Instructors & Staff

Liz Bevilacqua, FDM

Anna Bevilacqua Spangler, FDM

Mrs. Liz has been living in Brevard County, FL since 1952. She began her dance training at Jim Trevelen's School of Dance and Ebsen School of Dance and Royal Studios in Orlando. Her summers were spent studying in New York City at Ballet Russe and June Taylor School of Dance. She received her Dance Masters of America Teaching certification in 1958, which is the same year the Dussich Dance Studio began its inception. Along with the study, she began the Brevard Dance Company and initiated the Lecture Demonstration Dance Program in Brevard County Schools and has trained and coached many professionals dancers and teachers through the studio as well as through Florida Dance Masters. Currently, Mrs. Liz is the membership chairperson for Florida Dance Masters and is the author of the FDM Ballet Syllabus and Dictionary. Mrs. Liz still teaches many of the adult classes here at the studio.

Anna Bevilacqua Spangler, FDM

Mrs. Anna Bevilacqua Spangler was born and raised in Brevard County and started dance at the age of 2 and began teaching at the age of 16. She has had the opportunity to study with Ray & Rhee Gold, Jo Rowan, Gus Giordano, and Bob Kimball & Luigi. She is a graduate of Merritt Island High School and Brevard Community College, (Now Eastern Florida State College). She attended Oklahoma City University for two years with studies in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Voice, Piano and Musical Theater. While in Oklahoma, she was a member of the AMERICAN SPIRIT Dance Company and performed on stage with Tony Award Winner, Pearl Bailey. After Returning to Florida, Anna danced as a Mexican Dancer for Walt Disney World at Epcot for one year and performed with local theaters in several plays. She also has helped with school choirs in setting and conducting musical productions for school and local performances. Anna officially returned to Dussich Dance Studio in 1999, teaching Preschool, Combo, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theater. In 2016, she stepped down from her teaching role to become Office/Business Manager at Dussich. Anna is the daughter of Founder Elizabeth Bevilacqua

Al Packard, FDM

Anna Bevilacqua Spangler, FDM

Al Packard, FDM

Mr. Al was born in Maine but grew up in New York. He attended college in Maine, where he majored in Science and was introduced to dance. While in college, he studied modern dance with a former member of Martha Graham's Dance Company and performed with the college dance company. After college, he moved to Florida and began studying ballet and jazz and performed with a group that later became Ft. Lauderdale Civic Ballet. In 1960, he moved to Melbourne but retired from performing dance in 1962. Five years later, he was contacted by Dussich Dance Studio to assist with teaching the Swan Lake Pas De Deux for their annual recital. After this, Mr. Al began teaching at Dussich and in 1972, he became co-owner. He joined the Dance Masters of America and continued his studies of dance with Ron Daniels, David Howard, Patsy Swazy, Gus Giordarno and many others. He performed for many years with the Brevard Dance Company but retired for the second and final time in 1986, becoming the Business Manager for the studio. Today, Mr. Al still assist with Business Management responsibilities at the studio and is also the annual dance recital emcee.

Ashley Figueroa

Debbie Townend, FDM

Al Packard, FDM

Ms. Ashley began dancing at Dussich Dance Studio at the age of 5. From 1991-2003, her love for dance grew in the study of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and pas de deux. At the age of 12, the excitement of being on a dance team took hold and during all of middle school and then moving on to Varsity dance team in high school, where she won many county, state and national titles in Jazz and Pom. After high school, she began studying acting and broadcasting. She received an AA in broadcast and a BS in Broadcasting while acting and hosting many TV shows, including Sports Zone for Orange TV and CW’s Movie Show. During college, she joined the adult hip-hop/jazz open team at Dance Mania, where they swept every competition. After college, she returned home and took over the Merritt Island High School Dance Team as head coach from 2009-2012. During her time with the team, she opened her own dance studio, Modern Motions and taught all levels of creative ballet, jazz, hip-hop and tap. After becoming a mother to 2 baby boys, she decided to put her focus on them. Now she is happily married with 5 children and can’t wait to use all my skills to help students at Dussich Dance Studio continue to grow and develop their passion for dance!

Debbie Townend, FDM

Ms. Debbie began her training at age of 5 in Ridgewood, NJ studying ballet under the instruction of

Ms. Debbie began her dance training at the age of 5 in Ridgewood, NJ studying ballet under the instruction of Irine Fokine, niece of the famous choreographer Michael Fokine. She later went on to study under Doris Jacoby, A.R.A.D. In 1985, Debbie moved to Palm Bay, FL and shortly after performed in East Coast Dance Theater’s Nutcracker Production. Some more of her other performing experiences include Swan Lake, Carmen, and Paquita. She has also studied jazz, lyrical, tap, modern and theater. Debbie has been a member of Florida Dance Masters (FDM) since 1999 (Certified by test to teach). She attended FDM conventions and workshops regularly after becoming certified, and has choreographed for FDM shows and competitions. Her competition choreography has won title awards for Mr. Rising Star, Mr. Dance and Miss Dance. She has also taught ballet at FDM conventions in Orlando and South Florida. Debbie previously taught at Dussich Dance Studio from 1999-2017 before taking a break to pursue her real estate license and start building her business as a Realtor. She is happy to be back teaching at the studio and to once again be part of the Dussich Dance Studio family. Debbie’s style is very classical with a strong emphasis on technique. Having 4 children who have all danced, she thanks her family for their continued involvement and support in dance, as well as her husband Jim, who has supported her dancing and teaching for many years.

Rose Segal

Debbie Townend, FDM

Rose Started Ballet at age 3 & tap at age 8, She Continued with tap in high school She was in dance performance every year at her studio, She did a summer theater camp where & put on a production over the 6 week period. Performances/roles include: Miss Hannigan (Annie), Lumiere (Beauty & The Beast), Edwina Spoonapple(The Dear Edwina Show), The Baker’s Wife(Into the Woods), and more. She did theater productions from 5th grade-10th grade. And worked on hair, makeup, and costumes for the middle school productions. Her high school had an extremely high arts budget, the productions were comparable to an off-Broadway show in terms of set quality and direction. She was in voice lessons from age 9-12, and was in chorus in middle and high school, and was a competing Thespian (receiving only excellent and superiors in monologues and solo singing); and as an adult I now do karaoke every Thursday night

Tabatha Spangler Lopez. FDM

Teacher Feature- Ms. Tabatha currently teaches acro, preschool, combo, lyrical, musical theatre, and is the artistic director of The Imperial Dance Corps at Dussich Dance Studio. This is her third year as the artistic director of IDC. IDC is a not for profit children dance charity that is very involved in the community and raises money for local childrens charities. Ms. Tabatha is said to have started dancing from the moment she could walk. She is a 3rd generation dance teacher. Coming from a legacy of dancers, Tabatha has studied all forms of dance. In 2005, she received a scholarship to attend the Broadway Theatre Project, where she studied with Ben Vereen, Patrick Page (The Lion King), Jeff Goldbloom (Jurassic Park) and Paige Davis (Chicago). She recieved several dance scholarships from Florida Dance Masters with her dance abilities. She was a finalist for Ms. Dance of Florida in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, she graduated from Cocoa Beach High School, where she was a choreographer for the Cocoa Beach High School Dance Team. That same year she also was a finalist for the Orlando Magic Dance Team. She went on to dance for PGT Entertainment on Regent Seven Seas Cruise Lines from 2006-2009. Where Tabatha got to dance professionally as well as travel around the world. Tabatha graduated from Eastern Florida State College with her AA, and Associates in Childhood Development, as well as completed certifications in Childcare Center Management, Early Child Development Intervention and Infant, Toddler and Preschool Specializations. She returned to Dussich Dance Studio as a teacher in 2015. She is a certified Dance Instructor thru Florida Dance Masters and a current member of FDM. Tabatha was an elementary school teacher for four years. She currently is a special education teacher at an ABA therapy school. Ms. Tabatha loves teaching both education and dance.

She is the proud mother of two, Thomas and Elizabeth who both dance at Dussich Dance Studio. They are the 4th generation of Dussich Dancers and proud to keep the family legacy going. Tabatha is the grand daughter of Dussich Dance Studio's founder Liz Bevilacqua.

Joanna Miller

Tabatha Spangler Lopez. FDM

Joanna Miller

Dance has such a vast meaning to me.

Expression, peace, happiness, creativity.

I am blessed to have to have had a mother who did everything in her power to keep me in dance.

Since the age of 3, I have trained in all styles of dance. Growing up dancing in Studios recreationally, I performed in recitals, talent shows and competitions. Later on, I grew towards more professional aspect such as teaching & choreography.

At the age of 19, I was awarded my first scholarship at the Dance convention Jump. I was also awarded best youngest, choreographer in Hip Hop age category 10 - 12. I started college & received a full scholarship in Dance.

2 years later I landed my first professional dance job with Princess Cruise Lines in 2008. It was an incredible experience and I am so thankful to have been a part of that! Now at age 33 I am working on building my dance fitness brand JEMSHAKE! Also, I have turned to yoga for healing my mind, body & soul. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

Now I'm training to be certified to teach yoga!

Dance reminds me to keep growing & challenging myself and, in many ways, has saved me! It will always be in my heart and I am forever grateful! Never give up on your dreams! There have been many moments in my life where I thought I would never dance again or maybe this is just not my calling. Ignore those thoughts of doubt. No matter how many "nos" you here, keep working on your passions! stay humble, keep creating and keep dancing!

Karis Adele Rause

Tabatha Spangler Lopez. FDM

Karis Adele Rause

Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Karis started her dance career at the age of 3. She started at the June Claire Dance run by Lynda Gache and June Loesche. She supplemented her education at Frank Ohman’s School of Ballet and Eglevsky School of Ballet. As Karis’ love for dance grew she started venturing into Manhattan where she studied at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and Barnard College, Columbia University. Karis has performed in annual televised Holiday events, ballets, community theater, the Tribeca Film Festival and has appeared in such films as “Elf” and “School of Rock.” Karis has worked with Michael Trusnovec, Loyd Culbreath and Andrea Kron. She has been an instructor for the past 21 years, has choreographed solos for competition and college audition, been a judge for dance competitions, choreographed for community theater productions, is a member of Florida Dance Masters, PBT certified and currently living in Florida

Alana Buttars FDM

Karis Adele Rause

Miss Alana LOVES teaching dance! She performed ballet and clogging dance all growing up in studios in Texas, Utah, and Washington. In college she majored in Elementary Education, minored in Contemporary Dance and teaching English Language Learners, extensively studied ballet, folk dance, and clogging, and toured with Brigham Young University's International Folk Dance Ensemble. She has taught Dance for three years.

When she's not dancing, Alana likes reading children's books, eating international food, and watching her two young boys jump all around the house.

Debbie Manlove

Alana Buttars FDM

Kaelin Lopez, FDM

Debbie Manlove trained under Caroline de Lone and was a member of the Harrisburg Civic Ballet Company, a local semi-professional company in Pennsylvania. She majored in Dance at the Philadelphia Dance Academy, which was affiliated with the Combs College of Music, under the direction of Nadia Chilkovski, a dancer from Martha Graham’s first company. In her 50 years of dancing and teaching, she has taken from numerous teachers, including from NYC Ballet’s first cavalier in their first production of the Nutcracker. Miss Debbie began teaching at age 16, at the West Shore Rec board. She also taught at the local YWCA, before opening her own studio, Manlove School of Dance, which she own and operated for 22 years. Since relocating to Florida, she has been a substitute instructor here at Dussich Dance Studio, but most recently has joined our faculty as the Creative Movement Instructor, which is a dance class for our dancers with special needs that is rewarding both for the dancers and Miss Debbie!

Kaelin Lopez, FDM

Alana Buttars FDM

Kaelin Lopez, FDM

Kaelin Lopez is a graduate of Edgewood Jr/Sr High School and Eastern Florida State College. She has attended the University of South Florida and was also on the cheerleading squad. She coaches at Coastal Elite Cheer and Gymnastics and is currently the Assistant Coach at Edgewood Jr/Sr High School Cheer and Dance Teams. She is currently enrolled at the University of Central Florida pursuing her Bachelors in Elementary Education. She is a certified Dance Instructor thru Florida Dance Masters

Patrick Marshall

Patrick has Performed at

The Henegar

Beauty and the Beast: International at NETworks on Tour, The Palace Theater, Suncoast Broadway Dinner Theatre, Princess Cruises & Alhambra Theatre & Dining