Meet the FDDG Staff

Meet the Co-Owners

Mike Barnard - Owner/Business Manager/Gymnastics Director

Hi, I'm Mike Barnard, the co-studio owner, and business manager of Dance Directions. I purchased Dance Directions five years ago with my talented business partner, Ammiee, to further my love of the arts and fulfill my dream of being a small business owner. I am originally from Millington but now reside in Fostoria with my two sons. I attended Saginaw Valley for school and have my degree in Social Work. I have been so blessed to get to know all of our dance families over the last five years and love being able to see all of our dancers improve not only in steps but their confidence. I have learned the ins and outs of dance and am amazed at the level of commitment and artistry our dancers and staff show. I would like to personally thank all the families, students, and staff that have supported us over the years (as well as those who are newly joining us) that have made DD such a success. I feel truly blessed to be growing and expanding this business and family in such uncertain times. These new programs and this new facility are a true labor of love, and I can not wait to share them with all of you!

Ammiee Fairchild - Owner/Studio Director/Competition Director/Instructor

Hi, I am Ammiee Fairchild and I am co-owner, studio director, competition director, and lead choreographer at Frankenmuth Dance Directions. My most important role though is that I get to do what I truly love and that share my love of dance with all of you.

I have been dancing since I was 4 years old without ever taking time off. Once I started, there was no stopping me. I have studied tap, jazz, Cecchetti Ballet (completing all exams), pointe, modern, lyrical, contemporary, Bavarian Folk Dancing, Hawaiian, baton twirling, and figure skating. I have performed all over the country, studied under master dancers with my favorite being Greg Russell, choreographed and performed in an independent film, competed in local, state, and national pageants including the Miss America Pageant system. I’ve choreographed for local and state pageants opening production numbers and coached Jr High Cheerleading. I have been teaching since I was 16 years old.

I have three adult daughters, a son, and a 3-year-old German Shepherd named Maggie that I love spending time with. I also enjoy traveling and visiting other countries and learning about their culture. When I do have spare time, I enjoy spending it with family and friends, going on road trips, or just relaxing and reading a good book.

Dance Directions is a place where students can come and be themselves, learn about themselves, and make lifelong friends in a loving safe environment. There is no greater reward than seeing a child happy with themselves.

I would like to personally thank you for choosing our facility and staff, and I welcome you to the Dance Directions Family.

Meet the Dance Staff

Brianna Jacobs - Instructor/Assistant Competition Director

Hello everyone! My name is Brianna Jacobs. I teach Beginner, Junior, and Senior competition classes. Dance has been a love of mine since I was three years old. I have been instructed for most of my dance years by the one and only Ms. Ammiee, who taught me various styles. Since becoming an instructor, every year, my teaching methods and choreography have continued to positively develop from previous teachers and self-research, my peers at the studio, and, undeniably, my students. Different styles I teach are Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary. I strive to provide an environment for my dancers that give them countless opportunities to challenge themselves, learn new things, dance at a competitive level, and have fun! I’m undoubtedly a goof but ask anyone, and they’ll tell you how incredibly passionate I am about my work and dance.

Jamie Rigterink - Instructor/Digital Media Manager/Recital Director/Front Desk

Hi! My name is Jamie Rigterink. I have been dancing for a total of 16 years. I love all types of dance and have competed in many kinds including jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and pointe. I am currently enrolled at Saginaw Valley State University to get a bachelor’s degree in business management. My main goal is to teach dancers what dance can bring to them and their lives and to show them the same love and passion for dance that I’ve been fortunate enough to have. Most recently, I took over the responsibilities of Recital Director and Media Manager for FDDG. I look forward to the opportunity to continue teaching what I love to others!

Wendy Minore - Instructor

Hi, I'm Wendy Minore! I've been dancing since second grade, mostly ballet at the Flint School of Performing Arts. I took ballet for ten years, but also learned some pointe, modern and a brief stint in hip hop. Ballet has always been my favorite dance style though, as it looks so elegant and is a great way of creatively sharing your thoughts with the world. With my eclectic music taste, I almost constantly have something to listen to and do most of my day to day activities while jamming to music. I love to read, and I adore dogs. I am one of five kids and am a very social person. I can't wait to share my passion for this movement with the kids this year!

Ashley Allen - Instructor

Hello, my name is Ashley Allen. I danced at the Flint School of Performing Arts for 16 years. I was taught many ballet techniques, such as Russian ballet, Russian Vaganova, Balanchine (American ballet), and the Cecchetti method (Italian ballet). I also studied modern dance techniques for seven years and pointe for eight years. Additionally, I studied with the Burklyn Ballet Theater and toured Europe with “The Stars of Tomorrow” in 2015 and 2019. I’ve received choreographic acceptance into Michigan Youth Arts in 2019, Burklyn Ballets Emerging Choreographic program in 2018, and Flint Youth Ballets Emerging Choreographer in 2018 and 2019. I love choreographing and expressing myself through movement. I want to share my love of ballet through teaching and inspiring the next generation with dance. Outside of dance, I figure skate, play music, and do photography. I am excited to get to work this coming season!

Emily Naylor - Dance Instructor, Tumbling Instructor

Hello I’m Emily Naylor I have been dancing for 16 years. 15 years in tap and jazz, 12 years in ballet, 11 years in acro, 9 years in competition and lyrical, 5 years in hip hop and 3 years in kickline. I have also been teaching/assisting dance classes for the past 5 years. Dance has been apart of my life since I was 3 and I’m so blessed to be able to incorporate it into my adulthood.

LaChaya Fields - Dance Instructor and Gymnastic Coach

Hi everyone my name is LaChaya Fields (Chay). I’ve been dancing since I was 10 years old with an amazing dance coach Ms. Phyllis Alexander where I was taught Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, and Gospel along with gymnastics for a small season as well. I am currently a full-time student at Delta College/ Northwood University studying for my bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Management. My favorite part of dancing is being able to choreograph routines allowing students to express themselves through music. Growing up I was very introverted and dancing was the only way I knew how to express myself. This is my first year with FDD and I plan to continue help create, advise and spread the love of dance and gymnastics!

Meet The Gymnastic Coaches

Lisa Bond - Gymnastics Coach

Hi, I'm Lisa Bond and I coach gymnastics on Saturdays and help where I can during the week when needed. I grew up in a gymnastics/dance studio in my hometown of Bay City and it has always held a huge piece of my heart! I still have all the VHS tapes of my recitals and love to watch them periodically with a big bowl of popcorn. I am also a member of USA Gymnastics and have a daughter who is a USA Gymnastics competitive gymnast. I look forward to working with each gymnast as they work to achieve their own personal goals and watch them grow in their confidence with their body and their abilities as an athlete. I live and work in Frankenmuth and my husband and I have two children still at home that attend St. Lorenz and two Cocker Spaniels (Daisy and Paws) that make our home complete. Please feel free to stop in and say hi and ask how your child is doing in class! I would love to discuss their progress with you.

Hannah Findlay - Gymnastics Coach/Assistant Gymnastics Director

Hi, everyone! I'm Coach Findlay. I did a wide variety of sports as a kid but would always end up tumbling out in the yard. When I was twelve I joined a competitive gymnastics team. During high school, I was on the varsity gymnastics team, choreographed routines for my teammates and I and coached at every clinic. I instantly fell in love with coaching, so when I graduated, I started coaching a youth competition team. Watching athletes’ hard work pay off is so rewarding. In my down time I can be found taking care of my many plants, skating or walking at the state park.

Meet the Tumbling Staff

Joni Johnson - Tumbling Instructor

Hi, I'm Joni Johnson, and I truly enjoy being a part of the Dance Direction's staff. I have been an assistant teacher/teacher under various dance instructors for the past ten years. I have always loved to dance. As a child, I was enrolled in a variety of dance classes and cheerleading, and gymnastics. I currently teach the tumbling class at the Frankenmuth Dance Direction's studio, and I'm an elementary teacher at Vassar Central Elementary. Teaching has always been a lifelong dream of mine. I have always enjoyed working with children. I love being a part of a child's excitement and joy of learning new things. Their smiles are priceless! I'm looking forward to another great year with my students at Dance Directions!

Meet the Administrative Staff

Felicia Osburn - Front Desk/Administrator

Hi! I’m Felicia Osburn. I joined FDDG staff in the summer of 2022 as an administrator after being here as a dance mom for several years.

Growing up I always loved dance but was unable to take lessons. I joined theater in high school where I got to do a little dancing. Then, as a young adult, I attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC for two years. There I studied acting, dancing, singing, and stage combat.

After graduation I returned to Michigan and started a family. My family and I are heavily involved in the local theater, but my youngest also wanted to take dance, which is how I ended up here. The relationships her and I have both built, and the growth I have seen in all the students over the years, makes me incredibly happy. We love being a part of this dance family!