About Starz – Starz Dance School

About .

At Starz Dance School, we take our job very seriously as dance educators, role models, and friends to our dancers. We love what we do and we hope that shows!

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Studio

Starz in Motion

Located at 1880 South Alma School Road in Chandler, Starz In Motion offers a quality dance education in a family oriented, positive, and nurturing environment that treats every dancer, parent, and instructor with the utmost respect. It is our goal to make you feel like you are a member of our dance family!!

The studio is committed to providing energetic, fun and high caliber training to dancers of all ages, abilities and interests. We offer instruction to girls and boys in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theater Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics/Tumbling, Creative Movement and Pom for ages 2½ to Adult, at levels from Beginner through Advanced.

For the dancer who wishes to take their dance education to the next level, dancers can become part of our Starz Dance Company. Company members perform at local venues throughout the year and have the opportunity to attend regional competitions. Both recreational and company dancers are taught by a professional faculty with a personal approach to help each student reach their highest potential.

We Offer

Acrobatics & Tumbling
Ballet & Pointe
Creative Motion
Hip-Hop
Lyrical / Contemporary
Jazz & Musical Theatre
Pom/Tumble
Tap
Turns & Leaps

Dance Educators

All classes are taught by a professional faculty with a personal approach to help each student reach their highest potential. Whether students are considering a career in dance, seeking personal fulfillment, or just want to have fun, they are encouraged to develop self-confidence, form lasting friendships, and cultivate an appreciation for the arts.

Mariann Paul

Owner & Artistic Director

Mariann Paul

Owner & Artistic Director

Mariann Paul received her early training with Helena Baron, and Paul Sutherland and Brunilda Ruiz of the Joffrey Ballet. As a principal dancer with the Baron Ballet Company she has performed at the PNC Bank Arts Center and in New Jersey and regional dance festivals throughout the Northeast. She has won numerous awards for choreography at competitions, and has been an adjudicator for the Star Systems National Talent Competition. Always open to new ideas and innovations in dance, she has attended the Vaganova Seminar at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society, Jazz Dance World Congress, David Howard Ballet Workshop, Broadway Dance Center Teacher’s Workshop, Rhee Gold’s DanceLife Teacher Conference, the Dance Teacher Summit and the IDEA Conference. As the owner and artistic director of a successful dance studio in New Jersey for over 40 years, Miss Mariann brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of dance and the dance community to Starz Dance School.

Lisa Grossi

Dance Educator

Lisa Grossi

Dance Educator

Lisa Grossi was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she received the majority of her dance training at a local studio. She competed with her studio as well as her High School dance team. As a mother of 3 girls, teaching the younger age children has become her passion. She loves to see the joy that it sparks in them and to watch them learn and grow as they begin their own dance journey. "Dance not only builds lifelong skills, but it also builds lifelong confidence and relationships."

Ashley Jerger

Dance Educator

Ashley Jerger

Dance Educator

Ashley Jerger was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. She began her dance training at the age of 3, instantly fell in love with dance and knew it would always be part of her life. She trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Pointe & Pom. Ashley competed regionally and nationally at competitions all over the country. She won several awards including Miss Starbound 2 years in a row & was offered dance scholarships to collegiate dance programs. Ashley attended Corona del Sol High School where she was part of the Senior Company dance team and won choreographer of the year her Junior & Senior years. After high school she attended Arizona State University and earned her bachelor’s & Master's in Education with a Minor in Dance. During her years at ASU, she taught dance classes at studios all over the valley. Her competition choreography received several awards including Best Choreography, Best Costume and top overall in the division. Ashley was also the Head Varsity Pom Coach at Corona del Sol High School for 10 years and won Coach of the Year at the Universal Dance Association summer camps. Ashley has been teaching dance for 15 years. She loves her students as well as creating a dance environment where they can learn, grow & become the best dancer they can be.

Lydia Patridge

Dance Educator

Lydia Patridge

Dance Educator

Lydia Partridge developed her love of dance at her family-owned studio in Washington. She has trained in a variety of styles and has competed in numerous competitions across the US. She has attended WOD Hip Hop and OKCU dance intensive. Lydia is currently a third-year student at SCC pursuing an advanced associates degree in dance. In addition to teaching at Starz in Motion, Lydia is also a member of the professional hip hop team LYTES in Mesa.

Terah Partridge

Dance Educator

Terah Partridge

Dance Educator

Terah Partridge grew up studying classical ballet at the renowned Moving Company Dance Workshop in Everett, WA, and contemporary dance at Cornish College for the Arts in Seattle. She earned a BS from Weber State University and an MA in Education from Utah State University. After teaching ballet, pointe and lyrical for other studios over the years, Terah founded and directed the Camano Dance Academy in Camano Island, WA, for 14 years. Terah’s school gained a stellar reputation for industry excellence, superior technical training, advanced levels of artistry and a positive, inclusive learning environment for all. With a deep love for creative choreography, Terah’s dancers consistently achieved Diamond level awards at numerous competitions such as Dupree Dance, Spotlight, etc. Terah particularly loves teaching acrobatics, and she greatly enjoys sharing her love of dance with the amazing students at Starz!

Ariana Price

Marketing Director, Admin Manager

Ariana Price

Marketing Director, Admin Manager

Ariana Price’s love for dance began at a young age, starting with hip-hop and eventually adding ballet, jazz, and lyrical. She has trained at local studios from Mesa to Phoenix. Ariana graduated from Westwood High School where she also practiced all forms of dance, and the East Valley Institute of Technology with 600 hours in aesthetics training.

Ariana still enjoys dancing, along with writing, reading, photographing friends and family, and watching movies. She has a never-ending appreciation for the art of storytelling in all forms. Ariana feels it enriches our lives in the best way, and she is happy to see the young dancers at Starz in Motion share the same passion.

Emalee Schneider

Dance Educator

Emalee Schneider

Dance Educator

Emalee Schneider graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Clinical Exercise Science and a minor in Business. She is currently back at ASU to receive her master’s degree in Strength and Conditioning to help dancers with Injury Prevention. Emalee has 13 years of dance experience with various competitions, conventions, high school dance teams, and performances across Europe. She hopes to bring a fun and creative learning environment to dancers as well as teach them the importance of understanding body placement.

Ashley Christine Smith

Dance Educator

Ashley Christine Smith

Dance Educator

Ashley Christine Smith began her dance training at the age of two in Dallas and Phoenix.

She received a scholarship to attend Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree in Dance. After graduation, Ashley received a full scholarship to study and perform at the Giordano Dance School in Evanston, IL as a member of the Giordano 3 Company. She has had the privilege of working with well-known choreographers such as Doug Caldwell, Mandy Moore, Eddie Ocampo, Brian Friedman, Harrison McEldowney, Nick Pupillo, Nan Giordano, Sherry Zunker, Autumn Eckman, Jessica Deahr, Joel Hall, William Gill, Richard Smith, and countless others.

As a professional dancer, Ashley has performed internationally with DisneyLive!’s “Mickey’s Rockin Road Show”.

Ashley recently completed her MFA in Dance Choreography at Jacksonville University, FL (May 2022). She loves to inspire and motivate dancers and students to be their best and is ecstatic to share her love of dance, fitness, and creativity with those around her!

Jaden Stubbs

Dance Educator

Jaden Stubbs

Dance Educator

Jaden Stubbs has been involved in the dance world since age two. She grew up as a competitive dancer and continued in high school as a member of the Hamilton Dance Team and Varsity Pom Line. Jaden is currently attending Grand Canyon University (graduating in December 2022) where she was a member the GCU Dance Team for three years and a 2x National Game Day Champion. Her love and passion for dance has continued as a dance instructor and choreographer.

Katelyn Williamson

Studio Manager, Competition Director, Dance Educator

Katelyn Williamson

Studio Manager, Competition Director, Dance Educator

Katelyn Williamson grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, studying Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Lyrical, and Clogging. For the past ten years, she's shared her love of dance with students across the United States and Canada. She's trained and shadowed under reputable faculty such as Russian Prima Ballerina Elvira Dale, Gina Underwood, Chelsea Thedinga, Lydia Sakolsky-Basquill in choreography, instruction, and studio management. Katelyn has coached Novice through Pre-Professional dancers and choreographed award-winning pieces for numerous studios and high schools. She is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique, mUvmethod Level 1&2, and is 200 hour Yoga Certified. Katelyn is the owner of Holistic Injury Prevention and Flexibility Coaching, whose mission is to provide students the proper tools and knowledge to move their physical and mental limitations and reach their full potential with less pain, strain, and injury. Katelyn is excited to continue with Starz In Motion as the Studio Manager and Competition Director.

About .

Starz in Motion

We Offer

Dance Educators

Mariann Paul

Lisa Grossi

Ashley Jerger

Lydia Patridge

Terah Partridge

Ariana Price

Emalee Schneider

Ashley Christine Smith

Jaden Stubbs

Katelyn Williamson

Come see what makes our dance school different.

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