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Tara R. Peyton-Burgess began her dance career at the age of two. During her early years of training,
she studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, gymnastics, modern/lyrical and baton at several tri-city area studios.
While training in the summers in New York City with professionals such as Charles Kelley, Frank Hatchett and Anne Reinking,
Tara was a member of the Thelma Olaker Ballet Company and The Richmond Ballet. Tara had the honor of performing the
role of "Clara" in the Richmond Ballet's production of The Nutcracker when she was 11. During high school,
Tara continued her studies in dance and taught for area studios as well as for the youth at
Fort Lee. She performed numerous time on television, at State Fairs and various community events and modeled for Wolff Fording's
Dance Costume Catalogue. Her dance career continued at Radford University where she received a B.S. in Recreation with
a Minor in Dance. While at Radford, Tara taught student dance classes and choreographed for the dance group "AVEC Movement"
which is now a program that was implemented by Tara at Gotta DANCE! in 2005. During college, Tara was a dancer at Kings
Dominion in the main stage shows "Celebration" and "Gotta Dance" where she was Dance Swing. She
was also a finalist in the Miss Virginia Pageant. Tara spent a semester in Machrihanish, Scotland as a Recreation Intern where
she developed dance activities for Naval families. Following her graduation, Tara worked as an Activities Director in
Nags Head, NC where she implemented dance programs for a time-share resort. Tara then returned to school to receive
her certification in Elementary Education from ECSU. She taught first, second and fourth grades in Prince George County for
13 years. Throughout her career, Tara has choreographed numerous programs and plays for local schools
and Dance Teams. She also developed and implemented a Dance Program that was offered in the Summer Enrichment program
in Prince George County. In 2004, Tara's life-long dream came true when she opened Gotta DANCE! School of Performing
Arts, Inc. Tara continues to train in New York City on an annual basis by taking dance classes at Broadway Dance
Center and Steps on Broadway. She also attends dance workshops sponsored by the Manhattan Dance Project, Dance Educators
of America, Showstoppers and takes classes at Regency Dance Academy and Richmond Dance Center. She is a current
member of Dance Educators of America, Inc. She was an Adjunct Faculty member at Richard Bland College
from 2004-2007 where she taught Jazz. She also is an Adjudicator in Dance for the Appomattox Regional Governor's School.
Tara attributes her success to her faith and trust in God, to her supportive husband, Reggie and their two wonderful sons,
Jared and Matthew, to her parents and to her extended family and friends. Tara can't stress enough how much it means
to her to be able to 
share this experience and journey of Gotta DANCE! School of Performing Arts, Inc. with her teachers, students and parents!
Joana C. Brumley began her dance career at the age of 6. She danced until her
high school graduation at Phyllis Ackerman's School of Dance. Her love for dance had only just begun. Joana went
on to train in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and baton while she attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Joana graduated from VCU in 1992 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Dance and Choreography. Joana's first professional
teaching job was at the Windsor School of Dance. Joana has also been a dance instructor for various Recreation Departments
where she has implemented numerous dance programs. In 1999, Joana was the owner and dance instructor of Rubbersole
which was located in Franklin, Virginia. This endeavor ended abruptly due to Hurricane Floyd's destruction. Since then, Joana
has choreographed for Suffolk Cheer Attitude. Her choreographic work also includes a production for the Richard Bland Players,
marching bands, baton and flag groups and cheer-leading teams. She is currently teaching for Isle of Wight County Parks and
Recreation. Joana looks forward to continuing her quest at Gotta DANCE! School of Performing Arts, Inc. She looks
at herself as a great mentor for children by helping them build the confidence and poise they need to make something of themselves.
Joana and her daughter Xana currently reside in Hopewell. Joana feels that her greatest accomplishment in all her years is
being a mother.
Whitney J. Sweitzer began her dance career at the early age of 18 months at Carol's School of Dancing. During these 8 years, Whitney studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, baton and acrobatics. Whitney's next dance experience added three more years to her training as she took from Gloria Dance's School of Dancing where she studied jazz and baton. Her next dance experience was training with Dance Unlimited in jazz, lyrical, tap and ballet. In addition to Whitney's broad training in dance, she has always trained in gymnastics. She began her training at the age of 4 at Southside Gymnastics and was a dedicated gymnast for 12 years! Whitney is certified in gymnastic instruction through the Universal Cheerleading Association. Whitney has cheered with the Recreation Department in Prince George County. She also cheered for Prince George High School from grade 8 until graduating. She was named All American Cheerleader all four years and she was Captain her senior year. Whitney recently graduated from Virginia State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She lives in Prince George County with her husband Shane and will be teaching fourth grade in Hopewell. Whitney has taught gymnastics for Gotta DANCE! School of Performing Arts, Inc. since its opening.
Erin L. McCauley has been twirling baton for over ten years! She has studied
all forms of dance at Dance Unlimited and Atwater Dance Studio. Erin was a majorette for four years for
the Prince George High School Marching Band where she was Head Majorette her senior year. Erin has performed in numerous
parades over the years including the Richmond, Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Prince George parades. She twirled in these
parades as she represented her dance studios and Prince George High School. Erin has competed in various Baton Competitions
with the Prince George High School Marching Band. Erin instructed and judged the Majorettes of Prince George High School in
2004. Erin recently obtained her Associate Degree from Richard Bland College. She is attending Virginia
Commonwealth University where she has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in History and is currently working
toward her Masters Degree in Secondary Education. Erin hopes to pursue her interest in twirling as a Majorette Coach
and plans to teach History at the high school level following her graduation from school. Erin has taught baton for Gotta
DANCE! School of Performing Arts, Inc. since its opening.
Lisa M. Perkinson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from James Madison University. While at JMU, she performed in the Contemporary Dance Ensemble and had her choreography presented on JMU's main stage, Latimer-ShaefferTheatre. Her solo, Hear, was chosen to be performed at the Mid-Atlantic American College Dance Festival at Hollins University in March 2009. She has had the opportunity to work with choreographers Rebecca Hodal, Starr Foster, Shane O'Hara, Tara Zaffuto Mullins, and Shannon Hummel among others. Since graduation, Lisa has been dancing with Z Mullins Dance Company, based in Richmond, Virginia. She has also been a guest artist with RVA Dance Collective in Richmond. She teaches at Gotta Dance! School of Performing Arts, Inc. and has taught classes at St. Catherine's School. Lisa has been a guest artist with the Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology and choreographed a piece entitled Intertwined Beings that was performed in their concert at Richmond Ballet in March 2010. Lisa is excited to be joining the faculty at Gotta Dance! School of Performing Arts, Inc. and looks forward in continuing to teach, perform, and choreograph throughout the area. PHOTO COMING SOON!!!!!