2008-2009 Faculty

Synergy Executive Director and Instructor:

• Carol Hazel has been dancing since age 3 and started teaching and choreographing in high school.  In addition to teaching tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop Carol has also coached high school cheerleading, choreographed for numerous high school and college musicals and dance productions, coached vocalists on stage presence, performance and choreography and has choreographed many Overall winning competition pieces.  Carol has taught and been lead faculty for dance at Lansing Community College.  Other work experience includes owning a dance studio for 24 years, Business Manager and Relationship Manager for Curtain Call Costumes, Real Estate and Marketing.  Carol continues her dance studies for professional development through master classes private lessons with professionals in Tap, Jazz, Modern and Ballet.

Synergy Studio Manager and Instructor:

• Deanne Rivera has been dancing ever since she can remember.  She has coached high school drill teams, competition dance teams, and co-directs and choreographs for Synergy Touring Company.  Deanne has received her bachelors from MSU and is currently working on her masters.  Deanne teaches Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz and Tap at Synergy.

Synergy Lead Ballet, Administrator and Instructor:

• Lisa Whiting Dobson has been a performer for most of her life and has taught and choreographed throughout her adult life.  Lisa lives a life of service and offers students a highly inspirational and nurturing environment.  Lisa teaches Ballet and Lyrical at Synergy and is co-director and choreographer for Synergy Touring Company.  Lisa has also been the Chairperson for Children's Ballet Theatre where she coordinates many of the administrative functions

Synergy Competition Manager and Instructor:

• Laura Buck has been dancing and competing all of her life and has been an integral part of Synergy since 2002.  She has choreographed many high award and Overall pieces and most recently won the Choreographers Award from Creation Dance Championships.  Laura teaches Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop at Synergy.

Synergy Competition Administrator:

Pam Livingston has been helping out at Synergy for the past several years handling all of the administrative details for getting entry forms and fees in and much more.

Synergy Recreational and Competition Instructor:

• Alissa Davio has been dancing with Carol since 2001 and has recently started teaching at Synergy.  She choreographed her first competition pieces last season and took high awards for both pieces.  Alissa teaches Tap, Jazz and primary Ballet at Synergy.

Synergy Preschool-Kindergarten Coordinator:

• Candice Cawood is a physical therapist and teaches many of our young children out of her love for dance and children.  Candice started dancing when she was a child and has taught for several years.  Candice teaches Dancekids and our Combo classes at Synergy.