Meet Our Instructors
Abbey
Abbey started dancing at the age of three at Studio M Dance Company in Dekalb, Illinois. She trained there for fifteen years in classical and theatrical jazz, tap, and ballet. Since moving to Madison, she has expanded her training to include contemporary, jazz funk, heels, and hip-hop. Currently, she is part of a performance and competition team that specializes in different urban street styles of dance. Beyond movement, Abbey’s passion for dance is rooted in the relationships she builds through it, and she believes that a supportive community should be prioritized in all dance environments. In classes, she focuses on foundations and learning proper technique while, most importantly, having fun. Abbey has taught at multiple studios in the Madison area and is excited to share her love for dance with Foundations Dance!
Anna
Anna was born and raised in Madison, WI. She is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she's pursuing a degree in Computer Science as well as International Studies. Anna started dancing at the age of four and has loved dance ever since. She has trained in every style, but her favorites are lyrical and jazz. Anna is looking forward to teaching at Foundations Dance again this year!
Brady
Brady is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. At 12 years old, his love for dance found its roots at the Verona Area Community Theatre where he first stepped onto the stage and learned the joy of creating movement. Since then, he has explored many different styles and has found that Hip Hop is his favorite. Brady is thrilled to join the Foundations Dance community!
Courtney
Courtney started dancing at the age of 3 at Virginia Davis School of Dance in Madison, WI. She danced all through high school taking tap, ballet and jazz. She took a short break when she went to the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with minors in Special Education and English as a Second Language.
During the day, she is a Kindergarten teacher at Elvehjem Elementary School in Madison. During the last several years, she has been teaching classes including ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop at Virginia Davis School of Dance. She loves combining two of her favorite things: dancing and teaching! Building confidence, teaching technique, creating a safe place to grow, have fun and make friends are very important to her. She is so excited to join the Foundations Dance Team!
Kylee
Kylee has been dancing since the age of four. She has trained in many different styles, with her favorite being contemporary ballet. Kylee is planning on always keeping dance in her life. She is excited to be able to help others pursue their love for dance!
Mary
Mary has been dancing since she was four years old. She has enjoyed many styles over the years and has an affinity for ballet, modern and contemporary dance but loves jazz and lyrical as well. Mary is excited to help teach the next generation of of dancers and to help kids develop a passion and love for the art form with Foundations Dance!
Nic
Nic has loved dancing since the age of 2! She has danced in a variety of settings including studio dance and competitive dance. Nic has really enjoyed being a member of both her high school and college dance team. She was also a gymnastics coach! Although she enjoys every style of dance, lyrical and contemporary are her favorites. Outside of the studio Nic is a Postpartum/Newborn nurse!
Rachelle
Rachelle’s professional training began with Wisconsin Dance Ensemble (now Madison Ballet), A Step Above, and continued on to The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Ballet Chicago. Her professional career includes dancing with Sacramento Ballet and Madison Ballet, where she performed soloist and principal roles until her retirement in 2016.
Following her retirement she became Ballet Master and School Director for Madison Ballet. During that time, she rehearsed company dancers and students in full-length productions such as The Nutcracker, as well as Madison Ballet’s mixed repertory programs.
Rachelle began teaching while a student at Ballet Chicago, and has continued to develop her comprehensive and compassionate teaching style throughout her professional career. She is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion - allowing this to guide her continued work towards a more diverse and accepting world through her chosen medium, ballet.
Currently, she spends most of her time learning and growing with her son, and teaching dance.
Rhea
Rhea began dancing at the age of 4. During her years as a dancer, Rhea trained in many styles including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, lyrical, contemporary and competitive dance. Rhea studied at Virginia Davis School of Dance and Monona Dance Academy. Rhea has performed in The Nutcracker and Winter Fantasy as well as Stagestruck 2001: A Musical Revue.
Rhea participated in both her high school and college dance teams. She has experience instructing ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and children with special needs.
As a dance instructor, Rhea feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated, comfortable, and inspired. Rhea wants to see her students succeed, be proud of their accomplishments and enjoy all the hard work and dedication they put into dance.
Rhea is also a Licensed Clinical Therapist. She works full-time as a Local Recovery Coordinator. Rhea lives in Cottage Grove with her husband and three beautiful children.
Sarah
Sarah has always loved the artistic expression of dance. She grew up on the East side of Madison and has trained at several local dance studios. She looks fondly on her formative dancing years which were filled with classes, recitals, performances and a cherished Holiday tradition, The Nutcracker Ballet.
Sarah has experience in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, pom and hip hop. She continues to expand her knowledge and loves learning!
Sarah has had the joy of watching her own daughter grow and follow in her dancing footsteps. Sarah believes dance is for anyone at any age, and that life is better when you dance! She is thrilled to share her passion for teaching at Foundations Dance.