Our instructors are talented dancers and performers, have strong technique, and an eye for creative choreography, but they are truly about the kids. It’s the common love for teaching that makes the studio a family. Teachers have a huge impact on students and it is important to me to fill our staff with positive, encouraging and quality people. Our instructors are essential to The Dance Studio and are an incredible team that inspire many dancers, young and young at heart.
Meet Our Talented Teachers
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Britt
dance teacher / owner
Teaches:
ballet
tap
jazz
pointe
lyrical
adagio
musical theater
Britt’s Dance Story
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 instructors since age 3. I was a part of a dance group, the Jr. Hoofers, which sparked my love for dance, and competed and traveled internationally. I attended the University of Washington and was able to continue dancing with West Lake Dance Center, Spectrum, and UW courses.
Throughout college, I danced and performed with the UW Huskies dance team and taught 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, South Korea and Finland.
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!
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Heather
senior ballet teacher
Teaches:
ballet
pointe
Heathers’s Dance Story
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. Teaches ballet and pointe.
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Amber
dance teacher
Teaches:
tap
jazz
Amber’s Dance Story
I grew up in Ferndale and started dancing at The Dance Studio when I was five years old! I took any and every class I could in any style offered to me, with tap and jazz high up on my list of favorites. I was fortunate enough to be part of United We Dance and traveled to both Australia and Finland! I attended Gonzaga University and was actively involved in the Dance Program, a member of the Gonzaga Dance Team, and taught at one of the local studios in Spokane. After graduating in 2018 with my BBA and a minor in Dance, I moved back to the Bellingham area and have been teaching at the studio ever since! Some of my favorite memories and best friendships were created at the Dance Studio and my husband and I are very excited to grow our family in such a great environment!
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Sophia
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
tap
jazz
hip-hop
Sophia’s Dance Story
I started dancing when I could walk! I started formal lessons in Flamenco when I was 7 years old at a studio in Texas. When I moved to Washington, I continued Flamenco for two years then tried a hip hop class at a local studio and auditioned as a Party Guest in their Nutcracker. After that I was hooked! For the next four years I danced as much as I could: ballet, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, and I was in every Nutcracker the studio produced. I came to Bellingham to earn my Bachelors in dance. As a freshman, I took a costume design class and while talking to my professor he mentioned his neighbor who owned a studio in town might need more dancers and that he would give her my number. The neighbor was Wendy Setter and that was the year I began my journey at the Dance Studio! I ended up graduating with a Bachelor’s of Education and taught for 7 years. The Dance Studio is my second home and outlet for my lifelong love of dance!
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Paige
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
lyrical
jazz
Paige’s Dance Story
I am originally from Denver, Colorado. I have been dancing since I was 9, starting with mostly ballet and then exploring many different styles of dance including Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballroom, Hip Hop, etc. I attended many summer intensives in New York City in my teen years with Joffrey Ballet School and Bolshoi Ballet. I moved to Bellingham in 2018 to graduate with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance and a Minor in Psychology at Western Washington University in 2022. I am currently a member with Bellingham Repertory Dance Company, as well as in my fourth year teaching at The Dance Studio! I love the kids and the atmosphere here, it really feels like a second home to me!
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Megan
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
lyrical
hip-hop
Megan’s Dance Story
I started my dance journey at the age of seven. At Highland Dance Academy in Sammamish, Washington, I began learning Ballet and Lyrical. At the age of 13, I was cast in my first Nutcracker, landing roles as a Snow Fairy and Russian dancer. I later moved to continue my dance education at Glass House Dance, where I started also learning Modern Contemporary and Hip Hop, while also starting Ballet en pointe. At 17, I began working at my studio as a receptionist and substitute teacher. After graduating high school, I began attending Western Washington University and graduated in 2024 with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Dance. I was able to be a part of WWU’s dance team and my first serve as captain. I am beyond excited to teach at The Dance Studio, and help others find and pursue their love for
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Sam
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
jazz
lyrical
musical theater
Sam’s Dance Story
At the age of 10, I was told that if I wanted my gymnastics career to continue, I needed to take a dance class. The moment I stepped my (clumsy and unbearably stiff) body into that hip hop class, my dance journey began! I started with hip hop, poms, and jazz until I decided to leave gymnastics behind to dance competitively. At Ignite Dance and Yoga in North Bend, WA, my love for dance took off when I was able to compete in hip hop, jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap, and contemporary! At 17, my focus in dance shifted— I wasn’t sure I wanted to dance professionally anymore, but I knew I wanted to teach. That year, I switched studios to attend Glass House Dance in Sammamish, WA, where I was given the opportunity to participate in a teaching internship. With a newfound love for dancing AND teaching, I came to Bellingham to attend WWU. In spring 2022, I graduated with degrees in dance and English literature and from Woodring’s Masters in Teaching program in 2024. I came to TDS in 2020 as a part time receptionist, and I am SO excited to continue my journey here as a teacher!!
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Lacey
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
tap
jazz
musical theater
Lacey’s Dance Story
Lacey started her movement career as a rhythmic gymnast at the age of five, on track for the 2004 US Olympic team, and as part of her training, her coach suggested she take ballet classes “for the adagio”. Her journey as a gymnast ended at the age of 10 because of a serious back injury, but she could keep dancing, which she had grown to love just as much. She focused on classical ballet, studying with a number of small studios and private instructors throughout the Seattle area, eventually adding jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, and ballroom. She moved to Bellingham in 2006 to attend Western, eventually graduating with a BA in Political Science, but as studying and work took over, she ended up taking a 15 year break from dance. After the birth of her first child, she took some classes to help her body recover. A few years into a community ballet class, Miss Heather asked her if she’d ever consider teaching. A couple of months later, Miss Britt offered her a job, and it is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. While she enjoys movement in all its forms, dance, especially classical ballet, is closest to her heart. Lacey is passionate about sharing her love of dance with others by getting them in touch with their bodies, finding confidence through their successes, and instilling in them that movement is life. She is thrilled to have found her place in Bellingham’s dance community by becoming a part of The Dance Studio.
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Evie
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
point
Evie’s Dance Story
I trained under the direction of Charlene Campbell-Carey at Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre School in Missoula, MT until age 18. I traveled with the studio company to Salzburg, Austria in 2013 and 2014 to train at the Salzburg International Ballet Academy, hosted by the director and principal dancers of the Salzburg Ballet Company. I performed around Austria, Germany, and Italy, opening the Salzburg Music Festival in 2014, and participated in the Dance in Motion intensive in Ischia, Italy, under Guy de Bocke in 2016. I competed in the premiere years of VIBE Missoula, and won with my studio in the Open Category with choreography by Walter Barrera. After graduating high school, I stepped away from the dance world for a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems at Montana State University. In 2021 I moved to Bellingham and found a thriving dance community through Cher Carnell’s ballet classes at the Firehouse, which eventually led me to The Dance Studio! I teach Ballet technique and performance; I love connecting with my students and watching them grow as young artists, discovering their own strengths and styles within the art of classical ballet.
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Andrea
dance teacher
Teaches:
tap
jazz
musical theater
Andrea’s Dance Story
Andrea has been a lifelong tap dancer with a deep appreciation for the rhythm, musicality, and artistry of the golden age of tap. Inspired by legends like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and the Nicholas Brothers, she brings a sense of classic style, performance quality and joy to her teaching. Having studied under renowned instructor Pam Covas, whose training emphasized the steps and stylings of the tap masters such as Henry LaTang, Eddie Brown, Arthur Duncan and Pat Rico, Andrea’s foundation is rooted in an artistic tradition which she is passionate about sharing with students of all levels. Andrea has performed with The Honey Taps dance company in Los Angeles, appearing at corporate events, private celebrations, and in the American Rhythms show. Her performance experience enhances her classes with a strong sense of stage presence, musicality and storytelling through dance. She also served as the movement instructor and choreographer for the two-time California State Champion South High Spartan Marching Band, training 200 student musicians to learn and master choreography and performance qualities. In addition she managed multiple European tours for the award winning band. Outside the studio, Andrea is a project management consultant with a degree in Computer Science and an MBA focused on Music Performance and Healthcare. Her structured, creative approach is evident in both her dance and professional pursuits. In her spare time she loves exploring and traveling with her husband Tom and dog Ranger.
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Renee
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
point
Renee’s Dance Story
I’m originally from Tillamook, Oregon. I attended Oregon Coast Dance Center from ages 5 to 18. There, I studied ballet, pointe, jazz, and taught ballet for two years. I was cast in many different roles in varying performances including: Sugarplum Fairy in the Nutcracker, Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, etc. I also attended Northwest Dance Academy in high school; studying contemporary, improvisation, and ballet. After high school, I moved to Bellingham to pursue a BFA in Dance and a BAE in Disability and Advocacy at Western Washington University in 2023. I am currently a student there and am involved in choreography, performance, and advocacy. I love dance and can’t wait to keep teaching at The Dance Studio!
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Dezi
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
tap
jazz
lyrical
hip-hop
Dezi’s Dance Story
My family always joked that I was dancing before I could walk. So, as soon as I was old enough, my parents put me in dance classes. I danced for a couple of years, then took a break to be a competitive gymnast. After competing for a bit, I started dancing again – this time at TDS. It took only one dance class for me to realize that TDS was going to become my second home. I kept adding classes until I was taking every style available. I looked up to my teachers so much and was ecstatic when Miss Britt took me under her wing and taught me all there is to know about teaching. Eventually, I went from assisting in classes to teaching my very own! I love teaching and hope to one day be as amazing as the teachers I still look up to now.
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Liza
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
tap
jazz
lyrical
musical theater
Liza’s Dance Story
I started dancing at The Dance Studio when I was three, and it’s been my second home ever since. I began with ballet and tap classes, later discovering my love for all styles, including: jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre. As soon as I started teaching I found a new passion in helping younger dancers discover their own talent and love for dance. My favorite part of teaching is the joy and humor my students bring to the studio.
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Sarah
dance teacher
Teaches:
tap
Sarah’s Dance Story
I started dancing at the age of 3 and feel very lucky to have found one of my passions so early in life. I learned many styles of dance while attending Burien Dance Theatre, including tap, ballet, pointe, and jazz. When I was 16, I took a break from dance to finish high school and study music at Western Washington University. After college, I knew I wanted to return to dance, but I found myself hesitant to start again after a several-year gap. I finally took the leap and am incredibly thankful that I landed at The Dance Studio. This studio and its teachers provide a welcoming and supportive environment to students of all ages. Being here has taught me that it is never too late to return to your passions. I am very excited to be teaching tap and to continue connecting with this community through our love of dance.
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Ellie
dance teacher
Teaches:
ballet
jazz
lyrical
musical theater
Ellie’s Dance Story
At the age of three, I began dancing at Evergreen Dance Center. I fell in love with the art of ballet, and grew to love plenty of other styles, too! I trained under Kristy Larson and Leonessa Grimes, both of whom trained through the Royal Academy of Dance, and built a strong technical foundation. Later, my love for theatrical arts led me to choreograph for several musical productions, developing my creativity, leadership skills, and passion for storytelling through movement. Now, I am working towards my BA in Political Science at WWU and loving my time as an instructor at The Dance Studio! I’m so excited to share my passion with more students and help continue growing the community that makes The Dance Studio so special.
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Kim
office manager
extraordinaire
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