Under the Direction of:

 Brenda Collins

and 

AnneMarie Gaige

Meet the fun and talented staff at Tampa Bay’s Dance FX

Back row (left to right): Michelle, Caitlin, Brenda, Danielle, Anne Marie, Kerrie

Front row (left to right): Tara, Cheryl, Tiffany

"CRASH!"

DIRECTOR

Brenda began her training at the age of three.   She has studied jazz, tap, and ballet with Gayle and Phyllis Tutterow.   Brenda was a Caravan Kid with the Hoctor’s Dance Caravan for the summer of 1988, which toured to 16 principal cities in the U.S. for 6 weeks.   She also won the Danny Hoctor Scholorship.   Touring with the Caravan, she was able to work with and perform with Scott Benson, Tommy Walsh, Kit Andre, Mallory Graham, Daryll Retter and many others.   In 1989, she along with her classmates won the National Grand Championship at both Hoctor’s and Dance Educators of America.   Brenda graduated high school in 1990 from Pinellas Park High School.   In the summer of that year, Brenda and her dance group traveled to Russia, Copenhagen, and Denmark.   She performed at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark and Gorky Park in Russia.   In 1992, she performed at The World’s Fair in Seville, Spain, as well as performing in cities such as Mijas, Nerja, and Torremolinos.   She also has performed at Epcot Center, Busch Gardens, Disney World, and Disneyland.   In 1993, she married her long time friend and dance partner, Richie Collins.   Since then, Brenda has gone on to choreographing musicals for Clearwater High School.   Three of those musicals were picked to perform at the State Conference.   While at the State Conference, she has taught numerous tap and jazz workshops.   She has also choreographed Fiddler on the Roof for 8 o’clock Theater.   She has also studied from Henry Le Tang, Savion Glover, Danny Hoctor, Pat Ricco, Al Gilbert and Gayle Tutterow.   Brenda also attends St. Petersburg College pursuing an Associate in Arts degree.    

Anne Marie started dancing at two years of age with the famous Gayle and Phyllis Tutterow.   She was asked to be a demonstrator by the age of 9.   In 1987 she was asked to become a member of the teaching faculty.   Anne Marie has taught and choreographed dance while a member of the Clearwater High School Chorus.   She enjoyed and learned so much, being taught by Gayle Tutterow, the world famous “TAP MASTER”.   She has danced with the Tutterow Stars of Tomorrow performing troupe in Las Vegas, Disney World, Epcot, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Disneyland, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, Russia, The World’s Fair in Spain, as well as winning The National Grand Champion at Hoctor’s Dance Competition two years in a row.   Anne Marie is the Children’s Director at First United Methodist Church in Largo, leading the children in singing and directing plays, as well as choreographing and directing the Liturgical Dance group in the church.   She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of South Florida.   She is employed by the Pinellas County School System as a teacher.   She loves working with the younger students and enjoys watching them mature into highly skilled performers. 

Cheryl Lee Murphy, has studied dance extensively since the age of three, including ballet, tap and jazz, as well as hip-hop, funk, pom, modern, and musical theater.   Cheryl was born and raised in Largo, Florida where the majority of her training took place.   As a dancer/singer, Cheryl has performed roles in “Sophisticated Ladies”, “The Wiz”, “Cats Medley”, “42nd Street,  “A Dance for the Hood”, and she has performed as a member of the Tutterow Dancers.   Cheryl instructed and choreographed for the group for three years, and has brought home First Place Awards from Showbiz Competitions, as well as First Place overall Grand Champion Award at the Hoctor’s Dance Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.   For thirteen months she was featured as an Empress Showgirl on Empress Cruise Lines, where she performed “Hooray for Hollywood” and “Viva Las Vegas”, which were produced by Bonnie Gray.   She also toured with the vaudeville classic, “The Best of Burlesque” four years in a row, which was produced by D & S Productions.   Cheryl was also a member of The University of South Florida’s dance team, “The Sundolls” for two years, performing at football and basketball games, and served as Captain for the dance team for one season.   Cheryl is a graduate from The University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems.  She enjoys being the hip hop teacher and webmaster at Dance FX.  

Michelle began her training at the age of 10.   She has studied jazz, tap and ballet.   She was a member of the Tutterow Dancers for 12 years working with Gayle and Phyllis Tutterow.   Michelle has traveled to Russia, Disney World, Epcot Busch Gardens, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and Denmark performing and competing.   She has won several first/second place awards, as well as several overall awards.   She has also attended many workshops taught by notable dancers/choreographers such as, Henry Le Tang, Savion Glover, Scott Benson and Tommy Walsh.   Michelle attended Seminole High School where she was involved in drama and dance under the direction of Wendell Williams.   She performed as a dancer/singer in “A Chorus Line”, “42nd Street”, “Cat’s Medley”, “The Wiz”, “Sophisticated Ladies”, and several talent shows while attending SHS.   Michelle is a graduate from The University of South Florida, St. Petersburg with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.   She is currently employed by Pinellas County Schools.   Michelle is glad to be a member of the Dance Fx Staff and will continue to bring new and exciting material to her students.

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Kerrie Anne Danler started her dance training at the age of five in Seminole, Florida.  Her training includes jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, and precision (kick-line) as well as four years on the Tampa Bay Dance FX Platinum Performers dance team.  She also studied at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City with teachers such as Frank Hatchett, Steven Boyd, and Kat Wildash.  She has attended workshops with Jimmy Tate, Michael Natter, Greg Russell, Jerry Rose, and Chonique Sneed.  Kerrie's performances include feature solo performances at Universal Studios and the Florida State Fair, the Ballet Theatre International's Nutcracker (soldier and Russian girl), and the Chocolate Nutcracker (wind and toy) under the direction of LaVerne Reed.  Kerrie has done musical theatre performing as a dancer/singer in "Hello Dolly," as well as a solo performer in many of Seminole High School's talent showcases.  Her highlight performances include dancing in Super Bowl XXXV's Pre Game Show, a back up dancer/performer for Neil Young in concert at the St. Pete Times Forum and 'The USO Tribute' produced by Bonnie Gray Productions. She also was a performer for Bush Gardens Tampa Bay, dancing in several of their shows.  Kerrie is currently enrolled at St. Pete College pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and is enjoying teaching jazz and hip-hop at Dance FX.

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