Carroll Manor Dance Staff

(2013-2014)

The staff at Carroll Manor Dance is very caring and devoted. Many of the teachers not only have extensive dance backgrounds, but also have college degrees- many in the field of dance education. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful staff here at Carroll Manor Dance Studio!

Melissa S. Heick

(Artistic Director & Instructor) began her studies at local recreation and park programs at 4 years of age. She has been teaching and choreographing for 12years. Melissa has studied dance at the Peabody Institute, The Dance Studio, Bethesda Dance Studio, The Broadway Dance Center, Towson University, Steps, and other dance studios around the USA. Mrs. Heick has also graced the playing fields of the Baltimore Ravens as an NFL Dance Team member. After performing for one season she then assisted as a guest choreographer. Mrs. Heick was fortunate to have been casted in the well-known musical Fame. She has taught at many schools around the Baltimore, Washington area and is currently the proud artistic director of Carroll Manor Dance. Recently, Melissa volunteered her time for a dance ministry at Community Christian Church where her faith and passion for dance shined. She has attended many competitions around the USA. However, she strongly believes that dance is not a competition, but is an art form. She feels that students should compete only with themselves to achieve a perfect balance of creativity, style, strength, and grace. Mrs. Heick's number one goal is that every student, regardless of his or her ability, should receive the best possible training. The faculty at Carroll Manor takes pride in her philosophy. Her passion to teach students of all ages, with high standards of style and technique shines daily.

 

Ashley Kathryn Jacques Henschen

(Advanced Ballet/Pointe Instructor) began her training at Towson University's Children's Dance Division where she was a member of both of their performing companies and had the opportunity to perform with the Moscow Ballet. She later attended Towson University on scholarship. She graduated with Honors, with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance in May 2006. Kathryn spent summers at Baltimore Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She is currently a trainee with the Baltimore Ballet, a dancer for the Howard County Ballet and takes class with the apprentices of the Richmond Ballet. She has danced lead and soloist roles in 'The Nutcracker,' 'Raymonda,' and various contemporary works. She has been accepted into summer programs for Richmond Ballet, Ballet Austin and Nashville Ballet (with a scholarship) and was a semi-finalist as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar of the Arts.

 

Ashley Inman

(Dance Instructor) her passion for dance began in elementary school when she first enrolled in an after-school dance program. Stemming from that first experience, Ashley's studies in dance progressed as she got older when she started dancing at New Castle Dance Academy (Newark, DE, 1998-2007). During her ten years at the dance academy, she performed in every annual recital as well as achieving numerous roles in the studio's annual Nutcracker production. In 2001, Ashley was selected to be a member of the Diamond Cut Dancers (2001-2004). As a member, she competed in several dance competitions such as Starpower and International Dance Competition, where the team received several awards. Ashley has also performed for much larger audiences in Disney World (2004) and in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2004 and 2009). Upon arriving at college, she has continued taking dance classes at Towson University and A Step Ahead Dance Center. While being a dancer at heart, Ashley also prides herself at being a musician and enjoys participating in the dramatic arts.

 

Alyssa Edwards

(Dance Instructor) began taking dance at the young age of 4 at Carroll Manor Recreation Council. She has been taking dance classes with us for over 13 years and has enjoyed every moment of it. During her time here she was also an on-stage helper during recital time for the younger children and helped out in any way possible. Alyssa was also a part of Dulaney High School's after school Dance Team which she had to audition to be a part of. She performed at the football, basketball, and lacrosse games, where she had to practice frequently, along with being committed to CMRC Company Level Four. Unfortunately, Alyssa had to leave our program when she graduated from high school in 2007 but she never gave up dancing. She is currently a senior at Towson University and is planning on graduating this coming May with a degree in Applied Mathematics. Along with all her math classes, she also continues to take many dance classes at Towson when her schedule allots for it. Alyssa has also been working with young children since she was in middle school; volunteering at her church by teaching Sunday School for many years along with vacation bible school. She is very excited to be a part of Carroll Manor Dance again and can't wait to start teaching!

Kara Glinowiecki

Kara started dancing at a local recreation center at the age of 5 and instantly fell in love with dance. Ms. Melissa was actually her teacher for her first couple of years! Kara continued to dance with the rec program for 15 years and went to Mercy High School and danced on their dance team for four years. She was captain of the Mercy Dance Team her junior and senior years. Her love for dance drove her to become a teacher at the rec center. Kara is a dance major at CCBC Essex where she plans to graduate with her AFA in dance in Fall of 2012. She has been a member of CCBC's Dance Company for two years and has choreographed several dance pieces for their shows. To better her dance education, Kara has attended the Pulse Teacher's Conference in New York City in 2009 and 2011. Kara has performed at various schools in the community and worked with well known choreographers. She is also a new member of the Poetic Xpressions Dance Company and currently holds Zumba and Les Mills Body Attack certifications.

 

Angela Jachelski

(Dance Instructor) has been teaching dance classes in Baltimore County for over 12 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. Ms. Angela began her study of dance with Baltimore County Recreation Counsel at the age of 3 and continued to learn and develop her art as a student at Carver Center for Arts and Technology as well as while taking dance classes at Towson University. Ms. Angela has performed in many dance concerts as well as productions of the Nutcracker and Anything Goes. In addition to teaching dance class, Ms. Angela works full time as a licensed Social Worker and enjoys spending her free time with friends and family.

 

Alexa Conway

(Competitive Dance Coach) Coming Soon!

 

Julie Giannino, Lindsay Edwards, Deming Magner, and Claire Vecchioni

(Dance Assistants) We are very fortunate to have such a talented group of assistants to help our teachers. These girls help with attendance, stretching, technique, recital performances, and much much more! All of our assistants are trained in ballet, tap, and jazz.

Lisa Dever, Joan Harris, Lisa MaDairy, and Moire Riley

(Volunteers) Each of the ladies mentioned above are VOLUNTEER mothers and work all year to help our dance program run smoothly. They help with everything from registration, costumes, treasury, parent concerns, recital, etc… without them we would not have this program! Again we are VERY fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers.