Growing up in Burley, Idaho, Sheryl balanced her time between riding her horses and dancing as a young girl. She later attended BYU where she continued her dance career with the Cougarettes while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in math and sociology as well as a secondary teaching degree. After graduation Sheryl and her husband, Chris, moved to Switzerland where Chris played professional basketball and Sheryl taught at the private boarding school, College Du Leman, just outside of Geneva. Upon returning to Utah, Sheryl joined the BYU faculty as the Cougarette advisor before opening her own dance studio in 1979. She and Chris have three children who all live in NYC where Christopher owns a strategy & design firm and Joey and Jacki are enjoying professional dance careers. Although Sheryl has a great love for the art of dance and has found tremendous enjoyment in teaching, her greatest fulfillment comes from the relationships she has developed with all of her ‘kids’ at the studio. Her goal at The Dance Club is to provide students not only with the technical dance skills to pursue a professional dance career, should they be interested, but more importantly arm them with essential life skills that lead to success in whatever they pursue.
Allison Thornton Studio Manager / Company Teacher
Alli has been involved in dance since she was a young . She started in "Stars" a drill team, and eventually gained valuable training in all styles of dance through "The Dance Club." Alli has performed throughout the world in Canada, various parts of Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan, and in almost all 50 states. She has also done industrial work for Polaris, Novell, and Nu-Skin, and performed in two International World Expositions. Immediately after high school, Alli began a 10 year professional dance career with "Odyssey Dance Theatre." During her time with Odyssey, Alli spent the first 7 years as a principal dancer/dance captain, and the last 3 years as the Assistant Artistic Director under Derryl Yeager. She cherished the time she spent with Odyssey, and gained tremendous experience as a dancer, choreographer, and director. Alli enjoys choreographing and has earned many regional & national awards for her choreography. She also enjoys teaching and helping children learn and grow in an art she loves. This past year, Alli was thrilled to be able to take on a new role in ‘The Dance Club’ not only as teacher and office manager, but as a partner in the studio with Sheryl Dowling.
Allison Holker Hip Hop / Jazz / Contemporary
Bio & picture coming soon!
Angel Ercanbrack Ballet / Jazz / Turns
Angel grew up at The Dance Club. She began at the age of three and continued her training until she graduated. During her years at the studio she won many awards and had several outstanding accomplishments. She recently returned from dancing with PGT Entertainment and Princess Cruiselines where she was a dance cast member performing for cruiseline guests. Upon returning she has been able to travel with New York City Dance Alliance as a staff member. Currently she is teaching ballet, jazz, turns and also assists with Jazz Club and Company classes. Angel loves teaching here at The Dance Club and working with all of the students. She is so fun to be around and has a happy ougoing personality but is extremely hard working and pushes the dancers to daily excel and be their very best!
April Snow Express Director
April trained at The Dance Club for twelve years and was on their Company teams for six of those years. She was on the Orem High Drill Team, Orem High Dance Company and UVSC Dance Team. She currently is on the UVSC Synergy Modern Dance Team. She has had many leadership responsiblities which include Head Drill at Orem High, UVSC Dance Captain and is currently the President of UVSC synergy Modern Dance Team. Through out her years of dancing she participated in a variety of half-time shows, dance competitions and the 2002 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremonies. She has won many personal awards and scholarships throughout her dance training as well as awards for her choreography. April loves teaching and has coached the Orem High Drill Team and is currently teaching our Express Team, Jazz Classes and Ballet.
Bethany Bayles Director Mini & Small Stars / Fairy Tale Ballet Director
Bethany has been dancing with The Dance club since she was 3 years old. She has had training in Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Tumbling. Through her years of dancing she was able to participate in numerous half-time shows, competitions and the 2002 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremonies. Since she started choreographing, her students have won high honors at local competitions including "Most Entertaining". Bethany has now been teaching for 8 years and loves that she gets to play with little kids all day and teach them how to dance.
Brittany Bowman Jazz / Contemporary / Turns
Dancing with Company at Dance Impressions in Bountiful, Utah for 7 years, Brittany trained in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, hip hop, and contemporary. She has won numerous scholarships at several conventions including LA Dance Magic, New York City Dance Alliance, Dance Attack, and Inspire. She is currently attending BYU majoring in Music Dance Theatre. She has choreographed for productions of the Wizard of Oz, Aida, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and four dinner theaters. She loves doing choreography and has enjoyed the opportunity to teach contemporary at The Dance Club!
Caitlin MacEwen Office Staff
Growing up at The Dance Club, Caitlin has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and tumbling for over 13 years. She has won several top awards with her team in local as well as National competitions. She had the opportunity to dance in the Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and has also been awarded various scholarships throughout her years of dance. Caitlin was on the Timpanogos Dance Theater at Timpanogos High School all 3 years of school and was President this past year. Now that Caitlin has graduated from High School, she hopes to continue her love of dance here at The Dance Club and teach others to love dance as well.
Cassie Jensen Lyrical Jazz
Cassie has been choreographing and teaching for the past 21 years. She has a love of dance and it shows through her choreography. Our Company dancers have won NYCDA Junior and Senior Critic’s Choice Award with every lyrical jazz piece Cassie has choreographed for them! Her most recent awards include the NYCDA National Senior Critic’s Choice award as well as ‘Best of Bounce” at the Bounce Competition Nationals in Las Vegas.
Chante Sinclair Tap / Hip Hop
Bio & picture coming soon!
Cherese Emery Director Super & All Stars
Cherese has been dancing since the age of three. She grew up training at The Dance Club in Orem for many years were she was a member of company. She was able to participate in the 2002 Olympics and compete and win many prestigious awards. She was a member of Lone Peak High School Drill Team for 3 years. She was the captain for two of those years and led her team to a 4A state championship in 2005. Cherese was crowned Miss Dance Drill Utah in 2006 and she went on to becoming 3rd runner up at the Miss Dance Drill USA pageant. Cherese attended Brigham Young University and became a National Champion BYU Cougarette for 2 years. She has been teaching dance for the past seven years, and really enjoys being back at The Dance Club to teach the wonderful, talented little girls.
Emilee Wright Tap / Jazz
Emilee has always loved to dance and to share her ability with others. She trained at various studios in Utah including The Dance Club, as well as spending time in New York and California to refine her talent. Emilee has a broad background in tap, jazz and ballet along with various world dance forms. She danced with the International Folk Dance Ensemble at Brigham Young University and later graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts. She now teaches jazz, tap and world dance at BYU and has choreographed for their Music, Dance and Theater program. She has been teaching dance for the past ten years and loves to teach all forms. She has also had the opportunity to choreograph for various performing groups, pageants, plays, competitions and festivals throughout the world. Emilee finds no greater pleasure than to teach someone to use their body for such a beautiful art form!
Emily Hoover Jazz Club Director
After a very successful career as a young dancer earning numerous awards and scholarships in both Utah and Arizona, Emily continued her dance education on scholarship at M.C.C. in Arizona and then later at BYU. While her real passion has been teaching and choreographing over the past 13 years she has taken time to do some judging as well.
Heidi Stoddard Starburst Director / Jazz I
Dancing since the age of 3, Heidi has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modem, hip hop, tap and tumbling first in Arizona and later at The Dance Club. Although she earned many awards and scholarships growing up, her love of dance has grown most thru teaching. She has taught for the past 5 years and is especially proud of her community dance class for children with disabilities. Heidi currently serves as Miss Lehi and has learned that combining the Miss America program with her dance talent has provided her much scholarship money to further her dance education at UVSC.
Jeannette DeGraffenried Gym / Turns / Tap
Jeannette grew up dancing at The Dance Club. She is trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Gymnastics. She has worked with Polaris and Hanna-Barbera and has had the opportunity to take classes in L.A. and travel all over the U.S. competing. She has taught gym for over thirteen years and dance for 12 yrs. She cheered at Weber State and UVSC. Jeannette was the cheer advisor for UVSC for eight years where she took her team to nationals and placed in the top 10 three times. She also has worked with the United Spirit Association for over 10 yrs and has helped choreograph NFL half-time shows. She is excited to be teaching at The Dance Club.
Jen Pendleton Jazz Technique / Contemporay
Jen grew up at The Dance Club where she “loved every minute”. After graduating from high school she joined Odyssey Dance Theatre, and has now been dancing with the company for 5 years. Her dance career has taken her all over Europe, Korea, Costa Rica and across the United States. She has also danced with Justin Giles Company “Soul Escape”. Jen has been teaching since the age of 16 and is excited to ‘come home’ and be a part of The Dance Club staff.
Jesse Thorpe Ballroom
Bio & picture coming soon!
Jill Trane Vocal Coach
Jill has been teaching Private & Group Vocal Instruction for over 17 years.
She has received; "Best Director Award" "Best Choreography", "Overall Grand Champion", numerous "1st Place", and "High Point" titles.
Recipient of several Scholarship Awards for Academic Achievement, Music Dance Theatre and Vocal Performance.
Miss American Fork 94-95′,
Talent Winner & Top Five Finalist - Miss Utah
"Perfect Score" in Talent Division at Miss Utah and Miss American Fork.
Offered Professional Leading Rolls in “Les Miserable” & “Phantom of the Opera”
Has had leading roles in several professional, college, and local productions.
“Gift of Christmas”, “Funny Thing Happened - Forum”, “Sophisticated Ladies” “My Fair Lady”, “Rumors”, “West Side Story” , “Sound of Music”
Received honors such as "Best Soprano", "Magna Cume Laude Graduate", "Best Supporting Actress" & “Deans List”.
Judged numerous scholarship pageants, vocal and dance competitions.
Private & Group Vocal Students have been awarded College Scholarships, Miss Utah/America Organization Scholarships and offered rolls in college & local Productions.
Kenady Bunker Tap
Kenady is from Las Vegas, Nevada where she grew up dancing at Bunker Dance Center - her mother’s studio. While at Bunker, Kenady was a member of the Performing Arts Company, as well as an assistant, a teacher, a front desk person and an overall helper! Although Kenady studied and performed all dance styles her forte is tap. Kenady has won several tap scholarships including one to participate in Slide, a week long tap intensive in New York City. This past August 2007 Kenady spent one week in Los Angeles at the LA Tap Fest taking advanced tap classes from incredible teachers like Jason Samuel Smith, Chloe Arnold, and Dormisha Edwards. Kenady attended the Performing Arts High School in Las Vegas with an emphasis in dance her Freshman year, but transferred to Palo Verde High School where she graduated with high honors and was involved in student council and served as president of the Palo Verde National Honor Society (which is the sixth largest in the nation.) Kenady is currently attending Brigham Young University and studying Anthropology and International Development. Kenady loves to teach and is very excited to be part of The Dance Club faculty!
Kirra Cook Jazz / Turns
Kirra Cook began her association with The Dance Club in 1981 at the age of 10. After watching The Dance Club (Stars at that time) perform at the Provo Freedom Festival, she knew she wanted to be a dancer. Shortly thereafter, she tried out and made the All Star team. Kirra started teaching at The Dance Club when she was 13. She started off assisting Sheryl and some of the other teachers in jazz, ballet, and gymnastics. Soon after that she was given classes of her own. Kirra also participated as a songleader and as a student at The Dance Club during her high school years. At the age of 18, Kirra was awarded a one month scholarship to the Tremaine Dance Studio in Los Angeles. After High School, she moved to Los Angeles and was accepted as a full time student in The Tremaine Dance Studio’s scholarship program. During her time at The Tremaine Dance Studio’s, Kirra had many great opportunities and learned much about the professional world of dance. Kirra has had the opportunity to dance with Mary Hart, David Hasselhoff, and her choreograhpy has been seen in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Good Morning America. She has choreographed numbers for Odyssey and the National Champion Cougarettes. Kirra has won many choreography awards, including the Critic’s Choice Award at New York City Dance Alliance. She loves all of her students at the studio and is most proud of her students’ incredible dancing accomplishments.
Lisa Stoddard Dance Essentials / Tap / Jazz
Lisa graduated from the University of Las Vegas in dance and then received her masters degree in dance from BYU. The advisor of the UVSC Dance Team for seven years, Lisa currently teaches all levels of jazz and tap at BYU where she also coordinates the BYU jazz program and the BYU music, dance and theater program. Her choreography has earned many awards such as the most recent prestigious New York City Dance Alliance National Choreographers Award.
Liz Jones Pilates
As a former dancer from South Carolina, Liz has always had a strong passion for fitness. She was introduced to Pilates and Yoga while dancing in high school and that’s where her love began. After high school, Liz moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University where she earned her degree in Health Science. While at school she also began teaching Pilates and Yoga. Along with being certified to teach various group fitness formats, Liz is STOTT Pilates and Yogafit certified. She has been teaching and training at gyms, corporate fitness centers, dance studios, and colleges for over five years and has also starred and choreographed in her own Pilates DVD. Liz really enjoys her job and loves teaching others how to live a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Liz Starley Ballet
Liz Starley grew up in Utah and has been dancing here forthirteen years. Her ballet trainingbegan at the age of eight at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet where she continuedtraining classically for nine years until she was promoted to be an apprenticedancer with Utah Regional Ballet. Upongraduation from high school, Liz auditioned and received a contract to continuedancing with the professional company. This coming season will be her second year with the company and shelooks forward to many more. She iscurrently pursuing a BFA in Ballet from Utah Valley University. Liz has two years teaching experience atdifferent studios and is excited to begin working with the girls at The Dance Club.
Megan Miller Ballet
Megan has been dancing for the past twelve years and has enjoyed every minute of it. She trained at The Dance Club in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and contemporary. During that time, she was honored to received much recognition and national awards along side her team dancers. Megan has had many wonderful opportunities to grow as a person and a dancer. One of those opportunities was being on the Timpanogos High School dance team, where she danced for three years. There she learned styles of modern and new techniques. Megan is currently teaching ballet at TDC and can’t wait to share her love of dance with others. She is anxious to see the progress her dancers make this upcoming year! In the fall, she will be attending UVU where she will be continuing her dance education in ballet.
Michele Taylor Ballet
Michele started dancing when she was six years old and soon knew that ballet was her love. She grew up dancing at various studios in the Utah Valley area. Michele danced and performed with the Youth Artist Program at BYU. She majored in Ballet at BYU and danced and performed with the Theater Ballet Company. Some of the performances include Copellia, Swan Lake, Giselle, and other works. Michele has over 17 years teaching experience and has worked with a wide range of students from 12 months to s. She especially enjoys teaching children and finds it very fulfilling. Michele is married and has a daughter in Junior Co. at the Dance Club, two sons and a 23 month old daughter who teaches Mommy and Me with her. Michele likes to rock climb, mountain bike, ski, go camping, and has traveled the world, but most of all loves to spend time with her family.
Shala Parrish Hanks Ballroom
Shala is trained in many dance forms including Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Ballet, but her specialty is Latin Ballroom. Shala has trained and competed all over the world and moved to London for two years at the age of sixteen to pursue her ballroom career. Some highlights of her dance career include being a recipient of both Edge Perfoming Arts Center and New York City Dance Alliance scholarships, placing 7th in the Under 21 Latin in Blackpool 2nd at the US National Championships, and being the Irish Open Champion. Outside of the competitive realm, Shala has also performed for Bowflex, Nordstrom, The Miss Utah Pageant, and Odyssey Dance Theatre. Shala currently enjoys coaching some of the top ballroom couples in the state, choreographing around Utah and trying to dance whenever she gets the chance!
Shaun Ricks Ballet
Shaun Ricks received most of her early training in Salt Lake City at what was then called the Ballet West Conservatory, and later earned her BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah. While at the University, Shaun danced with the Utah Ballet, competed with the U’s ballroom team (URAD), and was also able to perform with Ballet West, and The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company. Upon graduation, she accepted a contract with the Roxey Ballet Company in New Jersey. In 2005 Shaun moved to Chicago where she spent four happy years performing with such companies as The Lyric Opera of Chicago, NoMi LaMad Dance, RASA Dance Chicago, The Jedlicka Performing Arts Company, and The Peoria Ballet. Her favorite roles include a solo "Shaun’s Room" by Broch Clawson, "Savanna" a duet by Victoria Vargas, and “Altered Interactions” by Lizzie MacKensie. Also in Chicago Shaun expanded her love of teaching at several schools including the Salt Creek Ballet School, The Dance Factory, Powerhouse Dance, and Impact Dance where she was honored to be "Ballet Mistress" of all eight performing companies. She was very pleased to choreograph for these schools as well as to create works for Freespace, Breakthrough, Rasa Dance Chicago, and The Dance Factory’s production of The Nutcracker in Delavan, WI. Shaun is currently pursuing her MFA in Teaching/Choreography from the University of Utah.
