Tammy Manville-Booth (Owner / Director) is thrilled and honored to be owner/director of Tucson Dance Academy. The strides and accomplishments that the young dancers have made in the past couple of years are phenomenal and exciting for Tammy, the studio staff, parents and the families of Tucson Dance Academy. Tammy Booth brings years of training, performing, and success at various levels of dance and gymnastics to her beloved home of Tucson. She truly enjoys the students and loves watching them progress each day, month and year as they train and perform.
Tammy has been dancing and teaching for over 30 years. She was ranked the Number 1 “Elite Gymnast” in the United States in 1975, and due to injury was alternate for the 1976 Olympic Team. Tammy danced in such movies as “Outrageous Fortune”, where she doubled for actress Shelly Long, and executed the famous leap over the canyons at the movie’s end. She also danced (and featured) in “Teen Wolf Too”, “Electric Boogaloo-Breakin II”, and “The Ratings Game” with Danny Devito, in which Joe Tremaine choreographed. Tammy was a member of the famed “Rockettes”, was a featured dancer of the Italian Television Show “Fantastico VI”, in Rome, Italy. She has lived and performed throughout the world, dancing in professional companies, videos, TV, and concert work with Jackie Sleight, Doug Caldwell, Suzi Taylor, and Billy Goodson. She also was a featured dancer and gymnast in South Africa with Bart Connor in “Gymnastics Goes to Hollywood”.
As Jazz director, Tammy has trained dancers at Tempe Dance Academy in Tempe, Arizona for over 20 years and founded the now well-known Christian Dance Academy. She has co-directed the Spirit of Christmas show since 1989, doing so with acclaimed Arizona dance teacher legend, Wanda Manville. Countless students trained by Tammy Booth have become professional dancers; dancing on Broadway in NYC, cruise Ships, films, commercial videos, professional dance companies (including River North, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Magnificat, and Cirque du Soleil), and the famed Rockettes.
Wanda Manville (Owner/Director of Tempe Dance Academy) Wanda Manville began teaching at the age of 13 and has trained in all areas of dance and gymnastics. She majored in Dance at ASU and became the mascot for the ASU Football team. She has added Ballroom Dancing to her list of achievements. Studying with world class teachers throughout the country she has received numerous overall first place awards for all styles of Ballroom.
Wanda is the owner and director of the Tempe Dance Academy which was named one of the top 50 studios in the United States and Canada. Her students can be seen dancing on Broadway, cruise ships, movies, videos, and many are with professional dance companies throughout the world.
Wanda is also the director of the Christian Dance Company who puts on the annual “Spirit of Christmas” show and just
completed its 21st year in 2008. She is the director and choreographer of the International Dance Alliance which combines some of Arizona’s elite dancers and goes on tour through out numerous countries in Europe performing a show to spread the culture and art of dance. IDA just finished their 9th tour through Europe this past summer 2008.
Wanda also held the rank of “Elite Judge” for the USA Gymnastics Association for over 20 years. She is certified to teach in all areas of dance. She is also a certified member of Dance Masters of America and plays a major role in the local Arizona chapter #36. Her students have held many state and national titles through DMA and NYCDA.
Haley Carolin is both a gifted dancer and teacher, and a third generation of both disciplines. She began dancing at the age of 3. Haley received her training at Tempe Dance Academy where she studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and acro. At Tempe Dance, Haley studied ballet under principal dancers from both Ballet Arizona and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet.
At the age of 9, Haley began competing and traveling with the nationally recognized Tempe Dance Company. She was also a part of the Christian Dance Company and performed in the “Spirit of Christmas” show for nearly two decades. Haley has traveled throughout Europe on three tours with the International Dance Alliance dancing in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
Haley graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Elementary Education. She is an award winning teacher who taught 2nd and 3rd grade for over 8 years. She is also a certified member of the Dance Masters of America.
Carly Booth Lytvyn received her formal training at Tempe Dance Academy where she studied ballet, jazz, and acrobatics beginning at the age of 3. She toured nationally and internationally with the TDA Pre-Professional company. She received a college scholarship from NYCDA and to further her education, she attended Exploring Ballet with acclaimed dance teacher Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. At the age of 16, Carly began studying ballroom where she has excelled in International Latin and American Smooth styles. She was the National and World title holder for both American Smooth and International styles in the Professional-Amateur division in 2011 and 2012. Carly is currently dancing professionally International Latin, and is a USA National Rising Star Finalist at the United States Dancesport Championship. Tucson Dance Academy is Carly’s teaching home, where she instructs all ages of dancers, specializing in ballroom, jazz and lyrical.
Vasily Lunde: Tucson Dance Academy welcomes Vasily Lunde to it’s teaching staff! Mr. Lunde is from Russia and is currently a freelance dancer/teacher in the United States. For the past couple of seasons he was a Principle Dancer with Ballet Tucson and Columbia City Ballet in Columbia, South Carolina. While he was there Vasily had the wonderful opportunity to dance principal and soloist roles, and work with ballet mistresses Patricia Miller of the Joffrey Ballet and Stacey Calvert of The New York City Ballet. He has also danced with Yacobson Ballet Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Vasily is originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia and received his training at the Kazan Choreographic Academy and Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg. Upon graduating Mr. Lunde was hired by the Yacobson Ballet Theatre, where he danced as a Soloist and Principle and toured Russia, Western Europe, Asia, United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan.
Eduardo Armendizo received his formal dance and fitness training at City College of San Francisco and later pursued dance at the legendary San Francisco School of Ballet. Much of Eduardo’s influence in dance comes from Ed Mock, a brilliant disciple of Jack Cole, continuing dance training in Los Angeles with the iconic teachers of all time, Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, and Jaime Rogers. He has performed at the glamorous resorts of South Africa, throughout the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Central America, national tours, as well as, landing lead roles in Reno, for Don Arden’s largest groundbreaking stage Spectacle “Hello Hollywood Hello”. He has worked with many respected and talented stars in the entertainment industry such as John Travolta, Suzanne Sommers, Charo, David Copperfield, The Fercos, The Pendragons, McGuire Sisters, Crystal Gayle and Carol Channing are just a few highlights in Eduardo’s life in show business. His choreographic talents include corporate clients, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines, and Broadway shows in regional theatres. Eduardo’s credits include Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Will Rogers Follies, Grease, Nunsense, and Smile… nominated for Regional Theatre Shellie Award, for best choreography in a musical.
Debra Byler: Debra is one of Tucson’s prized teachers for young aspiring dancers. Known for her ability to instruct and train children in the art of dance in a joyful, artistic and professional way, families have flocked to Ms. Debra’s classes for many years. A Mom of three beautiful daughters, Debra’s innate ability to bring out the best in young people is key to TDA’s focus on training and technique. She has taught for over 20 years and her extensive background includes high level competitive gymnastics, Modern Dance Touring Company, a dance studies at BYU (including Elementary Education, Personal Training and University level dance classes), and choreography for Junior Miss Pageants. Debra comments on her teaching position at TDA: “The difference being at Tucson Dance Academy is our commitment to teaching proper technique and dance terminology at a young age, and our success at having the students learning, without even realizing that they are learning – and having fun in the process. It is hard work, but an effort that is rewarded when we see the kids succeed by reaching their potential, whatever that might be.”
Justine Wasilewski trained at Tucson Dance Academy from its beginning until graduating high school. Justine has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Acro, Improvisation, Ballroom, Tap, and Hip-Hop. She spent summers training at Juilliard, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Perry Mansfield. She loved getting to travel around the country competing with her team. Justine was the national 3rd runner-up teen outstanding dancer in 2013 and the national 5th runner-up senior outstanding dancer in 2017 at NYCDA. Being awarded college scholarships from the University of Arizona and the NYCDA Foundation enabled her to continue her pre-professional dance training at the University of Arizona School of Dance. While at UA, Justine performed works by Paul Taylor, Jessica Lang, Christopher Wheeldon, Jerome Robbins, Larry Keigwin, and George Balanchine. One of her self-choreographed pieces was chosen to perform in the Student Spotlight show at UA. In May 2021, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. After graduating college, Justine became a company dancer with Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle under the direction of Donald Byrd for the 2021/2022 dance season. In the summer of 2022, she became a company artist with Monica Hogan Danceworks in Atlanta and a guest artist with Columbus State University. Besides performing, Justine loves teaching and choreographing and is thrilled to be back home at Tucson Dance Academy.
Sky Byrd is originally from North Carolina where she began dancing at Betsy’s school of dance. At 14 she decided to devote her attention to ballet full-time and began training under the direction of Heather Maloy at the Academy at Terpsicorps. From there, Sky moved to Carlisle, PA to train at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet on scholarship for 3 years under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary and Darla Hoover. In 2020, Sky moved to Seattle, WA to be a part of the Professional Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet on full scholarship under the direction of Peter Boal for 2 years. During her time at PNB, Sky was given the opportunity of performing with the main company as a part of the Marzipan, Snow and Flowers corps in George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” and a part of the Swan Corp in Kent Stowells “Swan Lake”. During the 20-21 season Sky performed pieces by former soloist Joshua Grant, and current Principal Dylan Wald, as well as the Corp de ballet of Geroge Balanchine’s “Divertimento No.15” for the annual school performance. In the 21-22 season she performed in pieces by Principal Dancer James Kirby Rogers and Corp de Ballet member Lily Wills, as well as “Shahar” by Eva Stone for the annual school performance. Sky joined Ballet Tucson in 2022 as a Senior Apprentice and was promoted to the Corp De Ballet the following season. Sky has performed works including “Allegro Brillante” “Serenade” and “Divertimento no.15” by George Balanchine, “Felicity Found” by Margaret Mullen, “Klein Perspectives” by Andrea Schermoly and works by Cheiko Imada including “Raymonda Variations” and “Himiko”. Sky has attended summer courses at Charlotte Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Ballet Academy East, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Arts Umbrella.
Beth Floress: Beth discovered the joy of dance in 1986 when she took her first class. Studying ballet, tap, jazz, and modern with such dance greats as Rochelle Zide-Booth (former ballet mistress – Joffrey Ballet), Norman Walker (world- renowned choreographer), John Turjoman (principal – American Ballet Theatre), Richard France, Fred Kelly, and Frank Trent, she furthered her dance training under scholarship at the University of Arizona and Ballet Magnificat.
Originally dancing competitively, Beth later turned to performing with companies including Dance Southwest, Ballet Arizona, and Arizona Opera Company. Teaching for several local studios since 1999, she has also worked as a guest artist with the Tucson Girls Chorus, Faith Community Academy, and Calvary Chapel Christian School, and is currently the choreographer for The Tucson Prunes.
Melanie Jarvis: Tucson Dance Academy is very excited to welcome Melanie Jarvis to our teaching staff! Melanie grew up dancing in Southern California and later moved to Tucson to study at the University of Arizona. She has been a much sought-after dance instructor and competition choreographer for over ten years. Melanie enjoyed being an instructor for the United Spirit Association and has been the head Pom coach at Ironwood Ridge for many years. She has taught master classes in California and Osaka, Japan. Melanie is “motivated by hard-working and humble students” and is very excited to share her love of dance at Tucson Dance Academy. TDA welcomes Melanie Jarvis to our dance family!
Tanya Fisher – Dance has allowed Tanya to travel the world performing in Spain, Japan, Peru, Holland, Washington DC, and New York City. As a dancer with the University of Arizona Dance Ensemble, she performed at the Kennedy Center during the Jazz Dance World Congress and in Amsterdam, Holland at the International Theatre School Festival. While at the U of A, Tanya earned her BFA in Education with a dance emphasis graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1998. She has returned to the U of A School of Dance as both a guest teacher and panelist on several occasions. Tanya also studied dance at the Giordano Dance Center in Chicago on scholarship as well as Tempe Dance Academy. She has choreographed for Miss Arizona Pageants through the Miss America Organization. In 2002 Tanya founded Gotta Dance! Dance Academy where she was the Artistic Director for more than six years and her students and choreography won several national awards.Tanya enjoys sailing, kayaking, and the outdoors with her family.
Emma Matthies is from Portland, Oregon where she grew up training and competing in various styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. She has since developed her tap dance training with Karida Griffith, Maud Arnold, Sarah Reich, Derick Grant, Gregg Russel, Ryan Lohoff, Angela Carter, and many other astounding professionals. During her early high school years, Emma had the opportunity to begin her teaching career, and has recently began to pursue and further explore choreographing for competitions and professional companies. Currently, Emma is working on her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Arts, Media, and Entertainment at the University of Arizona. While going to school, she has had the opportunity to perform in shows for Tap 24.7 and DXX Tap, as well as be an apprentice for Tap Into the Network. Overall, Emma believes that confidence is key to a dancers success in the classroom; her goal is to help her students fine-tune their technique while allowing them to discover their individuality.
Abbey Klingler was born and raised in Tucson, AZ, where she has been dancing since the age of 7. She began training with Gotta Dance under direction of Tanya Fisher before Tammy Booth turned it into Tucson Dance Academy. Abbey has studied ballet, jazz, tap, acro, ballroom, and lyrical. She attended intensives such as Alonzo King LINES ballet in San Francisco and Modas Dance in Albuquerque both on scholarship. She also competed all over the country from California to Nevada to New York and many others.
Most recently, Abbey graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Point Park University. There she performed in works by Kiesha Lalama, Kiki Lucas, Adam Hougland, Floyd McClean and others. In the summer of 2021, she had the professional opportunity to work with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s Julia Erickson in their outside performance Open Air.Abbey is extremely excited to get back to teaching dance here at Tucson Dance Academy and fitness with her barre certification from FITtucson!
Ananya Adhvaryu began her dance training at the age of 4 at Dance Unlimited in Boise, Idaho. Trained professionally in jazz, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, modern/contemporary and Indian classical dancing. Ananya brings a wealth of dance skill to her students in Idaho, Tucson and across the nation. Ananya’s experience spans studio, school teams and professional exposure to create a well-rounded background that lends to a distinct style to her work. Ananya is currently studying Physiology at the University of Arizona and is a Pro Company member at Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention. She also took part as an ACE assistant at Adrenaline/Revive dance conventions this past season. Ananya has worked with professional choreographers such as Kevin Maher, Chelsea Thedinga, Adrian Lee, Alan Salazar, Karen Chuang and many others. She enjoys being able to travel as an assistant to these prestigious choreographers. Ananya specializes in detailed oriented technique, and intricacies of contemporary movement. She plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue her professional career in dance after she finishes her undergraduate program, in hopes to share her talent with others. When she is not creating new moves or sharing her passion for dance, she loves hanging with family and friends and being in the outdoors!
Olivia Zeiml is a dancer/choreographer from Naperville Illinois who is currently continuing her training at the University of Arizona. She is a dancer in the commercial industry who you may recognize from the most recent Season of So You Think You Can Dance, a past dancer for the company Royal Flux, assistant with NYCDA and numerous choreographers, and more. She is excited to continue to grow as both a dancer and choreographer and see what her future has to hold!
Delaney Hudson began dancing at the age of 3. She received her training at Tempe Dance Academy in Tempe, AZ where she studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, hip hop, and acro. Delaney was involved in the competitive dance world for nearly 10 years. She earned numerous regional titles and was a national winner. She also traveled throughout Europe on several tours with the International Dance Alliance dancing in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the Netherlands! Delaney’s favorite styles of dance are ballet and contemporary, and she is passionate about choreographing and teaching young people how to dance!
Aimee Paredes is from Chandler, Arizona where she trained at Tempe Dance Academy and grew up dancing competitive. She has received training in various styles and is currently pursuing her BFA in dance at the University of Arizona, while also traveling to LA for additional training. Aimee loves taking classes and cherishes the opportunity to be a lifelong learner. She also finds great passion in teaching. She is thrilled to join the faculty at TDA and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and love for dance with the students.
Gabby Otis has been dancing since she was three years old. She received her core training in all genres from Tempe Dance Academy and also received supplemental training in hip hop and contemporary from Elektro Dance Academy. Gabby danced competitively for ten years, which was one of the things she enjoyed the most. Gabby toured with the International Dance Alliance, which provided her with the opportunity to dance in many European countries. Gabby has been teaching dance for four years and has choreographed solos and group numbers for numerous dancers.
Avery Puno is from Indianapolis, Indiana where she began her training at Expressenz Dance Center. She has been dancing for 18 years training in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet/pointe, modern, hip hop, ballroom, and musical theatre. She has won many regional titles including 2nd place at YAGP and a national title at Starpower. Avery has also auditioned for NBC’s America’s Got Talent and World of Dance. She is currently on track to receive her BFA at the University of Arizona School of Dance with a minor in theatre, film & television. She has been teaching and choreographing for over 4 years now and her students have won regional and national titles with her choreography! Avery loves to spread joy and positivity and strives to create a safe and fun environment in the classroom where students can be themselves!