Rachel winsler
artistic director/dance educator
Rachel is a Florida native. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising with a concentration in Dance from the University of Florida. She is a member and certified teacher of the Cecchetti Council of America and attended the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School.
Her dance training began at age five at Dancemoves Studios in Seminole, Florida when she started acrobatics. Rachel moved to Inverness, Florida and continued her dance education under the direction of Heather Hagar at Step ’N Time Dance Studio. Through the years her love of dance grew and she expanded her training to include jazz, modern/contemporary, ballet (Royal Academy of Dance methodology) and pointe. She worked as a teacher’s assistant through high school. After college she returned home to join the faculty of Step ’N Time teaching creative, contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics classes to various levels. She began studying the Cecchetti ballet method and holds teachers certifications in Grades I, II, III, and IV.
Rachel directed Citrus County’s Nutcracker Ballet in 2011 and was a co-director for six years prior to that. She attended the contemporary ballet summer dance intensive at University of Florida with the Neta Dance Company, the American Academy of Ballet as a teacher’s assistance in jazz, numerous Florida Dance Masters (FDM) Conventions as a student and a teacher, FDM Teacher Workshops, and Cecchetti teacher workshops. Not only has she danced at the Central Florida Celebration of Dance for years but her works have also been performed.
Rachel’s love and passion for dance are the driving forces behind her dance career. Her vision for the studio places its emphasis on the technical and artistic aspects of dance. Rachel wants to cultivate and inspire dancers to be disciplined, self-reliant, well-mannered and self-motivated so they can grow and thrive.
Her dance training began at age five at Dancemoves Studios in Seminole, Florida when she started acrobatics. Rachel moved to Inverness, Florida and continued her dance education under the direction of Heather Hagar at Step ’N Time Dance Studio. Through the years her love of dance grew and she expanded her training to include jazz, modern/contemporary, ballet (Royal Academy of Dance methodology) and pointe. She worked as a teacher’s assistant through high school. After college she returned home to join the faculty of Step ’N Time teaching creative, contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics classes to various levels. She began studying the Cecchetti ballet method and holds teachers certifications in Grades I, II, III, and IV.
Rachel directed Citrus County’s Nutcracker Ballet in 2011 and was a co-director for six years prior to that. She attended the contemporary ballet summer dance intensive at University of Florida with the Neta Dance Company, the American Academy of Ballet as a teacher’s assistance in jazz, numerous Florida Dance Masters (FDM) Conventions as a student and a teacher, FDM Teacher Workshops, and Cecchetti teacher workshops. Not only has she danced at the Central Florida Celebration of Dance for years but her works have also been performed.
Rachel’s love and passion for dance are the driving forces behind her dance career. Her vision for the studio places its emphasis on the technical and artistic aspects of dance. Rachel wants to cultivate and inspire dancers to be disciplined, self-reliant, well-mannered and self-motivated so they can grow and thrive.
Our family
Our Front Desk/Reception Faces
Miss BarbShe is Miss Rachel's mom and got "volunteered" for this job. She works in the public school system during the "day" and spends a few evenings with us.
She's married to Mr. Howard (who also helps out with the handiwork around the studio). A few things she enjoys are Lightning Hockey (Go Bolts!), spending time with her family, driving her Mustang, crafting, and going to the beach. 
Miss AlmaShe’s a family and church friend and got volunteered for this job too - trying to give Miss Barb a night off. She’s “retired” but volunteers with several different organizations every day of the week.
She’s married to Mr. Luis - he's keeping her busy while he runs for a seat on the Citrus County Commission. They love their animals, three dogs - Penny, Blue, and Captain and a cat, Miss Kitty. Her hobbies are watching football and NASCAR, going to the beach, kayaking, and relaxing at home watching TV (Siesta Key and The Housewives). |
Miss MillieShe is Miss Rachel's grandmother, or Grammy as most of us know her. That's right, three generations in one studio!
You'll find her bowling - almost every day of the week, baking the best chocolate chip cookies, and cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays. A few things she enjoys are being with her family (especially her grandchildren), making quilts for the animal shelter and other various sewing projects. One of her favorite pastimes is playing Words With Friends. 
Miss KIMShe is a family friend who “volunteered” for this job too. She works with her husband, Mr. Bill, a few days a week. (Mr. Bill helps us out with handiwork and recital too!) They moved to Citrus County from “down south” after he retired from law enforcement in Miami.
She has two grown children who are first responders. Her daughter is in nursing and her son is in law enforcement. She loves her fur babies - Shelby (golden doodle), Minnie (maltipoo), and Kiki (the cat). She enjoys all things Disney and is an annual pass holder. The Food & Wine Festival is one of her favorites. She too enjoys driving her Mustang (that’s how our families met). |
Miss VIRGINIAShe is a family friend who volunteered to team up and work with Miss Millie.
She supports and/or volunteers for many organizations including her church, the Salvation Army, CASA, the Moose Lodge and is President of the Floral City Lions Club. She lived in Chicago before moving to Florida and retired from United Airlines. Miss Virginia loves spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, baking delicious cakes and spends her free time doing crafts. You'll see her driving her Mustang convertible. 
Mr. BobbyHe is Miss Rachel's husband and helps out as needed.
He is a professor at the University of Tampa, one of his alma maters (he has three 3 but that's what happens when you have a PhD.). He runs Winsler Consutling and Advocacy and is one of our neighbors in the plaza. A few things he enjoys are spending time with Miss Rachel, watching sports (especially baseball and Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey) and his dog, Zooey. He is a rower and helps coach the ROCCS rowing team in his spare time. |