Meet Our Staff!
LACIE RINKUS is the proud Assistant director and Co-Owner of Anna Marie School of Dance. She is also the loving mom to 3 children- Judah, Brooks and Lennox. Dancing with her mom, Anna Marie, Lacie began her love for the performing arts when she could walk! Lacie was trained at AMSD in ballet, tap, jazz, funk, lyrical, musical theatre and acrobatics. She also trained in gymnastics at Pottsville Gymnastics Training Center and was a member of the HAHS competitive cheerleading program. Lacie continued her studies traveling regularly to Broadway Dance Center and The Pulse Conventions while competing and attending workshops along the east coast throughout her tween years. She got her break at age 14, auditioning and being accepted into Crazy Cee Productions Hip-Hop Dance Company based out of Queens, NY. Lacie spent time traveling in the company and performing for names including LL Cool J, P-Star, Cicely and Olisa (Nu-Stylz), Shane Sparx and more. Her titles include Miss Performing Arts Alliance talent titles and Miss Talent Olympics Decathlon Winner. In 2007, Lacie began her college career at Temple University in Philadelphia studying Therapeutic Recreation with a focus in Dance Therapy. While at Temple, she was a 3 year member and captain of the nationally ranked Diamond Gems Dance Team. Lacie traveled the country with her competitive dance team while cheering on the Owls at NCAA tournaments and Bowl Games. Upon graduating in 2012, Lacie followed her roots back to AMSD and joined the competition staff permanently. Lacie specializes in hip hop, jazz and contemporary styles of dance... she can't wait to share her passion with you!
CHARISA REGGIE is the first born daughter of local dance entrepreneur Anna Marie McGowan. She is the proud Assistant Director and Co-owner of Anna Marie School of Dance. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education and a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology. At the age of 1, Charisa stepped onto the stage for her very first recital at AMSD (and we've got the pics to prove it!). She was a lifelong student at AMSD, studying in all areas including ballet, tap, jazz, funk, musical theater, lyrical and acrobatics. At the age of 8, Charisa’s dance career took a focus in tap when she began privately training under the direction of the legendary David Blight. She began traveling regularly to local conventions and workshops, training weekly at Broadway Dance Center in New York City under the direction of professional tap dancer Savion Glover. Charisa studied gymnastics at Apollo Gymnastics Center and Pottsville Training Center and was also a four year member of the Hazleton Area High School competitive cheerleading team. Throughout her competitive dance career, Charisa received numerous overall titles including Miss Funfest, Miss Talent Olympics, and Miss Performing Arts Alliance. She earned the Broadway Dance Center Scholarship for the highest scoring tap routine at PAA. Charisa reigned as Greater Hazleton’s Outstanding Young Woman in 2002 and competed for the state title of Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Young Woman. Winning the talent portion of the local competition, she earned her top place with a tacit style advanced tap dance. Following high school, she continued her dance career at Bloomsburg University as a head choreographer of the BU Dance Ensemble as well as a member of the BU Competition Dance Team. In 2007, Charisa returned to follow in her mother's footsteps at AMSD, and accepted the position of head competition tap teacher. In addition to her dedication to AMSD, Charisa is currently a Math Teacher at the Hazleton Area High School and former dance instructor at the Hazleton Area Academy of Arts and Humanities. Charisa and her husband Nico are the proud parents of three awesome kids- Jaxon, Jaymin, and Milani. Charisa invites you to slip on your tap shoes and make some NOISE!
KATIE ZOSHAK started her dance career at AMSD at the age 3! Katie was a dedicated competition dancer for 16 years and studied tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, modern and gymnastics. Katie earned multiple titles throughout her career, finishing off her senior season being named Miss Performing Arts Alliance. Katie graduated from Hazleton Area High School in 2009 where she was a 4-year member of the Varsity Competitive Cheerleading Team. Katie continued her studies at Delaware Valley University in which she was a 4-year member of the Students for Diversity Step Team and a 2-year member of the DVU Cheerleading Team. She holds a Bachelors Degree majoring in Zoo Science. Katie followed her heart back to AMSD in 2013, and is a proud core teacher at AMSD!
MELISSA LOMAX is an alumni member of AMSD! Melissa was a Hazleton Are High School Varsity cheerleader where she served as co-captain of her team and choreographed dance routines. Melissa is currently a Physical Therapist Assistant and also holds a Kinesiology degree from Pennsylvania State University. She relocated back to the Hazleton Area and reconnected with AMSD through her daughter MyKayla. Melissa became a proud “dance mom” and guided MyKayla as she advanced through the ranks with her competitive performances. She ultimately joined staff where she specializes in jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop styles of dance. She currently directs both group and individual competitive and recreational classes. Melissa brings her unique energy and passion into every class ... and she can't wait to share that with you!
BRIANNA KUBISHIN is currently a student at Misericordia University. In 2019, she will graduate with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy with minors in Psychology and Gerontology. Brianna has been dancing since the age of 3, winning Jazz Dancer of the Year at age 9! When she is not dancing or studying, Brianna works at PRO Rehabilitation Services and she is also a tutor at Misericordia. Brianna has held multiple scholarship pageant titles within the past few years including Miss Greater Hazleton 2016 and Miss Hershey Area 2017. While holding these titles, she competed for the title of Miss Pennsylvania and performed a tap routine as her talent. Brianna loves children and has been a private babysitter for the past 6 years for families up to 4 children! She cannot wait to share her love of the performing arts with all of our students and families!
BRITTANY MADURO began dancing at the age of 3! For 15 years, she dedicated her time dancing competitively in tap, jazz, ballet and acrobatics. During her 4 years of high school, Brittany was a member of the Hazleton Area Varsity Competitive Cheerleading Team. She graduated from HAHS in 2011 and continued her education at McCann School of Business and Technology, earning a degree in Surgical Technology. As an AMSD staff member, she specializes in acro training. She can't wait to flip with you!
Nicole Bereznak is a graduate from Wilkes University majoring in Childhood Education. She spends a lot of time in her classroom preparing for her kindergarten students. Nicole has now extended her schooling to be a future counselor. Nicole has studied various forms of dance since the age of 4 and enjoys every moment of it! Nicole currently heads our TUMBLE TOTS, ROOKIES, BIRTHDAY PARTIES & Beginner classes! You can find her in the gym or in the dance room bringing her creativity and energy to her students! Nicole is continuing her dance studies and is honored to be STAFF at AMSD this season. She is very excited to meet all of her new students and make this year the best one yet!
Susan Shamany is the lead instructor of our powerhouse gymnastics program! Sue coaches our beginner through our most advanced students physically and mentally while offering proper instruction in gymnastics technique. Sue trained and competed for 10 years at Yellow Jackets Gymnastics formally located in Danvers, Massachusetts. Sue has continued to teach lessons and coach on & off for the past 20 years. In addition to gymnastics, Sue studied dance at Dolly's Dance Academy in Lynn, Massachusetts for 15 years. She can't wait to flip with you!
Lindsey Maduro Wagner began gymnastics at the age of 5. Shortly after, she began taking dance lessons and studies varies dance genres such as jazz, ballet, Tahitian, and acro. Lindsey continued to dance through her senior year of high school. During this time, Lindsey was also a 4 year competitive varsity cheerleading for the Hazleton Area Cougars. She then continued on to the University of Delaware to join their competitive cheerleading team. With gymnastics and cheerleading being Lindsey’s passion, she began working for the Universal Cheerleader Association where she has been instructing camps and judging for the past 15 years. She also coached the Hazleton Area High School Cougars for 6 years. Aside from gymnastics and cheerleading, Lindsey has a degree in early childhood education and works as a 4th grade teacher. She also recently welcomed a daughter into her family.
Megan McGowan is entering her second season as a beginner/intermediate gymnastics instructor. She began gymnastics at the age of 10. Megan is a former member of the Hazleton Area High School competitive cheerleading team. Megan graduated from Misericordia University with a bachelors degree in Medical Imaging. She is currently a part time Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and full time dance Mom x 2! She is the wife of Matthew McGowan. Together, they are the proud parents of two sweet girls, Mira and Marlowe. Megan is proud to be a part of the AMSD family and cannot wait to tumble with you!
