Professional and Passionate Instructorsat
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About Us...

Our people are among the most talented in the industry.

It would be our pleasure to put our extensive experience to work for you.

ERIN BLAIS -OWNER/OPERATOR

PRESCHOOL/KINDERDANCE/JAZZ/TAP/BALLET/CONTEMPORARY/LYRICAL/

MUSICAL THEATER/COMPETITION TEAM DIRECTOR

*Yoga certification / Group Fitness Certification / BLS / CPR / FIRST AID

Erin L. Blais is the owner / operator of Lakeshore Academy of the Arts (est. 1996). Erin was born and raised in Chicago, IL where she started taking gymnastics classes at the age of 7 which later progressed to classes in jazz, ballet, tap, point, modern and musical theater. Erin spent her summers in Chicago as an intern at both Hubbard Street Dance Company and Gus Giordano Dance Company. Erin earned her teachers’ certification at Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Erin attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh where she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in choreography. While in Pittsburgh, she was a commercial dancer (Nike, Coca Cola) with Don Brocket Productions, performed in Peter Pan, A Chorus Line and The Nutcracker (Pittsburgh Ballet Theater). After college graduation, Erin moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream as a professional dancer. While out west, Erin performed in several music videos, industrials and worked as a troupe dancer on the Tracy Ullman Show (Paula Abdul). Upon returning to her roots in Michigan, Erin has taught at Grand Valley State University, Cecchetti Council of America, Guest teacher and choreographer for local studios and organizations and worked with Glen Douglas Packard in Lansing. Erin founded Lakeshore Academy of the Arts where she currently teaches all dance forms for ages 2 through adult. Erin resides in West Michigan teaching at her 2 dance studios, teaching original choreography for high school musicals and show choirs. Her choreography has been performed by students as well as professionals and she has extensive experience instructing and coaching dancers of all ages in acrobatics, ballet, cheer, jazz, hip hop, tap, and modern/contemporary styles. Erin is a dance adjudicator with several dance competitions Nationwide.

CLAIRE BIESIADA
HIP HOP / MUSICAL THEATER

Claire is currently a Junior at Reeths-Puffer High School and in her 11th year of dance. Claire has been a Lakeshore Academy Competition Team Member as well as a teachers' assistant. Claire assists with choreography with Reeths' Puffer High School. She is excited to join the staff at Lakeshore!

BILLIE CAREY

ZUMBA

Billie has been a certified Zumba fitness instructor for over 11 years. She loves music! Billie discovered Zumba many years ago and was instantly hooked! Billie's goal is to provide a fun, welcoming fitness environment for everyone and every fitness level. Zumba incorporates Latin rhythms such as salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, bachata , merengue and so much more. Zumba has opened doors for me including meeting amazing new women and forming lasting friendships. Billie feels exercise should be fun and feel like a party and that is why she loves Zumba!
Billie recently attended a Zumba convention in Orlando, Florida this past August to network and learn new rhythms for her classes including African rhythms and bellydance. She looks forward to continue to share her humor and fun playlist with the community.
Billie also have a passion for fundraising and is an active member of the Women's Division Chamber of Commerce and Relay for life Muskegon.

CAMERON MCKINNON
KIDS DANCE PARTY / MUSICAL THEATER

Cameron is currently a student at Muskegon Community College and is in is 12th year of dance! Cam has studied dance at LAA for 10 years with 2 of those as a teachers' assistant! Cameron teaches choreography at local West Michigan schools including Reeths' Puffer (Camp Break-A-Leg) and show choir.

Cameron is excited to be a staff member at Lakehore Academy!

JENNIFER JORDAN

Certified in Event Management / Certified Holistic Nutritionist /

Certified Senior Fitness /Certified Personal Trainer

YOGA FLEX / DANCE FIT / SLOW FLOW

Jennifer Jordan graduated from Baker College with a Business Management degree majoring in Paralegal studies.

Jennifer has over 22 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Starting in high school through college and transitioning from different careers and goals hospitality industry has been a passion of mine and a stepping stone to the next chapters.

For the previous five seasons, she worked at Buzz's Lakeside Inn. Within the first couple weeks on the job Jennifer was seen by management as an asset and soon was assisting in supervising and management. She has worked at many different types of restaurant establishments from chains restaurants, seasonals, Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant in NYC, pubs/ road houses and Inns and contracted private events.

Jennifer has always had a big passion for the restaurant industry from working with both BOH & FOH staff in every aspect to a successful evening to planning events.

Jennifer has worked closely with chefs to plan wine themed dinners, family reunions, weddings and corporate events of all kinds.

Currently building a career in health and fitness care, incorporating nutrition, specializing in geriatric care.

MIKE MCCALLUM

HIP HOP / JAZZ / CHEER / LYRICAL

Mike began his journey in dance in high school helping coach and choreograph for the cheerleading squad at Fruitport. He began taking classes while at Muskegon Community College. In 1998 he joined the staff at Blais Dance Academy (now Lakeshore Dance and Fitness) where he has taught a variety of ages and styles. Mike has also choreographed a number of dances for MCC's Dance Theater in Concert over the years. After taking a few years off, he is back working with the adult class.

SAMANTHA PORTICE

(TAP/JAZZ/MUSICAL THEATER/AWARD WINNING CHOREOGRAPHER)

Samantha Portice is a graduate of Michigan State University Dance (majored in education/ dance minor). She is a kindergarten teacher at Reeth's Puffer Elementary. Samantha has choreographed for Owosso Community Players in the production of Willy Wonka (2015).She also assisted with the choreography for Damn Yankees (2011).She has worked with Lansing Eastern High School as the lead choreographer. In January 2012 - March 2014, Samantha choreographed for "The Pajama Game,""Anything Goes,""Music! Movies! Mayhem!," and

"Hello, Dolly!" This is Samanthas' fourth year as part of the Lakeshore Dance Family!

Brandon Meier began his dance training in West Michigan through the Maycroft Square Tappers, Lakeshore Dance Academy, and Lakeshore Ballet Arts. In high school he toured internationally with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp ballet ensemble. While studying dance in college, Brandon trained with Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Inlet Dance Theater, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, and d’shire dance collective. After receiving his BA in Dance from Grand Valley State University, Brandon went on to dance as a member of Wellspring Cori Terry and Dancers from 2014 to 2017. He now lives and teaches in West Michigan.

BRANDON MEIER

BALLET / CONTEMPORARY/JAZZ / CONDITIONING

EMILY SCHEPEL

SENSORY SATURDAYS / PRESCHOOL / KINDER DANCE

*LICENSED & CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

SENSORY REGULATION / SENSORY PROCESSING / BACHELORS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Emily has always loved music and has been dancing since she can remember. She danced for 12 years growing up in Grand Haven, and came back to dance in 2021 after more than a decade. She has been working with children with disabilities for 14 years and professionally practiced as an occupational therapy assistant with kids. In her free time she loves spending time with her 2 dogs and husband, playing piano, and traveling.

TONY SPRINGS

HIP HOP / JAZZ / TAP / BALLET / MUSICAL THEATER

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio and moving from Chicago, Illinois to Michigan, Tony was on staff at the Devonshire Cultural Center with the Skokie Park District for 12 years as a dance instructor, choreographer and artistic director. He has choreography credits in musical productions such as Cabaret, Monty Python's ‘Spamalot’, Hello, Dolly!, Follies, Company, Les Misérables

(High School Edition), Tarzan Jr., Catch Me If You Can,Young Frankenstein and Something Rotten to name a few. He began at the park district with the Summer on Broadway theatre camp in 2012 as Dance Specialist for Fiddler on the Roof Jr. and Willy Wonka & amp; the Chocolate Factory Jr. and remained on
staff to teach hip hop, ballet and jazz. In 2015 he became Artistic Director of Devonshire #39;s resident dance company, the Devonshire Dance Ensemble creating over10 conceptualized dance concerts. Tony was a company member of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble from 2015 to 2020 under the direction of Artistic Directors Sara Maslanka and Max Robinson and Executive Director Ellyzabeth Adler. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky, Tony has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts with a minor in Dance. During and after college, Tonychoreographed for and performed with many theatre companies in the greater Cincinnati area including Showbiz Players, Jersey Productions, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, Cincinnati Music Theatre and The Carnegie Theatre in Covington, Kentucky. He’s received “Excellence in Choreography” Orchid Awards from the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Altar Boyz and The Music Man. To those who say they can #39, dance, just wait…

Mr. Tony WILL make you a dancer!

MARY SWITZER
GENTLE STRETCH / STEP AEROBICS / STRENGTH & TONE / BOX AEROBICS

Mary has been in the health and fitness industry for over 45 years! People and fitness are her passion! Her personal mission is to help people, serving her community and spreading her passion for personal well-being throughout the community!

Mary holds certifications in group fitness and wellness along with personal training and is a Master Instructor for others' interested in the fitness industry!

Meet the Junior Crew! Teachers' Assistants