Spotlight Entertainment Company
(for corporate production and entertainment related questions)
407-352-4255

Peter has been choreographing and producing shows for Television, Conventions and Industrials, and for the Stage for the past twenty years, including the international TV Show "Charytin International" and "Next Big Star" with Ed McMann.  Through Spotlight Entertainment, Peter has provided dancers and choreographed productions numbers for Universal Studios, Florida, Universal Studios, Hollywood, as well as, IBM, Alta Vista, Mass Mutual Insurance, Hewlett Packard, Mercury Dealers, Burdines, Best Buy, Matrix Hair, GoldWell, Converse, Autozone, Smith Kline Beechum, and Meeting Planners International just to name a few. 

As a Choreographer/Entertainment Producer, Peter is responsible for the creation of quality entertainment.  In his position as Producer and Spotlight owner he has the opportunity of interacting with both large and small corporations.  He is involved in the creation of show concepts, choreography, and final show production.

Most recently, Peter has been choreographing for up and coming rap and pop groups such as Triple Deep; Phase 3 and Erica Rivera.  His previous projects include choreographing a  kid's television show at Disney-MGM Studios entitled "Dooley and Pals" which aired on PBS in May of 2000 and CD release concert for Triple Deep at HardRock Orlando.  Peter has also produced his own Instructional "Hip Hop" video's for kids and adults. Video's now available.

As owner of Spotlight Dance Center, Peter is highly involved in the instruction and training of both children and adults in the area of Video Hip Hop and Jazz.  Peter's electric personality motivates and inspires his students.  Peter has also opened Orlando's first official dance agency, Spotlight Dance Agency, which has provided work and performance opportunity for many Orlando dancers. 
 
 

MARGARITA MARTINEZ ANTHONY: 
Ballet Instructor
Owner & Ballet Mistress of Spotlight Dance Center...
Born in San Jose California, Margarita began her dance training at the age of six in Miami, FL at the Miami Conservatory studying with Thomas Armour, Bob Pike, and Martha Mahr. Margaret became a member of the Miami Ballet Company before leaving home and family for New York at the age of 15 to attend the High School of Performing Arts. While living in New York, she trained with the Joffery Ballet on full scholarship as well as American Ballet Theater, and Ballet Hispanico.  Upon graduation Margaret joined Ballet Company “Fundation Teresa Carreno” in Caracas, Venezuela touring for over two years in South America.  Returning to Miami, Margaret attended New World School of the Arts and continued to perform professionally with a variety of ballet, jazz and Musical Theater Companies including the Miami Opera and the Hirshfeld Theater. Other credits include various commercials, television shows, variety shows, and movies including “Miami Rhapsody” and “Fame.” 

In 1994 Margaret joined the cast of  “Beauty and The Beast” at the MGM Studio’s, Orlando, FL.  Later she joined the cast of “Pocahontas” where she served as performer and dance captain. 

Margaret and husband Peter Anthony opened Spotlight Dance Center in 1996. Margaret has been teaching classical ballet, her first love, for over twenty years.  Apart from teaching, Margaret if a full time mom with two lovely children, Joshua and Sophia Anthony. 
 

MYLES THROUGHGOOD: 
Adult Adv. Jazz Instructor
HE'S BACK!!!! Advance Jazz Classes Mon. & Wed 8-9:30pm
Myles Throughgood has successfully completed choreographing a mutli-camera show, The Disney Channel's "Mickey Mouse Club" and the music group "MMC".  In addition to the more than 200 TV production numbers he's choreographed, Thourghgood's diversity has led him to stage, concert and video projects. 

He cherishes the opportunity to create and continuously expanding his frame of reference.  From a Musical Parody for Comedy Central to an Environmental Benefit Concert, from the Presidential Inaugural Celebration at The Kennedy Center to assisting with a performance at a Women's Mission in South-Central Los Angeles, and the HBO Movie, "And The Band Played On".  Thouroughgood's stage work includes his memorable and thought provoking solo "Pigmeat", which chronologically reflects the African American experience through slavery, racism, drug addition and the struggle for empowerment.  And, his "Social Circus" received acclaim as an ensemble piece "...that mirrored the empty abundance's fed to a society that accepts them like candy." 

Thoroughgood's experience allows him to share his expertise as a performer and as a guest lecturer at the University of Central Oklahoma.  His "Philosophy & History of Dance" class focused on choreographing for the camera and how its style has changed through the years.  Using various film examples (i.e. "Singing In The Rain", "West Side Story", "Cabaret") he was able to show the relevancy of social elements, the relationship between director and choreographer and the use of dance as it relates to the plot's evolvement. 

Myles' distinctive choreography has been seen by numerous audiences from Tokyo to Oklahoma City, on the networks, cable, and on concert stages such as the Universal Amphitheater.
 

KARLA ALCANTARA:
Hip Hop & Hip Hop Company
Born in Dominican Republic and raised in Orlando, Karla began dancing at the age of six, and choreographing at the age of fourteen. Karla began her training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Hip-Hop in Orlando. She attended a performing arts high school; Dr. Phillips High School Dance Magnet, and throughout her years became a teacher at the studio she once took class at, Spotlight Dance Center. Karla’s desire to dance and perform has given her the talent and ambition she has today. She has worked with Marcos Gomez from The Chocolate Factory, Rukus; the University of Central Florida Dance Team, back up dancer for upcoming artist; Dreey-C, as well as Univision. She has done numerous professional venues throughout Orlando, and has danced professionally with Latin dancers; Latin Heat Dancers. Karla currently attends the University of Central Florida as a Legal Studies major and Dance minor.  Karla began teaching at Spotlight in 2006 and enjoys every part of her job! 
 
 
 
 

CHANTELL PAGAN:
Jazz & Hip Hop Instructor
Chantell Pagan was born and raised in Orlando, FL and has been dancing since the age of 4. She’s trained with James Dance Center in Kissimmee, FL for many years. She studied with Judy James, Annette DuBose, and Juan Sanchez in different styles such as Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, and Tap. There she was apart of the company called “Images” in which they participated in many conventions and competitions such as New York City Dance Alliance, Showbiz, American Dance Awards, and others throughout the years. She was also apart of an outside dance company called “Main Attraction” in which they performed at a dance organization called Florida Dance Masters about twice a year. Chantell has danced at Walt Disney World in the Easter Parade and with Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Mary Lou Retton for the “Children’s Miracle Network”. In 2004, she graduated from Dr. Phillips High School and was apart of the Visual and Performing Arts Dance Magnet program for 4 years. In 2006, Chantell began teaching and choreographing jazz, lyrical, and hip hop dance styles to local studios in the upstate New York area. She was also an apprentice at Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa, FL studying dance, voice, and acting during the summer of 2006. Recently, Chantell graduated from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY with a BFA degree in Dance. She was apart of the dance company called “Zodiaque” having the opportunity to work with faculty, guest teachers, and even other students.  Chantell has just recently been hired as a performer for the Walt Disney World Entertainment Company here in Orlando, FL. She’s extremely excited to teach for Spotlight Dance Center and looks forward in teaching other dancers her knowledge of dance and everything she has learned throughout her years of training.
 
 
 

TERESA AMBROSINO: 
3/4, 5/6 BTJ, Jazz 3, & Adult Ballet Instructor
Bio coming soon!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BETHANY HASSEN: 
Tap,  3/4 & 5/6 BTJ Instructor
Bethany Hassen graduated from Hartford Conservatory in May of 2000 with a diploma in Dance Performance.  While in Connecticut, she performed with the Hartt Opera Theater and taught for Dance Connecticut, the Hartford Conservatory, and Northeast School of Performing Arts.  She has also studied at Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan and University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  In Florida, Bethany has performed in “Funny Girl” at the Mark Two Theater and choreographed “Taming of the Shrew” and “Romeo and Juliet” for the Mount Dora Theater Company. Bethany’s training includes classes in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical and acrobatics.  She continues to perform professionally here in Orlando, including shows with Spotlight Entertainment Company. 

Her years of teaching experience include beginner through advance levels, with a certification in tap.  Spotlight Dance Center is happy to have Bethany back on staff after a two year leave for college. 
 
 
 

CINDY GERARD: 
3/4 & 5/6 BTJ, Tap & Jazz Instructor
Cindy Gerard has been with Spotlight Dance Center since it open it's door in 1996.  With over twenty years of teaching experience, Cindy teaches all ages  in tap, jazz, and ballet. Her passion is to teach dance to children and does so with a natural and giving flair. 

A native of New Jersey, Cindy studied ballet at the New Jersey ballet and Princeton Ballet as well as Broadway Dance Center and Steps of New York.  Shes performed in numerous award winning competitions and conventions and enjoys performing today. 
 
 
 

ELIZABETH A. WARD: 
Cheerdance,  Hip HopI/II, & Gym I Instructor
Elizabeth A. Ward joins Spotlight after moving with her husband to Orlando from Cleveland, OH in October 2002.  While in Ohio she studied dance at the Cleveland Dance Academy and was a cheerleader throughout her junior high and high school years.  She attended college at Ohio Northern University where she was featured in such shows as Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, Peter Pan, an The World Goes Round.   While attending ONU she also danced as part of the ONU Dance Company with guest artists such as the Tom Evert Dance Company and the River North Jazz Company.  Whe also performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburge, Scotland.  She graduated in 2000 with a BFA in Musical Theatre and Theatre and the three summers following her graduation she performed at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, OH as a singer/dancer.  She has also been featured in several Ohio regional theatre productions including Into the Woods at the Actor's Repertory Theatre.  During 2001, she became a member of the NBA's Cleveland Chavalier Dance Team and performed with them for their 2001-2002 season. 

Elizabeth's training includes jazz, tap, ballet, modern and cheerleading.  Currently, she also works for Walt Disney World Entertainment.  She is excited to be join the Spotlight Dance Center team.
 
 
 

NICOLE ACQUILANO
JTB, Ballet, Jazz, & Yoga, Instructor
Nicole F. Acquilano began her dance training under the tutelage of  Ms. Tracy J. Kirin-Pezzimenti at the Finger Lakes Dance Center in Geneva, NY at age 7. At 18, Nicole made the move to Erie, PA where she began her classical ballet career with the Lake Erie Ballet Company and her pursuit of a BA in Dance at Mercyhurst College under the director and mentorship of Jay Kirk and Mary Price Boday. Before graduating in 1994, Nicole performed with the Empire State Ballet Company ,her senior year, commuting to Buffalo, NY to rehearse with the company and having the opportunity to do solo works and travel the US and Mexico with them. Nicole also spent a summer with modern dance choreographer, Lynn Barr, and soloed with her company in Urbino, Italy.
Nicole moved to New York City in 1994 and had a tremendous career dancing with the Walt Disney World Company special events for 12 years, the Ballet for Young Audiences for 5 years and studying under Marilyn D'Honau. Nicole performed off-Broadway in "West Side Story" as Anybodies, a character she made her "bread and butter" role.
After a one year stint in the first -ever cast of the new Disney Cruise Line (1998), Nicole returned to New York and began her pursuit of a Masters of Science degree in Physical Education and Exercise Physiology at Hofstra University. Under the direction of Rhonda Clements, child recreation expert, Nicole began her teaching career. At  the Calhoun School in New York City, Nicole revised the Physical education curriculum to include Dance and Games for PK-3rd graders. Nicole relocated to Orlando, FL in 2005 to revise the PE Curricula at Holy Family Catholic School and currently serves as the Director of Dance at New Dimensions High School , in Kissimmee, FL.
Nicole was named Teacher of the Year (2007-2008) and continues to lecture Nationally on Kids and Obesity Prevention, teaches Pilates and Yoga, and is working on a book for classroom teachers to incorporate movement into the classroom. Nicole loves being part of Spotlight Dance Center and continues to teach her students in the classical way in which she was taught through fun, motivation, and discipline, using the styles of the masters: Balanchine, Robbins, Fosse, and Graham based techniques.
 
 
 

ALICIA STAGNER: 
Vocal Instructor
Alicia Stagner has resided in Orlando Florida since 2005. Her love for the arts started at age 5 when she was enrolled in her first dance class. Alicia has had years of classical training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern and Pointe and is excited to be back at home in a dance studio. She has performed in countless dance competitions and recitals throughout Central Florida and has had the honor to dance roles such as Snow Queen, Chinese, Marzipan, and Flowers lead in various Nutcrackers. While attending Flagler Palm Coast High School Alicia was part of the "Dazzlers" dance team and became heavily involved in the chorus department. This is when she "found" her voice and with the guidance of her choir director Alana Fitzgerald began competing, scoring superior ratings throughout high school. She also traveled to New York to sing at Carnegie Hall with a select group from her choir. While in high school Alicia performed with roles in Little Shop of Horrors - Be Bop Girl, Anything Goes - an Angel and Mirrete - as Gaby. When the time came Alicia auditioned for Stetson University's music department and graduated with a Bachelor of Music with an outside emphasis in Psychology. While at Stetson she performed in numerous Operas including: La Rondine (Puccini), Blodwen (Parry), with roles in Die Fledermaus - Sally (Strauss), Dido & Aeneas - Dancer (Purcell), Songs For A New World - Women 1 (Brown) and as the choreographer for Merry Wives Of Windsor (Nicolai). In addition to performing at Stetson, Alicia studied privately with Mrs. Molly Rich and Dr. Stephen Ng. And competed at NATS and other voice related competitions while teaching Tap, Jazz and Ballet at a local dance studio in the evenings. She has been teaching private voice lessons at Spotlight since 2006 and is extremely excited to be a part of the Spotlight team and loves working with such a great group of individuals.
 
 
 
 

CARLTON F. MEIER: 
All levels Adult Jazz Instructor
Carlton F. Meier,  a native of Texas, is currently a dancer with the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida.  Among the many shows he has performed with Disney are:  Beauty & The Beast; Disneymania; Everyday's a Holiday; a Sparkling Christmas Spectacular, and the25th Anniversary Press Event At the Orlando Arena.

Other credits include: Dallas Opera's production of the Voyage of Edgar Alan Poe, the Orlando Opera's production of The Merry Widow, and was also featured in Carousel, Fiddler On The Roof, An Oklahoma Christmas, and other productions of Lyric Theater Of Oklahoma. Prior to working for Disney in Orlando, Carlton was contracted in Tokyo Disneyland, Japan where he was a special event dancer.   Credits in Tokyo Disneyland include:  Disney Around The World, Party Gras Parade, Cinderellabration, and the 1993 Disney Ambassador Ceremony. Mr. Meier also spent nine months at sea for Norwegian Cruise Lines and Jan Ann Ryan Productions, aboard the M/S   Dreamward and M/S Windward.  He was performing Broadway and Las Vegas style revues while sailing to various ports-of-call including the Caribbean, New York, Bermuda, Mexico, Vancouver, and the southeast portion of Alaska.  Carlton has been a frequent performer in many industrial and convention shows including Mary Kay Cosmetics, American Airlines, Sally Beauty Supply, and the the National Tours for 7-11/Southland Corporation and Tweezerman, Inc. Still other credits include:  principal dancer with J.David Kirby's Dance Energy Company, the roll of "Greg" in A Chorus Line, and assistant stage manager for the touring company of American Jukebox. 

Carlton has taught various levels of Jazz and Ballet at the Perpetual Motion, Rio, Krassovska Ballet Jenneuse, and Preston Center Dance, all located in Dallas, Texas.    While still working at Disney, Carlton is currently teaching Adult Beginner Jazz twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 8:00pm at Spotlight Dance Center.   He is proud to be on staff at Spotlight Dance Center and we are happy to have him on our team.