Laura Romani Matter

Artistic Director/CEO

Laura Matter grew up in the Fredericksburg area and began studying dance and music at just four years old. Her early love for the performing arts flourished when she started working at Riverside Dinner Theatre in high school, where she performed in over 15 productions. It was there that her passion for musical theatre truly took root.

After being accepted into multiple collegiate musical theatre programs, Laura ultimately chose The Catholic University of America, an accredited music university in Washington, D.C., where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre, graduating cum laude. During her time at CUA, she performed in several university musicals and was honored to appear on major stages, including The Kennedy Center’s Opera House in Leonard Bernstein’s MASS and The Lincoln Theatre in Ragtime. Laura also studied abroad in London through the prestigious London Dramatic Academy, broadening her training and exposure to classical theatre.

Following graduation, Laura was accepted to study at Oxford University’s British American Drama Academy, but chose instead to move to New York City, where she performed in two Off-Broadway productions—Carnival and Giggle Bound—and appeared on screen in the CW’s Body Politic as well as the independent films Haze and To Pull a Stunt.

Although NYC provided incredible opportunities, Laura’s heart brought her home to Fredericksburg, where she founded Fredericksburg Studio of the Arts (FSA). She has since taught a variety of classes and private lessons across the region and at Riverside Dinner Theatre’s summer camp. With a strong foundation in dance, acting, and voice—honed through years of study and master classes around the world—Laura is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love of the arts with the next generation.

Laura is also the founder of the LimeLite Theatre Company! Back in 2009 she wanted theater in her studio and created an opportunity for it! They put on many shows. Once dance started to become the main focus of FSA, it only allowed time for summer camps, but in 2019, she realized the theatre company needed to make a comeback! Laura has music directed every show and directed and choreographed a few as well. She loves having a studio filled with many aspects of the arts! 

Outside the studio, Laura enjoys life with her supportive husband, Matt, and their two wonderful children. She’s often found attending musicals and continuing to fuel her love of the stage. Through FSA, Laura is committed to creating a positive, nurturing environment where children can grow, create, and dream big. She is thrilled to welcome you to the FSA family and looks forward to helping young artists find their voice and passion.

Shelbi Shelton

Competition Director, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Company

Shelbi began her dance journey at just five years old, training first at M&S Studios before becoming one of the very first students at Fredericksburg Studio of the Arts when it opened. As a member of FSA’s competition team growing up, she earned countless 1st place overalls, judges’ choice awards, scholarships, and regional titles. Returning to FSA as a teacher, choreographer, and the Competition Director is truly a dream come true for her.

Shelbi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Mathematics from James Madison University, along with a Virginia Collegiate Teaching License in Dance (PreK–12), Middle School Math, and Algebra I. Throughout her training, she has studied a wide range of styles, including tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, musical theater, hip hop, modern, fosse, and Miami Latino ballroom, though her heart belongs most to tap and contemporary. She has trained with inspiring artists such as Luke Hickey, Aaron Burr, Laura Edwards, Travis Wall, Twitch, Ayodele Casel, Chani Bell, and many more.

Since beginning her teaching career in 2017, Shelbi’s choreography has received numerous awards for excellence, entertainment, and crowd appeal, along with multiple scholarships for her dancers. She has twice represented Team USA at the World Dance Championships and, in the past three years, has choreographed three groups who also represented the United States at this prestigious international competition.

Outside of FSA, Shelbi serves as the choreographer for LimeLite Theatre Company, where she has choreographed more than a dozen productions over the past five years. She is also a dedicated middle school math teacher in Spotsylvania County. Whether in the classroom or the studio, Shelbi is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers to work hard, dream big, and love the art of movement.

Sally Roehl

Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Creative Movement

Studied dance for about 20 years. She has been teaching dance classes off and on since high school. She studied dance, voice, and musical theater at M&S Studio in Fredericksburg, VA. A member of M&S’s dance competition team, the Starz Dance Company, Sally was selected captain and helped to choreograph several of the team’s dance routines. She was a featured dancer in many of M&S Studio’s productions and recitals. Sally has also performed in several productions at the Riverside Dinner Theater including a shark girl and dance captain in West Side Story, Lorraine and Peggy Sawyer (alternate) in 42nd Street, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and a dance ensemble member in Evita. Sally graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in General Business in May of 2008. She is currently attending graduate school at the University of Mary Washington to pursue a Master’s Degree in Teaching.

 

Maija-Liisa Jano

Jazz, Conditioning, Stretch

Picture and bio coming soon

 

Stephanie Wood

Ballet, Pre-Pointe

Stephanie Wood is a professional performer, choreographer, and dance instructor. Professional performance credits include Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, American Music Theatre, Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion, Hersheypark, and RWS & Associates. Stephanie has choreographed numerous productions at Riverside Center, the Riverside Awards, and Hersheypark. She graduated with honors from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Performance. Stephanie is the 2019 Broadway World Central Virginia Award Winner for Best Choreography for Annie, starring Sally Struthers. She has taught at numerous dance studios in the Mid-Atlantic region, and is thrilled to pass on her passion for dance to her FSA students!

Brooke Renfrow

Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz

Brooke grew up dancing competitively at Strictly Rhythm Dance Center and Stage Door Dance Studio, where she developed her love for movement, performance, and artistic expression. This passion led her to pursue higher education at James Madison University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. While at JMU, Brooke shared her love for dance as a member of the Madison Dance Club, where she trained and performed with the Hip Hop team. Blending her artistic background with her knowledge of exercise science, Brooke is dedicated to creating an environment where dancers not only grow in their artistry but also in their understanding of how to care for their bodies. In her classes, students will find a safe space to explore movement where they are encouraged to take risks and challenge themselves. Her ultimate goal is to help every dancer discover their love for dance and gain confidence in and out of the studio. 

Audrey Sieck

Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theatre 

Picture & Bio Coming Son
 
 

 

Hannah McDowell

Tap, Hip Hop

Picture and bio coming soon

Alyssa Vickers

Pom, Conditioning/Strength

Alyssa is a proud Dance Mom and fitness junkie!  She started dancing at the age of four and frankly hasn’t really stopped. During her school years, she did all styles of dance: ballet, tap, jazz, Irish step, hip-hop, and lyrical. Once entering high school, she fell in love with musical theater and the drill team (her team was known as The Sequinettes!) They traveled the country performing with their 400 person marching band, most notably at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.  They also had a fantastic opportunity to perform at high school football and basketball games, which is where she discovered the style of Pom.  
Since graduating college, Alyssa has taught a few varieties of fitness classes and continued to move through life to an eight count. She is so excited to bring this high energy style of dance to the FSA crew. 

 

Nicole Kent

LimeLite Theatre Company Children’s Director

As a youngster, growing up outside Richmond, Nicole enjoyed being a part of music with district chorus programs and, in high school, show choir. She also danced from the time she was three all the way through college. In high school she also loved coaching swim team and working with the kids was the highlight of her summer! When Nicole entered Longwood University in 1997, she knew her passion was in those areas and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in voice.

Nicole spent a year at Richmond’s St. Benedict’s as the music teacher and select choral director for K-8 before marrying her husband in 2002 and joining him in Spotsylvania. She taught chorus for three years at Spotsylvania Middle School before their first child, Xander, was born. Nicole chose to stay home as a full time mom to both Xander and Willow. Currently she coaches summer swim in the area, offers private voice and piano lessons, and is a substitute teacher in Spotsylvania County. Over the years she has also taught musical theater classes with CYT and was the director for CYT Lite’s productions of “101 Dalmatians” and “Jungle Book” Kids.

Nicole is super excited to be joining Fredericksburg Studio of the Arts in their Limelight Theatre Company productions. A special thank you to Laura Romani Matter for this amazing opportunity!

Roxanne Romani

Administrative Director

Ms. Roxanne brings over 25 years of administrative and management experience to FSA, along with a deep love for the arts and working with families. Her career began in the retail world, where she became the youngest department manager ever hired at her store—a role that sparked her passion for leadership and service. Later, she played a vital role in helping her husband, Peter, in his highly successful real estate career which thrived for 34 years.

Throughout the years, she has always found joy in working with children. She spent many years as a substitute teacher in Spotsylvania County, where she loved being part of young lives and learning environments. But her heart has always belonged to the performing arts—especially musical theatre—making her role in helping bring FSA to life a dream come true.

As a proud mom of a daughter who grew up immersed in dance, musical theatre, voice, and piano, Ms. Roxanne understands both sides of the performing arts journey—the parent’s perspective and the behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep a studio running smoothly. She considers it an honor to work alongside her amazing daughter, Laura, and FSA’s passionate instructors, who are not only incredibly talented but deeply dedicated to their students.

When she’s not at the studio, you can find her enjoying the theatre, relaxing at the beach, exploring NYC, or spending treasured time with her family—especially her 3 incredible grandchildren! She truly loves the FSA families and is grateful to be part of such a caring and creative community.

To all who join us: Welcome to FSA—where you’re already part of the family.

#FSAROX