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MEET THE TEAM
At St. Pete Dance Center, our team is made up of the most qualified professionals in the St. Petersburg area. With extensive training and advanced credentials in dance, dance medicine, fitness science, and childhood education, our staff is dedicated to providing the highest level of education and support for your dancer’s growth and future. Trust our experienced team to guide your dancer every step of the way.
Katie Fader
Studio Owner & Instructor
Katie began dancing at age three, training in multiple styles and performing in both theater and school productions. With certifications in AFFA group and dance fitness, she built a following teaching movement classes for moms and children before opening her own studio. Blending her passion for dance and education, she created an inclusive space where all dancers can thrive. A member of the Dance Studio Owners Association, National Dance Education Organization, and St. Pete Chamber of Commerce, Katie continues to train with top industry leaders while fostering creativity, confidence, and community through dance.
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Courtney Poppell
Instructor/ Competition Team Assistant Director/ Social Media Manager
Courtney is a dancer, choreographer, and fitness professional with a B.S. in Dance from Missouri State University. She has trained in all styles, worked with top programs like Millennium Dance Complex and LADM, and continues to perform with theme parks, theater companies, and entertainment groups across Florida. As an ACE-certified fitness instructor and Orangetheory coach, she blends her passion for dance, strength, and movement to inspire others.
Maddie Willett
Instructor / Competition Team Director
Maddie is a passionate dance educator and choreographer from St. Petersburg with a BFA in Dance from the University of Florida, along with certifications in K–12 Dance Education and Dance Medicine. She has trained extensively across styles, earning recognition for her performance and choreography, with credits including Film Florida, Hallmark Entertainment, Lifetime, and the House of Blues. As both a performer and educator, Maddie has worked with renowned institutions such as Joffrey Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Broadway Dance Center. She currently teaches at Perkins Elementary Center for the Arts and leads the competition program at Saint Pete Dance Center, where she focuses on technical excellence and artistic growth.
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Lisa Duncan-Thayer
Studio Front Desk Manger
Lisa has been part of Saint Pete Dance Center since its very beginning and plays a vital role as our Front Desk Manager. With a warm, welcoming presence, she is passionate about supporting families and helping dancers grow both inside and outside the studio. Her dedication to creating a positive, organized, and friendly environment makes her an invaluable part of the SPDC team.
Ariel Banfalvy
Instructor
Ariel Banfalvy has been immersed in the dance world since the age of two, training and competing at a high level throughout her childhood. Growing up in the competitive dance circuit, she earned multiple overall titles and scholarships while traveling across the country with leading dance conventions and competitions.
Ariel continued her dance career at the University of Florida, where she proudly performed as a member of the Dazzlers, the university's official dance team, while earning her degree in Health Educatuon and Behavior with a certificate in Dance in Medicine.
Following college, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming a cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, performing throughout the NFL season and representing the team at numerous appearances.
In addition to performing, Ariel is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers. She has taught at dance conventions, national competitions, and local studios, working with dancers of all ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. Ariel strives to create a positive and motivating classroom environment where dancers can build confidence, develop strong technique, and discover their love for movement.
She is excited to share her knowledge, experience, and passion for dance with her students and help them reach their fullest potential.
Sage Carter
Instructor
Sage Carter
Contemporary and Lyrical
Bella Hobbs
Instructor
Isabella Hobbs (Miss Bella) grew up in St. Petersburg. She danced for 16 years competitively, achieving regional and national awards. She has been trained in a wide variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater, and clogging. She is currently attending the University of South Florida and is a dance adjunct at Perkins Elementary Center for the Arts. She enjoys sharing her love for dance with the SPDC family!
Drew Travis Robinson
Instructor
Drew Travis Robinson began training competitively in Largo, Florida, later studying Dance at
the Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA) and the University of Arizona. His collegiate
highlights include choreographing for Chaka Khan, performing at the José Limón International
Dance Festival, and contributing to motion capture research for dance preservation all before
earning his BFA.
Throughout his career, Drew has had the privilege of both performing and choreographing for
numerous companies across Florida, including Azara Ballet, ATLAS Modern Ballet, and The
Sarasota Ballet. A dedicated educator, he currently serves as adjunct faculty at PCCA,
rehearsal director for Broadway on the Bay, and a national judge and educator for Prestige
National Talent as well as co-directing Prestige’s Preps & Prodigies program. Drew is grateful to
balance his time between stage and studio, directing his energy towards performing and helping
the next generation of artists find their own voice.
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Sierra Braun
Instructor
My name is Sierra, and I was born and raised in Northern Virginia before moving to Florida five years ago. I’ve been a lifelong competitive dancer, training in styles such as pom, hip-hop, and jazz, and was a member of the Orlando Magic hype group. Today, I’m passionate about sharing my love for dance by educating the next generation in pom and inspiring adults through dancing.
Jennifer Mehlig
Instructor
Jennifer
Tap
Mallory Banks
Instructor
Mallory
Saturday Preschool, Kinder Combo and Level 1.
Nicole Robinson
Instructor
Nicole
Ballet, Lyrical, Pointe, Adult Ballet, Lepas and Turns.
