Meet Our Faculty
Meet our Dance Unlimited faculty! Our hard-working, professional team is one of the reasons Dance Unlimted is the best dance studio in Augusta! Our faculty members are patient, dedicated, and supportive.
They love sharing their passion for dance with our students and helping them to achieve their goals.
Learn more about our team below. Our faculty is ready for another incredible season of dance!


Mrs. Angie
Mrs. Angie is a lifelong dancer and began her dance training at the age of 2. Mrs. Angie attended Cony High School and was a company dancer performing in Chizzle Wizzle and local productions. After high school, Angie attended the University of New England and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. Her days are spent working with outpatients at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Rehabilitation.
Mrs. Angie began her teaching career as a dance instructor at the KVYMCA prior to joining the Dance Unlimited faculty in 2009. Mrs. Angie has been on staff at Dance Unlimited for the past 13 years. She teaches primarily jazz and tap to dancers of all ages.
Mrs. Angie’s love of dance and her students shines through every moment she is in the studio. Mrs. Angie has an exceptional flair for performing. Her contagious smile and bright outlook bring life and laughter to every class she teaches!

Mrs. Bri
Mrs. Bri started dancing at the age of 7. She finds it funny that she never asked to join a dance class, and that it wasn’t even her parents that started her in dance classes; Mrs. Bri started because her babysitter's daughters were about to begin their first dance class and the sitter didn’t want her to be lonely while her daughters were away for their class! She knew that she was going to love dance from the very first class and quickly grew a passion for it!
Mrs. Bri began her journey at Dance U at the age of 10 after her parents had moved. It was an easy choice for her and her parents to choose Dance U as they allowed her to take Hip Hop at her age unlike many other studios around that required the dancers to be older. Mrs. Bri and her parents knew that they would stay at Dance U long-term, and they couldn’t have been more right!
Mrs. Bri took classes only in ballet and hip hop until high school when she then picked up jazz, bboy, tap, and modern. She also joined the Dance Unlimited Performance Company as she entered high school at age 14. She thrived in the DUPC and grew fonder and fonder of dance as she was exposed to more opportunities, such as competitions and dance conventions! She also enjoyed participating in additional DU performances at the Boston Celtics, Maine Redclaws, Harlem Globetrotters, and Walt Disney World, Florida.
Mrs. Bri began her teaching career at age 15, in which she taught her first Hip Hop class while working as a student-assisted for younger-level classes at Dance U. She continued to teach multiple hip hop classes throughout her high school years at the studio.
After she graduated, she took one year off from being at Dance U, while she took the opportunity to join some dance classes at UMaine Orono. During her time there she was chosen to be the Co-President of the Tap Club which was typically only awarded to upperclassmen. She was also chosen for multiple additional dance routines for the UMaine dance showcase which was also a special privilege as usually, this was only for upperclassmen.
After a short amount of time, Mrs. Bri knew that she wasn’t done with her time at Dance U. After one year off, she was back on the teaching staff for all hip hop classes. The following year after some teacher trainings, she started teaching jazz classes and began choreographing for the Dance Unlimited Performance Company.
Today, after training in all dance genres Mrs. Bri teaches classes in ballet and tap for the younger dancers, and hip hop, jazz, and modern for all ages. Mrs. Bri is trained and certified in Acrobatic Arts and uses that curriculum in all Acro classes at DU. This certification that Mrs. Bri hold allows Dance U to be a Certified Acrobatic Arts studio. After serving as assistant Director for 2 years, Mrs. Bri was promoted to the Dance Unlimited Performance Company Director in the fall of 2021. She absolutely loves that she can be more involved with the dancers and choreographing outside of her regular weekly dance classes.
Mrs. Bri would like to thank her mentor, not only in dance but in life, the founder of Dance Unlimited, Mrs. Laura. All the training and life lessons Mrs. Laura has taught her, have helped her become the dancer, teacher, and choreographer that she is today!

Mrs. Ashlee
Her dance career started at a young age. She began dancing when she was two years old at the studio where her mother danced at Musical Motions in Augusta. At first, she cried every time when she went into the studio, but one day her mom told her if you cry one more time you are not going to dance anymore. Well, she must have taken that to heart because she has been dancing ever since and it has become a true passion. She went on to dance at Musical Motions for 11 years and danced with the senior dance troupe for 4 years. With the dance troupe, she attended several dance competitions throughout New England and New York. After Musical Motions, she studied at Feet First in Gardiner for 2 years.
She started dancing at Dance Unlimited in only it’s second year - the fall of 2001 as a student, her freshman year of high school. She danced for 4 years on the competition team before graduating high school in 2005. That fall, she attended the University of Maine and took a year off from dance to adjust to college life. She realized during this year how much she missed dancing and knew that she needed to get back to it. That spring she auditioned for and became a 3-year member of the UMaine Dance Team.
Besides being on the dance team and learning more as a performer, she was involved in other dance groups and classes. She took a tap class and 2 semesters of modern dance. She also joined the hip hop club (2 years) and tap club (1 year). At the end of each semester, they have a dance showcase, which integrates many styles of dance. She performed in the showcases for three years.
After graduating from the University in 2009, she knew that she wanted to continue with dance in some form. That summer she started teaching at Dance Unlimited. She has never looked back and loves teaching and her Dance U families. Mrs. Ashlee teaches the Preschool, Kinderdance, and Combo classes in the DU Stargazers Program ( Ages 3-6) and loves to see those dancers grow throughout their years at the studio. She is passionate about dance and is glad she gets to share her love of dance with others.

Mrs. Jessica
Miss Jessica began dancing at the age of 3. Her Mom said she loved to dance with her own reflection in the kitchen oven and knew she had to put her in classes. It was love at first dance class. Jessica spent the next 15 years training at the Dance Connection and joined the competition circuit at 12 years old. She competed all over New England and various national competitions, attended conventions, and even had the chance to perform at Disneyland.
Jessica then went on to the University of Maine where she minored in Dance and was a member of the UMaine Dance Team. While in college she also participated in the dance club and tap club, as well as the American College Dance Festival; and performed in all dance concerts on campus. During a semester exchange, she had the opportunity to study at the Joan Palladino School of Dance at Dean College in Massachusetts. After college she made the move to Central Florida, continuing to train and take classes with Disney Choreographers while auditioning and working at Walt Disney World.
Jessica returned to Maine to begin her high school teaching career; filling various roles over the years teaching Social Studies, Special Education, and Dance. She completed her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Maine and spent the last 3 years as a dance instructor at Maine Arts Academy; a public charter high school for the arts in Sidney, Maine.
Jessica is beginning her 5th year teaching ballet and tap in the Stargazers program at Dance Unlimited. She just loves fostering a love of dance in our littlest stars at DU!

Miss Kiara
Miss Kiara has been dancing at Dance Unlimited since the age of 3. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and acro during her 15 years at DU. She was a member of the Dance Unlimited Performance Company and performed at multiple competitions and conventions, including performances at the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics, and multiple local performances. Miss Kiara also performed in the Walt Disney Parade at Disney World Florida with the Dance Unlimited Performance Company. She was inducted into the Dance Unlimited Chapter of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts as a senior in high school in addition to participating in multiple varsity sports.
Miss Kiara developed a strong passion for dance through the years and is looking forward to continuing at Dance Unlimited as an instructor where she teaches jazz, hip hop, modern, acro and musical theatre. Miss Kiara is trained and certified in Acrobatic Arts and uses that curriculum in all acro classes at DU. In her spare time, Miss Kiara is pursuing her degree in Radiography at Central Maine Community College.

Miss Abi
Miss Abi began her dance training right here at Dance Unlimited at the age of 3. She danced for 15 years until her graduation from high school in many styles including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, and pointe! During her time at Dance Unlimited, she competed with the Dance Unlimited Performance Company competition team and even had the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando ( alongside Mrs. Bri and Miss Madeline!).
After graduating high school, Miss Abi moved to Farmington where she attended the University of Maine at Farmington and began studying to get a bachelor's degree in Psychology, but dance never left the picture. UMF has a dance team, where she was elected as an executive board member after one semester. Her job on the board was to manage costumes, music, and lighting, while also helping other choreographers with their pieces for the show. This also included choreography of her own for many smaller groups, as well as for the entire team. Miss Abi went on to teach dance on and off campus for another 5 years before deciding it was time to move back home.
While she continues to go to school for her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, she also comes to Dance Unlimited ready to inspire students of all ages. She has devoted her teaching career thus far to helping students connect with the expression of dance, while also placing emphasis on proper technique and skill development. Miss Abi is very excited to spread her positivity and knowledge about dance with all of the wonderful students of Dance Unlimited!

Mrs. Marie
Ballet Master Instructor, Mrs. Marie has been teaching for over 40 years. She is of Slovakian heritage (born in Germany) and has lived and performed all over the world. She holds ballet teaching certifications from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow in the Methods of Classical Dance Instruction at all levels (Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced/Professional). The Bolshoi Academy is located in Moscow, Russia, and is the feeding ground for the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Company. She is also an ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum (American Ballet Theatre NYC). Mrs. Marie received her certificates from Open World Dance Foundation -- “Methodology of the Russian Classical Ballet, learning, understanding and using in a pedagogical practice” Irina Kolpakova, Student of Agrippina Vaganova, Prima Ballerina of Kirov/Mariinsky Theater, ABT Coach and Advisor; Ekaterina Shelkanova, Vaganova Academy Graduate, Mariinsky Theater/ABT; and Anton Boytsov, Vaganova Graduate, Mariinsky Theater. Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Certificate of Merit in Recognition of Dedication and Service to the Art of Dance.
She started her ballet training in Europe. Her teachers have included Anna Estvanik; Galina Panova and her husband Valery Panov; Professors Ludmilla Kolenchenko, Ludmilla Kovalenko, and Natalya Revish from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow as well as David Howard; Maggie Black. Mrs. Marie has completed intensive training in Bournonville Technique through STEPS and ABT Teacher Training. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ. Her performance and professional experience include Coppelia, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, and Nutcracker, among many other classic and contemporary ballets. Guest Artist dancing Sugar Plum Fairy.
She has taught master ballet classes around the country and has taught for numerous dance companies and dance academies including Epic Dance Company, New Jersey; Nevada Ballet Theatre, Nevada; Fenton School of Classical Dance, and Salt Lake Community College in Utah; and Inspiration Dance Academy in Florida before joining the Dance Unlimited faculty in 2021. She has taught advanced and intermediate ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and tap. She has received numerous technique, musicality, and First Place and High Score awards for her choreography for ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap routines in the competition world including YAGP and World Ballet Competition. Many of her former students have gone on to enter the professional world of ballet and commercial dance. She moved to Maine in 2020 to be nearer to her two granddaughters. She currently coaches solo variations for competitions around the country as well as teaches at Dance Unlimited.

Miss Madeline
Madeline has been cultivating her passion for dance since the age of 2 when she began her dance training at Dance Unlimited. Madeline was a member of the Dance Unlimited Performance Company for 8 years and performed in numerous competitions, conventions, and local performances. She won first place and high scores in multiple competitions and also had the opportunity to perform at the Boston Celtics, the Maine Red Claws, and Walt Disney World Florida. Growing up in the studio life she quickly discovered her love of dancing, performing, and most importantly teaching!
She attended the University of New Hampshire for Dance. While at UNH she was a member of the UNH Dance Company, performed in musicals through the university, and worked as an Assistant Choreographer and Choreographer of department musicals. Madeline has performed for a regional theatre in the Portsmouth area as a featured dancer in Mary Poppins, she also served as the Head Wardrobe Supervisor for Beauty and the Beast. Madeline is trained in Aerial dance and is excited to pursue her teaching certification. She recently finished her second year as a Dance Instructor at Maine Arts Academy and her fourth year of teaching at Dance Unlimited.
Miss Madeline teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, and preschool. She serves as the Director of the Stargazers program and Assistant Director of the Dance Unlimited Performance Company. She adores her Dance U family and working with the students every day!

Miss Hannnah
Hannah Ranco is a New England-based dancer, choreographer, and educator. Hannah earned her BFA in dance studies from Dean College in 2021. After graduating, Hannah danced as a professional NBA dancer with the Boston Celtics. Hannah has also danced in several music videos and live performances with artists such as DJ Kool, Montell Jordan, Sydney the Singer, and Spose (dancer & choreographer). Hannah has also worked in the concert dance world with choreographers such as Ilya Virdrin, Jessi Stegall, and Kelsie Steil. Hannah performed in Jessi Stegall's Theramine Vignettes at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston in March 2024 and performed as a guest artist in Edge of Aquarius by The Click–A Boston-based dance company.
Hannah's work has been featured at the Dance Complex's Starlight Theatre, Salem Arts Festival, and Acadia Dance Festival. Hannah has also choreographed for numerous college and high school dance programs. These programs include Thornton Academy, Casco Bay High School PATHS program, Dean College, and Endicott College. Hannah is currently an adjunct professor for Endicott College, teaching Commercial Dance and Intro to Dance.
Miss Hannah is excited to join the faculty of Dance Unlimited and share her passion for dance with the students!

Mrs. Laura, Founder & Executive Director
Mrs. Laura began dancing at the age of 3. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern with numerous companies and legendary instructors over the years including The Barrington Ballet, Gulf Coast Dance Company, Anthony Morgan, Joe Tremaine, Debbie Dee, Gwen Ashton, Richard Sias, Patty Phillips, Steven Boyd, Greg Russell, and many more. She attended numerous dance conventions in Florida while growing up in addition to her weekly classes and performances.
Her entire childhood she dreamed of owning a studio. That dream first came true, when she purchased her first studio in Bonita Springs, Florida at the age of 15. A year later, she sold the studio to continue her training in Fort Myers and Naples while she was in high school. She then attended Florida State University where received her Bachelor of Arts (English Literature/Dance) and a minor in Education. While at FSU, Laura trained in Ballet, Pointe, and Modern dance ( Graham, Ailey, and Cunningham styles). She also performed with the FSU dance department in multiple productions including being selected for pieces in 12 Days of Dance and An Evening of Dance.
After moving to Maine in 1999 with her husband and daughter, Laura opened the doors of Dance Unlimited in April 2000 at 177 Water Street, Augusta to give her daughter, Madeline the best dance experience possible in her dream studio. She had an empty space and a burning desire to make dance class the BEST experience possible where all children could thrive. In 2005 she built the building that is now Dance Unlimited’s home and has grown her faculty to provide the students with an even better experience with multiple teachers in the current DU Faculty. Laura is honored to work with the most amazing dance teachers in Central Maine. They are talented instructors, and amazing humans, and yet, she still challenges them every day to be better, do better, and learn more. Mrs. Laura’s favorite quote is, "The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill, the willingness to learn is a choice."
Under Laura’s direction, Dance Unlimited dancers have performed at The Boston Celtics, The Maine Red Claws, The Harlem Globetrotters, Magic Kingdom Main Street Parade, and featured on the Downtown Disney Main Stage along with countless local community performances. Dance Unlimited has been named one of the Top 25 Dance Studios in New England and has been named Augusta’s Best Dance Studio each year since opening by Market Surveys of America. Dance Unlimited has also been named Best of the Best, Reader’s Choice by the Kennebec Journal in 2020 and 2021.
After teaching thousands of children for more than 35 years, Mrs. Laura has now transitioned into the position of Executive Director ( AKA Excitement Extraordinaire!!) at Dance Unlimited. Although most of her time is now spent out of the classroom, she can’t help but step in every now and again. She loves spending time and sharing her love of all things dance with each and every Dance U student. When she is not planning the next big event for DU, you will frequently see her stepping into class to assist the DU faculty or chatting with students and parents in the lobby. Watching the DU family grow and thrive is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a studio owner for Laura. From the moment a 3-year-old takes their first dance class, to their final steps in their senior solo on the stage, Mrs. Laura is vested in every child’s growth, empowerment, and training.
Laura attends regional and national teacher conferences to continue her education in dance, as it is an ever-changing medium. Mrs. Laura attends professional business trainings with her mentors. Additionally, she works with a worldwide group of studio owners in a fine arts mastermind group to empower and enrich the fine arts learning experience. Mrs. Laura is a consultant for studio owners around the globe in providing exceptional experiences for fine arts schools.
Laura is excited to continue the legacy that she has created in Dance Unlimited with dancers of all ages; embracing compassion. Inspiring confidence and building community. The best is yet to come!