Master Teacher, Contemporary Jazz

Master teacher, performer, and choreographer draws from her 15 years of dance training when in front of a classroom or on a stage. With a focus on Contemporary and Hip Hop, Brittany also possesses training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pilates, and Yoga. Brittany has danced for artists including Macklemore (‘Dance Off’ official music video) and Beat Connection (Capitol Hill Block Party), and has worked on various projects with Macklemore’s main choreographer, Anna Matuszewski.

A native of Seattle, Brittany’s artistic ambitions led her to Los Angeles, California to pursue her professional career. She joined the performing arts company The Young Americans, where she expanded her training in all forms of dance as well as broadened her knowledge in acting, vocal, and choral training. Brittany traveled to countries including Russia, Germany, Spain, Gibraltar, Holland, Poland, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Japan, and South Korea, teaching music and dance as part of The Young American’s Outreach Program. She also performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and has worked extensively with master teachers including Alex Little, Doug Caldwell, and Daniel Cruz.

As a choreographer, Brittany has received many accolades for her choreography, including being nominated for “Choreography Of The Year” at the Industry Dance Awards in Los Angeles, California. Other choreography awards include those from Velocity Dance Convention, Hollywood Connection Regionals and Nationals, and many more. Brittany has been on a panel of judges for various dance competitions and taught on the convention circuit with Kids Artistic Review.

Currently, Brittany works as a choreographer and teacher in the Seattle area and has been traveling around the country as a guest choreographer for various studios. Additionally, she is a Program Developer at The Dance Process, helping build an innovative dance app under Cody Green. You can also find her exploring dance photography as a photographer at Hollywood Dance Shoot, traveling around the nation shooting dancers.

Brittany believes in the power of dance and its ability to enhance the mind, body, and spirit. Using dance as an outlet to relieve all emotions and connect with others on a level beyond words has helped her in all walks of life. Through her teaching, she hopes to share this gift with all of her students.

Master Teacher, Jazz Funk

With over 20 years of dance education under his belt, Dustin has had the privilege of working with and shaping some of today's top talent. Growing up with incredible training right here in the PNW, his education moved him to LA, where he appeared in several local TV commercials and live performances, such as the infamous Carnival Ball. He was also a featured dancer on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Throughout his career, Dustin has been a guest judge at some of the top dance companies and programs in Seattle. In addition to judging these events, he has enjoyed watching his students and choreography consistently win top honors at regional and national dance competitions. Students who trained with Dustin have gone on to professional careers in the dance industry, from tours and music videos to working with artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Derek Hough, and numerous award shows. His choreography was featured for The Dance Experience AZ, a groundbreaking production company that captures conceptual dance shorts in an incredibly cinematic fashion, as well as provides education for several of Seattle's best studios, where he shares his passion for dynamics, musicality, and, above all, work ethic

Master Teachers, Latin Ballroom

Vasya and Anita are two-time United States National Bronze Medalists, bringing an exceptional level of expertise and experience to our Latin Ballroom program. Together, they’ve earned national acclaim, and individually, they each hold a remarkable list of achievements.

Anita

Junior Olympics Dancesport Champion

9× U.S. National Finalist

2× U.S. National Champion

2× U.S. National Bronze Medalist

Featured on NBC’s World of Dance

Ohio Star Ball – Top Overall World Championship Solo Award Recipient

Vasya

Certified Master of Sports

World Champion

World Finalist

European Championship Finalist

5× Ukrainian Champion

2× U.S. National Bronze Medalist

Featured on NBC’s World of Dance

Master Teacher, Contemporary

Mackenzy is a versatile and accomplished dancer who grew up training at various dance schools throughout the greater Seattle area. Her foundation includes intensive training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Hip-Hop, Heels, and Horton Technique.

She has pursued advanced training with prestigious institutions such as:

Movement Invention Project

Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Long Beach Ballet

Peridance Capezio Center

In addition to her dance training, Mackenzy earned a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology from the University of Washington, where she also studied dance, blending scientific inquiry with creative exploration.

Mackenzy’s performance career has taken her around the world. She toured internationally with the Peridance Capezio Center Certificate Program and has received recognition at major dance competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix. She also appeared on America’s Got Talent with the award-winning hip-hop crew RNG.

Master Teacher, Ballet

Dancer, choreographer and director, John Paul Bishop has long been associated with prominent dance companies and schools in the US and abroad and has worked with some of the most notable artists in the world of dance. He began studying classical ballet and piano at the age of 8 and began his professional career at 16 with the Milwaukee Ballet Company.  He has since performed with over twenty professional companies from New York to Japan. He has worked with such dance luminaries as George Balanchine, Mikhail Barishnikov, Andre Eglevsky and many others. As a principal dancer he has performed an array of roles in both classical and contemporary repertoire including Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Ziegfried in Swan Lake, Basil in Don Quixote, Franz in Coppelia, Prince Florimund in Sleeping Beauty, Jean Brienne in 'Raymonda', Oberon in A Midsummer Nights Dream and Bryaxis in Daphnis et Chloe. His contemporary reppertoire include Balanchine's Allegro Brilliante, Serenade and Theme and Variations.

After a long professional career as a dancer, Mr. Bishop has transitioned into a well-respected choreographer creating over fifty original ballets. In 2004, he and six of his dancers competed in the St. Petersburg International Ballet Competition in Russia where he received the Award for Best Choreography and his dancers placed high in the competition.  He has also coached a number of dancers who placed as high as 1st in YAGP's Regional Dance Competition(Junior/Senior Classical and Contemporary) 4 years in a row (2016-2019).  He has also trained several professional figure skaters, including Shizuka Arakawa, gold medalist at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. Mr. Bishop's ballet productions for NBT have also attracted students and professional dancers from Washington to Russia. 

Director, Theater

Rachel graduated with a bachelor's degree in Theater and Performance Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. After obtaining her teaching credential from Cal State Long Beach, Rachel moved to northern California where she taught both Theater and English. During her tenure as a high school Theater teacher she wrote, directed and produced multiple plays and lip sync musicals. She also produced a full-length film which highlighted the school and its diverse student population. Rachel appreciated being able to adapt the pieces to the students’ specific talents, languages and musical abilities. She enjoyed working with different choreographers, set designers and the local community to put on successful performances.

Through her teaching and assistance many of her students have gone onto Cal State colleges and U.C.’s including U.C. Santa Barbara Theater and UCLA Theater and Film school.

While at Groove Studios Rachel looks forward to teaching acting classes, working on theater productions, and offering private lessons for monologues, speeches or audition pieces.

Director, Pre-Dance

Tanya is a highly respected dance educator and mentor in the Port Orchard community, with over 32 years of experience as the former owner of Just for Kicks Dance Studio. Her legacy includes guiding countless dancers from their first steps to competitive and professional levels.

As the Director of Pre-Dance at Groove Studios, Tanya is passionate about providing young dancers with a strong, joyful, and high-quality foundation. She is known for nurturing spirit, confidence, and personality in her students, while helping them develop the technique and discipline that sets them up for long-term success.

Tanya’s commitment to excellence and her warm, encouraging teaching style make her a beloved figure among both dancers and parents.

Director, Tap

Erynn Bosch has been apart of the Port Orchard dance community for over 30 years. Dance started out as a way for her mom to get her involved with after school activities, soon it became a hobby and then it became her passion, performing became her home. Her dance career has given her the opportunities to dance in various parts of the world such as The Bahamas, performing on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and touring Austria with Young Tanzsommer. She has been invited to perform for Carnival Choreographers Ball and to judge dance competitions in Canada. She has won many awards for choreography, costuming and even music editing.

Erynn has been involved in many aspects of “studio life" from student, teacher, owner and now parent. In her 25 years of teaching she has come to value the relationships she makes with her students and sees it as one of the most important aspects of teaching. With tap being one of her favorite genres of dance to teach she has watched her students develop a love of tap that has not only helped them develop the confidence to be more successful in a tap master class setting but also in their other dance classes. “Their success is my success.”

She now lives in Port Orchard with her husband, three sons, two cats, a dog and bearded dragon.

Director, Hip Hop

Kialee grew up dancing at Harbor Dance, joining the first ever mini hip hop competition team. She competed from the ages of 8-18, earning scholarships to train in LA and even competed at Monsters Nationals where she took fourth place. She has also performed in sports halftime shows and as a backup dancer at the Puyallup Fair.

Her teaching career began at the young age of 15. She went on to lead the competition hip hop program. Since then, she has expanded her teaching to studios including Freedom Dance Center and Industry Athletics and Movement, working alongside other teachers and leaders in the Seattle dance community. Her choreography has been seen on competition stages, showcases, and college sports halftime shows. She was also featured in Showstopper magazine as a member of Dancers Across America- a campaign in which one dancer from each state is chosen for their outstanding impact on the dance community.

Kialee has a passion for watching students reach their full potential both on and off stage as both humans and dancers. She pushes her students to be the best she knows they can be even when they don’t see their own potential. She hopes to reach as many dancers as possible and encourages an environment of kindness, perseverance, hard work, and dedication.

Assistant Director, Pre-Company

Brenna is a dedicated dancer, choreographer, and educator who grew up competing with Just for Kicks. A graduate of Peninsula High School, she went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Dance, combining her passion for movement with a strong foundation in organizational leadership.

With a background rooted in ballet and lyrical training, Brenna brings both artistry and structure to our Pre-Company Program. Her dual strengths in dance and business make her instrumental in developing a curriculum that supports dancers on their path to competitive, pre-professional, and collegiate success.

Brenna is passionate about creating meaningful growth opportunities and ensuring every dancer feels prepared, inspired, and empowered.

Instructor, Tumble

Coach Kellen brings decades of experience coaching tumbling, trampoline, and gymnastics teams throughout Kitsap County. In recent years, he’s crossed over into the acro dance world, where he plays a key role in helping our performers confidently and consistently master inversion tricks.

He’s also always up for a good old-fashioned handstand challenge — think you can beat him?

Vocal Coach

Becca Kaaukai is the Administrative Assistant for Spectrum Choral Academy, Northwest Choir Camps and Youth Choir Festival NW. Becca currently sings with Spectrum Accord! — the adult group for Spectrum Choral Academy.

A lifelong choral singer and musician, Becca sang soprano under the direction of Mike Allen as part of South Kitsap High School Concert Choir, Chamber Choir & Highlighters. She studied voice with Joy Fraser for 3 years. During her time in Highlighters, they attended the 2001 Montreaux Jazz Festival and won the Mt Hood Jazz Festival competition in 2001.

She then continued singing with Olympic College in Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2, Chamber Choir and Jazzline. She studied voice with Susan Trainer for 3 years. Becca performed the role of Susanna in Olympic College's production of Marriage of Figaro in 2003, toured to Thailand in 2004 and was a Music & Academic Scholarship recipient from 2002-2004.

Becca was accepted to University of Washington's Music Department for classical voice performance study, but decided to change her major, graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 2006. She then completed her MBA in Global Management in 2010.

Becca has worked with Stephanie Charbonneau (Artistic Director for Spectrum Choral Academy) and her choir programs, festivals and camps from summer 2000 to the present. She has worked in every possible capacity as staff and volunteer including camp counselor, chaperone, volunteer, rehearsals coordinator, festival staff, voice coach, section leader, theory instructor and administrative. She worked for various companies in administrative support from 2002-2016, then left her full-time career to be a stay-at-home homeschooling mama to her daughter who has been dancing for 3 seasons, singing with Spectrum Choral Academy for 3 seasons and practicing Taekwondo for 2 seasons.

Becca finds great passion in helping singers establish a strong foundation of vocal health focusing on breath support, posture and technique allowing her students to take these foundations in all areas of vocal performance

Instructor, Ballet

Nicole trained with Stanley Holden, Charles and Phillip Fuller, and as well as Cynthia Young in Los Angeles, as well as at North Carolina School of the Arts with Melissa Hayden. She then went on and danced with Ballet Omaha, Cincinnati Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet, where she danced roles such as, Dark Angel in George Balanchine's Serenade, demi-soloists in Who Cares?, Theme and Variations, and the principal role in Allegro Brilliante. She also danced the Polka girl in Paul Taylor's Company B, and David Parson's Bachanalia. After retiring from her professional career, she attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she received a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Nicole also has a Stott Pilates certification in Mat and Reformer.

Instructor, Pre-Dance

Melissa was born and raised in Kitsap County, where she began her gymnastics training as a child and continued into her early teens. After earning a spot on her high school’s varsity cheerleading team, her passion for tumbling and dance truly took off.

In 2012, Melissa began coaching gymnastics, which soon led her into the world of dance. Over the past decade, she has dedicated herself to creating and teaching acro, tumbling, and early childhood dance programs.

Dance Education & Certifications:

MUVmethod

Acrobatic Arts – Module 1

Instructor, Acro & Pre-Dance

A Port Orchard native, Jordan grew up immersed in dance and gymnastics, training at The Dance Gallery. Her diverse movement background laid the foundation for a well-rounded teaching career.

She has since taught at Just for Kicks, Sound Elite Athletics, and now shares her passion and expertise at Groove Studios, where she supports our Acro program, Pre-Dance classes, and Adult Tap.

Jordan brings energy, experience, and a love for movement to every class she leads.

Instructor, Pre-Dance

Lauren is a dedicated dancer and passionate emerging teacher who trained for seven years under Madison Walker and competed as a member of the Rise Dance Team. With a strong foundation in technique and performance, she brings enthusiasm and care to every class she supports.

Currently pursuing her teaching degree, Lauren will be assisting with Pre-Dance and Level 1–2 Pre-Company classes, where she aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of dancers.

Instructor / Social Content Creator

Aubrey’s dance journey first began in 2008. After moving to Washington at the age of six, she joined Academy of Dance where she danced on their competition team for 12 years.

Growing up as a societally recognized “plus-size” dancer, Aubrey always struggled with body image. Throughout her teenage years, she decided that body type should never be the reason a dancer chooses not to pursue dance and strives to show young dancers that they can work professionally regardless of what they look like.

Aubrey has since been a part of Academy of Dance’s Pre-Professional program, a Dancewear Center Ambassador, and has received several dance scholarships, some including being an NRG Electro-Tapper, receiving AMDA scholarship money, and over half the tuition paid for her current school, Dean College.

Currently, Aubrey is studying Dance at Dean College in Franklin, MA and she is in a BA program that allows her to double major in Arts and Entertainment Management. During her first year she has already been cast in several showcases put on by the School of Dance and is a part of Dean’s hip-hop dance team, Synergy.

During her time at Dean, she looks forward to continuing her education, deepening faculty connections, and growing her repertoire of dance which also teaching at Groove Studios and developing Choreography during her down time.

Dance Education / Certifications:

- BA in Dance from Dean College (In-Progress)

- Progressive Ballet Technique Certified Teacher

Front Desk Manager

A former competitive dance mom and everyone's favorite cheerleader, Amy brings unmatched enthusiasm, warmth, and dedication to the front desk at Groove Studios. Her firsthand experience in the dance world makes her an invaluable resource for both new and seasoned dance families.

Whether it’s helping with class selection, registration, billing, or simply offering a friendly face and supportive word, Amy is always ready to assist. Her care for our dancers and their families helps make Groove feel like home.