director

Shelley Thomas’ enthusiasm and love for the art of education and dance has guided her to pursue her passion as a professional dancer and founder of East Lansing’s successful dance studio of 16 years, Platinum Dance Academy.  Shelley received her B.A. in Elementary Education at MSU and also holds professional ballroom certifications in DVIDA, Move Like a Champion and ballet certifications in Cecchetti Method of Ballet. She is the founder of Platinum Dance Kids, a fine arts dance program for child development centers.  Shelley has been dancing for 33 years and began her teaching career in 1997 after extensive training in Flint, Michigan where she danced competitively for six years.  She has trained across the states in New York at STEPS, Chicago with Gus Giordano, Washington D.C. with Al Gilbert, and with the founder of Metronome Ballroom in San Francisco, Diane Jarmolow. Shelley’s energy as an instructor will truly inspire you to dance.