Tyler Wing:
Tyler Wing, owner and director of Dancemakers, has a nationwide career that spans over ten years.
Specializing in contemporary, jazz, and video hip hop dance forms, he has worked nationally as a professional dancer, choreographer, director, and most importantly, master teacher.
Professional dance and choreography credits include Nike, Reebok’s NFL Promo, Scotia Prince Cruise lines, Sony Online Entertainment, Andrew Michael Salon Company, GLAAD, Sweat Express Dance Company, Ace Entertainment, Polar, and a television show pilot for the WB Network called “The INdustry.”
Tyler has also worked with many notable names such as international pop star Heather Schmid, international choreographers Glenn Douglas Packard, and Jimmy Locust, actress Anna Kendrick, and founder of TV’s VH1 Ed Bennett.
Additionally, Tyler was a former judge and master convention teacher for several of the nation’s top competitions; such as Dancers Inc, Ray Hollingsworth’s Dance Troupe Inc., The Power of Dance, Olympic Miss Dance, and was the director of judges and and emcee for the Spirit of Dance Awards.
Tyler had the special honor of being featured in Dance Teacher Magazine’s 2008 article, “You Be The Judge,” where he contributed as one of the leading judges in the competition circuit.
Above all, Tyler’s biggest accomplishments are in his students. Many of his dancers have gone onto successful dance and performance careers of their own including college dance majors, Broadway musicals, music videos, television series and commercials, modeling, and major movies.
Sara Demers:
Sara Demers has become one of Maine’s most experienced dance instructors specializing in young children’s dance education. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she has placed the foundation in countless children.
Beginning her dance career in Virginia at age 4, Sara was student teaching by the time she had turned 12. Sara attended Old Dominion University where she majored in dance education. By the time she was 22, Sara was teaching and choreographing her own classes.
Sara's gentle innovative teaching style, motivating classroom atmosphere and her flare for original age-appropriate choreography make her a wonderful teacher for our littlest dancers.
Children and parents all adore Sara making her a very special staple to our staff.
Pam Collins:
Pam Collins joins Dancemakers with an impressive resume.
Pam has danced professionally for Walt Disney World performing in the "25 Years of Disney Magic" parade at the Magic Kingdom, SpectroMagic”, and "Mickey's International Songbook" in Epcot. She spent a year on an international tour, performing in "Disneyfest" which reached as far as Singapore and Taiwan. Pam has danced and toured for Sesame Street "Live" throughout the United States, the Wildcats, a Semi-Pro Basketball Team in Portland, as well as being a featured dancer for Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Ships.
Pam is also an accomplished gymnast and has been coaching the sport for over 15 years.
Kim Monaghan–Derrig:
After a near ten year hiatus from instruction, we are honored that Kim has chosen Dancemakers as the springboard in which she makes her return to the field of dance education. Kim has been recognized statewide and beyond for her extensive work as a top-quality ballet and pointe instructor, in addition to making vast contributions to Maine’s arts community.
Classically ballet-trained in the Vaganova, Cecchetti and Balanchine methods, Kim has danced professionally as a corps member and soloist with Maine State Ballet, Robinson Ballet and Ram Island Dance Companies. She began her training at the Thomas (formerly Dorothy Mason) School of Dance in Portland where she studied under Polly Thomas, Ralph and Jean-Marie Robinson, Betty Hebert, Linda Miele as well with several members of the Boston Ballet Company. At the age of 14, she was hand-picked by then-Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director E. Virginia Williams to attend the Boston Ballet’s prestigious summer ballet program. The following year, she attended New York City Ballet’s Summer Ballet Workshop in Saratoga Springs , NY studying under world renowned ballet stars Melissa Hayden, Jacques D’Amboise and Peter Martins. Kim received additional training while pursuing a BFA in Dance at the Boston Conservatory of Music, studying under Sam Kurchjian and David Howard and performed with the Boston Conservatory’s Dance Ensemble. She later finished her studies at the University of Maine where she was a ballet soloist at the UMO Dance Theater.
Simultaneously, Kim serves on the board for the Maine State Ballet, and has worked for the former Maine Arts, spearheading numerous events geared toward bringing the performing arts to Maine audiences. As a highly sought-after instructor and award-winning choreographer with 15 years of teaching experience, Kim has taught at numerous Maine dance studios to all levels and ages of studies.
Kate Foster:
Specializing in Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, and Tap, Kate received her training at the Centre of Movement under the instruction of Ms. Victoria Lloyd and Tyler Wing.
During her senior year in high school, Kate was accepted to the highly respected New York City Dance Alliance: Summer Intensive, in which only a select number of students from across the country are invited to study with the most successful choreographers in the professional industry. Spending three weeks in NYC, Katie had the privilege of studying with Joe Lanteri, Laurie Adams, Jason Parsons, and other renown industry legends. Kate is the second student from Maine to hold this honor, with Tyler being the first over 12 years ago.
Kate's talent for choreography and instruction began at just 15 years old after receiving a choreography award for her piece, “Hit Me With a Hot Note” during a regional competition, in which her piece was recognized for exceptional classical jazz style, an honor rarely awarded to student choreographers. Kate went on to her local professional career in which she has choreographed and danced with Schoolhouse Arts Center, and Dance USM. Kate has 5 years of teaching experience working with students of all levels and ability.
Assistant Instructors:
Nicole Beane: Tumbling
Guest Faculty:
Jonathan Spurny: Contemporary
Krista Matassa: Jazz, Contemporary