Our team
Dance is not only a wonderful way to express yourself but also a fantastic spare time activity
- Our instructors are well trained with a wealth of experience.
- Click through on the links below to view instructor’s bios
Rolann B. Owens
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR
With five students currently starring on Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera stages this season, as well as the new Stephen Speilberg production of West Side Story, Rolann Owens has continued to nurture the development and training of young dancers, actors, and vocalists. Rolann’s vast knowledge of music theater and dance has made her one of America’s foremost teachers; appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Distinguished Teachers’ White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. She has been honored to be a part of the American Passport for PBS, as a featured Floridian.
A former professional dancer, Rolann was the childhood partner of Michael Bennett. Her dance studies continued with Matt Mattox, Eugene Loring, Peter Gennaro, Paul Draper, Gus Giordano, Roy and Jane Dodge; with her Bachelor and Masters degrees (Summa cum Laude) from the Juilliard School. Her choreography and staging have been seen from Walt Disney World, also serving as the WDW’s College Program Dance Director, to stages in Germany and Austria. Judging extensively in America, Canada, and Europe, Rolann continues to teach a full array of classes for all ages at her studio in Longwood, Florida.
Rolann “R.J.” Mitchell
CHOREOGRAPHER, COMPANY DIRECTOR, DANCER
Associate Director, Rolann’s School of the Dance, Longwood, FL, 30 years teaching classes in Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, and Hip-Hop.
Choreographer, Hip Hop Instructor, Dancer
Zoë Filutowski’s love for dance started at Rolann’s School of the Dance in 1998. After 14 years of dancing jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, and musical theater at venues like the Radio City Music Hall, the Dizzy Feet Gala, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…
dayana akhmadeeva
Ballet and Character Instructor, Dancer
Dayana was born in Russia and started dancing at the age of 3. Dayana has been training in classical dance and gymnastics all her life. She attended Balakirev School of Arts, followed by Moscow State University of Arts, followed by Moscow State University of Arts. Dayana graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ballet Choreography in 2019. Her training is vast in Contemporary, Modern, Folk and more. While studying, Dayana performed in various productions of “The Nutcracker” and “Snow Queen” in Italy and Latvia, as well as teaching Ballet and Folk master classes in Czech Republic and India. Dayana now resides in Orlando, Florida and dances with local ballet companies.
