Starz Dance Connection Faculty & Staff

Creative Director + Owner 

2024/25 Season: 

Instructor of Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Leaps and Turns

Theresa Pallotta (Reeci) graduated from UNC-Charlotte with her Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance. While at UNC-Charlotte, she focused in courses in choreography, improv, and Ballet Pedagogy. Reeci began dancing at the age of three and has been trained in multiple genres. She began competing at the age of 6 and continued until she graduated high school. In 2022, Reeci has been teaching for over 10 years and knew that it was something that she wanted to do since she was a young dancer. During her tenure as an instructor/choreographer and Director of Operations at former studios, she has been recognized for her outstanding choreography. Her competitive routines have earned two choreography awards and placed in the overalls multiple times. Her desire is to inspire her students to reach their fullest potential, to trust themselves, and to have confidence in everything they do. The steps and technique are important, but so is the feeling behind them.

Costume Manager

2024/25 Season: 

Instructor of Leaps and Turns, Jazz, Ballet, & Pointe

MaryCait has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She began teaching prep classes during high school. 

MaryCait has a degree in Small Business Management with a minor in Marketing. While in college she began her teaching certification through

Dance Master of America. MaryCait also spent time taking classes with dancers from the Alvin Ailey America Dance Center and The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. MaryCait enjoyed studying and performing with The Nest a non-profit dance organization based in the Philadelphia area. 

She has always wanted to spark a love

and passion for dance in children. MaryCait is beyond grateful she has the continued opportunity to do so!

2024/25 Season: 

Instructor of Tap, Jazz Funk, & Leaps and Turns

Meg Peslis brings a wealth of professional dance and instructional experience to Starz Dance Connection. She came to the Myrtle Beach area in 2018 and has been with the studio ever since. In her time at the beach, Meg has also gained her Certification as a State board licensed Esthetician.

Meg began dancing at age 12. She trained with many top greats from NYC to LA. Some of the aforementioned include Gregory Hines, Michael Flatley, Savion Glover and Brenda Buffalino. Meg was hand-picked to provide tap notation for Gregory Hines. She completed coursework at the Governor's School of the Arts (Erie, PA) where she focused on choreography, tap and jazz. She has earned numerous awards - 1992 Miss Dance Olympus, Rising Star National Champion and two President’s Cup Awards at DEA Nationals.

Her professional experiences include a year-long stint as a principal dancer with the Sesame Street Live Touring Group. Portraying “Zoe”, Meg performed in countless shows all across the United States & Canada. In addition to touring with Sesame Street Live, she also completed a three month tour dancing professionally in Aruba. Before coming to Starz Dance Connection, Meg taught tap master classes across the nation. As an instructor for over 12 years at the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet Company and the Hershey School of Dance, she excelled at teaching tap, jazz and hip-hop in private and group sessions. Meg brings unending energy, creativity, passion and enthusiasm to her dance instruction and most importantly, to her students. 

Creative Assistant Director  

2024/25 Season: 

Instructor of Musical Theatre, Ballet, & Strength and Conditioning

Sally is a former professional dancer, singer, and actor. She received her Bachelors in Performing Arts degree from Oklahoma City University and has her Masters in Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida. 

Sally's performance career expands in many areas. She had the opportunity to perform in the Broadway workshop, Stilyagi, written by Lisa Kron, directed by Michael Mayer (Ensemble, New York Stage and Film), toured Nationally with Dirty Dancing (Understudy Penny & Vivian/Ensemble), and also performed in numerous regional productions. Many of those include: Paint Your Wagon (Emily/Mary/Ensemble, The Muny), Oklahoma (Aggie, The Muny), Monty Python's Spamalot (Ensemble/Minstrel, The Muny), An American in Paris (Featured Ensemble, Ogunquit Playhouse), Will Rogers Follies (Ensemble/Zulecki, Pioneer Theatre), Will Rogers Follies (Ensemble, Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Singin in the Rain (Understudy Cyd Charisse & Zelda/Ensemble, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina). Concert/Benefits: Muny Centennial Gala (Ensemble, The Muny), Omaha Symphony (Ensemble, Omaha Symphony Orchestra). 

Aside from live theatre, Sally had the opportunity to be seen in the TV series, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Oklahoma maid, Amazon Prime), and Vinyl (Concert Goer, HBO).

 Sally most recently managed a functional fitness training facility in Conway, SC, and was also previously a Barre Fitness Trainer when living in NYC. She is currently on faculty at Endless Talent Conventions and is a professional judge for Stage One, Endless Talent, Ultimate Dance Tour, Dance Troupe Inc, and Carolina Dance Masters of America dance competitions. She is also a Choreographer and Teacher across the East Coast. 

Sally was a Dance Professor for the Theatre Department at Coastal Carolina University (CCU), as well as a Fitness Trainer at CCU, and is a Certified Plant-Based Health Coach with the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. Follow: @sallygburr

2024/25 Season: 

Instructor of Hip Hop

Stephen Williams grew up here at the beach and that is where he pursued his  formal dance training.  Before he began training, Stephen was cast as a dancer in his high school productions of Aida, Cats, and Oklahoma, Stephen then continued his dance career pursuit by attending Wintrhop University and studying Dance Performance.

Professionally, Stephen performed in High Steppin Country! which is known as one of the Grand Strand's longest running shows. Shortly after performing with High Steppin, he began his career in teaching dance. 

Since then, Stephen performed professionally with Princess Cruise Lines, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and many regional theaters around the country. 

After taking a break from dance for family, Stephen returns to his former passion of helping shape next generation of amazing dancers as an instructor. 

Front Desk Manager

Melissa Drescher spent 10 years as a host, and manager and has spent the last 3 years working as a bank teller outside of her time at the studio. 

She is a dedicated mom to 2 dancers and her son who is always around as a studio mascot! She is like another mom to all of our dancers and she's always there to help! Stop by the desk to say hello!