Studio Faculty


Meredith Parks, Director
Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor

Meredith Parks was born and raised in Smithfield, Virginia and began her dance training at the age of 3 at Southside Ballet Studio under the direction of Leslie McGinn. While dancing at Southside Ballet Meredith performed at many community events, annual recitals, local competitions and in “The Nutcracker.” Upon graduation from Isle of Wight Academy Meredith performed as a dancer in The Lost Colony, America’s longest running outdoor drama, for two seasons. Meredith majored in dance at Radford University where she performed many lead roles in “The Nutcracker,” “Giselle,” and “Swan Lake.” Meredith graduated with honors from Radford University and moved to Charleston, South Carolina where she performed with The Charleston Ballet Theatre during their 2001 and 2002 seasons. Meredith attended the Graduate School at the College of Charleston and graduated in 2005 with a Master’s of Arts in Teaching. She taught third grade for two years and was excited to find an available position teaching dance in the public school system in Dorchester District 2. Meredith has served as a dance educator at Oakbrook Middle School for the past five years. She was awarded two $18,000 Arts Innovation Grants for arts related projects and has written several curriculum guides on both the local and state levels. Meredith received the honor of being named the Oakbrook Middle School “Teacher of the Year” in 2012. Meredith is overjoyed to be back in the studio where her love for dance began and blossomed.

Leslie McGinn

Trained in New York under Andre Eglevsky and was a member of the Eglevsky Ballet Company at the age of 16. Danced as a child in The Usdan Performing Arts Camp in New York. Performed with Fernando Bujones and George De La Pena in Coppelia, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and many more. Also studied at American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet in N.Y.C. Studied Jazz & Tap at Steps on Broadway. Attended Adelphi University majoring in dance, becoming the first freshman to perform in their dance company. Member of Chamber Ballet of Williamsburg and Young Audiences of Virginia. Director of Southside Ballet Studio since 1981. Leslie has choreographed and judged for many plays & beauty pageants. For the Smithfield Little Theater this fall Leslie will be choreographing "Peter Pan", other plays include, "Annie", "Dark Of The Moon and " Steppin' Out ". Won numerous awards for choreography at dance competitions and was awarded "Educator Of The Year" in Richmond through a nomination from The Governors School For The Arts.

Amanda Spivey Rogers

Amanda Rogers began dancing at the age of three at Southside Ballet Studio under the direction of Leslie McGinn. She was a member of the student dance company until graduating from high school. She received her BS in Psychology with a minor in dance and family studies from James Madison University in 2002 and her MA in Community Counseling from Regent University in 2008. Amanda began student teaching at Southside Ballet Studio as a teenager and has been teaching the senior company members consistently since 2002. She has a passion for dance education and assisting her students to reach their full potential.

Danielle Ann Glaser
Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor

Danielle Glaser was born and raised in Long Island, NY. She began dance at the age of 3. After dancing for 9 years Danielle focused on competitive cheer and gymnastics which she excelled in and won multiple awards with her team at many local competitions along with competing at Nationals in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1999 Danielle and her husband Tommy moved to Smithfield, VA. In 2005 and 2009 they gave birth to their beautiful children Zoe and Ian. In 2009 Danielle enrolled her daughter Zoe in dance at Southside Ballet Studio and at the same time was able to fulfill her love for dance once again and became a Ballet/Tap Instructor. She has mentored competitive and recreational dancers at various competitions along with attending the DEA Teacher workshop in Richmond, VA where she worked with certified dance instructors who are very well known throughout the country. She implements both the pre-ballet and gymnastics syllabus into weekly lessons. Danielle brings a vast array of expertise. It is her high energy, sharp teaching skills and charismatic approach to her craft that makes Danielle’s class so captivating. She strives to help each student reach his or her potential.

Brittany Hoffler

Brittany Hoffler was born and raised in Portsmouth, VA. Recently, she moved to Smithfield and is loving every minute of it! She started dancing at age 7 at Maureen's School of Dance in Chesapeake where she went on to compete with their competition team. At the age of 15, she began assistant teaching with tap and ballet and has been teaching ever since. She loves finding new ways to teach basic technique and help her dancers think outside the steps. Brittany is so excited to join the Southside Ballet Studio family and can't wait to share her love of dance.