Staff and Instructors

We have an incredibly dedicated and talented staff at Premier Dance of Ocala. Each instructor is highly skilled and educated in their field. Additionally, they have extensive experience working with a variety of age groups. The entire staff takes great care in creating age-appropriate classes where each student receives individualized instruction and attention. Our staff ensures quality method of teaching of the art of dance through a graded system with discipline and correction for each student by trained, dedicated, and committed dance instructors.

Studio Owners

Samantha Lewis

Samantha started dancing at age of 5 at Mary Ellen School of Dance. She competed on their dance competition team from the age 10 through until she graduated from Forest high school. She was a member of the Florida Ballet Theater, danced at the University of South Carolina and Broadway Dance Center. She received a full dance scholarship to the Florida School of The Arts and received a degree in Dance Studio Management. After moving back to Ocala to start her family she was asked to take over the Mary Ellen School of Dance’s performance team where she was the director for seven years. She was then offered to take over Mary Ellen School of Dance when Ms. Mary Ellen chose to retire. Currently Samantha is the owner, competition team director, choreographer and dance teacher. She is excited for this new opportunity!

Alison Swearingen

Alison received her dance training at Mary Ellen School of Dance.  As she brought her daughters to the school of dance training, she redeveloped an interest in dance involvement for herself.  She started as a class assistant and has been teaching Tiny Tots since 1999. She is Co Owner of Premier Dance of Ocala and teaches Tiny Tots, Jazz, and Tap.

Shannon Gauffreau

PDO Instructors

Marisa Estrada

Ashley Oyola