SALLY A. BLACKWOOD 
“Miss Sally” has owned and operated this studio since 1965. She began her training in Lakeland and continued to study in New York City with the Joffrey Ballet Company. She is Past Chairman of the State examining Committee to certify dance teachers for Dance Masters of America and was a Director of the Central Florida Ballet Company. 

She has directed and choreographed for many theater companies and is Dean of Students for Florida Dance Masters. She has taught Ballet at dance teachers conventions around the state and has judged  numerous competitions. Many of her students have gone on to have careers in dance as teachers and as professional dancers. 

Sally is the “costume lady”, as well as teacher. She was the official costumer of Florida Dance Masters' Main Attraction Performing Troupe and has rented her costumes to many professional Ballet companies throughout the Southeast. Teaching still remains  “Miss Sally’s” special love!

MARY ANN BLACKWOOD 
Mary Ann literally grew up in the studio. She has studied dance with our studio, Tampa Ballet Arts, North  Carolina School of the Arts and the University of  Alabama under Della Ranslem and Louise Crofton, L.R.A.D.. She has appeared as an actress, singer, dancer and choreographer in many stage productions both here and in Alabama. 

Mary Ann graduated in 1989 with a B.A. in Technical  Theater from the University of Alabama. She has been a certified member of the Florida Dance Masters since 1986, and is currently serving on the board of directors as the Past President. She has twice been selected as Teacher of the Year by Florida Invitational Dance Competition.

Mary Ann has been invited to teach for several dance organizations including FDM. She has judged dance competitions in Florida and in other states. Miss Mary Ann is the past director of the state-wide dance troupe “Main Attraction” and is also very proud to be the director of “Star Company” dance ensemble and the Little Stars performing groups. Her choreography has won numerous awards. 

Kristen Frye
Kristen has been dancing at Blackwood Studios since the age of four. She was a member of Les Etoiles Performing Ensemble for six years. She began teaching after student assisting for six years. Kristen has completed her Teacher’s Training Course with Sally Blackwood and recently took her FDM Ballet Exam.  She passed with a 94,5% and is now a new member! We are so proud of her! She has also graduated with her Associate in Arts Degree from Pasco-Hernando Community College.

Ms. Kristin is married to Wesley Frye, who is also an important part of our studio family. They recently announced the birth of the son "Eric" on March 16, 2011.  She is working in the office at Centennial Middle School in Dade City, FL and has taught pre-ballet, ballet and jazz in our studios for several years.

Cheryl Hauff
Miss Cheryl has been part of our studio for many years, first as a helpful mom. Then as a super costume maker, and now she's all of those things and our receptionist too! We are very lucky to have her.

Melissa Walters
Melissa began her training here at Blackwood Studio's, where she was a soloist in many of our productions and as a student assistant. She became a certified member of Florida Dance Masters in 1990 and has been teaching ever since. She is currently on the staff at Bruce Klay's Dance center in Tampa, where she has been teaching for the last 14 years.

Melissa has taught classes and judged competitions for many events all over Florida, including teaching acrobatics for Florida Dance Masters Spring Workshop. She has been chosen to serve as the director of FDM's "Royal Dance Festival" held in Orlando every November. 

Sherry Newgent
We are very happy to welcome back Sherry Newgent to our teaching staff. She will be teaching 2 days a week including Saturday classes.

Sherry taught for us for a very long time and is back with us as the teacher for our new Saturday morning Pre-Ballet class. She has been a member of our studio since she was a young girl as a student and a teacher. 

Miss Laurel Frye
Miss Frye started with our studio at age 4, was a Star Company member from 6th -12th grades, attended USF, and is currently a member of "Shoes at the Door" Modern Company in Tampa. We are so proud to have her as a member of our staff. We know she will be a superior addition to our studio family.

Miss Annalou Cope
Miss Annalou started with our studio at age 4 and was a Star Company member for many years. We are very proud to have her join our staff and begin our Teachers Training program. We know she will be a superior addition to our studio family.