Dance Team

Madison Schrama

Head Coach

For the past six years, Madison Blanchard has taught dance to children of all ages and in various styles, including Ballet, Pointe, ​Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Hip hop. Mrs. Blanchard received her training at the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. She joined Georgia Dance Theatre, where she trained and performed for eight seasons. She performed in classical and contemporary ballets and danced soloist roles, such as Dew Drop in The Nutcracker and Peasant Pas Des Deux in Giselle. Mrs. Blanchard received additional training at the American Ballet Theatre and the Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet summer intensives. Mrs. Blanchard holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Georgia and certification in dance education for K-12 schools. She is the Head Coach for the Dance Team, and this is her fourth year on the faculty at St. Pius X

Lisa O'Connor

Director of Dance and Coach

Lisa O’Connor brings a wealth of training and experience to St. Pius X. She trained with the Gainesville Ballet and danced professionally with the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater. She spent her summers studying with the Joffrey Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theater,  Lexington Ballet, and the late master teacher, David Howard, in New York City. Mrs. O’Connor graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Psychology and began her teaching career with the Duluth School of Ballet and the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater. Mrs. O’Connor is a K-12 Georgia State certified dance educator, and she has completed certificate programs at UGA, the American Dance Festival, Giordano Dance Chicago, and the Creative Dance Center in Seattle.  She is also trained in Stott Pilates.  In 2010, she earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. O’Connor began teaching at St. Pius X in the fall of 1998, served as the Fine Arts Department Chair from 1999-2013, and received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2003 and 2008. In addition to directing the program, she also serves the entire department as the Fine Arts Coordinator.