Meet Our Staff

Dana Marie, Owner

Dana Marie has been dancing since the age of four. Her professional training began at Progressive Center for Dance in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Creative and Performing Arts High-School, where she majored in dance. Dana was a member of the traveling dance team as well as an independently contracted dancer for various statewide events. As a teenager, her professional dance training was at Philadanco and Gwedolyn Bye Dance School in Philadelphia, PA. Later she went to Community College of Philadelphia and Temple University where she studied dance. Dana continuously studies dance at various dance studios to perfect her craft and increase her passion for dance. She has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln University and hopes to empower youth to find the connection between the arts and education. Dana is the proud Director of the FOCUS (Finding Our Creative Unique Self) Mentoring Program, where she combines her passion for dancing and heart for empowering youth.

Maleah Hutt, Office Manager

Maleah was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She brings a wide range of knowledge and experience in administration, customer service and office management to Amped to Dance. She is responsible for all office procedures and uses her organizational skills to ensure smooth operations of the company. You’ll often find Maleah at our front desk to greet you with an enthusiastic attitude and a smile! Maleah is also a professionally trained dancer with over 5+ years of experience. Her education began with The Philadelphia Dance Company known as “Philadanco” and she is currently the captain/co-director of the Creative Reaction Dance Company(located in Philadelphia, PA). Maleah is proud to be our newest addition to the team and looks forward to combining her love for the arts with her administrative background in contribution to the overall success of Amped to Dance.

Jade Rebecca, Dance Instructor

Jade Rebecca is a choreographer, director, and performer who leads a dance ministry, travels and runs her own business, Jade Rebecca Productions, which she founded in 2015. Jade studied four years of dance at Gloucester County Institute of Technology School of Performing Arts. This program prepared her to enter a career in performing arts. She has studied at Eleone Dance Unlimited -Professional Dance Company Eleone Dance Theatre under the Director Shawn Lamere Williams where she was introduced to a dance experience that inspired and energized audiences of all ages. She trained in Interpretive dance, modern, lyrical jazz, African, contemporary and Ballet. Jade Rebecca also trained with Professional Dance Company I am Phresh. She danced with their Company for five years under the Director Smart Mark. Being a part of this professional dance experience opened opportunities to participate in commercials, television appearances and winning top awards as the best hip hop company in the U.S. There she trained in hip hop, break dance, funk styles, krump, and house. Her passion for dance goes beyond measure.

Brittany Smallwood, Dance Instructor

Brittany Smallwood is a Philadelphia native, and graduate of Temple University. She began her dance education at The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts (home of Philadanco), where she trained for several years in acrobatics, ballet, jazz, and tap. Her training allowed her to attend the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), where she graduated in 2009. Since 2011, Ms. Brittany has taught at many dance schools throughout Philadelphia, including Verve Dans Ensemble, Dance Institute of Philadelphia, and Philly Movement. Over the years, Ms. Brittany has been a member of various dance companies including Philadanco 3 and Eleone Connection, and has performed the works of Kim Bears-Bailey, Deborah Manning-St. Charles, Wayne St. David, Shawn-Lamere Williams, and Tommy Waheed Evans. Her love for dance and children can be shown through her teaching methods and artistic creation

Laci De Luca, Dance Instructor

Laci De Luca is a native and current resident of Maple Shade. With more than 25 years dance training and teaching experience, she has studied and taught multiple genres of dance including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop. She has directed an award winning dance team, choreographed community theater and local performances. She has also performed in community and charity events, as well as ABC’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s “Fantapulous” performance. Laci is excited to join Amped to Dance where she will enthusiastically share her knowledge, joy and passion for dance with the community.

Lesleigh Emanuel, Dance Instructor

Lesleigh has been passionate about dance from a very young age. She was awarded the Honors in Dance Arts award during her time in high school, and was accepted into Rowan University’s dance program in 2020. She beleives that no matter when you start dancing you always be the best that you strive to be. Her favorite dance style to teach is jazz. Lesleigh's eclectic style brings a fresh wind to the dance industry and she can't wait to share it with all her dancers.

Tionna Bennett, Substitute Dance Instructor

Tionna Bennett was born and raised in Camden New Jersey and currently resides in Maple Shade Nj. She's been dancing for over 20+ years and has trained in numerous dance genres such as ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop and African dance. Tionna has traveled, performed, and premiered in tv shows as a professional dancer. She's competed in many competitions with multiple dance companies. Teaching is something that she's grown to love throughout her career with 3 years of teaching experience. Tionna is looking forward to helping students blossom into beautiful dancers as they grow.