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Meg Segreto’s Dance Teachers

Founder, Meg Segreto has over 50 years experience teaching, choreographing and performing in the tri-county area.

The MSDC staff are experienced professionals, with diverse performing, teaching and educational backgrounds, many of whom have early education teaching experience. All our teachers are certified and continue their education with classes, seminars and performances around the United States. All teachers follow the same curriculum, providing for students seamless transition from year to year, teacher to teacher. Our teachers are not distracted by administrative work or customer service; we have a full time office staff to assist you during your student’s class time.

Teacher Assistants in most classes provide an extra set of eyes and hands, helping the teacher ensure that individualized attention is given to each student.

Jennifer Flanagan Thiry

Jennifer Flanagan Thiry

Owner and Artistic Director

Jennifer Flanagan Thiry has been a student of Meg Segreto’s Dance Centre since age 2 and began her training as a teacher at the age of 11, knowing from a young age that she would teach dance professionally.

In 2021, Jennifer became the Owner and Artistic Director of Meg Segreto's Dance Centre, where her passion lies in "raising good humans and artists." As Director of MSDC, Jennifer strives to always put the ‘Segreto Experience’ into effect. Meg Segreto has been a mentor, and a role model to Jennifer not only throughout her career, but in life. MSDC has been a second home to many, and Jennifer is excited to continue the Segreto legacy. Jennifer leads our Perpetual Motion Dance Company and is a certified teacher and member of Florida Dance Masters.

Meg Segreto

Meg Segreto

Founder

Meg Segreto developed her love of dance at the age of four. She spent her summers in New York City, performing and taking dance class from world renowned Master Teachers. Her teaching career began at age sixteen and within twelve years she opened her own studio, Meg Segreto's Dance Centre, in 1979.

She has been commissioned to set choreography on various dance companies and soloists, is frequently called upon to teach Master Classes to both students and teachers, and has choreographed, directed and performed in numerous community and charity events, dinner theatre productions, dance competitions, as well as television and industrial shows. Her teaching philosophy reflects her belief that a teacher’s influence on her students extends far beyond the obvious physical benefits. Through more than forty years as a teacher and mentor, she has positively influenced countless students, teaching them life skills that will help them succeed in ALL aspects of their lives.

Edwin Holland

Edwin Holland

Dance Instructor

Edwin received the bulk of his training from Judi Nelson, alongside his studies with Ronn Daniels and the legendary Steve Condos.

"Mr. Ed" is known as a Tap master throughout the state of Florida and is dedicated to passing on the rich tradition and history of tap to dancers of all ages. Edwin is a certified teacher and member of Florida Dance Masters.

Gina-Marie Jimenez

Gina-Marie Jimenez

Acrobatics Director

Gina-Marie Jimenez has been studying dance and acrobatics in South Florida since the age of 3. After performing with Kelly Clarkson, Ashlee Simpson and Trace Adkins, Gina-Marie went on to study at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC, where she was selected as an assistant to celebrity choreographer Brian Friedman from So You Think You Can Dance.

Gina is certified in Acrobatics by Dance Masters of America, Florida Dance Masters and holds a double certification by Acrobatic Arts under Mandy Yip. Above all else, Gina’s greatest passion in life is continuing to give quality training to her students while keeping the passion of Acrobatics alive. She puts forth all her energy into raising her students to become beautiful, confident, well-rounded dancers; while instilling discipline, hard work, and dedication in everything they set their minds to.

Shari Little

Shari Little

Ballet Master

Ms. Shari Little began her training in ballet with Evonne Chouteau in Oklahoma City, OK. Ms. Little studied at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre School in New York for many summers as a young adult. She performed a fruitful career as Principal Dancer with Ballet Oklahoma, Ohio Ballet, Dallas Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Miami City Ballet.

After retiring from performing professionally, Ms. Little taught extensively for Miami City Ballet and directed the education program for the Public Schools of South Florida. She now resides as MSDC's Ballet Master, sharing her knowledge and talent with dancers of all ages.

Kayla Martin

Kayla Martin

Dance Instructor

Kayla Martin began dancing at Meg Segreto's Dance Centre at a young age, advancing through her dance studies as a well-rounded member of the Perpetual Motion Dance Company and graduating as both a June Taylor Scholarship and Teachers Award winner. While continuing her education at Florida State University, Kayla advanced her dance training through classes, mentorship and performances within the FSU School of Dance. Kayla continued her love for choreography and performance as Dance Captain for the production of the Opera “Maria De Buenos Aires”, Master Class Instructor, and as a member of the Dance Tallahassee Dance Company, performing throughout the Tallahassee community and for collegiate events. Kayla has choreographed competitive solos and group pieces, showcase choreography and led master classes for studios and dance companies throughout North and South Florida.

Kayla is a comprehensively certified Pilates and Barre instructor, and prides herself in pairing her knowledge of safe movement practice with dance. Her extensive training in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical and Contemporary offers her students a foundation for strong technique. Kayla is a certified teacher and member of Florida Dance Masters.

Aisling O’Brien

Aisling O’Brien

Dance Instructor

Aisling O'Brien is a Senior Perpetual Motion Dance Company Member with a passion for teaching and leading the younger generation of dancers. Aisling is our most recent Meg Segreto Scholarship award winner, showing exemplary commitment, teamwork and leadership skills.

At age 9, Aisling began assisting dancers and spent most of her free time dedicated to dance. She now teaches her own Kinder Kid classes, while furthering her dance training as a company, team acro and competition team member. Outside of dancing, Aisling is also a Girl Scout and member of the flag football team at her school.

Madison Ring

Madison Ring

Dance Instructor

Madison began her dance training at age 3 and went on to dance through her Senior year as a member of the Perpetual Motion Dance Company. Madison comes from a long line of MSDC Alumni and continues to carry on the MSDC torch as she leads our younger dancers. Madison began her teacher training as an assistant at the age of 13 and has loved working with children since then.

Madison has been a dance teacher at MSDC since 2018 and has directed the MSDC Dance Camp since 2021. In May of 2024, Madison graduated from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) with a Bachelors of Arts in Dance with minors in pre-heath and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies. There, her training focused on modern dance, under Damaris Ferrer and Elana Lanczi. Madison also received the James and Nan Farquhar Performing and Visual Arts Grant endowment. Madison was a part of Stage 2 Dance Company at NSU and has performed in a variety of shows with the company. Madison is a certified teacher and member of Florida Dance Masters.

Autumn Spitareli (Dolan)

Autumn Spitareli (Dolan)

Dance Instructor

Autumn Spitareli (Dolan) is a graduate of MSDC with extensive experience in Modern repertoire. Autumn attended Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. There, she had the opportunity to learn from and dance with esteemed choreographers. This is where she began to explore choreography and was chosen to display her work at student showcases in New York City. During her undergraduate studies, Autumn continued her training in the Summers at Boston Conservatory, Walt Disney World, Amy Marshall Dance Company and at The American Dance Festival held at Duke University.

After she received a Bachelors of Arts, Autumn returned to South Florida and pursued a professional dance career with Modern dance companies in Miami. Autumn now leads Modern classes for our Company members, exploring mindfulness in movement and developing exploration through dance.