Most dancers dream of seeing their names up in lights. Our Dream, our Vision and our Mission is to see each and every one of our dancers reach their fullest potential in every aspect of their lives by our positive instruction, our high goals, and our strong moral values that we have taught for over 35 years and continue to instill in every dancer as they go on their dance journey at Polly B Dance Academy.
Being the most recognized and awarded studio in Jacksonville, Polly B Dance Academy carries the responsibility of high standards and continually proving every day that we truly do provide the best dance experience in North Florida. |
Polly Boeneke, owner, continues to be a proven talent leader. As an international choreographer she led her dancers to be the first American team ever to perform in Gorky, Russia, in addition to the team serving as dance Goodwill Ambassadors to Denmark, Sweden and England. Polly has choreographed hundreds of broadway musicals, shows, plays, TV commercials, Beauty Pageants, Walt Disney World Shows, and competition dances winning numerous awards. She is a certified member and past president of Florida Dance Masters Association, Certified member of Dance Educators Association and continues to be involved with community functions in the Jacksonville and surrounding area, and is especially recognized nationally and internationally for her outstanding achievements in dance.
Dayna Williams started off her dancing at the age of 3 and has been dancing every since. Miss Dayna began instructing dance at the Polly B Dance Academy since the age of 17, and began performing in musicals such as Music Man with YBAG, Sound of Music, Alhambra Dinner Theatre, and numerous dramas at Players by the Sea. She began her education at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts Dance program and completed her dance education at Jacksonville University, B'way Dance Center and took acting/voice at the H.B. Company. She has performed in musicals including Pippin, Bye Bye Birdie, Lil Abner, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the opera, Daughter of the Regiment. Dayna owned and operated her own successful studio in Liverpool, New York before returning to Jacksonville. Each year her choreography receives overall high score awards at all competitions. Her daughters Danielle and Drue were members of the Polly B Dancers. Presently they attend college and have continued their dancing and choreographing for Polly B. David, Ms Dayna's son just graduated from the University of Tennessee in of May of 2009 and continues to work with the Polly B Dancers.
Hali Avener started dancing at age 3. A native of Bellefonte, PA, she began at the Kennedy Dance Center From there, Hali continued her training at the Cameron Dance Center and Pofahl's Dance Studio in Gainesville , FL. Her expertise includes Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern. Hali performed with Next Generation, the resident company of Pofahl's and danced professionally with Dance Alive!, Pofahl's state touring company. Her summers were spent studying under Mia Michaels at Steps, Broadway Dance Center in New York City , at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Sarasota Ballet. Hali attended the New World School for the Arts, in Miami . An instructor for many years, Hali's most recent teaching duties were Ballet, Tap and Jazz at Pofahl's Dance Studio.
Drue Williams has been dancing since the age of 2 learning from choreographers from across the country as well as studying at her mother's studio (Dayna Williams) in New York and her Grandmother's studio (Polly B Dance Academy) in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She has been studying lyrical,jazz,hip hop,ballet,tap,and musical theatre for over14 years, but her all time favorite would have to be jazz or lyrical. Drue has been in numerous dance competitions with the Polly B Dance Academy and has won many awards and scholarships and was recently selected to be a part of the Starpower Powerpack Dance team, part of the Nease pantherette Dance team, has traveled to England to dance, and was the lead in the Sleeping Beauty ballet.
Andre Marshall II is a major creative force with 12 years of experience in only 18 years of life. He has choreographed countless musicals, stage performances, and concerts. He has also been featured as a dancer in movies such as Bring It On 4, Ace Ventura III, booked as a principal dancer in two TV commercials for two major theme parks, and recently led a dance crew to win a major dance competition in New York City on BET’s 106 & Park television show. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Andre made an entrance into entertainment at age 6 as a professional dancer. Andre and his family then moved to Florida when he was ten years old to pursue his career in the entertainment business and he has been dancing and acting ever since in films, commercials, and TV shows.ndre is excited about his continual personal and creative growth and is passionate about bringing his knowledge of storytelling thru dance and choreography to the stage, commercials, music video and film.
Laura Scott is a native to the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beaches. Laura’s dance career began at Polly B Dance Academy where she studied for an impressive 13 years. As a member of the Polly B Show Team, Laura has competed at both the regional and national level. In the production of Alice in Wonderland in 2007, Laura was cast in the lead role “Alice”. Among Laura’s accomplishments, she served several years as an assistant teacher for various classes enjoying the privilege to instruct young dancers. Her knowledge and experience in dance has afforded her the opportunity of instructing her own classes for the past five years. This year Laura had the pleasure of choreographing for the Mini Show Team, which received two platinum awards and one high gold award at competitions around the state of Florida. Laura graduated from Nease High School in 2007 with music honors. While at Nease, Laura danced on the Nease Pantherette Dance Team from 2004 through 2005. She also participated in the superiorly rated Nease Choir for four years and spent one year in show choir. Laura participated as a contestant in the 2006 Miss Nease pageant and served as assistant director for the 2007 Miss Nease pageant. She is now entering her fourth year at The University of North Florida where she has finally returned to her initial goal major, Secondary Math Education and hopes to graduate sometime in the next decade. At UNF, Laura has had the pleasure of becoming a part of Delta Gamma, one of the five sororities on campus, and holding a leadership position with the organization. As a Delta Gamma sister she was given the nomination to represent her sorority in the Ms University of North Florida Pageant in February of 2009 and placed second runner up. Beyond her passion for dance, Laura is an avid football fan and enjoys spending her leisure time at the beach or with family and friends.
Bob Boeneke, Co-owner
Leelynn Osborn is a professional Ballroom and Latin dance instructor. He was taught by former World Professional Latin champions, Stanislav Datsenko and Natalia Laubert. He was even fortunate enough to receive personal instruction from Maksim Chmerkovskiy, more commonly known to America as "Maks" on Dancing with the Stars. In his graduating year he founded an on-campus ballroom and latin dance club appropriately called, "Take the Lead Ballroom and Latin Dance". He is perfect for anyone wanting to experience the joys of social dance. He is available for private one-on-one instruction, couples, or groups. He is more than happy to be teaching at Polly B Dance Academy and sharing with others the joy of dance.