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Click the names below to learn more about The Dance Arts Center’s fabulous instructors:
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 Marla began studying dance when she was 7 years old. In 1985 she began her training with Ms. Lynn at The Dance Arts Center. Winning the title of Miss Dance Heart of America in 1990 gave her the opportunity to move to Chicago and study at The Giordano Dance Center. She and Ms. Lynn also traveled to New York where she competed in the National Miss Dance Competition. Marla performed several times for Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, The Chicago Opera Theater, The Evanston Dance Ensemble, The Dance Foundation, Dance Explosion, Dancewerks, and Indola Int’l Hair Show.
While studying and performing Marla continued her teaching career. She has taught Master Classes for Dance Masters Wisconsin and several workshops in Chicago. In 1995 Marla tested and became a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She also holds a teaching certificate with the Cecchetti Council of America. She has choreographed pieces for T.J. & Company Dance Theater, Terpsichore Dance Company, Euphony Tap Ensemble and many others. In 1996 she trained to become a Massage Therapist and is Nationally Certified. She has also taught many classes in massage therapy geared especially for dancers. In addition to teaching throughout the Chicago area, Marla also judged for regional dance competitions.
She is the founder and Artistic Director of A Chance To Dance, an annual benefit dance concert for the prevention of child abuse. She was the artistic director for Imagination Dance Ensemble a youth performing company that presented their works throughout the Chicago area.
In 1992 Marla married Sylvester Heeler and they have two daughters Lily and Liza. Marla is excited and honored to be returning to the place where her dance career truly began.
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Angie began dancing at The Dance Arts Center when she was three years old and she has never stopped. She has been a part of The Dance Arts Center for approximately seventeen years. Angie began teaching for Ms. Lynn Fankhauser when she was sixteen. She has danced in New York and has been to several conventions as a part of Dance Midwest. In addition to teaching, Angie is also attending Missouri Western State College and majoring in Criminal Justice.
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 Heather started dancing at age 4 and she’s been teaching dance since age 16. Heather has been at the Dance Arts Center for 20 years. In that time she has studied in Chicago under Gus Giordano, danced in Europe, and performed at various locations throughout Florida with Dance Midwest. Heather and her husband Bryan have 3 children, Isabel, Noah, and their new baby boy Adan.
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Jill moved to St. Joseph in 1999 from Alabama. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama and a Masters degree in Church Music from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. While in graduate school she studied voice with Marylyn Mims who a principle at the Metropolitan Opera for seven seasons. She teaches private voice lessons in her home and has directed Children's Choirs in local churches. Jill has worked with children since 1989 in a variety of places. She has served in churches as Preschool and Children's Director, as a child care teacher in several child care centers and as a Child Care director. Jill started Tunes of Fun Music Class in 2002 so she could be a stay at home mother. Jill is excited to be teaching her classes at Dance Arts Center this year.
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 Karin is new to The Dance Arts Center this year. She comes to us from Las Vegas, Nevada where she spent six years dancing in the show "Jubilee!" at Bally's Casino, and teaching children dance at Kids in Motion dance studio. Karin began her dance training at the age of three in the old western town of Laramie, Wyoming. After high school, she toured and performed internationally with the group "Up With People" as one of the casts' lead dancers. She later received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from San Diego State University, and graduated with honors. She has studied diverse methods of teaching Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Hip-Hop, and Tap. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing and exciting atmosphere where students can grow in appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of dance as an art, activity, and as a profession. She has taught throughout San Diego County, on the island of Guam, in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her teaching experience, Karin has also enjoyed dancing professionally in such productions as "Fantastique" in Guam (produced and choreographed by Jerry Jackson), "Fat Tuesday Celebration" in New Orleans (produced and choreographed by Farrington Productions), and "Jubilee!" in Las Vegas (produced and directed by Donn Arden). Karin is thrilled to be in St. Joe, and looks forward to settling down, raising her family, and teaching at THE DANCE ARTS CENTER!
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 Lisa began dancing at the age of 6 as a student of Lynn Fankhauser, and continued through high school. Competing in many Dance Masters competitions as well as participating in Dance Masters conventions. She received her Medical Assisting certificate from Wichita Area Technical College in 1995. Lisa Taught for Ms. Lynn in the 1999 – 2000 then took time off to be a mom. Though taking a break from a regular dance schedule Lisa continued to help out with classes and costumes. Lisa was excited to return as a teacher this past year giving her the opportunity to share her love of dance with the next generation of Dance Arts students.
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 Sara lives in her hometown, St. Joseph, MO, with her husband, Corey, and their 3 children. She began dancing at the age of 3 and began her teaching career at the age of 16. During the 22 years she’s been with The Dance Arts Center, she has successfully competed in Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America competitions. While competing at Dance Masters of America Scholarship Competition, Sara received a scholarship to the Jeoffry Ballet in New York City. She has also performed in productions with the Tulsa Ballet Company and Des Moines Ballet Company. Sara has studied at Gus Giordano Jazz Dance and Hubbard Street Dance Company in Chicago, Westport Ballet in Kansas City and under numerous other instructors from around the United States. In 2006, Sara tested, received her teaching certification and is now a member of Dance Masters of America. She continues her education bi-annually with Dance Masters as well as Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Sara takes great pride in passing along her love for dance and is very proud to be a member of The Dance Arts Center staff!
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 Susan, who moved to St. Joseph in 2004 with her husband and two dogs, is a native of Washington, D.C. where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, Tahitian, and musical theater (her personal favorite) in private and public schools for more than 20 years. She has served on arts councils and theater boards and as Executive Director of Horizon Dance Center in suburban Maryland. Susan was a certified member of Dance Masters of America, a member of the professional Baltimore dance company Kaleidoscope in Dance, and was a featured performer and dance captain for Regency Cruise Lines. Susan thanks Ms. Marla for the opportunity to resume teaching.
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T erzah (Miss T.) has lived in St. Joseph since the age of nine. She began dancing at the age of 12. Terzah attended Stephens College in Columbia MO where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance in December of 2004. While attending Stephens, Terzah had the opportunity to work with many wonderful guest artists including Raphaël Boumaïla of the Limón Company, Tom Titone formerly with ABT, Jude Woodcock formerly with Pilobolus, Tony Stevens, Karin Baker, Ron Stewart and Gail Gilbert. She was also exposed to many other forms of dance including Flamenco, Irish Step, Russian Character, East Indian and African. Upon graduation from Stephens, Terzah relocated to Phoenix, AZ where she attended Arizona School of Massage Therapy. She is currently practicing at Healing Hands Massage Therapy in St. Joseph. During the summer of 2006 she attended the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters where she tested and became a member. Terzah is very excited to be part of the Dance Arts Center.
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