dancing at the age of 3. Through her competition years she won numerous titles at the regional and national level through solos and group dances. Additionally, she spent all four years of high school on the PCEP Varsity Dance Team. As captain, her senior year, she helped lead the team to their first ever national title. Presley is now studying exercise science at Grand Valley State University where she also trained with the Laker Dance Team this past year. This season she has decided to dance with GVSU Momentum and she wants to stay involved with her roots… Presley is coaching the PCCS Middle School Dance Team and teaching at Michigan Dance Alliance. Staying in forever home, she’s more than excited to teach, train, and inspire MDA all season!

Chloe is a passionate and experienced dance educator from Monticello, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Dance from Ball State University and is trained in jazz, modern, hip hop, ballet, tap, and musical theatre. Chloe has taught at a variety of dance intensives and gymnastics camps, always striving to create a fun, supportive learning environment. As part of her senior capstone, she designed Fostering Development, a creative movement curriculum for preschool-aged dancers. Chloe also completed her first season as a backstage manager for Nexstar.

Emily is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan, majoring in Dance and Communications. She is originally from Silver Lake, Michigan, and grew up dancing at a studio, competing at competitions and conventions, as well as participating in recitals. At her studio she was trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary styles as well as the Acrobatic Arts Program. She loves teaching kids of all ages and is excited to teach at Michigan Dance Alliance!