Meet our Dance Teachers

---

Laura Schmidt is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Science degree in American Dance Pedagogy. After graduation, Laura moved to Washington DC where she performed and choreographed professionally for 12 years with Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company as well as guest appearances with various companies in the area. 

On top of performing, Laura taught technique and choreography at various studios in the area and worked with students of all ages and levels in tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, lyrical, partnering, and pointe. She has helped many graduating seniors with college audition preparations for various musical theatre and dance programs nationwide.  

This preparation included solo choreography, prescreen videos, and individual technique training. Laura has had a passion for dance since she began dancing at 3 years old and she is looking forward to teaching the next generation of dancers. 

 Colleen Gaydar is a student at the Florida Institute of Technology, studying a Bachelors of Ocean Engineering. She is a Florida local, being born and raised on the Space Coast. Colleen has danced competitively at various studios and started her teaching career at Encore Dance Academy on Merritt Island with solos, trios, and group numbers.

Colleen has a strong passion for continuing to learn. She is a continued participant in tap festivals throughout Florida. She also participates in her college dance team, the Spirit Squad. At Florida Tech, Colleen also dances with the College Players, being a featured dancer in musicals and guest teaching pop-up classes. In addition to teaching, Colleen has started the Space Coast Tap Fest, a new company based on pushing what we know to a new limit in so many new ways. 

Colleen is very excited to be here at Silhouette and can’t wait to share her love of dance with all of you!

Evelyn Zangrillo was a studio owner in New York for over 20 years and has taught all over Long Island for many years. Evelyn trained with Vic D’Amore Studio of Dance, Broadway Dance Center in NYC and STEPS. 

She has choreographed in the competition circuit which lead her to win numerous choreography awards, excellence in technique awards and high score awards for groups, solos and duo/trios. Her versatility in many styles of dance allows her to adapt easily in the dance room and create a fun and energetic environment for dancers of any age.

Ms. Belanger holds a M.Ed. in Education from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Psychology from the State University of New York, College at New Paltz.  She continued her studies in New York City where she was a scholarship student and apprentice company member with the Mary Anthony Dance Theatre. She was a student at the Peridance Center and trained in Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance. She performed with the Mary Anthony Dance Theatre and several other independent choreographers while in New York.  In addition, she was a certified New York State teacher in dance education and instructed students in modern, ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop while directing the Creative Arts Mini-School at the Elizabeth Barrett Browning Middle School in the Bronx, NY for 6 years.  Upon returning to NH she taught technique classes at Portsmouth School of Ballet, Ballet New England, Bedford Dance Center, Brooks School in North Andover, MA and the Kathy Blake Dance Studio in Amherst, NH.  

She has shown choreography at the New England Inspirational Dance Collective presented by Saving Grace Dance Ensemble in Milford, NH for the past 9 seasons along with Dance to Your Own Rhythm in Providence, RI and participated in the “Artfulness” performance at Windhover in Rockport, Massachusetts for several years as a choreographer. She moved to Poughkeepsie NY and studied Modern Dance at the New York Academy of Ballet with Mr. Steve Rooks, former Graham company member and Faculty member at Vassar College. She has also guest taught modern dance throughout her stay in Poughkeepsie. She has recently moved to the Palm Bay/Melbourne area to be with her family and looks forward to being able to share her experience and passion for dance education with a wonderful group of new students here in Palm Bay.

Jeff Schmidt serves as the Business Director of Silhouette Dance, where he brings a strong blend of creative vision and operational leadership to the studio. With a background rooted in all form of arts, Jeff began his journey working backstage with Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company, as well as supporting various dance studios throughout the Washington, D.C. area. These early experiences gave him a deep appreciation for the artistry, discipline, and behind-the-scenes coordination that make dance productions successful.

Jeff pursued his college education at Oklahoma City University in dual major  in Graphic Design and Photography and finished at University of Central Oklahoma with a B.A in Advertising. This allowed him to focus on building skills that bridge creativity and business, equipping him with the tools to help arts organizations grow and thrive. Today, he channels that knowledge into developing systems, enhancing the studio experience, and supporting long-term growth for Silhouette Dance.

Passionate about both the artistic and business sides of the industry, Jeff is dedicated to creating opportunities for dancers while helping the studio expand its impact in the community. Outside of his leadership role, he enjoys photography and graphic design, using these creative outlets to further elevate the studio’s brand and visual presence.