OUR STAFF | Prestige Dance

We view dance as not just an extra curricular activity, but as an art that inspires education, confidence, creativity, and individual growth. Our approach to progressive educational instruction focuses equally on nurturing the individual and challenging them as dancers. Prestige Dance Studio students receive the best quality training from our instructors who have extensive dance backgrounds and/or dance degrees.

MEET OUR STAFF

In 2014, Christy Burke became the owner of Prestige Dance Studio in Midlothian, Virginia. Christy started to dance at the age of five in Jacksonville, Florida. She moved to Austin, Texas in 1988 and continued her dance education at Shirley McPhail’s School of Dance, where she was also in their Performing Company. Along the way she fell in love with dance. At the age of 14 she moved to Richmond, Virginia where she danced on Midlothian High School’s dance team, performed for both of Midlothian High School’s show choirs (City Lights & Just for Show), as well as studio and competitive dancing. She attended Radford University where she received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Dance in 2001. She was a member of the RU “Rockers” dance team all four years in college. Christy’s dance teaching experience includes 13 years at Jessica Morgan’s School of Dance, coaching Midlothian High School’s “Trojanette” dance team, and choreographing for both the Clover Hill and Midlothian High School show choirs. She has choreographed dozens of numbers for the “Company” at Jessica Morgan’s School of Dance, many of which have received high scores and awards. Christy and her husband, Josh, are blessed to have two beautiful daughters, Katelyn and Courtney, who are both students at Prestige Dance Studio and love dancing just as much as their Mom. Christy feels blessed to have the opportunity to teach with so many talented educators and work with so many amazing dancers. She loves having the opportunity to educate her students and teach them an appreciation, and hopefully a love, for dance.

Christy Burke

Owner

Stefanie Ogunwumiju

Artistic Director

Stefanie has studied dance since the age of seven. She began dancing at local dance studios around the Buffalo, New York area and continued her education at the University of Buffalo, graduating in May 2005 with a B.A. in dance. During her college career, Stefanie had master classes with several dance companies including Limon, Bill T. Jones, Martha Graham and Giordano. In 2001-2002, Stefanie cheered professionally for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. Stefanie also spent two years as the choreographer for the University of Buffalo dance team, as well as a member of the dance department’s Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble. She spent five years teaching in Lockport, New York until moving to Richmond in 2005. Stefanie spent nine years teaching for Jessica Morgan School of Dance, the Chital location. Throughout her time here, she has worked closely with the studio’s performing company and competition dancers. She has received several special awards and recognitions such as Teacher’s Choice Award and Best Choreography. “Stay true to the dream…” These words once said to Stefanie, for which she has never forgotten and uses to help inspire her students. Living your passion is possible, very possible. Being a part of Prestige Dance Studio is an absolute honor, a dream come true, and Stefanie is excited to continue to create, grow, and inspire the lives of students through her love of dance.

Trieste Ward

Office Manager & Teacher

Trieste has been around dance all her life. With an older sister in dance there was no doubt she would follow behind. She began dancing at the age of 2 at Jessica Morgan’s School of Dance. Out of the 16 years dancing at Jessica Morgan’s School of Dance 8 of them were spent on the performing group JEMS. Trieste became a dance assistant at the age of 15 and fell in love with being a part of teaching little ones dance. For years she has worked side by side with Ms. Christy in the classroom learning the art of teaching little ones to dance. Trieste has been the office manager since 2016, and truly enjoys being able to work with all the families in the Prestige dance family. She feels very lucky and blessed to work with such a wonderful staff and live out her passion of teaching at Prestige Dance Studio. Dance will always be a passion of Trieste’s and she is thrilled to continue see all our little dancers grow at Prestige Dance Studio.

Shannon Yanovitch

Teacher

Originally from Billerica, Massachusetts, Shannon started dance at age three and has been dancing ever since. She was a company dancer of her dance school for ten years where she received many performance awards, performed in shows, including a show at Disney World. She received her Dance Teacher Certification from Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston and the American Society in 1996 and has enjoyed teaching dance for 16 years. Shannon was a gymnastics coach for three years at All Star Gymnastics in Massachusetts. In addition to coaching, she taught ballet classes and choreographed optional beam and floor routines to team members. She started her performing career in 2002 dancing in many shows at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA where she met her husband. She also toured with Jean Ann Ryan Productions as a dancer in shows aboard The Norwegian Crown, visiting many places in Southeast Asia, India, South Africa, and the Mediterranean. Shannon has taught at Jessica Morgan’s School of Dance for seven years and is excited to continue on with Prestige Dance Studio. In addition to teaching dance, she works for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Shannon and her husband Andrew are blessed to have two ballerinas, Pria and Quinn. She is so happy to share and promote her love for dance!

Katelyn Bardos

Teacher

Katelyn began dancing at the age of 4 in Collinsville, Illinois. She moved to Midlothian, Virginia at the age of 7 and found her home away from home at Jessica Morgan’s School of Dance. Out of the 11 years dancing at JMSD, 5 of them were spent on the performing group JEMS. She was on Cosby High School’s Titania in high school, earning the title of captain her senior year. Throughout high school, Katelyn worked as a dance assistant for 4 years which led her down a path to double majoring in Dance and Elementary Education at James Madison University. During her time at JMU, Katelyn was a member of Madison Dance Lyrical and Jazz Team. During her summers off, she continued to teach at JMSD, choreographed for Titania, and helped start Collide Dance Collaborative. After college, Katelyn began her teaching career with Chesterfield County Public Schools where she taught 2nd and 5th grade. In the evenings, Katelyn taught classes at Prestige Dance Studio for 3 years before relocating to Texas with her husband. Katelyn and her family recently moved back to Midlothian after having lived in Texas for the past five years. Katelyn and her husband, Philip, are blessed to have three little girls, Brooklyn, Brynlee and Blair. Brooklyn and Brynlee are some of Prestige’s tiniest ballerinas and Blair is anxiously awaiting her turn.

Cody Beaton

Teacher

Cody Beaton, of Round Rock, TX, began her training at the Austin Conservatory of the Arts, at the age of six. She danced with the Colorado Ballet for one season, before joining Richmond Ballet in 2007. She has toured widely with the company, performing at the Royal Opera House in London, The Joyce Theater in New York City, and multiple theaters in China. She has had the privilege of being created on by Jessica Lang, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Nicolo Fonte, and Katarzyna Skarpetowska. Her favorite ballets she has performaed are Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Mozartiana, The Rite of Spring, Sweet Bitter Love, and Lift the Fallen, to name a few. When not dancing she is spending time with her husband, former dancer Trevor Davis, and their always-on-the-move toddler!

Miguel Perez

TEacher

Miguel Perez began his dance journey at the University of Arizona on a 4-year scholarship. He danced with River North Dance Chicago Company and Hubbard Street 2 before moving to Las Vegas to perform in Celine Dion's “A New Day” at Caesars Palace, later serving as dance captain on Dion’s world tour “Taking Chances.” He has appeared on "America's Got Talent," "So You Think You Can Dance," and performed with Leona Lewis on "Dancing with the Stars." Highlights of his career include being a featured dancer in Cirque Du Soleil’s "Viva Elvis," performing at the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, and dancing in films like "Behind the Candelabra" and "Ted 2," as well as Shania Twain's Vegas residency and the Taylor Swift AMA Awards. Currently, Miguel teaches at several dance academies, guest teaches at various universities, and serves as the Artistic Director of Conflux Dance Theater. Influenced by notable choreographers, he aims to inspire the next generation of dancers.

Cara Matherly

Teacher

Cara began dancing at the age of 7 at Jessica Morgan School of Dance. As a sophomore in high school, she was accepted into the Summer Residential Governor's School program for dance at Radford University. She was very involved in dance team all four years of high school, earning the title of captain her senior year. Cara continued her dance education at Virginia Commonwealth University, taking classes under dance educators such as Starr Foster and Susan Israel Massey. Since 2015, Cara has been the Head Dance Team Coach and Choreographer for the Manchester High School Lancer Dancers, and choreographs the Lancer Theater Company musical every spring. In 2021, Cara was nominated for “Best Lyrical Choreography” and “Dance Instructor of the Year” through the RVA Dance Awards. Cara has enjoyed every second of teaching for Prestige Dance Studio, and is so thankful to now be working with some of the same educators that placed the love of dance in her own heart. Cara would like to extend a very special 'thank you' to her loved ones, especially her husband, Christian, for the unconditional support and encouragement to follow her dance dream throughout the years.

Keyara Robinson

Teacher

Keyara is so excited to be a part of Prestige Dance faculty. She was previously a dance assistant for 2 years and training with PDC company and school. She has found a passion for teaching and choreography. She is graduate from Henrico HS Center for the Arts, in Dance and Musical Theatre. She began dancing at the age of 3 with her parents dance studio. She has trained with many different teachers and loves all styles of dance. As a sophomore in High School, was accepted into the Governors Summer program for dance at Radford University. As a Junior she attended Joffrey School of Ballet summer program in NY on Scholarship. She was very involved with Dance Team and earned the position as Captain. Her choreography was chosen to be in Richmond Dance Festival- Next Generation. Her musical Theatre performances include: “Adams Family”, “Hairspray”, “Newsies”, and “Cinderella”. She is excited about what the future has to offer.

Idalis Odenyo

Teacher

Idalis is starting her journey as a dance teacher this year with a lifelong passion for the art of movement. She began her dance journey in elementary school at the Central Virginia Dance Academy, where she developed a strong foundation in various dance styles. Her dedication to her craft led her to further her studies at Henrico High School in the Center for the Arts, where she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of dance as both an art form and a discipline. With years of experience in performing, Idalis is committed to fostering a supportive and creative learning environment for her students. Her approach emphasizes a love for dance and the comfort it provides all dancers. Idalis hopes to inspire dancers of all levels to reach their full potential support and grow their love for dancing.

Anaya Scarlett-Davis

Teacher

Anaya began dancing at the age of 5 at Jessica Morgan School of Dance, where her love for performing and training first began. She went on to dance competitively for 6 years, earning numerous titles, scholarships, and awards throughout her competition career. During high school, she continued to grow as a performer and leader at Manchester High School, where she danced and served as Dance Captain of the school’s Show Choir. She was also a member of her high school dance team, gaining experience in both team-based performance and leadership. With 5 years of teaching experience, Anaya specializes in jazz and contemporary dance. She is passionate about helping dancers build confidence, technique, performance quality, and a true love for the art of dance. Her background as a competitive dancer, performer, and teacher allows her to bring strong energy, creativity, and encouragement into every class!

Lauren Schmidt

Teacher

Bio Coming Soon

Tristi Robinson

Our Dancing Angel

Tristi is a native of Carson City, Nevada, where she began her early training at Pinkerton Dance Academy, under the direction of Fern Pinkerton. Later she went on to train with Barbra Monibi, and then moved to California at 15 to study with Maria Vegh, Ruth Petrinovic, Jocelyn Volmar and Margaret Swarthout, Melinda Bach, among others, at the Marin Ballet School and Company in California. Her career has spanned over 30 years as a professional dancer and teacher. She was formerly a Principal dancer with the Washington Ballet and Richmond Ballet, as well as a soloist with the Atlanta Ballet and a member of the Milwaukee Ballet Company. She has also performed across the nation as a guest artist. In 1997, she was awarded OYA, Outstanding Young Women of America. She has taught many different levels and styles of dance including Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Tap, Jazz, Creative Movement, and dance exercise classes. She is the Artistic Director for a new non-profit PDM Productions, Inc which will begin their 3rd season and provides performance opportunities for those in Richmond and the surrounding counties. She has directed the Ballet “The Nutcracker Sweet” for 6 seasons, now under the new non-profit organization, PDM Productions, Inc. She is married to Norvell Robinson. They have three beautiful children who are constant reminders of humility, love, joy and happiness.