Amaani Grant is a professional dancer from the beautiful island of Jamaica. She currently teaches as a hip-hop instructor at Zoika's Dance in St. Augustine and on occasion Indulgence Dance Studio in Jacksonville. She also collaborates with other dance studios and choreographers to create dance films with Three Hearts Dance Company and popular artists. Amaani is also actively involved in the community, putting on performances and showcasing her talent such as participation in the Jacksonville Carnival and The World of Nations cultural festival. In addition to her dance career, Amaani is currently pursuing her second bachelor's degree in nursing.

 

Christie Morgan is an award winning, top producing Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens Lifestyles Realty. Christie is in the top .5% of all Real Estate Agents in Northeast Florida. She has been a Florida resident for 36 years, she is well versed in all areas of Jacksonville and enjoys helping everyone from first time home buyers to those seeking luxury properties. Christie specializes in both buyers and sellers. Christie is a Board Member at Pine Castle. Pine Castle's mission is to empower adults with intellectual and developmental differences through opportunities to learn, work, and connect. Married for 22 years, Christie and her husband Andy enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

 

Jackie Heller is a Florida native and proud graduate of UNF. She works as a Support Coordinator at Business Builders and is very grateful to her coworkers for nominating her for this exciting Dancing Stars of St. Johns County opportunity. Jackie's passion for performing began in her childhood and has continued through her adult life, having spent many years performing in musical theater. At home, Jackie is a dedicated pet and plant parent to her cat, rabbit, and an ever-growing collection of plants. In her spare time, Jackie loves to go paddle boarding, check out local restaurants and coffee shops, and garden.

 

Liz Boyett was born and raised in New Jersey but has lived in Florida for more than 25 years. Her love of dance began at the age of six when she saw her first ballet at Lincoln Center. She went on to take ballet, tap, and jazz lessons throughout her childhood. Liz is an alumna of Flagler College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, as well as the University of Central Florida, where she earned her Master of Education degree. A veteran Exceptional Student Education teacher, Liz teaches students with learning disabilities, autism, and other special needs at Bartram Trail High School. Aside from her passion for education, Liz enjoys teaching belly dance, caring for her five pets, fostering kittens, reading, thrifting, and spending time with her husband David and their 17-year-old. She is the proud team leader for the annual St. Augustine Shimmy Mob event, which raises funds and awareness for the Betty Griffin Center.

 

Born a 7th generation Texan in Houston, Michael was raised south of Austin in Lockhart, the Barbecue capital of Texas. His family moved to Colorado where he spent his teenage years in Grand Junction, graduating from Grand Junction High School. Michael moved to Gainesville, Florida in 2002. After discovering St. Augustine in 2003, he relocated there and met his beautiful wife, Kelly. They were married in 2009 and have 2 great hard working-boys, Kayden and Mason. Michael and Kelly also have a cat, Merle, dog, Haggard, 2 goats, Blu and Belle, and 6 chickens. The whole family enjoys being outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, and more. Michael started County Road Provisions in 2014 with a barbeque pit on the side of CR 13 S., serving neighbors, farmers, field hands and anyone else who happened upon them. The business has grown to serve St. Johns County residents quality barbeque for over 9 years. Michael and the family look forward to the future and what the good Lord has in store for them.

 

Beth was born and raised in Freehold, N.J., where she was a four-time National champion in cheerleading. She continued to be a gymnastics coach for high school age competitive gymnastics and cheerleading. Beth moved to St. Augustine in 2009 and fell in love with the beach where she became an avid surfer. Beth has a daughter, Mackenzee Kay who is super excited to watch her mom perform. She is a busy mom and enjoys attending her daughter’s sports and church activities and is hoping that she will follow along in her dancing passion. Beth’s career path and personal life journey has helped her see the world in a unique way. She has been a server in St. Augustine the last 12 years and says it is a joy when patrons come to the island to make requests for her to dine and indulge in great conversation on a weekly basis. Beth loves contributing to the community and is super excited to be a part of this great opportunity.

 

Hello, my name is Brittany Helwig. I am originally from the Orlando area, but I have lived in the St. Augustine area for 11 years. I am a mom of three kids Amelia, Maxwell, and Calvin. We are a homeschool family and enjoy learning Spanish together and doing art projects. I’ve been married to my husband Viv for 11 years and he and I enjoy getting to go on dates in such a beautiful city. Before staying home with my kids, I was a teacher of the visually impaired. I am the founder and director of Adaptive Superstars, a nonprofit that brings the magic of dance to friends with disabilities. We focus on friendship and fun! We are completing our 4th year of dance programming and serve 24 families. This session we offered 2 ballet classes and one jazz class. I can’t wait to see these dancers shine in their Gala performance, as well as the mini Beauty and the Beast show! It is a joy to be with them each week!

 

Dr. Arun C. Gulani, M.D., M.S., is a world-renowned eye surgeon, founding Director of the internationally famous Gulani Vision Institute, and Global CEO of Gulani Vision Surgical Suites, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Adjunct Clinical Professor and Externship proctor at Midwestern University, Chicago, and Fellowship Faculty at Universitas Miguel Hernandez, Alicante, Spain; he is also faculty for International Researchers F1000Prime, London, UK. Inventor and pioneer of Next Generation LASIK, & Cataract surgeries, he helps people of all levels of Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Astigmatism and even reading vision problems to see without glasses and contact lenses. Patients from more than 90 countries in Europe, Asia, Far East, Africa, Middle East, Canada and from all states of the U.S. have consulted with Dr. Gulani, setting a record while putting Jacksonville on the global map as the vision destination for the world. Dr. Gulani is an internationally acclaimed, master eye surgeon, award-winning inventor, and teacher who has pioneered, trademarked, and patented, next generation Lasik, Cataract and Corneal surgeries while developing a niche of being the world’s final eye surgeon in receiving second opinions and correcting eye surgical complications for a global clientele of patients while teaching at international podiums and welcoming visiting eye surgeons and eye care industry to Northeast Florida. With his "High Tech"- "High Touch" custom-tailored approach to each individual eye and patient, he has revolutionized the doctor-patient relationship providing personalized care for every patient, challenging the very business model prevalent in the world of medicine today.

 

Born and raised in Pahokee FL, by Connie and Milton Collins. From a child the values of God, others, then self, have been instilled in Ra’shonda. She loves working with St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS) Cat team as a Peer Support Specialist. Ra’shonda enjoys giving back to her childhood community where she has founded an organization for children whose parents are deceased called Heavenly Gifts. Ra’shonda’s mother, who also works for SAYS as a house parent, was excited to dance as a celebrity dancer this year but was unable to due to her battle with breast cancer. Ra’shonda made the choice to dance for her mother. Ra’shonda found more reason to dance for her father Milton Collins, also a SAYS house parent, since he transitioned from this earthly home to be with the Lord on March 28, 2023. Ra’shonda’s parents have remodeled being a change agent and she enjoys following in their footsteps.

 

Marie LaPerriere is originally from Detroit Michigan and lives in St. Augustine Beach with her partner Ryan. She has a son, Etienne, and is a lifelong performer. She relocated to Florida from San Francisco where she studied ballet and Afro-Haitian dance, was a manager at the renowned music venue the Café Du Nord and gained a long-term position with the Academy of Art University. She studied business at The University of Florida and currently manages the office for LaConte Marine Construction. Outside of work she prioritizes opportunities to teach, create and perform. She has been a ballet instructor at The Dance Company in St. Augustine Beach since 2005 and is passionate about working with children and inspiring creativity. Since 2010 she has choreographed and performed for many St. Augustine charity events, most notably with her creative partner Nicole Samuels as the Dance Guild of St. Augustine. Their work brings together local talent across the arts and includes performances for five Junior Service League Galas, Halla Gala-A Hauntingly Victorian Soiree, Halla Gala-A Neo-Victorian Reverie, Viva Las Vegas, Masquerade at the Alcazar, Sweet Relief, The Romanza festival, A Gatsby Carnival, Love Your Mother eco fashion show, The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind and more. Other choreography credits include The St. Augustine Winter Spectacular, The Limelight Theater and The Rocky Horror Stage Show Jacksonville. She is excited and honored to be raising funds for the St. Augustine Community School of Performing Arts.