Maria Idunate is from Westland, Michigan and began studying dance at Sherry’s Academy of Dance when she was only 4 years old. While dancing there she had the pleasure of studying under Sherry Blaha, Brandy Blaha, Meghan Conway, Bryan Strimp, and Felicia Rose in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and modern dance styles. Maria also had the opportunity to work with guest artists such as Mark Goodman, Ellen Werksman, Richard Smith, Barbara Duffy, Brooke Pierotti, Sonya Tayeh, Mia Michaels at intensives around the country.  Maria graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2016. While there she studied under the direction of Jeffrey Rebudal, Meg Paul, Eva Powers, Liz Schmidt, Ariel Osterweis, Biba Bell, and Linda Simmons in Ballet, Modern, Contemp Ballet, Improvisation, Choreography, Pilates, Yoga, African, and Digital Media Arts. Maria spent two seasons with The Michigan Opera Theater in their productions of “The Merry Widow” and “The Passenger.” 

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BRANDY BLAHA

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BRANDY BLAHA

Meghan Conway Everett

Meghan Conway Everett is an award winning choreographer/teacher with over 25 years of dance experience. At age 4, Meghan began dancing at Sherry's Academy of Dance where she studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap under Sherry Blaha. Fifteen years later, in 2003 she was accepted into Wayne State University's Maggie Allesee Department of Dance with a Talent Scholarship where she continued her studies. During her four years Meghan served as WSU Dance Company's president, received the first ever Harriet Burg Choreography Scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Dance in May of 2007. Upon graduation Meghan continued her dance training in NYC studying at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and Dance New Amsterdam. From NYC Meghan moved across the country to Los Angeles, CA once again furthering her training and choreography skills. Throughout the LA area Meghan choreographed for multiple contemporary companies and studios and performed with the hip hop company Asylum Dance Co. She has also been featured in numerous music videos and has performed multiple times in the world renowned Carnival Choreographers Ball. After three years in LA, Meghan returned to Michigan where she taught for Sherry’s Academy of Dance and then to Alexandria, VA where she taught for Chris Collins Dance Studio. During her time at both studios, Meghan choreographed numerous national winning numbers, two of which have been finalist for the Industry Dance Awards. Meghan has once again made her way back to Michigan and is so excited to get back with her Sherry’s family. Even with her new move, Meghan is constantly traveling around the country with Applause Talent Competition, teaching master classes and choreographing for studios and companies spreading her love for dance.

MARIA IDUNATE

Lindsay McGarry

Lindsay has her Bachelor of Arts degree, with a concentration in Jazz, from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has studied various genres of dance including: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, Folk, Character, Dunham, etc... She has previously performed aboard numerous Holland America Line cruise ships since 2006 as Dance Captain or Company Manager. She is also an Equity Dancer who has performed in Walt Disney World's Beauty and the Beast and Dream Along with Mickey. Lindsay has worked/performed with various choreographers such as Margo Sappington, Harrison McEldowney, Jeannie Hill, Douglas Bentz, Judith Leifer-Bentz, Ron Tassone, and many more. She has performed in Neil Goldberg's Christmas Dreams, worked for Powerful Image Productions, has been a magician's assistant for Aaron Radatz and was "Clara" in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Detroit, Mi in 1997. Lindsay is a former student of Sherry's Academy of Dance and she is looking forward to coming back home to team up with Sherry once again.

KASI SEGUIN

LINDSAY MCGARRY

SHERRY BLAHA

Sherry Blaha is the owner and artistic director of Sherry's Academy of Dance. This is Mrs. Blaha's 36th year of operating and teaching at the Academy. In 36 years, Sherry has trained many professional dancers and is proud that many of her students have gone on to be excellent teachers themselves. She has an innovative approach to tap, jazz, modern, and lyrical choreography that has been recognized and awarded at national levels. As a teacher, the love of dance is shown by the training and education which Sherry gives to each student in the classroom.

SHERRY BLAHA

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Erika Ruch graduated from Wayne State University in 2018 with dual majors in dance (B.S.) and Marketing Management (B.A.). During her four years in the Maggie Allessee Department of Theatre and Dance as a talent scholar, peer mentor, and member of Student Senate, Erika trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and African from renowned artists around the world. She is a recipient of the Maggie Allessee Copperfoot Award for choreography and has performed her work at The Music Hall and the American College Dance Association conference. Erika is currently a dancer for Fun Girl, a professional company based out of Ypsilanti. As an alumni of Sherry's, Erika is excited to be back and teaching full time this season!

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ELIZABETH TOWNLEY

Liz has been with Sherry's Academy of Dance since 1986. She took her first gymnastics class during the summer of '87. She was part of the competitive dance team and also competed with the gymnastics team. Later in high school she split her time between competitive dance, competitive swimming and competitive cheer and finished her senior year being league MVP in both swimming and cheer. Graduating high school in '98, she then attended Henry Ford CC that summer majoring in Architectural Construction Technology. She graduated following the spring semester of '01. During that time she spent many seasons working with students in the gym, ages 2 - 18. She is eager to spend another season working with the very talented students of Sherry's Academy of Dance.

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