Suzy Simpson has been Director of Dance for 3-D Performing Arts Academy since its inception in Spring 2010 and is a proud to be a Y.P.A.D. Certified Dance Educator. A life-long dancer and performer, Suzy has been teaching dance in the styles of ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and creative movement since 2000. Suzy received a Dance Scholarship from the University of North Texas, where she earned a B.S. Degree in Child Development, with a Minor in Dance. After graduating from UNT, Suzy pursued graduate studies in Performing Arts Administration at New York University, where she received unparalleled training at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education and Stern School of Business. She studied Performing Arts Administration under the leadership of directors from notable companies such as The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Merce Cunningham Dance, and the AT&T Foundation. While in New York, Suzy regularly attended dance technique classes at Broadway Dance Center, studied intensively with the Martha Graham Dance Company, and attended Broadway musicals as much as her schedule would allow.

Suzy’s drill team experience includes 2 years performing as a Tyler Junior College Apache Belle, 3 years as a high school drill team director, and 9 years instructing dance camps and judging competitions for American Dance/Drill Team. She was named Outstanding Director two years in a row from American Dance/Drill Team, and was featured in the annual publication Who’s Who among American High School Teachers. Suzy has choreographed for the Apache Belle Spring Show and Apache Belle Pow Wow Dance Camp. She has been on the Apache Belle Gold Alumni Board of Directors since 2005, serving in the positions of Fundraising Chairman, Adopt-a-Belle Chairman, Audition Prep Class Chairman, Treasurer, President-Elect, President and Past President.

Musical Theater performance credits include “Annie” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Parade performances include the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, The Bank of America Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, and the Texas Governor’s Inaugural Parade in Austin. Television performances include WFAA’S Texas Eight Country Reporter, MTV’s Total Request Live and MTV’s VJ for a Day.

Suzy has also instructed group fitness classes since 2008, and is certified in the following fitness formats: Zumba, Turbo Kickboxing, Hip Hop Hustle and Piyo.

Suzy lives in the 380 Corridor with her husband and four energetic little boys.

Michelle Finch is a native of south Louisiana where she grew up enjoying dance and theater. She appeared in over 20 plays and musicals beginning with “The King and I” at age 9. She was a member of the Baton Rouge Dinner Playhouse cast of “Annie” and “The Sound of Music”. She was also part of her high school dance team, high school show choir, and a member of the “Jambalaya Singers”, a professional touring company of 8 performers representing the “Jambalaya Capital” – Gonzales, Louisiana. Performances included the Louisiana State Fair, Disney World in Orlando, and a two week tour in France with shows in 8 different French cities. After high school, Michelle attended University of Texas at Austin where she received an MBA in Finance.

She spent most of her career at American Airlines Headquarters in Fort Worth, and has held various business and financial consulting positions over the past 10 years. Her most rewarding venture to date has been her 24 year marriage to her husband John and spending time with their three wonderful daughters. She is proud to be part of the 3-D Dance family and be able to watch the next generation of performers develop and grow.

Dena is a graduate from the University of North Texas with her degree in Emergency Management and Sociology. She spent twelve years working at UNT as the Assistant Director in Financial Aid. In 2018, Dena was awarded the top honor of Outstanding Employee at UNT for her work in the financial aid office. Dena enjoys getting to know all of our dance families and welcoming new families to 3-D Dance. In her free time, Dena homeschools her two children, dabbles with photography, and spending quality time with her family. She lives in Crossroads with her husband, children and three dogs.

Ms. Summer is a lifelong dancers and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, in Dallas. She earned a B.F.A. of Fine Arts in Dance Education from the University of Texas in Austin and is a certified dance teacher in the State of Texas.

Ms. Summer has experience as a professional dance educator at Booker T. Washington High School, and with Dance Associates Austin where she taught dance and tumbling classes. Summer most recently taught dance at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Faith Family Academy in Dallas.

Lindsey is the Performing Company Director of 3-D Dance. She is a Y.P.A.D. Certified Dance Educator and Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor, with a degree in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from UNT. Lindsey was Co-captain of the Frisco High School Stars Dance Team for one year, and served as Captain for 2 years. Lindsey has served on staff for Crowd Pleasers Dance Company since 2016, teaching drill team camps and competitions across the state of Texas. Lindsey is a freelance choreographer for teams and individuals focused in the drill team industry.

Lindsey is an avid yoga fanatic and an avid fitness enthusiast. She is the developer of the Little Yogis Life yoga class curriculum for children. She believes in encouraging students to become artists in dance and discovering their unique creativity while guiding them with the proper training.

Megan has been working with kids professionally since 2008 when she started teaching at Primrose Schools. She graduated from Texas State University with an Early Childhood-6th Grade teaching degree. Megan is also certified to teach English as a Second Language and Gifted and Talented education in the state of Texas.

Megan has 3 years experience teaching Kindergarten and First Grade in Plano ISD. She was an integral part of the creation of the 3-D Dance Creative Arts Preschool Program and has served as a CAPP instructor since 2016. Teaching has always been Megan’s passion and she absolutely adores our Creative Arts Preschool students. Megan currently lives in Celina with her husband and two children.

Suzann is a graduate from University of North Texas, with her degree in Dance and Business, and is a proud to be a Y.P.A.D. Certified Dance Educator. She teaches jazz, hip hop, Princess Ballerinas, musical theater and tap, serving as lead Musical Theater and Tap Instructor. Suzann has a passion for theater and acting and has performed in several professional stage productions, most recently performing in the musical comedy "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."

Suzann proudly leads the Leaps and Beats and Style Fusion classes on behalf of 3-D Dance at the Little Elm Recreation Center and APEX Center in McKinney. She enjoys teaching beginner dancers the foundations of the performing arts and the joy of performance.

Ms. Kari is beyond excited to be part of the 3-D Dance staff this year! She spent her first 17 years growing up in Michigan where she enjoyed ballet classes, cheerleading, and martial arts. She is formally trained in Songham Taekwondo and earned her black belt in 1999.

She spent 4 years teaching martial arts to preschoolers. After moving to Texas she attended TCC and University of Phoenix where she graduated with her degree in Early Childhood Education. During her time at TCC she worked with hearing impaired students. For the last 13 years Ms. Kari has been homeschooling her own children.

She is extremely knowledgeable about homeschooling laws, curriculum, family management, customer service, housekeeping, and organization. She currently lives in Providence Village, TX with her husband and 5 amazing children.

Alyssa Estrada started dancing at the age of 7 and it has been a lifelong passion of hers ever since. She has a degree in Dance Education from Stephen F. Austin State University where she had the privilege to dance on the SFA Pom Team.

She is currently on staff for Crowd Pleasers Dance, traveling around Texas to teach middle/high school dance camps. Alyssa believes in the importance of teaching dancers to be strong performers and strong leaders. She is so excited to get to know our dance families and students at 3-D Dance!

Maryann is no stranger to the art of dancing! She began dancing at the age of three and hasn't stopped since. She is formally trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and pointe and is a proud to be a Y.P.A.D. Certified Dance Educator.. She has a degree in Communications from the University of North Texas where she was a proud member of the North Texas Dancers. Prior to North Texas Dancers, Maryann was selected to perform as a member of the Internationally Famous Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, where she performed for the Marines stationed at Kaneohe Base in Hawaii. Maryann has also performed at Disney World, Dallas Mavericks games, the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Adolphus Parade in Downtown Dallas.

She was a member of the Creekview High School Chevals, where she served as a Senior Lieutenant and the Mary Immaculate Middle School Highsteppers where she served as Captain. Maryann loves dancing and loves sharing her passion with the students of 3-D Dance!

Aminah Maddox is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Dance and BS in Exercise Science. She is an alumnus of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Aminah has performed at the American College Dance Association’s National Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center and with Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and with Mary Kay Cosmetics in their annual Summer Seminar. She currently is on faculty with The Joffrey Ballet School’s Dallas Training Program, and is a founding company dancer of contemporary modern dance company, B. MOORE DANCE.

Miss Haley is a life-long studio dancer who grew up in Grapevine, Texas and is and is a proud to be a Y.P.A.D. Certified Dance Educator and Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor. Haley has a degree in Marketing and Communications at University at North Texas. She teaches jazz, hip hop, Princess Ballerinas,
tumbling and acro, serving as lead tumbling/acro instructor and Enrichment Coordinator for 3-D Dance.

Formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and contemporary, Haley was also a member of the Southlake Carroll High School Drill Team. Haley attended Kilgore College and was chosen as a Kilgore Rangerette, performing across the state of Texas, the US and internationally. One of her most memorable experiences as a Rangerette was travelling to Ireland in 2015 to perform in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day.  She loves working with our 3-D Dance students!

Megan began dancing at the age of three and is formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. While in high school, she served as Junior Lieutenant and Senior Captain for the Allen HS Tallenettes. Megan attended Stephen F. Austin State University and danced with the National Champion SFASU Pom Squad. She graduated with her degree in Psychology. Megan has danced professionally with both the Texas Legends Dancers and The Dallas Sidekicks Sizzle. She has choreographed multiple competition pieces and been awarded numerous awards for her choreography. Megan lives in Little Elm with her husband and son.