A place where every dancer feels at home ... since 1991
The Studio Staff
Alma-Lea began her dance education at the age of 6 in her hometown and has continued to train and stay educated in the ever evolving art of dance. After opening Alma-Lea’s Dance Studio in July 1991, she continued to train and in 1997 received her Dance Masters of America Chapter Certification and was inducted into the New England Chapter of Dance Masters of America. In 2014, she received her Graduate Diploma from DMA’s Teacher’s Training School at S.U.N.Y. Buffalo receiving national certifications in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern & Acrobatics. Alma-Lea then continued her education to include becoming a Regional & Nationally certified examiner in all disciplines. Most recently, Alma-Lea was sworn in to the Board of Directors for Dance Masters New England and is on the Examinations Committee and is the current Membership Chairman. Alma-Lea also enjoys her time spent chaperoning the DMA Student Honors Intensive Program each summer. Alma-Lea is also a long time member of the Maine Dance Teacher Club. In 2009 received the R.E.M.M. Community Volunteer award for her dedication and commitment to the club. She is currently on the Vice President & a board member for MDTC. She has been involved in competitions for many years with her students bringing home several Overall High Score Awards, Judges Choice Awards, Outstanding Choreography Awards, National Dance Team Nominations, Regional Title holders and several special awards. Alma-Lea has trained several winning pageant contestants in talent including Little Miss Maine, Miss Maine and more. She has inspired many of her students to continue their dance careers in college or opening studios of their own. Her students have been awarded several scholarships and been accepted into prestigious performing arts programs such as Dance Olympus VIP Tour, The Joffrey School of Ballet & DMA's Student Honors Intensive. She has also choreographed for East Auburn Baptist Church’s “Christmas Spectacular” and “Event” Productions. Alma-Lea is also involved with many community events such as The Moxie Festival Performances. Alma-Lea hopes to always be able to inspire, educate and spread the knowledge she’s gained through dance to as many people as possible. Alma-Lea is First Aid/CPR certified and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (Y.P.A.D.) certified.
ALMA-LEA PACE
Owner/Studio Director
Curriculum Coordinator (Ballet, Jazz & Tap)
Jami Ames, teacher and choreographer since 2006, began taking dance classes at the age of three. Jami trained in ballet (Cecchetti & Vaganova), pointe work, jazz, tap, lyrical, and contemporary. She is a 2014 graduate of Dance Masters of America's Teachers Training School at SUNY Buffalo passing national exams in ballet, tap, jazz and modern. She is a member of Dance Masters of New England - Chapter 5. Jami's students have gone on to receive highly recognized scholarship opportunities, title placements, and have been accepted into collegiate dance and performing arts programs. Having won many Outstanding Choreography and Judges Choice Awards, she currently adjudicates for dance competitions across the country and is on staff as a competition judge with Impact Dance Adjudicators. Jami is also CPR/First Aid certified and Y.P.A.D. certified.
JAMI AMES
Asst. Director, Choreographer
Curriculum Coordinator (Acrobatics & Hip-Hop)
Jessi started dancing and tumbling locally at the age of 2. After six years, she pursued her interest in gymnastics until arriving at ALDS in 1999. Miss Jessi advanced quickly to Assistant Teaching and became a favorite among the young dancers. Specializing in Acrobatics, Hip Hop and her unique Tap style, Miss Jessi began her teaching career in 2009 as well as graduating from Capilo School of Hair Design with a license in cosmetology. She loves helping her students grow in their passion for dance and enjoys assisting each of them in reaching their goals. Miss Jessi holds a graduate diploma from Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School passing national exams in Acrobatics, Ballet, Tap, Modern & Jazz. Jessi is a member of Dance Masters of New England. She continues her dance education by attending Dance Masters of America conventions, Maine Dance Teachers workshops and most recently has begun attending The Exchange, a Hip-Hop event in southern Maine. Miss Jessi is Y.P.A.D. certified, First Aid/CPR certified and a Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certified teacher.
JESSICA PHILBROOK
Choreographer
Corrie began her training with baton at the age of 6 and was in competitions by the age of 8. She has earned 4 Maine State Championships and was named Miss Majorette of Maine. At age 11, she began her dance education and continued to the competition team at Alma-Lea’s Dance Studio. Corrie has also been involved with the pageant circuit where she was crowned Miss ME Hemisphere, Regal Miss Maine, Miss Topsham Fair and Miss Brunswick. Corrie has been teaching for ALDS for many years and in 1998 received her Dance Master's of America, Inc. certification and was inducted into the New England Chapter of Dance Master’s of America. She is a graduate of DMA's Teacher Training School passing national exams in ballet, tap, jazz and modern. Miss Corrie also graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Southern Maine with her degree in Nursing.
CORRIE MINCHIN
Substitute Teacher
A longtime student of the studio, Brooke has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and more. She very quickly became our most sought after class assistant (especially within our Children's Program) in middle and high school. After graduating, Brooke joined our adult classes and has continued training ever since. Miss Brooke is a graduate of Dance Masters of America's Teachers Training School passing national exams in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern. She is also First Aid & CPR Certified. Brooke has years of experience working with children at a local preschool/daycare and truly loves working with our tiny dancers!
BROOKE CARDALI
Choreographer
Leigha has been teaching at Alma-Lea's Dance Studio since 2021, and before that grew up right here taking classes from age 3-18. Many of those years competitively. Leigha attended Dance Masters of America's S.H.I.P. (Student Honors Intensive Program) and is attending DMA's Teachers Training School, a four-year training program for dance education professionals at SUNY Buffalo. She loves and is knowledgeable in all dance styles but specializes in tap. She has performed in the US and Germany with American Tap Company where she is currently a team member. Leigha loves working with kids of all ages and also enjoys learning the ins and outs of studio management!
LEIGHA WALLS
Choreographer
Miss Anna quite literally grew up in dance! She began taking class at Alma-Lea’s Dance Studio at the age of 2 in the very first Mommy & Me Program and went on to dance competitively for 12 years. She trained in a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop. Anna began assisting with classes in 2018 and is a recent graduate of the ALDS Teacher Apprentice Program (T.A.P.). She is planning to continue her dance education training at Dance Masters of America's Teachers Training School in summer 2024 and certifying in YPAD. You'll also catch Miss Anna in the studio office this year!
ANNA DIONNE
Choreographer
