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 38 years- South Lyon's oldest studio- since 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
Creative, Supportive, Funny
Owner/Director/Dance Educator
Miss Christine is Michigan's Dance Educator of the Year in the Private Sector. Named by The Michigan Dance Council in May 2023. Miss Christine started her dance journey in 1992 as a Pre-Ballet student at The Dance Centre when it was located on the other side of Pontiac Trail. The Dance Centre was her dance home for the next 15 years as a student, and eventually a class assistant. Her very first job was working behind the front desk at The Dance Centre. After high school, she studied towards her BFA in Studio Art with a Dance Minor at Michigan State University before continuing at 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 Denver mobile dance company, Center Stage Kidz, teaching dance within daycares, preschools, and public schools, 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. She regularly attends Dance Teacher Conferences to expand her perspective and knowledge of dance education and studio ownership. Christine visits Centennial Middle School twice a year since 2022 to choreograph dances for their choir concerts. She choreographed for South Lyon High School's choir in 2026. 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
Patient, Thoughtful, Devoted
Assistant Director/Dance Educator
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. In 2025 we celebrated Miss Wendi's 30th year teaching with us at The Dance Centre. She 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
Compassionate, Insightful, Encouraging
Dance Educator
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 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 CHERYL MCCULLOUGH
Vibrant, Nurturing, Engaging
Pre-Dance Educator
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 ALENA JOHNSON
Exuberant, Charismatic, Fun
Dance Educator
Miss Alena danced at The Dance Centre starting at the age of three. From there she studied under Miss Patt Palermo, Miss Wendi Stepchuk, Miss Mary Murphy, and Miss Aimee LeMay. After nine years at The Dance Centre, she moved to Milford and started dancing at Karen's School of Dance. She was there until her senior year of high school. In her freshman year of high school she began working within a program called the Assistant Teacher Training Program and was lucky enough to teach alongside talented teachers and choreographers. She was part of this program until her senior year. She also worked at the front desk and received the amazing opportunity to meet the community of dancers and their parents. She attended the University of Michigan and now works as a teacher in Walled Lake. She cannot wait to share her love of dance with the young dancers here at The Dance Centre.
MISS JESS JOSE
Reliable, Clever, Candid
Studio Operations Coordinator/Head Stage Mom
Bio coming soon!
MISS CAITLIN MURPHY
Confident, Positive, Bright
Dance Educator/Social Media Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
MISS MALLORY LUTTMAN
Sincere, Loving, Kind
Dance Educator
Bio coming soon!
MISS GABRIELLE JOSE
Gentle, Witty, Trustworthy
Dance Educator
Bio coming soon!
TEACHER ALEX HACKBARDT
Enthusiastic, Generous, Dynamic
Dance Educator
Alex Hackbardt has been dancing at The Dance Centre since their family first moved to South Lyon in 2008. "I have been trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, and competitive dance styles for the past fourteen years by all the wonderful teachers of The Dance Centre who have all been such a great inspiration to me." Alex has been working under the wing of Miss Christine as a dance assistant for the past few years, beginning to learns the ins and outs of the dance world. They look forward to continuing to learn the behind the scenes work of dance in the coming years as they take on new challenges and competitions. Along with being at The Dance Centre, Alex has taken classes at festivals to study ethnic styles of dance, has worked at the Renaissance Festival since 2018 learning folk dances, and recently became the co-choreographer of South Lyon East High School's Theatre program. Alex plans on getting their Associates in ASL and becoming an interpreter, along with getting a degree in performance/instruction of dance. They want to thank their sister Miss Abbi Hackbardt for always pushing them to be their best, for being there when they needed her most, and for being the inspiration they need. Alex loves being by their sister's sides (both Miss Abbi and their younger sister Annabelle) in class and in teaching, and wouldn't be here without them. Alex works hard for all that they have and couldn't imagine going anywhere else. Alex strives to create an inclusive and uplifting dance community for everyone both in the dance studio and out.
MISS MEGAN MAJOR
Authentic, Perceptive, Playful
Dance Educator
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 PATT PALERMO
Wise, Intuitive, Inspiring
Founder, Owner 1989-2020
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. Miss Patt still works closely with Miss Christine.
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”.
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”.
Michigan Youth Arts Festival (MYAF), founded in 1963, is a comprehensive arts spectacular, culminating a nine-month search for the finest artistic talent in Michigan high schools. More than 250,000 students across the state are involved in the adjudication process that results in nearly 1,000 being invited to participate in the annual three-day event, held each year in May. Each February, a panel of three adjudicators select works in a variety of genres to perform at that season's MYAF. The statewide dance adjudication process attempts to discover outstanding high school dance and choreography students, further challenging and stimulating those dancers selected to participate in the workshops, classes, and performances at the Festival. We are thrilled to announce that we were selected this year to participate in MYAF and have Miss Christine's "Two Points" piece performed in the showcase by our Senior Ensemble dancers. Our teachers are so proud of our dancers and their hard work. More recently, Miss Christine's 2020 piece "Haunted" also was adjudicated and featured in the MI Youth Virtual Arts Festival.
The Dance Centre - Serving South Lyon, Michigan since 1989 - Michigan Dance Council Members - Ages 2-Adult - Music, Costume & Moves Age Appropriate - Artful, Creative Choreography
(248) 880-8357 - (248) 486-0410 - thedancecentreinc.com - Like us on Facebook - Contact Us
(248) 880-8357 - (248) 486-0410 - thedancecentreinc.com - Like us on Facebook - Contact Us