Meet The Team
Mayeisha Parker
Artistic Director
Instructor
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 also certified in Giordano Jazz Technique through the Nan Giordano Certification Program.
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)
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.
Rebecca Reese
Instructor
Rebecca Reese has been dancing since the age of two. Growing up in a military family brought the unique challenge of frequent moves, but dance was always a joyful source of stability in her life. During her years as a dancer across the United States and Europe, Rebecca trained in many styles including: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Acrobatics, and Capoeira. She began assisting dancers in a Creative Movement class during her junior year, sparking her passion for working with young children. She continued assisting and leading dance classes throughout her senior year, as well as danced competitively.
Rebecca earned an Associate Degree in Education while still in high school, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University. She loves to inspire creativity and watch children discover self-expression through movement. She began teaching at MFA Studios in 2022 and is excited to pass on her love for the art of dance.
Emma Kilinski
Instructor
Emma Kilinski started dancing at 3 years old taking tap and ballet. She has been a part of the MFA family since 2011. Emma started competing with the MFA competition team in 2017. Emma loves taking many styles of dance but tap is her favorite. Emma is a senior at Riverbend High School who plays percussion in the marching band, is an honor roll student in the Commonwealth's Governor's School Program and is a Senior Girl Scout who has earned her bronze and silver award for community service projects.
Melissa Johnson
Instructor
Jennifer Sledz
Instructor
Jennifer Sledz (Jenn) has had a natural love for dancing from birth, and began dancing at age three . At age six, she entered Chris Collins Dance Studio and studied Ballet, Cecchetti, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. Throughout her ten years at the studio she performed in many recitals, competitions, Disneyworld, Broadway Dance Center, and Rockette Experience in NYC. She was also a student teacher during her last three years at the studio. She was a co-captain of her high school dance team from 10th-12th grade; choreographing and performing in various venues throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. She was one of fifteen selected to be a feature dancer at the 2005 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. During the summer, after high school, Jenn worked for Eastern Dance Association as a dance instructor. She traveled with EDA dance camps throughout Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. While completing her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, she joined an adult dance team. They competed and performed at Six Flags Amusement Park as well as a WMBA halftime show. She took a break from dancing to get married and start a family. Her love and passion for dancing has been rejuvenated as her five year old daughter has now stepped into her "shoes!" Jenn is looking forward to contributing her knowledge and experience to this next generation and feels grateful and blessed for this new opportunity. Just to be able to pass down this joy and feeling of never looking at an empty grocery store aisle the same...and a chance to "tap your troubles away!"
Dinah McKemie
Instructor
Front Desk
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!!
Damon Hill
Instructor
Damon took his first Karate class at age 8 and never looked back. Studying many Arts over the years, and achieving his Black Belt at age 18, Damon chose a career as a professional Martial Artist. He owned and operated a large school in Florida for fifteen years that was on the cutting edge of the Fitness Kickboxing craze of the 90’s/2000’s. Along the way he and his team created and marketed the Lil’ Dragons Program. This class is geared towards the pre-K/Kindergarten age group. After retiring in 2012 he moved to Virginia to be closer to family. Damon is running the Adult Fitness Kickboxing class for adults, teaching the Lil’ Dragon Program as well as the Junior Karate Classes.
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!
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 Admin
Jennifer has been performing her entire life and participated in musical theater, choir, cheer, and dance throughout her childhood and into her 20s. In college, she channeled her passion for movement into strength training and afterward spent her career working in fitness and as a rehabilitative exercise specialist. For the last 7 years though, her job title has been Mom.
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.
Currently, Jennifer is a plus-size marathoner, group exercise instructor, and body neutrality advocate. She believes that you deserve to find joy through movement in the body you are in, regardless of size, age, or current ability.
Jessica Trementozzi
Front Desk
Hi Everyone! I am so excited to be working the front desk here at MFA Studios. I cannot wait to meet all of your smiling faces and support you in any way I can. I grew up doing gymnastics, dance, and theater and am thrilled to be able to support the next generation in all things fine arts! My experience as a competition dancer and instructor will help me to best support you and your family!
Toya Carter
Front Desk
Hi, my name is Toya and I will be working the front desk at MFA studios. I am passionate about children, family, and personal growth. In my prior administrative positions, I have work closely with adults and children with disabilities. I have always been eager to assist those who struggle with maximizing their highest potential. I feel as though I'm a powerful force in the workplace and I use my positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. I'm inspired daily by my spouse and five children. In my free time I like to read, shop, nap, and travel. I am excited to become a part of the MFA team and I'm eager to support you and your family in any way that I can.
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. When I’m not at the gym I can be found chauffeuring my daughters around Culpeper, selling LuLaRoe, listening to Taylor Swift, watching all of the Real Housewives franchises with my husband and 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!
