TTP Faculty

We are very excited to have a highly qualified faculty and staff dedicated to educating students in the artform of dance. It is very important that our teachers also be appropriately trained in working with and educating children of all ages. This ability is gained through conferences, certifications, workshops, college classes, and experience.

We are proud to be a Charter Member of the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association. I.D.E.A. Mission: To protect the reputation of dance education by setting a high standard for safe and fair business practices. Making a commitment to ensure all students, regardless of age or skill level are offered a quality dance education. To assist in the member’s growth of business, school organization and ability to create a positive culture that fosters successful dance students while always maintaining a professional and supportive environment. To come together to share the latest trends, business concepts, and build camaraderie among studio owners.

http://ideadance.org/homepage/

Ms. Bri

Owner, Artistic Director, Dance Educator

Brienne Garland has been dancing for over 40 years, teaching dance for over 25 years, and directing a studio and various dance programs for 23 years now. As the owner of To the Pointe. in Ridgely, she has been nominated as a Woman to Watch on the Eastern Shore in 2022 & 2023, while To the Pointe. holds the title of Chesapeake's Best of the Best Dance Studio 2022. Ms. Bri has been acting President of the Maryland Council for Dance, as well as VP of the MCD, and is currently a charter member of the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association, a member of the National Dance Educator's Organization, a National Dance Foundation partner studio, and sponsors Junior & Senior Chapters of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She was recently named the 2023 Eastern Regional Representative for the Maryland Dance Education Association. Under her direction, the To the Pointe. Dance Company has performed in Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, HersheyPark, at pregame & halftime shows for the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Wizards, along with numerous local and charitable events. Ms. Bri is an arts advocate, placing high importance on spreading a love for the art of dance with the community through performances (including the only full length Nutcracker on the mid-shore), and also by instructing for organizations such as Caroline County Rec & Parks, Talbot County Parks & Rec, and Crashbox Theatre. Always ready to learn, she continues her own education though online certification programs and the annual DanceLife Teacher Conference. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, Jason and, now adult, children, Brett & Rorie. Some of Ms Bri's favorite things include family dinners, the color purple, golden retrievers, flowers, ghost stories, reading mysteries, chai tea lattes, and all things Disney.

Ms. Lauren

Dance Educator

Ms. Lauren began dancing at age three and continued dancing all the way through college. She has studied many different styles of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, African and Irish. While living in Ireland, she also enjoyed furthering her knowledge of Irish dance, taking classes once again. She is an AACC Dance Company alumnus and a member of the Maryland Council for Dance. Lauren has her Masters Degree and works in the Crofton area as a Pediatric Nurse Practioner. Dance continues to have a very special place in her heart. She loves teaching and choreographing and hopes to instill a passion for the artform in her students. She loves spending time with her husband and daughters, Eliana & Everly. Ms Lauren's favorite things include being a girl mom, spending time with family and pets, being outdoors, and traveling.

Ms. Heather

Dance Educator

Heather began studying dance when she was 4 years old under Diana Cook Green, and spent 7 years in the youth company, the Montgomery Ballet Company. With Montgomery Ballet, she performed 5-6 shows annually at various theaters, including the Kennedy Center and in the Bahamas. Heather was awarded various honors for her dancing, including being a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, and, under the tutelage of Florence Gardner in Frederick, passed Cecchetti grades 1 through 5. She received her B.F.A in Dance from Adelphi University, where she received excellent training from, among others, Rochelle Zide Booth, Loren Hightower, Katja Geleznova, Norman Walker, and Regina Larsen. While in New York, she performed professionally, continued teaching, and modeled as a dancer. Heather has taught ballet to children, adults, and competitive ice skaters throughout the intervening years. A Denton resident for over nine years, Heather keeps busy in her spare time by making use of her Juris Doctorate and Master of Science in Business Management (Finance) by practicing law -- when not caring for her three active children.

Ms. Victoria

Dance Educator

Ms. Victoria grew up on Long Isand NY and started dancing at age 4. She went on to compete in tap dance. Ms. Victoria has been teaching at TTP since 2012. She has a K-8 BS/MS in teaching and has been working with CCPS since 2004. When not teaching, you can find Ms. Victoria on a hike or picnic with her husband, two sons and daughter.

Ms. Olivia

Dance Educator

Ms Olivia has been dancing with Ms Bri since she was just 3 years old. She has been a TTP Dance Company member and performed in our annual Nutcracker. Along with assisting at TTP from an early age, Miss Olivia has been a member of our faculty for nine years. She is CPR & first aid certfied, YPAD certified (https://www.ypadnow.com/), and holds a degree in elementary education. Miss Olivia has taught Kindergarten and first grade. She is currently working on her degree in Social Work, while continuing to teach classes here at TTP. Miss Olivia's favorite things include taking care of animals and spending time with her nephews.

Miss Caitlyn

Dance Educator

Miss Caitlyn has also been a TTP family member since she was very young, taking classes, performing with the Dance Company, and in our annual Nutcracker performances. In addition to assisting classes throughout her high school years, she has been on faculty now for eight years. Miss Caitlyn continued dancing through college, received her Bachelor's Degree, and is currently working for The Gunston School. She has also just been accepted into the Graduate Program for Dance Education at Towson University. Miss Caitlyn's favorite things include the Orioles, pickleball, and Habitat for Humanity builds.

Ms. Barb

Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor

Barbara Mitchell is a 1996 graduate of Queen Anne's County High school were she was a Varsity cheerleader beginning in her sophomore year. Also during her high school years she taught basic tumbling and cheer for Queen Anne's County Parks and Recreation. In May of 2000 Barbara received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and currently works for a local law firm. Barbara has coached for Caroline County Cougars thru Pop Warner, as well as served as the Caroline County Pop Warner's Cheer Commissioner in 2014-2016. Ms. Barb is very excited to be a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. A few of Ms Barb's favorite things are spending time with family, Washington Football, and the Tartan Festival in NYC. https://acrobaticarts.com/#/welcome

Miss Rorie

Dance Educator, Creative Director (Creative Space Crew, Rhythmic Soles, Pearls)

Voice & Piano Instructor

Miss Rorie has been dancing since she was born. Currently in her fifth year on faculty at TTP, she attends dance conventions and the DanceLife Teacher conference each year. She has been awarded Tap scholarships, and was a member of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts. Similar to her dance experience, Rorie began her journey in music at a young age. Whether she was singing in Chorus, playing the Violin & Bass, or attending Voice & Piano lessons, she always found herself especially drawn to music. She was a member of Crashbox Theatre Troupe, All Shore Honors Chorus, All Shore Honors Band, and All Shore Honors Orchestra throughout her middle & high school career. She was awarded Superior ratings in Solo/Ensemble Festivals and was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Rorie is currently a Contemporary Music Industry Major at OSU and continues to further her own education in dance & music. She recently began drum lessons with Paul Midiri and enjoyed a song writing class with Bob Santelli (who has also taught artists such as Billie Eilish). She plays several instruments with upright bass & electric bass guitar being her favorites and is a member of the international organization, Women in Music. She also likes to DJ for local parties and school events. Rorie looks forward to working & traveling within the Music Industry in the near future and enjoys being a music educator to her current students in our community. Some of Miss Rorie's favorite things include Harry Styles, learning to play new instruments, her vinyl record collection, Marvel, traveling, all animals, VW buses & beetles, Starbucks, and tacos.

Miss Julia

Dance Educator

Miss Julia is excited to be in her third season teaching dance with us. She has been dancing at TTP since she was 3 years old, and was also a class assistant for many years, a Dance Company member, and a performer in our annual Nutcracker. Miss Julia was a member of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts during her middle & high school years. She is currently busy with her college classes.

Class Assistants: Mady Bartz, Jahzara Foster, Sophie Gunter, Brynlee Jones, Leah Mitchell, Ashlynn Morton, Abby Spiering, Valerie Stack

If you are interested in teaching dance thru workshops, subbing, or becoming a part of our faculty, please email Bri at ttpdancestudio@live.com with your resume, bio, and what capacity you would be interested in joining us.