Core Values

Founded in 1997

Professional Instruction: We provide top-notch dance education led by experienced instructors who are passionate about nurturing each dancer's growth and potential.

Positive Environment: Our studio fosters an atmosphere of positivity, support, and encouragement, where dancers feel empowered to express themselves and pursue their passion for dance.

Inclusion: We embrace diversity and believe that every dancer, regardless of their background or skill level, belongs in our dance family. We create an inclusive space where everyone can thrive.

Safety: Safety is our top priority. We maintain a secure and well-equipped studio environment, following industry standards to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of our dancers.

Dance Family Community: We're more than just a studio; we're a tight-knit community. Dancers and their families build meaningful connections and lasting friendships as they share their dance journeys together.

ABT’s National Training Curriculum assists beginning through advanced teachers in training dance students to use their bodies correctly by focusing on kinetics, coordination, anatomy, and proper body alignment. Artistically, the National Training Curriculum strives to provide dance students with a rich knowledge of classical ballet technique and the ability to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance.

Teachers

Ashley Palmer

Izzy Luppo

Ashley Palmer is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Dance Professor at Siena Heights University.

Dance Professor at Adrian College

Teacher Training and Certification:

American Ballet Theatre®, National Training Curriculum. (2017) (2019)

Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia. Intensive Teacher Training.(2000)

Mat I & II Certification in Pilates through Balanced Body University.(2010)

Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. (2019, 2021)

Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.

Siena Heights University, Graduated Cum Laude. (1999)

Company Member, Principal Dancer:

Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre (1990-93)

Additional Choreography includes:

The Croswell Opera House, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Siena Heights University, Anything Goes.

Tecumseh Center for the Arts, The Nutcracker Ballet.

Personal and Studio Awards:

2019 Woman & Youth Award presented by The Boys and Girls Club

2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 Best of Lenawee (Best Dance Studio)

2018 Studio of Excellence Winner presented by the Association of Dance Conventions and Competitions

2017 Choreography Award presented by On Point National Dance Competition

Member of the Dance Studio Owners Association's Inner Circle

Miss Izzy is a Professional NBA Dancer for the Detroit Pistons. This is her fourth year teaching at Encore. She is certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. Izzy has studied dance for 18 years and was a member of Encore’s Elite Dance Company. She was also a member of the Tecumseh High School Dance Team as well as the Siena Heights Dance Team in 2021. She has trained on scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. She has also trained at Interlochen and American Ballet Theatre. Izzy was proud to be chosen as an Ambassador for Ballet in the City and Barres n Blades. Through her work with Ballet in the City she has had opportunities to study with Sascha Radetsky (ABT Studio Company Director) Emily Kikta and Peter Walker (New York City Ballet Company Members). Izzy also travels to LA and NYC to train extensively in ballet as well as hip hop, contemporary, tap, lyrical and jazz. In 2017 & 2019, She danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker Ballet at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. In 2021 Izzy was an assistant choreographer for the Nutcracker Ballet as well. In 2018, she was asked to give a speech on “Opportunities” at the Annual Ballet in the City Gala. Izzy has attended YAGP, a global pre professional ballet competition. In 2018-20, Izzy was awarded numerous Platinum Awards in Pointe, Contemporary and Lyrical at On Point Dance Competition. In 2019, Izzy was selected by Zippora Karz (former New York City Ballet Soloist and Balanchine Trust Repetiteur) to perform choreography for Ballet in the City’s presentation of the Ashley Bouder Project. Ashley Bouder is a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. In 2020, Izzy was awarded a $20,000 college scholarship to AMDA at the Revel Dance Convention. She is looking forward to sharing her love of dance with her students at Encore and experiencing her rookie season with the Pistons!

Beth Strom

Beth has been training professionally in her dance career both as a student and a choreographer for over 28 years. Growing up in Grand Rapids, MI, she studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and lyrical at a number of studios. Beth was a demonstrator and assistant teacher for two years at The Dance Network studio in Grand Rapids, MI, prior to becoming a teacher at The Dance Network for five years.

She competed in jazz, pom, lyrical, and hip hop during her time at West Catholic High School and while attending Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. While at Aquinas, she also danced on the sideline and at halftime during basketball games as a member of the team. In addition to her Bachelor's degree from Aquinas College in Interdisciplinary Communication and Business, she holds a Master's degree in Higher Education from Grand Valley State University.
Beth has over nine years of experience coaching collegiate dance and is currently the Head Coach of the Concordia University Ann Arbor Dance Team. She holds numerous dance certifications and has served on the Executive Committee for dance at the NAIA level. She is currently the Dance Chair for the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference.

Additionally, Beth was an instructor at Arts in Motion Dance Studio in Ann Arbor, MI, prior to its close in 2021 due to the pandemic. She has taught dance through Ann Arbor Rec & Ed, as well as at various studios in the greater Ann Arbor area, and most recently choreographed for The Sound of Music at Concordia Ann Arbor. She is also certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.
She is excited to be joining the Encore community and looks forward to sharing her love of dance and knowledge with her students!

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