Our Instructors
Steven Oelrich
Tap Dance, Barre, 1980s Cardio TEST
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Steven grew up in Southern California where he studied tap, jazz, ballet, and Scottish Highland Dancing at MacKinnon Dance Academy under the direction of Joy MacKinnon. While there, he performed with the Pure Joy Moving Company and Pumping Metal tap ensemble. While attending college at the University of Wyoming, he taught tap dance classes and choreographed for the Theater & Dance Department under the direction of Dr. Patricia Tate and Dr. Marsha Knight.
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Since moving to the Seattle area in 2007, Steven has taught varying levels of tap for several local studios including Definitive Dance, Issaquah Dance Theater, Blue Dog Dance, and Dance Premier. In April 2016, he opened The Studio in Issaquah so that more adults of all ages and backgrounds could experience the joy of dancing. Since then, he has enjoyed taking master classes from tap elite such Brenda Bufalino, Sarah Reich, Sam Weber, Bril Barrett, and Cartier Williams. He's also enjoyed choreographing routines for local high school productions Mamma Mia and Drowsy Chaperone for Issaquah High and Eastside Catholic High schools, respectively.
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In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, hiking, playing board games with friends, and traveling. He is an adrenaline junkie and enjoys riding coasters and anything else that gets his heart pumping like paragliding, go karting and paintballing.
Megan Adams - Jazz
Megan is dedicated to making dance fun and accessible for all ages and experience levels. A.C.E. Certified, and with extensive dance training from University of Washington, Westlake Dance Center, and tens of other dance studios across the nation, Megan is well versed in knowing how to make class a safe place to express oneself through dance, while also getting a great full-body work out.
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Megan is the lead dance instructor for Village Theatre's Institute program, as well as a long-term faculty member of Westlake Dance Center and The Studios. Megan's credits include choreographing for the SeaGals, Stealth Bombsquad, Village Theatre, and many local schools and special events. Megan loves bringing dance to adults in Issaquah, her home-town!
Seàn Batingan - Hip Hop
Sean was exposed to dance at an early age of 5 or 6 and rediscovered it again at 19, a couple years after moving to the states in 2004. He spent time watching youtube videos of different dance routines from JABBAWOCKEEZ, to Justin Timblerlake music videos "Like I Love You". At 21, Sean returned to college and found himself in a small dance community in Greenfield, Massachusetts. From there, he spent more time exploring and self teaching in breaking, popping, animation, tutting and waving, but his love for dance directed him to pursue choreography.
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Sean eventually moved from a small town in Massachusetts where hip hop is basically non-existent, to Seattle WA in 2012, and continued to explore and grow as a dancer. Sean created a dance crew (Studio 3 Company) with a couple friends, and eventually received his first teaching opportunity at COREO in 2019.​ He currently directs his group "Studio 3 Company," teaches classes at Westlake Dance Center in Shoreline and Baila District in the U District, and now The Studio in Issaquah. He likes to go up to the studios in Vancouver, BC to train when he can, and goes to dance conventions whenever possible.
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In his spare time, Sean enjoys spending time practicing dance with friends making routines and dancing in sync and performing as a crew. He's taken inspiration from different dance crews such as KABAMODERN, MOSWANTED, Questcrew, Poreotics; individual dancers Lyle Beniga, Keone Madrid, Melvin Timtim, Bam Martin, CJ Salvador to name a few.
Melain Blue - Rizzmic
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Melain Blue has spent her career in a passionate pursuit of skill sets that help inspire others to improve their lives. Beginning with intensive musical training in childhood she first developed expertise in stage performance and went on to become a professional singer. After starting her family she transitioned into a career in cosmetology while pursuing a variety of professional opportunities such as photography, creative and copywriting, graphic design, videography, modeling, dance choreography production, and fitness instruction. All these career paths culminated in the creation of Rizzmic® Fitness; founded in 2012. As Rizzmic's Creative Director, Melain is responsible for the written content and creative vision of the company, but her greatest passion lies in teaching fitness, choreographing new routines, and educating Rizzmic trainees.
Gabby Cruver - K-pop
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Gabby was born and raised in Washington, loving dance all her life. In 2017, she discovered K-pop and started teaching herself her favorite choreography’s. She found a wonderful new community and passion for movement, that made her feel empowered. Now she strives to give others a similar feeling. Her priorities lie with shaping a community that is only ever supportive, fun, and a safe space for anyone. She also has worked with small, local Everett and Seattle theaters in creating choreography for musicals such as Urinetown in 2019. She can’t wait to create a fun community full of wonderful new dancers!
Her hobbies include: drawing, singing, video games, and talking about her cat.
Deanna Eden - Lyrical
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Deanna began dancing at the age of 3 and quickly learned that she had a passion for dance and has been dancing ever since. Deanna grew up training at Allegro Dance Academy in Auburn, WA, in a variety of styles with a focus in Jazz, Ballet, and Musical Theater. Deanna was a member of her high school's state champion dance team for four years including two years in leadership roles.
In college, Deanna had the opportunity to dance for and coach the dance/cheer team for the Seattle division of the Indoor Football League for three years.
Deanna especially enjoys teaching young and brand-new dancers who are learning to love dance and has taken specialty training on working with young dancers and dancers with special needs.
Deanna has spent the past few years teaching both child and adult dance classes in the Bellevue/Eastside area. Deanna currently dances as a company member with Syncopation Dance Project and performs and choreographs for Seattle’s Princesses.
Allan Frias- Hip Hop
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Born and raised in San Francisco, California Allan Frias has been a Bay Area pioneer, mentor, choreographer and instructor in the dance community for 20 plus years. As a top 12 finalist on the Inaugural season of “So You Think You Can Dance”, Allan has trained many professional dancers that have one on to work for such artists as Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Beyonce, and RuPaul…just to name a few.
For 17 seasons Allan directed the NBAs' Golden State Warriors Jr Jam Squad. The squad consisted of 20 kids from the age of 8-14 where he choreographed, staged, mentored and coached them throughout the season preparing them for halftime performances with special guest artist such as Sheila E, E40, Bell Biv Devoe and a host of other artist. He’s worked at several dance studios establishing youth programs from the ground up and prepared youth for a professional career in the performing arts field.
Allan prides himself on mentoring youth in developing their dance style and abilities. He also provides a safe haven for adults and seniors while hosting weekly dance classes to build community, and to share the importance of creative expression.
Kim Gockel - Ballet, Jazz, Stretching
Kim Gockel has instructed and choreographed in and around the Seattle area for over 30 years. She currently teaches children through adults at Westlake Dance Center, Gotta Dance and most recently Dance Expressions. Kim earned her BA in Kinesiology from the University of Washington and has spent her career focusing on the research and implementation of safe and effective movement as it relates to dance. She has participated in many dance workshops around the country through which she has learned to think about the body mindfully and teach others to do so as well.
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Kim teaches modern ballet with the purpose of transforming strong, dynamic technique into meaningful movement. She has had the opportunity to study with prominent instructors including Stephanie Saland and Hannah Wiley whom she credits as having the most influence on her current perspectives on movement. Kim is the founder and director of En L’air Dance, a benefit dance collective. Kim is also a certified Gyrotonics instructor and leads private sessions in her home.
Tanya Harrison - SHiNE Dance Fitness
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Join Tanya for an invigorating dance fitness experience where participants can unleash their inner dancers and embrace the transformative power of movement.
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As a child, Tanya began her life with gymnastics, color guard/winter guard, dance teams, and a professional dance company, but these were put on hold with multiple life changes. As an adult she reconnected with dance and movement in her first Zumba class. With decades of experience teaching all ages, from preschoolers to adults, and now teaching fellow nurses, Tanya brings a dynamic blend of passion, expertise, and choreography experience to every class. Having been certified in AFAA, Barre, Balletone, and multiple dance formats including SHiNE™, Tanya is dedicated to creating an inclusive and empowering space where participants can sweat, smile, and shimmy their way to improved overall health and wellness.
Tanya's journey into SHiNE™ was fueled by a profound resonance with its message and mission. Recognizing the strength in diversity, she passionately believes in the empowerment and acceptance of others. For Tanya, the joy of sharing the dance fitness journey is unparalleled, fostering connections, strength, and camaraderie that extend far beyond the studio walls.
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Off the dance floor, Tanya is a proud parent of two amazing teenagers and a furry, talkative pup who keeps life lively. With a zest for life and a commitment to spreading joy and fun through movement, join Tanya in discovering the magic of dance fitness – let's move, groove, and SHiNE™ together!
Cristina Hernandez - Zumba & Hip Hop Cardio
Cristina is a licensed Zumba instructor since 2012. She loves Zumba for the main reason that each class feels like a party! She strongly believes that if you think you have two left feet, and no coordination, these classes are for you! There are no mistakes in Zumba, only unexpected solos! Come dance to Latin and International rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Afro Beats, Bollywood, Reggaeton, Samba... she'll take you around the world in one hour!
She can't wait to meet you, and take you on a tour around the world through music, dance, and happiness!
As you may have guessed, she love dancing, but her other hobbies are cooking, reading, writing short stories, and making short movies with puppets.
Esla Kim - Cardio & Strength & Hip Hop Cardio
Esla is a fitness enthusiast who splits her time at other retirement communities, offering her
balance, stretching, toning, and training expertise. She provides seminars on fall prevention and
stays busy creating content and activities to keep people active.
Before breaking into the fitness industry, Esla owned a coffee shop in Seattle and said her
business fueled her passion for nutrition. She desired to offer healthier choices for her
customers.
She says she meets many people discouraged from exercising due to aging, injuries, or
lifestyle. She likes to encourage the members with her favorite motto. “Don’t punish your body
for what it can’t do but celebrate what your body can do!”
Katie Kim - K-pop
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Katie is the co-founder of Next Level Crew, a K-Pop dance cover crew in the greater Seattle region. Next Level was founded to create a bond in the community with those that love dance and K-pop, but also to create an environment where people can feel safe to express themselves and have fun! She is mostly self taught, but has taken years of various introductory classes and foundations for ballet, hip-hop, heels, and more. She is also currently a part of UW Undivided, a hip-hop based dance team at the University of Washington. Katie has a lot of experience with performances in the Seattle area, including competitions, festivals, and parades. She is excited to meet the new community and create a welcoming and encouraging environment for all types of dancers!
Grace Kradin - Yoga
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Yoga has been the one thing that helps Grace stay balanced, healthy and flexible. The practice of yoga creates an environment of no competition, no judgement and no expectations.
Grace has her 200 hours of yoga certification plus 100 hours of yoga specialty certification including: senior yoga, chair yoga, back yoga, hatha yoga, restorative yoga (Yin), and hot yoga. She has taught yoga at Hot Yoga Experience, YMCA Sammamish, Yoga Bliss, and
Golds Gym (425).
She is happy to be back in a studio enjoying a community that she has missed since Covid.
Shanee Luk - Tap Dance
Shanée grew up in California and has studied ballet, jazz, theater dance, and tap, but tap has always been her favorite. She graduated from University of California, Riverside with a teaching certificate and taught elementary school before moving to Seattle. While at UCR, she rediscovered her love of tap, studying under Fred Strickler and performing in their annual dance concerts.
After moving to the Seattle area, she became involved in musical theater, performing many shows with ManeStage Theatre in Puyallup. She continues to take class around the Puget Sound area, The Studio being one of her favorite places to take class. She is so excited to be sharing her love of tap at The Studio!
Mackenzie Malhotra - Tap Dance & Theater Jazz
Mackenzie moved to Seattle after receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She is a teaching artist and choreographer that has taught with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Community Education and Outreach Program, EDGE Performing Arts & Dance, Emerald City Dance Complex, as well as private dance lessons. She has choreographed at Reboot Theatre Co., Renton Civic Theatre, Tahoma High School, and EDGE. Mackenzie has also performed in Seattle, working at such theatres as Village Theatre, Twelfth Night Productions, Seattle Music Theatre, and the Kirkland Performing Arts Center. Tap is Mackenzie’s favorite dance style, and has been tapping since she was 11 years old. She can’t wait to be teaching tap at The Studio!
Maddie Miller - Hip Hop & Contemporary
Maddie has been a mover/dancer ever since she can remember. She graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelors in Arts, majoring in dance. She danced with SINIHHA, an all inclusive hip-hop club, and for the last two years led the club. Her experience and skill sets helps with being aware of how the body moves and how to best help the body. She has experience in contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, and jazz, and if you ever want help with tricks she would know how to get there. She believes every body is a dancing body and strives to create dance environments where movers can be experimental, free and welcoming.
Maddie aims to challenge her movers and also loves to create choreography that is fun. She hopes to give you movement that you would be excited to bust out with your friends or while you are on the dance floor.
She loves her mini weiner dog Holly with all of her heart and soul. Holly is 14 yrs old and toothless, so she is referred to as the “little lady”. Maddie loves art and music, and a movie night is her best friend. She loves to chat about anything so don’t be shy!! She is so excited to meet you and ready to get our groove on!
Kelsey Muñoz - Contemporary & Pop Culture Choreo
Kelsey grew up in Illinois where she danced from the time she was big enough to take toddler classes. Throughout her lifetime, she has trained in a wide variety of styles, but has come to love contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop the most. Choreography is her passion and she loves seeing her work come to life through other dancers, whether in the studio or on stage!
In 2015, she graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a minor in dance. Shortly after, she founded Ekcheo Dance Company, an Orlando-based teen dance group and mentorship program. After moving to Washington, Kelsey joined the team at The Studio in 2019. She loves the community here and hopes you will feel right at home in her classes! Her goal is to make every class fun yet challenging, and to get to know the dancers in her classes on a personal level.
In addition to being a dance instructor, Kelsey is also a wife, mom, birth doula, tea drinker, Amazon primer, and youth leader at her church. She loves everything sparkly and spicy! Drop by and take class with her soon!
Trina Nguyen - Jazz, heels & burlesque
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Trina Nguyen has always had a love for dance and started dancing when she joined her high school’s dance team. Trina has more than 15 years of experience, including jazz, heels, jazz funk and ballet. She has trained at Westlake Dance Center, performing in Sign of the Times with choreographer Megan Adams for 15+ years, and with KGDP (Kristen Grace Dance Program). Trina was also an original member of Isaiah Rashaad’s Zay’s Baes performance training company.
Brooke Wilson - Hip Hop
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For over 15 years, Brooke has developed broad artistic and technical knowledge across many dance disciplines. Through dedicated practice, she continues to deepen her repertoire and passion with each new challenge she faces on the dance floor.
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Her dance journey started at British Dancing Academy where she trained in classical ballet, jazz-funk, and modern. As she advanced through the ranks, Brooke furthered her craft at summer intensives and regional dance conventions, competed for solos and earned the highest marks in annual ISTD exams, an internationally accredited dance evaluation.
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Within her first year at college, Brooke hit the stage in several productions with the College of Fine & Performing Arts at Western Washington University. She fueled her curiosity to explore other contemporary styles and collaborated with different hip-hop dancers on choreography projects. Later, Brooke was selected to join the hip-hop dance team on campus, which she choreographed for and performed with at local exhibitions and college basketball games.
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Above all, Brooke looks forward to strengthening an inclusive, supportive dance community where new and experienced dancers can thrive through meaningful collaboration.
Monica Yee - Barre
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"Fitness is fun” is Monica’s mantra and she loves connecting and sharing this fun with others. Her passion for fitness has led her on a journey as an instructor for over 20 years. She has taught a variety of group fitness formats including strength, step aerobics, cycling, yoga/pilates, core, and barre.
Her love for movement started early with ballet classes at the age of nine, and she danced and performed throughout her teens, even teaching dance to children. A standout memory in her dance experience was traveling to New York City at 16 to study at the Joffrey and New York City ballet studios.
Outside the fitness realm, Monica is dedicated to advancing cancer research through clinical trials in her work at a local non-profit company. She balances her professional life with being a mom to two grown children and an energetic labradoodle, and she stays active by taking tap classes at The Studio.
Join Monica in a Barre class for a full body workout experience.
Guest Instructors
Dalrek Davis - Ballroom & Social Dances
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In 2018, Dalrek began teaching at Redmond's Danceworks Studio, and expanded his range of styles to include American Smooth (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz), Rhythm (Cha-Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing), and West Coast Swing. It was at Danceworks that Dalrek also started his journey into choreography for performance showcases and wedding dances.
Outside of dancing, Dalrek enjoys playing video games, practicing other arts such as singing and drawing, playing with his 2 ragdoll cats, and cooking delicious food with his wife / dancer partner for life.
Amelia Moore- Flamenco
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Amelia is a lifelong dancer who began her dance career at the age of 17 as a Belly Dance soloist, vocalist and Flamenco palmera with the World Music and Dance group Children of the Revolution. Learning and falling in love with flamenco led her to eventually herself fully to the art of Flamenco dance. She co-founded Oleaje Flamenco in 2009, and since then continues to study intensively with her mentors María Bermudez ‘La Cha Cha’ and Belen Maya, along with Flamenco greats such as Alfonso Losa, Concha Jareño, Manuel Liñan, Pastora Galván, Pedro Córdoba and many more.
As a performer, she creates and produces shows under the name Oleaje Flamenco with guitarist Jed Miley, and has worked extensively with invited guest artists such as percussionist Luis de la Tota (Jerez de La Frontera), guitarist Israel Heredia (Granada), singer and dancer Jose Moreno (NYC), singer Jose del Faro (Barcelona), guitarist Joaquin Gallegos (Santa Fe), and dancer Ana Rosa Meneses (Cuba). She was also a featured Flamenco dance soloist in Arizona Theater Company’s reimagined musical Man of La Mancha in their 2017-2018 season to popular acclaim, receiving a MAC award nomination for her role in the play.
As a teacher, she loves sharing her passion for the richness, musicality and emotional depth of flamenco with students of all levels of experience. Flamenco is unique in the nature of its improvisational communication between dancers and musicians, and never ceases to enchant, challenge and provide a source of connection, play and solace. She is a co-director of Espacio de Arte, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the flamenco arts, and is co-founder and teacher at Northwest Flamenco Academy in Factoria, a studio dedicated exclusively to the flamenco arts.
Cristina Hernandez - Zumba & Hip Hop Cardio
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Cristina is a licensed Zumba instructor since 2012. She loves Zumba for the main reason that each class feels like a party! She strongly believes that if you think you have two left feet, and no coordination, these classes are for you! There are no mistakes in Zumba, only unexpected solos! Come dance to Latin and International rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Afro Beats, Bollywood, Reggaeton, Samba... she'll take you around the world in one hour!
She can't wait to meet you, and take you on a tour around the world through music, dance, and happiness!
As you may have guessed, she love dancing, but her other hobbies are cooking, reading, writing short stories, and making short movies with puppets.
Abi Wall - K-Pop & Hip Hop
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Abi Wall started dancing as soon as she could walk. After training and receiving her black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do at age twelve, she left the practice to pursue dance and performance. She has eight years of training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. She competed locally and nationally with a team and as a soloist for four years. After high school, she danced in a student-run and student-choreographed company, Dance in Flight, that performed a themed show. She has been involved in local block parties, performances, and recently a music video for local American-Asian media company JoySauce. She fell in love with movement and expression in high school and has been choreographing since. She is excited to continue learning and growing as a dancer, student, and teacher.
Abi Wall - K-Pop & Hip Hop
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Abi Wall started dancing as soon as she could walk. After training and receiving her black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do at age twelve, she left the practice to pursue dance and performance. She has eight years of training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. She competed locally and nationally with a team and as a soloist for four years. After high school, she danced in a student-run and student-choreographed company, Dance in Flight, that performed a themed show. She has been involved in local block parties, performances, and recently a music video for local American-Asian media company JoySauce. She fell in love with movement and expression in high school and has been choreographing since. She is excited to continue learning and growing as a dancer, student, and teacher.
Deanna Eden - Lyrical
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Deanna began dancing at the age of 3 and quickly learned that she had a passion for dance and has been dancing ever since. Deanna grew up training at Allegro Dance Academy in Auburn, WA, in a variety of styles with a focus in Jazz, Ballet, and Musical Theater. Deanna was a member of her high school's state champion dance team for four years including two years in leadership roles.
In college, Deanna had the opportunity to dance for and coach the dance/cheer team for the Seattle division of the Indoor Football League for three years.
Deanna especially enjoys teaching young and brand-new dancers who are learning to love dance and has taken specialty training on working with young dancers and dancers with special needs.
Deanna has spent the past few years teaching both child and adult dance classes in the Bellevue/Eastside area. Deanna currently dances as a company member with Syncopation Dance Project and performs and choreographs for Seattle’s Princesses.
Deanna Eden - Lyrical
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Deanna began dancing at the age of 3 and quickly learned that she had a passion for dance and has been dancing ever since. Deanna grew up training at Allegro Dance Academy in Auburn, WA, in a variety of styles with a focus in Jazz, Ballet, and Musical Theater. Deanna was a member of her high school's state champion dance team for four years including two years in leadership roles.
In college, Deanna had the opportunity to dance for and coach the dance/cheer team for the Seattle division of the Indoor Football League for three years.
Deanna especially enjoys teaching young and brand-new dancers who are learning to love dance and has taken specialty training on working with young dancers and dancers with special needs.
Deanna has spent the past few years teaching both child and adult dance classes in the Bellevue/Eastside area. Deanna currently dances as a company member with Syncopation Dance Project and performs and choreographs for Seattle’s Princesses.
Brooke Wilson - Hip Hop
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For over 15 years, Brooke has developed broad artistic and technical knowledge across many dance disciplines. Through dedicated practice, she continues to deepen her repertoire and passion with each new challenge she faces on the dance floor.
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Her dance journey started at British Dancing Academy where she trained in classical ballet, jazz-funk, and modern. As she advanced through the ranks, Brooke furthered her craft at summer intensives and regional dance conventions, competed for solos and earned the highest marks in annual ISTD exams, an internationally accredited dance evaluation.
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Within her first year at college, Brooke hit the stage in several productions with the College of Fine & Performing Arts at Western Washington University. She fueled her curiosity to explore other contemporary styles and collaborated with different hip-hop dancers on choreography projects. Later, Brooke was selected to join the hip-hop dance team on campus, which she choreographed for and performed with at local exhibitions and college basketball games.
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Above all, Brooke looks forward to strengthening an inclusive, supportive dance community where new and experienced dancers can thrive through meaningful collaboration.
Brooke Wilson - Hip Hop
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For over 15 years, Brooke has developed broad artistic and technical knowledge across many dance disciplines. Through dedicated practice, she continues to deepen her repertoire and passion with each new challenge she faces on the dance floor.
​
Her dance journey started at British Dancing Academy where she trained in classical ballet, jazz-funk, and modern. As she advanced through the ranks, Brooke furthered her craft at summer intensives and regional dance conventions, competed for solos and earned the highest marks in annual ISTD exams, an internationally accredited dance evaluation.
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Within her first year at college, Brooke hit the stage in several productions with the College of Fine & Performing Arts at Western Washington University. She fueled her curiosity to explore other contemporary styles and collaborated with different hip-hop dancers on choreography projects. Later, Brooke was selected to join the hip-hop dance team on campus, which she choreographed for and performed with at local exhibitions and college basketball games.
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Above all, Brooke looks forward to strengthening an inclusive, supportive dance community where new and experienced dancers can thrive through meaningful collaboration.
Lynda Itoi - Scottish Country Dancing
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Lynda Itoi was a competitive Scottish Highland dancer for over 25 years and grew up in the Pacific Northwest's Scottish community. She is a certified professional member of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance and has worked with students ranging from four years old to adult. Though no longer competing, Lynda continues to support the local Highland dance community. She is treasurer for the Seattle Highland Dance Association where she has served in various capacities since 2014. Her most recent contribution to the Highland dance community was acting as a co-chair for the United States National Championships of Highland Dance held in Portland, OR, in July of 2023. Lynda is passionate about continuing and sharing the art of Scottish dance through teaching.