Alumni Stories · Barbara’s Academy of Dance
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Alumni Stories

Trained here. Dancing everywhere. twelve dancers, twelve next stages

Every dancer on this page grew up at Barbara’s Academy of Dance — then took that training to professional stages, college sidelines, and title crowns.

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Professional stages

01 Katie Reid in her Radio City Rockettes Santa costume on stage

Katie Reid

Radio City Rockette

From our studio to the Great Stage: Katie dances with the world-famous Radio City Rockettes in New York City — precision kicklines seen by millions each season.

02 Ava Ruggirello in her Detroit Lions cheerleading uniform

Ava Ruggirello

Detroit Lions Cheerleader

Ava brings her training to the NFL sideline at Ford Field, performing for Lions crowds all season long — hometown pride, professional polish.

03 Sarah Turner in her Indianapolis Colts cheerleading uniform holding a crystal football

Sarah Turner

Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader

Sarah performs with the Indianapolis Colts cheer team — game days, appearances, and the stage presence she built growing up in our studio.

College dance teams

04 Elizabeth Morrison in her Michigan uniform with maize and blue poms

Elizabeth Morrison

Michigan Pom

Elizabeth performs with Michigan Pom at the University of Michigan — dancing for the Maize and Blue in the Big House.

05 Madalyn Geletzke with green and white poms beside the Sparty statue at MSU

Madalyn Geletzke

MSU Pom

Madalyn took her training to East Lansing, performing with MSU Pom for Spartan crowds on game day.

06 Grace Hinckley in her MSU Elite dance team uniform with a green pom

Grace Hinckley

MSU Elite Dance Team

Grace dances with the MSU Elite Dance Team, representing Michigan State on campus and beyond.

07 Meredith Murphy in her GVSU Laker Dance Team uniform with blue and silver poms

Meredith Murphy

GVSU Laker Dance Team

Meredith performs with the Laker Dance Team at Grand Valley State University, carrying studio discipline into college performance.

08 Leslie Ryan in her Miami University dance uniform holding a national championship trophy on the beach

Leslie Ryan

Miami University Dance Team

Leslie dances with the Miami University Dance Team in Oxford, Ohio — championship habits that started at the barre here.

09 Amalia Downey in her Miami University dance team uniform with white poms

Amalia Downey

Miami University Dance Team

Amalia dances with the Miami University Dance Team in Oxford, Ohio — Barbara’s Academy training now in RedHawk red.

10 Keara Eaton in a standing split against a deep blue studio backdrop

Keara Eaton

Michigan Competitive Dance

Keara dances with the University of Michigan's competitive dance team in Ann Arbor — lines and control built over years at Barbara’s Academy.

11 Elizabeth Lantto in a needle scale against a white studio backdrop

Elizabeth Lantto

Michigan Competitive Dance

Elizabeth dances with the University of Michigan's competitive dance team in Ann Arbor — another maize-and-blue chapter that began at Barbara’s Academy.

Titles & honors

12 Avery Hill wearing her Miss Michigan Collegiate America crown and sash

Avery Hill

Miss MI Collegiate America

Avery was crowned Miss Michigan Collegiate America — poise and stage presence polished over years of training in our studio.

Alumni, we want to hear from you

Danced here? Tell us where you landed.

Send your update and a photo to barbarasdance2@gmail.com and we'll add your story to this page.

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