MEET YOUR TEACHERS
Madonna’s School of Dance is a performing arts school for students of ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical and acrobatics. The art of dance is taught to children and adults beginners through advanced, with care and special attention given to each student in every class. Each class is rich in technique necessary to build a dancer confident in class and performance. Classes are designed to teach students the discipline of dance along with the fun of learning new steps and styles of dance with positive reinforcements. Ballet is most important for all ages to excel in dance. Dance training is a very special experience for every child.
It is not only an enjoyable activity but one from which you child can learn social graces, coordination, physical fitness, appreciation of the arts, poise and grace and make lasting friendships. Dance enhances gymnastics, cheerleading, figure skating, and all athletics. Our staff stresses technique, performance quality, fun and how to be the best you can be in all aspects of life. Technique only classes for ballet are recommended for levels 2 and up, no recital dance taught in these classes. Classes run from September through mid June, plus a summer program.
It is not only an enjoyable activity but one from which you child can learn social graces, coordination, physical fitness, appreciation of the arts, poise and grace and make lasting friendships. Dance enhances gymnastics, cheerleading, figure skating, and all athletics. Our staff stresses technique, performance quality, fun and how to be the best you can be in all aspects of life. Technique only classes for ballet are recommended for levels 2 and up, no recital dance taught in these classes. Classes run from September through mid June, plus a summer program.
Madonna Rothwell (ballet, tap, jazz,lyrical) has owned and operated Madonna’s School of Dance since 1981. She is a 32 year member of Dance Masters of America, an organization that certifies teachers in dance. She is also a member of Miami Valley Dance Teachers Association. Both hold several conventions each year in which students and teachers benefit from classes taught by master teachers from New York and all over the country. Madonna has also enjoyed choreographing for Beavercreek High School musicals, with “Music Man”, “West Side Story”, “Damn Yankees” and “Guys and Dolls” as part of her repertoire. She has also choreographed for Beavercreek Community Theater and show choirs, but enjoys teaching the treasures of dance to all ages at the studio. Madonna and her, husband Gary reside in Beavercreek, have two grown sons: Eric teaches 5th grade in Oakhills School district in Cincinnati and is head soccer coach at Walnut Hills High School. He is married to Jessica and has two children, Sofia and Owen. Ray is currently living in NYC after dancing for two years at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan in “Wicked”.
Laurie Deptula (jazz, lyrical, hip hop, acrobatic) is a retired studio owner after 20 years, from Huber Heights. Laurie graduated from WSU with a Bachelors degree in Dance in 1986. She is Past President of Miami Valley Dance Teachers Association. Laurie joined the professional dance group “The Fly Girls” in the early 90’s, performing at half time for the Dayton Bombers, Dayton Wings, and Dance Cowboys. She traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters and helped with the All American Cheer in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl game, which helped to promote dance into their competition and half-time performance. Laurie teaches the hip hop and acrobatic classes along with all levels of ballet, jazz and lyrical. Her creative choreography excites dancers and audiences. Her daughter Sadie Hellyer is a member of the Rayettes.
Laura Leach (Nancarrow) (ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater)is a 2006 Ball State University
graduate with a degree in dance performance. She is a former Rayette and dancer with the studio for 13 years.
She taught in the Muncie, IN area during the 2005-2006 school year. In addition to teaching at Madonna’s studio,
she works as a freelance choreographer for show choirs and musicals. She choreographed “Pippin” in
November 2007, and was a cast member of “Cabaret” in 2009 for Dayton Playhouse. She choreographed “Seussical the Musical” for BHS in 2011. In August Laura will be married to Ian Leach and will begin her doctorate studies at UD in physical therapy.
Laura Gray is a Jr. at WSU, and has been with the studio since she was three years old. She was
a member of the Rayettes and has been student teaching for three years. Laura will be teaching Creative
Movement, Intermediate Ballet and Jazz and continue Assistant Teaching. She teaches creative movement at Enon Montessori School.
Laurie Deptula (jazz, lyrical, hip hop, acrobatic) is a retired studio owner after 20 years, from Huber Heights. Laurie graduated from WSU with a Bachelors degree in Dance in 1986. She is Past President of Miami Valley Dance Teachers Association. Laurie joined the professional dance group “The Fly Girls” in the early 90’s, performing at half time for the Dayton Bombers, Dayton Wings, and Dance Cowboys. She traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters and helped with the All American Cheer in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl game, which helped to promote dance into their competition and half-time performance. Laurie teaches the hip hop and acrobatic classes along with all levels of ballet, jazz and lyrical. Her creative choreography excites dancers and audiences. Her daughter Sadie Hellyer is a member of the Rayettes.
Laura Leach (Nancarrow) (ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater)is a 2006 Ball State University
graduate with a degree in dance performance. She is a former Rayette and dancer with the studio for 13 years.
She taught in the Muncie, IN area during the 2005-2006 school year. In addition to teaching at Madonna’s studio,
she works as a freelance choreographer for show choirs and musicals. She choreographed “Pippin” in
November 2007, and was a cast member of “Cabaret” in 2009 for Dayton Playhouse. She choreographed “Seussical the Musical” for BHS in 2011. In August Laura will be married to Ian Leach and will begin her doctorate studies at UD in physical therapy.
Laura Gray is a Jr. at WSU, and has been with the studio since she was three years old. She was
a member of the Rayettes and has been student teaching for three years. Laura will be teaching Creative
Movement, Intermediate Ballet and Jazz and continue Assistant Teaching. She teaches creative movement at Enon Montessori School.
Mission Statement
Madonna's School of Dance will provide a professional, fun and safe atmosphere for students and their families. Dancers will learn dance technique, various syles of dance, and will know how to dance, not just learn a dance to perfect. We enjoy dancers of all ages and levels, and treat each individually.
Our teachers have close relationships with the dancers and their families, to help the dancer achieve what they want out of their dance experience. We are aware that most of our students will not go on the be professional dancers, or even dance in college, but every student is given the same opportunity to enjoy dance at every level. If the dancers do decide to go to professional level, they leave our studio well prepared. Our teachers have college degrees in dance and/or are members of Dance Masters of America- certified to teach dance.
The classroom is full of discipline, yet fun and exciting new things to learn. We use improvisation often in the classroom to inspire the students to move freely and feel the music, to just dance without corrections or consequences. We learn so much from them during this time!
Madonna's School of Dance will provide a professional, fun and safe atmosphere for students and their families. Dancers will learn dance technique, various syles of dance, and will know how to dance, not just learn a dance to perfect. We enjoy dancers of all ages and levels, and treat each individually.
Our teachers have close relationships with the dancers and their families, to help the dancer achieve what they want out of their dance experience. We are aware that most of our students will not go on the be professional dancers, or even dance in college, but every student is given the same opportunity to enjoy dance at every level. If the dancers do decide to go to professional level, they leave our studio well prepared. Our teachers have college degrees in dance and/or are members of Dance Masters of America- certified to teach dance.
The classroom is full of discipline, yet fun and exciting new things to learn. We use improvisation often in the classroom to inspire the students to move freely and feel the music, to just dance without corrections or consequences. We learn so much from them during this time!