Jennifer Valinski began her dance and gymnastics training in St. Clair Shores at the age of five at Dancer‘s and Gymnastics Workshop. Later she moved to Warren and started classes at Professional School of Ballet. Jennifer started as an assistant at sixteen years old and by the age of eighteen was a full time teacher with over two hundred students. She has taught at The Professional School, Juliart Dance, Van Buren Parks and Recreation, Livonia Public Schools and P&P Dance. In 2001, she married and moved to Belleville and continues to teach while raising her son, Drew and daughter, Sarah. Later on, she created Jitterbugs Dance to start teaching children physical and health education through dance and tumbling. Through the years her local reputations has expanded all throughout Michigan. she is apart of numerous dance, gymnastic and educational organizations and certified in CPR and First Aid. Also, she has  donated my hours along with my students to convalescent homes, festivals, churches, schools, and various other organizations.  Finally, you will find Ms. Jennifer teaching Sr. Ballet and Pointe, Competitive Lyrical, Preschool Ballet/Tap, Kinder Ballet, Tap, Jr. Ballet & Jazz on Tuesday and Wednesdays Evenings.

Ashley Gautreau began her dance and acrobat training in New Orleans, LA where she studied the arts for 10 years.  Thereafter, she moved to Michigan and continued her training in Sterling Heights and Troy.  She has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, pompom and musical theatre.  She became a student teacher at the age of twelve, was the captain of her high school dance team and taught a variety of dance styles at a studio in Troy, MI during college.  Ashley received an academic scholarship to Oakland University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree with a major in political science and a minor in communication.  Ashley also received an academic scholarship to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor and is a practicing attorney in Belleville, MI.  She has a passion for dance, a love for children and is very excited to be a part of Jitterbugs Dance! Ms. Ashley will be teaching Competive Junior & Senior Jazz, Junior/Senior Competitive Tap, Competitive Lyrical, Junior Ballet Technique Tuesday Evenings.

Avery McGinnis passion for dance began at a very young age. She took interest in attending the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Show which served as a trajectory into her love of dance for the next 16 years.  Avery’s favorite styles of dance include jazz, contemporary, and hip hop.  She has danced competitively for The Dance Connection, Dance Athletics Competitive Edge, Salem Varsity Rockettes, The Florida Atlantic University Dance Company and The Eastern Michigan University Dance Team performing on both local and international stages.  Avery has been assisting in dance classes since the age of twelve. Here at Jitterbugs Elite Dance Inc., Avery instructs all age groups in all genres of dance which include ballet, pre pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, and our stretch, turn and leap class.  She is a very dedicated, hard-working, and motivating dance teacher.  Outside of coaching, Avery loves to continue being a student of dance by participating in new genres of dance including ballroom, afro-jazz, and Bollywood.   Currently, she is majoring in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University.  Along with nannying, Avery not only has a love for dance, but a genuine love for educating children whether it be in a classroom or in a dance studio. 

Anna Hoppe  has been dancing with Jitterbugs for 10 years. She has studied ballet with exposier to different styles of ballet including pointe. Anna under several years has been training in the Vangonva Method.  Anna has assisted numberous year in Jr. Ballet, Kinder and Preschool level clases under the direction of Jennifer Valinski.  Along with teaching Ballet Anna is found teaching piano to varies age groups. This Fall Anna will be attending college locally.  When not dancing Anna joys being with people, playing soccer, and playing music. She is one of twelve children and so has experience with younger ones. She currently studing Marketing at  Schoolcraft College.

Carrie Baker started her dance training at the age of three and continues to further and expand her career in dance by performing and teaching all over south eastern Michigan. Also, Carrie has receive a Business Degree and currently holds a full-time administration position at the University of Michigan.   When Carrie  is not at the office she focuses her time to teaching and learning various styles of dance. Carrie has taught a variety of dance styles locally for the past 10 years. She continues to perform and teach at recitals and community events. Her primary focus is in ballet, jazz and lyrical. 

2016/2017  Student Teachers

I have been assisting for 3 years and I love it more and more every day.  I have learned so much from assisting Ms. Avery Saturday mornings, such as patience!  I love each and every one of my dancers that I teach.  I am going to highschool next year but, hope to be around and continue to assist teach.  Dance is my passion and I hope inspire younger dancers to continue to dance.    Ms. Aly

This is my first year assisting and teaching with Ms. Avery.  I love assisting the young dancers and helping with choreography.  I hope to continue and grow as a teacher.  Thank You for this experience it was the best.    Ms. Abby

This is my first year teaching and I have to say, I love it!   I have been assisting Ms. Avery on Monday’s evening and the dancers make my evening.  The little dancers always are cheerful and have smiles on their face.  I love each the the dancers on Monday night you are have made my teaching/assisting memorable.    Ms. Tara