ALICIA NORWOOD, CO-OWNER/DIRECTOR
Alicia Norwood’s dance training began at Jill Mallory School of Dance. She continued her studies at the Donna Lee Studio of Dance, dancing there until her graduation from high school. Alicia was one of the original members of Expressions Dance Company under the artistic direction of Donna Lee Roach. She went on to become Assistant Artistic Director of Expressions, and is now Co-Artistic Director of the dance company. She has been sharing her passion for dance excellence as a teacher of tap, jazz and ballet at the Donna Lee Studio for over twenty years.
In 1986, she became a member of Dance Masters of America and Florida Dance Masters (FDM). Alicia served on the board of directors of FDM for ten years and was the head of the jazz department at South Miami Elementary Magnet School for six years. Alicia has produced students who have been awarded the titles of “Miss Dance of Florida” and “Miss Homestead” and who have been awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships. Her students have become professional dancers with Walt Disney World, The Young Americans, and many renowned ballet companies. Currently, as the Co-Owner/Director of Donna Lee Studio of Dance, Alicia Norwood is continuing the tradition of quality dance education in the South Miami Dade community.
VICTORIA GONZALEZ, CO-OWNER/DIRECTOR
Vicky Gonzalez (“Ms. Vicky”) began her dance training in South Florida at Donna Lee Studio of Dance. From there, she went on to study at the schools of the Hartford Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Princeton Ballet School and the Ballet Academy of Miami. In 1996 she was honored to share the stage with the great Fernando Bujones in the ballet, Paquita. Upon graduating from New World School of the Arts High School in Miami, Vicky accepted a position with the American Repertory Ballet Company in Princeton, New Jersey. She toured nationally and internationally, performing the works of world-renowned choreographers including Michael Utoff, George Balanchine, Lila York, Septime Weber, and more. After that, Vicky danced with the Roxey Ballet Company as one of their founding soloist dancers before returning to Miami to be closer to home. In Miami, she continued her performing career as a principal dancer with Ballet Theatre of Miami under the direction of Tony Catanzaro. It was at this time that she brought her considerable knowledge, training, and passion to the students of Donna Lee Studio of Dance, where she began her teaching career in 2001. In 2006, Vicky became one of the owners of “Donna Lee” and an Artistic Director of Expressions Dance Company. There, she has shared her joy for dance with countless young dancers ever since. While she believes that dance has gifts for every child, many of her students have also been honored with awards and titles for their performances. They have been accepted – and received scholarships – to the dance programs of colleges and universities including The Juilliard School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, The School of American Ballet, and more. Her students can be found dancing professionally on cruise ships, at Walt Disney World, with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Ballet Met, and New Orleans Ballet Theatre. Perhaps one of Ms. Vicky’s favorites is when her dancers grow up to become dance teachers themselves. Ms. Vicky is honored to teach dance in a place that is a staple in the Homestead community. It is her privilege to maintain the traditions of excellence and the family atmosphere created by Ms. Donna Lee herself. From seeing the spark in the eyes of a toddler and watching them grow into amazing young adults, to working alongside a fabulous faculty and staff, she is thankful each and every day for the opportunity to enhance the lives of children and families in her community. Ms. Vicky plans to keep her favorite traditions alive for generations to come.
