Instructors

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Our Faculty of Instructors

AMANDA COULSON

Director of Dancin! Performing Arts Center, Choreographer and Instructor of: Classical Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Pre-School & Litl' Kid Kombos, Musical Theater & Voice, Irish Dance & Ceili, Social Ballroom, Injury Prevention Workshops and the new "Ladies Who Tap" dance and total health program for Glorious Women.

Artistic Director of Shamrock Productions/The Reno Irish Dance Co.

Amanda brings a lifetime of performance experience to these companies. She began dancing at the age of 4, studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Irish and Theater dance in Sydney, Australia. As a child and teen, she performed in musical theater productions, stage and television, became a tap champion at 12 years and placed 5th in the Australian National Irish Dancing Championships. She completed her R.A.D Ballet Exams and B.B.O Tap exams to advanced levels, and continued studying to achieve extended teaching status. At 17 years of age, when called ‘too tall for dance’, she was offered a soloist position with the Sydney Festival Ballet Company (William Gill) in Sydney Australia, toured with Apcar’s International tour of ‘Casino de Paris’ in Sydney & Melbourne, played the singing/dancing role of ‘Virtue’ in Anything Goes, and became the youngest dancer with the ‘Bluebell Girls’ at the ‘Lido’ in Paris, France. At 19, she accepted the principal lead dancer role at ‘La Scala Theater’ in Barcelona.

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!”

ASHLEY BUMGARDNER

Classical ballet, Lyrical, Tap and Jazz Instructor

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 2020. - 2021

JULIE SMITH-SIMPSON

Classical Ballet Instructor - Group and Private Lessons.

Julie Smith- Simpson, a Southern California native, began her dance training at the age of five at the famous Art-Linkletter-Totten. By the age of twelve she auditioned for Concert Dance Theater and began what was to become a never-ending career in dance.

During her training and performing years, Julie has traveled extensively through the United States and Europe. Julie also completed her Russian Ballet Vogonava teaching Methodology of Pedogogy and trained with renown instructors such as Finis Jhung, John White, John Magnus, David Howard and more recently with Valeri Tchekachev of the Vagonova Academy of Russian Ballet.

Julie began teaching ballet at Dancin! in 1996 and throughout 1997. We are thrilled to have her back teaching in studio again after her travels in the Performing Arts.

Along with Ballet, Julie is an ACE certified personal trainer and Yoga teacher, who also enjoys hiking and skiing.

SAMANTHA BERGER

Instructor for Ballet, Kid's Hip Hop, Lyrical Contemporary, Tumbling for Dancers and Jazz/Tap Musical Theater Style.

Samantha started dancing when she was just three years of age. Most of her dance training was in classical ballet, and she soon added training in modern dance, lyrical, jazz, tumbling, and hip hop. At middle school age, Samantha decided to try something new, and joined a competitive dance team. She truly loved having that family feeling of a dance team and being able to meet new people at competitions… she trained over 30 hours a week. Dance competitions were very enjoyable and rewarding, especially having feedback from judges who had never seen her perform or dance before. Samantha believes that having constructive input is very important when improving your dance technique. At 15 years, all of the hard work paid off, as she won 1st Place in her first national dance competition (KAR). After many accomplishments and learning moments while competing, the competition team training helped her learn leadership skills, self-discipline, and presentation for performance.

Recent Accomplishments include; 12 years of Nutcracker (Clara, dew drop fairy, Arabian solo & duo), KAR national dancer of the year and placement in the top five 95% of competitions. Dancing for school Native American Awards. Winning a scholarship to dance conventions. Aerial silks and tumbling

Dance has truly made Samantha, who she is today… “I have always wanted to become a dance teacher so that I can share this passion and spread the love of dance”.

SABRINA FERGUSON

Instructor for Hip Hop and Contemporary Lyrical

EMILY ZIZZO

Instructor for Adult Hip Hop & Lyrical Contemporary all ages.

Emily is an outgoing, energetic dance instructor who is enthusiastic about making dance fun and engaging while challenging students to try new styles and extend their comfort zones. Experienced in multiple dance styles ... Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Pointe and Tap... Emily has over 17 years of dance experience with a performance background. Roles included "Clara", "Dew Drop" and "Sugar Plum Fairy" in Nutcracker - "Dorothy" in the Wizard of Oz". Emily is delighted to be joining our teaching staff at Dancin!

JEN OROPEZA

Instructor for Adult Jazz, Lines Dance Ladies (Country Fusion)

NATALY ROZNITOVSKY - Piano Instructor

CLARA BUCK

Irish Dance for Kids and Summer Camps.

Clara started dancing at Dancin! in 2001 at the age of two. Over the years she has performed in numerous productions, been a member of the Reno Irish Dance Company, and has enjoyed Irish, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre. In recent years, she has also assisted backstage during productions and with summer dance camps. She graduated with honors from McQueen High School in 2017 where she participated in tennis, choir, musical productions, and a service organization. Clara is back for the summer from her freshman year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA where she is double majoring in Communications and Psychology and minoring in Dance as well as enjoying the college experience. She is grateful for her experiences at Dancin! and hopes to continue to contribute to the studio whenever she’s in town.

MOLLY BURNSKY

Mat Pilates with Props Instructor

A twist on traditional Pilates utilizing foam rollers, balls and bands. This class focuses on stabilization of the spine, strength of the core and the flexibility of the entire body. Helps create a long, strong, lean and limber body!

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.❤️ www.mollyburnsky.com

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Testimonial:.."Molly's extensive background and knowledge of anatomy make her an excellent theacher who never gives the same class twice, but manages to offer a complete and balanced workout."....Pam.

SUSAN FRANKOVICH

Bellydance Instructor

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Susan Frankovich has had quite the nomadic past. She began her bellydance journey with American Tribal Style (ATS) in New Mexico and continued onto NYC, LA, San Francisco, and Croatia, and then back to LA again, learning something more in each place while developing her own style along the way. Susan is a Tribal Fusion Bellydancer and yogi who is in the constant pursuit of improving her art and teaching style

As an instructor, she has a great eye for correction, and can deliver critique with a positivity that makes her students feel successful. She is a former member of Bellyqueen and PURE (NYC), The Barbary Coast Shakedown (San Francisco), and was the People’s Choice winner with Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution (for Dark Side of the Crown) in the summer of 2012. Susan has taught and performed in the US, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Asia, Russia, and throughout Europe. She is known for bringing tribal style dance to Croatia (in 2002), and in addition to the many years traveling to teach and perform there, she spent 4 years cultivating a lively and loving dance community in Zagreb. In December of 2012, Susan moved to Los Angeles where she had the opportunity to choreograph and dance for Bellydance Evolution’s Alice In Wonderland. Her love of movement, both yoga and dance is never-ending, and she loves to guide others and watch them grow. Susan returned to Reno in October of 2016, and in addition to teaching dance and yoga, she facilitates PSYCH-K® and is studying to become a yoga therapist. She is delighted to be instructing at Dancin! Performing Arts Center.

Find Susan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanFrankovichDance/

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!"

ALICIA ORSLEY

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.

EMILY JOHNSON

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.

Marla has a BA in International Affairs, with a minor in Dance, from UNR. She has been dancing and teaching locally and abroad for the last nine years and has instructed for one of the largest dance companies in the world, Universal Dance Association, in addition to coaching and choreographing for numerous local studios and high school dance teams. Currently Marla performs professionally for a wide range of production companies around the U.S. and is passionate about teaching dance and practicing yoga and Ayurveda. We are thrilled to have Ms Marla as an instructor at Dancin!

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).