Faculty

Brea McBride – Owner/Artistic Director

Dance Educator, Competitive Teams Director

Brea McBride began her training in her hometown of Ironton, Ohio at Yvonne Dekay’s School of Dance.  She has also lived and studied in New Orleans, San Francisco, and New York City.  After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC, she was hired as a Mainstage Performer for Disney Cruise Lines.  Brea began her career as a dance educator at The Cynthia King Dance Studio in Brooklyn, NY.  She has taught and choreographed for several local VT studios since moving here in 2004.  Proud moments include restaging a children’s play for the Shelburne Players, choreographing a piece for the Haunted Forest, and working with the children at Camp Dream and Camp Kiniya.  Her most recent professional experience as a principal ballerina in Ballet Vermont’s production of Bee’s and Friends was incredibly thrilling.  Brea credits much of her success in opening her own studio to the completion of the Start-Up Course offered through the Women’s Small Business Program.

Emily Hemsted – Ballet, Jazz, & Competitive Teams Instructor

Emily Hemsted began dancing in her hometown of Milton, VT at the age of two. She began dancing with Brea McBride at age seven and started dancing competitively shortly thereafter. Emily has been a loyal member of Infinity Dance Studio since its opening day in 2011. Emily has trained in many styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and pointe. Some of her proudest moments include dancing the role of Clara in the Albany Berkshire Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker in 2011. She earned the title of Regional Miss Teen Diva and National Miss Teen Diva in 2013 and was invited to join the Diva Dance Competition National Team. Emily graduated from the University of Vermont, with a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Outside of the dance studio, Emily works as a speech-language pathologist at a local elementary school.

Ashley Wimble- Pre-School Creative and Ballet & Tap Combo Instructor

Ashley Wimble began dancing with Brea McBride at the age of nine. She has enjoyed being a part of studio life since its opening in 2011. Ashley is trained in various styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She danced competitively for several years, performing duets at local competitions. After graduating from high school in 2019, Ashley went on to pursue her goal of becoming a preschool teacher. She earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education and is now teaching at a local preschool. She is excited about the upcoming dance season.

 

Emmy VanTine- Guest Instructor

Emmy VanTine is currently a student attending CCV and hopes to pursue a career in Respiratory Therapy. She started dancing at Infinity Dance Studio at 10 years old, and has competed in solo, duet, trio, and group dances in many different styles in both regional and national competitions. During Emmy’s competitive career, she had received a certificate to join the Ohio University dance team, and has danced in the WIDC national battle competition. Emmy loves working with children, and appreciates getting the opportunity to teach at Infinity!!

Ava Filan – Guest Instructor 

Ava Filan is currently a freshman at the University of Vermont, pursuing a major of elementary education and a possible minor of American Sign Language (ASL). She began dancing with Brea McBride at the age of 10, and was a member of the Infinity competition team for 7 years.  Her solos, duets, and group dances went up against some of the best dancers in New England in both local and National competitions.  Ava has received training and taken master classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop, just to name a few. During her competitive career, Ava was offered a scholarship interview to the University of Ohio in 2021, received multiple high scoring awards, and participated in the National Young Choreography Team for Diva Dance Competition on multiple occasions, eventually winning in 2019. In addition to being a full time student, Ava is excited to be able continue dancing, and continue her teaching career at Infinity!

Ava Lovely – Guest Instructor

Ava Lovely is currently a full time student attending Essex High School and intends to pursue a career in early childhood education. She began dancing at Infinity Dance Studio at the age 9 and has competed in solo, duet and group dances in a variety of styles in both Regional and National competitions. Ava has received training and taken master classes in ballet, jazz, and lyrical as well as in tap and musical theater. During Ava’s competitive career, she received multiple high scoring awards, was a dancer in the Take Center Stage National Team Dance and won the Diva Dance CdLSSpirit Award twice. Ava enjoys working with children, and she loves getting the opportunity to teach at Infinity when she can!