ASCEND Adult Dance Experience

You don't stop dancing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop dancing.

Welcome to ASCEND for Adults, a dynamic dance experience crafted exclusively for experienced dancers aged 30 and above. We believe that as we ascend in age, our dance experience can also rise to the occasion! This event is designed to reignite your passion for dance, offering a unique blend of classes tailored for beginner and intermediate-level dancers. Whether you're looking to refine your technique, explore new styles, or connect with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, ASCEND is your destination.

CLASS HIGHLIGHTS

Warm-Up Session: Start the day with an energizing warm-up routine to prepare your body and mind for the day ahead.
Ballet: Build strength, grace, and technique through the foundational movements of ballet.
Jazz: Dive into the world of jazz with classes that emphasize rhythm, coordination, and expressive movement. We'll explore jazz progressions and musical theatre jazz.
Contemporary: Explore the emotive and fluid style of lyrical dance, blending technique with storytelling.
Tap: Sharpen your tap skills with sessions focused on precision, timing, and dynamic footwork. Not a tapper? No worries - it's time to jump outside your comfort zone
Musical Theatre: Step into the spotlight with high-energy classes that combine character, choreography, and storytelling.
Strength & Conditioning:Boost your dance performance with full-body workouts designed to build muscular endurance, stability, and power.
Stretch & Relaxation: Unwind and restore with guided stretching, breathwork, and gentle movement. This class supports recovery, flexibility, and mental clarity—an ideal balance to your dance training.
And more!

WHY ATTEND ASCEND?

Expert Instruction: Learn from seasoned instructors who understand the unique needs and goals of mature dancers.
Comprehensive Curriculum: Experience a diverse range of classes that cover key dance styles and essential skills.
Limited Class Size: Convention will be capped to promote individualized feedback.
Social event on Friday night for everyone to network and mingle!
Supportive Environment: Join a community that celebrates the joy of dance at every stage of life free of judgement!

NEW FOR 2026!

Welcome Gala on Friday night with a teacher/student exhibition showcase
3 levels of classes: Beginner (0-2 years experience), Intermediate (2-5 years experience), Advanced (5+ years experience)

Whether you're returning to dance after a break or looking to enhance your current skills, ASCEND is the perfect place to elevate your dance experience. Come join us and embrace the opportunity to grow, connect, and, most importantly, thrive!

DETAILS

DATES

Welcome Gala- Friday July 31st

Classes - Saturday August 1st & 2nd

CLASS SCHEDULE

Detailed Class lineup and schedule will be posted in June

Saturday August 1st

Morning - Beginner & Advanced Classes

Afternoon - Intermediate Classes

Sunday August 2nd:

Morning - Beginner & Advanced Classes

Afternoon - Intermediate Classes

COST

$165 - One Level (8 total classes)

$295- Two Levels (14 total classes)

LOCATION

Hillsborough Community College Dance Program

1505 E Palm Ave

2nd Floor

Tampa, FL 33605

RECOMMENDED HOTEL

Hilton Garden Inn Ybor

1700 E 9th Ave

Tampa FL

FACULTY

MORE FACULTY COMING SOON!

Jenne Vermes

Tap/Percussion

Jenne has been dancing for 37 years, and it is truly her greatest passion in life. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Music and two Master's Degrees in Education from Florida State University. She is currently the Artistic Director of two professional tap companies: Noise Complaint - Tap Dance Theatre and Rhythm Theory Tap Ensemble, and she owns a dance studio in Fleming Island, FL. Over the past 20 years, Jenne has taught at dance studios, workshops, festivals, and conventions all over the US. Additionally, she was a dance captain and founding member of the professional tap New York City based tap dance company, #Taplife. She is currently working as a back-up dancer for the internationally acclaimed band, The Crüxshadows, which has allowed her to tour across Europe, The Caribbean and North America, dancing on international stages. She is also presently a back-up dancer and dance captain for the KPop Idol, Black On, for his US tours. Outside of dance she is a full time Math, Business, and Music teacher for K-12 schools and an adjunct instructor in dance at SJR State College. She is a professional musician and singer/songwriter, releasing original music and parody songs as a soloist while also working as a dummer for a local band. She is also an author/writer and a YouTuber/content creator.

Sean McDonald

Musical Theatre Jazz

Born in Fort Myers, Florida; Sean received his B.F.A in dance from
the University of South Florida. Sean’s professional career would start
off in Tampa Bay; where he danced for several local dance companies.
Shifting gears, Sean would then transition into commercial and
freelance opportunities.
As of 2024 ; Sean has danced for Grammy-winning artist Nile
Rodgers and Chic (Cher’s “Here We Go Again” tour), Emmy-winning
choreographer Al Blackstone (“Celebrate Big. Love Even Bigger.” ),
Diavolo|Architecture In Motion (“A Long Journey Home”), Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay; and for brands such as Neiman Marcus, Delta
Airlines, Dillards, and T-Mobile. Sean has performed nationally and
internationally, in cities such as Los Angeles, Paris, Vancouver (Canada),
Seattle, San Diego, Washington D.C., Port of Spain (Trinidad and
Tobago), Las Vegas, and Atlanta. Recently, Sean’s dance film
“Nephilim” was selected to be featured in the BeBop Channel’s Dance
and Theatre Film Festival in New York.
Sean has also been a guest teacher with the Florida Dance
Association, the Florida State Thespian Festival, and a class assistant for
American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive at USF. Sean’s
choreography has been seen at numerous dance competitions, with
routines ranking 1st overall; receiving Entertainment awards,
Choreography awards, Regional Champion Title Winner, and World
Dance Championship Invitations. Recently, Sean choreographed the
musicals “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Mean
Girls” for Blake Theater and “Ride The Cyclone” for the University of
South Florida. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was
selected for MainStage performance at the Florida State Thespian
Festival and Sean’s choreography for “Mean Girls” earned him the title
of Outstanding Choreographer by Broadway Star of the Future.

Meredith Butulis

Knees 101
Dr. Meredith Butulis is a Dance/Sports/Orthopedic Physical Therapist, Exercise Physiologist, NSCA certified Strength & Conditioning Coach, and certified Pilates, Yoga, and Progressing Ballet Technique instructor.

She graduated from Northeastern University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Boston University with a Master's in Physical Therapy, Bachelor's in Health Studies, and minors in Dance and Psychology. While in school, she performed professionally with Impulse Jazz Company, Kelly Donovan & Dancers, and Medusa Dance. Upon graduation, she worked for New York City Performing Arts, servicing 3 Broadway shows and the Radio City Rockettes. She then worked in Boston and Minneapolis as a dance medicine Physical Therapist and Pilates/Yoga instructor.

Currently, she is the Physical Therapist within Sarasota Memorial Health System. Her passion is helping people feel better through movement.

Marta Ortega

Contemporary

She began her ballet Elementary Ballet School "Alejo Carpentier" and later at the National Ballet School (today "Fernando Alonso") and in 2005 she made a change of profile towards the specialty of Modern, Contemporary and Folk Dance, graduating in 2008, with the Golden Title of his promotion.
That same year she became part of the company Danza Contemporánea de Cuba, directed by maestro Miguel Iglesias, where he remained for 8 years. In it she reaches the rank of Principal Dancer and Maitre.
As part of the group she worked with renowned choreographers of the world scene, premiering much of the active repertoire that the company still maintains: Mats Ek, Rafael Bonachela, lan Linkens, Juan Kruz, Itzik Galili, Julio César Iglesias, George Céspedes, Pedro Ruiz, Carlos Acosta, Annabelle López Ochoa, Billy Cowie and Ángels Margarit, among others.
Graduated from the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA), in the specialty of Contemporary Dance. Gold Title, 2015.
She was part of the founding group of the ACOSTA DANZA company (2015), directed by the prestigious dancer and choreographer Carlos Acosta and with that company she performed on remarkable world stages performing works such as: Imponderable and Alrededor no hay Nada, by Goyo Montero, Carmen and Don Quixote, in the versions of Carlos Acosta, Twelve, by Jorge Crecis, Portal, by Juanjo Arqués, Derrumbe, by Miguel Altunaga, Paysage, soudain, la nuit, by Pontus Lidberg, Rooster, by Christhopher Bruce, Soledad, by Rafael Bonachela, Mundo Interpretado by Julianno Nunez and Mermaid, by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, a duet created especially for her And Carlos Acosta.
In 2022 she co-starred with dancer Brian
González the musical produced in Cuba under the direction of Ivan Belaustegui "ALMA, The Musical".
Together with Brian Gonzalez she is currently developing a training in Cuba to prepare students who study specialized dance careers, a project that combines classical ballet and contemporary dance. techniques (floorwork) with the aim of forming a more complete and versatile dancer, bringing their personal and professional experiences, as artists who have assumed in their careers, roles that have demanded to master several dance techniques in themselves.

Desiree Shapiro

Stretch & Relaxation

Desiree’s yoga practice began in high school. She attended many group fitness/yoga classes with her mother. She noticed by practicing consistently she was calmer, stronger, and more flexible. After high school she graduated from The University of Tampa with a B.A. in Applied Dance (2015). During college, she also became a Certified Group fitness and Yoga Instructor. Her certifications include AFAA (American Fitness Association), PIYO live, and 200 hour yoga teacher training. She is currently a Dance teacher in the public school system, where she shares her love and knowledge of dance/yoga with her students.
Her teaching experience began at the University of South Florida, where she taught a variety of classes (step aerobics, yoga, partner yoga, and PIYO live) for over five years. She spent a semester teaching the Yoga elective to the P.E. department, where students learned to have breath and body awareness. Other teaching experiences in fitness/yoga include: Lucky Cat Yoga, University of Tampa, Golds Gym, Youfit, Sattva Yoga, and Rivercrest Park outdoor yoga class.

Her favorite mantra is: Everything I need is within me.

Instagram-@ominthepark
Facebook:Yoga in the park at rivercrest