Our Faculty
Dancers at The Madison Studio of Dance Education have the benefit of learning from the best in their field – a versatile and highly-professional faculty of dance professionals. Our teaching philosophy emphasizes dance excellence as we nurture the spirit of the dancer. Our students become an important part of the caring MSDE family. We are proud the say that all our faculty members are adults with extensive dance credentials. We do not place teens, who are still students themselves, in charge of our important dancers’ training.
Jane Marie Madison, MSDE Owner/Director, is a native of the Chicago area. A graduate of Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri, Jane also studied dance at The Banff Centre School of Fine Arts in Banff, Alberta, Canada. She is a member of several professional dance education organizations, and regularly attends teacher workshops including The American Academy of Ballet’s Summer Workshop of Excellence and the International Ballet Competition’s Teacher Workshop with David Howard and pianist Steven Mitchell. Each year, Jane travels to New York City, and Denver (where her daughter dances for Colorado Ballet) for creative inspiration and to research the latest in choreography and dance design. A dance educator since 1972, she founded the Madison Studio in Macon in 1984. Jane enjoys working with students at every level of expertise – from the beginner to the trained dancer preparing for college study as a dance major or minor, or for a career in dance. For 2010-11 she instructs Ballet Tech/Choreography for Ensemble, Pearls, Allegros,and Ensemble Apprentices & Juniors. Email Jane>>
Jessica Hardman is an innovative and highly-skilled Modern dance teacher at MSDE who also instructs popular Theatre Dance classes, as well as Pre-Dance, Level I, II, and III, and Stretch/Conditioning. Jessica holds a degree in Dance Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. Ms. Hardman’s intellectual approach to kinesiology as part of dance education makes for dancers who really understand the concepts of movement. Email Jessica>>
Dr. Candy Vaughn holds a degree in Dance and Biology from Emory University in Atlanta. Originally from Tifton, Georgia, her dance background includes training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap Dance. She has extensive experience with classroom teaching and choreography. Her focus is on creative motivation so that students may learn to apply dance concepts in all other areas of life. She returns for a fourth year of teaching Tap during 2010-11 at MSDE.
Mr. Lawrence Williamson - returns to teach Tumbling at MSDE for 2010-11! Mr. Lawrence graduated from Southern Illinois University and studied gymnastics there under U.S. Olympic coaches. He holds a Ph.D. from NYU. We have been truly fortunate to have his expertise at our studio for the past several years, and brings fun, conditioning, discipline, and gentleness through his teaching methods.
Giselle de Blasi Pugh will again be with us at MSDE traveling from the Atlanta area, where she also teaches and performs with Atlanta Festival Ballet. Giselle hails from Texas, and was awarded a dance scholarship and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance from the University of Oklahoma. She has an extensive background in teaching and performing principal roles in classical as well as contemporary works. An expert in setting choreography, she excels also in teaching young children through high skill levels. She will be teaching Ballet Tech Pointe & Variations, Pointe-Leaps-Turns-Stretch, Teen/Adult Dance, and Diamonds for 2010-11.
Jayme Hamilton returns to MSDE, this time as faculty for Hip-Hop and Cheerleading. Trained at The Madison Studio for ten years, Jayme has been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars dance & cheer team for the NFL. Jayme brings energy and enthusiasm to her classroom, and blends dance technique and concepts into her fun choreography.
Daniel Boudreault and Laura Thomason, our new ballroom faculty, are Silver/Gold level dancers in American Smooth & Rhythm styles. In 2006 they decided to combine Daniel’s decades of social dance training with Laura’s classical ballet & jazz background to become a performing & competitive partnership, participating in exhibitions & competitions throughout the Southeast, and continue training regularly through workshops with top names in ballroom. As instructors, Daniel and Laura focus on sharing their passion for dance and ensuring that their students enjoy their time on the dance floor.