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 lifelong resident of Maple Shade. Through her 25 plus years of dance experience, Laci has studied and taught various genres including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop. She has directed an award-winning dance team, choreographed for and participated in local theater, and performed throughout the community, including ABC’s Thanksgiving Day “Fantapulous” performance. Laci is a proud member of the Amped To Dance family, and looks forward to sharing her knowledge, joy and passion with dancers of all ages.

Rachel Springer, Dance Instructor

Rachel was born and raised In Northeast Philadelphia. She received her dance training from En Pointe Dance Studio where she specialized in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hiphop, Acrobatics, and Tap. Rachel was on the competition team for 6 years, and accomplished two National Titles. After dancing for 10+ years she decided to continue her love for dance by teaching the next generation of performers. Rachel is currently a student at Temple University where she's majoring in Psychology. She is so excited to put her all into teaching at Amped To Dance and growing within the dance industry.