MEET OUR STAFF!
Here at Blackwood Studios it is our top priority to provide your student with the best quality dance education that they can receive! Our teachers have all grown up and been classically trained in our studio for many years and absolutely love what they do!
Get to know our owners and teachers below:
Sally A. Blackwood
Owner and Founder of Blackwood Studios, Inc.
Miss Sally, our beloved founder, passed away on January 24th, 2026. She owned and operated this studio since 1965, dedicating her life to shaping generations of dancers and building a community rooted in passion and excellence.
She began her training in Lakeland and continued her studies in New York City with the Joffrey Ballet Company. Miss Sally served as Past Chairman of the State Examining Committee to certify dance teachers for Dance Masters of America and was also a Director of the Central Florida Ballet Company.
Throughout her remarkable career, she directed and choreographed for numerous theater companies, served as Dean of Students for Florida Dance Masters, taught ballet at dance teacher conventions across the state, and judged countless competitions. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers as both teachers and professional dancers—one of her greatest legacies.
Affectionately known as the “costume lady,” Miss Sally was also the official costumer for Florida Dance Masters’ Main Attraction Performing Troupe, with her costumes featured in productions by professional ballet companies throughout the Southeast.
Although she retired from teaching in 2020, Miss Sally remained deeply involved with the studio she loved so much. Teaching was always her greatest passion, and her influence will continue to inspire all who walk through our doors.
Mary Ann Blackwood-Hall
Owner of Blackwood Studios, Inc.
Daughter of Sally A. Blackwood
Mary Ann literally grew up in the studio. She has studied dance with Sally Blackwood at Blackwood Studios, Tampa Ballet Arts, North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of Alabama under Della Ranslem and Louise Sellars, L.R.A.D., as well as The American Academy of Ballet Teacher & Training School with Mignon Furman. She has appeared as an actress, singer, dancer and choreographer in many stage productions both in Florida 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 Florida Dance Masters since 1986, was President from 2011-2013, and currently serves as Scholarship Director and Examination Facilitator.
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.Miss Mary Ann was named “Teacher of the Year” three times from the Florida
Invitational Dance Competition. Her choreography has won numerous awards, and Star Company has performed and toured France, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
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 have 2 children, Eric and Emily. 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.
Melissa Walters
Melissa was born in Tallahassee, grew up in Dade City, and began dancing at Blackwood Studios in 1978. She began teaching all forms of dance in 1988 and is currently celebrating 34 years of teaching.
She has been an instructor, co-owner, and studio director at numerous studios in Clermont, Tampa and Dade City. She has performed all around the State of Florida and had the opportunity to perform in Europe during the Summer of 2016. She has also judged auditions and competitions from Florida to New York.
Melissa has been an active member of Florida Dance Masters since 1990 and served as the President of the Organization from 2017-2019. She is the former Director of the Royal Dance Festival and has choreographed for their performing groups, Main Attraction and Legacy.
She has taught Jazz, Theater Jazz, and Acrobatics at their conventions. She is currently the co-director of the scholarship program, and the director of the Breakout Competition.
Laurel Marsh
Laurel began her training at Blackwood Studios at the age of 4. She was an original member of the Little Stars and a member of Les Etoiles, now called Star Company. She won several scholarships with Florida Dance Masters (FDM) and was part of their performing group Main Attraction. She continued her dance education training at the University of South Florida.
Laurel was a member of Shoes at the Door Modern Dance Company for six years and performed at different venues in the Tampa Bay Area. Laurel has been a member of FDM and is a former treasurer for the organization. She’s taught at conventions and has taught for other studios that are also a part of FDM.
Miss Laurel is married to Steve Marsh. They have tShe is excited that her daughter now dances and she loves to share her passion with her students.
Jordan Allison
Jordan started dancing with our studio at the age of 4 and was a member of Star Company for several years. She traveled with the company and performed all over Europe!
Annalou Marquez
Annalou has been dancing with us since she was 4 years old. She was a member of Star Company for many years and even traveled with them for a two-week tour all over Germany and Austria.
She grew up studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe and Modern. She currently teaches Pre-Ballet, Jazz and choreographs for one of our Performance Teams, “Little Stars”.
Annalou has been married to Luis Marquez since October 2019 after a surprise proposal onstage at our annual recital in 2018!
Not only does she teach for us, she also manages our Studio’s Website and Social Media Accounts. She owns her own business, “Simply by Lou” along with managing her Husband’s Real Estate Social Media and Website.
Miss Annalou & Luis are expecting their first Baby Boy in March 2024! We are so excited to have a new little member of the studio join us soon!
Jasmine Crew
Jasmine has been dancing at Blackwood Studios since she was 5 years old. She grew up taking all styles of dance, was a member of the Little Stars and then later became a member of the Star Company! She has competed in various competitions, performed in many shows, and has been awarded multiple dance scholarships. Jasmine is a member of Florida Dance Masters and currently attends the University of South Florida, where she is studying Physical Rehabilitation Science. She is currently teaching our Saturday morning classes, Pre-Ballet, Ballet and Acrobatics!
Gracie Scaglione
Gracie has been dancing since the age of 2, beginning at Brooksville Dance Academy and continuing her education at Blackwood Studios. She was a Dance Major at USF, earning a BFA in Modern Dance Performance in Spring 2024. She has received scholarships in Jazz and Modern from Florida Dance Masters and has been a finalist at FDM Senior Miss Dance, Spotlight on Talent, and Pasco County Showcase of Talent. Gracie has taught a variety of styles of dance at Stagelights Performing Arts Center since 2020. She has choreographed for and performed in Underoath’s Grammy nominated virtual album debut, and performed in works for USF Dance and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Summer Intensive. She enjoys choreography and intends to make dance her life long passion!
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