Meet The Team

Meet The Team

**Mayeisha Parker**

Artistic Director
Instructor
Mayeisha’s passion for the arts was born in a Brooklyn community center, where she first experienced African dance across the street from her childhood apartment. That spark led her to audition for The Wiz in third grade—landing the lead role and setting her on a lifelong path in the arts. She went on to attend a series of gifted performing arts schools in New York, training in acting and musical theatre at Henry Street Settlement under Kenneth Greens, and the Harlem Theatre Company. At just 16, she was awarded a BFA Acting Scholarship at Marymount Manhattan College.
As a mother of five, Mayeisha deeply understands the role the arts play in child development, confidence building, and emotional expression. Her mission is to provide children and adults alike with a safe space to move, express, and grow through dance, fitness, and performance
Mayeisha A. Parker is the visionary behind MFA Studios, a thriving Dance, Fitness, and Cheer studio with two locations and over 15 years of community impact. Under her leadership, MFA Studios has become a cornerstone for youth arts education and wellness, offering a wide range of programs including competitive cheer, competitive dance, fitness training, and the area’s largest preschool performing arts program for children ages 2 to 5.
What sets MFA Studios apart is its dual focus on excellence and inclusivity. The studio’s nationally award-winning cheer and dance teams are known for discipline, creativity, and unity. Meanwhile, the Preschool Performing Arts Program introduces young children to ballet, tap, tumbling, creative movement, and musicality—igniting a love for performance early in life.

**Emily Critchfield**

Dance Director
Instructor
Emily Critchfield began dancing at the age of 3 with the Orange School of Performing Arts (OSPA). At OSPA, Emily trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, and Pointe. She has attended dance conventions and master classes with world-renowned dancers and choreographers, including classes at The Broadway Dance Center in New York City. At OSPA, Emily competed on the company team for 7 years, where she traveled to regional and national dance competitions throughout the east coast. She discovered her love of teaching when she became an assistant teacher at OSPA.
Emily places great importance on continuing her own education through master classes, workshops, and certifications, in order to better serve her students. She has completed the Acrobatic Arts Teacher Training and Certification program which teaches proper technique and spotting skills for Acro. Emily takes master classes with Acrobatic Arts every year. Miss Emily is certified in Alixa Flexibility, a program designed to educate instructors on how to teach flexibility safely & effectively. Miss Emily is certified in Giordano Jazz Technique through the Nan Giordano Certification Program. Miss Emily is also certified in Tap Roots where she received Tap training from Julie Kay Stallcup.
Emily started teaching at MFA Studios in 2011 and plans to share her love of Dance and Acro for many years to come!
First Aid/CPR Certified
Acrobatic Arts Certified
Alixa Flexibility Certified
NGCP® Certified (Giordano Jazz Technique)
Tap Roots Certified

**Evelyn McKemie**

*Instructor*
Evelyn McKemie started dancing at MFA at age 9, where she developed a passion for ballet. She enrolled in a pre-professional ballet school at age 13 to pursue her goal of becoming a professional ballet dancer. She has spent summers training at The Washington School of Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Richmond Ballet. She also attended the Kennedy Center's Master Class Series and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company Experience. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Germanna Community College with an Associate of Arts and Sciences. Evelyn is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is currently an apprentice with Charlottesville Ballet. She is passionate about helping students find and nurture their love of dance with a focus on developing strong, safe technique and heartfelt artistry.

**Dinah McKemie**

*Instructor*
Dinah McKemie first started dancing at MFA Studios in 2013, and her love of taking class has translated into a love of teaching it. Over the years she trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap, and competed in numerous dance competitions. In 2019 she joined Company 360 Dance Theatre, a professional contemporary company, to fulfill her love of performing while still being able to teach. Dinah is excited to pass on her knowledge of dance, and hopes to help her students find their passion for it the same way she did.

**Julie Heintz**

*Instructor*

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!!

**Ashley McCullough**

*Instructor*
Ashley McCullough has over 30 years of dance experience, specializing in tap and contemporary dance. She has extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and modern, while also dipping her toes into musical theatre, acrobatics, hip hop, folk dance, and ballroom, plus she is a Registered Yoga Teacher. In 2011, Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Brigham Young University. While at BYU she toured with International Folk Dance Ensemble, as well as performed and choreographed for the student based modern dance company. In college, she had the opportunity to perform with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Post-college, she has performed and choreographed professionally in Baton Rouge, Philadelphia, Chicago, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington D.C. She has taught as a competition team instructor at several studios, winning various special judges awards and invitations to be part of dance battles at National competitions.
In 2019, Ashley co-founded Ash & Elm Dance Co., a non-profit professional dance company, which she continues to co-direct, choreograph, and perform with regularly. She also loves tap dance history and continues to grow in tap knowledge and skills by studying the history, taking online courses, and attending tap festivals. When she’s not dancing, she’s spending her time with her family, homeschooling her school age daughters and chasing around her baby boy. She’s grateful to have the opportunity to be a “stay at home mom” while also being a “working mom” by doing what she loves!

**Melissa Morneault**

*Instructor*
Melissa Morneault began her ballet training locally at the Fredericksburg Ballet Centre. Her training continued at the Boston School of Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and North Carolina School of the Arts year-round high school program. Melissa began her professional career at the Ballet Theatre of Pennsylvania under the direction of Mary Hepner. She has taught ballet for twenty years and is happy to join the MFA Studios team.

**Bluann Faber**

*Instructor*
Bluann's passion for dance began with her love of music. At the age of 5 she began piano lessons and from there has studied the guitar, organ, violin, and flute. Her enjoyment with music led her to take her first dance lesson at the age of 12. Since then, her dance education has continued from Ballet (Vaganova and Cechetti), Lyrical and Contemporary to Hip Hop as well as Ballroom Dance and her favorite style of social dancing - Lindy Hop.
She also enjoys taking fitness classes and learning various types of exercise programs, such as strength training and swimming.
Bluann aims to teach her students not only the enjoyment of dance and correct dance techniques, but also help them deepen their appreciation for the music as well.

**Mia Dansie**

*Instructor*
Hi I am Mia. I am finishing up my Bachelors of Science in Psychology at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. Originally I lived in Winchester VA, where I grew up dancing at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy for 14 years. I have a background in ballet, point, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. I assisted and subbed Musical theater dance classes during my later years there, and have choreographed many pieces. Dance has become something special to me as it really helps with my overall mental health. I hope to work with everyone to not only inspire, but also help students find a love for the art. I am so excited to join the MFA team and cannot wait.

**Amanda Gheen**

*Billing Manager*
My name is Amanda Gheen. I am an Assistant Director at Children of America Deacon Road & the Billing Manager here at MFA Studios. I started childcare in January 2006. I have 2 AMAZING girls on the MFA Competition Cheer Team, Elite Force for 4yrs now. Chassity is a Captain and Nevaeh is a 2nd Base. I have an Associates Degree in Insurance Medical Billing & Coding. I'm excited to be a part of the MFA family.
Certified USA Cheer Youth Coach
Completed Athlete Protection Course
Completed Youth: Cheerleading Safety/Risk Management
Completed Youth: Coaching Young Athletes
First Aid/CPR Certified
MAT Trained

**Jennifer DelMonte**

Front Desk
Youth Company Administrator

Jennifer has been performing her entire life and participated in musical theater, choir, cheer, and dance throughout her childhood and into her 20s.
While looking for a dance school for her oldest daughter, she found MFA Studios and has been honored to be a part of this little family since 2019.

**Chrissy Taylor**

*Enrollment Coordinator*
Hey there! My name is Chrissy and I’m from Manassas Park but I’ve lived here in Culpeper for the last 8 years. My background is in childcare and I earned my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2010. I love interacting with children and hearing all of their stories and encouraging them to be their best. When I’m not at the front desk I can be found working out at the Studio in Locust Grove, driving my kids to practice, listening to Taylor Swift, watching reality TV with my husband or cuddling my dog!

**Andrew Trementozzi**

*Instructor*
Hi! I am Andrew Trementozzi and I will be teaching your children martial arts at MFA studios. I am trained in Tae Kwon Do up through the advanced belts and have experience teaching children a variety of subjects. I am super stoked to be working with your kids and hope they have a fantastic time!

Krystle Gladu

Operating Manager

Krystle began dancing at 2 years old, and continued dancing on and off until her early twenties. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop. In the early years of MFA, Krystle was even a fitness instructor here for a short time. Krystle now loves watching dance through her daughter’s eyes and couldn’t think of a better place to see her talents grow.

Krystle’s background is in business management and she has a Masters degree in Business Administration.

**Ava**

*Student Class Assistant*
Ava started dancing at MFA Studios when she was 3 years old, and it’s still her favorite place to be. Shes been on the competitive team 3 years and loves performing with my teammates. Jazz, lyrical, musical theater, and acro are her favorite styles to practice and perform. Ava is always excited to keep growing and improving.

**Cami**

*Student Class Assistant*
My name is Cami. I am ten years old and I have been dancing at MFA Studios since I was three. I love dance and my favorites are acro, tap, lyrical, and jazz. I have been on the competitive team since 2022 and I hope to see you in class!

**Charlotte**

*Student Class Assistant*
Charlotte is a fifth grader. She has been dancing since the age of 3. This will be her 4th year on Youth Company and her 2nd year doing the assistant program. She loves dancing and helping younger dancers shine.

**Karleigh**

*Student Class Assistant*
Karleigh started dancing at MFA at the age of 4 and is entering her 3rd year with the Youth Company competitive dance team. Karleigh loves dancing at MFA, the friends she has made and the confidence dancing gives her. She loves assisting and helping with the younger dancers.

**Stella**

*Student Class Assistant*
Stella started taking tumbling lessons as a 2 year old and dancing at MFA Studios at the age of 3. She is currently a member of our Youth Company, on both the dance and acro teams. She has trained in multiple genres, but Jazz and Acro are her loves.

**Jillian**

*Student Class Assistant*
Jillian started dancing with MFA at 4 years old. She has experienced many assistants that helped with classes and is excited to help with yours!

**Audrey**

*Student Class Assistant*
Audrey is 12 years old. She loves dancing and acting. In her free time she enjoys diamond art and reading. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher and a librarian.

**Madisyn**

*Student Class Assistant*
Hi I’m Madisyn and I’ve been dancing for MFA since I was 3. I am on the competition team. I love teaching kids to love dance just as much as I do.

**Genevieve**

*Student Class Assistant*
Genevieve began dancing at the age of 5 at Tap to Toe Studio of Dance in Massena, NY where she danced for 5 seasons. During that time, she found her love for not only dance and performing on stage, but she also found her love for helping other dancers. Genevieve was excited to find her next dance home at MFA in 2023, where she has been able to take classes in various genres on the competitive and house levels including musical theater, lyrical, tap, acro, and ballet. She is very excited to be assisting this season!

**Mia**

*Student Class Assistant*
Mia is a freshman in high school and has been dancing at MFA for six years. She currently assists with toddler tumbling classes and has been a member of the Youth Company competition team for the past four years.

**Riley**

*Student Class Assistant*
Riley been dancing since she was 5. She loves teaching and helping other learn to dance. She loves to dance in living room even when she not in classes. She very excited to share her love of dance with others.

**Chloe**

*Student Class Assistant*
Chloe has been dancing with MFA for going almost 3 years now, and this is her second year as a classroom assistant.

**Jerrica**

Jerrica has been doing tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading since she was 2. She started at MFA last season and has found her love for dance at this wonderful studio! Jerrica is a member of the Acro competition team and the musical theater team. Jerrica loves helping friends learn new skills and is excited to assist in Acro classes this year!