Brandee Stuart - Artistic Director

Brandee Stuart began her dance training at the age of 7 in West Palm Beach Florida where she studied such styles as ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics at John Mullens Performing Arts Center. It is there that she won numerous awards under the competitive team JAMPAC . This is when Brandee recognized her talent and devoted her life to dance. From there, Brandee attended Palm Beach County School of the Arts and then later on pursued a B.A. in Psychology and a Minor in Dance from George Mason University.

Since then, Brandee has continued to have an impact on the dance community around the DC/Baltimore Metro area, as her free-style is unique and widely recognized in the club dance community. She co-founded one of the area's first freestyle crews , Salacious Funk, who had the opportunity to open for Dirty Vegas.

Later on she became the only female member of Boogieknightz, a nationally recognized popping and locking group who you might have seen dancing for Washington Wizards basketball team. She was also fortunate to dance for Culture Shock DC, an internationally recognized hip hop group. She has been teaching for 11 years and choreographing for over 18. She will continue to share her passion for years to come.

(Founder & Director of  Maryland Ballet Theatre 1989-2007) Arleene’s training began with Dolores Kehr and The Ballet Petite Company of Washington, D.C. Early performances included local NBC Television Specials, concerts with The United States Navy Band, and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Master classes and frequent trips to New York gave unique exposure to some of ballet’s most famous teachers: Leon Fokine, Anatone Vilsak, Madame and Igor Youskevitch, Madame Straganova and Violette Verdy. Additional study included classes with Frederick Franklin of The National Ballet of Washington and The Pennsylvania Ballet. Arleene was accepted on scholarship to The Harkness House for Ballet Arts in New York, directed by Donald Sadler with Leon Fokine as the Ballet Master. Arleene went on to perform leading roles with the Ft. Lauderdale Civic Ballet Company (the Sugar Plum Fairie/Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Odile in Swan Lake and the Lilac Fairie in The Sleeping Beauty).  She also taught and rehearsed the school’s programs.

Arleene established the Maryland Ballet Theatre in 1989-2007. MBT performances included 16 annual productions of The Nutcracker including annual performances at The National Cherry Blossom Festival, local competitions and Spring Festivals. Dancers were encouraged to audition for professional summer programs and to attend the annual trip to New York every June to study at Steps on Broadway, one of the largest professional dance studios in the world; boasting an international, world-class faculty that epitomizes excellence in dance training in all its’ forms. MBT students were accepted to some of this country’s most prestigious, professional summer programs. The focus of Maryland Ballet Theatre & Arts Company, founded in 2001, was to further develop the performing capabilities of the dancers, better preparing them for the professional arena: which is to take class, rehearse and perform.  In addition to the classical choreography of the full length production of Nutcracker, Arleene also choreographed “Riverdance”, “Ballet Does Broadway” and the Finale from “A Chorus Line” incorporating ballet technique.

“My goal is for the professional training of each student, whether their focus is on a professional dance career, dance college, or a related field in the performing arts. I hope to bring to each one a sense of enjoyment and appreciation for this wonderful medium of self expression. The hallmark of a professional school is its’ ability to sustain a “ballet company environment”. I grew up in that environment and I believe that it fosters quality dancers. I look forward to working with the students of “JAMZ” and will be committed to the development and success of the studio.”

CLASSICAL BALLET CURRICULUM: Russian Technique, Classical Ballet ; Pointe, Variations; Character Dancing (Russian Folk Dancing); Pas de Deux and Adagio.

Lora Fisher began her dance training at the age of ten at a local dance studio in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She was one of the original dancers to form the Maryland Ballet Theatre under the direction of Arleene Monahan. She continued her dance training at the School of Washington Ballet and spent summers at the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. After high school, she danced professionally at the Richmond Ballet. Lora returned to the area to pursue a Degree in Psychology and Masters at Towson University. She reunited with the Maryland Ballet Theatre to direct the Petite program and teach a variety of ages. Through the years, she has danced in a number of productions including Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, and the Nutcracker. Professional she is working in the behavioral health field and teaching psychology part time at Towson University and Community College of Baltimore County. Returning to her love of teaching ballet, Lora is excited to join Jamz Dance Center.

Margareta Chughtai - Instructor (Hip Hop)

Margareta Chughtai is Culture Shock, Washington, D.C.'s own co-founding executive director and previous artistic director. She has performed and instructed nationally and internationally for the past twelve years and directed for the last six years.

Mrs. Chughtia started dancing with Culture Shock San Diego where she was a core company dancer for over 5 years. After starting as a dancer in California doing shows with Culture Shock for Sea World, Paramount Pictures, and Women's Final Four Basketball Tournament, she then moved to the east coast where she co-founded Culture Shock D.C.

Margareta studied in many studios such as The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, CA and The Broadway Dance Center in New York City, NY; she is now an accomplished choreographer, instructor, and director as well who has given workshops in Europe at renowned studio's such as Pineapple Studios in London, England and Colombo Dance Factory in Zurich, Switzerland.

Shawn "SHOGUN" Stevens - Instructor (Breakin')

Shawn "SHOGUN" Stevens has been b-boyn' (breakin') since 1996. He is the co-founder and acting president of the Deadly Venoms Crew. His crew has competed in many competitions on the east coast. They are responsible for rebuilding the bboys' status in the Baltimore club scene. Shawn has performed with hip hop legends Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, Special Ed, Talib Quali, and RUN DMC. At Bboy Jam Unbreakable 3 shawn recieved a special Bboy honors award for representing bboyn' hardcore for the last 14 years in the DMV area. Past students of his have included former faculty members Jamile McGee ("So You Think You Can Dance" 2nd runner up Season 1), and Ben Gonzales.

Dallas Green - Instructor (FUNK Fusion, JAMPAK Crew)

coming soon

Nellie Fastige - Instructor (Creative Movement, Ballet/Tap)

coming soon

Kristie Clark - Instructor (Hip Hop, Coach for JAMPAK Crew)

Born and raised in Pasadena MD, Kristie is a local favorite at Jamz Dance Center. She began her training at the age of four studying tap and ballet, but later found her love for hip hop dance. She has studied under many local talents and hopes to spread her love for hip hop to all of her students. She has been teaching and choreographing for 3 years.

Jene'e Randolph- Instructor (Tap, Jazz)

Jene'e was born and raised in the Washington metropolitan area and began her dance training at age eight at a local studio (Dancemakers inc, formerly known as Pizzaz). She initially studied tap, jazz, and ballet. After discovering how passionate she was about the art form, she quickly engaged in other styles. After one year at the studio Jene'e was asked to join their competitive line and five years later, she was still competing. The next chapter in her life involved an audition and acceptance into Thomas Pullen performing arts middle school in Landover Maryland and Suitland High school's performing arts program. These schools introduced Jene'e to many new styles such as African and Modern, and furthered her technique in the styles already familiar. Currently Jene'e is a third year student at Towson University studying Dance and Mathematics. She plans to dance with a professional company upon graduation and eventually open her own studio to pass on her knowledge and experience in the fie ld of dance.

Chasmalia Leoni - Instructor (Latin/Salsa)

Chasmalia Leoni began her dance career at age 6, studying Ballet and Jazz in the the London Royal Academy of Dance annex in Jakarta, Indonesia. She was the recipient of the prestigious YM Dance School Scholarship, graduating at the advanced level in 1994 with honors. She subsequently performed as a guest artist in the Namarina School of Ballet Theatre, touring East Asia in the staring roll of Cinderella. In 1995 she established a program called “Performing art of Dance” and was responsible for all the choreography that involved approx. 100 dancers. In 1996 she joined the nationally renowned dance company GSP, where she performed in music videos, local commercials, and supported local artists in their dance projects.

Upon arriving in the US in 1999, Leoni became enchanted with couples dancing and began to study Ballroom, Latin, Swing, and Country Western. Her ballroom training was under the supervision of Ron Bennett, one of the leading dance instructors in the area. From there she moved into competitive dance, receiving coaching from top competitors such as Nonci Tirado, Igor and Polina Pilipenchuk, Jean Marc Genereux, Karina Smirnoff, and many more.

Leoni has successfully competed in many local and national competitions and received several awards including North American Amateur Latin Champion, Capital Open Amateur Latin Champion, and a U.S. Open National Finalist. Leoni now teaches social dancing at local studios in the area. Her focus is in helping students new to dance to understand, enjoy, and experience the same level of fun and excitement she did when she first started; or, for more advanced students, to appreciate the nuances which will allow them to take their dancing to the next level.

Brittany Perry - Instructor (Jazz, Contemporary)

Brittany Perry started her training at the Ballet Royale Academy in Columbia, Maryland at the age of 12. She began her training in Jazz dance but soon became drawn to all types of dance. After about 5 years of training with the Academy, specializing in Jazz, Modern, Flamenco, Ballet (Russian Technique), Hip Hop, Pointe, and Character, she was a group member finalist for a lyrical and contemporary piece in the New York YAGP Finals. By 2005 Brittany was awarded an annual scholarship of $5,000 to join the Academy's selective Enrichment Program. During her time in the Enrichment Program, she was chosen to dance as the Spanish, Flowers, and Snow soloist in the yearly Nutcracker, as well as a Paquita soloist and a corps de ballet dancer in the Academy's Spring Gala where she danced along side of Sasha Radetsky, Irina Dvorovenko, Maxim Beloserkovsky, and Stella Abrera.

As an incoming freshman to college, Brittany was awarded a full scholarship to attend the University of Umass Amherst as a dance major. Here, she was one of two freshman to be chosen to dance in the Senior Dance Ensemble in a contemporary pointe piece. Second semester, Brittany had a change of heart and decided to transfer to the University of Maryland, College Park where she double majors in dance and kinesiology. Soon after the transfer, recording artist and founder of Soblu Entertainment Lindsey Christian found Brittany and hired her for video/show choreography and training.

By Spring 2009, Brittany had choreographed her first music video that would soon premier as the "new joint of the day" on BET as well as MTV Jams. Brittany continues to teach private lessons and choreograph for Soblu Entertainment and is extremely excited to contribute and be apart of the Jamz Dance Center family!

Jamile was 2nd runner up on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance! We were honored to have him as one of our first faculty members when JAMZ opened in 2008.

Jeff Ogle aka Rapid - Instructor (Breakin')

Jeff Ogle a.k.a “Rapid”, Bboy, teacher, and ALWAYS a student to the art of Bboying, started dancing at age 14. Rapid was intrigued by breaking after seeing the music video “Its Like That” by Run DMC, and from that day on he read up on everything related to Bboying. With over 10 years of various martial arts and gymnastics training under his belt, he quickly learned the basics of the dance, and eventually developed his own style... earning him the name “Rapid” because of his fast, smooth technique.

Rapid debuted in the movie "Step Up 2 The Streets" and was a featured dancer in the T-Pain video Church. He has also shared the stage with artists such as Rakim, Method Man, and Talib Kweli, just to name a few.

Ben Gonzales - Instructor (Street Sylez)

Ben Gonzales started his dancing career in 1993. Ben began dancing in local Baltimore clubs and became quickly a "Baltimore Club" style dancer (a style unique to Baltimore). After realizing he had a passion for dance, he began training in Breaking, Popping, and Locking. In 1996 Ben joined the well known dance crew Deadly Venoms. With the crew, Ben had the opportunity to perform as the opening act for a number of Hip Hop artists such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, KRS-ONE, Chubb Rock, Special Ed, Talib Kweli, and many others. In 2001 Ben's career as a graphic designer was put on hold when he started receiving overwhelming response to his talent, and he began to teach classes and workshops at many studios in Maryland. Ben has been inspired by many dancers, but his main inspiration comes from the history and pioneers of bboy and funk styles. He's been fortunate to have trained with some of the greatsest dancers of our time, such as Don "Campbellock" Campbell, Fred "Rerun" Berry, and Mr. Wiggles.

Miguel Almario - Instructor (Hip Hop, Breaking, Popping, Locking, House) SPRING 2009

Miguel was first introduced to dance his Senior year of high school through the form of bboying. During his Sophomore year of College, he was introduced to Hip Hop choreography by one of his dance mentors : Lyle Beniga. After auditioning and joining Culture Shock D.C. for 3 years, Miguel learned a lot of different styles and trained his craft. It was there in Culture Shock where Miguel met the future members of the Boogie Bots. Together they auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew Season 2 and made the top 4. Today, Miguel continues to share his passion for dance by teaching and learning from others.

Stacelynn Rauchhaus - Instructor (Jazz & Tap)

Stacelynn brings a wealth of first hand experience in the dance industry. During her 14 years as a competitive dancer she captured 74 regional and 11 national titles. Stacelynn's professional performance credits include Walt Disney World, featured dancer in "I've Got The Music In Me," the National Tour of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Debbie Allen's performances "Pearl" and "Dreams" in New York City's Lincoln Theatre as well as The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. She was a finalist in the 2007 "So You Think You Can Dance" television show sailing through the New York auditions and seven rounds in Las Vegas making the top 27 out of 6,000 dancers. Also while living in Hollywood, Stacelynn performed in a female group at the Highlands and performed in Choreographers Carnival at the well known Key Club, as well as performing in the long running 80's Go Go Show at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Palm Springs. Stacelynn retired from competitive dancing in 2006 and now devoted her time to profe ssional engagements and teaching. She is widely recognized for her unique and edgy style of dance and her award winning choreography.