The Dance Place, Ltd.

SARAH IVORY - a 2002 Dance Place Ltd. alumna, trained and performed at the studio for 14 years where she also competed as a member of the Corps de Danse competition team for 8 years.

Sarah attended Western Michigan University, attaining her degree in Dance from the Fine Arts Department along with a minor in Art History.  While at Western, she performed in repertoire by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine (founder of NYC Ballet); George Faison (choreographer of “The Wiz”); Tony Calucci and Derrick Evans.  In addition, Sarah also trained intensively with the professional companies of River North Dance, Giorodano Dance and Ballet Met.

Her professional performances include Six Flags Theme Parks, The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, where she worked with Louis van Amstel of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”.  Sarah is pleased to announce that she has concluded 2 seasons dancing with Walt Disney in Tokyo, Japan, and is now beginning her new dance contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Mediterranean Cruise!

Sarah is not only grateful for her amazingly supportive family, but also her Dance Place Ltd. family… for without their love and support she would not have had the chance to accomplish her never ending dream. 

Note: Sarah still stops in to train with The Dance Place Ltd between contracts....looking good Ms Sarah Ivory!

KRISTIE FISHER - a lifelong performer, having studied dancing and singing from a young age at The Dance Place Ltd. Fisher was a one-time American Superstars dancer. She went on to dance in EFX at the MGM Grand and toured extensively with shows in Ireland, Puerto Rico, Iceland and Hawaii. Fisher has been doing a Britney Spears tribute on the corporate event circuit for almost two years after a choreographer suggested that she had the same look and body type as Spears. It was another choreographer who put her back in touch with the American Superstars producers, Mark Callas and Donny Moore.

March 11, 2004- Las Vegas- The American Superstars show at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower will add Kristie Fisher as Britney Spears to the line-up of celebrity tributes announced Stratosphere officials. 

Since headlining American Superstars, Kristi Fisher has become famous, and has graced the front cover girl of the popular What's On magazine!

TRACY LYNN RYSDALE-HUGHES - a Dance Place Ltd., Alumna, Tracy started her dance career traveling the United States dance for Toyota and Chevy with the International Auto Show. Following four years of that, Tracy then moved to Las Vegas and was a featured showgirl and choreographer for many well known production shows. Tracy has been a featured dancer in film, television and stage. You can see her in the motion picture “King Pin”, starring Bill Murray and Woody Harrelson. You may also have seen her in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Detroit and New York, where she was a Radio City Rockette for six years.

In addition to having an extensive background in dance, Tracy is a certified Pilates instructor and owned her own Pilates studio in the Detroit area. Tracy has recently developed and trademarked a new and cutting edge Pilates technique she calls “Core Rhythm”. Tracy’s latest workshop she founded was title “Studio to Stage”, where she provided young teens with the tools they need to leave their studios to take a shot at the big stage. She brings this known knowledge with her to dance workshops throughout the country as a master teacher.

Currently, you can see Tracy performing locally at the Motor City Casino as part of a talented cast in the production show entitled “Red, Hot, and Dance”.

JENNIFER SCHLINK - 2001 Dance Place Ltd Alumni, Jennifer trained and performed at the studio from the age of 5 to 18yrs, where she also competed as a member of the Corps De Danse for 8 years.

Jennifer attended Oakland University pursuing a teaching degree and was a member of the Oakland University’s Dance team Images for 3years competing nationally. In 2004
Jennifer auditioned for the Detroit Pistons Dance Team Automotion and was a member of the team for 3 years. During her first year she became the lead costume designer for the team. During her second and third year she was a team captain and was voted Most Dedicated by her teammates.

Jennifer has received her Associates degree in Exercise Science and Technology and is working on finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. In the future Jennifer hopes to pursue ballroom dancing and coach a dance team, and be a first grade teacher.

Jennifer attributes her success to the love and support she has received from her family and the training she has received from her extended family, The Dance Place, they have given her the confidence to achieve the goals she has set for herself, and is very grateful for this.

ELIZABETH SCHLINK - 2007 Dance Place Ltd Alumni, Elizabeth trained and performed at the studio for 13 years, taking Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop along with yearly summer intensive training. Elizabeth also competed as a member of the Corpse De Danse for 6 years. Elizabeth was also a member of the Waterford Kettering Varsity Dance Team for 3 years, competing locally, also a member of Mid American All Star Dance Team. At 16yrs Elizabeth auditioned for the WNBA Detroit Shock Dance Team and is currently a member for the third season. In July, Elizabeth plans to audition for the Detroit Pistons Dance Team Automotion and is very confident that she will perform with the team in the fall of 2008.

Elizabeth is currently attending Oakland Community College while deciding her career path. She is currently in her second contract with the Piston Professional Dance Team Automotion.

Elizabeth’s success would not be possible without the support from her family and the training she has received as a student of The Dance Place Ltd.

HEATHER (CHOJNOWSKI) ROSE - 2003 Dance Place Ltd Alumni and former faculty member of The Dance Place.  Heather started dancing at the age of two.  She competed as a member of Corps de Danse for three years.

Heather received her B.A. from Oakland University in Dance/Performing Arts where she danced with the Oakland Dance Theatre and Oakland Repertory Dance Company.   Heather was the 2007 recipient of the Magee Allesee Distinguished Dancer Award.  

Heather has performed with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble where she has studied and performed in works by Sean Curran, Alexandra Beller, Stephen Koester, Mariah Malec, Gregory Patterson, Christine Naughton Shawl, David Dorfman, Bill DeYoung, Kiesha Lalama-White, Michael Foley as well as Laurie Eisenhower. Heather has also performed with the Patterson Rhythm Pace Dance Company.

Currently, Heather was a company member with MADCO (Modern American Dance Company) out of St. Louis where she has been touring and performing for the last year.

You will soon see Heather dancing in a yet untitled children’s movie which is scheduled to begin shooting in May, 2009 in the Detroit area.

2010: Heather is currently dancing under contract with Disneyland, CA.....Congratulations Heather!

Heather attributes her success to The Dance Place faculty, friends and family.