Mrs. Maria has danced since the age of two. She danced professionally nationwide, touring the Country with Sesame Street Live International Tour "Let's Be Friends". Maria enjoyed costume work so much she went on to portray Angelica from the Rugrats. Maria was invited to dance for Disney in Japan and has appeared on "Entertainment Tonight" dancing for well-known actors and actresses and their families. She's danced, modeled, and narrated for the North American International Auto Shows, danced and sung in Off-Broadway Musicals, danced for cable music videos, and has instructed Master dance classes at Oakland University, Wayne State, and Macomb Community College. Maria is a former member of the Macomb Ballet Company. She danced with MBC in such classic romantic works as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Les Sylphides. Maria has choreographed for award winning dance companies, dance teams, Flash Mobs, Wedding Party Dances, Bride & Groom dances, Hair Shows and more! She is sure to get any event jumping with her choreography! Ms. Huber has studied dance throughout the country, primarily in New York and L.A. In the 90's, Ms. Maria made the move to North Hollywood, CA to continue her studies in dance. She trained under the intense instruction of Joe Tremaine and associates at the studio, formerly named, Tremaine Dance Center. Maria danced with top dance teachers /choreographers in the field. Maria presently sits on the General Board of the Cecchetti Council of America. She has studied Cecchetti levels I-VII, and has passed student and teacher exams levels I-V. Maria has had numerous students pass cecchetti ballet exams with honors. Many of Maria's students have danced with professional ballet companies in performances such as the "Nutcracker" and" La Bayadere". You may have seen Maria in the commercial for World Gym & Fitness Center or Sesame Street Lives' commercial as Roxy Marie or Prairie Dawn. Maria has instructed dance for over 30 years and is great with children! As a former competitive bodybuilder, she is also very fitness orientated. Maria has choreographed and won multiple top overall and special dance awards, including "Most Entertaining" dance consecutively year after year! She has been awarded “Best Choreography” for many of her dance Pieces. Ms. Huber has also judged for many dance competitions regionally and nationally. In June 2007, Ms. Maria was awarded “Top Teacher” at Kids Artistic Revue National Dance Competition. Maria directed RPDA dancers and teachers in the televised “Feature Act” for the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade. RPDA has been awarded National Top Production, National Top Studio, and has had numerous 1st overall dances year after year. Maria's studio was awarded Grand National Champs in 2017, 2X Grand National Champions in 2019, and multiple First Overall National Champions in 2022! Her choreography has been displayed at multiple local Motor City Movement dance shows, MC3, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parades, Rochester Christmas Parades, local Fairs, Eastside Derby Events, Detroit Dance Festivals, Shores Mortgage Events, and AT&T Events. RPDA was voted Best Dance Studio on Detroit's WDIV channel 4 "Vote 4 The Best" in 2014 and again in 2020! RPDA was the 2022 Best of the Best Utica Award recipient in the category of Dance Instruction. Also, in 2022 Rhythm Pointe Dance Academy became the home to the "Magic of Christmas" Fox Theatre Nutcracker. Maria became the youth Director of the Nutcracker "Magic of Christmas" Detroit. In 2023 RPDA was awarded National Elite Top Studio and 2023 Elite Grand National Champion Dance! RPDA's Elite level company had the honor of being awarded with a near perfect score receiving a beautiful glass trophy. This year RPDA was awarded National Novice and National Intermediate Top Studio. RPDA Super Contemporary Line was awarded 2025 Grand National Champion Dance! Ms. Huber-Mitchelson continues her studies today to remain a creditable dance teacher and studio owner.
Mr. Shawn is our friendly office manager. He is always willing to help out in any way that he can. Aside from working at, and managing RPDA, Mr. Shawn works a full-time job as a Product Specialist. He is also an amazing prop dad! For the answers to your many questions, you may see Mr. Shawn. If he doesn't have the answer, he will be sure to find it!
Dr. Jennifer began dancing at the age of four and training with Ann Parsley at the age of eleven. Dr. Tillinger was one of the original members of the Macomb Ballet Company and has performed the role of Cinderella. Her passion to dance drove her to continue her dance education at the University of Michigan where she received a BFA in Dance. Dr. Tillinger has danced and choreographed professionally throughout the Metro-Detroit area and has toured with the International Auto Show. Dr. Tillinger has been teaching dance since 1988 and is a certified instructor of the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. She holds certificates for teachers grades I – VI and has been preparing and presenting students and teachers for ballet since 1993. Dr. Tillinger also has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Oakland University, where she is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
Carmen started out as a gymnast when she was just 2 years old. She started competing at Meets at the age of 6. She always had a love for gymnastics and dance and has been trained in multiple styles since the age of 10. As a young dancer she danced for the Detroit Pistons junior team and performed at many of the Piston's games. In high school Carmen was on the dance team and with her team won the DTU 2018 National Championship. Miss Carmen started teaching hip hop and swimming at just 15 years old. In her senior year of high school her talent could not be missed. She won many dance scholarships at multiple dance conventions such as Hollywood Vibe, Intrigue, and Hollywood Connection, to name a few. Carmen's talent in hip-hop led her to be a member of several Detroit Dance Crews. One of those Crews performed at The World of Dance Championships and won The World of Dance Championship golden ticket. In 2023, Carmen became a "Wild Icon" at Wild Intensive and assisted at conventions. Carmen has been instructing gymnastics at Game Changer Tumbling for the past 2 years and has been a part of the USPBL dance crew as lead as well. Carmen continues to train today because she feels there is always room to grow in your craft. She has a great passion for dance and gymnastics and is ready to share it with the RPDA dancers!
Miss Ryann is a former Rhythm Pointe Dance Academy student. She danced at Rhythm Pointe since age 7. She was a member of RPDA's Performing/Competitive Company. Ryann competed for 10 years until she graduated from Eisenhower High School. Ryann is trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, and tap. Her favorite styles of dance are lyrical and hip hop. Ryann was also a member of the Eisenhower dance team program throughout high school. She was on IKE's US National dance team in 2018. She also danced as a member of the United dance crew for the Jimmy Johns Field for 2 years and trained to perform at games. Ryann currently attends college at Oakland University and will soon be working in pharmaceutical sales in addition to teaching dance. Ryann is so excited to be at her second home (RPDA) doing what she loves to do most (dance)! She's excited to see what the future holds!
Meet Maddie, Pro NFL Dancer. She started dancing at a young age and danced competitively in high school. During college, she was a member of the Notre Dame Dance Company for 4 years and was on the Notre Dame Pom Squad for the allowed time of 3 years, serving as captain in her final year. She choreographed multiple numbers for both teams.
Maddie has instructed dance in Benton Harbor, Michigan since 2014. She's taught many classes for dancers ranging from 18 months to adult. She's choreographed competition solos in jazz, musical theatre, and lyrical styles Maddie has also instructed jazz, hip-hop, and technique classes in Mishawaka, Indiana. Maddie is happy to be teaching at Rhythm Pointe Dance Academy so she can share her knowledge and expertise with RPDA dancers!
Isabella Borruso is a passionate dance educator and choreographer specializing in Tap, Improvisation Skills, Creative Movement, Acrobatics and Contemporary. With over 18 years of dance experience in numerous styles and more than 7 years of teaching, she is committed to nurturing young artists by building their confidence and deepening their understanding of dance history and technique. Isabella currently serves as the coordinator for Fortune Dance Competition and interns with Wing It Tap Intensive, two Michigan based companies prioritizing the needs of percussive dancers. Her tap choreography has earned both regional and national recognition for its innovation and creativity. She has taught across diverse communities through programs like the Wharton Dance Project in addition to teaching in studio settings across the state. Isabella is Acrobatic Arts Certified and continues her professional development through festivals and intensives across the country from Washington DC to Los Angeles California! She is currently pursuing a degree in Social Work with a minor in Studio and Community Dance at Wayne State University; Isabella uses these skills to create a welcoming, safe, and encouraging space for all dancers that walk through the classroom doors.
Brianna Bedsole started dancing at a young age at a local Michigan studio. Growing up she participated in an award-winning dance company that traveled around the country for competitions and performances. Brianna continued her education at Hope College where she earned a BA in Dance Performance/Choreography and Communication. While at Hope she was exposed to many great teachers through classes, as a member of Hope's jazz and tap company iDt, and while working with her peers for student concerts. As a member of iDt, Brianna was lucky enough to perform with Chicago Tap Theatre in their annual Tidings of Tap Concert. Since graduating from Hope she has taught at several studios around the Metro Detroit area and served as a rehearsal teacher for the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Brianna is excited to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of dancers.
Alea is no stranger to the dance world. She started taking lessons at RPDA at the age of 2 1/2 and has recently renewed her love for the art! Alea is trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, gymnastics, musical theatre, and more. She has passed Cecchetti Grade's I & II and has trained up to Gd V level. Alea was a member of the Eisenhower High School dance team for two years and earned two National UDA Champion coats (one for Jazz and one for Hip-Hop). In 2022 she had the amazing opportunity to train under the direction of Emily Greenwell and associates in New York City for two weeks. Alea walked away from the intensive with so much knowledge and a new, blossomed love for dance! In 2023 Alea had the honor of becoming the First Overall National Teen Soloist winner and was awarded National Grand Champion with RPDA elite company team. Alea also earned Elite Third Overall National Senior Solo title. In 2024 Alea was awarded Elite 1st Overall soloist with her self-choreographed routine. She is beyond grateful for her opportunities. Alea is excited to continue to share her skills with all RPDA dancers as well as share her time with the Oakland University Dance Team!
Riley has been dancing at Rhythm Pointe since she was 3yrs old and started competing at age 7. She has continuously placed in the top overall routines at competition in all her years competing. Riley has taken and passed Cecchetti Ballet exams I-III and studied up to level V. Riley is a senior at Utica High School. She has been a member of the Utica Varsity Dance Team since her freshman year. Riley is also a past member of the USPBL dance crew. Her favorite dance styles are contemporary, hip-hop and jazz! Riley is excited to share her high energy classes and innovative choreography with RPDA young dancers.
Olivia Salerno, a Michigan State Dance Team alumnus, trained at Rhythm Pointe Dance Academy as a student. Olivia was an RPDA company member and danced competitively with RPDA. She also danced professionally with the Detroit Pistons, as well as being Assistant Director of the Motor City Minis. Liv was represented by Bloc Talent Agency in LA. She danced in Sia’s “The Greatest” music video, Pharrell’s “Happy” music video, Nickelodeon’s Lip Sync Battle Shorties series, and went on tour with Macy’s Glamorama featuring Jason Derulo. She performed live with Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Jay Sean, Busta Rhymes, MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Salt and Pepper, and more. Liv has choreographed for the MSU Dance Team, the Detroit Pistons Entertainment teams, Choreography Pros in Scottsdale, Arizona, Entrelance Dance Team in El Paso, Texas, and Chippewa Valley Varsity Dance Team to name a few. She has choreographed for dance studios all over Michigan. This season we are so happy to have Liv back at her home studio to inspire and challenge the dancers at RPDA.
Ava started dancing at the young age of 3 and persevered with her passion. She trained in a variety of styles such as jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and ballet. Ava has competed regionally and nationally since the age of 10. She was also a member of the Romeo Varsity Dance Team in high school. Ava really blossomed when she began dancing at Rhythm Pointe Dance Academy in 2018. She was proud to complete her senior dance season at her second home, RPDA. She attended college at Michigan State University and was a part of the Michigan State Dance Team all four of those years. Ava is a recent graduate of MSU and is so excited to be back at RPDA! She is thrilled to share her love, knowledge, and passion of dance and fitness with RPDA dancers!
Office Hours
Monday 5:45PM - 8:30PM
Tuesday 5:45PM - 8:00PM
Thursday 5:45PM-8:30PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Sunday STUDIO CLOSED