MEET THE STAFF
Blake Piatczyc - Owner and Studio Director
Blake Piatczyc is a native of Lee’s Summit, MO. It was here that he, at the age of 7, discovered his ability and love for dance. As a student, Blake competed on the national stage, in addition to his continued ranking among the top competitive dancers, his talent won him numerous competition titles and overall awards. Throughout his training, Blake had the privilege to study and train with many choreographers; Travis Wall, Mia Michaels and Andy Blankenbuehler, to name but a few. Finally, to perfect his craft and take his abilities to the next level, Blake trained under the direction of Manny and Lory Castro, owners of the nationally recognized dance studio, DanceTown, in Miami, FL. In order to pursue his professional dance career, Blake successfully graduated early from High School. From this achievement, Blake’s professional career exploded. Some of his professional notorieties include, dancing for and performing on the television show, Live To Dance; where he was a finalist with the Youth Rock Award nominated dance crew, DanceTown Chaos, a dancer and performer on the hit reality TV talent show, America’s Got Talent, Seasons 6, 7, 8 and 9. Additionally, Blake has worked with numerous artists and performers such as, International Recording Powerhouse Rihanna, dance legend Paula Abdul and break-out recording artist Aneeka. Blake went on to perform as a dancer with the dance show, The Move; which opened at the historic Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Blake then took his talents to the Sea, where he was a dancer and aerialist for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Throughout his professional dance career, Blake has performed across the nation at venues such as the iconic Madison Square Gardens all the way to the legendary Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Alongside his innate talent for dance, Blake’s choreography has won him both national and international recognition in the dance community.
Tia Qureshi
Tia Qureshi has taught and trained students in various genres of dance for over 15 years throughout the Kansas City area. In her youth, she herself trained strictly in Royal Academy Dance under Ulla Ames and Stanley Zampokos of New York City Ballet and received Distinction on her ballet exams. She then studied under Kim Shoppe at Midtown school of dance. During that time she was accepted to intensive programs such as ABT, Joffrey and the Kirov Academy. Tia spent a summer training with BalletMet before returning home as a scholarship student to the Kansas City Ballet school under Karen Brown. Tia spent four years at the University of Missouri Kansas City as a scholarship recipient to the Conservatory of Music and Dance towards her BFA in Dance with and emphasis in Ballet and Modern under Mary Pat Henry, Paula Weber and Jennifer Medina. While receiving education there, she performed with the Kansas City ballet again in ‘The Nutcracker.’ Combining her two passions in life, children and dance, Tia is proud to be home where technique and artistic expression is held to high standards. When away from the studio Tia is a professional dancer/choreographer with Kansas City Contemporary Dance (KACICO) as well as a devoted wife and adoring mother of three and is thankful for their support in her passion.
Dillon Malinski
Dillon Malinski began his training at age 10 with the Alexandra School of Ballet in St. Louis, Mo. Under the artistic guidance of School Director, Alexandra Zaharias, he was able to perform a wide variety of classical and contemporary roles before graduating. His roles include works created by noted choreographers such as Marek Cholewa, Lynn Wiltshire, Paula Weber, and Kennet Oberly. After graduating, Dillon was invited to attend the Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy as a member of Houston Ballet II, for the 2011-13 seasons. During his time in Houston Ballet II he performed many works by internationally acclaimed choreographers such as Stanton Welch, Yannick Boquin, Carlos Dos Santos, Garret Smith, and Ilya Kozedeyev. Mr. Malinski was also able to tour both nationally and internationally with Houston Ballet II, performing at the Gala of the prestigious Prix de Lausanne, and to Ottowa, Canada with the Houston Ballet to perform in Stanton Welch’s Marie. In 2013, Mr. Malinski accepted an apprenticeship with the Orlando Ballet where, among many things, he was given opportunities to perform soloist roles such as the Huntsman in Chiaki Yakusawa’s Snow White, and as Mercutio in Robert Hill’s re-staging of Romeo and Juliet. With Kansas City Ballet, Mr. Malinski has been privileged to perform roles such as Benno in Devon Carney’s Swan Lake, the Bluebird in Devon Carney's Sleeping Beauty, and originating roles in Kansas City Ballet’s new production of The Nutcracker.
More Staff Bios Coming Soon!
Hannah Williams: Co - Company Director
iHannah Williams has been the Co-Company Director of BPM Dance Complex for the last 3 Seasons. She attended college at Point Park University. She is well versed in all styles of dance but specializes in Contemporary / Lyrical. Hannah has received numerous choreography awards including "Choreographer Of The Year" in 2016. Hannah looks forward to another amazing season with her BPM Family.
Taryn Mejia
Taryn Mejia was born in Kansas City, Missouri and began her training at the age of 3. From age 11 on, she continued her training on full scholarship at the Kansas City Ballet School and the School of American Ballet, performing Waltz Girl in Serenade for the SAB workshop. After a short 3 month apprenticeship with New York City Ballet, Ms. Mejia was given her Corps de Ballet contract, performing numerous Balanchine and Robbins ballets including, Stars and Stripes, Jewels, Symphony in Three Movements, West Side Story Suite, and The Cage. She also originated roles for Christopher Wheeldon and Susan Stroman. Ms. Mejia is in her 6th season with the company and has been featured in numerous parts in The Nutcracker, Eaglet in Alice(In Wonderland), Choleric in The Four Temperments, Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the Principal girl in Theme and Variations.