Instructors
Barbara McDonald
All she's ever wanted to be, says Barbara McDonald, is a dancer. And while she's taken the time over the years to be a wife to Air Force retiree David McDonald and mother to three boys, dance is still her passion. McDonald opened Barbara's Dance Academy in May 2013 in the Route 10 Plaza. "This isn't like a job for me," McDonald said during an interview in her studio. "I love to dance. Every time I hear a piece of music, I think, 'How can I dance to that?'" Although it seems she was destined to be a dancer, McDonald discovered the art by accident. Born and raised in nearby Caroline County, Md., McDonald was best friends with a girl who had started ballet classes at the county's Parks and Recreation Center. Although her friend eventually dropped out, McDonald was charmed by the grace and style of instructor Pamela Showacre. She told her mother – who had been a dancer in her youth – that she wanted to take classes herself. "I got home and showed her all the things I'd learned and said, I just have to do this," McDonald said. She continued her education at Towson University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Education. She's since become a nationally certified instructor with the Dance Vision International Dance Association and was trained and certified with Fred Astaire. She has performed, competed, and taught all over the country, including winning numerous awards for her instruction, choreography, costume design, set design, technique and more from Maryland, Delaware, Hawaii, Alaska, California, New Mexico and finally again, back to Delaware. For Additional information: Email Ms. Barbara to barbarasdanceacademy@yahoo.com or Phone / Text 302-883-4355
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Christina Butler
Professional dancer, "Ms. Tina", is a certified Dance Educator with a Dance Degree, and is also a Yoga Master. She currently instructs students in Stretch and Conditioning, Hip Hop, Lyrical / Contemporary, and Much More...