Meet Stone Dance Academy's Instructors
Assistant Director, Academy Levels 2&3 Instructor, Advanced Hip Hop Instructor, Soloist Choreographer
Hannah Gomez has been dancing since the age of 3. Originally from the Cayman Islands, Hannah obtained a B.F.A in dance and choreography with a minor in business administration at Florida Southern College. While dancing in her teens, Hannah was fortunate enough to attend the Orlando Ballet School where she focused on her technique. Her advanced technical training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop is an asset to our studio . Hannah discovered her joy for teaching at a young age serving as a teacher assistant. She later became an instructor at her home studio while she was visiting from college and brought a more mature and artistic mindset to her studio. During her dance career Hannah was honored to dance with the Boston Ballet. Currently a resident in Maitland, Hannah is excited to share her joy of dance with the students at Stone Dance Academy.
Studio Manager, Acro Instructor, & Soloist Choreographer
Kaitlyn (Katie) Shuman has been dancing her entire life. Growing up a competitive dancer in South Florida since the age of 5- earning numerous scholarships and titles from many different competitions and conventions- she has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern. Her love for teaching took over when she graduated high school to attend the University of Central Florida to minor in Dance, making it her main focus for the last 9 years. Acrobatics has been her biggest love as she works towards an Acrobatic Arts certification this year. She and her husband are active partners of One Hope Church along with their one year old daughter Charlotte. She is committed to growing her students in their faith and dance training!
Pre-Academy & Academy Level 1 Instructor
Lauren Phillips is a native Floridian who has been passionate about the art of dance for as long as she can remember. She studied ballet at Orlando Ballet School for 11 years, performing as a soloist in ballets including Swan Lake, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. While at the school she discovered a love of teaching as well, serving as a teachers assistant for several years. She went on to teach creative movement and beginning ballet courses at a small private school before joining Stone Dance Academy, previously Grace Full Dance Academy, where she has been happily teaching for the past three seasons. Lauren lives in Casselberry with her husband and two daughters, both of whom are following in their mother’s footsteps in their love of dance, as students at Stone Dance Academy. She is passionate about laying a strong foundation technically for our students as well as nurturing their love for this amazing art form, all while pointing them back to Jesus!
Primary & Pre-Academy Instructor
Jadyn Bradham has been dancing since the age of 2! She has been trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, tumbling and tap. However, her first love will always be ballet! She was a part of Grace Full Dance Academy (now Stone Dance Academy) Diamond Company and Performance Team since 2017. During this time, she was able to apprentice and assist in classes and find a passion for teaching. She is currently majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in dance at the University of Central Florida. Although she enjoyed performing for many years, her heart lies with teaching your children the art of dance and looks forward to seeing them grow both technically and spiritually!
Tap 2 & 3 Instructor
Elizabeth Bliach is a dancer, choreographer, and performer, and is trained in the disciplines of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Modern, and Musical Theatre. She has been dancing since she was 2, competitively for 10 years, and has been teaching preschool through adult for 16 years. Elizabeth has choreographed for audition showcases, school musicals, shows, and plays. She has received dance scholarships, a Company Dance Leadership award, and voted Best Dancer and Best Choreographer 3 years in a row. With dance being so expressive, Elizabeth found her love for yoga and is a 500 hour experienced certified registered yoga teacher and teaches actively in Winter Park, and also leads Yoga Teacher Trainings and Yoga Retreats. When you meet Elizabeth you will immediately feel her positive energy and passion. Her dedication and uplifting attitude will keep you engaged. She always instills in her students to “trust themselves” and to embrace all parts of their journey. Elizabeth is excited to join the SDA family!
Academy 1A/B Ballet Instructor & Academy 3B Ballet Instructor
Hannah Stanford is a former pre-professional ballerina, current science teacher, and passionate educator sharing her love of dance with the next generation. Hannah trained under Peter Stark at Orlando Ballet School and later became a New Artist at Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL, where she performed principal roles in Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and more. As a two-time YAGP Silver Medalist and YAGP NYC finalist, Hannah received a full-merit scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London, England where she trained during her first year under Anita Young until injuries caused an early retirement from dancing. Additionally, Hannah received three full-merit scholarships to the School of American Ballet’s summer intensive program, where she trained under former NYCB ballerinas Suki Schorer, Susan Pilarre, and Katrina Killian. During her twelve years of pre-professional training, Hannah trained in the Balanchine, Cuban, Vaganova, Cecchetti, Royal, and Bournonville ballet styles, Russian and Polish character dancing, as well as contemporary and modern. As a ballet teacher with over six years of ballet teaching experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Hannah incorporates scientific thinking including anatomy, physics, and mathematical concepts to strengthen students’ critical thinking and to bring awareness to their bodies and position in space. Ultimately, Hannah hopes that every one of her students gains skills that extend beyond the dance world and into their everyday lives, and that she inspires a lifelong love for dancing.
Ballet & Jazz Technique Instructor, Beginner and Advanced Hip Hop Instructor, & Soloist Choreographer
Madison started dancing at the age of 3 years old and was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. At the age of 8, she began competing at dance competitions all over Florida. She was trained in a variety of styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and hip hop. She also had the opportunity to learn from many well respected teachers at dance conventions and intensives. After graduating from high school, Madison continued her dance training at UCF in the Knights and Damsels Dance Club for a year and has been teaching ages 3-18 in various styles for the last 4 years. She aims to inspire passion and love for the arts in all her students!
