Our Teachers

I have owned and operated Terry Matlock School of Performing Arts, Dance School for over 50 years. I began my training in the Flint and Fenton area, performing locally with the Flint Ballet Theater. I continued my studies in Los Angeles, studying with such notables as Joe Tremaine, Jackie Sleight and Fred Walton. I also studied extensively with Gus Giordano with "Chicago Jazz Dance" in Evanston, IL. I spent two seasons performing in the Phoenix Ballet Company and one season with the Wilmington Ballet Company in Delaware. After that season I came back to Flint to resume my teaching career. Through the years I have continued my studies in both New York and Los Angeles. I have been a leader in Fine Arts Programs in this community, including the Christmas at Whiting series. I am certified thru the Cecchetti Council of America to teach advanced ballet levels. I am also a member of the National Board of Dance Masters of America.

My dance studio started in the basement of my home, and has grown into being one of the largest in the area, boosting 4 locations. In 1982 I developed a preschool program introducing Fine Arts into the academic setting. Together these programs give me the opportunity to share my Love Of Dance...

Mary Blevins loves being on staff at Terry Matlock Dance, where she grew up and was the very first student. She now manages the studios and costumes for all of our performances. Mary specializes in Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe and Tap Classes. Mary has studied with such notables as Rhee Gold, Roni Mahler, Al Gilbert, Gus Gioradano, and many more. She was also awarded a scholarship to the Joe Tremaine Jazz School in Los Angeles.

Ms. Amanda is the Studio Manager and also teaches Solos, Duos, and Specialty Groups She was a member of Terry Matlock's Gold Team when she was in High School. Amanda attended Michigan State University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Youth Development and Sociology with a Minor in Dance. While she was at MSU, she was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company and took classes in Choreography, Modern Dance, Dance Education, Improvisation, and Dance History. Amanda also was the President of the MSU Ballroom Dance Team for 3 Years. After college, Amanda lived in NYC for 5 Years. During this time, she took classes at Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center. She performed in Concerts with the Ailey Extension, under the choreography of Sekou McMiller. While in NYC she worked at Dance With Me Studios (owned by Maks & Val Chmerkovskiy ) and trained heavily in Latin and Rhythm Dance. She trained under World Latin Champions, Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach (World Of Dance and Dancing with the Stars). Amanda competed in Amateur Rhythm and Latin for 4 years throughout the United States with her Dance Partner. During this time she became a National Champion in 2019. She also taught Grades K-4 Dance at an Elementary School in NYC for 5 years. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization, and is certified in the Alixa Flexibility Program. She also loves to teach Wedding Dance in her spare time! Her passion in life is to make Dance Education accessible to all.

Aimee Martin has studied dance since she was a young girl. She began taking Cecchetti Ballet, Tap, and Jazz lessons with Terry Matlock in her teens. As a young dancer, she was fortunate enough to attend conventions and competitions throughout Michigan, as well as in New York and Chicago. Aimee had the opportunity to train with renowned choreographers Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, Fred Walton, and Paula Abdul. She attended the Jazz Dance World Congress, performed at Piston’s halftime shows, and danced in the annual Christmas at Whiting production.

In college, Aimee broadened her training to include Modern and Lyrical dance, as well as taking choreography, kinesiology, and music/movement classes. This helped her attain a Fine Arts minor as part of her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree at The University of Michigan-Flint. At UM-Flint, Aimee studied with Kimberly Jones and was part of the performing dance group. She attended the American College Dance Festival and performed pieces to be adjudicated at the festival.

Currently, Aimee choreographs and teaches classes for Terry Matlock School of Performing Arts.d Aimee enjoys attending conventions and competitions with these dancers, especially because she knows what a great experience that was for her as a young dancer. She has choreographed the halftime show for the Lion's Thanksgiving performance, organized flash mobs to promote musical theater at Whiting, and taken her team to Orlando for the Tremaine National Competition. Aimee also teaches third grade at Dowdall Elementary in the Kearsley School District. Recently, Aimee completed her Master’s in Public Administration degree at The University of Michigan-Flint. She has 3 children, and lives in Flushing, MI

Jaydan Tracey began dancing and tumbling at a young age. Her early training was with Terry Matlock, where she was a Cecchetti trained ballet dancer, member of the competitive dance team, soloist, and a national finalist at Tremaine Nationals in Orlando.

Jaydan graduated with honors from Durand High School in 2014. When she wasn’t training at the dance studio, she kept busy as a member of their award winning band. Jaydan participated in marching band, symphonic band, and color guard. She was also a member of the track team and competed at the state level.

After graduation, Jaydan has continued her studies at the University of Michigan in Flint. There she is focusing on social work. Jaydan has continued her dance and acrobatic training as well. She continues to attend Tremaine Dance Conventions as a teacher and takes many master classes and workshops offered at the university. Jaydan recently began certification classes through Acrobatic Arts.

Jaydan has experience teaching in a variety of school settings. She has worked with preschoolers and advanced dancers and has expanded her skills to include choreography. She has trained in a variety of dance styles but especially loves jazz. Currently, Jaydan is assisting with the competitive dancers at the studio, as well. Her goal is to instill confidence in all of her dancers, so they can not only light up onstage but in any other adventure they want to pursue.

Monica Crimi has studied dance since the age of three and has been choreographing and teaching for over 20 years. While attending University of Michigan-Flint she studied many different dance styles along with performing at ACDFA (American College Dance Festival Association). During her first years in college she also became a member of Clio Cast and Crew dancing and singing in the performance of Guys and Dolls. Monica is Cecchetti trained in Ballet and continues her dance training by attending conventions such as Tremaine and L.A. DanceMagic throughout the year. She helps with our Competition Teams and has taught all ages and styles at the studio. Ms. Monica is also a NICU Nurse Practitioner!

Rae was a principal dancer with Flint Ballet Theatre, performed in the “Firebird” choreographed and directed by George Skibine and “Namouna” choreographed and directed by Milenko Banovitch. She toured Europe with a dance troupe originating from Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp before attending the University of Utah as a dance major. In Utah, Rae was fortunate to have the opportunity to perform in productions of the “Nutcracker” with Ballet West.

Since returning home and raising a family, she has completed modern and choreography courses at the University of Michigan-Flint. Most recently, Rae performed an original choreography piece at Performance Network in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Rae has recently studied in Chicago, and has been awarded her BeMoved® license. BeMoved® is a dance fitness experience for adults of all ages and skill levels, including those who have never danced before. BeMoved® classes are currently being offered at the studio.

“Dance continues to be my life’s passion, a passion I hope to inspire in others!”

Leah is not only a former student of Terry Matlock School of Performing Arts but also the daughter of one of our very own, Miss Rae! Leah has been listening to the talk of technique and choreography and music for her entire life between the studio and just living with her Mom. She began teaching for us in 2017 and has been an excellent addition to our team, She has an excellent rapport with children and more than enough experience with them through many years of helping backstage at our recitals, teaching swimming lessons and also tutoring kids of all ages in school. She does hold a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University but her heart belongs with us! She is currently our dance instructor at our Grand Point location during the daytime and teaching her own classes this fall in our evening program.

Lexi has studied dance since she was 5 years old. She started lessons at Terry Matlock in her early teenage years. Lexi was a part of our very first competitive team. Her team competed at Tremaine nationals in Orlando. Once she graduated, she started school at Mott community college and began the dental hygiene program. She helped at Terry’s as an assistant teacher throughout her college education. She graduated MCC with an applied science degree in dental hygiene. She has been working since as a dental hygienist.

She has been back as a dance teacher at Terry’s for two years. She has always taken pride in learning and improving her skills as a dance teacher. Lexi wants her students to love and enjoy dance as much as she did growing up.

Ramsey began her dance education in Central Kentucky where she was a student at Jane's School of Dance and Diana Evans School of Dance. While she was a student she completed in Dance Masters of Ohio and Dance Masters of America conventions and scholarship programs. Ramsey also attended the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts program during the summer of 2013. Ramsey then began teaching at Diana Evans School of Dance specializing in Tap Choreography. During this time she had the opportunity to learn from Orialis Ashley, Mark Goodman, and Tim Fournier. She has since continued to teach and choreograph for dance studios in central Kentucky for Ohio Dance Masters and Dance Masters of the Bluegrass competitions.

Ramsey recently moved to Fenton, MI and works from home as a full time Mechanical Engineer. During her free time Ramsey likes to support local businesses and volunteer for the Distinguished Young Women Program. While teaching at Terry Matlock School of Performing Arts Ramsey hopes to share her excitement for dance and the benefits it can bring to all age groups.

DeNauja started dancing at a young age and when she got to high school made it her goal to create her very own dance team. With help of her peers and the high school DeNauja became the captain of her Hip Hop dance team for 2 years. After High School, She attended the University of Michigan Flint and enrolled in the Dance program where she was trained in Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and Body Conditioning. DeNauja performed every semester in group dances where she show cased her skills and her love of dance. DeNauja got to choreograph her own two dance pieces that was shown at previous dance concert.

Throughout the dance program at UM-Flint DeNauja got to experience dance intensives with the American College Dance Association (ACDA) where she took master classes in dance styles such as Afro-Caribbean, Giordano Jazz, Modern, Voguing and more. She graduated in December of 2022 with her Bachelors of Arts.

While teaching at Terry Matlock school of Performing Arts, DeNauja hopes to inspire dancers to be authentically themselves and to become AMAZING dancers because of their passion for dance.

Morgan started her dance training at age four with Paavola’s School of Dance and continued her training through the Flint School of Performing Arts with the Flint Youth Ballet. While with the Flint Youth Ballet she had the opportunity to Perform in NBC’s Flint’s annual Nutcracker Ballet from 2013-2017. She also has had the great experience of learning and working with choreographers such as Darrrell Grand Moultrie and performing in the opening of Serenade with the Flint Youth Ballet through the Balanchine Trust Fund. As a member of the Flint Youth Ballet’s Emerging Choreographers program, she got to showcase her choreography through a music video for the band The Brites. Morgan has also been able to work and dance side by side with professional dance companies such as Collage Dance Collective, Complexion’s Contemporary Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Vertical Ambition Dance Crew and Eisenhower’s Contemporary Ballet. Her most recent dance pursuits consist of expanding on her dance education career. Morgan started teaching ballet through Project Plie, assistant teaching children’s dance at the Flint School of Performing Arts and choreographing for the choir at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint. Now she teaches dance across the state with a specialty in concert and theater dance of all levels and ages. Morgan has her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Michigan and is now pursuing a Maters in Arts Administration. She plans to use her degrees in a career that supports the arts in all its power and influence through administration work and dance education.

Joslyn has studied dance since she started to walk! She grew up in Holly, MI and danced as well as taught for Starstruck Dance Center. She was a part of the competitive team and preformed for festivals, clinics, conventions and different events throughout the years! She graduated from Holly High School and was a part of the Holly High School Dance Team! Since then she has pursued a career in Dance as well as working with animals as a Veterinary Assistant. She will be pursuing school in the near future again! I am very happy and excited to join the amazing staff here at Terry Matlock School of the Performing Arts!

I began dancing at 3 years old on and off in Grand Blanc. When I was 9, I started taking classes at Terry Matlock's and fell in love. Over the years, I found myself gravitating towards jazz dance. I love the freeing, funky style. I began assistant teaching when I was 16! It has always been fulfilling for me to help students reach their fullest potential through dance. Now I am a senior at Kalamazoo College where I study political science, with the goal of becoming a lawyer in the future. I love choreographing, mixing music, and creating dances that showcase students' best talents.

After high school, Emily attended Rochester College where she took part in a variety of shows including Anne of Green Gables and Little Women in which she worked in an acting and choreographer facility. She also was a teacher and choreographer in the UnCovered Theater Dance Camp the summer of 2015, as well as choreographer for the annual spring show Celebration! for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 shows. She looks forward to continuing on after graduation as choreographer for the college as well as a physical therapist assistant at Cranbrook PT utilizing the skills and tools taught by Terry Matlock School of Performing Arts.

Lindsay Clark is our Team Strength and Condition Coach. She teaches conditioning to our upper level teams in preparation for our Competitions. Lindsay believes that the whole body and mind must be trained and encouraged to be a complex athlete and dancer.

Lindsay is a Professional Natural bikini champion with the OCB. She has competed and won six shows over the last three years and recently placed in the Top 5 in the largest natural body building company in the US.

Lindsay believes in teaching and encouraging healthy habits in our youth. She is passionate about living a full and healthy lifestyle and enjoys spreading the knowledge to our students with great hopes of leaving a positive impression.

She is the Mother of a Silver Team dancer and enjoys spending time in the studio.