Our Staff
Our experienced and educated staff has combined 180+ years of dance experience.
Mrs. Mishel'la White
Founder | Director | Instructor
Mishel'la has been dancing since the age of three. From the young age she would dance EVERY time she heard music, so naturally, her parents enrolled her in dance classes. Although she participated in multiple sports she discovered dance was her passion. From then on she participated in dance musicals, dance productions, met famous Broadway performers, traveled, taught dance at Westside Elementary School and even attended school for dance in college. She has always dreamed of one day having her own dance company and be able to give back to her community.
Now as a full time worker, wife and mom of two, her loved ones have encouraged her to make her life-time dream a reality - Mish Moves was birthed.
Note from the Director:
We are ecstatic and blessed with all the love we have received so far. I want to thank our AWESOME dancers, parents, sponsors, and most importantly, FAMILY. Because of you, we have accomplished so much in such little time. Thank you to EVERYONE who’s a part of not only this Dance Company but this movement. We couldn’t have done any of this without your support. This is only the beginning for Mish Moves Dance Company, Inc.
Tamarah "Mrs. T" Alexander
Minis/ Competition Team Instructor
Mrs. T began her dance journey at the age of 5 and studied under many dance studios in Virginia, Texas and South Carolina. In middle school, Tamarah studied ballet, modern, jazz and point through the Roanoke City School Magnet School for Dance Program. During this time, Tamarah was heavily involved with theatre and her favorite role was playing Baby June in Mill Mountain Theatre's production of Gypsy! During her time working with MMT, Tamarah worked with musical theatre and tap instructors from NYC.
Tamarah has taught dance for local dance studios as well as not-for-profit organizations in Roanoke and the New River Valley for a total of 20 years. Many of her pieces have won overall grand champion on both regional and national levels.
Mrs. T has gift working with young dancers and is skilled at teaching the basics and fundamentals. She is fun loving, creative, nurturing and encouraging in the classroom. She has experience with special needs children and has experience with teaching all children of differing abilities. We are so excited to have her join our team!
Mrs. Michelle Terstegen
Seniors/ Competition Team Instructor
Michelle Terstegen grew up in the Central Valley of California. She started dancing at age 5 and was trained at Lemoore Dance Studio which is now Dancer's Edge, a nationally ranked and Industry Dance Awards winning competitive studio. Being so close to LA, she’s had the honor of taking classes from many leaders in the industry, such as Mia Michaels, Brian Freidman, Teddy Forance, Travis Wall, Phil Wright, Nika Klujm, the late Donald Mckayle, Julie Kay Stallcup and many more. Her most utilized training is that from the Building Blocks of Dance Program created by Richard Elszy.
Michelle has taught off and on for 12 years and in between started a family. She has three biological children and three adopted through the foster system, one of which is special needs. Michelle was the Creative Director for Revolution Dance Studio in Paradise,CA. She was also the owner and operator of Creative Flow Institute, Yuba City CA. Michelle has been continuing her passion here in Virginia with live performances, choreography, podcast interviews and TV appearances.
Ms. Laurie Baker
Studio/ Competition Instructor
Laurie Beth Baker or LB received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Theater May 26th, 2019 from Hollins University. Before attending Hollins, she was a Dance Instructor at J’adore DANCE Studio in Midlothian VA, where she taught and choreographed for students k-12th grade in the genres of tap, jazz, improvisation and contemporary, as well as choreographed for their competition team. During her time at Hollins, she choreographed and performed three pieces of self-work, and performed her piece ‘Inherited Ignorance’ at the 2018 ladyfest CLT showcase in Charlotte North Carolina as well as the 2018 American College Dance Association regional conference in Richmond Virginia. She also assisted Susana Young in choreogrpahing Hollins production of ‘Chicago’ and was the choreogapher for their 2019 rendition of ‘Fun Home’ the musical.
Laurie Beth is a choreographer and teacher who takes her experiences from her backgrounds of competition technique classes, theater work and college experiences to create work with originality, purpose and meaning. She hopes to always bring dance history to the forefront of her dance classes so students can learn to appreciate where the roots of their movement vocabulary come from as well as always push her students to appreciate their individual self-worth while always enjoying the beauty and fun of dance. In the past two years Laurie Beth has been teaching students at Lucy Addison Middle School in the genres of ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, tap, and improvisation. She hopes to inspire children to learn and grow inside of the classroom, and always seek more at the end of the day. LB is a teacher who challenges students to push themselves-and love themselves.
Rigor and worth.
Ms. Krystle White
Assistant | Coach
Ms. White assists with organizing documents and assuring the team is determined and focused. She brings her 15 year experience of working in the behavioral health profession along with mentoring young children and adults.
