MEET THE TEAM!
COLLABORATIVE - visionary - inspirational - creative - dedicated - supportive
Rachel Doty
Studio Director
Styles Taught: Star Leadership, Company Choreographer
Highlight Reel: Tokyo Disney Aerialist, NBA Dancer (Warriors Dance Team), Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises dancer, Galaxy Macau Casino Opening Cast, Commercial and Television dancer. Former Head Coach of Sherwood Arrows Dance Team. Competition choreography has received choreography award, technical award and several top overall placements.
Holds instructor certifications in STOTT mat pilates, Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility.
Teaching Philosophy: To encourage a love of dance in her students and raise our students up as leaders. Rachel strives to help students find the fun and joy in dance. She loves to teach technique and help dancers reach their technical goals. She equally enjoys teaching jazz and helping guide dancers to step outside of their comfort zone so that they feel confident showing the world exactly who they are as a unique dancers and performers.
Abbi Bertalotto
Office Manager
Styles Taught: Ready, Set, Dance!
Highlight Reel: Bachelor in Science with a Minor in Family Studies from Oregon State University, Mom of two, former Sherwood High School Dance Team Coach and Lake Oswego Middle School Jr. Dance Team Coach
Teaching Philosophy: Abbi strives to create an atmosphere where her students can embrace the joys of childhood. Her teaching style is a perfect blend of nurturing creativity and fostering self confidence.
Katy Meeks
Styles Taught: Contemporary, Tap, Company Choreographer
Highlight Reel: Competitive dancer and choreographer, University of California: Santa Cruz Graduate and Dance Minor. Dance captain of UCSC, Artistic Director of academically produced dance show "Random with Purpose XXVIII:Prism, Head Coach of Mountainside High School Dance Team. Established choreographer has been awarded choreography award and many top overall placements.
Teaching Philosophy: Katy is passionate about introducing kids to the wide variety of movement styles that dance has to offer. She believes no two dancers are alike and focuses on tailoring technical training in various styles to fit the needs and abilities of each individual.
Raena Gonzales
Styles Taught: Hip-Hop, Company Choreographer
Highlight Reel: LYFE Dance Company, Rouge Society Dancer, Freshvibe dance, Linfield dance team choreographer, Durantes mentorship program, Blazers RIP City Crew Dancer.
Teaching Philosophy: Raena choreography can be described as “fresh and energetic" she is passionate about encouraging strength, power and style in her students. Her favorite thing is seeing her students progress and build their confidence over the course of the season.
Emily Bussard
Styles Taught: Ballet, Pointe
Highlight Reel: Portland Festival Ballet, The Boston Ballet, The Kirove Ballet, Nebraska Ballet,.
Teaching Philosophy: Emily believes in respecting the rich tradition of ballet, but also strives to push the boundaries and carve her own path within the dance world. Without ballet, Emily wouldn’t be here today, knowing that she believes in not only making strong dancers, but strong young men and women.
Amanda Hoban
Styles Taught: Technique, Contemporary, Company Choreographer
Highlight Reel: Continued training in LA and college dance program, LYFE Dance Co., 11 Dance Company, Nonsense Dance Company, Governors Ball, Halloween Ball, Nike Sneaker Ball performer. Nationals Choreography award recipient, trained in Progressive Ballet Technique.
Teaching Philosophy: Amanda aspires to create a space where her students feel valued, challenged and a part of a close-knit community. This involves personal attention, recognition, unconditional support, embracing challenges for growth, and fostering connections.
Skyler Pimentel
Styles Taught: Jazz, Company Choreographer
Highlight Reel: Pro Reveler with Revel Dance Convention, danced competitively for 13 years, Petite, Junior and Teen Spotlight Title Winner, several 1st overall placements as soloist and team member, worked with professional choreographers though well recognized Youtube dance group.
Teaching Philosophy: Skylers belief is that dancing is not just about mastering steps and techniques but also having fun, fostering a positive mindset and building self confidence. She is passionate about creating a learning environment where students can truly enjoy the art of dance. Skyler believes when dancers have fun they are motivated to learn and improve. She also hopes to teach her students a positive mindset and that it’s not about getting it right every time, but that mistakes are opportunities for growth. She encourages her students to be kind to themselves, to persevere and to believe in their own abilities.
Darci Meyerhofer
Styles Taught: Ballet Technique
Highlight Reel: Scholarship to the prestigious dance program at the University of Arizona, received a BFA in Dance, performed the role as “Ponytail Girl” and was dance captain in regional theater production of Sweet Charity, 3 Seasons as Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, certified Pilates instructor working as a physical therapy aid and Pilates Therapy guide.
Teaching Philosophy: In Darcis classes she tries to cultivate the mind-body connection and how it applies to dance. When dancers have an awareness and education of how their bodies move, they will move and dance with great efficiency and integrity. While I believe that an understanding of ballet technique is crucial to a dancer’s development, she also tries to incorporate opportunities for dancers to explore and grow in their own individual artistry and self -expression.
Roni Heagy
Styles Taught: Ready, Set, Dance, Jazz/Acro, Mini Dance Team, Lyrical
Highlight Reel: Stayton High School Varsity dance team member and captain, Won State Championship, All-State member, Dance Scholarship recipient, Stayton High School Dance Team coach where she led the team to 2nd place at State, high school choreographer for half times and competition pieces across Oregon.
Teaching Philosophy: Roni’s teaching philosophy revolves around fostering a joyful and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered. She believes dance is not just about mastering choreography but also about self-expression and personal growth. Ultimately, her goal is to inspire a lifelong love for dance by making every class a memorable and enjoyable experience, where students not only learn the steps but also discover the Beaty of self-expression through movement.
