Miss Becky (Director, Owner)

I began dancing at Westford Dance Academy, and quickly found it to be my passion. I excelled at Hip-Hop and Jazz and also took classes in Lyrical and Ballet. I soon became an assistant teacher and shortly after, a Hip-Hop and Jazz teacher at WDA and The Dancing Center Unlimited. At age 16, I helped start up the first ever Chelmsford High School Dance Team. My senior year of high school I Co-directed the Team and put together the end of the year recital. During my years in Chelmsford, I participated in many volunteer and community service programs as a dance teacher. In 2003, I went on to major in Business at Fitchburg State College in hopes to someday run a studio. I joined the FSC Dance Club and I became a Hip-Hop teacher there and took many classes including Advanced Lyrical, Advanced Hip-Hop, Jazz/Funk, Theatrical, and Tap. My senior year I was the Vice President to the club of over 200 students and 15 teachers, and was also voted Teacher of the Year. I am a graduate of the Class of 2007 and shortly after became the director of Dance at New England Sports Academy in Westwood, MA from 2007 to 2008. I also taught dance in Fitchburg, MA in 2008. I have now returned to my old stomping grounds to open my own studio here in Westford. I can’t wait to have my first year here at Westford SDA! I believe dancing is a healthy way to express yourself and find who you are. My goal and mission of The Spotlight Dance Academy is to promote a healthy self image and boost confidence in the community while allowing children to have the time of their lives!

Miss Amanda Garvey (Performance Company Director)

I began my dance career as a gymnast at Walker’s Gymnastics in Lowell, MA. I continued on to dance at Westford Dance Academy excelling in Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical and Ballet. Along with Becky, I started up the first ever Chelmsford High School Dance Team. Becky and I continued our partnership as Co-directors of the Team and put together the end of the year recital along with several other plays and musicals and local performances. During my senior year of high school I was chosen as a back-up dancer for an up and coming solo artist. I was also the Lead Dance Instructor for Chelmsford Community Education. Before leaving for college, I participated in many volunteer and community service programs as a dance instructor. In college, I was selected to participate in the Fitchburg State College Dance Club, and had the opportunity partake in several genres of dance for 4 years. While in the dance club, I created and taught the Advanced Theatrical class and assisted Advanced Hip Hop for 3 great years and was voted Teacher of the Year my senior year. After college, I began my journey with Bates Entertainment Inc. as a professional dancer for their weekly functions. At The Phunk Shoppe, I am currently taking the senior competition team down the road to victory in several local competitions! I am also a teacher at the Dance Academy of Windham. As of Spring 2010, I will have obtained my Associates Degree in Arts: Dance Education. As the Performance Company Director at SDA my goal is to inspire confidence and self esteem in young girls through the art of performance!

Miss Stephanie (Ballet/Tap Instructor)

From the first time I set foot in a dance studio, I knew it would be a place I could call home. My dancing career began at age five at Broadway Dance Academy in Tewksbury, MA . I was always the first dancer to arrive and the last to leave. I took a variety of tap, jazz and ballet classes and at age 9, I auditioned and was accepted onto the competition team. For the following 9 years I remained on the team and competed in group tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical routines at competitions such as ShowStoppers, StarSystems, Headliners, Showbiz, and American Dance Awards. Tap has always been my favorite type of dance and the one I am the most dedicated to. I love being able to compose music and rhythms through my feet. In 1998, my team took First Overall at the StarPower World Championship Nationals for best tap large group. In the following years on the dance team, my group achieved numerous High Gold and Platinum awards. When I graduated high school in 2004, I knew my dancing career wasn't over. At Fitchburg State College, I joined the Dance Club and decided to explore other genres of dance such as Step, Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, Belly Dancing, and Contemporary. As a teacher at Spotlight Dance Academy, I encourage students to dance from their hearts and enjoy every step on the way!