Legacy
Celebrating 43 Seasons of Inspiring Dancers, Building Families, and Shaping Artists
A Legacy of Dance Education
For over four decades, D'Ann Danse Studios has inspired dancers to grow through exceptional training in Technique, Performance, and Artistry.
Since opening our doors in 1983, our mission has remained the same: to provide a learning environment where every student is encouraged to build a strong technical foundation, discover the joy of performance, and develop the artistry that allows them to express themselves with confidence and authenticity.
At D'Ann Danse, dance is about more than learning steps. It is about developing discipline, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts within a supportive, family-centered community.
Our Philosophy
Dance is a universal language that reaches beyond words, cultures, and generations. It inspires creativity, builds confidence, and creates meaningful connections that last a lifetime.
We believe every dancer deserves instruction that is technically sound, artistically inspiring, and thoughtfully designed for their individual stage of development. Through age-appropriate training, choreography, music, and costuming, students are encouraged to discover not only what they can accomplish—but who they can become.
Our goal is to develop confident dancers, expressive artists, and respectful young people in an environment where excellence and encouragement go hand in hand.
Our Guiding Principles
God • Family • Dance
These three words have guided D'Ann Danse Studios from the very beginning and continue to shape every class, every performance, and every relationship we build.
Our commitment is to create an environment where dancers are challenged to pursue excellence, encouraged to support one another, and inspired to become confident artists both on and off the stage.
Every dancer's journey is unique, and every family who walks through our doors becomes part of the continuing legacy of D'Ann Danse Studios.
A LEGACY of EXCELLENCE
Founded in 1983
Celebrating 43 Seasons of Excellence
27-time Official Maryland State Delegate to Dance Excellence
Alumni performing on Broadway, national tours, television, cruise lines, theme parks, and professional stages
Performance invitations including the Egyptian Embassy, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Meet Our Founder
For more than 43 years, Debbie Lombardo-Wehlan has served as a dance educator, choreographer, artistic director, and mentor to generations of dancers throughout Delmarva. As the founder of D'Ann Danse Studios, she has devoted her career to helping young dancers develop technical excellence, artistic expression, self-confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.
Ms. Debbie began her professional career as a performer before expanding her work as a teacher, choreographer, producer, adjudicator, and dance consultant. Drawing upon extensive training in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theatre, ballroom, and world dance traditions, she has developed a teaching philosophy that emphasizes strong technical foundations, artistic expression, and age-appropriate training. Her students are known for their versatility, confidence, and expressive performance quality.
A former Salisbury State College dance faculty member, Ms. Debbie holds Dance Masters Certification through Kent State University and has served as Treasurer and Vice President of the Maryland Council for Dance. Throughout her career, she has received national recognition for excellence in choreography, dance education, and student achievement. She has also been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, Dance Excellence, New York City Dance Alliance, and the Governor of Maryland for the extraordinary accomplishments of her students.
Ms. Debbie's work and the achievements of D'Ann Danse Studios have been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Magazine, Dancer Magazine, and Dance Pages, reflecting the studio's longstanding reputation for excellence in dance education.
Under her direction, D'Ann Danse dancers have performed at the Egyptian Embassy, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the Orange Bowl, and as members of the International Dance Excellence Company. The studio has proudly represented Maryland as the Official State Delegate to Dance Excellence on 27 occasions, providing young dancers with exceptional educational and performance opportunities on both national and international stages.
Many D'Ann Danse alumni have earned college scholarships and gone on to successful careers as professional performers, teachers, choreographers, and arts leaders. Former students have appeared in Tony Award-winning Broadway productions, national touring companies, television, commercials, cruise lines, theme parks, and other professional venues throughout the country.
Most recently, D'Ann Danse dancers earned Diamond Awards and Title Honors while participating in the filming of Dance Moms: A New Era, continuing a tradition of excellence that has spanned more than four decades.
Meet Our Faculty
Our faculty brings together decades of professional experience, collegiate leadership, award-winning choreography, and a shared passion for inspiring every dancer to grow in technique, artistry, confidence, and character.
Tori Lowe
Instructor • Choreographer • Competition Coach
Ms. Tori began her competitive dance journey at the age of seven and has grown into an accomplished performer, award-winning choreographer, and dedicated educator. With training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, and pom, she has developed a special passion for Commercial Jazz, American Jazz, Musical Theatre, and choreography.
Her dedication to dance earned her All-American honors, and she served as Captain of her high school dance team before continuing her leadership at Salisbury University, where she currently serves as Captain of the Salisbury University Poms Dance Team.
As both an instructor and competition coach, Ms. Tori is passionate about helping dancers build strong technical foundations while developing confidence, artistry, and a genuine love for performance. Her award-winning choreography reflects her creativity and commitment to bringing each dancer's unique strengths to the stage in a positive, encouraging environment.
Gabby Moore
Instructor • Choreographer • Competition Coach
Ms. Gabby brings 16 years of dance training and 12 years of competitive dance experience, with extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She currently performs as a member of the Salisbury University Poms Team, continuing her love of performance at the collegiate level.
Ms. Gabby trained under the McGovern Method and at Artistic Movement Academy of Dance, where she developed a strong technical foundation and an appreciation for artistic expression. Throughout her competitive career, she earned two title championships and received numerous scholarships in lyrical and contemporary through the United States Tournament of Dance and Dance Masters of America.
As both an instructor and competition coach, Ms. Gabby is passionate about helping dancers grow in confidence, technique, and artistry. She is committed to creating a positive and encouraging classroom where every student feels inspired to work hard, express themselves creatively, and discover the joy of dance.
Kara Bevins
Instructor • Choreographer • Competition Coach
Ms. Kara began dancing at the age of five and developed a lifelong passion for ballet and lyrical dance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, combining her love of teaching with her passion for dance to create a positive, encouraging learning environment for students of all ages.
With training in ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, and jazz, Ms. Kara is dedicated to helping dancers build strong technical foundations while developing confidence, artistry, and a love of dance. She is especially loved by her preschool and ballet students for her gentle, patient, and encouraging teaching style, creating a classroom where children feel supported, respected, and excited to learn.
Ms. Kara believes that discipline and kindness go hand in hand. She nurtures each dancer with warmth and encouragement while helping them develop the focus, confidence, and technical skills needed to reach their fullest potential.
Lily Wagner
Instructor • Choreographer
Ms. Lily Wagner grew up immersed in the world of dance, training in a variety of styles while performing each year in her studio's cherished production of The Nutcracker. These experiences helped shape both her technical foundation and her lifelong love of the performing arts.
While Ms. Lily enjoys all forms of dance, her greatest passion is teaching. She finds genuine joy in inspiring young dancers through movement, creativity, and meaningful connections, helping each child build confidence while discovering the excitement of learning and performing.
Known for her warm personality and encouraging spirit, Ms. Lily creates a positive classroom where dancers feel welcomed, supported, and motivated to reach their fullest potential. She is committed to helping every student develop strong technique, artistic expression, and a lifelong love of dance.
Finding the Right Fit Matters
Every child is unique.
That's why we take time to get to know each dancer before thoughtfully recommending the program that best supports their age, experience, goals, and interests.
We invite every new family to schedule a studio visit, meet our staff, and experience firsthand what makes D'Ann Danse feel like home.
THE STORY CONTINUES ...
Every journey begins with a single thread.
For more than 43 seasons, those threads have become lifelong friendships, treasured memories, dedicated teachers, proud alumni, and generations of families who continue to call D'Ann Danse Studios home.
We invite you to meet the people who have helped make D'Ann Danse Studios so much more than a dance school. Together, they have built a place where friendships are formed, confidence grows, and generations of families have found a home.