Shannon Rush Dance

Miss Amanda J. Karsner 

Studio Manager & Instructor. Amanda took on the role of Studio Manager in September 2016. Since 2005, Amanda has been an instructor for dancers in all levels and styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop and has experience teaching on a competitive and recreational level. She especially enjoys our youngest dancers and being able to share her love of dance with them while creating a fun and educational atmosphere.

Amanda has been dancing at the Wheaton Studio since she was 5 years old. Amanda became DMA certified in 2015 through the Teachers Training School program in Buffalo, NY, where she studied dance education in levels from beginner to advanced. She has since been a member of Dance Masters of America (DMA) Chapter 17, and continues to attend workshops, classes, and conventions, both locally and out of state. She has attended the N.Y.C. Dance Teachers Summit in 2017, and also received her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in 2018.

Amanda has choreographed for the Petite/Teen Competition Team’s at the Wheaton Studio, and the Junior Team at the Damascus Studio. Her dancers have won overall high scores and titles in both Jazz and Lyrical routines and attended National Competitions in the Poconos & Ocean City where they placed in the Top Ten overall scoring. In addition, she will be taking over the Rising Stars & Junior Competition Team at the Wheaton Studio in 2021-2022 dance season. 

As an educator, Amanda believes in the artistic potential of every student, and emphasizes that dance should be fun for all. Amanda looks forward to another dance season and is excited to pass on her love of dance to her returning and new students. 

Miss Shauntrese Ambush

During her 20+ year career as a dancer and choreographer Shauntrese has traveled all over the United States performing and choreographing in shows for dance companies, organizations, dance competitions, and events. Many of her former students have gone on to perform with Beyonce, Usher, and Rihanna as well as on Broadway, Professional Dance Companies, Cruise Ships, and become dance instructors themselves. She studied locally with Maryland Youth Ballet, Jones and Haywood Ballet Academy, and The Washington School of Ballet. She trained in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Gymnastics and Musical Theatre with Terry's School of Dance and Gymnastics as well as Frans Studio of Dance . While there she danced on their company teams ,and as a soloist, winning many Regional and National Titles along with numerous Overall awards. She recieved scholarships to Alvin Ailey, Gus Giordano and Philadanco where she trained and danced on their companies. Miss Shauntrese has also judged local and national competitions for dance and cheer. She has received numerous awards for her choreography from Overall High Scores, Top Teacher and Outstanding Studio. Throughout her travels she tries to remain humble and give her all in everything that she does. Her goal is to teach and uplift students in all areas of dance. She wants her students to love and appreciate the art form of dance as much as she does.

Miss Sara Bache 

Sara Bache has been dancing since 1996. She was the captain on the Good Counsel Poms Dance team. She went on to become the captain and President of the Salisbury State Poms Dance team from 2012-2015. She has been teaching dance for many years now and received her degree minoring in dance from Fulton School of Liberal Arts. Miss Sara's course work was dance appreciation, creative modern dance, ballet, jazz, and dance teaching. She has received many awards at dance competitions in the WMA area. She has taught all ages of dance teaching ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical. She participated in the Dance Teacher Summit in New York where she was able to gain information to further her teaching career while taking class with Mia Michaels, tWitch, and Mandy Moore. Miss Sara recently obtained her certification in Acrobatic Arts and is excited for the new acro program at the studio! 

Miss Jen Nardi  

Miss Jen joined our staff at the Damascus Studio of Dance in 2019. She has trained in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hiphop and Tap. She studied and took classes at Rhode Island College, Commotion Dance Studio and Shining Stars School of Performing Arts. She recently graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre. She recently performed in Rhode Island College’s productions of Beauty and Beast, and Seussical. She has also worked with Damascus Theatre Company. Most recently she was a part of their production of Into The Woods Jr. She is very excited to teach and continue sharing the love of the arts.  

Mr. Darren Wilson

Mr. Darren's love for sound and rhythm began at a young age. He studied dance at Knock on Wood Tap Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland as a member and dance captain of the resident Tappers With Attitude Youth Tap Ensemble. The countless rehearsals, master classes, and performances in venues such as the Kennedy Center and  Wolf Trap were made all the more enjoyable because he could share it with his mother; who was a member of the co-resident Step Aside. He went on to attend Michigan State University to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism. While there, he served as a rhythm and Broadway tap instructor for the award winning Synergy Dance Academy competition team in Okemos, Michigan. Darren's passion for teaching extends far beyond the studio. He is entering his 9th year teaching in the Montgomery County Public Schools System. Darren is excited to join this amazing faculty and can't wait to hit the floor. In the words of one of his favorite dancers Sammy Davis Jr: "If I should die, let me do it with my tap shoes on."