Ms. Annette Alvarez-Gutches

Owner/Artistic Director

Ms. Annette began dancing at the age of 2 and has never stopped! Ms. Annette has been educating students and teachers professionally since 1982 and for the past 17 years, she has owned ULTIMATE DANCE FLORIDA. As a Master level teacher, Ms. Annette’s dance students consistently earn top scores (regionally and nationally), titles, scholarships, and special awards. Her students are invited to New York with scholarships to Broadway Dance Center, selected at competitions for summer study and intensive groups, headed up elite college dance teams, opened studios of their own, danced on world cruises and dance professionally in Miami, New York, and LA. Ms. Annette is recognized for her cutting edge choreography at dance competitions both regionally and nationally! Her dances win Entertainment Awards, Technique Excellence Awards, Clean Lines Awards, Emotion Awards- the list goes on. She loves judging and judges for national educational dance organizations as well as the professional competition circuit. She also teaches master jazz and lyrical classes at conventions and studios around the country. Ms. Annette is asked to choreograph for many venues, including MTV. The producers personally sought her out to teach a ballroom dance to a couple for the premier episode of MTV’s series, Engaged & Underage. Ms. Annette is also an ABT® Certified teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive for Primary – Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum, and is continuing with the next levels. She regularly takes master classes with many outstanding teachers to stay on top of new material. A member of Florida Dance Masters since 1987, she is a dance test examiner and an active member on the Board of Directors. Additionally, Ms. Annette is a member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter 2. Over and above her extensive knowledge and background in dance, she also holds a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree from Nova Southeastern University in Educational Leadership. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Brad and traveling. You can contact Ms. Annette at UDFdirector@gmail.com.

 Miss Carolyn Alvarez, Co-Owner/Business Manager

Miss Carolyn is the ULTIMATE DANCE office manager. She has been involved in the dance business for over 40 years in some capacity and the office manager of Ultimate Dance for 17 years! Miss Carolyn is available to answer any of your scheduling or financial questions relating to your dancer at Ultimate Dance. Please feel free to email her your questions at LadyBuc830@aol.com  for a speedy response, or see her at the studio and she can answer all of your questions for you!

 Mr. Brad A. Gutches, Co-Owner/Marketing Manager

Mr. Brad  is the ULTIMATE DANCE marketing manager. He has been involved in the operation of the studio since the beginning. If you have any events or shows you would like to suggest, please email him the information. You can catch Mr. Brad at the Viera studio on Monday evenings, or at any of our competitions. Please feel free to email him your questions at Bradsells10mil@aol.com  with your ideas and suggestions to make UDF an even better place to dance!

Ms. Katie Davis

Katie is in her sixth season with UDF and has been a part of the Brevard dance scene since 2001.  She was trained and raised in Homestead, Florida. Katie has sixteen years of training from Donna Lee Studio of Dance competing and embracing all styles of dance including: Ballet/Pointe, Jazz, Acrobatics, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and more. For twelve years Katie was a member of Expressions Dance Company of South Dade with roles ranging from the Sugar Plum Fairy to a Christmas Cat.  In addition to her years of competitive dance she has also held the title of Miss Homestead in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant two different years and went on to compete for the title of Miss Florida. Miss Katie recently became a Disney dancer and you might just see her on your next visit!  She continues to take classes and attend conventions while pursuing her dream of performing and teaching dance at UDF. 

 Ms. Joan Bryan

Joan Bryan is originally from St. Louis, Mo. She has recently moved with her children to Melbourne, Fl. for the beautiful weather and extraordinary beaches. As a young woman, Joan competed nationally as a gymnast and has an extensive background in sports acrobats, tumbling, ballet, tap and choreography. She became the first sports acrobat women’s pair to win a Junior Olympic gold medal. As a coach, Joan has owned and operated two dance & tumbling studios in Missouri. She has been the recipient of countless awards and honors for her dedication and coaching skills. She has attended many safety clinics and stays current with the dance world and trends. She has been a certified judge and board member of the Apollo Acrobat Association. As a coach her students have won over 400 State and National championships. Her students competed in AAU, USAF and Apollo Acrobat Association. Although she has had many star students, one of her most memorable accomplishments was coaching her own daughter starting at the age of two, and by the age of 4 she was a National champion. Her students performed in many parades, sporting events at Busch stadium, telethons and malls throughout the Midwest. Joan believes in giving back to her community. She donated many hours to coaching cheerleading at the middle school and varsity level. Joan Bryan is a licensed career and behavioral foster parent. Joan has over 30 years of experience in competing, coaching/teaching, and mentoring young people.

 Ms. April Shock

April aquired a love for dance at a young age. At 10, she began cleaning a studio in Matthews, VA in exchange for dance classes and has been sleeping and breathing dance ever since. April went on to become the youngest member of the performing comapany at Diggs School of Dance in Virginia. She attended Eastern Virginia School of Dance before moving to Florida where she began dancing at The Orlando Ballet. She is trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. She is the recipient of two dance scholarships from Dance Educators of America, and has taught for many studios. Additionally, she has danced professionally as a main stage performer with Disney Magic Cruise Line. She believes God has given her the gift of dance and seeks to share this gift with others, hoping to inspire people of all ages with self confidence, respect, and inspiration.

 Miss Shayna Slayton 

Shayna’s dance career began at the early age of 3 years old. She began competing dance at the age of 8 and continued through high school and college. She has been with our studio since it first opened and was 1 of 5 girls on the first Ultimate Dance Team (Melbourne)! She was on the Harbour City Gymnastics Team, competing as a USAG for 7 years. She was also a member of the Sunrise Springboard Diving Team and competed for 3 years. She recently graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.  And, she teaches one killer conditioning class!! We are very happy she is with us!

 Miss Sammy Jo Morales 

Sammy’s love for dance began at the age of 9.  She was introduced to dance while pursuing gymnastics.  When she was invited to be a member of the compulsory gymnastic team at her academy, she was required to take a ballet class once a week.  She immediately fell in love with the art and now studies all genres of dance.  She began to compete in dance at the age of 12, and has continued to pursue competitions, master classes and conventions today.  She has received platinum awards, top score, special judge’s recognition, as well as scholarships and honorary invitations to National competitions and conventions.  She is attending Florida State University, where she is studying finance and dance. She is also a member of a modern dance company in Tallahassee. She will be teaching dance classes at a studio in Tallahassee and coming back to teach at UDF when she is in town!

 Mr. Nestor Buyett Funelas aka Mr. "B"

Mr. “B” comes to UDF with enthusiasm and energy! He attended a performing arts school with an emphasis on dance, and has been teaching all over the country ever since! He not only teaches hip hop, but also teaches the fundamentals of breakdancing along with the history. Additionally, he has traveled all over the US bringing the arts to students and inspiring them through dance, theatre, band, and media combined in a Broadway type show to teach, model, and inspire students to better themselves, using what they love. The Arts!  Mr. “B” regularly teaches in NYC at various studios, including Broadway Dance Center. We are excited that he is joining our ULTIMATE faculty!

 Miss Patricia Storelli

Patricia Storelli is a professional Ballet Teacher and choreographer who taught in most European countries. She received her professional training at the “La Scala” Theatre Ballet School in Milan (Italy) and performed in most ballets of the classical repertoire. She continued her training with world renowned teachers Yvette Chauviree and Daniel Frank from the Paris Opera, Anna-Marie Holmes, former Bolshoi’s principal Irek Muhamedov, David Howard, Rosella Hightower and English National Ballet’s Artistic Director Wayne Eagling. Storelli started her teaching career at age 25 and studied with the Royal Academy of Dance to obtain her teaching qualifications. She became a Registered Teacher and Member of the Royal Academy of Dance (since 1985) after obtaining the RAD Teaching Certificate and Teaching Diploma with Anatomy and History of Ballet. She has been entering students for RAD exams since 1985 with a 100% rate of Pass.  She is currently a freelance Master Teacher and Choreographer in the United States, as well as a lecturer in Ballet History.  Every year she stages her own Russian version of “Nutcracker” for different Ballet Studios . Miss Storelli’s first book, “The Magic of Pointe Shoes”, a complete manual about pointe shoes endorsed by Freed of London, was published April 28, 2011 and presented in London at the Royal Academy of Dance and at Freed’s on May 15^th. UDF is very excited to have Ms. Trish join our faculty!

 Ms. Natasha Love

Natasha was brought along to her first dance class at the age of 5 and very quickly developed a passion for performing. Born to British parents and raised in Surrey, England she carried on Ballet, Pointe, Jazz,Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre to a Advanced level. After being accepted with a scholarship to a renowned stage school she proudly graduated from Stella Mann College of Professional Dance and Musical Theatre in Bedfordshire, England in 2010. After meeting her then husband to be on a vacation in Florida, she decided to move to the US and began a new life over in Melbourne, Fl. In her short time of graduating from school she has managed to perform in a music video, a tv series back in England and many college shows. After filling in for absent teachers at a local dance school near her College, she discovered a love of teaching and is excited to be sharing her passion with others. As well as dancing, Natasha is a trained carer for disabled children and enjoys private work for families. She is excited to bring her English flare to Florida and come onboard with the team!

Miss Julie McKenzie, Office Coordinator

Miss Julie has been a part of the UDF family since her daughter was just 3 years old. By day she is a high school math teacher (which really helps with all the tutoring of our UDF students she does!) and by night she is the UDF office coordinator. She is ready and able to help you with all aspects of the studio and can answer most questions you may have. She is also in charge of our Volunteer Program and Treasurer of the UDF Powerhouse Team Booster Club.  Miss Julie is excited to begin another year with the UDF family!

Ms. Lisa Morales, Office Assistant (Viera)

Ms. Lisa joined the UDF family in 2005 when she brought her daughter Samantha to continue with her dance education.  Lisa spent countless hours each week at the Melbourne studio and was one of our involved parents with the Ultimate Dance Powerhouse Team.  Today, her daughter is a student at FSU but Lisa has remained active with our UDF studios.  By day, she is a Contracting Officer for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center and by night she is helps out at our newly opened Viera location.

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