Mrs. Serena Young

This year, Mrs. Serena will proudly celebrate fifteen fantastic years of owning and operating her own dance studio. She began studying dance at the age of 11 and has worked hard in broadening her education as a teacher and a dancer. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2002, earning her Bachelors degree in dance studies and obtaining a background in Theatre and Business. She is a Nationally certified member of Dance Masters of America. During the school year 2011-12, Mrs. Serena earned her Education Certification in Dance K-12. While obtaining the proper technique of dance, Mrs. Serena has developed a unique style that makes her classes educational, fun and enjoyable.

Mrs. Serena performed in the Pre-game show of Super Bowl XXXV and has choreographed and/or performed in routines for talent searches, music videos, various competitions, dance shows produced by USF and dance shows produced by her own dance studio.

In the past years, she has travelled to Buffalo, New York, to attend Dance Teachers Training School, that consisted of

In 2006, Mrs. Serena auditioned for the Fox TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" where she made it through 4 cuts and had a private interview with one of the producers (Bonnie).

six full days of movement classes, workshops and seminars led by top dance educators and experts in the field of dance. She choreographed and danced in music videos for Dalton Adams that was said to have been nationally aired. Also, Mrs. Serena has worked with many famous choreographers and dancers, such as Chris Judd, Dave Scott, Wade Robson and RoRo (B2K choreographer). 

During the past fifteen years, Mrs. Serena has made accomplishments regarding expansion of her dance studio. She began as an independent contractor with Hernando County Recreation Department in 1997. She sub-leased and taught her, then 18, dance students in a double-wide trailer. A couple of years later, in 1999, she gained momentum and taught her students in a 700 square-foot carpeted office space. In 2002, she leased a bigger area of 1,200 square feet located at Kass Circle.

Today, Mrs. Serena owns, and is the landlord of, a 6,000 square foot building where SDP occupies almost half of the space. SDP's current home has eight rooms, two bathrooms and two ballrooms with wood floors. She is proud to say that her student count is now near 120!

SDP's first Competition Team "CA" was established in 2001. Since then, Mrs. Serena has travelled with "CA" to Regional Competitions where they have received many special awards, including "Best Choreography", "Prop Award", "Best Creativity", "Overall High Score", "Most Entertaining", "Top Overall High Score", "Fierce Eneregy", "Dynamite Dolls", and "Entertainment Challenge Contender". 

SDP's "CA" team has also been selected for various national competitions held in such places as New York, Las Vegas, South Carolina and Daytona Beach.  This year's "CA" team travelled to two regional competitions.  During the first one, they received three High Golds.  At the second competition, they had nine entries and brought home 17 trophies (many seen above) - all 1st Place with three Platinum High in overall categories, two High overalls of the day, and Best Costume.  Additionally, "CA" took workshop classes led by well-known artists Mandi Moore, Nick Lazzarini, Dan Karaty and Danny Tidwell from "So You Think You Can Dance."

Additionally, previous "CA" members have taken workshop classes led by well-known artists such as Mandi Moore, Nick Lazzarini, Dan Karaty and Danny Tidwell from "So You Think You Can Dance."
 

SDP's "Company Beat" team is a leading organization that performs around the community at various different functions. "CB" touches many lives of those in need, and in response, the community sends notes of thanks for their caring and thoughtfulness.

Together, "CA" and "CB" has led in organizing a benefit to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Both companies in collaboration with a non-profit organization has raised over $10,000 for the hospital. For the 6th year in a row, SDP's dance companies auditioned for and were accepted to perform at Walt Disney World. Mrs. Serena is proud of both companies and feels she helps bring out their very best qualities individually, and as a team!

Many of Mrs. Serena's students have pursued dance outside of her studio and teachings as a career, a job, or a competitor. Such dance opportunities include Busch Gardens, an All-Women's Modern Dance Company, Private Dance Crews, Fashion Shows, and competition Title Winners.

Mrs. Serena is currently in her fourth year as the Director of Dance at Powell Middle School where she teaches 160 students on a daily basis. Students range from beginner to advance and classes also include an all boys hip hop class of 25 plus.