Meet our Faculty |
Ms. Bridget, Studio Owner,& Instructor, has over 26 years of dance experience. Bridget has been teaching all styles and levels of dance as well as choreographing for 16 years and has received training in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, and Cecchetti method of ballet from some of the nations best dance instructors, her most recent training was with Darryl Retter, Janice Barringer, Becca Retter, Reagan Marie, & Doug Shaffer , (MusicWorks), in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and also recently attended the Cecchetti annual workshop and liaison meeting in South Dakota. Bridget is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America. The Cecchetti Council of America's "principal objective" is to raise the quality of classical ballet teaching and provides continuing education opportunities to ballet teachers. Bridget is currently working towards completing her certification in Cecchetti Ballet, this includes taking several exams given by registered examiners ofCecchetti Council of America. Bridget has worked with the Moscow Ballet as a local children's dance coordinator, 2007 and again in 2008, which gives local ballet students the opportunity to dance alongside of the professional ballet company in their performance of "The Great Russian Nutcracker" Bridget began dancing at age four and as teenager taught dance at the studio she attended and also lead a very successful dance program through the local Park & Rec. Bridget graduated from AHS, and after attending college worked for HECU and later for the Hormel Corporate Office. She now works part-time to focus on her dance studio and attend as many workshops and classes as possible to continue to grow as an instructor, keep her own skills up to date and teaching methods new and creative. Ms. Emilee- teaches our pre-ballet 1, pre ballet 2, and Tap level 3 instructor. As a student at Acclaim, Emilee trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, & Jazz and worked as a teacher's assistant. Emilee graduated from AHS and attended North Central University. Before returning to Austin, Emilee spent time in Nebraska as part of R-5 Motivational Communications for Youth. Emilee is a Paraprofessional with the Austin Public School system. Emilee was one of our first teacher's assistants when Acclaim opened in 2001. Bridget offers a student instructor training program to provide dedicated students the opportunity to explore the possibility of becoming a professional teacher in the future. After completion of their training, student instructors may teach younger students under the guidance of Bridget. This year's student teachers are: Ms. Ashley- is in advanced Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, and Musical Theatre and a member of our competition team. Ms. Emily- is in advanced Jazz, Lyrical, Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, and also a member of our competition team. Emily attended the Cecchetti Ballet workshop in October 2008. Ms. Laina- is in our advanced Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical. This is Laina's second year of teaching and 8th year of dance. This year's teacher assistant are : Miss Ruthann, Miss Molly, Miss Jessica, Ms. Kalyn & Ms. Hannah |