Precision Dance Conservatory Teaching Faculty

Julie Bickerton Bravata is from Honolulu, Hawaii where she received her early dance training from Barbara Thuesen. She continued her studies on full scholarship at the National Academy of Arts in Champaign, IL and in New York City at the School of American Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre Scholarship Program, and with Madame Darvash. At the age of 15, Bravata became a member of ABT’s Ballet Repertory Company. At 18, she was invited to join American Ballet Theatre under the direction of Mikhail Baryshnikov. While with ABT, Bravata appeared in several Dance in America and Live from Lincoln Center television special presentations and worked with some of the world’s leading choreographers, such as, Kenneth MacMillan, Antony Tudor, Roland Petit, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp. She then went on to dance as a soloist with Ballet du Nord in France and with The Feld Ballet in New York City. Since retiring from her performing career, Bravata has taught all levels of ballet from creative movement through professional classes and was recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts for inspiring young dancers and for her commitment to the arts. She has been an Artist-in-Residence at Bak Middle School of the Arts in Palm Beach, FL and on faculty for ABT summer intensives in Austin TX, Winston-Salem NC, Tampa FL, and Orange County CA. Bravata holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Florida Atlantic University. Bravata is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Ashley Nazzar, a native of South Florida who began to dance at the age of four where she fell in love with the interconnection between movement, expression and performance ultimately leading her to choose to pursue dance as a career. She graduated from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of Arts where she performed an array repertoire including George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Diane Acteon, and Raymonda. After graduation, Ashley attended Joffrey Ballet School and was appointed as a trainee. She was given the opportunity to perform as a soloist in one of the pieces for their annual spring show as well as being part of the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group, where she was selected among a few other students from the whole school. Within her profession, she hopes to spread joy whenever and wherever possible through her work, dancing and teaching for aspiring dancers to grow in an encouraging environment as well as creating a secure space for them to share their passion to others.

Ms. Ashley is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Ms. Paula started dance at 2 at her mother’s studio. She continued her extensive training at Cincinnati Conservatory, Gus Giordano in Chicago and full scholarship at Dupree Dance Academy in Los Angeles. 

She began dancing professionally at the age of 16 and was feature dancer and dance captain in many shows, including “Gotta Dance” Kings Island, Norwegian Cruise Lines, EFX starring Michael Crawford, “Volta” in Starlight Express and lead dancer at Pleasure Island and Epcot for Disney World.

Ms. Paula appeared in National commercials including Mars Bars, Leggs, Disney World, and NBC lineup.  She had the opportunity to work with Greggory Hines in the movie “TAP”.

Before deciding to give back the gift of dance to many children, she wanted to fulfill her mother’s dream of becoming  a Radio City Rockette. She was so glad to have accomplished becoming a Rockette in New York and making her mother’s dream come true. 

She has won multiple dance and choreography awards at the Regional and National levels. She is currently lead judge with the SDA Dance Competition.

She is passionate about sharing the love of dance with students and she makes learning dance an absolute joy in class.

Ms. Amy is originally from Bergen County, NJ where she began dancing at the age of 3. She competed for many years and danced in both Disney World and on a Royal Caribbean Cruise with her local dance studio. Ms Amy began teaching in college and found her true passion in the classroom.  Ms. Amy spent five years choreographing award winning competition pieces before moving to Florida in 2009.  Once in Florida, she shifted her focus to pre-school.  Not only does she teach dance, she is a certified pre-school teacher and assistant. Ms. Amy currently teaches dance full time, her favorite part of teaching dance is her ability to be creative.  Since having her own kids, she has created mommy and me classes for children 6 weeks through 2 years old.  She loves working with little ones and is thrilled to spend her days doing what she loves!

Shizu Yasuda started her dance training at Sakiko Ichinomiya Ballet School in Kochi City in Japan at age
10. She attended Kobe University in Kobe City of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan and earned her bachelor
degree in Human Development and Environment in 1997. While she was studying at Kobe University,
she joined Dance Harbor Dance Project, and Michiko Baba Ballet Company in Osaka City. After
graduation, her desire to become a dance educator led her to move to New York City for further learning
and training in dance. While she was training at Broadway Dance Center, Steps, Peri Dance ( Peridance
Capezio Center) and Dance Space, she started to work as a freelance dancer with several dance
projects, companies and choreographers including SENSEDANCE Company, Salim Gauwloos ( Slam ) and
Henning Rübsam. In 2014, she was appointed as the Artistic Director of Ad Deum II, the professional/professional training
company under Ad Deum Dance Co. She created numerous master works with the company and her
choreographic works were presented at such events as Ad Deum Fall & Spring Show, Dance Houston,Project Dance, Artists for Hope, Vitacca Emerging Artists Festival, Dascape, East Meets West and
Splendid China. While she was working with Ad Deum II, she was selected to Houston Choreographers x
6 2019.
Besides Ad Deum Dance, she set choreographic works at such places as Belhaven University, Dance of
Asian America, The Link School of the Arts, Vitacca Ballet, Movement In Time Dance Company and
Atlanta Professional Dance Academy as a residential and guest artist.
As a dance educator, she taught modern classes at Houston Ballet Academy Summer Dance Intensives,
Vitacca Summer Dance Intensives and Ad Deum Dance Spring & Summer Dance Intensives.
She is also an American Ballet Theatre certified teacher in pre primary -L5 and a recipient of ABT
Affiliate Teacher Award 2018-2020.
She is also passionate about choreographing and coaching young artist in contemporary, modern, ballet
and ensembles.

Ms. Maria is a Colombian-born dancer and choreographer with a lifelong
passion for dance. From an early age, she immersed herself in the world of movement,
training in Ballet, traditional Colombian Folk, and Afro Caribbean Dance styles such as
Mapale, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Reggaeton. Her love for dance continued to
flourish as she moved to the United States in 2006, where she further honed her skills in
Salsa and Hip-Hop.
Ms. Maria’s journey in dance took a significant turn when she joined Sean’s Dance Factory,
under the guidance of Sean Green, in 2010. There, she delved into various dance styles
such as Dancehall, African, Krumping, Voguing, Waacking, House, Breaking, and Funk,
including Popping and Locking. Her dedication and talent led her to attend multiple
studios and conventions across the United States, drawing inspiration from each
experience that now shines through in her unique choreography.
In 2012, Ms. Maria transitioned into becoming a dance instructor and choreographer,
sharing her expertise and passion with others. Her exceptional choreographic skills
were recognized when she was invited to showcase one of her pieces at Miami’s
esteemed Black n’ White’s Choreographer’s Showcase, hosted by the renowned
celebrity choreographer Ekandem Essiet.
Throughout her career, Ms. Maria has made significant contributions to the dance
community. She has choreographed and performed in music videos and tours for local
artists, participated in Miami Heat halftime shows, and shared the stage with Vanilla Ice.
From 2013 to 2015, she played multiple roles, including dancer, choreographer,
assistant director, and co-director at Sean’s Dance Factory and its competition team.
Ms. Maria’s talents have also been recognized in competitive settings. In 2017, she secured
1st place and earned MVP recognition at World of Dance, New York, as part of Sean’s
Dance Factory, and has then taken multiple dance studios’ Hip Hop crews and/or
companies to win 1 st place in different Hip-Hop competitions. Beyond competitions,
Ms. Maria has had the opportunity to work closely with Venus Williams, teaching and
choreographing for her and her sister’s yearly showcases.
Moreover, Ms. Maria’s influence as a mentor and instructor has shaped the careers of many
aspiring dancers who have gone on to perform and tour worldwide with renowned artists
such as Ciera, Chris Brown, BTS, Ozuna, and more.
As a choreographer for Loud Live Productions and the artistic director of her non-profit
Dance-Art company called “We Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” Ms. Maria is dedicated to using
dance as a platform for community outreach and individual empowerment. Her
choreographic creations have graced prestigious venues such as the Broward
Performing Arts Center, the Kravis Center, and the Choreographer’s Showcase in
Miami. Additionally, she has presented her work in art shows and galleries, including The Box Gallery and the Norton Museum.

Ms. Maria’s philosophy revolves around dance being an art form of expression, seamlessly
intertwined with her lifestyle. Her genuine passion for dance shines through in her
teaching, as she empowers dancers of all ages, instilling strong self-confidence and a
deep love for the art form.