AMANDA MENDOZA
Amanda has been a part of the NJD family since 2007, started teaching here in 2010, and is now very honored to own and lead the studio she's called home for so many years. Growing up Amanda always had a passion for dance and the arts. When she wasn't in dance class, she was painting, photographing, writing, and creating- with dance being her most favorite way to express herself. While attending the University of Central Florida she joined a dance group, performing and choreographing for on campus events. She maintained her training by taking dance classes throughout the Orlando area in many different styles: hip hop, ballet, contemporary, jazz, salsa, & ballroom. It was in these classes that her love for contemporary dance and the powerful way it can be used grew. So while still in college, she started a dance ministry called David's Heart in which dancers trained and performed contemporary style dance in Clermont and the surrounding areas. She also started Arts for a Cause, a coffeehouse style event in which local artists would perform and submit works of art for auction. She now enjoys developing the talents of the next generation of artists, while still taking dance classes and training whenever she can! Amanda is a member of Florida Dance Masters, and is also a certified Progressing Contemporary Technique (PCT) teacher, Relative Motion teacher, and PiYo instructor.
ROSEMARY DEMOTT
Rosemary obtained her dance degree from Jacksonville University. After graduating, she performed at several regional theaters around the United States in such shows as My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, and 42nd Street. Upon returning to Florida she taught at the college, high school, and studio level. She has choreographed for theaters in the central Florida area featuring shows such as Chicago, A Chorus Line, Singing in the Rain, and 42nd Street. Rosemary is an owner at Dancewear Corner, a successful dance retail store. She started Not Just Dance back in 2005, and continues to teach classes here, pouring her wealth of knowledge into it's students and teachers.
JESSICA HOUSTON
Jessica feels so honored to be a part of the NJD family! Her love for dance and theatre has been running through her veins ever since she was a little girl. After graduating from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC, she performed in shows all around the country, her personal favorite being, “A Chorus Line” (where she fell in love with her now husband, David!) Jessica had the opportunity to dance aboard an international cruise liner and perform in places such as Dubai, Italy, Israel, Brazil, and even Antarctica! Her most recent venture brought her to Tokyo Disney Sea, where as an aerialist, she soared above audiences in the original cast of “King Triton’s Concert”.
Jessica continues to share her love for the arts and can be seen singing and dancing her heart out in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. She is also a fitness instructor, with a focus on prenatal and postpartum women, and thrives on helping others discover the happiest and healthiest version of themselves. Her three beautiful kids fill her days with endless adventures, whilst keeping her on her toes!
KRIS STEVENS
Ms. Stevens began her training at the Chico Community Ballet in Chico, CA. She attended summer programs at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Joffrey Workshop in San Antonio, TX, CalArts, and on a partial scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. In addition to performing in Entertainment at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, Ms. Stevens was awarded two contracts to perform at Tokyo Disneyland in Japan. She danced professionally with The Georgia Ballet in Marietta, GA under the artistic direction of Iris Hensley, and received additional training from Janusz Mazon and Gina Hyatt-Mazon. Ms. Stevens received both an Associate in Arts degree in Dance Performance and an Associate in Science degree in Business Administration from Valencia College, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Rollins College. While in Georgia, Ms. Stevens began teaching dance to preschool children and has continued to teach dance to a wide-range of ages and abilities. She taught dance (both ballet and jazz) to figure skaters at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den and privately coached skaters on choreography and performing. Ms. Stevens has been a guest teacher for the Not Just Dance Ballet Intensive for the last five years. In addition to being the Dance Performance Production Coordinator at Valencia College, Ms. Stevens is an adjunct faculty member in the Dance Department at both Valencia College and Rollins College.
MELISSA BOROWSKI
Melissa's journey is a blend of her early passion for gymnastics and her flair for performance. Her adventure started at the young age of 4 when she began competitive gymnastics. Progressing from levels 2 through 9, she was on track for a college scholarship until an unfortunate shoulder injury necessitated not one, but two surgeries, prompting her to end the sport and pivot to explore a new direction. Undeterred by these challenges, Melissa transitioned effortlessly into coaching recreational gymnastics. Her journey continued to flourish as she embraced the role of Beam and Floor Head Team Coach for levels 2-5 in 2009. In 2012, her passion for performance led her to Orlando, where she embarked on an exciting chapter as an Entertainment Performer in the theme parks, all while simultaneously serving as a Gymnastics Coach for levels 6-10. In 2014, she became a Certified Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer, blending her expertise to promote holistic well-being and continuing to grow her love of fitness. Although she concluded her formal coaching journey in 2016, Melissa's dedication to both fitness and performing remains unwavering. With a heart that beats for gymnastics, fitness and the arts, Melissa is excited to share all her knowledge as an Acro Teacher and still Performs on the weekends!