Faculty

Originally from Paducah, Kentucky, Tressa Wilham travelled the nation competing in both regional and national dance competitions.  In 2003, Tressa travelled to New York City to attend Hunter College Manhattan.  During college, Tressa auditioned and performed as a principle with the Hunter College dance company.  She extensively studied such renowned choreographers such as Josè Limòn, Martha Graham, and performed with the 'Urban Bush Women'.  Tressa graduated from Hunter College in 2006 with a BA in dance, and a minor in Economics.

After college, Tressa continued dancing and training with such choreographers as Andy Blankenbuehler, Jack Hertzog, AC Ciulia, and Mia Michaels.  In addition to dance, Tressa went on to get her NSCA personal trainer certification.  As a personal trainer, Tressa is not only able to instruct the technique of dance, but to teach the anatomy of the human body (something that is very important for all dancers to know).

In 2009, Tressa made the dream of owning a dance studio a reality with the opening of AMPA.  She is dedicated to offering incomparable dance training, top of the line dance studios, and exposure to top dance choreographers.  As director, not only is Tressa dedicated to teaching her students proper dance technique, but she is also committed to enstilling in her students creativity, confidence, and body awareness.

 Trish Steckenrider began dancing at the age of 3 under the direction of Joan Crawford in Paducah, KY.    Trish received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Missouri State University.  Trish has training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Ballroom.  She did obtain a Masters of Science degree from NYU, but not in dance….it’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Marketing.  This serves her well as her full time job is Executive Director of the Greater Metropolis CVB in her hometown of Metropolis, IL.    Trish is  the right hand of the studio, oversees the day to day operations and marketing, She also assists with the Elite Team and is Director/Choreographer for all the performance teams.     Trish also loves being with her husband Steve and 4 kids, Akyra,  Logan, Kaden and Ella.  

Ashley Lane Henley grew up on Dance! She has 34 years of Competitive Training and Teaching Dance.

At the age of 9 she traveled Abroad and Performed in Russia and Denmark. Trained at the Kentucky Governors School for the Arts, Hofstra University in New York, Goucher College Boston in  Dance Intensives and Studied with Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper and Andy Blankenbuehler.

2017 Ashley was a Pro in our Local Dancing with our Stars for the American Cancer Society..which her Partner Jay Smith Won!!

Ashley is so excited to continue her passion for dance and to mentor the next Generation of young Performers learn, love and reach their full potential. In Ashley’s spare time she is a Wife, Mother and Full Time Controller for Michelson Jewelers.

  Brooke was born and raised in Paducah, KY and began dancing at just three years old. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to travel all over the nation dancing and competing. She has also had the opportunity to train under many renowned dancers and choreographers. In 2009 she took her passion for dance and her studies to the University of Kentucky where she was a member of both the University of Kentucky Dance Team and the UK Dance Ensemble. In 2013, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Health communication and a minor in health promotion. She is so excited to be back in her hometown with her husband, Matt and her little girl, Millie and to be able to bring her passion for both dance and health to AMPA while helping young performers grow their love for dance. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Public Health Administration at Murray State University.   

 Mati Anderson has had the opportunity, throughout her education in dance, to train all over the world. She began her training at DC Dance Factory and then auditioned for Virginia School of the Arts, a ballet boarding school, where she was the youngest student ever selected to attend. During her time as a pre-professional, Mati attended summer intensives with The Joffrey Ballet School as a trainee, ABT, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet (CCB). During her time at CCB, she decided to homeschool and travel back and forth to NYC to train with the company and others extensively. She then ventured on to pursue a BFA in Dance at Troy University. During her time in undergrad, Mati was able to train and perform repertory from AbrahaminMotion, Kile Hotchkiss, again with CCB, attended The American Dance Festival, and completed a summer residency at NYU: Tisch School of the Arts. Mati then ventured across the pond and moved to Italy. She was a soloist with Florence Dance Company, as well as took on the role of International Relations Coordinator for Danzainfiera, Europe's largest dance festival. Mati was able to complete her undergrad early and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Troy University in December 2016. After returning to the states, Mati made her home base Atlanta, Georgia. During her time in the A, she was a company member with Admix Dance Project, Kit Modus Dance Company, Underground Ballet, and Fuerta Dance Company. Mati recently moved back to Nashville, TN where she served a short tenure as the Director at Millennium Dance Complex. Mati still performs and teaches in conjunction with choreographing at dance studios across the country. She is truly ecstatic to share her passion for the arts and technique with others.

Adam moonwalked into the hip hop scene at age 11 and hasn’t looked back since! He has featured in numerous music videos and TV appearances such as Dan + Shays music video “Steal My Love”, Dreamworks Kung Fu Panda, The Middle, TV Land Awards Show, TeenNick, Xbox Kinect, Macy’s Annual Passport Show “Glamourama” and America’s Got Talent. He was also apart of Nick Cannon’s boyband “4Count” in which he sang, danced and choreographed for the group. They spent 2 years in Canada signed to Sony Canada where they toured the country, released an album, and starred in their own tv show “Mission4Count” which aired on YTV then later aired in the US on TeenNick. In 2016 he toured with Monster Headphones performing all over Japan and South Korea. His most recent travels include China where he choreographed and danced for a Canadian Artist at a club residency in Chengdu. Adam sets his sights high, reaching for the moon and already moonwalking on the stars!