About i.dance

We are located at 7050-10 Archer Road in Gainesville, Florida. Our studio opened in 2009 and has created quite a buzz in the Gainesville area. In our first year we have welcomed hundreds of students of all ages through our doors. First dance or theater class? Are you a veteran to the arts? Want to get active in a great a fun way with Zumba classes? Do you have a child with special needs? We cover it all at indepenDance, and we are excited to see what 2013 has in store for us! Come check us out, we strive to uphold our open studio policy. Class observations and studio tours are welcome any day of the week, and as ALWAYS, your first class is always FREE!!! Come see what all the 'i.dance' buzz is all about. IndepenDance Studio, where kids AND their parents can "Find their Light".

Our owner Ms. Mary, began her dance career in Chantilly, VA. Since then she has danced for various dance studios and companies in Manassas, VA, Daytona Beach, FL, and Gainesville, FL. Mary has been the director of a competitive dance program for the past 7 years, and many of her students have gone on to win state and national titles.

At the age of 3 years old, Mary began her dance career in Chantilly, VA.  Since then she has danced for various dance studios and companies in Manassas, VA, Daytona Beach, FL, and Gainesville, FL.  Mary has been the director of a competitive dance program for the past 4 years, and many of her students have gone on to win state and national titles.

During her career, Mary has had the opportunity to dance under choreographers such as: Mandy Moore, Shane Sparks, Savion Glover, Frank Hachett, Nick Lazzarini, Adam Parsons, and many more.  She has participated in classes and workshops at the Broadway Dance Center and the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York City, NY.  Mary has been honored with numerous arts awards including her most recent “Choreography Excellence” from StarQuest Dance International.

Mary Knestrick

“Ms. Mary”

Shannon was introduced to dance at the age of 3. She became a student at the Orlando Ballet, formerly the Southern Ballet Theatre, where she performed in numerous productions including The Nutcracker and Cinderella. She later joined the senior student company at the Ballet Academy of Central Florida, and competed in various jazz and ballet competitions. She won "Top 12 in the region" at the Youth America Grande Prix semi-finals, and "Dancer of the Year" at the American Dance Awards competition in 2004.

Eventually, Shannon joined the Central Florida Ballet company under the instruction of Vasile Petrutiu and Vladimir Bykov. She performed in Swan Lake, Toy Shop,The Nutcracker, and Carnival to Save the Animals. She left to attend the University of Florida where she danced in Danza Dance Company for six semesters. She taught beginner, intermediate, and advanced ballet at the Starke Academy of Dance, and she choreographed several award-winning competition pieces.

Shannon Wilson

“Ms. Shannon”

Danny Zwilling has been teaching drama to children for eleven years.  He has considerable experience teaching improv, musical theatre, and basic acting techniques.  He has also successfully written and directed plays for children that have been performed in the Gainesville community. 

Danny is certified by the state of Florida to teach drama in the public schools, and he currently teaches third grade at Alachua Elementary School.  He has performance experience as an actor in several plays, commercials, independent movies, and one television pilot.  Danny is extremely passionate about enhancing his student’s imagination, creativity, and self-confidence through acting classes and performances.

Danny Zwilling

“Mr. Danny”

Kelly grew up in Winter Haven, Florida where she began dancing at The Wright Step School of Dance under the direction of Amy Wright. Kelly has studied several styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. In 2004, Kelly earned a spot on her high school dance team where she was selected as Captain in her senior year. She attended many dance camps and competed in competitions all over the state of Florida. After graduating high school, Kelly went on to coach her old high school team while attending college in her hometown just before moving to Gainesville.

Kelly is currently a Dance major at Santa Fe College, and is a part of their premiere performing company, Dance Theatre of Santa Fe. Since being there, Kelly has had the priviledge to take Master classes from guest artists such as Brian Brooks, Marion Caffey and Andy Noble. Kelly also has the opportunity to travel to Georgia in March with a select group of Santa Fe's Fine Arts students to attend the American College Dance Fesitval Association to take classes from renowned dance artists from all over the nation. Kelly is thankful to be apart of the IndepenDANCE Studio family where she is able to share her love and passion for dance with the children around her.

Kelly O'Neil

“Ms. Kelly”

Richelle Henf

“Ms. Rochelle”

Raquel began taking dance classes when she was 3 years old at Heidi and Joe Melchiona Dance Center in Miami, FL. There she developed her basic skills in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. She started pursuing a professional dance career when she was 12, and began teaching dance at age 15.

Tap and Hip Hop are Raquel’s favorite types of dance. She won 2nd place in tap at the Dance Educators of America National competition at age 14. She also won a tap and hip hop scholarhship at JUMP dance conventions 3 years in a row.

She trained with Popstarz Production Company and The Untouchables under the direction of Glenn Douglas Packard. Raquel has performed at the Super Bowl, Premio Lo Nuestro, and in music videos with Enrique Iglesias, Lil Twist, and Pitbull. She will be in the upcoming movie Step Up 4, in a scene by SYTYCD & LXD choreographer, Christopher Scott.

Raquel is a junior at the University of Florida and is majoring in Telecommunications Management.

Raquel Farinas

“Ms. Raquel”

Lindsey Neumann, born and raised in the Midwest, has been singing all her life. She performed her first solo at the age of 8 and began formal training at the age of 15. Her passion for vocal music led her to obtain a Bachelor of Music (Gordon College, MA) and Master of Music degree (Temple University). While in school, Lindsey performed the roles of Martine (The Doctor in Spite of Himself, Gounod) and Franzl (The Cunning Little Vixen, Janacek). Lindsey was also an Apprentice Artist with Center City Opera Theater for the 2009-2010 season, where she performed the role of Third Spirit (TheMagic Flute, Mozart), and participated in several opera ensembles. She maintains an active performance schedule in Gainesville.

Upon relocating to Florida in 2011, Lindsey opened her own voice and piano studio, and in 2012, she joined the IndepenDance team. It is her philosophy that anyone can learn to sing. She strives to communicate healthy singing technique and efficiency of breath, as well as to encourage students to be passionate about their art and to try new things without fear.

Lindsey Neumann

“Ms. Lindsey”

Nicole Bateman has been dancing since the age of three, including the styles of tap, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop. Tap remains her absolute passion. She has been competing nationally since the age of nine, winning awards such as Entertainment, Fabulous Feet, Outstanding Rhythm awards and many high score and judge's awards. Additionally, she received numerous scholarships at JUMP! Dance Convention, and was a finalist in the Tap Pups competition hosted by the Tap Dogs. She was an All-star for the Hall of Fame Dance Challenge Nationals, as well as a guest on the television show El Show de Fernando Hidalgo in Miami, Florida.

Nicole has trained with choreographers including The Shuffle Man himself, Mike Minery. She has also taken master workshops under the instruction of Diane Walker, Avi Miller, Ben Ofer, Doug Caldwell, Gene Medler, Germaine Salsberg, Gil Stroming, Heidi and Joe Melchiona, Jay Fagan, Nick Lazzarini, The Tap Dogs and Dan Karaty.

She has been a dance instructor since 2008 for all ages, and focuses on teaching her students proper technique, while also having a fun time! Nicole is majoring in Telecommunications at the University of Florida, where she is also a member of Stomp the Swamp, a rhythm and tap group that is focused on bringing light to the community through their passion for tap dancing.

Nicole Bateman

“Ms. Nicole”

Amanda Hanono was born and raised in South Florida where she began her singing and dancing career at the age of 4. She was trained at two different dance studios in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Musical Theater. She competed in dance competitions over many years where she was immediately recognized for her small stature and humungous personality. Her years of competitive dance earned her overall place standings, national competition invitations, and judge's awards. Her major areas of focus were Hip Hop, Tap, and Musical Theater. Throughout her years of dance she has also helped instruct Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop classes at her local studio.

Amanda is currently a student at the University of Florida and is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Her love for children and helping people pushed her to do more so she participates in medical health certification classes outside of her college coursework. She has maintained her love and passion for dance and has continued dancing through various dance classes and University of Florida dance team experiences.

Amanda Hanono

“Ms. Amanda”