Wendy Setter's -- The Dance Studio -- Teachers -- Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop

Teachers: Heather, Gina, Danielle, Rendi, Brittany, Susan, Stephanie , Midnightblue
Substitute Teacher's

I started ballet training at the age of 8, studying and completing the Cecchetti Elementary Major syllabus at Black Mountain Dance Theatre in San Diego. In California I danced the role of party child in the Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet and I attended the Cecchetti Summer Workshop, Santa Clara in 1991. I then moved to Washington where I studied with Peninsula Dance Theatre and later with MK Ballet under Michiko Schulbach. I have attended Summer Dance Lab, Walla Walla in 1992 and 1993; Royal Winnepeg Summer Program, Canada in 1994; and Joffery Summer School, New York in 1995. I danced such roles as Claire, Rose Fairy and Snow Queen in Nutcracker: Cinderella in Cinderella; Odile in Swan Lake; and performed as a guest artist in Olympic Ballet Theatre's Choreography Showcase at the Morre Theatre. I've been teaching at The Dance Studio since 1999. To Top

Gina

Started dance lessons at the age of 6 in Erie, Pa. I danced ballet, tap, jazz, modern, ballroom and adagio. I studied performing arts at Western Kentucky University. Completed dance Educators of America training courses for dance teachers at WKU, Kentucky and in New York, NY. Instructors included: Gus Giordano, Charles Kelley, Skip Randall, Joseph Levinoff and Lousie Goichot. I started teaching dance at the age of 19, performed in the Bellingham Theatre Guild's "Stepping Out" and performed in Western Washington University's "A Chorus Line". I began teaching tap, ballet, adult tap and jazz at The Dance Studio in 2001. To Top

Danielle

I was privileged to begin my dance training at the age of four with Miss
Wendy as my teacher! My love of dance began and has evolved tremendously over the last 18 years. I have been trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and modern. I had the opportunity to travel to Australia and Japan with the “United We Dance” dance troupe. I attended summer dance intensives including Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, MI (2004) and Summer Dance Lab in Walla Walla, WA (2005). Auditioned and had the privilege of dancing under the well-known choreographer Sonia Dawkins in the production “Dance This” at the Paramount Theater in 2006. After graduating high school I pursued my dancing in Montana with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) doing their School of Dance Studies program. Dance once again brought me overseas where I was able to perform in Thailand and Rwanda. I am passionate about dance and love the discipline and excellence that is required in growing as a dancer. I have been teaching at The Dance Studio since 2009. I look forward to sharing my love of dance with my students and seeing them grow throughout the years! To Top

Hi my name is Rendi, I have been dancing for the past 18 years starting at the age of 3 at Wendy Setter's Dance studio. I have dance training in Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe and Lyrical. I'm also currently
dancing/coaching for The Bellingham Slam dance team and cheering/dancing for the Whatcom county Raiders. I had the opportunity to tour with The Dance studio to Australia and have taken part in many community events with my dancing. I was also apart of the Squalicum High school dance team for 3 years performing in school events, competing in several competitions and numerous dance camps. Last year was my first year as a teacher at the dance studio and can't wait to start again! I have such a passion for dancing, and being able to teach others what I love to do is just such an amazing opportunity.

I was lucky enough to have been raised at The Dance Studio and studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical and hip hop under many amazing teachers throughout my 23 years of dancing. I was a part of a dance group, the Jr. Hoofers, and competed and traveled internationally. While being involved in the dance studio I worked hard to keep my 4.5 grade level in highschool and was also a cheerleader for 3 years and a captain for 2. I attended college at the University of Washington and graduated with a Sociology degree with an emphasis in Law, Society and Social Policy. During my college years I continued dancing with West Lake Dance Center, Spectrum, and UW courses. Dancing and performing with the UW Huskies dance team and teaching at the Stanwood School of Dance. After graduation, I began working downtown Seattle in the corporate world and taught tap classes during my nights at the American Dance Institute. Dance has taken me around the world, including Australia, Japan, and my last adventure, teaching English and Hip Hop/Jazz for the last year in South Korea. I am so excited to return to my roots in Bellingham and be able to spark a love for dance in students throughout the community. The Dance Studio was my beginning for a life full of excitement, adventure and above all DANCE! I am thrilled to be able to carry on the legacy for future dancers!

Susan is taking a few years off to compete throughout the USA in ballroom dancing. We love Susan and are thrilled that she is enjoying her life with Dance as a huge part of it! We will welcome her back with open arms as she has promised us she will return to us as a teacher in the future!

I have always had a love of dance. I had formal training and performance experience in Austin, Texas for 6 years the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, Pointe, and acrobatics. High School I performed gymnastics floor routines for the High School gymnastic team and during college I continued with dance at the Austin Ballet Theater and trained in jazz and tap also. For the last 9 years I have returned to formal training and been tap dancing with Wendy Setters Dance Studio along with attending two Dupree tap workshops. Recently, I have choreographed several dances for school musicals and the opening waltz number in Life will be a Dance. My love of dance has also extended to competitive and show dance in Ballroom Smooth and Rhythm. I have competed in two Pro/Am competitions with my third competition in Las Vegas this fall. To Top

I was born in Moscow, Russia and moved to the United States when I was three or so. My family moved to Washington when I was six years old and I began dancing shortly after at Irene's School of Dance in Silverdale. I have been doing so ever since and although I reconsidered the lifestyle a few times, I finally discovered that I could never live without dance. I have experience in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, pointe, swing, and lyrical. The main roles I have danced are Clara, Harlequin Doll, Ribbon Candy, Snow Princess, and Arabian Princess in The Nutcracker. I was also Cinderella in Cinderella. As a teacher I love watching the kids grow as dancers and as individuals. My classes are all about the students having fun and learning while enjoying; as long as they leave with a smile on their face my goal is fulfilled and my day is made. Making a difference in the world and reaching out to people who have not had the pleasure of experiencing the beauty of dance is one of my many dreams. I love to travel and I plan on incorporating this with my love for dance. I'm going to be working towards my Bachelor in Fine Arts Degree at Western Washington University and I cannot wait to learn as much as possible so I can share everything I learn with my students and future generations. To Top

Hi my name is Midnightblue and I started teaching at The Dance Studio in 2008. I am a student at Western Washington University and am working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a Bachelor of Arts in theater arts. I began taking dance classes at the age of 2 at what is now called Prairie Dance Center. Since then I have studied ballet, jazz, modern, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, and a small amount of ballroom. With Prairie Dance Center I've had the pleasure of traveling to multiple states and performing at places such at Disneyland, Disney World, and Silverwood Theme Park. I have danced in The Nutcracker performing roles that include The Dancing Doll, Dewdrop, and Snow Chorus. I have also enjoyed taking summer dance camps at Elite School of Dance. Attending many conventions over the last 5 years with instructors such as Mia Michaels, Dan Karaty, Tyce Diorio, Nick Flroez, and Chebar Williams. I've been teaching dance for the past 2 years and was substituting and assisting classes long before that. I have taught and love working with students of all ages, and strive to make a difference in each student's life. I hope that through teaching I can help students grow both as dancers and as individuals. My goal is for every student in my class, and even students that aren't in my classes, to gain a love and an appreciation for dance and all it has to offer.