Tkea LeGrande

Owner/Artistic Director

T'Kea is a Philadelphia PA native.  Starting as a student in a local studio and studied with the original philadanco school, T'Kea always new she was meant to be on stage.  While in high school she trained at Touch of Class in west Chester PA under the Expertise of Mrs. Debbie Apalucci and The 76ers Dance Team.  After High School she relocated to Orlando FL where she received her degree in performing arts from Valencia Community College.  At Valencia she studied and performed many forms of dance under the teachings of popular dance companies such as Limon and Ailey II.  As a member of Valencia Dance program.  T'Kea promoted the program on TV commercials, radio, and billboards all over central Florida.

     During her Time in Florida T'Kea has performed and Choreographed for the popular girl band, Cassiopeia.  After college T'Kea relocated to her home town where she accepted a position as the artistic director of the dance program at the Crozer Keystone Healthplex.  There she taught Ballet, Hip-Hop, Caribbean cardio, and Modern dance to all ages.  During her time in Philadelphia she also trained and took classes with the Modern dance Company, Koresh.  After a few years she met her husband and moved to Orlando to start a family and open her own Dance Studio, AVALON DANCE.

Michele Alesia

Dance Instructor

Michelle Alesia has been dancing for over 10 years and student teaching classes for over 7 years.  She is from South Florida where she received dance training from owner and director of Pure Energy Dance Centre, Leigh Happel.  Michelle has received training in Luigi and Bob Fosse jazz styles.  she is a very dedicated dancer that is even more dedicated to the young students she enjoys teaching.  Michelle comes from a studio that promotes personal growth for young dancers in an emotionally stable and "safe" environment; and continues to spread that message of personal growth through motivation for her students.

      Michelle is currently a student at UCF and studying Psychology while also minoring in Elementary Education.  Creating a stable environment for Children while encouraging personal growth, increased self-esteem, and expression of creativity through the love and appreciation of dance is her aspiration.  She feels that dance allows her students to express their feelings in a non-threatening and healthy manner.
 

Julie Sandifer

Dance Instructor

Julie Sandifer was born in raised in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (parents were expats and employees of Saudi Aramco oil company).  There she started dance at the age of 5 and has since kept dance a part of her life.  Julie received her dance training from owner and director of Ms Kay’s Dance Studio, Kay Siebold for 10 years in Dhahran. She also received her classical ballet training from Sandra Abdul Rahman for 5 years.

Julie moved to the United States at the age of 15 where her parents resided in Daytona Beach, Fla. She continued to dance at local dance studios throughout high school and college. She continued her dance training with Kevin Veiga, artistic director of Dancescapes Modern Dance Company at Daytona State College for over 4 years.  And continued her classical ballet training with European School of Performing Arts for over 4 years.

Julie has been dancing for over 22 years and has taught dance for over 5 years. Throughout her dance training Julie taught ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and modern at several studios and began teaching and choreographing competitive dance routines for several studios and for the Seabreeze Sunsations from Seabreeze High School.

She recently was trained for PiYo, an athletic blend of pilates, yoga and so much more.

Julie LOVES teaching dance and dancing is her life. She loves to see her dancers grow and is honored to be a part of dancer’s life.

Meghan Recchiuti

Dance Instructor

Meghan Recchiuti has been dancing for twenty years. Originally from a small town in Southern New Jersey, Meghan was trained at and dedicated to the same studio for fifteen years. Upon graduating from high school she decided to attend the University of Central Florida where she graduated in December of 2008 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Minor in Dance.

Throughout her life, Meghan’s two biggest passions have been dance performance and the art of education. By instructing children in dance classrooms, she is able to see both of her passions mold and grow. Meghan was trained with strong ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical backgrounds at Triplett Dance Academy in Medford New Jersey. With Triplett she was able to dance competitively, in various shows, and musicals. While in the Dance Minor program at the University of Central Florida Meghan was educated in choreography and dance education techniques while also being able to perform in annual showcases. In her Elementary Education classes, Meghan learned the importance of a nurturing and safe environment for children to express themselves.

Meghan Recchiuti is thrilled to be part of the Avalon Dance Family, and honored to be teaching your child this year!   

Billie Zell-Breier

Belly Dance Instructor

I have studied dance all my life, focusing on jazz, and modern, and have taken classes in ballet, tap, flamenco, and belly dance.

While living in Sullivan County, N.Y.   I performed with Nioami Frumez dance company and taught aerobics at the Looking Good Health Spa in Ellenville, N.Y.  I later ran the exercise program and taught yoga at The New Age Health Spa.  After moving to Hallandale Florida I taught Jazz and Modern Dance at the YMCA in Hollywood , an aerobic class at the Nautilus gym in Miramar and for a short time at the Jack LaLane health spa in North Miami Beach, (later taken over by Ballys).  While living in South Florida I performed at the Dade County Auditorium.  I was among several dancers hired to perform several modern jazz pieces as the opening act for the visiting Ballet De Puerto Rico. 

I stopped dancing when I became pregnant with my son and for several years after he was born.  Since then I have focused on belly dance.  It is a very empowering dance for women and very healthy for the spine. I have taken many work-shops with all the top belly dancers in the country such as Suhaila Salampour, Jill Parker, John Compton, Susanna Delvecio, Morocco, Kajera, Margo Abdo ODell, Nadia Hamdi, Fat Chance Belly Dance, Jasmin Jahal and habibi to name a few.  Since coming to Orlando I  first taught a class at the Bay Hill Ballys, the Orlando Ballet School, and Central Florida Ballet Academy.  Besides my classes at the Y, I am teaching a several studios in the southwest.  I have been developing my own style using tribal, gypsy, and modern set to techno beats.  I have produced shows featuring the best local dancers and musicians.  I have performed at Sea World, The Cherry Street Theater, conventions, theme parks, restaurants and several haflas (belly dance shows) in Florida.