The Difference...
Destination Dance of Oviedo (DDO) is not your ordinary dance studio. One of the things that makes us unique is our approach to performances. Rather than one recital at the end of the year, our dancers will perform on stage twice each year in our fall and spring productions. Different than a traditional recital, where your child would dance for 2-3 minutes during a series of unrelated dances, our productions are very entertaining! Your child will dance as part of a story told to the audience through music and movement. This type of production allows dancers to show theatrical ability in addition to dancing ability and creates a connection between the dancers, the teachers and the audience that is missing with traditional recital formats.
We do not have a competition team here at DDO. Instead, we have our DDO Performance Team. This team will perform at different events around Central Florida. Our mission is to provide quality dance instruction to all dancers, regardless of how many hours per week they dance, without an extreme time or financial commitment. Since dancers are not required to take specific classes, our students find themselves amongst peers all dedicated to that class and what it has to offer, creating a positive class environment!
The atmosphere at DDO is welcoming to dancers and parents. We want you and your child to look forward to the time you spend with us. State of the art studios, comfortable lobby seating, large viewing windows, a work station and our friendly staff help to provide this welcoming atmosphere.
Come see us soon and discover the difference at Destination Dance!
Our Wonderful Staff:
Sheila Smith
Studio Owner
Sheila has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University, where she was a gymnast from 1987 to 1990, specializing in balance beam and vault. She is married and a mother to three dancers. After several years of competition dance for her girls, Sheila’s family made the decision to stay with dance, but to find a better balance. She made the decision to open Destination Dance with the mission of providing a welcoming atmosphere to all levels of dancers and to provide quality instruction for the advanced dancer without requiring an extreme time and financial commitment.
Candace Isaacs
Artistic Director
Performance Team Director
Candace is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with degrees in both Theatre and Dance. She has been dancing for over 30 years, training in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, and contemporary. Along with dance, Candace began singing and acting at a young age and fell in love with performing. As a competition dancer, she attended many competitions throughout her early dance career and now adjudicates for competitions all over the country.
She started teaching and choreographing when she was fifteen years old and continues to teach dancers from pre-k to adult levels. She is the dance team coach for the Lawton Chiles Pantherettes, as well as the choreographer for the Timber Creek High School Theatre Department. She has choreographed for numerous middle school, high school, and college dance teams, musicals, and show choirs as well as choreographed for professional & college Theatres throughout Florida.
Candace has taught several dance classes in Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop at The University of Central Florida as well as master classes for Broadway Unhinged, Knights and Damsels Dance Company, Broadway Lights Dance Center, Chance to Dance, and many others across the state of FL. She originally moved to Central Florida to attend college at UCF but stayed to dance and perform in the parades and shows at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, & Sea World in Orlando, Florida. Candace is the Artistic Director of DDO and creator and Director of the DDO Performance Team and directs all the shows at DDO. Candace has a strong connection to her students and and loves being able to share her love for the Arts with all of them.
Kristin Kelch
Office Manager
Brittany Swanson
Instructor
Brittany was born and raised in Central FL. She started dancing when she was 10 years old and fell in love with the artistry! Brittany grew up dancing at DDO where she found her love for teaching and choreographing. In 2024, she attended the CLI summer intensive where she trained under Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Spenser Theberge, Jakevis Thomason, Stephanie Shumway and Kenichi Kasamatsu. This experience taught her so much and she can't wait to share it with her students. Brittany currently dances for Sea World Orlando. Her main goal as a teacher is to encourage her students to explore their artistic side and to allow them to find freedom and joy in dance!
Courtney Lutton
Instructor
Courtney has 12+ years of teaching and choreography experience. Courtney is an Alumni of the Tennessee Dance Team and a Universal and SeaWorld performer. Courtney has extensive knowledge and loves to share her expertise with her students!
Casey Yoklic
Instructor
Ms. Casey has been teaching for almost 20 years either in the classroom or in the studio. She has her BA in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. As is the story with many of the amazing teachers here at Destination Dance, Ms. Casey started dancing around 1 and hasn't stopped. She was inspired by watching her next door neighbor, who was a principal for the San Francisco Ballet, practice. Ms. Casey grew up studying all of the studio dance styles- ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and modern. In high school, she studied at Princeton Ballet. She joined cheerleading in college and competed in UCA Nationals at Disney World. After college, she studied and competed in Silver Ballroom and Latin Dance. Of course, she kept dancing her favorite studio style dances including ballet. She has performed The Nutcracker both as a child and an adult on the stage. She started teaching dance when her daughter showed interest and dancing. She has taught Mommy and Me through High School and Adult students. The Barre is her happy place and she's known to do a happy dance at the end of a well done combination, especially during Adult Combo.
Ali Gervais
Instructor
Although Alison started dance at the young age of three her formal training began under the guidance of Jane Tyree and Dan Guin - former Orlando Ballet dancers - making her one of the first founding members of Boca Ballet Theatre Company in South Florida.
During high school, she attended the prestigious Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts - one of the nation’s top performing arts high schools - where she continued to nurture her passion for dance. She went on to attend the prestigious Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase in New York, one of the country’s top and most respected dance programs.
Highlights of her performing career include sharing the stage with legends like Audrey Hepburn and Liza Minnelli, as well as principal dancers from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Danish Ballet to name a few.
Though a dance injury cut her performing career short, in recent years, she has continued to grace the stage in her home community, notably performing in the Pulse Benefit show on the Dr. Phillips Center stage and at Mayor Buddy Dyer’s birthday celebration.
Today, Alison remains deeply connected to the art form that has shaped her life—bringing heart and artistry to every step.
Ava Werner
Instructor
Ava Werner is not only an Alum of DDO but she also teaches all the acro classes. She loves all styles of dance but lyrical and acro have always been her favorite. Ava inspires to be a dance teacher that students enjoy being around while also improving the skills of her students every week. Dance is a passion that is special because of the emotion that comes out of it, and she hopes to share the love she has for dance with her students.
Bri Tejeda
Instructor
Brianna Tejeda was born and raised in the vibrant Bronx, New York, where her passion for dance ignited at a young age. Growing up surrounded by the rhythmic beats of hip-hop, she found herself captivated by the energy and expression that the dance style offered. At the age of 10, Brianna's family relocated to Orlando, Florida, a move that would significantly shape her dance journey. In Orlando, Brianna joined the esteemed Xplosive Dance Academy owned Jessica Perez, a decision that opened the door to a world of diverse dance training. She immersed herself in a variety of styles, including Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Acro, Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, Musical Theater, and Ballet. Among these, Brianna developed a particular love & skill set for Gaga, a movement language cultivated by Ohad Naharin, and also became well-versed in Jazz Funk, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the craft. After graduating from Xplosive Dance Academy, Brianna took a significant step in her dance career by joining the CLI Conservatory. There, she had the unique opportunity to learn from industry luminaries such as Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Blake McGrath, Robbie Blue, Sienna Lyons, Alex Komulainen, and Miguel Zarate, enriching her skills and expanding her artistic horizons. Her dedication and talent were recognized in projects like CLI's black box film "FADE," choreographed by the remarkable Jakevis Thompson. Brianna's artistry is not limited to performance; she is also a talented choreographer. Under the inspiration of the GAGA movement language, shes choreographed for several of her peers at her home studio, drawing on her vast experience and creativity to inspire fellow dancers. Her determination and passion for dance are evident in every routine she crafts. She is also a fierce choreographer in the jazz funk world drawing inspiration from old school music videos & the way the music makes her feel. Alongside her performing and choreographic endeavors, Brianna participated in summer intensives with the prestigious MSA agency ,GAGA dance labs, & many commercial dance workshops to further honing her craft and networking with fellow dancers and choreographers. In addition to her exceptional dance abilities, Brianna is known for her character. She is determined, kind, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. Her commitment to her art and her supportive nature make her a beloved figure among her peers, teachers, and dance community. Brianna Tejeda’s journey from the Bronx to the dance floor in Orlando and beyond continues to inspire those around her, as she remains dedicated to her dance career and the pursuit of excellence in every step she takes. Brianna Tejeda’s signed with Abundance Agency, the new dynamic Miami‑based talent agency. This partnership isn’t just a career move—it’s the beginning of a new era for a young woman whose talent, drive, and presence are impossible to ignore.
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Malani Vaughn
Instructor
Malani Vaughn began dancing at the age of three and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, acrobatic arts, pointe, musical theatre, heels, modern, and hip hop. She spent 4 years in ballet, commercial, and choreography conservatories at Xtreme Dance and Skyra Studios, where she danced in many short films directed by Scott Poiley. Malani was a member of Heat Convention’s travelling Hip Hop Crew (coached by Comfort Fedoke and Marty Kudelka) and travelling commercial dance crew, Heat Force. She also founded, coached, and choreographed the award-winning Galileo Gems Competitive Dance Team.
Malani began competing and attending conventions at 7 years old and has won many titles, overall awards, and scholarships. Malani was a VIP Finalist at Jump where she worked in rehearsals with Molly Long and performed in the closing gala. This allowed her to compete for Best Dancer at The Dance Awards in 2025, where she worked with Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy for the closing gala performance.
Malani became a full-time college student at the age of 16. She will graduate from UCF at 19 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Through this degree, Malani is receiving hands on experience working with athletes through courses and internships that will prepare her to use science-based practices to help dancers maximize their technique. She is an NSCA certified personal trainer and has a Progressive Ballet Technique certification. She looks forward to teaching everyday and values the community that DDO has created so much!
Adri Fabrega
Instructor
Ms. Adri began dancing at the age of 2 and started competing at 4, building a strong foundation that led to 20 years of experience and 14 years of competitive training. She has won national and regional titles, along with numerous scholarships and special awards.
She received her training from C&C Dance Company and Arts N Motion Dance, where she developed a strong foundation across multiple styles. She first began teaching in Annapolis, Maryland, working with both competitive and recreational teams at Outlet Dance Complex. Her professional experience includes being a finalist for the Washington Commanders Cheerleaders and auditioning for professional productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and more. She has trained with a wide range of industry professionals, from Broadway performers to choreographers for major pop artists.
Ms. Adri is a versatile dancer, training in all styles including hip-hop, lyrical, jazz, heels, commercial hip-hop, ballet, acro, musical theater, contortion, and contemporary. She also served as captain of her high school dance team, developing strong leadership and performance skills. Now based in Orlando, Florida, she attends the University of Central Florida and will graduate in Summer 2026 with a degree in Business Communication. She is also an active member of Kappa Delta, where she contributes to philanthropy efforts and has choreographed for multiple events. Ms. Adri brings passion and energy into every class, inspiring dancers to push their limits, have fun while growing their skills, and find their own unique style.
