“A dance teacher helps their students find the song in their heart, the beat in their feet and a passion for life.” – Author Unknown

Angie Baird, Owner/Director/Instructor/Competition Choreographer
Angie began her dance training at the age of five at Becky’s Studio of Dance in Lancaster, OH.  Angie has studied ballet, contemporary, pointe, jazz, hip hop, tap and gymnastics, with an emphasis in ballet and tap.  As a student, she also competed at national competitions placing high in recognition. Growing up with dance as a constant in her life, she was able to grasp solid technique that now allows her to provide her students with proper education and growth.

Upon graduating from the Lancaster High School, she attended Ohio University where she obtained a Bachelors of Specialized Studies in Interior Architecture and Retail Merchandising with a Minor in Art. While at Ohio University, Angie gained vast experience in the OU dance program where she studied dance technique, choreography, dance production and dance history.  Angie has over 20 years teaching experience with three different dance schools, including her own studio.  Angie has provided choreography for the Lancaster High School show choir, “The Singing Gales” and was the choreographer for Fairfield Union High School’s production of “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Angie has also worked with the Lancaster United Brethren Church as the choreographer and director of the liturgical dance team for several public performances. She has had the pleasure to work with well known choreographers Lisa Lansing, Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld and Marlene Leber.  Angie has been a judge at several area talent shows and has won choreography awards at national competitions.  Angie continues her dance education by attending conventions and workshops with the OhioDance master classes.  She is a proud member of OhioDance; a statewide organization that inclusively supports the diverse and vibrant practice of dance.

Angie has a passion for teaching her students how they can express themselves through movement and music. When asked why she teaches dance, she replied, “I breathe dance. Movement is beneficial to everyone regardless of their skill level.  My role in life is to share what means everything to me, dance. I can easily teach proper technique, terminology, posture, etc. but when I watch a student of mine that learns not to care if they make a mistake, not caring who is watching…that truly lets go and falls deep into the movement…I know I’ve done my job.  I feel accomplished as an educator when someone falls in love with the art of dance and believes in themselves.”

Angie is excited to begin her 12th season as Founder/Owner and Director of Fusion Studio of Dance. She credits the success of her business to her strong communication and leadership skills, focus, positivity and the passion and commitment she has with her staff, students and their families! Angie looks forward to another stellar year with you all!

Hallie Thomas, Instructor/Competition Choreographer                                   

Hallie’s love of dance began at the age of six in Coshocton, OH where she started her dance training at Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio.  She spent twelve years at her studio as a student learning ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theater, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop. The last seven of those years she was a member of her studio’s award winning Competition Team.  With whom she performed before many Cleveland Cavilier’s games and twice at Disney World in Florida.   Hallie has also danced in the “Nutcracker” for two seasons and a ballet rendition of “Dracula” with a studio in Zanesville, OH.  During the summers she would participate in the Community Theater children’s production where she starred in “Stuart Little”, “Annie”, “School House Rock”, “Honk”, “Grease”  Before she graduated, Hallie taught ballet, tap, and jazz to beginner students for two years, and there sparked her love for teaching. 

Hallie later attended The Ohio State University where she continued her dance education with multiple instructors and master teachers. She is also an American trained ballroom dancer with Arthur Murray Columbus where she taught private lessons and group classes for a year. Her ballroom training continued the following year with Svelana Iskhakov with a focus on international style. Hallie performed a salsa and cha cha duet in the 2014 Equine Affaire Fantasia finale for two sold out nights of 4,000+ people. In the last 10 years, she has been teaching dance full time at FSD, including both children’s recreational, competition classes and adult ballroom lessons.  She enjoys watching her students grow as dancers and artists, and is always trying to find new ways to better their knowledge as well as her own.  Hallie recently continues to take part in master classes/conventions to further her dance training with some of the top names in the business today. She loves sharing her passion for dance with all of her students and looks forward to a long future with Fusion Studio of Dance. Hallie is exicted to start her 11th season with FSD!

Rachel started her love of dance at the age of 3 taking class at The Movement Center. She joined their competition team at the age of 9 and danced until her senior year of high school. During those years. she attended many conventions and learned from many well know choreographers. She trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. Her special focus was tap and has been lucky to have taken classes from Ryan Lohoff, as well as being in routines choreographed by Gregg Russell. Rachel started teaching dance her sophomore year of college and has taught for 10 years at The Movement Center. She has choreographed many award winning solos and also been one of the teachers in the tap program there. She has attended many conventions with her solos such as Hollywood Dance Jamz and has even accompanied dances to Nationals. She also worked at Opening Night for 3 years taking on positions of excellent customer service, ordering inventory, fitting pointe shoes, and learning the protocol of a business. Her three great loves are dance (and her tap shoes), her two boys, and her husband. Rachel is excited to start her fourth season with FSD.

Abbie Goss, Instructor

Abbie is a recent graduate of Marietta College, obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. Since graduating, Abbie has moved back to Lancaster, Ohio and got married to her junior high sweetheart. 

Abbie began dancing at the age of 3. Throughout her training, she has gained experience in tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and belly dancing. For some of these genres, she had 6 years of competitive dance experience. Abbie continued her dance training in college. She was a founding member of the Marietta College dance team, where she danced for all 4 years of undergrad. As a founding member, Abbie was afforded the opportunity to lead practices and teach choreography. 

At the age of 16, she began teaching ballet, tap, and a beginner combo class. In 2017, Abbie taught one year of jazz and contemporary at FSD. Most recently, Abbie taught beginner ballet and tap at Schrader Youth Ballet Company where her students performed in their annual Nutcracker and end-of-year showcase. 

Dance has always been a huge part of Abbie’s life. She enjoys being able to continue her passion through teaching dance to kids. She specifically loves teaching at FSD because of the encouraging and supportive culture that the studio fosters. We welcome Miss Abbie back to the teaching staff at FSD!

Amie McQuirt, Instructor

Amie’s journey with dance started at the age of three at Judy Dollenmayer School of Dance. During her time there, she was on the competition team, took Master classes from greats in the industry like Twitch and Nathan Trasoras. She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary/Lyrical, and Hip Hop. Amie was on Gahanna Lincoln’s High School Dance Team. There she studied Pom, Jazz and Hip Hop and performed at school events, basketball games and events within the community. Every year on the team she attended MA Dance’s dance camps.

Once Amie graduated in 2013, she begab assistant teaching at Judy Dollenmayer – mainly focusing on creative movement classes. After a couple years of assisting, she branched out and started teaching classes at studios in the Columbus area – focusing on Jazz, Contemporary, Acrobatics, and Hip Hop. While teaching she continues to take master classes. Amie has had the pleasure of taking class from Mia Michaels  and Phil Wright.

Amie has worked at Opening Night for 8 years. There she specialized in fitting Pointe shoes, along with other shoe styles. She has had a role at FSD for a few years now. Her FSD journey began teaching Jazz, Contemporary, and Acrobatics, as well as also being a competition teacher in the 2019-2020 season. During her time away from teaching for two seasons, she has been in the FSD office helping with studio operations, as well as assisting parent and student needs.

When Amie is not at the studio, she enjoys time with her daughter, 2 dogs and spending time outdoors. Amie has high hopes for the upcoming season and is truly thankful she’s found a “home“ here with FSD. We are so excited to have Miss Amie back on the teaching staff with FSD!

 

Tami Bell, Office Manager

Tami became a part of the FSD family 11 years ago when her daughter Lilah fell in love with dancing at FSD.  She is excited to begin working as the office manager.  She has been a parent volunteer for many years and is committed to furthering the mission of our studio.  Tami has a bachelor degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. She spent 9 years running the youth basketball program in Hocking County where she organized teams and practices for 400 students.  Tami looks forward to working with all the families at Fusion and getting to know all of our new students.  She is here to help with any of your questions, so don’t hesitate to stop by her desk, call/text (740-407-1174) or email her (fusionstudioofdance@yahoo.com) and she will be more than happy to help you out! 

 

 

Miranda Fullerton, Office Staff

Miranda has been part of the FSD family for 10 years.. Miranda not only is available to help out anyway she can with our students and parents, but adds to the excellence of our studio with her strong communication and decision making skills, impeccable patience and multi-tasking abilities. Miranda’s leadership abilities and talent for working under pressure sets her apart from others.  Miranda works behind the scenes and continues to be a huge help to the studio.

 

 

 

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” – William Arthur Ward