Our Faculty of Instructors
Artistic Director of the Reno Irish Dance Co.
She studied voice with Maya Mayska from the Liceo Opera in Barcelona, The Conservatory of Music in Madrid, Clyde Wright from Mahalia Jackson, Max Aronsten and Max Speed from the Australian Opera Co. and also the Theater College of Hobart whilst performing her Solo Singing Act in Tasmania with Regmat Productions.
She toured Europe and Australia with her own singing act under the Management of Bernard Hilda from London Management, working with such major artists as June Allyson, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, Elizabeth Schwarzkoff, and Lovelace Watkins.
She came to America as principal dancer for Ron Lewis/Frederick Apcar productions, The Stardust Hotel, MGMs ‘Hello Hollywood Hello’, and has had the great pleasure to work with such master Director/Choreographers as Matt Mattox, Gino Landi, Winston Hemsley, Rich Rizzo, Michael Peters, Scott Salmon, Henry LeTang, Ann Garvin, Bob Fitch and Ron Lewis.
She collaborated with Berry Gordy from Motown, on the original writings of ‘The Life of a Dancer’, Captained the Suzanne Sommer’s Act and her National Television Special, and also choreographed Industrials and Conventions for the M.G.M , Bally’s and Hilton Hotel Casinos. She directed many Special Events, Video and Television Programs including the hugely successful fundraiser for Reno Mayor Pete Sferrazza…‘The Roast’ at the Reno Hilton in ’93, the Miss Nevada Scholarship Pageant for Television, and the R.S.C.V.A’s Television Commercial, ‘The Sky’s the Limit’, which received the 1987 West Coast Directorial Award.
Amanda wrote and originated the highly successful CityKids TV show in 1989 (on air with NBC and Local Cable TV through 1993). She performed and understudied Juliet Prowse for 2 seasons in her starring role in the Broadway Musical “Sugar Babies” with Mickey Rooney, Rip Taylor, Carol Lawrence and Bob Fitch.
Amanda opened Reno’s Dancin! Performing Arts Center in 1996, and soon created the Reno Irish Dance Company. During this time she coached Toni Tennille in performance dance for her starring role in ‘Victor Victoria’, and became the local coordinator for the Moscow Ballet Company.
Amanda continues to travel whenever possible, performing, writing, directing, choreographing, teaching workshops, coaching and judging competitions. She recently wrote and opened the “LADIES WHO TAP” Program, a unique and fascinating series of tap dance classes that are designed to delay Dementia and the onset of Alzheimer’s.
See: www.ladieswhotap.com
This Program includes the latest ‘cutting edge’ studies of the ‘Brain on Dance’ and the health benefits for ‘Women on Dance’.
Amanda's Outstanding Injury Prevention Techniques for Dancers have been developed over her Performing and Teaching career with Sports Physical Therapists and Orthopedists.
Her Artistic Directorship of the Reno Irish Dance Company has continued throughout the years developing a broader presentation of the Irish/Celtic Company into Musical Theater Performing Arts as seen in their annual "SIAMSA" - A Celtic Christmas.
Her Dance School/Studio, Dancin! Performing Arts Center offers a wide variety of dance and performance classes, representing Amanda's love and appreciation for diversification in the Performing Arts.
“Dancing and Performance isn’t glamorous…It’s hard, disciplined work. But, if you love it…It can be the most exhilarating, rewarding experience that any young person can have!”
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Ashley Bumgardner
started dancing at four years of age. She grew up in Shingle Springs,
California and trained with Foothills Dance Studio. She has trained in a
variety of styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, pointe, and
tap. She joined performance troupe at eight years old, performing at
convalescent homes and community events. She started competing in
various dance competitions around California and Nevada at the age of
twelve. Her team won various national titles and received recognition
as well as attended conventions, dancing with recognized professionals
in the industry. Around fifteen she began teaching dance at her studio
in California to children aged three to nine years old. She has now
moved up to Reno to attend UNR and is double majoring in Elementary
Education and Dance. She has a passion for teaching and a desire to
share her love of dance with the next generation. Dancin! Performing Arts Center is delighted to have "Miss Ashley" instructing again for the New Year 2018 - 2019.
Molly Burnsky has been teaching Pilates for 20 years. She has worked with Physical Therapist and rehabilitation movement and exercise for 10 years. Post professional dancer continuing in the craft with teaching Pilates, reformer, apparatus, yoga, aerial yoga and cardio dance. Knowing that “motion is the lotion” to keep our joints and body moving with grace and ease.❤️
Hip Hop Instructor for Kids, PreTeen and Adults
GEORGIA WRIGHT
Director of the'Wright2Dance' program. Instructor of Ballroom and Social Dance.
Georgia Joy Wright grew up dancing in Carson City before moving to Pittsburgh, PA where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Point Park University in Dance. With extensive training in: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, and Choreography, Georgia has been performing professionally as an actor/singer/dancer in theatre and dance companies in both the United States and Europe for the past 15 years.
After College Georgia followed her dreams to Paris, France, where sh toured Europe and danced with La Danse Harmonique. While touring Europe, Georgia fell in love with ballroom dancing and quickly returned to the United States to become certified in ballroom dance through Dance Vision International Dance Association. She has been teaching and choreographing all over the Reno/Carson/Tahoe area for the past 6 years. Georgia is also certified in American rhythm and Smooth: Cha Cha, East Coast swing, Night Club 2 Step, West Coast swing, Salsa, Bolero, Rumba, Samba, Merengue, Hustle, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot,Waltz, and Tango.
Most recently, through 2016-2017 she has been teaching Children's Jazz/Tap/Tumbling for dancers at Dancin! Performing Arts Center, Assistant Director for the Reno Irish Dance Company's "SIAMSA" - A Celtic Christmas at the Nugget Casino Resort. TV and Commercial Acting/Improve Classes for John Robert Powers, choreographing for Billinghurst Middle schools’ musicals, and along with her dance partner, Veto, performing and teaching Ballroom dance at Dancin! Performing Arts Center, Western Nevada College, Silver Legacy Hotel/Casino, Harrah’s Hotel/Casino, Cal Neva Hotel/Casino and The Nugget Hotel/Casino in Sparks. Georgia enjoys teaching in a fun, positive environment, while placing a strong emphasis on proper technique, solid basics, and musicality. "I am thankful to my current students and I look forward to meeting new exciting students at Dancin!"
Substitute Instructor of Irish Dance, Line Dance and Children's Grade Ballet.
Alice Orsley has been dancing since she was able to walk. She has grown up under the tutelage of Amanda Coulson from the age of six. Alice worked for The Taj Dance Club in Fernley for 3 years where she had up to 80 tap, ballet and jazz students. After The Taj Dance Club closed Alice opened her own studio in Fernley and struggled to keep it going as the economic downturn struck. Unable to continue financially, she returned to her roots at Dancin' Performing Arts Center and is currently interning with Amanda Coulson. She is honing her skills as a ballet teacher as well as teaching performance Irish dance. Alice is working with Amanda to develop a strength and conditioning program that will work in conjunction with Amanda's injury prevention program. Alice is a championship Irish dancer and has been competing in Irish dance since the age of 12. She has been the principal dancer in "Siamsa, A Celtic Christmas" and has performed in numerous stage productions as both an actor and dancer. She is trained by Amanda Coulson, "Riverdance" star Nicole McKeever and "Lord of the Dance" stars, Debbie Carroll and Martin Percival. Alice aspires to be a dance professional and hopes to pass her TCRG exam in the future so that she can continue the legacy of traditional Irish dance competition with students who share her love and passion for the Irish culture expressed in the art of Irish dance.
GUEST Instructor of Hip Hop for Kids,Teens and Adults
Emily started classes at the Dance Workshop Performing Arts Center in Minden when she was four years old and trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. As part of their competition team, she participated in a variety of competitions and performances that helped her hone her fundamentals. She went on to join the Douglas High School Dance Team, and took as many as six dance classes per week while in high school. After graduating school and serving in the Navy, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Illustration while continuing to take dance classes. She has most recently performed, trained, & choreographed with the SOLESurve hip hop crew based out of SURVE Dance Complex in Sparks, NV, and continues to take and teach classes whenever she can. Her goal as an instructor is to provide a fun classroom experience while building skill and confidence. Emily is a Digital Artist at CustomInk and lives with her dog, Bailey.
JINGER LEIGH KALIN
Director of 'Jinger's Dance & Zumba' ... GUEST Instructor of Adult Jazz and Flex Class at Dancin!
Jinger
Leigh-Kalin began teaching dance when she was just 14
years old. Followed by a professional
career as a dancer, Illusionist and later a producer & director. She continues her passions of touring and
teaching to this day. Her areas of
expertise, licensing and certifications include Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop
funk, Body technique & Stretching, Cardio dance and Zumba!
MARLA RICHARDSON
Substitute Instructor of Hip Hop for kids and Tap/Jazz Combo for kids 6yrs - 11yrs.
VIKKI VAQUERA
Instructor of Line Dancing and Country Couples at Dancin!
CHARLES WHITTEN
Director of 'Yoga by Charles' at Dancin! Namaste!
Charles has adopted the Sanscrit spiritual name of "Marici" which means "ray of light". A ray of light is what Charles strives to bring to the Yoga classes he teaches. His classes emphasize structural alignment of the postures in conjunction with breath awareness. He teaches from a perspective of utilizing Yoga as a vehicle for enhancement of daily life and for personal transformation.
Charles was originally trained to practice Iyengar style Yoga and is certified in the Ananda Yoga for Higher Awareness, Integrative Yoga Therapy, and Yoga of the Heart teacher training programs. He has over 800 hours of professional Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist training and has been teaching Yoga, meditation, and Ta'i Ch'i Tu'an since 1989.
He is a member of the Ananda Yoga Teachers Association. Charles is available to respond to your questions regarding Yoga, yogic practices, and meditation.
Please feel free to contact him at [email protected] or by phone at 775-677-YOGA(9642).
