Owner and Director of Spotlight Dance Center, Stephanie has over 28 years of dance experience in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and lyrical. As a former student and Company Dancer at Spotlight, Stephanie has a deep connection to the studio and a profound understanding of its values and traditions.

Stephanie's students have competed in multiple national competitions with one being named to Miss Petite Dance of Michigan. Her choreography has been awarded at competitions multiple times. As a former Dance Masters of Michigan Vice President and Board Member, Stephanie has had an impact on dance education across multiple studios within our state.

Wendy Harris owned Spotlight Dance Center the first 23 years and continues to teach. She has 33 years teaching experience in all genres of dance and is certified by Dance Masters of America. In her early years, she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Tap, and competed in regional and national dance competitions. Her formal ballet training was with the Iacob Lascu School of Ballet where she performed in ballets such as “The Sleeping Beauty” and Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “The Nutcracker.” Many of her students have gone on to be successful in dance and as dance teachers themselves. She thoroughly enjoys inspiring the joy of dance in her younger students as well as challenging and encouraging her older students to reach their fullest potential.

Raquel trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, and Tap. She danced and competed for many years receiving top overall awards both regionally and nationally. She took formal ballet training with the Flint Ballet Theater and the Michigan Ballet Theater where she performed in many classical ballets. Additionally, she trained with Edward Villella for ballet and Gus Giordano for jazz.

As a teacher, Raquel is passionate about inspiring a love of dance in her students and enjoys watching them grow and learn. She has been teaching since she was 16 and is certified with Dance Masters of America. She has received numerous awards for her choreography and many of her students have gone on to dance professionally as performers and teachers.

Isabella was a student at Spotlight for eleven years and danced competitively for eight years, during which she was recognized regionally and nationally with top overall scores and scholarship opportunities. Additionally, she has trained with Grand Rapids Ballet and Joffrey Ballet NYC both on scholarship, and was accepted into Joffrey Ballet NYC's year round pre-professional ballet program on scholarship. She has studied and trained in the Vaganova, Balanchine, and Cecchetti styles of ballet, and currently dances as a professional company member with Ballet Edge Detroit. Her choreography has received numerous awards and overall placements. In addition to teaching at Spotlight, she is also the choreography director of Clarkston High School's annual musicals. She is passionate about sharing her love of dance with all of her students!

Gabriella was a student at Spotlight for nine years and danced competitively for six years. During this time she was recognized regionally and nationally with overall high scores and scholarship opportunities. Upon graduation, she began her undergraduate studies at Oakland University in dance performance and education. During her studies she performed with and choreographed for Oakland Dance Theater. Prior to graduation in 2020, Gabriella accepted an internship with Walt Disney World as part of the Disney College Program. She was an attractions cast member at Disney's Hollywood Studios and she trained at Orlando Ballet while attending many Disney performance auditions and master classes. Gabriella has been teaching at Spotlight for seven years now, with ages ranging from preschool to high school for both the competition team and recreational students. Her choreography has been recognized regionally and nationally with first place overall awards, high score awards, and choreography awards. Gabriella is currently obtaining her Master of Arts in teaching elementary education at Oakland University, and is a substitute teacher for the surrounding school districts. She loves bringing joy and energy to her classes with her students!

Jessie began her dance career at age 4 under the direction of Raquel Pickett who first inspired her love of classical ballet and pointe. She learned to appreciate other forms of dance such as jazz, contemporary and lyrical during her time at Spotlight. Seeking a professional ballet track, Jessie trained at classical ballet schools such as Link School of the Arts, Young People’s Ballet Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet Company, American Ballet Theatre and BalletMet. During this time, Jessie learned the styles of Vaganova, Balanchine and Cecchetti through Grade 7. Jessie was honored to have danced lead roles such as “Snow Queen” from Nutcracker, “Odile” from Swan Lake, “Dawn” from Coppelia, “Enchantress” from Beauty & the Beast, and “Kitri” from Don Quixote. Although currently pursuing a collegiate degree in veterinary medicine, Jessie’s first love will always be dance, and she has been fortunate to have been able to teach the next generation of students for the past 5 years as a dance instructor. As a nanny for several families, a children’s leader at her church, and a tutor to teens youth have always had a special place in Jessie’s heart and she is excited to combine her passions and teach dance here at Spotlight once again!

Meredith grew up dancing in all styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and more. She pursued dance beyond the studio by receiving a degree in dance from University of Michigan-Flint and received a masters in Social Work from Michigan State University. She trained with the Institute of Dancers professional commercial dance company for 3 years and throughout many cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Meredith currently works as a mental health therapist and renal social worker. She loves that she is able to teach dance to all ages and choreograph several competition pieces that continue to inspire her passion for dance!

Adria started dancing at age 6 and has continued through high school and college. She has experience in ballet, jazz, tap, kick line, lyrical, pom, and hip-hop and was on her high school dance team. Although she graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, whenever there was room in her schedule, she managed to squeeze in university dance classes. She started teaching young ballet classes in 2003. She has taught ballet at the Lakeland Ice Arena for the Jr. Team Du Coeur ice skating team for 2 years. She was also the JV dance coach at Waterford Mott High School. Adria is thrilled to teach at Spotlight this year. No matter where life takes her, she can’t seem to stop dancing.

Lindsay began her lifelong love of dance at age 2 in Rochester, Michigan, and joined Spotlight Dance Center at its grand opening in 1999. She trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and lyrical, and competed with both the SDC dance team and the Clarkston High School Dance Team. After graduating from MSU in 2008, she taught ballet and jazz at Spotlight for a season. With a degree in Child Development and a passion for movement, Lindsay has combined these interests in various ways as a certified educator and yoga instructor (RYT). She has led school-wide assemblies, Movement and Wellness Camps at Oakland University, and youth yoga and dance programs. Now back at Spotlight, Lindsay is excited to teach the youngest dancers, fostering a love of dance that will last a lifetime. A former Kindergarten teacher and high-energy mom of two young dancers (ages 9 and 7), she loves working with children to bring joy and build self-confidence through her classes.

Danielle began dancing at Spotlight when she was 8 years old and joined the company team just a year later. Her love for dance quickly became evident as she found it to be a powerful medium for expression, stress-relief, and making friends. As a key member of the competition team, Danielle competed in various styles at both regional and national levels. While contemporary and lyrical remain her favorite dance styles, she also has a fondness for teaching tap and jazz. Danielle's passion for teaching emerged early; she assisted in classes from a young age and started leading her own during her senior year of high school. Through teaching, she seeks to complete her dance journey, guiding students along paths similar to her own and sharing the wisdom she's accumulated over the years. Danielle hopes to inspire her young dancers with the same joy and passion that dance brought into her life.

Hailey's dance journey began at Spotlight where she dedicated 15 years as a student, distinguishing herself as a Company Member for a decade. Immersed in styles ranging from Ballet and Tap to Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip-hop, her fervor for dance was evident not only on stage but also behind the scenes where she assisted teaching for 8 years. This hands-on experience ignited her passion for nurturing the next generation. With a rich legacy at Spotlight and a profound love for dance, Hailey eagerly shares her expertise by guiding and inspiring her students.

Sophia started her dance career at age four right here at Spotlight, continuing to dance for fourteen years. Here she learned Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Tap. She danced competitively on the competition team and became a teaching assistant at fifteen. Sophia has always had a passion and love for dance. As a teacher, she enjoys instilling the same attributes in her students. She divides her time between teaching and pursuing her degree in Criminal Justice from Oakland University. Sophia is looking forward to continuing teaching here at Spotlight Dance for years to come!