LEADERSHIP
Artistic & Executive Director, Stephanie Pizzo
Detroit Metropolitan Dance Artistic Director, Stephanie Pizzo, joined the company as a founding member in 1991. At various points in her dance career with DMD, she served as Resident Choreographer, Associate Artistic Director, and Co-Artistic Director. Ms. Pizzo now leads the company into her 7th season as Artistic Director. She focuses on collaborating with the highest quality national and international artists and creating strong ties within the metro Detroit community through the art of dance. Her dance for film work, The Five Tangos, inspired by the music of Astor Piazzolla and created in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Art and Zazu Creative Studio, was selected as the winner of BEST EXPERIMENTAL film, 2022 Dancecentric Film Festival (Florida); semi-finalist, 2022 Inspired Dance Film Festival (Australia); and featured online in Dance Magazine’s “Friday Film Break.”
Ms. Pizzo also believes in educational programming and youth mentorship as key tools to develop community connection. She works to use the art of contemporary dance both as a means to present beautiful, athletic, and engaging repertory and as a vehicle to reflect on and explore issues of social significance. She has set her choreography at Illinois State University, Texas A & M University, Texas Christian University and Wesleyan University, along with having staged numerous works by Laurie Eisenhower on companies and universities throughout the United States. Her work has been presented in Tel Aviv as part of Detroit Metropolitan Dance’s production of The Light Show, at international dance festivals in Poland, and the Inside/Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow. A native of Clinton Township, Michigan, Ms. Pizzo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Oakland University. In 2009, she received a Distinguished Alumni or “MaTilDa” award from the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. She served as a special lecturer in dance at Oakland University for 12 years.
Assistant Executive Director, Lindsay Chirio-Humenay
Lindsay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Oakland University and has been deeply involved in the organization since 2012. Training directly under Founder, Laurie Eisenhower and Artistic Director, Stephanie Pizzo, from 2012-2020, Lindsay had the pleasure of touring, teaching, and performing with Detroit Metropolitan Dance (formerly Eisenhower Dance Detroit). Lindsay stays active in the studio space as well and teaches company class; educating and training current company dancers in DMD movement philosophies and methods.
In 2018, through DMD’s Beyond the Stage Initiative, Lindsay was promoted to Company Manager, eventually transitioning to the Director of Operations. Serving in many capacities within the organization, Ms. Chirio-Humenay, now Assistant Executive Director, leads Detroit Metropolitan Dance alongside Artistic Director Stephanie Pizzo. She is proud to guide and develop much of DMD’s programming, including; DMD’s Annual Intensive programs, See and Be Seen, the DMD Next Initiative and the Rising Philanthropist initiative.
Christina Tasco, BHS, MES, is the CFO for Detroit Metropolitan Dance. Additionally, Chritina serves as the co-assistant director of the Detroit Metropolitan Dance Youth Company and the director of the Ballet Focus program. Christina danced professionally with the company from 1997-2004 and during her time with DMD has held various positions within the organization. Currently, Christina continues to work for DMD both administratively and as a director, teacher and choreographer.
Throughout her career, Christina has taught numerous master classes and residencies across the state and country. She has choreographed for and taught within a variety of studios, school districts, Universities and special events including various fundraisers, musicals and after school programs.
In addition to her position at Detroit Metropolitan Dance, Christina is a special lecturer at Oakland University where she has been on faculty since 2002. Christina teaches several technique courses as well as Kinesiology, Dance History and Appreciation and Dance Production. At the University, Christina received the Most Inspirational Professor award in both 2014 and 2015 and was nominated for a Teaching Excellence Award in 2016. In 2018, Christina received the Order of the Plume for igniting “inspiration within the students.”
Chief Financial Officer, Christina Tasco
Allison Armfield grew up in Michigan and was a student at the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet and the School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance. She attended Texas Christian University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in modern dance and a minor in business. While at TCU, Ms. Armfield was a rehearsal photographer for the School of Classical and Contemporary Dance, as well as Editor-in-Chief of the Horned Frog yearbook. Her choreography capstone work, of the mind made up, was selected for adjudication as a guest artist work at ACDA’s regional festival in 2018 and was performed in several dance festivals in both New York City and Michigan. Upon graduating in 2017, she relocated to New York City to work as Studio Manager for the world-renowned dance photographer, Lois Greenfield. During her time in New York City, she continued to photograph dance performances throughout the city for clients such as Bridge for Dance and Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre. In 2021, after relocating to Michigan, she accepted a position as Marketing Associate for Detroit Metropolitan Dance. In addition to becoming Marketing Director for the company’s 31st season, Ms. Armfield became the resident photographer for Detroit Metropolitan Dance. Her photograph of former DMD dancer, Kyle Halford, recently was the grand prize winner for ‘Best Studio Portrait’ in the Inspired Dance Photography Competition in Australia.
Marketing Director, Allison Armfield
School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance Co-Director, Meghann Hazelton
Meghann Hazelton began dancing at the age of 5, and teaching at age 17. She was born and raised in Shelby Township, Michigan and grew up training with Lynda and Dennis Lambert. Meghann is a graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Dance. She has danced with Oakland Dance Theatre, OU Repertory Dance Company, and was a guest dancer with Detroit Metropolitan Dance (formerly Eisenhower Dance Detroit) during their 20th Anniversary Season. Meghann has performed in works by Laurie Eisenhower, Stephanie Pizzo, Thayer Jonutz, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. In 2010, she was honored with the Distinguished Dance Student "Matilda" award. Meghann has taken classes in choreography, creative dance for children, dance pedagogy and kinesiology. She studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet and successfully passed student examinations 1-6. Meghann became one of the Co-Directors at the School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance in 2018 after being on the teaching staff since 2008. Meghann looks forward to sharing her love and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.
School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance Co-Director, Amanda Rea-Burnett
Amanda Rea-Burnett began her dance training at the age of 5 at Encore Dance Academy under the direction of Jennifer Rickard. Through her years of dance, Amanda has had training by many well known choreographers, such as, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, and worked under Dennis Caspary for many years. Amanda was a part of CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) at Churchill High School for 4 years. She was in numerous musicals and dance concerts through CAPA, and she choreographed for Les Miserable, A Chorus Line and many dance productions. Amanda was a 5 year company member of the Allure Dance Company in St. Claire Shores. Amanda started her teaching career in 2003, and was a Guest Choreographer in Nashville, Tennessee from 2004-2006. Her Choreography has won numerous overall awards and Best Choreography. Amanda started at the School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance in 2011. In 2017, Amanda became the Director for the Detroit Country Day Lower School dance program where she continues to build the program. In 2019 she became a Co-Business Manager and School Co-Director for The School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance. Amanda is honored to share the knowledge, passion and her love for dance with the next generations to come.
Senior Teaching Artist & Special Events Coordinator, Katy Hall
Katy Hall earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University in 2007. Since graduating, she has choreographed numerous works for Oakland University's resident dance company, Oakland Dance Theatre. A graduate of Churchill High School's Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Dance Program, Katy has maintained a strong connection to her alma mater by teaching master classes and choreographing for the program since 2003. In 2014, she completed the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum and became an ABT Certified Teacher. Since 2006, Katy has been a faculty member at the School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance, where she teaches ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap. For more than 13 years, Katy has served as a Student Company Director for the Detroit Metropolitan Dance Youth Company (DMDYC), formerly EDDYE. Throughout her career, she has mentored numerous soloists, with students earning Top 10 placements at prestigious competitions including Youth America Grand Prix and Universal Ballet Competition. In addition to teaching, Katy serves as the school's Special Events Coordinator, DMDYC Competition Director, and Student Ambassador Director. She is passionate about developing technically strong, confident, and artistic dancers while fostering a supportive and inspiring learning environment.
Administrative Assistant, Emily Moreira
Emily "EmM" Moreira (she/her) is originally from Richmond, Virginia, and is a graduate of James Madison University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. EmM has the privilege of wearing several hats within the organization, serving as Administrative Assistant, Company Member with Detroit Metropolitan Dance, and Intensives Coordinator for NewDANCEfest, U.P.rootEDD, and our Winter Intensive. She also teaches at the School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance and serves as the Junior Company Director for the Detroit Metropolitan Dance Youth Company. A former ImmersEDD intern turned Administrative Assistant, EmM is thrilled to continue supporting the organization's growth and legacy.
Administrative Assistant, Meagan Cubides
Bio coming soon.