ASHLAND SCHOOL OF DANCE
Studio Address: 802 Main St West, Ashland, WI Mailing Address: 1316 Main St W, Ashland, WI 54806
2023 - 2024 INSTRUCTORS
ALLY O'CONNELL
Ally started her dance journey with Just For Kicks at age 7 where she studied high kick and jazz. In 2008 Ally joined Sterling Silver Studio and studied jazz and lyrical. She was also part of their competition team. After graduating in 2012 Ally attended The University of Wisconsin Superior and became a part or their cheerleading team. After a year without dance she decided to also join their dance team, where she helped choreograph and started to help with coaching. Through that experience Ally learned she had a love not only for the sport of dance but for creating them as well. Ally also has practiced hip-hop, pom, zumba, belly dancing, and ballet. Ally is a Medical Assistant for Twin Ports Dermatology.
ANESSA ANDERSON
Anessa started dancing at the age of 3 at Sterling Silver Studio in Superior WI. She was ten years old when she switched to Dance Escape in Duluth, MN. Anessa than went on to be part of the Superior High School dance team. While on the team Anessa was captain her junior and senior year. After graduating Anessa went on to college at Iowa Central College where she danced her freshman and sophomore year and was also captain of the team. Throughout the years, Anessa has participated in many styles of dances such as Baton, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-hop, and Ballet. She has also won awards at local competitions and was called back to be in a Kelle Costume Catalog. Anessa also participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and has competed in the National Dance competition in Daytona Beach Florida with her college dance team. Anessa is an Occupational Assistant at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Creative Movements/Pre-Ballet (Ages 3-4): A 30 minute class designed to improve body awareness and posture placement and foster self-confidence, emphasizing motor skills development, coordination and limbering/stretching exercises. Basic beginner ballet techniques and group activities will be introduced along with classroom manners. Requirements: Must be 3 years old by September 1. Students must be able to sit quietly, listen and follow instructions.
PreBallet/Tiny Tap (Ages 5-6): Students learn rhythm and movement skills by exploring feelings and thoughts. Tap class starts with simple basic rhythm steps to develop strong tap techniques. Basic ballet techniques and group activities will be introduced. Requirements: Students must be in Kindergarten and they must be able to sit quietly, listen and follow instructions.
PreJazz/Funk (Ages 5-6): Students will learn the basic fundamental movements of jazz and hip hop. These movements include flexibility, isolation, popping, and having a low center. The movements are performed to heavy beat music that has a good rhythm and beat. Jazz/Funk is full of energy and fun music to dance too!! Requirements: Students must be in Kindergarten and must be able to sit quietly, listen and follow instructions.
Poms (Ages 6 & up): A high-intensity class with a focus on choreography, technique, and performance styles. Choreography for this class is rooted in jazz and hip hop while integrating the use of poms. Dancers in Poms will learn fundamentals of pom positions as well as performance skills while dancing to high energy music.
Level I Ballet/Jazz (Ages 7 & up): A beginner class teaching basic ballet and jazz technique. The student will learn proper ballet and jazz techniques, vocabulary/terminology, body positions and strength/stretching exercises using basic barre work and center floor exercises. A strong ballet foundation is critical to becoming a truly fine dancer in any dance form. The class content will be very age appropriate focusing on developing good classical jazz and ballet technique, stage presence, good classroom skills and creating a love and appreciation for dance.
Level I Jazz/Tap (Ages 7 & up): A beginner class teaching basic jazz and tap technique. Students will learn basic tap terminology and techniques along with learning different rhythms and counting. This class will work on perfecting past tap steps, rhythms and sound clarity while introducing new steps. The class content will be very age appropriate focusing on developing good jazz and tap technique, stage presence, good classroom skills and creating a love and appreciation for dance.
Level I Jazz/Funk (Ages 7 & up): Students will see a combinations of fundamental movements of Jazz and hip hop. These movements include flexibility, isolation, popping, and having a low center. The movements are performed to heavy beat music that has a good rhythm and beat. What separates Jazz/Funk dance from the others is being lower to the ground and having you feet grounded. Jazz/Funk is a body and mind style, such as emotion, expression and certain body movements to match the music. Jazz/Funk is full of energy and fun music to dance too!!
Level II Ballet/Jazz (Ages 10 & up): A intermediate class teaching classical ballet and jazz for older students with three or more years of dance experience. This class builds on the technique already learned through Level 1. We will focus on developing strong traditional ballet and jazz technique, vocabulary, terminology, and stretching/strength training through both barre and floor exercises.
Level II Jazz/Tap (Ages 10 & up): A intermediate class teaching tap technique for older students with at least two years of previous dance experience. This class builds on jazz and tap technique already learned in the previous level. Students will learn intermediate terminology and techniques. This class will focus on developing tap technique, stage presence, good classroom skills and creating a love and appreciation for dance.
Level II Jazz/Funk (Ages 10 & up): Students will see a combinations of movements of Jazz and hip hop. These movements include flexibility, isolation, popping, and having a low center. The movements are performed to heavy beat music that has a good rhythm and beat. What separates Jazz/Funk dance from the others is being lower to the ground and having you feet grounded. Jazz/Funk is a body and mind style, such as emotion, expression and certain body movements to match the music. Jazz/Funk is full of energy and fun music to dance too!!
Level III Ballet/Jazz: A teacher recommended class that will work on intermediate and advanced ballet, lyrical and jazz technique. We will incorporate more complicated choreography and faster footwork. There will be a strong emphasis on understanding the terminology and proper execution of more advanced ballet and jazz movement. We will also concentrate on developing the strength and technique necessary for pointe work.
Level III Tap: An intermediate teacher recommended class that will be challenged to develop stronger technique, rhythms and sounds. Students will be working with a variety of music from Hip-Hop to African to the old classics of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and multiple tap styles including rhythm, soft shoe, musical theater style tap and classical tap. Students must have tap experience. Practice time outside of class will be required.
Level III Jazz/Funk: Dancers will build on movements of Jazz and hip hop. These movements include flexibility, isolation, popping, and having a low center. The movements are performed to heavy beat music that has a good rhythm and beat. What separates Jazz/Funk dance from the others is being lower to the ground and having you feet grounded. Jazz/Funk is a body and mind style, such as emotion, expression and certain body movements to match the music. Jazz/Funk is full of energy and fun music to dance too!!
Jr. Co: This is a teacher recommended class meeting 2 days a week for a total of 2 hours of class time. Class time consists of ballet, lyrical, jazz and modern technique and repertoire. This class will work on advanced ballet and jazz technique focusing on strength, flexibility, adagio, repertoire, and advanced turn and jump combinations. This class is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to move further within their dance education.
Mr. Co: This is a teacher recommended class meeting 2 days per week for a total of 3 hours of class time. Class time consists of ballet, lyrical, jazz & modern technique and repertoire. This class will work on advanced ballet and jazz technique focusing on strength, flexibility, adagio, repertoire, and advanced turn and jump combinations. This class is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to move further within their dance education.
REQUIRED ATTIRE
Creative Movement: Pink ballet shoes, tights, any color leotard and hair secured back in a ponytail or bun. May wear a ballet skirt or shorts over leotard.
Pre-Ballet/Tiny Tap: Pink ballet shoes and tap shoes, tights, any color leotard and hair secured back in a ponytail or bun. May wear a ballet skirt or shorts over leotard.
Poms: Black jazz shoes and comfortable clothes that you can easily move in. Hair secured back in a ponytail. No dangly earrings, watches or large jewelry.
Jazz/Tap: Black jazz & tap shoes; comfortable clothes that you can easily move in. Hair secured back in a ponytail. No dangly earrings, watches or large jewelry.
Ballet/Jazz: Pink ballet shoes and black jazz shoes; any color leotard or comfortable clothing and hair secured back in a ponytail or bun. No jeans, No dangly earrings, watches or large jewelry.
Jr Co & Sr Co: Nude lyrical shoes and black jazz shoes; comfortable clothing and hair secured back in a ponytail or bun. No dangly earrings, watches or large jewelry.
Jazz/Funk: Clean soled tennis shoes (shoes worn outside will not be allowed) or jazz shoes, comfortable clothes that you can easily move in, no jeans allowed!! Hair secured back in a ponytail or bun. No dangly earrings, watches or large jewelry.
Tap: Black tap shoes, comfortable clothes that you can easily move in, no jeans allowed!! Hair secured back in a ponytail or bun. No dangly earrings, watches or large jewelry
LILY MILLER
Lily is a freshman at Lake Superior College in Duluth. She joined ASOD as a dancer in 2009 as preballet/tiny tap dancer. She started her assisting career as a 4th grader and is now one of our lead instructors. She has taught ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and poms over the years as an instructor. Last year she taught several classes at our Ashland and Washburn locations. Her favorite style of dance style is lyrical and hip hop. Her favorite style to teach is jazz. For the 2023-2024 season, Lily will teach on Sunday and Thursday evenings.
BROOKE TADDY
Brooke is a junior at Ashland High School this fall and joined ASOD as a dancer in 2019. This past dance season she was our lead instructor with a Creative Movement and PreBallet/Tiny Tap class. Her favorite styles of dance are: Contemporary and Poms. We're excited to have Brooke teaching again this year! Brooke also a track star at Ashland High School. This year she will be taking Sr Company and Sr Co Jazz/Funk. For the 2023-2024 season, Brooke will be teaching on Mondays.
ABBY KASTERN
Abby started dance with ASOD in 2012 at the age 6 in preballet/tiny tap. Her favorite type of dance is contemporary because she loves how you can incorporate any movement and be creative. Her favorite dance memory is joining the seniors on stage for their last solo. One that really comes to my mind is joining Clara Douglas on stage during her solo "over soon" it was really emotional moment and a great way to wish her goodbye. Outside of dance Abby really enjoys sea kayaking. She spends almost every day all day in the summer working out of a kayak and learning paddle related skills. She also enjoys backpacking, camping and other outdoor related hobbies. Her advice to younger dancers is to do things that make you scared. She thinks that this really resonates with the younger girls when getting on stage for the first time. Pushing yourself to overcome things such as stage fright help you grow and challenges you as a person. Abby is a senior at the Ashland High School and teaching the Level I Jazz/Tap class on Fridays. And this year Abby is taking Sr Company and Sr Co Jazz/Funk.
PAYTON ZIFKO
Payton started dance with ASOD as a 4 year old in Creative Movement. This is Payton's 4th year as an instructor's assistant. Her favorite type of dance is jazz/funk. Her favorite dance memory is the excitement of sitting with her dance groups waiting to go on stage at the recital and when the little girls in her assisting class are so happy to see her and run to hug her. Payton enjoys golfing, swimming, wakeboarding, tubing and driving the jet ski. She is looking forward to another year as an instructor's assistant. Payton will be a freshman at the Ashland High School. This fall Payton will be assisting the Level I Jazz/Funk class on Tuesdays. This year she will be taking Jr Co Jazz/Funk.
ASHLEY LECIEJEWSKI
Ashley is a 7th grader at Ashland Middle School. She started dancing with ASOD in 2014 as a 4 year old in Creative Movement! And this will be her 3rd year as an assistant. Her favorite types of dance are lyrical and hip hop. She has been an assistant for Creative Movement, PreBallet/Tiny and PreJazz/Funk. Her favorite dance memory is doing a duet with Lily last year, being an assistant and she loves dancing with her friends! This summer she will assist the Level I Ballet/Jazz and Level I Jazz/Tap classes. This year she will be taking Jr Company and Jr Co Jazz/Funk.
EMILY KOPNICK
Emily is a 7th grade at Ashland Middle Schoo. She started dancing with ASOD as a 6 year old in PreBallet/Tiny Tap. This is Emily's second year as an assistant. Her favorite types of dance are lyrical and contemporary. Her favorite dance memory is going to dance competitions, the Showstopper Convention, being an assistant and dancing with the kids. This fall Emily is assisting the PreBallet/Tiny Tap class on Mondays. This year she is taking Jr Company and Jr Co Jazz/Funk.
RYLEE OVASKA
Rylee is a 7th grader at Ashland Middle School. She started dancing with ASOD as a 3 year in Creative Movement. And this will be her 2nd year as an assistant. Her favorite types of dance are hip hop and contemporary. Rylee is very active - when she's not dancing she plays soccer, softball and basketball. She has been an assistant for Creative Movement. Her favorite dance memory is competing in her first dance competition at the age of 8; being an assistant and going to the Showstopper Convention in Wisconsin Dells. This fall she will assist the Creative Movement class on Tuesdays and taking Jr Company and Jr Co Jazz/Funk.
EVE PYDO
Eve started dance with ASOD as a 4 year old in Creative Movement. This is Eve's second year as an instructor's assistant. Her favorite types of dance are tap, lyrical and contemporary. Here favorite dance memory is having Isabel as an instructor - it was fun performing by tap to the song "I'm Still Standing" from the movie Sing. Eve loves being outdoors and playing basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball! She is excited to be an assistant again and share the love of dance with others. Eve will be a 7th grader at the Ashland Middle School. This fall Eve will be assisting the Creative Movement class on Mondays and taking Level III Ballet/Jazz.
EMMA MELLER
Emma is a sophomore at Ashland High School. She started dancing with ASOD as a 5 year old in PreBallet/Tiny Tap. Her favorite types of dance are contemporary and hip hop. When Emma isn't dancing she likes to draw, paint and spend time with her friends. Her favorite dance memory is joining the Sr Company class. This fall she is assisting the pom class on Mondays. This year she is taking Sr Company and Sr Co Jazz/Funk.
KENDRA COMPTON
Kendra started dance with ASOD as a 4 year old in Creative Movement in 2014. This will be Kendra's 9th year in dance and her first year as an assistant. Her favorite type of dance is hip hop. Her favorite dance memory is hanging out with friends at last year's winter performance. Kendra enjoys track, jujitsu, golf, waterskiing and art. She really enjoys working with kids and is excited to have the opportunity to be an assistant. Kendra will be an 8th grader at the Ashland Middle School this year. And she will be assisting the Level I Jazz/Funk class on Thursdays and taking Jr Company Jazz/Funk this year.
SAWYER WICKMAN
Sawyer is 12 years old and started dancing at ASOD in 2015 at 4 years old; after taking a couple year off she returned to dance in 2021. Her favorite type of dance is jazz/funk and acro. She loves to perform and enjoys getting to know everyone in each of my classes as the year goes on. Outside of dance she likes being active and enjoys swimming, water skiing, softball, track, ice skating, snowboarding, and downhill skiing. Sawyer will be an 8th grader at the Ashland Middle School this year. And she will be assisting the 4-5 year old Poms class on Tuesdays and taking Level III Ballet/Jazz & Jr Company Jazz/Funk this year.
TAYLOR WEBER
Taylor started dance with ASOD as a 4 year old in Creative Movement. This will be Taylor's first year as an assistant. Her favorite type of dance is hip hop and lyrical. Her favorite dance memory is doing her first solo at competition this past dance season. When she's not dancing she enjoys horse back riding, spending time with friends, playing basketball, hunting & fishing. Taylor is in the 7th grade at the Washburn Middle School this year. When basketball season is finished, she will be assisting the hip hop/poms class on Tuesday. This year she is taking Level III Ballet/Jazz & Jr Company Jazz/Funk.
EMILY ROY
Emily started dance with ASOD in 2017 as a 4 year old in Creative Movement. Her favorite types of dance are lyrical and tap. Her favorite dance memories: are performing her first duet with her friend Bellamy in the 2023 Winter Showcase and at competitions this past spring; performing a duet with her step-sister Lydia in the 2023 Summer Performance and performing her first solo in the 2023 Summer Performance. When Emily isn't dancing she loves to downhill skiing, camping, crafts, school, spending time in/on the water, and hanging out with friends and family. Emily is in the 5th grade at the Lake Superior Elementary School. This dance season she is excited to be on the Teen Competition Team and looking forward to be an assistant for the Sunday PreBallet/Tiny Tap class. And this year she is on the Teen Comp Team and taking Level III Ballet/Jazz.