Michael Singleton started dancing ballet and taking gymnastics at the age of 5, to improve his coordination after his father enrolled him in T-Ball. The T-Ball didn’t interest Michael much, but dance sure did. Michael transitioned to ballroom dancing at the age of 16 and he started teaching shortly thereafter. Michael started teaching ballroom in Jacksonville in 2006, and in 2007 he was awarded Top Teacher in Jacksonville. Michael continues to win recognition as a top teacher locally and internationally on multiple professional competition dance circuits.

Shelia took ballet classes as a child and then started training horses where she learned much about the balance, lines, control, and patience it takes to be a confident dancer and a competent teacher. She began her journey into the world of ballroom dance as a student, and was hooked right away. She underwent extensive training by the 2014 & 2015 World Smooth Champions Peter & Alexandra Perzhu and learned the techniques required to be able to dance professionally and teach all forms of ballroom dance. Shelia has successfully competed all over the country.

Julie loved dancing from a very young age. She began her training in childhood by taking ballet, tap, and jazz dance lessons.  In her early 20’s she became interested in ballroom dancing. After her first ballroom competition, she knew this was her passion. For fourteen years, Julie competed in the American Rhythm and International Latin divisions of ballroom dancing. She earned various titles during that time which include but are not limited to:

2008 United States Pro/Am Mambo Champion

2010 World Pro/Am American Rhythm Champion

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 World Masters Champion

2009, 2010 & 2013 Best of the Best Competition

Julie’s professional career was VP of Corporate Tax at the PGA TOUR. She currently enjoys competitive tennis and teaching tap, ballroom, and line dancing to adults at various facilities in Jacksonville.

I grew up New York City in a dancing household. My parents were avid salsa dancers as were my sisters and brothers.  My parents hosted dance parties every holiday season.  I was definitely a social dancer growing up. 

I took my first ballroom private dance lesson in 2011 in Pensacola, Florida at Pensacola Ballroom and fell absolutely in love with ballroom dance.  I fell in love with the elaborate dresses, the  characters of each of the dances, and the overall dance community. 

I immediately embarked on the competition track, competing at the Bronze/Silver level as an amateur competitor at many major ballroom competitions across the country such as Ohio Star Ball, Millenium and Emerald Ball just to name a few.  From 2013 to 2017, I competed in both the American and International Divisions, competing in nineteen dances . 

During my training as an amateur student, I studied ballroom dance under the tutelage of  prior ballroom champions at Manhattan Ballroom Dance Center in New York City from 2014-2017.  These dance educators and professionals brought my dance experience to a higher level. 

Due to my desire for further knowledge of ballroom dance, I began the study of the ballroom dance syllabus through DVIDA (Dance Vision International Dancer’s Association) under the instruction and guidance of my mentors, Heather Lenahan and Diane Jarmelow.

I completed my Associate Degree in American Smooth Full Bronze  in April 2023 and will complete the Associate Degree in American Rhythm later  this year.

In 2021, I furthered my dance education by enrolling in Absolute Dance Studio have been under the instruction of former Latin Champion Stanis Datskeno, who has been immensely instrumental in elevating my understanding of the International Rumba in the DVIDA syllabus. I am also fortunate to learn ballroom dance technique from the highly talented and acclaimed instructors Michael Singleton and Shelia Wishard at the North Florida Dance Association.

William Brand has been dancing in various styles for over a decade. He began in Pennsylvania in a non-profit performance group that did multiple fundraisers each year for local charities. Realizing he had a talent for understanding and relaying the steps and techniques, he decided to become a teacher and has been one ever since! Teaching dance has proven to be the perfect marriage of his talents as a performer, instructor, and choreographer. At the age of 17 he moved to Orlando where he really honed his skills as an instructor at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. After moving to Jacksonville in 2012, his drive to constantly improve himself eventually led him to start training to compete professionally in American Rhythm with his professional partner Roseanna George. He enjoys working with his students and helping them accomplish all their dance goals whether it be just being comfortable on a social dance floor, performing a spotlight dance, or getting ready competition.