Premiere Dance Studio with locations in Birmingham and Walled Lake
Studio A Walled Lake Birmingham
Walled Lake:
248-668-1000
Birmingham:
248-433-1100
Amy Friedman, Director
Amy has been the owner and Artistic Director of Studio A Center for Performing Arts since we opened our doors in 2002. Amy is a nationally recognized teacher and choreographer with her work and students taking top awards at numerous competitions. Her energy and spirit are shown in the smiles of each of her dancers as they take the stage. Amy teaches that a love of dance and desire to better oneself are all you need to make dance a part of your life forever. While she is active in the competitive community and her dancers excel there, it is not the main focus of her program. She emphasizes being the best version of yourself and competing to always put your best work on the stage. This philosophy has won her teaching awards at numerous competitions and conventions and has created dancers who love what they do and continue to dance in college and beyond. Amy's dancers have even taken over her Hadassah program Girlforce, a program to teach young women to appreciate themselves and stay active. Amy's energy is unparalleled and can be seen in her classes as well as the past 12 years as an MC at Joe Cornell Entertainment. In 2012, Amy decided to spread her passion across Oakland county and opened a second location, Studio A Birmingham. Amy's success is truly due to her passion for dance, love of teaching and the incredible loyalty and beauty she has been shown by this community. Amy is honored to spend every day doing what she loves the most, dancing!!
Our Staff
Stacy Bonn, Studio Manager
Stacy is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She has a degree in Organizational Studies, and manages the offices of both Studio A locations. You will find her in Walled Lake most of the time, but she will also be in the Birmingham office. She knows most of our Studio A dancers and their Moms and Dads, too! She takes care of business with the friendliest efficiency. She knows what is happening at Studio A, in every aspect of the place!
Jessica Cummins, Instructor
Jessica began dancing at the age of 10 and hasn't stopped since! Jessica graduted from Pinckney High School in 2004, where she was a part of their dance team. After High School she attended Michigan State University and was also the proud captain of the MSU Dance Team. To this day Jessica "bleeds green" for Michigan State and rocks her dance team alumni gear regularly! She joined the Studio A family in 2010, and has been teaching at both locations ever since. Even though you may find her in Birmingham often, she will also be teaching in Walled Lake.
Brittany Valente, Instructor
Brittany started her dance studies at the age of four at the Milligan School of Ballet. Her passion for ballet motivated her to explore other dance techniques, and she has trained and performed in the styles of tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop. Throughout her years as a dancer, she has won numerous dance competition awards, has been a member of the Children’s Ballet Theater, and the Full Circle Dance Company in Michigan. She has also appeared as a professional dancer for The Nickelodeon Networks. Brittany has over 12 years of teaching experience, and loves to help students of all ages to harness their talents and learn to enjoy dance.
Ericka Beletskiy, Instructor
Ericka loves to dance. She has been dancing most of her life. Ericka has been formally trained in many styles of dance including tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet and ballroom. After graduating with a BBA in marketing, she went back to school for a degree in Early Childhood Development. She taught preschool for years. She is also a certified Zumba Instructor with special certifications in Zumbatonic, Zumba for kids 4-12 and Zumba Toning. She has directed, produced, and choreographed four productions. Her classes are filled with lots of smiles, laughs, and good times. Ericka shows her love for dance in all her classes and her students learn to share her passion and enthusiasm. She teaches some of the youngest students at the studio. Her degree in early childhood education and love of children helps make her students first experience in dance so special. She is not only a dance teacher, but also a wife and mother to two wonderful sons!
Kyla Lloyd, Instructor
Kyla is a student at Eastern Michigan University studying dance performance where she has had the opportunity to perform in faculty concerts as well as Oakland Dance Festival and American College Dance Association performing works by Jillian Hopper, Laura Zimmerman, Kathy King, Aby Cryderman, Travis Staton-Marrero, Ali Woerner and Thayer Jonutz. Last summer, she had the honor of performing in a video dance under the direction of Joanna McNamara that will be premiered at Carnegie Hall in Spring 2016. Kyla stays active in the Michigan dance scene. Last summer she performed in a piece choreographed by Kristi Faulkner as well as the Brighton Dance Festival Kick Off Concert where she was also an intern. Most recently, she has had the joy of being a company dancer in Pure Existence with artistic director, Jodie Randolph. Kyla looks forward to teaching in the fall so she can spread her love and passion for dance throughout the community.
Shannon Nelson, Instructor
Shannon studied on full scholarship with Homer Bryant Ballet and Joel Hall Dance Chicago. After completing her training she went on to perform with the Joel Hall dancers and with Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre. Shannon also studied under Anthony Randazzo, principle San Francisco ballet, and now ballet director of Boston ballet, as well as Tatiana Kitlak, ballerina and director of the Russian Ballet Academy. Studio A is proud to have Shannon leading our Ballet program!
Tessa Semma, Office Staff
Tessa is one of Studio A's newest members, joining the staff in 2015. She is a student at Oakland University studying graphic design and communications. Her background in technology and design have helped to make her a key tool in developing our social media and website but you can often find her in the office assisting families!
Sue Siegal, Office Staff
Sue became a part of Studio A in our third season when her daughter, Aiden, joined started her first dance class. She could be found helping out in the office whenever Aiden was in class. This led to her becoming a valuable staff member when we opened our Birmingham location. Sue's great attitude and helpfulness make her a perfect fit in the Stufio A offices!