COACH - ANN MARIE KENNEDY

Ann Marie started dancing before she could walk. She would choreograph dances in her basement, using her friends as cast members, then invite their families over to watch the performance. That passion turned to formal classical ballet training at the Prochotsky Ballet Center in Bethedsa, MD. She mastered grade eight of the Kirov Ballet Syllabus and completed the Vaganova Instructor Certification Program. 

Ann Marie was chosen to train on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet (New York City Ballet), American Ballet Theatre School, Joffrey Ballet School, and The Washington Ballet. Her professional credits include Santa Barbara Ballet, LA Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Minnesota Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Washington Ballet. She performed as a guest artist for many local companies with partners from the New York City Ballet, and was featured in performances of the Washington Opera and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. 

Ann Marie continues to share her love of dance through coaching. In 2001, Ann returned to her alma mater to become the head coach of the University of Maryland Dance Team. When she isn't on the sidelines of football or basketball games cheering on the TERPS, she can be found in a gym, coaching baton twirling. The Wheaton Dance Twirl Team, under her direction, have won more national and world championship titles than any other program. Her favorite part of her work is mentoring young ladies as they grow into talented, successful, and self-confident women.

CHOREOGRAPHER - TIM ROBERTS

Tim has been teaching in the DC metro area for over 25 years. His experience stems from both dance and theater, with performance credits include national tours with 42nd Street, Cats, and Jelly's Last Jam. He also worked for Disney and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Currently Tim teaches and choreographs for high school and college dance teams and has set multiple pieces on the Capitol Movement Dance Company annually for the Capitol Movement Project,  with the 2011 show having been held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

 PHOTOGRAPHER  - MUTT MERITT

Many thanks to Donald "Mutt" Meritt for all of the wonderful photos and videos documenting season after season of dance team performances!  

Mutt Meritt has been photographing the University of Maryland Dance Team since the 2001 season when the Terps went to the Orange Bowl. Shooting the Dance Team has been a great experience for Mutt. Getting to know the girls and watching how hard they work to make the Terp games enjoyable for everyone makes his job easy. 

 Some of his favorite memories while shooting the Dance Team are:

•   The Terps first ever football win over Florida State at Maryland Stadium

•   The rout of Tennessee at the Peach Bowl

•   The 2008-2009 Men's Basketball come-from-behind victory against the Tar Heels at the Comcast Center