About - Dance Unlimited of Highlands County

Our staff is composed of instructors that have spent numerous years in the industry as professional dancers, instructors and studio owners. Many of our staff are currently certified teachers along with other professionals that have had numerous years experience working with children.

Dance Unlimited is owned and operated by Camille Jones Shaffer. Camille has lived in Highlands county since 1987, but is originally from Toronto, Ontario Canada where she studied dance before moving to Sebring. She had been a student at Dance Unlimited from 1990 to 1992 before becoming an instructor and then the owner in 2001. She has taken both British and Canadian examinations in ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics as a student and has also taken classes at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

After spending some time attending UCF to study psychology and working with children and adults with Autism as a behavior specialist, Camille now uses her training in behavior modification to make her even more effective to her students. She has trained numerous dancers that have gone on to perform professionally and even open their own dance studios. Known for her award-winning choreography, Camille is proud to be the owner of Highlands County’s leading dance studio.

Meet Our Staff

Stephanie Schiepsmeier

Ballet Tech. Combo & Company Teams

Stephanie Scheipsmeier is a dancer with twenty-six years of experience. She grew up dancing at Dance Unlimited in Highlands County. After graduating Sebring High School, Stephanie attended the University of Florida where she earned her Master’s degree in Education. It is here that she opened a dance studio of her own and watched it thrive through the years. In 2006, Stephanie decided to move back to her home town of Sebring. She got married and joined forces with Camille Shaffer to once again get back to her roots at Dance Unlimited. Stephanie has choreographed a number of award winnings solos, duet/trios, and group numbers during her time as a dance instructor. She was recognized in Dance Magazine, won choreography awards, and several of her students have gone on to have prestigious dance careers. Stephanie continues to progress her passion for dance and her enthusiasm working with students of all ages.

Nancy McDuffee

Ballet Tech. & Combo Classes

Prior to moving to Florida, Nancy McDuffee had been a studio owner and director for over 30 years. Having owned studios in both Connecticut and South Carolina, Nancy has be recognized for her award-winning choreography. A few of her accolades are best petite and junior division at competitions like Dance Explosion, Encore, DTI, Dance Caravan, I Love Dance and Starbound National Talent. Nancy has been trained in the Cechetti method of ballet along with extensive training in tap and jazz. Nancy also holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater from the Central Connecticut State University.

Shannon Turner

Dance Instructor

Being a Highlands County native, not only is Shannon Turner a DU alumni, she was the captain of the SHS dance team and Ms. Stephanie’s cousin!! She graduated from Sebring High School and then pursued a degree in Elementary Education from USF. Ms. Shannon has been teaching for over 15 years and is currently a 2nd grade teacher at Avon Elementary School. Shannon lives in Sebring with her husband who is a former US Marine currently working with the HCSO K-9 unit. We are so blessed to have such an amazing teacher as a part of our team!!

Carla O'Donovan

Dance Instructor

After growing up in Sebring, dancing, competing and student teaching at Dance Unlimited, Carla O’Donovan moved in 2000 to Orlando, FL where she obtained two Bachelor of Arts degrees; one in Psychology and one in Criminal Justice from the University of Central. In 2004 Carla moved to NYC where she lived for a few years working in foster care and fulfilling a dream of living in the city she always adored! Carla moved back to Florida in 2007 and continued to work with at risk children, youth, and families in both Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Fl for 8 years. Finally, after spending 15 years away from her hometown, Carla returned to Sebring, Fl to be closer to her family. Carla is currently the Case Manager, and Utilization Review Manager at Next Generation Village, a substance abuse, inpatient treatment facility for teens that was just built here in Sebring. Carla is so excited to be back teaching dance at the studio she grew up in alongside an amazing staff including Miss. Camille and Miss. Stephanie who she danced with many years ago and is feels lucky to call friends. Even more exciting for Carla is to have her small daughter, Lincoln, now dancing at the same studio she danced at growing up. Carla is also the Sebring High School JV Cheerleading Coach this season and a certified Zumba instructor. “Being a part of this amazing dance family is an honor and privilege.”-Miss. Carla

Janiah Ross

Hiphop

Janiah Ross was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Highlands County in elementary school. Her initial interest in dance was only in Hiphop, but after her first year, she began ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics! Janiah’s natural ability with dance lead her to become involved with the competitive dancers at Dance Unlimited soon after her second year at the studio. She competed in numerous small and large groups and even was a competitive soloist winning at prestigious competitions and conventions like Jump and Celebrity. After graduating high school, Janiah became a Phlebotomist and worked locally before reconnecting with Dance Unlimited last year. Janiah’s passion for dance has never left and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to rekindle her love of dance and share it with her students.

Allysun Collar

Acro

Growing up in Fishers Indiana, Allysun Collar participated in many sports but spent the majority of her time involved in competitive gymnastics at the highest level. After graduating from Indiana University with a B.S. in elementary education, she moved to Florida with her husband. Allysun taught for the Highlands County School Board for several years before having three children of her own and opening their own personal training business, Fitness Together, in 2008. Allysun has been teaching acro at DU since 2010 and has enjoyed combining her love of dance and acro with her passion for teaching. Allysun believes strongly in teaching proper technique and fundamentals to develop our dancers to their greatest potential.

Whitney Schroeder

Gymnastics

Whitney Schroeder was born in Maui, Hawaii where she competed in gymnastics and varsity track, cross country, soccer cheerleading and diving. Whitney moved to Sebring, Florida immediately after high school to attend bible college, where she met her husband, Buck. She traveled to Africa, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Honduras,Israel and through Europe doing missionary work. In 2012 she got married and was a military wife as her husband served in the United States Army. After his contract was up they decided to move back home and be closer to family and raise their two children Wendy and Bo. Whitney has been coaching gymnastics and cheerleading since she was 18 years old. She also recently competed in a women’s division here in Florida and won first place all around. Her passion is children and teaching them to not only love what they do but to excel at it. “I’m so excited to be apart of the DU family and am honored to have this opportunity”

Tracy Schuknecht

Musical Theater & Voice

Bio coming soon.

Lisa Kern

PreDance & Acro

Lisa began taking dance at the age of 4 at Sal’s Dance School in Pembroke Pines, Fl and then later moved and studied at the Academy of Ballet Arts. She has studied all forms of dance including gymnastics in south Florida and continued to dance when she moved to Sebring in 1989. Lisa was a cheerleader in highschool and college along with a member of the Sebring High School Highsteppers. Dance has always been a passion for Lisa and a part of who she is. She began assisting with classes at Dance Unlimited in 2010 and moved to teaching her own classes later that year. Lisa loves sharing her high energy and passion for dance and acrobatics with her students. Her goal is to pass along the same love and drive for dance that she has to her students.

Nelly Ford

Voice

Nelly Ford is thrilled to be part of the DU family as a vocal coach. She has performed locally in a variety of venues including Home Town Tunes, Pig Fest, and the Caladium Festival. Nelly volunteers at Highlands Little Theatre where she has been seen on stage performing as Fantine in Les Miserables, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. Nelly minored in music at Florida State University where she earned a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and Policy and Administration. After college, Nelly moved to NYC to study voice and perform as a member of the NiteStar Theater Company. She has continued to develop her skills in vocal performance and technique through professional workshops with Pablo Zinger, Sloan Wainwright, Nelly Vuksic and other vocal instructors who encourage young vocalist to take care of their developing voices and give feedback on how to improve singing techniques.

Angie McCall

Office Manager

Angie McCall was the owner and operator of a successful business in Highlands County from 2004-2011 with her husband Wayne. Managing an office along with accounting and great customer service is her forte! Angie currently works for the county and resides in Sebring with her husband and two children.