Michelle was born Michelle Becker in Buffalo, NY where she studied ballet at The Empire State Ballet Theatre in Buffalo and had scholarships during the summers at American Ballet Theatre School in NYC. Michelle’s career spans from being a ballerina where she performed with leading ballet companies all over Europe, (as well as being coached at the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow), to being a musical theater star at Theater des Westens Berlin. Michelle starred in Tommy Tune’s “Grand Hotel” with film legend, Leslie Caron as Flaemmchen, where she was voted best actress of the year by the Berliner Zeitung.Michelle starred in over 30 productions including, “Anything Goes”, “Damn Yankees”, “Cabaret”, “Sweet Charity” and “Follies” with Eartha Kitt to name a few. Upon returning to the states, Michelle was head of the Dance Dept. at Northern Kentucky University and a faculty member at College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. After moving to Sarasota, Michelle and her husband Matt opened the doors to Ovation in 2013! Michelle is passionate about passing on her knowledge to the next generation. Michelle feels she has put together an incredible faculty of highly dedicated and qualified teachers to make Ovation- School of Musical Theatre “the” school to attend if one is serious about truly learning the craft of performing musical theatre.

John Baker - Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre DanceJohn started his dance training right here in Bradenton, Fl. An all around Triple threat he has trained in Tap, Jazz, Modern, Afro-Haitian, Gymnastics, Hula, Voice, and Acting, … from the masters in NYC, LA, and Chicago. Then taking those talents to the stage and screen in numerous Broadway (Kiss Me Kate, Ragtime, Beauty and the Beast, Jerome Robbin’s Broadway) Off broadway (Chapter Two), Regional (West Side Story, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Glass Menagerie, and many more), a number of Modern and Ballet companies based out of NYC and La, Disney, Tokyo Disney, National Commercials, Syndicated Tv, Movies, plus a lot more. But through his performance career he has continued to teach what he loves most! john has taught master classes thru out the US, Canada, and Japan, as well on numerous Dance convention, He has taught at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in NYC , Broadway Dance Center in Tokyo, and Roland Dupree,s, Debbie Reynolds, 3rd Street Dance Acadamy in LA. John doesn’t just teach steps, he teaches a way of looking and succeeding in life.

Krista Benson began performing in musical theater at the age of ten. She performed in numerous school and community theater productions growing up. Also an accomplished flutist, Krista chose to to persue a vocal degree in college. While at SUNY Geneseo Krista was trained as a classical singer but also participated in many acting and dance classes as well performing in musicals. Many of her favorite roles include "Once on this Island" (Timoune) "A Chorus Line" (Sheila), "Guys and Dolls" (Sarah), "The Apple Tree" (Barbara), "The Threepenny Opera" (Polly), "Oliver!" (Nancy) and "The Fairy Queen" (Titania) as well as roles in "Cabaret", "Sweet Charity", "Marat...Sade", and "Hair". 
She earned a BA in Music with a vocal option from SUNY Geneseo in 2000 and a Masters in Music in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory in 2002 where she met her future husband. After they were married they moved to NYC to pursue a theater career. After too many cold winters spent in Bostonand NY they decided to move to southeast Florida. Krista had a great run at Stage Door Theater in Ft Lauderdale performing in such shows as "My One and Only", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (Angel) "No Way To Treat a Lady" (Sarah) and "Are We there Yet?"(Woman 1).
Krista then took some time away from the spotlight to stay home and raise their two daughters after moving to Upstate NY.
Upon encouragement from a mentor, Krista began teaching vocal lessons in 2008. Krista's training in both classical vocal technique AND musical theater has made her a unique resource for her students. During her tenure with her students many of them have gone on to BFA musical theater programs at top schools such as Rider University, SUNY Fredonia and Ithaca College. Krista's students have also performed with the Boston Pops, Mormon Tabernacle Choir and have won numerous vocal competitions. Krista has developed an especially effective audition training and even hosted workshops focused on auditions. Her passion for music, musical theater and teaching is evident in her enthusiasm!.

Matt McCord is a teacher, actor and director with 35 years experience on, off and backstage of many of the area theaters. Matt's experience includes: 19 years teaching multi level acting classes; Administrator and showcase director of VLT's Theaterfest Summer Camp; Teacher, writer and director of VLT's Loveland Follies for developmentally challenged adults; Puppeteer for the F.A.C.E. educational program and he is a certified NIA dance fitness instructor. Matt uses a balance of Viola Spolin Improvisation Games and Meisner Method Technique to combine craft, spontaneity and FUN for all students.