Florida School of the Arts

Jessica Mayhew began her dance training at the age of 4 in Miami, where she was born and raised. Here she attended Coral Reef Senior High and danced with Donna Lee Studio of Dance. She accepted a full talent scholarship to Santa Fe College where she became a member of the performing company Dance Theatre of Santa Fe (DTSF), working closely with artist in residence, Alberto Alonso, co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba. She was featured in many of his ballets and appeared in the documentary film “Dance of my Heart,” which followed Mr. Alonso’s professional career.

Jessica made her own professional debut with Florida Dance Theatre of Lakeland, before finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida in Criminology. Upon graduation, Jessica was asked to serve as an adjunct faculty member at Florida School of the Arts and Santa Fe College. Soon after, Jessica received a full scholarship to attend Florida State University where she earned her MFA degree in Performance and Choreography. Here, she performed with Dance Repertory Theatre and in works by José Limón, Gerri Houlihan, Michael Foley, Andrew Noble, Tim Glenn and Lynda Davis to name a few.

After receiving her MFA Jessica continued to dance professionally with Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre in New Smyrna. Choreographically, Jessica has had the great honor of presenting her work internationally in Kazakhstan as collaboration with Peter Kalivas and the PGK Project, Inc. of San Diego, commissioned through the United States Embassy. Nationally, Jessica’s work has been presented in NYC at the DUMBO White Wave Festival and the Dance Gallery Festival, the Alabama Dance Festival, American College Dance Association, Florida Dance Festival, NewGrounds Festival, and the Ringling International Arts Festival. Jessica has also been commissioned to set work for The Tallahassee Ballet, Expressions Dance Company, an MFA thesis concert at Florida State, and for several other studios, companies, high schools and independent artists throughout the state of Florida.

Jessica joined the faculty at Florida School of the Arts in 2014, where she serves as a Professor of Dance and co-director of the dance program.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in New York, Andrea Montez began studying dance and theater at the early age of 7. She earned her BFA in Dance from The College at Brockport and MFA degree in Choreography from Wilson College. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Andrea worked as an apprentice and intern for Red Dirt Dance and Monica Bill Barnes & Company.

Additionally, Andrea was the recipient of the Santo J. Giglio Award for Choreography, presented her choreographic research at The American College Dance Association and the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. Upon completing her BFA degree Andrea relocated to New York City, where she danced professionally and began teaching at renowned dance centers, such as 92Y Harkness Dance Center and Mark Morris Dance Group.

Being a New York City based dance artist, Andrea had the great pleasure to perform for Mariah Maloney Dance, Falcon Dance, 92Y’s Community Dance Project NYC, and Sarah Rose Dance. Performance venues include, Dixon Place Theater, Hudson Guild Theater, City Center, Buttenweiser Hall, Gibney Dance Center, Mark Morris Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway. Amongst performing and teaching in New York, Andrea simultaneously pursued her MFA via a low residency program at Wilson College. During that time Andrea worked closely with her mentor David Dorfman, (choreographer of Broadway’s Indecent and artistic director of David Dorfman Dance.)

Through her MFA research she began merging the performance mediums of dance and theater. All of which culminated into her MFA thesis concert, an original dance theatre work entitled In Correspondence which premiered at Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Andrea relocated from New York to Florida and is now in her fourth year at Florida School of the Arts. She enthusiastically joins the talented faculty at FloArts as Instructor of Contemporary Dance and co-director of the dance program.

Based in Orlando, multidisciplinary performer, dance educator, and performance coach Philip Ancheta brings over a decade of professional experience across stage, screen, and themed entertainment. Originally from Austin, he holds a BFA in Dance from Florida State University and began his professional career as a dancer and aerial artist with Royal Caribbean International, performing nationally and internationally.

Throughout his career, Philip has collaborated with major entertainment companies including Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Destinations & Experiences, United Parks & Resorts, and Merlin Entertainments, with additional appearances in media campaigns for Neiman Marcus, ITV Studios, and The Walt Disney Company. He also toured nationally with the 30th Anniversary National Tour of Miss Saigon, produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Philip was a member of the opening cast of The Untrainable Dragon at Universal Epic Universe and continues to perform for audiences from around the world there today.

As an educator and coach, Philip is passionate about helping artists strengthen technical foundation, performance quality, storytelling, and professional longevity, while fostering the adaptability and resilience needed for a sustainable career in the performing arts. www.philipancheta.com IG - @philipancheta.actor

Maycee Dominguez started dancing and competing at a very young age in Ocala, and is versed in many different styles. After graduating high school, she continued her dance training in Los Angeles. Maycee had the amazing experience of training with some of the top choreographers and dancers in the industry, such as, Brandon Dumlao, David Moore, Hollywood, Sienna Lyons, Kenya Clay, Natalie Gilmore, and more. For 4 years she worked for Walt Disney World’s entertainment as a character performer and had the opportunity to be a part of the show “Fantasmic!” at Hollywood Studios. Maycee is currently directing The Dance Company of Ocala’s competition team, The Dance Collective.

Since directing, she has won two Industry Dance Award nominations for her pieces “Pep Talk” and “Otto”. Many other pieces of hers have also won “highest scoring routine” at multiple competitions. Maycee has also had the privilege of co-choreographing for The Ocala Civic Theatre’s run of “Newsies”. Maycee says, “I am humbled to have the opportunity to train and lead dancers. My goal is to not only help build their character but also equip them for everyday life.”

Jennifer Dournaux has been dancing for over 50 years and teaching ballet and movement for more than 30. She began her formal ballet training in the 1980s with the Orlando Ballet, where she later performed professionally as a company member for two years. Her passion for learning has taken her to dance studios and workshops across the country, including extensive study in New York City and Chicago, with continuing classes through the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Ballet Arts Center.

Jennifer’s commitment to education has always been at the center of her teaching philosophy. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and earned her Master's degree in Humanities from Tiffin University, with an emphasis in dance history. She believes students develop a deeper understanding of their art form when they learn not only technique, but also the historical and cultural foundations of dance. Jennifer has more than 25 years of teaching Pilates. Extensively trained in both mat and apparatus methods, she has a strong interest in anatomy, kinesiology, and the physics of human movement, knowledge that continues to shape her thoughtful and educational approach to ballet training.

Her teaching blends academic study, professional experience, and a genuine love of learning. She’s always seeking to create an environment where students are encouraged to grow both technically and artistically. In recognition of her contributions to the St. Augustine dance community, Jennifer received the ROWITA Award (Recognizing Outstanding Women in the Arts) in 2023. Outside of the studio, Jennifer serves as an adjunct Humanities professor at St. Johns River State College and Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she teaches both in the classroom and online.

Jennifer is an Orlando-based dancer and choreographer specializing in modern, ballet, and jazz. Trained at University of South Florida under renowned choreographers including Bliss Kohlmyer, Michael Foley, and Andee Scott, her work exists at the intersection of technical precision, performance, and intentional storytelling. Drawing from foundations in cause and effect, partnering, and floorwork, she brings a movement approach that blends artistry, athleticism, and dynamic performance quality.

With professional experience through The Walt Disney Company, Jennifer has developed a teaching style that challenges dancers both technically and creatively. Her classes emphasize storytelling, improvisation, and performance intention while encouraging students to move with authenticity, confidence, and individuality. Jennifer has performed works by acclaimed choreographers Mandy Moore and Tessandra Chavez, and has performed alongside Julianne Hough, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Derek Hough.

Passionate about cultivating meaningful and empowering class environments, Jennifer approaches dance as both a discipline and a form of human connection. Through movement, she aims to inspire dancers to deepen their artistry, expand their versatility, and develop confidence both inside and outside the studio.

Amaani is a Jamaican-born, Florida-raised creative whose work lives at the intersection of choreography, culture, and storytelling through movement. She attended Florida School of the Arts, where she earned both an Associate in Science and an Associate in Arts degree. She later received her Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville University, building a strong foundation in performance, creative development, and artistic discipline.

A former dancer for the Jacksonville Sharks, Amaani brings professional performance experience rooted in precision, stage presence, and high-energy audience engagement within the world of sports entertainment. She is also the founder of Embodied by Dance, a company created to celebrate movement as identity, expression, and cultural storytelling. Through this platform, she has established herself as a choreographer and creative director whose work blends Latin, Afrobeats, Dancehall, and contemporary fusion styles.

Her choreography is recognized for its intentionality, musicality, and emotional depth, often bridging cultural movement traditions while honoring their roots. Amaani continues to emerge as a voice in cultural fusion dance, using her work to elevate community, expression, and performance artistry across both stage and experiential settings. At her core, she is a creator of experiences, using dance as a language to connect people, culture, and story.

Rebecca Miller grew up dancing in Ocala at The Dance Company and was a member of its competitive team, The Dance Collective. Upon graduation from Florida School of the Arts, she attended the University of Florida, where she received her BFA in Dance and a minor in Mass Communications Studies in Spring 2024.

While at UF, she performed works by Doug Varone, d. Sabela Grimes, and Trent Williams Jr., as well as in student-choreographed pieces. In addition to performing, she has choreographed group works for Sarasota Contemporary Dance, the University of Florida, Belleview High School, and others. She is currently working with the professional contemporary company 3rd Space in Orlando, and is a former collaborator with Break the Mould in Tampa.

Leah Stone is a versatile and passionate dance artist with over 20 years of training and experience across multiple styles. An accomplished performer, choreographer, and educator, her credits span professional sports, industrials, music videos, and major dance conventions. Her professional work includes performing with “The 407,” the Orlando Magic’s co-ed hip hop crew, as well as for ESPN’s TGL Golf presented by Tiger Woods.

She has also performed in industrial productions for nationally recognized corporations including Chick-fil-A’s NEXXT National Conference under the direction of Sadeck Berrabah, AbbVie, State Farm, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, for whom she also served as a choreographer. Leah has taught at nationally recognized dance conventions including Florida Dance Masters and The NexxtMove Dance Convention. Bringing this real-world industry experience into the classroom, Leah encourages her students to cultivate strong technique, discipline, integrity, and humble hearts.