Teachers
Susie Shoop
(Owner/Director/Teacher): Miss Susie
I am the owner of the Dance Spot and have been teaching for over 42 years. After teaching in Northern Virginia for many years I moved to Stafford County in 1987. I started teaching in Stafford County at Marcia Sue’s Performing Arts Dance Studio, one of the first studios to open in Stafford. Later I began teaching at the Dance Academy of Virginia and finally I decided to open my own studio. The Dance Spot has been open for over 27 years now! My Broadway style tap has been winning top honors at competitions all across the East Coast. A lot of my students have gone on to work professionally and many of them are now dance teachers.
Amy Gilason
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(Director/Teacher): Miss Amy
My passion for dancing began over 34 years ago and I have been teaching for over 29 years. I grew up dancing in competitive dance companies and have attended numerous conventions and national level competitions. I have worked professionally for Disney and have won numerous awards, including first place in the talent competition for the “Miss Pre-Teen Virginia” pageant, a full ballet scholarship to the Richmond Ballet School for the 6-week summer program, and other full scholarships to dance conventions like Dance Power Express. I have won numerous competitive titles to include the title of “Miss Dance Xplosion” and the title of Virginia State Dance Champion! I have also received numerous choreography awards at competitions all over the East Coast. My focus areas at the Dance Spot are jazz, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop, acro, and ballet/pointe plus I am the Director of the Dance Spot’s Competitive Companies and Teams!
I have studied ballet and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance from George Mason University. I also have a Master’s of Arts in Business Leadership and Management Graduate degree from Liberty University and work full-time as an Institutional Effectiveness Lead Program Analyst for Marine Corps University at Quantico, VA.
Lauren Beland
(Co-Director/Teacher): Miss Lo
I have been dancing for about 35 years and teaching for The Dance Spot for over 24 years. I danced competitively in the dance company for 16 years and won a number of prestigious awards, including the title of Miss Dance Xplosion. Also, among many different types of special awards I have won a number of high score awards. I performed on cruise ships, for the SIDS walk benefits, in parades and weddings, etc. I grew up training with Susie Shoop and Amy Gilason and I have also studied under a number of choreographers in New York City and at conventions along the east coast. My focus areas at the Dance Spot are the combination classes, jazz, hip hop, and tap plus I am a choreographer for the Dance Spot’s Competitive Teams!
I graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, then obtained a Master’s of Education with a concentration in Elementary Education Graduate Degree from Liberty University, and I taught first grade at Rockhill Elementary for 4 years. Currently, I teach elementary school full-time!
Stephanie Ramos
(Co-Director/Teacher): Miss Steph
I have been dancing for about 31 years and teaching at The Dance Spot for the past 19 years. I was part of The Dance Spot’s Competitive Company for over 11 years. I have won numerous awards and titles, including the title of “Miss Dance Xplosion” and countless convention scholarships. I have studied with many choreographers at conventions all over the East Coast and at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. I have also done costume modeling for the Wolf Fording costume catalogue. My focus areas at the Dance Spot are lyrical, ballet, and hip hop!
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Liberty University and I am currently working full-time.