Meet the Team
At Valley Dance, we’re proud to have an incredible team of passionate, dedicated instructors who bring their love of dance into every class. Each member of our staff is committed to inspiring, encouraging, and guiding our dancers—whether it’s their very first class or preparing them for the stage. Get to know the amazing teachers who make Valley Dance feel like home!
Owner/Artistic Director
Maria Rodrigues
Miss Maria began dancing at age 3 and has trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern, and Bellydance. She graduated from Manhattanville College in 2010 with a degree in Dance & Theater and has been teaching students of all ages ever since.
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She has learned from renowned choreographers including Peter Pucci, Keith Saunders, and Nicole Hockenberry, and has performed at venues such as Lincoln Center, the Joyce SoHo, and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
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Maria has also coached the Northampton High School Dance Team, danced with local semi-pro teams, and performed with Monarch Dance Company for five years. She brings extensive choreographic experience with musicals, dance teams, and competition soloists.
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In 2019, she opened Valley Dance with the mission of fostering a welcoming environment where dancers can grow in confidence, discipline, and artistry. Her goal is to give every dancer the tools to take their passion as far as they dream.
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“If you can dream it, you can achieve it!”
Dance Instructor
Julia Pfeiffer
Julia began her dance training at the age of 7, quickly realizing her passion for dance and her desire to pursue it for the rest of her life. She trained extensively in Ballet and Pointe, as well as Contemporary, Lyrical, and Modern. Dedicated to honing her technique, she participated in numerous workshops, master classes, and dance intensives. Ballet and Pointe work have always been her greatest passions.
Julia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance from DeSales University. During her time there, she performed in several pieces, including “bloom,” choreographed by Lora Allen, where she had a featured role in a partnering duet. She also took part in student-created works such as “eevea,” “Read My Lips,” and “Retrospect.” Additionally, Julia taught Ballet classes for the DeSales University Conservatory of Dance program under the direction of Jill Fitzgerald, serving students in the surrounding areas.
Her performance experience includes appearances in Dance EXposure, the DeSales University Emerging Choreographers Concert, and the DeSales University Dance Ensemble. Julia has trained with renowned instructors such as Joffrey Ballet’s Principal Ballerina Trinette Singleton, Caili Quan from BalletX, Angela Sigley-Grossman, Julia Mayo, Tim Cowart, Milan Misko, and others.
Julia is thrilled to share her passion for dance with her students and inspire them through her love for the art form.
Dance Instructor
Becka Morris
Becka Morris has trained as a gymnast and a dancer since she was three years old. She attended Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts as a dance major, and has had the opportunity to perform and choreograph throughout the Lehigh Valley. Becka has taught dance and gymnastics for the past ten years in the Lehigh Valley, West Chester, PA, and Philadelphia. Her favorite classes to teach are acro and modern! Along with teaching dance and gymnastics, Becka is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She loves working with clients to help them meet their athletic goals! Becka has also been teaching group exercise classes for the past two years. As a dancer, runner, cyclist, and swimmer, she understands the importance of proper strength training for athletes and for everyday life! In addition to teaching dance and fitness classes, Becka teaches 7th grade English at Bangor Area Middle School. Becka is very excited to work with all of the amazing students at Valley Dance this year!
Dance Instructor
Carly Watson
Carly Watson has been teaching dance for over 10 years in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania! She grew up performing as a featured dancer in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parades and competing in competitions throughout the state. She attended Lock Haven University where she studied Early Childhood and Special Education while also minoring in Dance. During her time at Lock Haven, she was heavily involved with Dance Consort, Modern Dance Company, and Revamp. She was both a dancer and choreographer. She also served as President and secretary of Modern Dance Company and Dance Consort. Carly was instructed by Tennessee's Ballet Artistic Director at Bucknell University and attended the American College Dance Festival at Penn State University. Aside from collegiate dance classes, Carly also taught professionally within the Lock Haven community. She also assisted the LHU Dance department as a volunteer instructor for local elementary schools. Carly graduated from Lehigh University with a graduate degree in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification and currently teaches special education. Carly is excited to share her love of dance with the next generation!
Dance Instructor
Zoë Thompson
Zoë grew up on stage. Inspired by her mother (who also grew up on stage) and the desire to overcome shyness, she began dancing, playing multiple instruments, and performing in community theatre at a young age. In high school, Zoë realized her goals in life were to own a dance studio and continue sharing her passion of movement with others. She began teaching dance and choreographing for theatre productions at the age of 15.
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Zoë attended Jacksonville University and graduated in 2020 with a bachelors degree in Kinesiology. She began college as a nursing student, however, after signing up for a dance kinesiology class, she quickly came to conclusion that kinesiology was the path for her. Throughout college and after, she continued teaching dance and performing whenever she could. She was a company member for Paradigm Flux Dance Company for 5 years. She spent a year in Philadelphia, dancing at multiple studios and performed with a non profit company before moving back home.
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After moving back to Jacksonville, Zoë started teaching dance again. She got involved with Pilates soon after and has loved it. Zoë had very little experience with pilates but has come to find that it perfectly aligns with her goals. She is amazed at how pilates can help peoples bodies in everyday life. Zoë, eventually, wants to use her knowledge of pilates and kinesiology to integrate into dance teaching and her own future studio. She is excited to be back in Pennsylvania and teaching dance!
Dance Instructor
Emily Karcher
Emily began dancing when she was 2 ½ years old and has enjoyed exploring the art of dance ever since! She competed locally and nationally in acro, jazz, and lyrical for 10+ years; While also studying the technique and style of baton twirling, ballet, modern and contortion. She was a Majorette at Nitschmann Middle School and Liberty High School, where she participated in school led musicals and dance teams. Emily received her Bachelor’s Degree in Performance Management with a Minor in Sociology from Moravian College. Through the LVAIC Program she also studied extensively with the DeSales University dance department. She performed as the Feature Twirler for the Moravian College Marching Band, participating in local events, including the Collegiate Marching Band Festival.
She has performed in the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Holiday Parade in Honolulu Hawaii, the Miss America “Show Us Your Shoes Parade” in Atlantic City New Jersey, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Parade, New York City’s Columbus Day Parade, among other performances across the tri-state area. Dedicated to expanding her knowledge and technique, she has participated in numerous workshops, dance intensives, and master classes across the east coast. Emily also has experience teaching and choreographing for local middle school majorette’s, musicals, and dance teams.
Her favorite styles are baton twirling, contortion, lyrical and acro. She has recently developed a love for aerial silks, participating in classes at Abstract Aerial Academy and Valley Dance. Emily is excited to share her love for dance and twirling with Valley Dance!
Adult Dance Instructor
Latosha Mitchell
Latosha Mitchell is a dancer, choreographer and instructor born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and currently residing in PA. She earned a B.S. degree in Legal Studies from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC in 2004, but realized prior to graduation that her passion was in dance after taking a dance class at Broadway Dance Center. What started as a class for fun, turned into years of training in various genres, including jazz, modern, African, hip hop and street stilettos. The training she received has led to many teaching and performance opportunities. Since relocating to PA, she has had the opportunity to perform for different events, including SpringUp Festival at Cedar Crest College. She is the creator of Femmeography in Heels, a company that provides heels class instruction and performance opportunities. She is a member of GPC Entertainment, an NYC-based cabaret company that performs nationally and internationally, and Mika Romantic & Company, a PA-based burlesque company. Her goal is to bring forth positivity and inspiration to others through dance. She is excited to be joining the Valley Dance family!
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Dance Instructor
Willow Prichett
Willow Prichett's introduction to dance started at four years old with brief ballet classes, however, it was at age nine when she began taking Hip-Hop classes and performing in musicals that she truly became immersed in the world of performing arts. Having studied as a theatre major at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Willow enjoys incorporating her acting experience into performing as a dancer. She has taken dance classes in the styles of Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Ballet/Pointe, with her favorites being Jazz and Ballet/Pointe. She has been dancing at Valley Dance since they opened in 2019, where she also danced competitively for 2 years. In addition to her dance experience, Willow loves practicing yoga and pilates, recognizing the importance of physical fitness as a dancer. She has spent the last three years as an assistant dance teacher at Valley Dance, gaining experience and insight into the teaching process. Now, as she steps into the role of instructor, she is thrilled to share her knowledge and passion with her own classes. Willow is currently in college continuing her dance education and working towards completing her general education requirements. She plans to further her studies at a 4-year college as a dance major. Willow is dedicated to creating a supportive and positive class environment where students can express themselves and grow as dancers. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance and can't wait to meet her students!
Dance Instructor
Front Desk
Rachel Stoll
Rachel Stoll is a dedicated dance educator, choreographer, and performer with a deep love for movement and artistic expression. She began dancing at the age of six and has explored a wide variety of styles ever since, growing through training, performance, and competitive experiences.
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Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Dance from West Chester University, graduating magna cum laude. While at WCU, she was actively involved with the University Dance Company, performing in both student choreographed and professional works. She continues to stay connected to the university through its Alumni Dance Chapter.
After graduation, Rachel expanded her performance work with Formerly and Tomorrow, an all-femme dance collective, and Catalyst Dance Company, showcasing works at renowned venues such as Mickey’s Black Box Theater.
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In the classroom, Rachel focuses on helping dancers develop strong technical foundations while encouraging creative exploration. Her choreography has received recognition at regional and national levels, including a nomination for Star Dance Alliance’s 2023 Choreography of the Year. She is also a guest instructor and competition judge, sharing her experience with dancers across the East Coast and as far as Maui, Hawaii.
Rachel strives to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages dancers to take risks, trust the creative process, and develop their own love for movement and appreciation of the arts.
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Voice & Acting Instructor
Front Desk
Mandi Marko
Mandi Marko (They/them) is a recent graduate from Theater Performance BA at Wagner College. They are a performer and teacher at heart with previous Ricky Potts (Ride the Cyclone), Angel City Four (City of Angels), Alexi Darling/Ensemble (Rent) Jane Doe (Ride the Cyclone), Luká (Funny Chekhov), Telusa/Haebe (Galatea), Celisse (Godspell), and Lizzie (Goblin Market).
Beyond performing, they Assistant Directed, Music Directed, and assistant music directed various collegiate and regional productions such as Spring Awakening, Little Women, Big Fish, and Wizard of Oz. They have years of experience working with children in camp/theatrical classroom settings including their own private voice studio. Beyond that, you will always be able to catch them listening to some sort of music (Jacob Collier) or playing their guitar!
Front Desk
Zöe Bruce
I have been dancing since I was three and I love it with my whole heart. Valley dance has become my second home. Since graduating I have decided that I can’t leave just yet, and I am so excited to work with everyone moving forward.