faculty
Katie Li
Owner
Katie Li is a professional choreographer and educator based in her hometown of Niceville, Florida.
She started dancing at Niceville High School at the age of 14, and by her senior year she was named captain. During her time in high school, she trained in a local studio, and choreographed competitive solos for her peers. Shortly after graduation in 2007, she became the assistant coach and choreographer for multiple middle schools and high schools in Okaloosa County.
Katie on a dance line scholarship, under Joe Taylor at Northwest Florida State College was captain of the dance line and choreographed a piece for the Dance Facets in 2009.
Nationally, Katie is an award winning choreographer and has presented her work throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi where her choreography receives critical acclaim.
She is a 5 time nominee for the People’s Choice Award at Kids Artistic Revue for the Industry Dance Awards.
The Verve, in its inaugural year the team has proved her choreography to again, be award winning. Both team ensembles as well as soloists, have competed and performed in many venues in the southeast winning high scores, high point and scholarships to conventions. She has been invited as a master teacher/ choreographer to various venues including schools as well as many private studios along the southeast coast.
Katie's class style is an an eclectic mix of pure athleticism and sheer technique with an emphasis on dynamics, musicality, emotion and performance. She specializes in contemporary, lyrical, jazz funk and stretch/strength training. Katie believes that instilling proper muscle memory is crucial for technical growth and teaching progressive methods are key to a dancers success!
Mary Frances Broughman
Born and raised in Southwest Virginia, Mary Frances Broughman began dancing at the age of two and quickly developed a deep love for ballet. Over the years, she trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, character, hip hop, and more with numerous studios, including Floyd Ward School of Dance, Roanoke Ballet Theatre, and Southwest Virginia Ballet. As a competitive dancer, she earned numerous regional and national awards, scholarships, and an invitation to join the Richmond Ballet’s apprenticeship program, as well as selection for Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts. Mary Frances went on to dance as a company member and principal dancer with Roanoke Ballet Theatre, training extensively under Michelle Goucher, Janelle Tatum, Jennifer Davies, Frano Jelincic, and Dagmar Kessler, along with guest artists from the Moscow Ballet and Alvin Ailey. Her repertoire includes classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia, and Giselle, among other original and contemporary works.
She began teaching at just sixteen and later served as Ballet Director at Floyd Ward School of Dance and Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy, where she choreographed award-winning works and guided students who went on to perform professionally, teach, and lead studios of their own.
Now teaching at Verve Dance Company in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Mary Frances brings over 25 years of teaching experience and certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Pilates (Mat), and Personal Training (ACE). Her classes focus on technique, artistry, strength, and intelligent training methods that help dancers move safely, efficiently, and expressively.
Mary Frances is passionate about inspiring her students to grow as both artists and individuals — to always do their best, pursue their goals, and love the process of learning.
Mary Frances Broughman is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Kylee Ausdran
Kylee Ausdran grew up in the Atlanta Metropolitan area of Georgia where she trained at a competitive dance studio for 8 years. At the age of 15, she moved to the Florida Panhandle and became a member of Verve Dance company where she was mentored by choreographer, Katie Li. Kylee started attending many known conventions and competitions, earning a wide variety of scholarships from them over the years. During this time, she began teaching classes several times a week at Verve Dance Company. In 2022, Kylee graduated Cum Laude from Niceville High School. Soon after, she started focusing solely on her teaching career of dance and the industry itself. Kylee has worked many assistant choreography jobs as well as choreographing several competitive routines of her own. She is still currently located in the Panhandle of Florida, teaching full time at Verve Dance Company.
Roshaunta Williams
Mrs. Shaunta thrives in a space where passion, creativity, and dedication to the art of dance come alive. Mrs. Shaunta is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in dance education, choreography, and competition coaching. From the studio to the stage, she has inspired countless dancers to discover their potential and achieve greatness.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, she holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and honed her craft at the prestigious Barbara Barker Dance Center, studying Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Ballet, Lyrical, and Tap. Her education laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to teaching and choreographing dance that resonates with audiences and inspires dancers of all levels.
Her career spans teaching and choreographing at renowned studios across the United States. With a keen eye for detail and a heart for storytelling through movement, her choreography has earned top honors, including “Like This” (1st Place in Hip-Hop at national competition) and “Swagger Jagger” (Double Platinum and 1st Place Overall at Showstoppers Dance Competition). She was also recognized as a Star Systems Dance Competition Champion and appeared in the movie Appleseed with the Grammy Award-winning group Sounds of Blackness.
Her mission is to empower dancers to excel not only in their technique but in every aspect of their lives. Known for her encouraging teaching style, she inspires students to embrace their individuality, pursue their dreams, and shine on stage and beyond. She brings her expertise across multiple dance genres, from Ballet to Hip-Hop, blending discipline with creativity to ensure every dancer reaches their fullest potential.
Beyond the studio, she has served as a pageant choreographer, youth mentor, and worship team member, using her talents to uplift and inspire others. Her role as a mentor for Delta Gems and a member of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness reflects her commitment to making a positive impact through the arts.
Whether you’re stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or preparing for a major competition, her guidance will ignite your passion and elevate your skills. Mrs. Shaunta has the joy of dance, she’s someone who truly believes in the power of movement to transform lives.
Tammie Roman
Tammie’s love for dance began at the age of 4 at Lake Mary Dance Academy near Orlando, FL. Throughout her childhood, she explored a variety of dance styles but ultimately discovered a profound passion for ballet.
Tammie began her pre-professional training at La Mesa Dance Academy under certified Cecchetti instructor Cecelia Palladino-Jaramillo. She later accepted a position as a Company Dancer and Soloist, where alongside numerous full-companyworks, she choreographed and danced a variety of solo performances and featured roles.
Tammie began her teaching career with a focus on Early Childhood Dance Education and later broadened her professional development through a robust combination of training programs, mentorships, and dance education workshops. After relocating to Destin, Florida, Tammie spent 6 years serving as Company Ballet Director for a local studio. Most recently, her expertise was instrumental in facilitating the successful launch of a new studio, where she served as Studio Director and Artistic Director throughout its inaugural season. She now specializes in pre-professional ballet and pointe instruction, bringing a wealth of experience and a commitment to technical excellence.
Tammie has attended numerous training programs and masterclasses with industry professionals, including Megan Fairchild, Kathryn Morgan, and Maria Karwoski. She has also been featured as a guest artist in the last 5 productions of Dance Facets at Northwest Florida State College. Her teaching philosophy is to encourage, support, and challenge her dancers while providing them with a strong classical ballet foundation. She believes in balancing technical precision with the freedom to develop creativity through artistry and finds great joy in nurturing a passion for dance within her students.
Jordan Parrish
Jordan Parrish is an Acrobatic Arts–certified instructor with over seven years of teaching experience, working with athletes ranging from beginners to elite-level performers. Jordan brings 14 years of competitive cheerleading experience to her coaching and proudly holds titles as a Cheersport National Champion and a four-time Cheerleading Worlds semifinalist.
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She specializes in training dancers, cheerleaders, and gymnasts, and her passion for Acro has been evident from the very beginning—truly deepening seven years ago when she began working closely with dancers. Since then, teaching Acrodance has become one of her greatest professional joys.
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Jordan's mission is to provide a positive, supportive, and empowering learning environment where every athlete can reach their fullest potential. Safety and proper technique are foundational to my teaching approach. She is also CPR and First Aid certified and remain committed to implementing safe, developmentally appropriate progressions in all Acro training.
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Whether you’re working toward your very first cartwheel or striving to master a back handspring, Jordan is dedicated to guiding you with encouragement, expertise, and individualized support every step of the way.
