Dance Arts Center Teachers
Jennifer Porter - Owner/Artistic Director/Teacher
Jennifer has over ten years of experience teaching dance to children and adults of all ages and levels. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from the University of South Florida and is a certified Pilates instructor. Highlights from her teaching experience include master dance classes as guest artist at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College and various dance forms at several academies and public magnet art schools in Tampa and Miami. A member of the Florida Dance Association and Dance Educators of America, Jennifer has danced and toured throughout the United States with several professional dance companies including Ballet Folklorico of Ybor, Oscar Trevino Flamenco Dance Company, Duende Ballet Espanol and Bailes Ferrer. Ms. Porter has also worked as artistic director of Tampa Bay Repertory Ballet, a junior dance company whose performances have been seen and celebrated all over the Tampa Bay area. A lifetime love of dancing has given Jennifer the opportunity to work with and/or perform for: Kirov Ballet professionals, Chita Rivera, Mayor Dick Greco, Governor Jeb Bush, Betty Castor, Board of Regents, Summer Olympic Committee, Michelle Kadison, Jose Molina, Teodoro Morca, la Conja, Omayra Amaya, and many others.
Kelly Porter - Artistic Director/Teacher
Kelly grew up dancing with her sister at Classical Ballet Center of Tampa under the direction of Haydee Gutierez, who is the current director of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center ballet program. She also studied at several academies where she received a rounded dance arts education. In addition, Ms. Porter is proud to have studied with master dance teachers from the Kirov Ballet with whom she traveled to Japan for a two-month dance and performance experience. Kelly has also studied with Bulgarian-born dance professional and mentor, Albena Arnaudova. She recently returned to Tampa after having a successful run as a professional ballerina in Hawaii with the Honolulu Dance Theatre, a company that performs works from classical ballets and original contemporary ballet pieces. While living in Hawaii, Ms. Porter taught ballet and jazz classes for the Company's dance school. She continues to travel to Honolulu each year to perform with the Company. In addition to having been a featured dancer at Tampa Bay Repertory Ballet and an apprentice with Maximum Dance Company in Miami, Kelly was the very first grand prize winner of a dance scholarship from Harlequin Corporation.
Steve Boyer- Teacher
Steve started out in this field when he was nine years old. He studied at Rose Urban's Academy. He first studied Floor Gymnatics and then moved forward learning Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Lyrical. Steve began teaching at the age of fourteen and has been teaching ever since. He then moved to Florida where he expanded his knowledge of dance by learning the various forms of Ballroom dancing such as Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Tango, Swing, and Cha Cha while working with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. To expand his knowledge even further; Steve received his certification in Zumba and Zumba Gold. "The gift of dance has brought so much joy and satisfaction to my life. I feel honored to be able to share that gift with others, and to help them find the happiness that dance has given me."