Products

Faculty

Winnette McGovern - Artistic Director

Mrs. McGovern is a Master Instructor certified by Dance Masters of America in 1995, and currently a member of the The Dance Teachers Association of Virginia, Chapter 45. Early in her training she studied under full scholarship at the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Center in Chicago, Illinois studying Modern, Ballet & Jazz. She also performed as a soloist for off-Broadway productions of "Hurray for Hollywood" and commercial industrials for the Job Corps of America.

In 2002, her choreography for "Slippin' Into Darkness" earned her a position as a finalist in the Jazz Dance World Congress Choreography Event, which recognizes outstanding achievement in choreography throughout the world. The same year she formed "Jazzfuzion," a pre-professional performance company specializing in Contemporary and Jazz. In March 2004, Wyndee and JazzFuzion made their broadway debut in "Nothin' Like a Dame" at the St. James Theatre in New York City.

In the Fall of 2009, Wyndee was invited to implement a new Contemporary program at the noted Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Wyndee also serves as the chief advisor to the Winning STEP College Preparation Program, continuing to research and help advance young dancers through the college and career process.

Under her direction, Spotlight Studio has become a competitive force in the dance community. Spotlight's dancers are consistently recognized for finely honed technique and diversity of training, winning numerous awards for both performance and choreography.

Troy Brown - Ballet

Mr. Troy D. Brown has been dancing professionally for over twenty years. In 2008, Mr. Brown was recognized as a Teacher of Excellence at American Ballet Competition. He has performed in many productions --- including The Nutcracker, Firebird, Midsummer Night's Dream, Aida, and Carmen Jones --- with Chicago City Ballet, Baltimore Opera, Pacific North-west Ballet, and Washington Opera.

Mr. Brown attended the School of American Ballet in New York City under full scholarship, and is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He has studied with renowned Sandra Fortune, Melissa Hayden, Sylvester Campell, Doris Jones, and Maria Tallchief. He teaches, choreographs, and performs throughout the Baltimore/DC area and NYC. His students have won local, regional, and national competitions and gone on to attend School of American Ballet, Kirov Academy of Washington DC, Maryland Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, and the American Ballet Theater School.

Michelle Smith - Contemporary

Michelle is a dancer/choreographer from Severn, MD. In 2005, she performed as a Radio City Rockette in New York City. As a dancer Michelle won numerous regional and national awards through competitions, as well as receiving a Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award for the Arts. Michelle performed in "Dreams" and "Pearl" directed by Debbie Allen at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In the Summer of 2004, Michelle assisted Joe Lanteri at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Costa Rica. For 3 years she traveled the country with New York City Dance Alliance assisting choreographers such as Mia Michaels.

Michelle's choreography, performed by the Oasis Dance Ensemble, won the Silver Leo's Award at the 2009 Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago, as well as being named a finalist for the 2010 Capezio ACE Awards in New York City. Michelle is currently choreographing for numerous competitive companies throughout Maryland and Virginia.

Robbie Nicholson - Lyrical/Musical Theater

A native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Robbie Nicholson is a veteran of the Broadway stage having spent almost two years in the "The Music Man". During that time, he appeared on "The Tony Awards," "The Today Show," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," and the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." Robbie won the first and only title of "American Dance Idol." He filmed a commercial for K-Mart and appeared on the TV show "Star Search."

His choreography has been highly awarded at numerous regional and national competitions. Robbie was a featured dancer in the final cast of "Encore!" at the Tokyo Disney Resort in Tokyo, Japan. Robbie is a founding member, and currently dance captain, of Bad Boys of Dance. In 2008, he originated a principal role in "Rock the Ballet" and has since performed in over 200 performances with the company around the world.

Jennifer Shead - Lyrical/Ballet

Jenn has taught lyrical, ballet, and conditioning at Spotlight for 8 years. She grew up in Columbia, MD where she received her training at Spotlight Studio of Dance under Wyndee McGovern. In 2005 she was awarded the national title of Miss Onstage New York under the direction of Joe Lanteri. She then went on to graduate from The University of Arizona, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Communication and Dance. Since graduating in 2009, Jenn continues to teach and choreograph at Spotlight, as well as teaching creative movement at nursery schools in the area.

Marissa Montanez - Jazz/Acro

Marissa grew up in Columbia, MD training under the tutelage of Mrs. Wyndee McGovern since the age of 10. Marissa was an original member of "JazzFuzion," performing at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago, Illinois in 2002. Marissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from Towson University where she was both a member, and captain, of the award winning Towson University Dance Team. Marissa won three national titles during her time with the Towson Dance Team, leading her team as captain to the NDA Grand National Title in 2007.

After graduating from college Marissa travelled the country assisting major choreographers like Sky Hoffman, and teaching college preparation seminars to young dancers with WILD Dance Intensive. In 2011 Marissa was featured in a national television commercial for Google and Lady Gaga.

Arminda (Mindy) Snyder - Jazz/Musical Theatre

As a competitive dancer for 16 years Arminda won extensive titles, high scores and scholarships throughout the US. Mindy started her dance career at the early age of 3. After dancing with other studios, she later found her "home" and "family" at Spotlight Studio of Dance. While attending South River High School in her Senior year she was selected as Maryland's All-State Scholarship winner, as well as becoming part of Spotlight's staff as a teacher and choreographer.

Being able to bring her technique and stage experience as a dancer to her students, her peices have won numerous awards for choreography earning her Choreography and Young Choreographer of the Year awards. Arminda is also a member of OASIS Dance Ensemble, and is a silver medalist at the 2009 Jazz Dance World Congress. Most recently, she performed on Broadway as a member of JazzFuzion.

Nilda Gumbs - Tap

A student of jazz and tap greats Judy Bessing, Bob Heath, and Bob Rizzo from the famed Broadway Dance Center - Nilda was a recipient of a jazz scholarship to the Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, and the Lenny Williams scholarship for modern dance at Steps on Broadway. She is a Master Jazz instructor certified by Dance Masters of America in 1995. Nilda was named Miss Penn State in 1989.

Renee Lopez - Pre-School Combo/Jazz/Tap/Zumba

Renee has been teaching children in the pre-school/beginner level of dance for the past 25 years. She has been a member of Dance Master's of America since 1995 and is a certified Master Jazz and Tap Instructor. She is also a certified examiner/tester for Dance Master's of America's new members. Renee is the 1983 Miss Dance Master's of America Chapter 17.

Robin Bowman - Ballet

Ms. Bowman has been the Owner and Artistic Director of the Hanover School of Music & Dance and the Nebula Performing Company for the past 13 years. She received her training in Central Connecticut in classical ballet and modern (Graham Technique). She performed with the Central Connecticut State University Dance Company and at Allenberry Theatre. She is a talented teacher and choreographer and has directed Duke Ellington productions of the Nutcracker, Nunsense, and the Ms. Hanover Pageant. Robin has received numerous Teacher Achievement and Choreography awards at regional competitions and conventions.

Deidra Diehl - Pre-School Combo/Tap/Jazz

Ms. Deidra has been a member of Spotlight Studio of Dance since she began dancing at 6 years old. She competed with Spotlight throughout high school and was a proud member of the Glen Burnie High School Dance Company. She is a member of "JazzFuzion" and competed in the Jazz Dance World Congress in the summer of 2002. Ms. Deidra works closely with the studio Director in the class curriculum for all pre-school and beginning levels of dance education.