SSDA faculty consists of seasoned dance professionals with extensive backgrounds in dance performance, education, technique, and choreography. Building on a solid work ethic, dedication to the art, and the understanding that true dance artistry comes from the heart and the soul, SSDA instructors will help students reach and exceed their performance goals.

Larry Brewer 

Larry Brewer studied ballet at Indiana University, Bloomington, Ruth Page Dance Academy, Dance Theater of Harlem, The Alvin Ailey School, and the Chuck Davis African American Dance Company.  He first began performing in 1975 with the Gary Theater Ensemble. Since that time, he has performed with the IU African American Dance Company, IU Modern Dance Company, Indiana University Ballet Department, and the Windfall Dancers all located in Bloomington, Indiana.  In addition, he has performed with several local dance companies, Sesame Street Live 1988 tour, several variety shows, and trade shows.  In February, 2000, he began (and continues) teaching dance for the Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts  in Gary. Seeing the amazing potential in the young dancers throughout the Northwest Indiana region, he began to develop  his plans for a dance company and studio, which became a reality in 2002. Brewer recently received the Quality of Life Council Sustainability Award (2009) and was an Education 2010 finalist in the College Mentors for Kids: Inspire/Power of Mentoring Awards.
Call the studio at 219-427-0188 or email larryb@southshoredance.org

Cheryl Barnes

Instructor: Ballet

Cheryl teaches classical ballet in the Russian Vaganova-Tavasov technique and brings an extensive portfolio of teaching and performing experience to SSDA. She is currently a teacher and solo dancer for Boitsov Classical Ballet Company and ballet mistress for NAJWA Dance Corp in Chicago.

Amansu Eason

Instructor: Modern (Dunham)

Amansu Eason began performing at age 4 with Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse. At age 10, he began studying ballet, jazz, tap, and modern at Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts. During the next six years, he began creating his own style fusing the disciplines he learned including extensive training in afro-Carribean movements and rythyms. He has performed all over the U.S. and also in Mexico and Brazil. He has taught African and hip-hop throughout northwest Indiana, Ohio and the Chicago area for eight years. A dance minor at Bowling Green State University and a major in Africana Studies, he received extensive training in a variety of dance styles including the Dunham technique. He has performed with Ben Harper, opened for artists such as Omarion, Marcus Houston, Mary Mary, Arrested Development and performed a solo for Michael Jackson. He is currently a principal dancer with Muntu African Dance Theatre of Chicago. 

Joshua Ishmon

Instructor: Modern (Horton)

Joshua Ishmon began dancing at an early age and continued with formal training entering the Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts in sixth grade until his graduation in 2007. He has also trained with Ballet Chicago and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago and  is a gifted choreographer. He currently is a company member with Deeply Rooted in Chicago.