Deanna Gallardo has been owner and director of Mirror Image Dance Academy for the past 19 years, and has used her creative talents to establish a high quality, progressive, Christian-based dance academy.  Her dance background includes dancing in theater productions, and overseas.  She has choreographed numerous musicals, recitals, and productions, but her true passion is in teaching children.  “The studio is a realization of several passions of mine:  dancing, teaching, and ministering to youth,” she admits.  “I love coming to work and laughing every day.  The little ones are so honest and loving, and the older students are always eager to learn.”  Deanna can be found teaching a variety of classes at Mirror Image from Lil' Angels (for 30-36 months) to Praise, to Team class.  She also teaches dance at Mirror Image Dance Preschool, which she founded 13 years ago.  In addition, Deanna holds degrees in English and Business, and is a professional photographer. 

Deanna and Dave, her husband of 30+ years, reside in Valparaiso and have two grown children, Jordan and Kamryn, and one very spoiled dog, Kenzie.

Dave Gallardo has been a singer and an actor his whole life.  As a young performer, Dave received best actor awards and scholarships and frequently played the lead role.  As a vocalist, Dave has been sought after to perform at churches, weddings, and events and has performed with various bands.  Teaching and coaching has always been a passion of his, as Dave has coached basketball for over 20 years.  The combination of coaching and performing came to a culmination with the start of Performing 101, a class where Dave coaches students in voice and acting. Students of all ages enjoy Mr. Dave’s classes and he can often be found teaching a private vocal lesson or just belting out the latest tunes.  Dave has been married to Miss Dee for over 30 years and has 2 grown kids and one fur baby, Kenzie.  In his spare time, Mr. Dave loves to sing, work out, and cook.  

Molly Vass began her dance training at the age of 3.  She performed and competed for many years before becoming a dance instructor and choreographer for Mirror Image.  She has appeared in numerous plays, musicals, show choirs, and dance teams throughout Northwest Indiana.  Molly has taught high school dance teams across the U.S. and is a sought after choreographer and judge for dance teams and competitions.  She also trained at Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World as well as the Joffrey Ballet School Summer Intensive.   Molly graduated from Hope College receiving a BA in English and dance education.  There she performed with Striketime Dance Company as well as Insync Dance Theater, serving as choreographer and tap rehearsal director. Upon graduation, Molly received numerous accolades and awards for dance excellence.  She is currently pursuing all of her passions and staying busy by teaching English at VHS, choreographing for musicals, and teaching at Mirror Image!  Molly is engaged to Victor and is the proud fur mama to Baxter, her rescue pup.

Kari Gearhart is originally from Omaha, Nebraska and literally grew up in a dance studio!  Her mom, Donni Meyer Bane, was her first dance instructor when Kari began formal lessons at age 5 in the family dance studio. Throughout her years training under her mom, she also studied with various instructors in Chicago and New York.  Kari has an extensive background in musical theatre, performing in productions throughout the Omaha area.  In addition, she has worked with American Entertainment Productions, performing in several theme parks across the country, for Carnival Cruise Lines, and for various industrials throughout the world.  Kari has also choreographed  various musical theatre productions and show choirs and has even served as a judge for Rising Star Dance Competition.  At the age of 20, Kari began teaching classes and over the years has taught ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theatre and Pilates.  Kari is married to her husband Gregg and they have two daughters, Cassidy and Mackenzie and one dog named Bo.  When Kari isn’t dancing or teaching, you can probably find her cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Go Big Red!!

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Taylor White began her dance education as a child and dance has been a passion of hers ever since.  While dancing and assisting with classes in her teens, Taylor discovered a love for teaching as well. Her dance background has consisted of an array of genres, including ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop and Hawaiian/Tahitian. Taylor is excited to share her love for dance with the students here at Mirror Image!

In addition to her passion for dance, Taylor loves working with people and is a loan officer at Teachers Credit Union. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, baking, and playing with her dogs.

Taylor currently lives in Valparaiso with her husband, Troy, and their four furry children - Shooter, Mila, Ollie and Pepper.

Jordyn Romersberger was first introduced to dance through the marching band at her high school where she performed as a soloist numerous times in the winter guard and color guard.  She graduated with a BA in studio art and a minor in dance from Valparaiso University.  Throughout her college career, she also performed and choreographed for the university's dance ensemble.  Jordyn enjoys working with children and continues to perform and choreograph for local theater productions.  Recently, she choreographed Shrek the Musical at the Memorial Opera House!  In her spare time, Jordyn can be found working on her artwork, painting, and visiting with family.

Natalie Klancer has been dancing and tumbling almost her entire life.  She began with gymnastics at age 4, and after seeing her sisters dance on stage at age 7, she had to get on the stage too.  While growing up in Indianapolis, she was a competitive dancer with The Dance Refinery for over 10 years, winning many national dance championships, and travelling to Beijing, China to dance professionally.  She has been the recipient of many dance scholarships and awards and has appeared in numerous productions with companies such as Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Motus Dance Theatre, Ballet Internationale, and Q Artistry.  She has also choreographed and performed for Footlite Musicals and for several benefit/non profit performances.    Natalie has a passion for animals, performing, creating art, and playing video games.  While she holds a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Indianapolis, she has recently returned to school to pursue a career in nursing.  She resides in Valparaiso with her husband, Jeff, and their beloved cats, Sirius and Peach.

Angela Mahoney began dance at the age of 7. Throughout her dance career, she has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary and hip hop.  Angela has performed in many recitals and competitions and performed numerous times in the Nutcracker and Peter Pan ballets.  Angela began teaching dance at the age of 15, and has developed a love for teaching.  As a ballerina, she shares her passion and knowledge with the dancers she teaches.  In her spare time, Angela likes to take dance classes, choreograph, plan parties, and hang out with her nieces and nephews.