Team 2026-27

2026-27 madc faculty, staff & guest choreographers

Cori callahan

OWNER / INSTRUCTOR / MACK PAC ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Cori’s professional training began at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She attended as a dance major and performed with Jazz Dance Theatre. In 1997, she continued on to become a Radio City Rockette for seven years. Later, Cori performed at the Motor City and MGM Casinos. She is an active member with the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA, and has appeared in numerous regional and national commercials. Cori has been teaching and choreographing for over 15 years, including productions for Grosse Pointe Public Schools. Her choreography has won numerous awards for originality and entertainment.

MELISSA KING

OWNER / ADMIN
Over the last 30+ years, Melissa has been a student, a teacher, choreographer, and a parent of dancers at MADC. An original member of the Mack Avenue Dance Company, she trained under Mary Lou Parker and later danced with the Miami University Dance Theatre. She is a 1993 graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School and enjoyed participating in their musical theater productions and concert choir. She has taught ballet, tap, jazz, and Creative Movement for MADC, and you might still catch her teaching the occasional swing dance class! An author by day, she is thrilled to be part of MADC and looks forward to watching future generations of dancers grow into artists and friends.

STEPHANIE PLANSKER

BALLET PROGRAM DIRECTOR / INSTRUCTOR
Stephanie, a Licentiate member of the Cecchetti Council of America, holds degrees in Literature and Dance from the University of North Texas. She holds certifications in Pilates, Youth Training, and PBT. She is currently 1st Vice President of the Executive Board of the Cecchetti Council of America and also serves as the Membership Administrator, the Music Chair and is on the  Summer School Committee of the International Summer School held each summer in Holland, Michigan. She has received many scholarships, including teacher scholarships to the CCA’s Summer School, and in the summer of 2018, was awarded the Sylvia Hamer scholarship to be a guest at the Cecchetti Society of England teacher summer school in Birmingham, England.  She is a frequent guest teacher for student workshops and intensives, sharing her love of Pilates, ballet, lyrical, and modern. She has taught for the Cecchetti Summer School for the past 8 years and has successfully presented students and teachers for certification in the Cecchetti Method.

GRACE EUPER

FRONT DESK / ADMIN / INSTRUCTOR
A 2024 GP South graduate, Grace is currently a student at Wayne State University, pursuing a degree in psychology with a focus on pediatric psychology research. She has a strong performing arts background, having spent eight years heavily involved in musical theatre and competing in show choir throughout high school. Fun fact: Grace was once a very young student at MADC for only a few years! Now, she’s happy to be back this time as the friendly face at the front desk.

MORGAN BAKER

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Morgan Baker is a dance artist based in Ohio and New York. She has recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College earning her BFA in Dance, Choreography. During her time at Marymount, she has performed works by Bill T. Jones, Tamisha A. Guy, Raja Feather Kelly, Earl Mosley, Cameron McKinney, Alberto Del Salz, and Karen Gayle. As a choreographer, two of her works were presented at the New York State Dance Education Association Conference and Mark Morris Dance Center’s Choreography Seminar. Baker has also attended summer programs with Orsolina 28 x FLOCK and Entity Contemporary Dance.

GRADY CALLAHAN

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Grady Callahan is an experimental contemporary dance artist and choreographer based in New York City and Metro-Detroit Michigan. Currently enrolled at Marymount Manhattan College, Grady will earn his BFA in Dance with a Choreography Concentration in the Spring of 2027. Grady has had opportunities to perform at The Joyce Theater in NYC, The World Dance Movement for the DOTY 2024 in Puglia, Italy, and the Music Hall in Detroit, Michigan. He has worked with choreographers such as Rena Bulter, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Stephanie Troyak, Dylan Pearce, Jamal K. White, Pedro Ruiz and Nancy Lushington. His choreography for both stage and film has earned recognition for originality and creativity. In 2026, he starred in and choreographed oskar med k’s “MAKE ME FEEL” music video. In addition, he recently gained his teaching certification for Grade I Cecchetti Ballet.

leo debruyne

INSTRUCTOR
Leo DeBruyne is a contemporary dance artist, choreographer, and educator currently on faculty at Mac Avenue Dance Center. A graduate of Spotlight Dance Works’ Pre-Professional Company, he has trained extensively with esteemed dance educators and choreographers including Adam McGaw, Alex Soulliere, Jonathan Wade, Liz Schmidt, and Lily Shephard. His performance credits include GoodLove Detroit’s Fine Arts Residency, LA Dance, and Spotlight Dance Works. Leo’s teaching philosophy centers on cultivating technically proficient, versatile artists through intentional movement, musicality, and authentic storytelling, while fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, confidence, and creative exploration.

sierra dynkowski

INSTRUCTOR
Bio Coming Soon!

Ashton Eatchel

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Ashton Eatchel (He/Him) is a freelance dancer, choreographer, and has his BFA in Dance(Choreography) from Marymount Manhattan College. Additionally, he is a pro assistant for Revive/Adrenaline Dance Convention. He was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV where he attended Las Vegas Academy of the Arts for High School education. Following, he attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts for a year and a half, later transferring to Marymount Manhattan College to finish his studies. Having performed works at NYU Tisch, he has also worked with artists including Jenn Freeman, Tamisha Guy, Stephanie Troyak, Adam Barruch, Gibney Company, Chelsea Thedinga, David Dorfman, and more. In addition, he has attended summer intensives, Ballet BC 44 and the Juilliard Summer Intensive. He now continues to deepen his knowledge in his contemporary and ballet studies, motivated to express his art.

JARELL GORDY

INSTRUCTOR
J. Gordy has been a professional dancer and instructor in Michigan for over 20 years. He was the Director, Dancer and Choreographer for the Detroit Pistons Dance Team “Extreme Team.” He has choreographed for numerous artists in the music industry such as Flo Rida, Busta Rhymes, Ginuwine, CeeLo Green, and Ray J. In addition, he is the founder of an independent dance company called D4G “DancersforGordy.” J. Gordy has traveled overseas and lived in China for six years as a Dancer and Director for Dr. Oscar, one of the biggest nightclubs in China. Outside of dance, he was also a model for the clothing brand Fear of God.

phoebe king

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Phoebe King began dancing at MADC at age two. After graduating from G.P. South High School in 2023, she completed the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center in 2024. Currently based in New York City, Phoebe is training in commercial dance and has developed a passion for the community and artistry of street styles. She has performed works by BoyBoi, Ehizoje Azeke, and Mishay Petronelli.

Gabi lupo

INSTRUCTOR
Gabi Lupo has received 15 years of dance training at Linsey’s Cheer and Dance Center, where she has trained competitively in all styles. She was a part of the Pankow Performing Arts Program for 4 years, expanding her knowledge on (modern/contemporary/jazz) dance history. Gabi also was a part of the Intensity Elite Allstar Dance Team for 3 years, where she became a The Dance Worlds finalist in 2022. Since 2020, she has been a part of the USPBL Pro Dance Crew where she has been given the opportunity to share some of her choreography. She is currently continuing her dance journey as a member of the Oakland University Dance Team!

KATIE MAHAFFEY

INSTRUCTOR
Katie Mahaffey has been dancing since the age of three. Realizing dance was more than just a hobby, she attended Marygrove College where she majored in dance. Throughout her college dance career and beyond, Katie has enjoyed many professional performances including stage, screen, and music videos. Katie has been a company dancer with ConteXture dance Detroit since 2016. She has also performed alongside several bands including Your Generation in Concert, and BAND/J Entertainment. Katie has taught dance for 14 years, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and conditioning. Wanting to expand her career, Katie graduated from Madonna University in 2021 with a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and became a Registered Dietitian in April 2022. Outside of the dance studio, Katie enjoys working as a dietitian, personal trainer, and fitness instructor.

ANDREW PANKIEWICZ

INSTRUCTOR
Andrew received his BFA in dance from Wayne State University in 2022 and has over 15 years of dance experience. Training with Meg Paul, Dr. Biba Bell, Dr. Ras Mikey Courtney, and the BIARA Mvmnt Phlsphy taught him the importance of authenticity in dance. Studying under Hannah Anderson, Jessica Rajko, Lisa LaMarre, Mary Sherman, and Brandon Koepsell strengthened his understanding of ballet, contemporary, and musicality. Andrew’s dance experience was further enriched by taking master classes and intensives at Joffrey of Chicago, with Visceral’s Company director Nick Pupillo, Complexion’s director Dwight Rhoden, and Gerri Houlihan at Duke University. A proud member of the National Dance Education Organization, Andrew has danced with contemporary and modern companies in the Detroit area including ConteXture and DDC, under the directorship of Tracy Holloran and Barb Selinger. Andrew is a company member dancing with the Detroit Dance Collective and has traveled across Michigan working as a guest artist.

JULIANA VARANELLI

INSTRUCTOR
Juliana began dancing at Mack Avenue Dance Center at the age of four. She developed a strong technical foundation and a love for performance, with jazz as her favorite style. She continued her dance journey at Michigan State University while studying Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, expanding her training and deepening her appreciation for dance as a creative outlet. In addition to her dance background, Juliana recently earned her Master of Science in Nutrition. She is especially passionate about the connection between movement and overall health and enjoys bringing this perspective into the studio. She encourages strength, balance, and confidence in her dancers. Juliana loves working with dancers and is dedicated to creating a positive environment where students feel supported and motivated to grow. She strives to help each dancer build strong technique while also fostering a genuine love for dance.

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