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Patti Willey (Director)
Patti (Plascak) Willey is originally from Terre Haute, Indiana and received
her BFA in Dance in 1987 from Stephen’s College, Missouri. Her first successful
audition landed her in Pittsburgh performing with Dance Alloy, a repertory
modern dance company, from 1988-1991. There she performed repertoire from
choreographers such as Bill T. Jones, David Gordan, Shapiro & Smith, Mark Taylor
and Stephen Koester, to name a few. After moving to New York City, she danced
with Dan Wagoner and Dancers from 1991-1992 and performed the duet in the
original cast of his work Dolly Sods: After the Flood. When Dan Wagoner
closed his company at the end of 1992, Patti went on to dance with Randy James
Dance Works from 1993-1997. Each of these modern companies averaged 8 dancers
and Patti performed many principal contemporary roles. Patti has over nineteen
years teaching experience in Pittsburgh, New York City, Europe and Eastern
Europe, and in Terre Haute. She has taught Master Classes at the University of
Hawaii, Skidmore College, Bates College, Columbia College, and Vassar College,
among others, and has helped conduct workshops in several public schools
throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey as part of each state’s “Arts
In Education” program. Since returning to Terre Haute, Patti has choreographed
for StageWorkshops, Children’s Theater of Terre Haute, South Vigo High School,
Impact Productions, Terre Haute Youth Orchestra, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra,
Central Christian Church, ISU Contemporary Music Festival, Terre Haute
Symphonietta Pops Orchestra, WTIU’s “The Friday Zone” Christmas special, and for
the Rose Drama Club at RHIT. She established her studio, Academy of Dance, in
the spring of 2000.
Betsy Hart
Betsy Hart has been studying with Patti Willey at the Academy of Dance since
2002. Her most recent roles have included Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Smee in Peter Pan and Jane in Mary Poppins.
She now teaches the pre-ballet and pre-technique classes. The “little ones” love
her. She is currently studying to be a teacher as she continues to do wonderful
things here at the Academy of Dance.
Abigail Alyn
Grose
Abi Grose is thrilled to be joining the team
at The Academy of Dance! A graduate of Indiana University's modern
dance program, she has taught ballet, modern, creative movement and
fitness classes to children and adults all across the state. She is
also a third grade teacher for the Vigo County School Corporation.
Malik Jenkins
Malik Jenkins is an athletic training student
and Track and Field athlete at Indiana State University. Malik has
been dancing since this age of eight at the Studio One Dance Theatre
in his hometown of Chicago, IL. He still helps out with their
recitals. He has trained in two different styles of dance: tap and
hip hop. Malik has also danced back up for an up-and-coming artist
in Chicago, Yemi Marie. He has also performed at the Chicago Sky
half time show and has opened for Chaka Khan. Malik is very excited
to be starting his fourth year as a teacher at Academy of Dance.
Destiny Lopez
Destiny Lopez is a Textiles and
Fashion Merchandise Major pursing a Bachelor’s degree in Science
with a minor in Dance at Indiana State University. Originally from
the Terre Haute area, Destiny started dancing at Academy of Dance
her first year of high school with a particular interest in ballet.
She started out as an assistant in a few of the younger dance
classes and is now starting her second year as a teacher at Academy
of Dance.
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Hailey Henke
Hailey
Henke has been studying all styles of dance under
the direction of Patti Willey since 2013. As an
aspiring dance teacher, she has enjoyed assisting in
many Academy of Dance classes for the past several
years and loves being part of the staff now. She has been honored to take on the recent
roles of John Darling in "Peter Pan" (2015), Pepper
in "Annie" (2016), Toto in "The Wizard of Oz"
(2017) and Mary Poppins in 2018.
Meghan O'Toole
After graduating from Dean College
with a degree in dance with honors, she owned and
operated a dance studio in upstate NY. Meghan has
taught dance for over 15 years to students ranging
in age from 18months- 88years, including classes
dedicated to individuals with physical and/or mental
disabilities. She closed her studio to obtain her
Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Sage
Colleges. Her dance background includes various
techniques in tap, ballet, modern and jazz and has
had the opportunity to take classes from various
members of the Alvin Aliey Dance company, Luigi,
Members of the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Company, Brad
Musgrove (Dance Captain of Fosse The Musical),
and Dianne Walker, among others. Meghan had the
pleasure of performing with Gregory Hines. She was
the dance team director and choreographer for the
Albany Attack Dance Team, and has worked at the
National Museum of Dance. Meghan moved to Terre
Haute in 2015, with her husband and 3 children, from
Saratoga Springs, NY.
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