Mary rennels
Marketing & Production Director
Dance Department Head
Dance Department Head
Mary began dancing at the age of three and continued throughout her childhood. In college, she discovered her love for modern dance while earning her BFA in Dance Performance at the University of Florida.
In 2011, Mary moved to Sarasota, FL, to pursue a professional dance career with Sarasota Contemporary Dance, where she performed for nine seasons alongside a diverse range of artists and choreographers. She also taught and choreographed for institutions such as St. Petersburg College, West Coast Civic Ballet, School of Russian Ballet, Southside Elementary School productions, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, and Woodland Fine Arts Academy (WFA).
Mary’s connection with WFA in 2011 was nothing short of God-ordained. When she joined, the program was only two years old, and she has been honored to play a role in its growth and development. Inspired by a vision to create a training program that honors God with excellence, she founded WFA’s Dance Company (DaCo) in 2016 and continues to direct and choreograph for these audition-based groups.
As she has grown in skills, creativity, and leadership, Mary now serves as WFA’s Marketing and Production Director, as well as the Dance Department Head. She is passionate about elevating the academy’s professionalism, broadening its reach, and fostering cohesion across all departments.
Above all, Mary finds the greatest joy in teaching and inspiring her students. She encourages them to pursue excellence, embrace movement, and recognize that all success is rooted in God’s goodness. She feels incredibly blessed to be part of WFA and is grateful for the opportunity to serve as a long-standing faculty member.
Fun fact: Mary has choreographed over 30 musicals in the area—something she never imagined doing, as she did not grow up in the musical theatre world!
In 2011, Mary moved to Sarasota, FL, to pursue a professional dance career with Sarasota Contemporary Dance, where she performed for nine seasons alongside a diverse range of artists and choreographers. She also taught and choreographed for institutions such as St. Petersburg College, West Coast Civic Ballet, School of Russian Ballet, Southside Elementary School productions, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, and Woodland Fine Arts Academy (WFA).
Mary’s connection with WFA in 2011 was nothing short of God-ordained. When she joined, the program was only two years old, and she has been honored to play a role in its growth and development. Inspired by a vision to create a training program that honors God with excellence, she founded WFA’s Dance Company (DaCo) in 2016 and continues to direct and choreograph for these audition-based groups.
As she has grown in skills, creativity, and leadership, Mary now serves as WFA’s Marketing and Production Director, as well as the Dance Department Head. She is passionate about elevating the academy’s professionalism, broadening its reach, and fostering cohesion across all departments.
Above all, Mary finds the greatest joy in teaching and inspiring her students. She encourages them to pursue excellence, embrace movement, and recognize that all success is rooted in God’s goodness. She feels incredibly blessed to be part of WFA and is grateful for the opportunity to serve as a long-standing faculty member.
Fun fact: Mary has choreographed over 30 musicals in the area—something she never imagined doing, as she did not grow up in the musical theatre world!
