Instructors & Support Staff
Artistic DirectorChloé's love for dance started at The Toledo Ballet Academy at the age of six. She furthered her training at Toledo School for the Arts and Alvin Ailey before pursuing her B.A. at Eastern Michigan University. Majoring in Dance Performance and Women's & Gender Studies, she began her journey of bringing queer and brown voices to an equal status in the field of dance.
Chloé opened Fun Girl in the Fall of 2018. She has continued her career outside of Fun Girl as a guest lecturer & choreographer at Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University & Michigan State University. It is her hope to continue working in higher education while growing Fun Girl. Chloé believes that all movers should have access to safe dance spaces. This is executed through representation, community outreach and a great playlist! Chloé is dedicated to providing children through professionals with a well rounded dance education through personalized care. |
Administrative DirectorMary Pat graduated from UT with a bachelors of Disability Studies and has been working with kiddos of all ages and abilities for over 10 years. From Special Education Paraprofessional to Outdoor Education Instructor, Mary Pat has a range of educational experiences that have taught her how to create an inclusive and safe environment for any child. Strongly valuing the pedagogy of discovery learning, Mary Pat builds learning partnerships with kiddos so that she may provide an educational experience built on trust, self growth, and accountability. And, while she doesn’t have a background in dance Mary Pat loves trying something new and participates in our adult dance class.
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Musical Theatre & Tap DirectorDanielle began her dance training at the age of 8 in Buffalo, New York where she danced competitively with Center Stage Dance Studio and Stages Dance Academy. Outside of her studio homes, Danielle studied musical theatre, performed in the dance ensembles of various local productions, and choreographed shows with the Lancaster Opera House.
As an instructor, Danielle is committed to making her dance spaces safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all (feel free to ask her about the tangible steps she is taking to do this!). Danielle works to ensure her classes are fun and supportive for dancers and she works in partnership with each student to help them grow and meet their dance goals. |
Technique 3 & 4 & Competitive TeamEugenia discovered her love of dance in high school, moving on to co-direct and choreograph for a student-run dance showcase at New College of Florida, her alma mater. She has years of experience working with children as a camp counselor for SeriousFun children’s network, and as a Montessori pre-school teaching assistant. She joined Fun Girl this past season as a student in the Adult Company class and is excited to help foster a safe creative space for young dancers in the community. Outside of dance, Eugenia is pursuing a research career in political psychology.
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Tumbling & Creative MovementMackenzie grew up dancing at Trenton School of Dance. She is currently attending Eastern Michigan University as a dance major and business minor. Kenzie joined Company E her freshman year, through the Eastern Michigan Dance program. She has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and Acrobatics. She joined the FunGirl team this year teaching Creative Expressions and Tumbling.
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Competitive TeamKassie Keil graduated from Ohio University in 2020 with her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. There she studied under Travis Gatling, Nathan Andary, Ani Javian, Dr. Tresa Randall, Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge, and Dr. Christy Camper-Moore among others. She also studied with guest artists David Dorfman, Kendra Portier, and Jasmine Hearn to name a few. After graduation she joined Fun Girl Dance Company and School as an apprentice and now dances as a company member. She looks forward to her third season with the company as well as assisting and substitute teaching for the school.
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SeamstressMartina Petit began her dance journey at the age of 3 with KMC Dance in Albertville, Minnesota. In 8th grade she was hired as an assistant teacher at the studio and continued building her dance and teaching skills throughout her high school career. In college she worked to find places for dance in her life when able. This included a move and groove class she taught for disabled orphaned children in Langfang, China while she was on study abroad in Beijing at Beijing Language and Culture University. Upon returning to the States and graduating college at St. Cloud State in MN with a Bachelor of Elective Studies and a focus in Chinese Language and Culture, Martina made the move to Michigan for work in Mandarin Chinese Translation and International Permitting for a local airline. Feeling she was missing dance once more in her life, finding Fun Girl was a breath of fresh air; this was especially true as a queer individual who got to move in such an inclusive space for the first time.
On the side, Martina has always had a love of costumes and dressing up! She began cosplaying at age 15 and over the past 12 years she’s picked up skills in patterning, sewing, and bringing fictional visions to life. A frequenter of Youmacon in Detroit, when not in the convention scene she’s often caught styling a wig, toiling away at her sewing machine, or dressed up and making TikToks! It’s been an absolute dream to get to bring her two worlds together as a seamstress for Fun Girl. |
PhotographerShelby Kinney is in their third season as an Adult Company dancer at Fun Girl School. You can find them working as a barber at Taylor & Colt when they aren't at the studio. Shelby grew up dancing in the Flint area and finally as an adult found their queer connection that is Fun Girl. Shelby can often be found in our classes and rehearsals capturing those perfect moments of fun, love, and connection that make up Fun Girl!
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