ADAM Director

Alex started dancing at Midcoast Dance Studio under the guidance of Faye Cain at the age of eight. Over her many years in dance, Alex has received training in Tap, Kickline, Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Acro, Irish Step, Highland, Musical Theater, Voguing, Heels, Contemporary Pole, Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Argentine Tango, American Tango, American Waltz, Foxtrot, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Charlston, Jive, Polka, Tarantella, Quickstep, Salsa, Bachata, Rumba, Mambo, Merengue, Samba, and Cha Cha. She has also received training in Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, Gymnastics, Figure Skating, and Ice Dance.

Alex graduated from the University of Maine in 2020 with a degree in Business Administration in Management with a minor in Dance. She studied under the guidance of Dr. Ann Ross, Laren Lynn, Keith Robinson, Leon Dyjak, Fredrick “Birdie” Sawyer, and MJ Sedlock. She spent most of her time at UMaine participating in various dance clubs. Her senior year she had worked her way up to become the President of the Ballet Club, President of the Argentine Tango Club, and the President of the Figure Skating Club. She is currently working on her silver level ice dances.

Alex has been teaching for over 10 years. She started teaching for Midcoast Dance Studio in 2011, continuing her teaching career as a Teacher’s Assistant and club instructor at UMaine. She has choreographed multiple club and personal pieces that auditioned for the UMaine Dance Showcase. She has also choreographed for several theater productions/musicals.

Alex is the Founder and Director of the Academy of Dance Arts and Movement.

ADAM Instructor

Robin began her training with 6 years of USGF competitive gymnastics, igniting her love and passion for movement. She studied ballet, pointe, partnering, modern and character dance at The Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, BalletMet, Briansky Saratoga Springs Ballet Center, The Houston Ballet, Virginia School of the Arts, Duke University, Randolph-Macon Women's College and studios in Germany and France. Highlights of Robin's performing experience include the roles of " Sugar Plum Fairy" in The Nutcracker, "Swanhilda" in Coppelia, "Odette" in Swan Lake and the pas de deux in Les Sylphides with The Lynchburg Regional Ballet Theatre in Virginia.

Robin majored in dance at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music(1986-1989), studying/performing with James Truitte, David Blackburn, Denise Warner-Limoli and Oleg Sabline.

Robin has enjoyed teaching/choreographing for over 20 years, most recently at Bates College, The Dance Center in Auburn, ME and Mid-Coast Dance Studio in Newcastle, ME. It has also been a joy for her to pursue continuing education/dance study at Bates Dance Festival for 20 seasons. She became certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique in 2019. Robin earned a BSW in Social Work at The University of Cincinnati and is a Physical Mind Institute certified Pilates mat instructor.

ADAM Instructor

Karina started dance training at the age of seven with DanceMaineia in Damariscortta Maine. After seeing a few professional renditions of the Nutcracker Karina committed herself to a serious study of ballet. Karina studied under the instruction of Michelle and Heather Cox at People to People Dance Studio in Camden Maine. She has also studied at Midcoast Dance Studio and ADAM in Newcastle Maine with the instruction of Robin Vermilion, Faye Cain, and Jen Bement. Her training has included Vaganova and Cecchetti ballet, pointe, partnering, lyrical, and modern. She has also studied hip-hop, jazz, ballroom, Irish, and medieval dance styles. Throughout her studies, Karina has performed with each of these studios and Atlantic Ballet Company. She has enjoyed many corps and lead roles. Karina is currently studying at the University of Maine with a focus on the sciences such as nutrition, psychology, and anatomy. She would like to bring her knowledge into the dance classroom to encourage healthy dancers with an awareness of the whole body. She would like to focus on the core of dance establishing a solid foundation along with the joy, love, and freedom found in dance.

ADAM Instructor

Shelby started dancing at Midcoast Dance Studio at age three. Over her many years of dance, she has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, Irish step, Virginia reel, bachata, flamenco, and various styles of folk dance. She has attended a dance convention with Faye Cain and worked with other studios in Maine as a guest dancer.

Shelby is currently studying biochemistry and dance at The University of Tampa. She is studying under Michael Crotty, Susannah LeMarquand, and Amanda Sieradzki. At the University of Tampa, she is learning a new type of dance education called Brain-Compatible Dance Education. This system focuses on connecting the mind and body and improving dancers’ educations.

Shelby has been teaching for over 10 years. She started as an assistant teacher at Midcoast Dance studio. She then taught many of her own classes and substituted for many others. She continues to work as a substitute and guest teacher at the Academy of Dance Arts and Movement.