Mayeisha A. Parker
Artistic Director
Coach
Mayeisha A. Parker is a dynamic performing arts educator, entrepreneur, and mentor with over 16 years of experience in dance education and studio ownership. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to helping individuals grow through movement, creativity, and community, and she has dedicated her career to building programs that inspire confidence, discipline, and personal development.
As a mother of five, Mayeisha understands firsthand the powerful impact that movement, creativity, and performance can have on a child’s confidence, emotional well-being, and personal growth. That belief has become the foundation of her life’s work: creating environments where children and adults alike can build confidence, develop discipline, improve their health, and discover their full potential through the performing arts and fitness.
Today, Mayeisha is the Founder and CEO of MFA Studios, a premier Dance, Cheer, Tumbling, and Fitness organization serving families throughout the region. With two thriving locations and more than 16 years of community impact, MFA Studios has grown into one of the area’s leading youth performing arts and wellness organizations. The studio offers award-winning recreational and competitive dance and cheer programs, tumbling and acrobatics, adult fitness, and the region’s largest Preschool Performing Arts Program for children ages two through five.
Under Mayeisha’s leadership, MFA Studios has become known for developing confident performers, strong athletes, and compassionate leaders. The studio’s nationally recognized competitive teams have earned numerous awards while emphasizing teamwork, character, and resilience. At the same time, thousands of young children have taken their first steps into dance, music, and movement through MFA’s innovative early childhood curriculum.
Beyond the studio, Mayeisha is a passionate entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for arts education. She believes every child deserves access to opportunities that inspire confidence, creativity, and lifelong success, and she continues to expand MFA Studios’ impact through community partnerships, outreach programs, and nonprofit initiatives that make the performing arts accessible to families throughout the community.
Whether she is coaching future champions, mentoring business leaders, or inspiring families to embrace healthier lifestyles, Mayeisha’s mission remains the same: to create spaces where people of every age can move with purpose, perform with confidence, and become the very best version of themselves.
Elba Rivera
Coach
I have been working as an instructor since 2006. I am an AFAA certified personal trainer, and I am certified to teach Zumba, Sh’Bam, Body Pump, Insanity, CXWORX, and Silver Sneakers.
I love to help people feel better about themselves both mentally and physically. I especially enjoy working with people struggling with health problems and physical limitations. The sense of accomplishment I receive is truly fulfilling, and gives me the energy and strength I need in order to perform at the level my clients deserve.
Julie Heintz
Coach
Julie was trained in dance at Michelle Buschner School of Dance in Rochester, New York where she studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Modern Dance. Julie was selected to join a Senior Ensemble dance group at the age of thirteen and enjoyed competing both locally and regionally. During her high school years, Julie began teaching dance and her first fitness class, “Ballet Barre Fitness.” She moved to Virginia in 1982 and continued to teach dance and fitness classes for many years. Julie has been certified by AFAA and NDEITA (currently NETA), Kettlebell AMPD, Barre Above, Zumba and has taught a wide range of classes including Step, Body Sculpting, Strength & Tone, Interval Training, and Adult Tap. She was hired by Nike to perform demo fitness routines in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. to help promote Nike fitness attire. After taking an absence from instructing to raise her family and start a business career, Julie is excited to be teaching again and to be a part of the MFA Team!!
Tamia Gilliard
Fitness Director
Coach
I'm Tamia and I'm grateful to connect with the community through fitness instruction. I teach Xtreme Hip Hop with Phil Step Aerobics, AMPD Kettlebell Weight Lifting, and line dancing. I aim to make a difference through Fitness Instruction, Wellness Coaching and Community Outreach. Come join me for a high-energy class that's great for all ages, sizes and everything in between.
Suzanne Amoruso
Registered Dietitian/Wellness Coordinator
Suzanne is a Board Certified Dietitian and Wellness Coach. She has been practicing as a dietitian for over 20 years. She is a resident of Locust Grove for 24 years and resides here with her husband. She has 3 grown children and one new precious grandson.
Suzanne has a BS degree in nutrition from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and she received her certification as a diabetes educator in Virginia in 2003. She specializes in diabetes education, weight loss, GI issues. More recently Suzanne has a special interest in integrative nutrition and functional foods/medicine. “Helping people heal from the inside out; getting to the root cause of your issue”.
After researching more about the gut microbiome, she began to incorporate and recommend more whole food nutrition to her patients.
In 2020 Suzanne started a private practice, Nutrition For You. She serves patients in Fredericksburg, Culpeper, and Locust Grove. She is also a wellness coach for the Juice Plus company; helping people understand the importance of getting more whole food nutrition and fruits and vegetables into their diet. This is a great way to “bridge that gap” of what we should be eating everyday.
Suzanne enjoys staying active playing pickleball, hiking, working out on a daily basis. She also enjoys making new healthy recipes following a plant based diet
Don’t forget the acronym below:
M.I.S.S. Move, Increase water, Sleep, Stress management
Wallis Payano-Batchelor
Coach
Wallis has been dancing for over 30 years. She began dancing traditional music from the Dominican Republic as a young girl in Bronx, NY. She has danced in Latin dance groups in high school and college. During her service in the Air Force she was an ambassador in Tops in Blue, an expeditionary group that traveled the globe providing entertainment for military members and their families. She has done Zumba for over 15 years and has been an official Zumba Instructor since 2020.
Carolynn Williams
Coach
Amanda Goncalves
NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach passionate about helping individuals build healthier bodies, stronger minds, and sustainable habits. I specialize in fitness, nutrition, accountability, and behavior change, empowering clients to develop the self-discipline and mental resilience needed for lasting success. Through a faith-based approach, I strive to help others grow in confidence, improve their health, and create meaningful lifestyle transformation.