Metro Dance Academy Staff
Stephanie Morris
Director, Company Artistic Director, Instructor
Stephanie has a passion for creating and cultivating young dancers into skilled performers. She thrives in the teaching environment where she has the chance to help shape dancers into true artists. In 2011, Stephanie was given the opportunity to create and direct Metro Dance Academy, which grew to 150 dancers over a 4-year period. After moving internationally and continuing her personal growth in dance and fitness, Steph is thrilled to be back at Metro working to grow and expand what she started 11 years ago.
Stephanie is a 4-year veteran BlazerDancer for Portland’s NBA basketball team, the Trailblazers. Throughout her dance career, Stephanie has kept busy with teaching dance, and discovering a love for choreography. Teaching at various camps and studios in the Portland area, Stephanie has had the opportunity to really grow as an instructor. Other dance credits: NBA China Tours, NBA Madness events in Korea and the Philippines, the Oregon All-State Dance Team, and Miss Thunderbird at Thunderbird Dance Camp and the creation of Strut Dance in Vancouver, BC Canada.
Steph is formally trained in the dance styles of Jazz, Street Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Ballet, and Tap, and is not only a dancer, but an all around performer. She is a veteran of the stage through dance competitions, musicals, plays, as well as vocal recitals. With a true love of performing and entertaining, Stephanie pursued her degree at the Conservatory of Music at Chapman University in Orange County California, focusing on a Vocal Performance degree, while remaining on top of her dance technique through classes at Chapman and Jimmie Defore Dance Center for the Arts.
Most recently, Steph has spent the last 7 years in Vancouver, BC Canada where she expanded into the world of adult focused dance, spin, barre/Pilates and fitness classes. Stephanie is the creator of Strut Dance, which evolved from her time as a professional NBA dancer. Strut is a style that allows dancers of all levels to build dance confidence through a fun and energetic class setting. Stephanie brings fresh energy and insight to her teaching and always looks forward to inspiring dancers of all ages and levels.