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Dance
Directors of the Year |
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Double
Platinum Level |
Kimberly Nelson
- Step In Time 66235 Points
I started dancing at the age of
three and new ever since then I wanted to be a dance teacher
and have my own Dance Studio. When I turned 20 I decided it
was time to do just that. I had a registration in Payson and
I started with only three students and it has grown to over
a hundred. Most of my dancers are on competition teams and
they also compete solos/duets/trio's. We love competing at
America on Stage and I am so honored to be a Director of the
Year. I couldn't have done it without my awesome dancers and
my assistant coach Miss Brenna. In my spare time I love
hanging out with my husband and 2 daughters. I also enjoy a
great shopping spree and vacationing where ever is warm! |
Shanna Cook
- N-Step Dance Academy 48270 Points
Shanna began dancing at a very
young age, studying Tap, Ballet and Jazz; later gymnastics
and cheerleading. After a severe injury to her hip and
ankle, she was told she could no longer do gymnastics.
Determined, she decided to try clogging. She loved clogging
and was a natural, she had the opportunity to go to
Nashville several times and perform on the Grand Ole Opery
stage, she got to meet the staff of Hee-Haw and solute her
hometown. She also worked with Merrill Osmond where she
performed in TV specials, music videos, stadium of fire, and
other performances for our troops abroad, Top Ten Honored
Americans and other once in a lifetime opportunities. She
also studied Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballroom and Lyrical styles
during this time. Shanna began teaching dance and clogging
when she was 15 years old. She has more than 25 years of
teaching experience. Her dances have won many overall
awards, and she has been recognized for her creative
choreography. She loves teaching and developing dancers, as
well as teachers. She has been the owner of N-Step Dance
Academy for 17 years and loves working with the children of
Tooele County. |
|
Platinum Level |
Karissa Molen
- Intensity Dance 33460 Points
Karissa Molen is the
Owner/Director of Intensity Dance Team (IDT) in Heber City,
Utah. She trained in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical and
Contemporary genres of dance from the time she was three
years old through her college years. At the request of two
of her younger cousins, she started teaching two classes of
eight girls total in 2012 while she was earning her degree
in Dance (BFA) from Utah Valley University. IDT has grown
from 8 dancers in 2012 to over 300 dancers in 2019-2020.
There are now 10 championship competition teams, 32
additional non-team classes, 5 Instructors and 2 studios!
With IDT, Karissa wanted to provide an opportunity for
dancers to receive instruction from highly qualified
instructors in different genres of dance with the
opportunity to perform/compete without the high expense or
too much required time in the studio.
Karissa loves to hike, go sky diving, try new adventures and
meet new people.She loves Disneyland, the beach, holidays
(especially Christmas) and is a lifelong, loyal BYU fan. She
is always ready for a party and loves to spend time with her
family. She is the aunt to 3 beautiful little girls and
can't wait for them to start taking her dance classes.
Karissa is so grateful for the America On Stage Competitions
which provide a great atmosphere for all dancers to progress
and succeed. She is honored that IDT has been awarded
numerous A.O. S. Team Overall Grand Championships since 2012
and thankful for the A.O,S, Open Dance Nationals Studio
Overall Grand Championships that IDT has been awarded in
2017, 2018 and 2019.
|
Lindsey Camp
- Sunshine Dance Cedar 32340 Points
Lindsey Camp grew up dancing in
the Color Country Dance Studio specializing in Jazz,
Contemporary and Clogging. She opened her studio in Cedar
City many years later and has been training students to get
them most out of the talent, enjoying seeing them on stage
wining several awards and Overalls. |
Robbie Walker
- Idaho Rhythm 29140 Points
Robbie Walker has been stomping
and double-stepping since the 80's! He's a proud alumni and
now owner of Idaho Rhythm with his lovely and talented wife,
Kara and 4 kids. The best place to relax and kick back? - -
Date nights are the way to go!!!
Idaho Rhythm has been in the dance world since 1983, and has
an amazing staff that creates a positive impact for kids
that with an enrollment of over 400. They have been a staple
in the local community and seek to enrich the lives of all
students by creating a safe place for dancers to go and to
grow. They believe that lessons in the classroom are lessons
for life and have a 360 degree vision of building great
kids, not just great dancers.
|
Amanda Wherry
- All About Dance 27665 Points
My name is Amanda Wherry and I
am the owner/choreographer for All About Dance Studio in
Twin Falls, ID! I have been dancing since I was 3 years old
and I knew at an early age that my dream was to be a dance
teacher. In 2011 I was able to open AAD, I felt so
accomplished and like I had reached my goal, even more so
this year since this year we are celebrating our 10th
anniversary!
I went to the College of Southern Idaho where I danced on
the dance team. My husband was a cheerleader for CSI which
is how we met and now we have three wonderful kiddos.
I am so excited to be in the competition world and apart of
the A.O.S. family! |
Julia Penate
- Legacy Dance 22435 Points
Julia has studied and taught
many styles of dance: jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, Latin
American folkloric, Arabic, Polynesian and ballroom. Her
true love is ballroom. She also has a great love for
choreography and has co-directed many musical theater
productions including Annie, The Lion King Jr, The King and
I, Hello Dolly, Seussical, Guys and Dolls Jr, Mulan, Beauty
& The Beast, Into the Woods, and Aladdin Jr.
She has won many awards with the dance studio she owns and
directs, Legacy Dance Studio, including many 1st place
awards in jazz and ballroom, first place in the Utah Team
Match championships in elementary ballroom, “Platinum”
placement in jazz competitions, and received “Judges Choice”
and “Top Technique” awards. As a ballroom competitor she has
placed as a national finalist in Amateur Cabaret, Pre-Champ
American Rhythm, and Gold Mambo and Swing.
Julia also enjoys teaching and playing the piano, but more
than anything, spending time with her family.
|
Jackie Frazier
- R&R Company 21860 Points
“There is nothing that's worth
working towards more than the confidence and pride when our
girls shine.”
It has always been and always will be about the kids; their
confidence, their growth, their joy, and the love they bring
to my life. The kiddos, all of them, are what have built us
into what we are today. At R&R Art Center we strive to
CREATE, curating artistry, confidence, skill, and passion in
each and everyone of our students, from age 2 to 99. I’ve
been privileged to be a part of this community; a body of
moms, volunteers, staff, teens, contractors, and spouses
whose desires are as great as mine, building children from
the inside out, while refining their technique and
developing their art.
I’ve not only had the privilege of placing AOS' Director of
the Year the last two years, but since 2019, I have also
taken to the stage myself. After two kids and a 15 year
break from competing, I've had the amazing opportunity to
compete right alongside the kiddos that inspire me everyday.
Our staff family shares my passion for not only the art of
dance and the creativity in movement, but the drive for
emotional enhancement of our students. I wouldn’t be where I
am if it wasn’t for their support and dedication. We work
together not only as a studio, but also as a team on the
dance floor.
I started dancing at the age of 5 in a small town in Idaho,
enjoying my high school years as a Pi-rette. I started
teaching and choreographing in 2007 and received my master's
degree in teaching in 2011. I opened my first studio in
2010, rebranding to a center filled with a preschool, dance,
cheer, and tumbling program in 2014. I am honored to be
spotlighted today, and grateful for the everyday experience
and privilege of coaching my young students in multiple
styles of dance. I am proud to state that what began as a
small seven student dream in a master bedroom of a daycare,
has now blossomed into a fully functioning community art
center with standards for love and artistry above the rest. |
Natalie Story
- N & B Dance Factory 21840 Points
As dance teachers we love
seeing a dance come together. We love seeing what we
choreograph come alive on stage! We love creating a routine
or dance vision in our head that is amazing when it’s
performed! We love watching our students grow and develop!
Our dance studio was awarded director of the year, and
that’s because we have such an amazing staff!!! I truly love
and appreciate Miss Bree, Miss Abbie, Miss Jerica, Coach
Kylee, Coach Sarah, Miss Mckell and Miss Michelle so much!
Our assistants and subs are the best: Coach Terika, Miss
Jayda, Miss Jacey, Miss Ragen, Miss Hannah and Coach Hannah!
What a great dance family we have! We love what we do!As
dance teachers we all know we have the best job ever! And
how Awesome is Greg and America On Stage! We love AOS!!!
|
Jana Shaw -
Shaw Dance 20075 Points
Dance has been and is a very
important part of my life. I believe that students can learn
things about themselves, others, and even other educational
subject areas through dance that they could not learn in any
other setting. I believe that dance should be a positive
experience for all participants, regardless of whatever
innate talents they may or may not have. Our philosophy is
to build versatile, well-rounded dancers, while building the
self-esteem and confidence of the individual. |
|
Gold
Level |
Courtney Blaser
- Studio 17 19505 Points
Courtney Blaser began dancing
at the age of 3. She has been extensively trained in ballet,
jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. She began dancing
competitively when she was fourteen. In high school she was
a member of the Eagle Edge Dance Team as well as a dancer at
Studio C. She was captain her junior and senior year and
lead her team to State, Regionals, and Nationals, taking the
1st place title in lyrical at the ESPN dance competition.
After high school she went on to teach jazz in Boise. She
continued her education at Boise State and danced there for
six years, while pursuing her dance minor. She spent two
college summers dancing for the Hotshots Dance Team
performing at the Boise Burn games under the direction of
Jaime Moore. She was also a member of the Del Sol Ballroom
Dance Team. She graduated from Boise State in 2012 with a BA
in Psychology. She moved to Payette seven years ago and is
the owner of Studio 17, a local dance studio. She currently
dances for FUSE in Boise. She has been married twelve years
to the love of her life and has five children. She loves
dancing and loves working with others as they continually
teach her about love, passion, hard work, and success. |
Brittany Stott
- Dancerz Edge 18955 Points
After moving to the small town
of Meadow, Utah, Brittany Stott started teaching a few hours
of dance to get out of the house. Eight years later Dancerz
Edge Studio has blossomed into quite a few more hours out of
the house for her. Brittany loves teaching her dancers,
cloggers, and cheerleaders. However when she is not at the
studio she is busy helping on the farm, chasing calves and
kids, or catching up on laundry!! She enjoys spending time
with her husband and 4 kids, they are usually outside and
constantly jumping from one adventure to the next! Brittany
is grateful for all the amazing relationships she has gained
in her small town the last 10 years and the teachers that
help her at the studio and succeed at life! |
Cassie Warner
- Aspire Dance Company 17960 Points
Cassie Warner was born and
raised in Reno, Nevada where she trained in the Cecchetti
method of ballet. In high school, she continued her training
in jazz, lyrical, and tap and performed with the Nevada
Festival Ballet. Cassie attended BYU where she danced 3
years for the nationally acclaimed Cougarettes – winning the
very first of what would become 19 national championship
titles.
In her professional dance career, she danced on Odyssey
Dance Theater under the direction of Derryl Yeager. She
performed with Odyssey for 3 years, working with
choreographers Derryl Yeager, Bonnie Story and Mia Michaels.
She danced in Thriller and Shut Up and Dance. She continues
to choreograph for many studios, drill teams, and soloists
in the intermountain area. Her biggest passion is dancing
along side her 6 daughters and is very happy that one little
boy joined her family. |
Wendy Schild
- Diva Dance Studio 16640 Points
We want recognize our top 15
directors from 2021 as we head into 2022! Wendy Schild has
been the director of Diva Dance in Blackfoot, Idaho since
1988. She has been dancing since age two at her Mother's
Dance Studio Lilya Dance & Gymnastics. Dance has always been
Wendy's passion. She received her BA Dance Degree from
Brigham Young University. While attending B.Y.U., she was a
member of the Cougarette Dance Team, International Folk
Dancers, and also Dancensemble. Wendy has enjoyed owning her
Dance Studio and has loved helping her students reach their
ultimate potential. Diva Dance is committed to providing
each student with quality dance education in a professional,
positive, and nurturing environment. Our Goal is to inspire,
motivate, and enrich each student in the Art of Dance.
Besides Dance, she also loves teaching Gymnastics and Aerial
Silk. |
Chansey Eames
- Straight Up Dance 14885 Points
“There is no greater joy than
teaching our younger generation a talent, self discipline,
accountability both to themselves and teammates, motivation,
and confidence. These are attributes that will shape who
they become. It’s amazing to watch the different dancers and
see how they grow. I have never had a more fulfilling
experience in my life.” – Chansey Eames In college, Chansey
represented her school as the Dance Sterling Scholar and
attended Snow College in the Dance Major Program on
Scholarship. She later attended SLCC in Business Management.
Chansey has toured/performed in DisneyLand, Carnival Cruise
Lines, and throughout the Mexican Riviera.
Chansey continues to attend workshops annually so she can
stay current on new dance styles and technique and is CLI
certified.
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Clogging/
Power Tap Directors of the Year |
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Double
Platinum Level |
LaChere Vawdrey
- Studio 164350 Points
& Emily Wright
LaChere was born and raised in
Morgan, Utah. She, along with her 4 FABULOUS SISTERS have
been clogging since the beginning of time… well…their time
at least! She, along with her husband and dance partner,
Randy Vawdrey , moved their family to Pocatello, ID 18 years
ago. Since living in Idaho, LaChere has blessed her students
with her talent and love of dance!! Her positive example,
keen ear for the perfect rhythm and music, her high
expectations of precision and a knack for helping each
student rise to their full potential through hard work are
just a few of the things that have inspired so many of her
dancers. With a growing studio and the everyday demands of
life, LaChere has added new teachers and staff members that
have the same expectations to help make the studio better
than ever. Recently, LaChere has welcomed her dearest
friend, emerging dance teacher and “all-around” dedicated
right hand man, Emily Wright, as a partner to the growing
studio. We truly have been blessed with the best staff, the
most dedicated students and super supportive parents ever!!
LaChere, Randy and each member of the FAB 5 family have
worked diligently to instill in each of the students and our
dance family the importance of always “SHINING THE LIGHT”!!
We love our FAB 5 FAMILY!! |
Kandice Anderson
- Studio 163040 Points
& Cambria Gibson
Kandice and Cambria are in
their 10th year as a studio, but they have been friends for
much longer than that! Cambria and Kandice first competed a
short duet together 20 years ago and won the short duet MVP.
They love thinking back on how their studio began and how it
has grown and changed over the past 10 years. There have
been many personal and team MVP’s won, but more than winning
they have seen their students fail and get back up, cheer on
competitors, and become a proud part of this amazing
clogging family with America On Stage. K&C’s FAB 5 studio
not only teaches clogging, but offers friendships and
memories that last a lifetime. Their studio would not be
successful without their amazing teachers and behind the
scenes help. Thanks Emileigh Hillstead! The students and
parents at K&C’s FAB 5 studio are truly the best! |
|
Platinum Level |
Bethany Hulse
- Studio 144330 Points
I’m Bethany Hulse! Owner and
Director of Extreme Rhythm Cloggers. Lucky enough to be Mom
to 4 spunky kids and wife to the best, most supportive,
husband ever! Really he must be crazy to let me do this for
the past almost 16 years, but don’t point it out . I stay
sane by always have a book (or 3) that I am reading....over
Christmas break I finished 7 My ideal day of would be spent
in the mountains with all the books and unlimited snacks,
PLUS a sign that said “if you need something, ask DAD!”
I love America On Stage and all that it does to build a
community of cloggers. Looking forward to another year of
competition.
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Maria & Greg Tucker
- Studio 140190 Points
Maria and Greg direct Rocky Mtn
Express. Maria has been teaching for 25 years, Greg 27
years, and just celebrated our studio’s anniversary recital.
Maria: I graduated from BYU with a teaching degree and a
dance minor. I had my dream teaching job lined up, but then
suddenly switched gears and decided to focus on teaching
dance instead... and I’ve never looked back! I absolutely
love my job, mostly because of the people that come with it.
Oh, and I’m also a major movie star because of dance- (you
can ask for my autograph next time you see me You just never
know where clogging can take you, and I am living proof!
Love this life we have. |
Tara Osborn
- Studio 91655 Points
Tara Osborn is the
owner/director of the Foothill Clogging in Genola, Utah.
After being away from clogging for ten years, her love for
clogging brought her back. She decided to try and share her
love of dance with all those around. Foothill loves
competing with America on Stage and performing as much as
possible. In the past 16 years they have toured as a studio
to California 3 times, Branson Missouri 2 times, and a
cruise to the Bahamas.
She is extremely grateful to have strengthened her studio in
ability and size over the last 16 years to a full time
business. Now 160+ dancers strong. She is blessed with so
many amazing dancers, families, and friends in her life due
to this amazing thing we call clogging. Tara says her most
favorite thing about clogging is being able to share it with
Jenna, her daughter. If she is not clogging or working on
her studio, she prefers to spend her time hanging with her
family, being a booster mom, scrapbooking, or riding a
horse. Tara and her husband own a small ranch where we work
together with our two boys and one daughter.
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Vickie Neilson
- Studio 90720 Points
& Ashley Fewkes
NRG has been established for 19
years... It is staffed and ran by family. NRG has so much
love and cherishes all their dance families and students so
much. The families we have met along the way have been such
a blessing in our lives. Vickie Neilson runs ALL behind the
scenes from tours, registeration, shoe orders, make-up and
we all know the list goes on and on. Ashley Fewkes runs the
students lol choreography, music and etc. She also has 2
daughters that help her out tremendously and do an
incredible job. Presley Fewkes who is 13, she is a
cheerleader at North Layton Jr High and 2019 MVP Female
freestyle title holder and EvVah Fewkes who is 11 and In
Student Government at her school is 2018 MVP Rookie winner.
Together they are quite the team. Vickie has been in the
clogging business for years it goes way back to Brian and
the Steele Family Cloggers. She loves those memories. Her
Husband is Frank Neilson, they have been married for 43
years and together they have 5 children, 20 grandchildren
and just recently in September joined the Great Grandma and
Grandpa club and loving it. She has been doing daycare for
35+ years. I think it's safe to say she adores children.
Ashley has been clogging since the age of 8 and teaching
since 11. She has been married to her "Clogging" sweetheart
Preston Fewkes for almost 15 years. They have 4 children.
Presley 13, EvVah 11, Tyce 9 and then 2 year old Madden.
Ashley has also been a cosmetologist for 16 years. Vickie
and Ashley love clogging and love owning a studio to be able
to share their love for dance with all their amazing hard
working and so very talented students. Thank you to America
on Stage for all they do for the clogging world and love
they give for all of us to share our talents. A very BIG
Good luck to NRG this season, we love you!!! |
Adison & Hailey Hillstead
- Studio 75995 Points
Hailey is the owner of GCS
taking care of all the behind-the-scenes business legwork
and together Adison and Hailey direct Ground Control Studio
out of Twin Falls, Idaho both instructing, choreographing
and coaching students. Their dream has been to expand their
studio to include more dance space and dance styles-
something they were finally able to achieve in 2019! Ground
Control Studio now has clogging/power tap, ballroom and hip
hop programs with almost 100 students and an amazing staff!
The Hillsteads also choreograph theatrical routines for the
local TFHS show choir JIVE! and produce two large musical
productions a year on top of their studio’s annual dance
show featured every May at the historic Orpheum Theatre in
Twin Falls. Hailey Hillstead’s love for theatre keeps her
busy acting, singing and dancing on stage in local musicals
each year- and she also runs a wedding floral business of
her own on the side, while Adison Hillstead, A.O.S. Hall of
Fame and Ring of Glory inductee, tours with the ALL THAT
all-male clogging group throughout the year. Little Lexi
Hillstead is turning 9 this year and loves dancing ballet.
Their combined love for the outdoors and travel is what this
little family enjoys most when they’re not already singing,
laughing and dancing together.
The Hillsteads and Ground Control Studio are excited to
bring their new ideas and hard working teams to the stage
for another year of fun! Thank you, America On Stage!
|
Brandi Gollinger
- Studio 66935 Points
“They say it takes a village,
and my village is truly the best. I’m blessed with the most
incredible, supportive families who donate hundreds of
volunteer hours to our studio family each year. These
volunteers allow me to keep tuition costs low and provide
opportunities for dancers to take classes in multiple dance
styles each week. Our families tell me the studio is their
second home and I couldn’t ask for a better compliment. I
want every dancer who enters our doors to feel like a star,
and to know that their potential is limitless! In our studio
we work hard to focus on growing friendships and building a
love of dance and performing. We support each other on and
off the stage, and we will always support those in our
extended dance community.
I’ll forever and always refer to my dancers as “my kids”.
Being a dance is mom is THE BEST JOB EVER and brings me
blessings beyond measure! Here’s to 25 years of friendship,
dance and memories! We are looking forward to getting the
season with America on Stage started in just a few weeks!
Thanks Greg Travis Tucker for all you to do to help my Starz
SHINE! ”
|
Robbie Walker
- Studio 55180 Points
Robbie Walker has been stomping
and double-stepping since the 80's! He's a proud alumni and
now owner of Idaho Rhythm with his lovely and talented wife,
Kara and 4 kids. The best place to relax and kick back? - -
Date nights are the way to go!!!
Idaho Rhythm has been in the dance world since 1983, and has
an amazing staff that creates a positive impact for kids
that with an enrollment of over 400. They have been a staple
in the local community and seek to enrich the lives of all
students by creating a safe place for dancers to go and to
grow. They believe that lessons in the classroom are lessons
for life and have a 360 degree vision of building great
kids, not just great dancers. |
Kasandra Parker
- Studio 44825 Points
Hi! I’m Kasandra Parker -
director of In Step Clogging in Rigby, Idaho. This is our
12th year as a studio! We are loving what we’re doing and
loving all the students we get to interact with!
I’m blessed to have fantastic teachers and amazing clogging
families who make this worth it!!
My favorite place to relax and chill weekly is my date
nights with my hubby. And the ultimate is when we get to do
that on a warm sunny beach!! |
|
Gold
Level |
Krista Hasler
- Studio 30370 Points
 Krista
Hasler is the director of DoubleTap Dance Company in Boise
Idaho. |
McKenna Flores
- Studio 27750 Points
McKenna is the owner and
director of stomp it out cloggers. Ever since she was
little, she knew she wanted to be a mom and have a clogging
studio just like her mom and aunt. McKenna grew up dancing
with her mom at Clogging Express, then her aunt and uncle
with Rocky Mountain Express. She started her studio in her
parents basement at age 16 as a way to pay for her own
clogging tours. After high school, she continued her studio
while attending BYU and dancing on the BYU folk dance team.
Upon graduation her studio has grown, and she continues to
have a passion to help others find a love for clogging,
performance, and helping develop self confidence. It’s her
dream come true. |
Sarah & Reed Rivkind
- Studio 36340 Points
Clogging is a family affair for
us! Sarah has 38 years of experience in the dance world with
32 of that in clogging specifically. Sarah grew up dancing
from the age of 3 and found clogging at the age of 8 where
she instantly fell in love. Sarah has taken many classes in
other dance forms such as tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet,
ballroom, and folk dance, but clogging always wins out as
her favorite. Sarah met Reed in 1997 and Reed saw Sarah’s
love of clogging and asked to join an adult class to learn
it with her. The two were married in 1998 and had many
opportunities to travel, perform, and compete all over the
world before they had their first child, Lily, in 2002 and a
few more travel experiences before their second child,
Dalton, came in 2006.
Sarah has danced at many studios in her 32 years of
clogging. She danced competitively in her teens and early
twenties and won many team titles and few titles of her own
as well. She has performed professionally with a traveling
clogging group, Powerhouse!!! and performed throughout
Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Russia, and the USA with the
folk dance group, Clog America.
Sarah has been teaching private lessons since she was 14 and
began teaching clogging teams in 2013 by teaching a
recreation adult team where she fell in love with teaching.
Her family of 4 dance on several teams together and also
compete as a family. With four cloggers living in the same
house, we have a noisy home but we all love it! Every
decision we make as a family involves clogging in some way
and I always say my motto is: “For the love of clogging!”
I formed J4C Rhythm & Sole Clogging to share my love of
clogging with others. I want to build a strong dance family
with a love of each other and clogging. My goal is to teach
sportsmanship to our dancers. They need to be happy to win
but happy for their competitors as well. I want dancers to
gain an understanding of hard work and dedication to meet a
common goal as a team and as individuals. I believe that
dancers need to have a safe, fun, and friendly environment
where they can come and work hard but play hard as well. |
Veva Ahlstrom
- Studio 23565 Points
With 4 talented sisters ahead
of me dancing constantly, I grew up napping on the go due to
dance events. This created a love for dance early on, and my
first competition was at the age of 2. This love for dance
lead to multiple individual and duet MVP's at AOS Nationals,
AOS Hall of Fame, the Ring of Glory, and 2 Jr. Olympic
Female Freestyle Gold medals as well as a Jr. Olympic Gold
medal Duet. I soon married and moved away, but dance just
couldn't get out of my system. Upon moving, his family asked
me to teach their children dance. This was the start to my
own studio in Arizona. The following year my sisters and I,
The Fab 5, would compete on America's Got Talent, making it
to the Finals. My studio continues to grow in the Valley of
the Sun, and its goal is to create a positive atmosphere,
where the dancers learn not only correct dance steps, but
the value of hard work and true friendship! As the director
and teacher, I continue to learn a lot from my Fab 4 sisters
ahead of me: They are kind and gracious, and are always
willing to help. In fact, my studio would not exist without
them: they have given me hours upon hours of help from
music, costumes, teaching, cheering for my dancers, and
cleaning my teams' routines (even when they knew my team
would possibly compete against their team.) Ultimately,
isn't that what it is all about: inspiring, helping, and
lifting those around you, even if they are your competition.
This is my hope for my students in my studio, that they will
learn this concept. I'm grateful for America On Stage for
providing us a place to learn, teach, grow, and develop
individuals' characters, what a blessing the organization is
to all of us. Relaxin' and Chillin' in Morgan, UT! |
Amber Henrie
- Studio 20695 Points
Amber Henrie is a member of the
All Star All-American team in freestyle, solos, short duet
and long duet. Amber has been clogging for 20+ years and
teaching for 12 years. Before starting NextStep, she
previously taught for Pride & Passion Studio and Extreme
Rhythm. Amber is an award winning dancer, instructor and
choreographer. She has had the opportunity to perform and
compete all over the world including Disneyland, Nashville,
Las Vegas, New York City, London, Serbia, Romania and more.
Amber graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Elementary Education and a minor in Dance. She is married to
a very supportive husband, Austin Henrie, and they have 3
awesome kids (Claire, Jack and Tucker). Amber has a passion
for dancing and teaching. She strives to help her students
see the best in themselves, and to build confidence on and
off the stage. |
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