Instructors

The Brandon School of Dance Arts has some of the areas most talented dance instructors.
Many of our teachers have degrees in Dance and all our instructors are experienced,
certified, and professional.

Ms. Teresa Paleveda Oscher - Owner/Director

The Brandon School of Dance Arts is under the direction of Ms.
Teresa Oscher. Ms. Oscher is a graduate of the University of South
Florida with a BA degree in Dance Performance. After graduating
Teresa became an adjunct professor in Dance at USF and in 1990
won the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award for outstanding
achievement in her field from the College of Visual and Performing
Arts. Teresa is a former Miss Tampa and has worked as a
choreographer for many local and state pageants and productions.
Ms. Teresa has also coached a local high school dance team and
has been the director of Encore! for over 19 years. In her credits
include many high score awards, choreography awards,
entertainment awards, as well as many many others. She has judged
dance and talent competitions across the United States.

Ms. Tara Mannion

Ms. Tara has over 17 years of teaching experience as both an instructor
and competition choreographer. As a choreographer her work has won
the highest honors for both technical skills as well as artistic
interpretation. Her range of skills include ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical,
acrobatics, contemporary, and musical theatre. Ms. Tara travels across
the United States as a judge for several dance competitions. Currently
Ms. Tara is the director of our junior performing team Starlets!

Ms. Ashley Grimes

Ashley Grimes is a recent graduate of Point Park University with a B.A. in Jazz dance.
Ashley has studied dance at Jacob's Pillow, North Carolina School of the Arts,
Howard Blake High School , and the Sarasota Ballet. Ashley has been teaching and
choreographing in the Tampa Bay Area for over eight years and has just recently
returned from teaching in Bolivia . Ashley's choreography awards are numerous and
include a selection of one her pieces in the ACDFA as well as a prestigious award at
the Nexstar Nationals this year. Ashley's training includes jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical,
modern, hip-hop, and contemporary. We are very excited to add Ashley to our dance
faculty at BSDA.

Ms. Jennifer Paleveda Pena

Jennifer has over 15 years of dance experience including ballet, tap, jazz,
modern, lyrical, and acrobatics. She began dancing at the age of 3 at BSDA
and has been an instructor for three years. She has performed with
Hillsborough Community College as a student in the dance program and
was a dance minor at the University of South Florida . Jennifer has coached
and choreographed for several high school and junior high school
cheerleading squads. Currently Jennifer is working at the Moffitt Cancer
Center while completing her education.

Ms. Paula Oliveria

Ms. Paula is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's
degree in Dance Education. After completing her degree Paula was selected
to work for Hillsborough County as a teacher in dance for Progress
Village Magnet Middle School . As the director of the dance program Paula
choreographs and produces several shows annually. Paula has been an
instructor at Brandon School of Dance Arts for six years and teaches
ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and modern. Her work with the dance team has
produced many special awards and high scores.

Ms. Stacey Carlton

Ms. Stacey Carlton began studied dance at BSDA from the age of three until
she graduated from high school. During her time at BSDA she was a
member of Encore! for eight years. In 1999 Stacey competed in the All
American Individual Dance Championship in Honolulu , Hawaii and won first
place receiving a $5000 scholarship. Her choreography has won such
awards as Best Choreography and Best Performance. Stacey is a graduate of
Florida State University with a Masters in Business Administration.
During her collegiate career Stacey was a two year member of the nationally
renowned dance team Florida State Golden Girls. She is also a former UDA
dance instructor. Stacey teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and
acrobatics. We are excited to add Stacey to our faculty beginning this
summer.

Ms. Shari Hanes

Ms. Shari Hanes is currently working as a professional dancer at
Tampa Bay 's Busch Gardens . As a student at Hillsborough
Community College Shari choreographed and staged many pieces
for their student performances. She has also choreographed many
productions, plays, and dance performances throughout Tampa . As
a student at BSDA Shari was a seven year member of the
performing team Encore! During her high school years Shari
attended Blake High School where she performed in many concerts.
Shari teaches ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, and combination classes.

Ms. Tanya Spevack

Ms. Tanya holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Florida where she
graduated with honors. During her collegiate career she choreographed
several pieces and worked as a stage manager for several productions. As a student
she has studied under some of the country's most sought after instructors. She has
attended numerous workshops and festivals over the past few years. Ms. Tanya has
been a dance teacher for many years in the Tampa Bay Area. Along with her teaching
skills she has also worked as a judge for a touring dance competition. In 2003 she was
selected to teach at the annual Florida Dance Association Festival in Jacksonville , FL.
Her teaching skills include ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, and combination classes.