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 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 as the President of the organization.

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. 

Laurel Weightman
Laurel grew up studying dance with Blackwood Studios.  She has studied under many well known teachers including David Howard and Gus Giordano.  Laurel has performed as a dancer at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.  For more than 29 years, she has taught and choreographed for numerous dance studios in the central Florida area.  Laurel has been a longtime member of Florida Dance Masters.

Laurel and her husband Jock have three children. She is a member of the City of Dade City Recreation Advisory Committee, on the board of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and has been on the SAC committee for the Pasco County District School Board since 1991. Laurel has a love for music and plays several instruments. She is actively involved in the music community within Pasco County.  Miss. Laurel is currently teaching modern, acrobatics and jazz for our studio.

Shannon May Daughtery
Shannon grew up dancing at Blackwood Studios. She has studied with many well-known teachers and has completed her Teacher’s Training Course with Sally Blackwood. Shannon became a member of Florida Dance Masters in 2004. She was tested in Ballet and Acrobatics by Florida Dance Masters and received the highest grade of any of Miss Sally’s Teacher’s Training Graduates.

Shannon received her A.A. degree from Valencia Community College in Orlando and graduated from Saint Leo University with her B.A. in Elementary Education in May 2007. She teaches first grade at West Zephyrhills elementary school as well as teaching ballet, jazz and acrobatics for us. In April 2009 Shannon married her long time sweetheart, Shaun and on June 24, 2010 they welcomed to their family Zander James, weighing 6lbs, 13 oz. All are doing great!

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.

Mr. Ray Polk
Mr. Ray was one of our original students and was on our staff for many years. We are thrilled that he rejoined our staff in September of 2009. He is currently teaching our all boy classes. He is available for tumbling ages 4 to 7, acrobatics, tap or jazz ages 8 and up. Please call the studio immediately for further information. Classes will form as needed.

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. 

Alyson Coscia
We are so happy to welcome Aly home!

Alyson grew up in Dade City, Florida where she began here dance training with Blackwood Studios under the direction of Sally and Mary Ann Blackwood. While at Blackwood Studios she became fluent in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Acrobatics, Tap and Modern. She has also attended numerous secondary training programs at professional organizations including the Virginia School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, and the Orlando Ballet.

Upon graduating High School, Alyson continued dancing at Florida State University where she has recently graduated with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in dance. During her college dance career, she has preformed in many department concerts and has worked with choreographers including Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Darshan Bhuller, Dan Wagoner, and Steve Koester. In the fall of 2009 she was given the opportunity to live, take classes, and perform in New York City through the "FSU in NYC" program. Currently Alyson is teaching choreography in the Tampa Bay area. We are delighted to have her teaching Modern, Jazz  and Acrobatics for us this year!

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.