The Dance Centre is a place where people gather to celebrate the arts, embrace the beauty of personal expression, a safe place to learn discipline, and a place of community and support. We have been located in South Lyon for 32 years. The Dance Centre, Inc has been serving South Lyon sine 1989. Our future will be a balance between old and new, permanence and change, tradition and innovation. Our costumes, music, and moves are all age appropriate- in our recreational classes and in our competitive sectors. Artful, creative choreography. Health, positivity, passion. For the love of dance!
Miss Christine McCullough - Owner/Director/Instructor
Miss Christine studied towards her BFA in Studio Art with a Dance Minor at Michigan State University before transferring to Wayne State University for a BS in Dance Education. Christine has danced with the Cincinnati Ballet Company, studied under the instruction of Vincent Thomas of VTDance Company, and performed and presented at the 2008 National Dance Education Organization conference, receiving a Second Place Merit Award from Michigan State University for Performance Demonstration. Christine has been teaching at the Dance Centre since 2010, with a few year hiatus to live in Colorado. There she taught for the mobile dance company, Center Stage Kidz, teaching dance within daycares, preschools, and public schools, then became a professional ski bum in Aspen, and then returned to her dance home at The Dance Centre. In 2018 her "Two Points" piece was selected by the Michigan Dance Council as part of a statewide search for the finest talent and choreography to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival held at Western Michigan University. She has received numerous choreography awards. She has also taught at IlluminaTe dance studio in Tecumseh as a Guest Artist, and across the country on tour each summer as a Guest Artist with Jayson Michaels Energy Source Dance Association, now Energy Source Dance Experience- a traveling dance company that offers week-long workshops in host studios for four weeks straight. She is a current member of the Michigan Dance Council and the National Dance Education Organization, and has her Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certification from American Red Cross. She now lives in Woodbridge, Detroit with her two cats. Christine truly loves and feels honored to be able to teach the art and to spread the power of dance to her students.
Miss Wendi Stepchuk - Instructor
Miss Wendi received her Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts degree from the University of Akron. Studying dance in Akron, Ohio, she has performed in Repertory Dance Concerts, Choreographer's Workshops and a traveling dance company performing at elementary schools. She has been dancing since the age of 4, starting her early training with Patt Palermo. Wendi performed in the Detroit Nutcracker Ballet, on the stages of the Ford Theater, the Fox Theatre, and at the Detroit Opera House for many years which included solo performances. She has been teaching dance for over 20 years. She is has also been a Guest Artist at Churchill High School in the Creative And Performing Arts Program, where she is an alumni of the dance program. She has been teaching at the Dance Centre for over 20 years, and also teaches as a Guest Artist at other studios. She is a substitute in elementary schools, and enjoys watching her girls take on the passion of dance.
Miss Mary Murphy - Instructor
Mary Murphy earned her BFA in Dance with Special Studies in Ballet, K-12 Teaching Certification in Dance
Education and Psychology from Western Michigan University and her MAT in Dance Education from Marygrove
College. Mary has studied with Jurgen Schneider formerly of the American Ballet Theatre and with Alonzo King of
the Alonzo King Lines Ballet. She has also studied with modern dance choreographers Erick Hawkins and Alwin
Nikolais. She has choreographed over 70 musical theatre productions for grade schools, high schools, community
colleges, community theatres and universities. She has served as the Director of Dance for the University Liggett
Schools in Grosse Pointe, MI and as The Director of Dance for Livonia Public School’s Creative and Performing Arts
Program (CAPA) for 22 years. She has taught and created curriculum for all levels of ballet, jazz, modern dance, tap
and musical theatre and has choreographed and staged numerous concert works. Mary has taught master classes
in dance at Michigan State University, Henry Ford Community College, Michigan Youth Arts Festival and various
private studios. She currently is a Lecture of Dance Education and Field Coordinator for the Dance Department at
Oakland University. She is an instructor at The Dance Centre in South Lyon, MI and choreographer for The
Farmington Barn Players in Farmington, MI. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization, the
Michigan Dance Council and the American Psychological Association. Mary serves as the MDC Dance Division and
Honors Dance Ensemble Coordinator for Michigan Youth Arts Festival. Mary was awarded the 2010 Michigan
Dance Educator of the Year.
Education and Psychology from Western Michigan University and her MAT in Dance Education from Marygrove
College. Mary has studied with Jurgen Schneider formerly of the American Ballet Theatre and with Alonzo King of
the Alonzo King Lines Ballet. She has also studied with modern dance choreographers Erick Hawkins and Alwin
Nikolais. She has choreographed over 70 musical theatre productions for grade schools, high schools, community
colleges, community theatres and universities. She has served as the Director of Dance for the University Liggett
Schools in Grosse Pointe, MI and as The Director of Dance for Livonia Public School’s Creative and Performing Arts
Program (CAPA) for 22 years. She has taught and created curriculum for all levels of ballet, jazz, modern dance, tap
and musical theatre and has choreographed and staged numerous concert works. Mary has taught master classes
in dance at Michigan State University, Henry Ford Community College, Michigan Youth Arts Festival and various
private studios. She currently is a Lecture of Dance Education and Field Coordinator for the Dance Department at
Oakland University. She is an instructor at The Dance Centre in South Lyon, MI and choreographer for The
Farmington Barn Players in Farmington, MI. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization, the
Michigan Dance Council and the American Psychological Association. Mary serves as the MDC Dance Division and
Honors Dance Ensemble Coordinator for Michigan Youth Arts Festival. Mary was awarded the 2010 Michigan
Dance Educator of the Year.
Miss Megan Major - Instructor
Megan Major is a lifelong student of dance. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has been dancing ever since, except for the period when she went to college to study the art of Photography at Grand Valley State University. After college, Megan returned to her dance home, The Dance Centre, to continue her dance education. In addition to dancing and performing at The Dance Centre, Megan has attended various workshops and summer intensives including, Motor City Tap Fest, Kristi Faulkner Dance: Summer Intensive, and Movement Classes with Assistant Professor of Dance at Wayne State University, Dr. Biba Bell. Megan is a regular participant of Dance Meditation Technique and most recently studied and performed with Detroit based company, Art Lab J. Other notable performances include Abigail Levine’s residency at Trinosophes in Detroit for her piece entitled, Lines, Danced and a solo performance at the Detroit gallery space Popp’s Packing with musician Paul Bancell. Megan taught a beginner tap class for adults in 2016 and began teaching virtual improv classes for the Dance Centre in 2020. She hopes to continue to expand her dance education through creative outlets while imparting her knowledge to the next generation.
Miss Hannah Hall - Instructor
Hannah Hall (soon to be Lindman!) has been with the Dance Centre for over 20 years. She began dancing at a young age under the instruction of various Dance Centre teachers. During high school, she became an assistant teacher and the front desk receptionist. After graduating, she attended Calvin University where she choreographer for and danced with the Calvin University Dance Guild. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, she returned to South Lyon as a Spanish and math teacher at a local high school. During this time, she also earned her certification as a Jazzercise instructor. Hannah teaches ballet for the Dance Centre and facilitates alumni dances for annual recitals. She is happy to call the Dance Centre her dance home and anticipates that the best is yet to come for the DC family!
Miss Abbi Hackbardt - Instructor
Abigail Hackbardt has danced at the Dance Centre, Inc ever since her family first moved to South Lyon. She has studied under many of the Dance Centre teachers during this time, including Christine McCullough, Wendi Stepchuk, and Mary Murphy. In 2018, her dance group (choreographed by Christine McCullough) was selected to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival- a statewide search for the best youth talent in the arts. That weekend, Abigail was able to participate in many master classes in dance. In 2019, Abigail and her friend Miranda Stepchuk competed with a completely improvised duet together with The Dance Centre and won first place of the entire competition, out of 121 entries. Abigail is currently studying at the University of Michigan, and had the opportunity to choreograph a few pieces for the group New Movement. She is so excited to be able to share her love of dance with all of the students at The Dance Centre and to help them grow.
Miss Cheryl McCullough - Instructor/Hallway Coordinator
Hi, I’m Cheryl McCullough. I’m recently retired from teaching at Redford Union Oral Program for Hearing Impaired. I taught there as a parent infant consultant, preschool teacher, 1st, 2nd,3rd, 4th, 5th and Jr. High teacher spanning 36 years. I have a BA in Education if the Deaf and a Minor in Music Education from EMU and a MEd from Wayne State in Guidance and Counseling for k-8. I started my dance career at age 7 with ‘Mr. Pierre’ at Grosse Pointe War Memorial....and ended it after stage fright at my first recital. I didn’t complete a stage show until 2 years ago when I danced with the adult tap group at the Dance Centre. My biggest dance reward is being the mom of ‘Miss Christine’. I adore her and love the Dance Centre, our dance home since Christine started dance at 3. I’m here to help and serve the Dance Centre.
Miss Aimee LeMay - Virtual Instructor/Choreographer
Miss Aimee was a student at the Creative and Performing Arts High School in Livonia, where she studied under the instruction of Mary Murphy. Aimee obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance at the University of Akron. After college, she studied and performed at the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive program. Aimee is certified to teach the Cecchetti ballet method and is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America. For the past several years she has taken an interest in Bellydance and has studied and performed this art form throughout Michigan. Aimee has taught dance throughout metro-Detroit for years, and looks forward to watching her current students at the Dance Centre grow into strong, happy dancers.
Miss Miranda Stepchuk - Choreographer
Miranda Stepchuk has been dancing at the Dance Centre her whole life! Literally, since she was born (Miss Wendi is her mom). Miranda is trained in contemporary, hip hop, tap, jazz, pointe, and ballet along with being an ensemble member while at the Dance Centre! She has competed in many dance competitions; one in which Miranda and her friend Abigail Hackbardt won first place overall with a duet. In Miranda’s training at the Dance Centre, Miranda performed in many solo roles in the Nutcrcaker. Miranda’s dance ensemble at the Dance Centre was chosen to perform and participate in the prestigious Michigan Youth Arts Festival! Also, while Miranda was in high school, she was the captain of the South Lyon East Varsity Pom team. As a member of the pom team, Miranda competed on a national level and performed at a variety of different venues! Miranda attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp over a summer while in high school, to expand her dance experience and training. During the summers, Miranda is a dance and acting teacher for the South Lyon Summer Enrichment program. In this program, she choreographs dances, writes scripts, and directs shows! Miranda is currently attending Hope College for a BA in performance dance. At Hope, Miranda is a member of the Strike-time dance company where she performs multiple pieces for a variety of events and performances. In addition, she performs for Hope’s dance program’s annual dance showcase. Miranda loves choreographing for the Dance Centre students. She is so excited to watch the kids grow and blossom as dancers and as humans this year!
Miss Mallory Murphy - Choreographer
Bio coming soon!
Miss Patt Palermo - Founder
Beginning her dance career in Dearborn & Livonia, Michigan, Miss Patt trained, performed, and began teaching at Dick Reppa Dance Studios. She further advanced her education by attending various workshops, seminars and master classes including Paul Taylor, Alvin Ailey and Edward Villella and by dancing with the Livonia Regional Ballet Company and at Interlochen. Patt is specialized in teaching Pre-Dance for 3-5 year olds, also Ballet and Tap Beginner- Advanced. Her teaching career continued at Bunny Sanford’s School of Dance for 17 years until opening the Dance Centre inc. in South Lyon in 1989.
The Dance Centre, with a sprung floor and large rehearsal space, regularly offers classes in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, and Jazz- including Cecchetti and Belly Dance in the past. There is an annual recital in June with age appropriate costumes, music, and choreography. A Nutcracker Tea is performed as a benefit each year. Proceeds have been donated to Active Faith, Mott Children’s Hospital, and local families in need. Our Apprentice Dance Club, Junior Ensemble, and Senior Ensemble can be seen performing at Pumpkinfest, Taste Fest, area nursing homes, and also with Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company’s winter performance.
Patt says “Looking back, there was a day, I stood alone in my new dance studio here in South Lyon and dreamed and wondered. 30 years later I look at you, my staff, my former and current students, and all the wonderful families I have worked with through the years and I am overwhelmed. THANK YOU. It is by your talents, dedication, and good word that I have been able to serve you all these years. Parents, past and present, thank you for entrusting your precious child to us to pass on the art of dance. I am honored”.
The Dance Centre, with a sprung floor and large rehearsal space, regularly offers classes in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, and Jazz- including Cecchetti and Belly Dance in the past. There is an annual recital in June with age appropriate costumes, music, and choreography. A Nutcracker Tea is performed as a benefit each year. Proceeds have been donated to Active Faith, Mott Children’s Hospital, and local families in need. Our Apprentice Dance Club, Junior Ensemble, and Senior Ensemble can be seen performing at Pumpkinfest, Taste Fest, area nursing homes, and also with Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company’s winter performance.
Patt says “Looking back, there was a day, I stood alone in my new dance studio here in South Lyon and dreamed and wondered. 30 years later I look at you, my staff, my former and current students, and all the wonderful families I have worked with through the years and I am overwhelmed. THANK YOU. It is by your talents, dedication, and good word that I have been able to serve you all these years. Parents, past and present, thank you for entrusting your precious child to us to pass on the art of dance. I am honored”.
The Dance Centre Inc. - Michigan Dance Council Members - Offering classes in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary - Serving South Lyon, Michigan
www.thedancecentreinc.com - Like us on Facebook - Contact Us
www.thedancecentreinc.com - Like us on Facebook - Contact Us