About StudioDNA Partners

John D. Dawson, NDCA: (CEO, lead choreographer, head instructor) is the performing artist, dance instructor, and operator of StudioDNA Partners Inc. Truly a Renaissance man, John is a poet of movement, color, and expression. Whether dressing his clients in styles and colors that best enhance their beauty, or applying make-up or styling their hair for a show, John has a creative genius to make everyone look and feel their best! All of these combined talents along with grace and beauty of John's dance partners, create the mood and ambiance for all possible artistic expression within StudioDNA.

John, a member of the National Dance Council of America and the Professional Dance Federation has been instructing dance since 1991. American Style dance has been John's expertise in both Bronze and Silver levels. John has taken clients to first place titles in competition at numerous events. His degree in psychology from Loyola College in 1991, enables him to work intimately and respectfully with his clients while sharing his passion for dance! Working with people comes easily to John and he welcomes all his students with patience and encouragement. John worked in the field of Education both in the Baltimore City and Baltimore County School Systems for over 6 years. Through his tireless efforts and patience with special needs children, John developed many styles and techniques for teaching which benefit his clients.

Michelle Horseman, NDCA: also a member of National Dance Council of America, brings contagious enthusiasm, joy, and a tremendous amount of fresh energy to our studio. Michelle is a teacher for special needs children in Baltimore County during the day. Her education and communication skills allow her to share her knowledge of dance with everyone she meets. Michelle also has a Loyola College connection as she is finishing her Masters in Education. Besides private lessons for wedding couples, Michelle also teaches group Ballroom & Latin lessons too. Michelle also has extensive background in ballet, tap, jazz, & modern dance.

Michelle and John have been dancing together since 2005 and her dedication shows not only in the physical sense, but in her soul. She has assisted John at weekly Loyola College dance classes, demonstrations, and private events. Michelle absolutely glows when she is performing or hitting the floor in the competitive arena. She has taken a number of her clients to competitions with numerous 1st place titles. Michelle wants to help share her JOY of dance, whether teaching an elegant and glamorous Foxtrot, or delivering a spicy and HOTT Latin Salsa, or guiding her group classes in an energized Zumba work-out session. Come share in the fun!

Robert Williamson, ISTD: Robert has been teaching and dancing for over 40 years and is a Licentiate of the ISTD in Ballroom Dance. He was the Rising Star Champion in Ballroom in 1971, the New York State Champion in 1979, and a finalist in La Classique (Canada) in 1979. Robert has extensive background in International Style of Dance Ballroom and Latin and Argentine Tango. He is available for private coaching lessons in technique, styling, preparation for competitions, showcasing, and more. Contact John for pricing, scheduling, and availability of times for Robert. john@studiodna.com

Patty Simmons: Patty has been dancing TAP since 1998. As a guest performer at the Timonium Dinner Theater and a Member of Dimensional Dance Media, a dance company at CCBC in Essex, Patty has shared her passion for dance in various venues! She has performed in a number of Showcases and Productions and Studio Exhibitions around the Baltimore area and we are now proud to have her share her talents with us at StudioDNA. Patty has taken numerous 1st place titles since starting her competition circuit in 2010. She teaches Broadway Tap or Lyrical Tap at our Canton location and/or Pikesville location. Patty is also available to assist Wedding couples with their 1st dance. Please check the Calendar of Events for days and times. She will offer private lessons upon request.

Liza Massouda: has been dancing with StudioDNA since 2003. Having danced numerous Showcases and adding the 2008 Yuletide Dance Competition to her list of dance accomplishments, Liza brings her excitement for learning to each of her clients. She has a background in education and counseling which allows her clients to feel more at ease in their dance experience. Liza's main focus is to assist Wedding couples with their 1st dance. She has also taught a high school group of girls in a Latin Fusion Formation Team under the tutelage of John and assists at numerous group functions that StudioDNA holds.

Elizabeth Jones: Elizabeth has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism and meditation. With a smile and a warm friendly smile, Elizabeth welcomes everyone to come join and be a part of the wellness community at StudioDNA. Elizabeth currently leads the group at StudioDNA in Canton. Get updated monthly info about Elizabeth's group here Calendar of Events or visit www.meditationmd.org

Jesus & Nicole Obregon: Jesus was introduced to SALSA dancing about 8 years ago and took his very first salsa class in a Baltimore venue. Nicole and Jesus met dancing salsa in 2006 and they started this dancing journey with lots of energy and passion. Nicole and Jesus started to take salsa classes, workshops, private lessons and training from professional dancers from different states for about 2 years. In addition, Jesus and Nicole started attending Salsa Congresses, festivals and dance socials in the area and out of state. Jesus & Nicole currently hold Socials and group classes at StudioDNA in Canton. Get monthly info about Salsa here Calendar of Events or visit www.marylandsalsajam

Roger Peterson & Claire Braswell: Roger Peterson started dancing at the age of nine and danced professionally with the New York City and Pennsylvania Ballet Companies. His passion for Argentine Tango began in 1980s when he first attended a performance of Tango Argentina in New York City. Claire Braswell began her dance training at the age of ten in Greenville, SC and performed with the Greenville Civic Ballet and Bristol Concert Ballet. In 2005, Roger and Claire started studying Argentine Tango with the gifted performer and teacher Pablo Fontana. Since then, they have traveled to Buenos Aries and participated in annual tango festivals in Washington and Baltimore taking master classes with some of the greatest names in tango such as Sebastian Arce and Mariana Montes, Mariano "Chicho" Fromboli, Norberto "El Pulpo" Esbrez and the De Fazio brothers Enrique and Guillermo to name only a few. For two years, Roger was the resident DJ for Fontana's Baltimore Milongas. Get monthly info about Argentine Tango classes here Calendar of Events

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Robin Harvey:   Middle Eastern Dance (Raks Sharqi) or Bellydance Robin will be teaching weekly group lessons and she will be available for private lessons too. Robin has taken the name "Kamala Shams", which means Perfect Sun! She teaches workshops focusing on the history, music, technique and artistic presentation. Her workshops will focus on the fundamental and basic movements of bellydance as well as an understanding of how the rhythms/melodies in the music drive the dance. A basic overview of styles of dance will also be provided.
     Historically, most of the dances associated with Raks Sharqi/Middle Eastern Dance more commonly known as bellydance were performed with the sexes separated; men with men and women with women. This practice ensured that a "good" woman would not be seen dancing by anyone but her husband, her close family, or her female friends. Sometimes a professional dancer would go to a women's gathering with several musicians and get the women up and dancing.
     Today, Bellydance is thought of as predominately a woman's dance which celebrates the sensuality and power of being a woman and promotes fellowship among women.   Belly dance is suitable for all ages and body types, and can be as physical as the dancer chooses. The art form tones the arms, strengthens and tightens the abs and obliques, and improves flexibility. Bellydancing provides a good cardio-vascular workout and builds leg strength. Bellydance emphasizes muscular "isolations", teaching the ability to move various muscles or muscle groups independently. Visit our Calendar of Events link to learn more about her classes.

Steffany Haaz: For the past 7 years, Dr. Steffany Haaz has been developing and evaluating a YOGA program designed specifically for people with arthritis. This program has been associated with improved physical fitness, psychological health, diseased symptoms and quality of life in clinical research trials. Steffany is excited to finally offer this program to the community. Please join Steffany at StudioDNA in Canton Calendar of Events. Get more information here at Steffany's web site: http://www.drhaaz.com/Yoga-for-Arthritis.html

**John and Tatjana Frost met in November of 2007 and trained very hard to Professionally compete at the Yuletide Ball in December of 2007. The experience was a wonderful one as this was John and Tatjana's first attempt ever dancing Professionally in a competition. They took 2nd place in the American Smooth Division.

**John trained and worked with Melissa White since they met in 1997 at one of John's Loyola College dance classes. They danced together as a team from 2002 until 2007. Together they performed for The Baltimore National Aquarium's "2002 Splash" fundraiser event, The Washington National Opera's Opera Ball in 2004 & 2005, and numerous private affairs.

**John trained and worked with his second dance partner Kim Valentini. They danced together for 5 1/2 years, performed in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel, Carnival Cruise Lines in the Bahamas, and various magazines and affairs around the DC/Maryland area.

**John and his first dance partner, Kathleen Ryan, danced together for 3 1/2 years at the start of his professional career in 1991 at local events, weddings, and private affairs. She inspired him to work hard and pursue his dreams and make dance fun for all!

StudioDNA Dance N' Art - It's In Your Genes!