About
At TDA, we’re all about promoting confidence, discipline, and strong work ethics in our dancers. We incorporate important self-development themes into our teaching so your child leaves us not only as a great dancer, but as a great person primed for success.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Maddie Schiffman
Artistic Director, Head Dance InstructorOriginally from California, Miss Maddie began dancing recreationally at just three years old and quickly fell in love with the art form. At age fourteen, she began competing as a member of her high school dance team, an experience that shaped not only her career as a dancer, but also the person and teacher she would become.
Maddie graduated from Santa Clara University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Chemistry. During her time at SCU, she was a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and served as an intern with the California Dance Education Association.
After college, Maddie spent three years as a coach and choreographer for a high school dance team, leading her dancers to multiple national titles. She also traveled across California as a member of the United Spirit Association’s dance staff, teaching hundreds of middle and high school dancers at university campuses.
While Maddie loves all aspects of dance, her greatest passion is early dance education. She credits her years in competitive dance with teaching her some of life’s most valuable lessons, including discipline, teamwork, professionalism, and the importance of working hard even when things are challenging. Today, she strives to use dance to give her students those same tools from an early age.
Maddie believes that dance education should be about so much more than technique. Her goal is for her dancers to leave the studio as strong dancers, but even better people who are confident in themselves, willing to work hard for what they want, and prepared for whatever life may bring. Whether a student eventually pursues dance professionally, dances simply for the joy of it, or chooses an entirely different path, Maddie hopes the lessons they learn in the studio will stay with them for a lifetime.
Hannah Wright
Assistant Director, Preschool, Recreational, & Competition InstructorHannah was born and raised in northeastern Ohio and began her dance journey at age four. At six, she joined her first competition team, beginning a 12-year competitive dance career. She built a strong foundation in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and other styles, while developing a deep appreciation for the artistry and discipline of dance.
In 2022, Hannah began teaching and assisting at her home studio, where she discovered a love for helping young dancers build confidence, strengthen their technique, and find their own love for dance. Since 2023, she has been working with Topsail Dance Arts, where she continues to grow as an educator and choreographer while creating a welcoming, positive, and inspiring environment for every dancer.
Emily Price
Preschool & Recreational InstructorMiss Emily started dance at the age of six and has danced for thirteen years in styles of hip hop, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and ballet. She competed for eight years in hip hop, tap, and contemporary. While on her competition team, Emily found a passion for working with younger kids and began working as an assistant teacher for hip hop classes. Dance has always been a major part of Emily’s everyday life and she can’t wait to teach future generations to dance anywhere and everywhere like no one’s watching.
Samantha Trausch
Preschool & Recreational InstructorSamantha, an Ohio native, has been teaching dance since 2021 in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip hop to all ages. She also has experience assisting with the production of performances and serving as a choreographer for musical productions. Miss Sam graduated from Hope College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance: Performance & Choreography and Business, with a minor in Dance Pedagogy. While at Hope, she was a member of the StrikeTime Dance Theatre for two years, creating shows based on children’s books and performing them for local elementary schools. Miss Sam began dancing at age three and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, and pointe. She is excited to continue sharing her love of dance and helping her students grow as dancers and people.
Joanna Gelsinger
Studio ManagerJoanna is originally from Virginia and has an educational background in Early Childhood Education, Marketing, and Communications. She is a preschool teacher who has a passion for working with children and watching them grow.
Joanna is also a wife and proud mom of two. She fell in love with dance through her daughter, who has been dancing with Topsail Dance Arts for almost five years. Her son joined TDA in 2025, making dance an even more special part of their family.
Watching her children grow in confidence, build friendships, and develop their love for dance has been such a joy. Joanna is grateful for the friendships, memories, and community that Topsail Dance Arts has brought into her family’s lives and is excited to be part of the TDA family.