Julie Buechler - Instructor
Ms. Julie has been involved with dance for over 37 years. Her formal dance training was at
Rolann’s School of the Dance in Longwood, Florida, Step Sisters Dance Studio in Pontiac,
Michigan, Oakland University in Pontiac, Michigan, and Assiff’s Studio of Dance in East
Lansing, Michigan. Julie graduated from Michigan State University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Employment Relations and a minor in Child Psychology. Ms. Julie has a solid
history of theater & dance, with leads in such productions as Grease, Annie, and Bye Bye
Birdie. She pioneered the schools first dance troupe at Lahser High School in Bloomfield
Hills, Michigan, leading and performing with this group for 3 years. The group attended
several dance competitions and performed at The Silverdome and The Renaissance Center.
Ms. Julie continues her dance studies by attending technique classes, dance workshops and
seminars.
Nicole Ballesteros – Instructor
Miss Nicole began dancing at the age of six at the Bohaty’s School of Dance in Owosso and
Chesaning, Michigan. She continued with Bohaty’s until the age of fifteen, and with them
performed in several locations, including Chesaning Showboat, the Silverdome in Pontiac,
Michigan, and a Tour of Spain and North Africa. She was invited to perform at Julliard in
New York, New York, and was accepted to the dance college at Marymount Manhattan
College in
New York City. She performed in musicals, including Grease, and 42nd Street at the
Wharton Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Miss Nicole continued her dance training with
Assiff’s School of Dance in East Lansing, Michigan and the Academy of Dance Arts, in Lansing,
Michigan. She was a member of the dance company called the Academy Ballet Theatre for
three years. She also studied several forms of dance while attending Michigan State
University, including modern, jazz, tap, ballet, and African dance. Miss Nicole obtained a
bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Business, Materials and Logistics
Management, and a Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law. Miss Nicole has been
with Ann’s School of Dance since 2004, and a teacher here since 2006. She continues to
build upon her skills as a dancer and dance instructor by attending various seminars and
conventions throughout the country.
Debbie Jenkins - Instructor
Debbie has been connected to the studio since it began in helping in areas of props,
costumes, and teaching. She coached cheerleading for over 6 years with Young Champions.
During her coaching years she had many different age levels and managed to win many first
places at regional and state level competitions. This is where her strong background in
tumbling and strength-building skills adds to the studio’s assets.
Nicolas Sanchez - Instructor
Nicholas joins Ann’s School of Dance as a Hip Hop, Cardio Salsa, and Ballroom Instructor.
He started teaching at Danz-A-Lot Studios in Haslett, Michigan for 3 years, teaching and
competing in Hip Hop. He then moved to Grand Rapids to attend Kendall College of Art and
Design as a Fine Art major with a focus in Painting. In Grand Rapids, Michigan he taught
Cardio Salsa/Merengue classes at various athletic clubs. In 2007, he taught Hip Hop at all age
levels and Salsa/Merengue in Big Rapids, Michigan at Artworks Underground Dance Studio.
Nicolas just recently moved back to the Lansing area and is now teaching for Ann’s School
of Dance. His passion is to teach students the true form of Hip Hop dancing as a respected
and distinguishable discipline of dance.
Amanda Bacon - Instructor
Miss Amanda began dancing at the age of three at Suzette’s Masters of Dance in Shelby
Township, Michigan. At age nine, she began competing at the regional, national and
international level. She was awarded multiple dance scholarships as well as the title of Miss
Nexstar at the Nexstar Regional Competition in 2008. In addition to dancing at a studio, Miss
Amanda was also on the Eisenhower High School Dance Team for four years, serving as the
captain during her senior year. While Miss Amanda was on the team, the Eisenhower Dance
Team qualified for nationals every year, and placed fifth in the nation in 2008. Miss Amanda
attends Michigan State University where she is a junior. She is pursuing a double major in
business and French language.
Andrea Hodge - Instructor
Ms Andrea started dancing at age 4. She received her training at various studios in
Southeast Michigan. She took tap and jazz classes throughout high school, and competed in
various dance competitions under the direction of Dynamic Dance (North Branch, MI).
Andrea then moved to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College, where she joined Dance Guild,
a student run dance organization. She participated in tap, jazz, partner, funk, hip hop and
lyrical numbers, and soon became a choreographer. Tap has always been Andrea's favorite,
and she is very excited to teach tap this year at Ann's School of Dance.
Lila Gani - Instructor
Ms Lila began dancing at the age of 6, and soon after that she became a member of Ann’s
School of Dance at the age of 8. There, Ms Lila has taken various classes including Ballet,
Pointe, Tap, Jazz, HipHop and Lyrical. With the studio she has attended Show Stopper Dance
Conventions and performed for the Children’s Miracle Network. She has also studied at
Studio de Danse along with studying Ballet at Lansing Community College. Ms Lila has been
performing in the dance show cases at Lansing Community College for 4 semesters,
consisting of dances in the form of Ballet, Hiphop and Lyrical. This summer she participated
in the LCC/Happendance CD project, where they performed dances as a group throughout
the Lansing area. Ms Lila is very excited for this dance season.
Sarah Adams - Instructor
Sarah Elizabeth wanted to dance since she could walk and began taking classes at age 7.
She has studied in various techniques including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Composition,
Ballroom, Hip Hop, Irish, and Tap. She began assistant teaching at Jill Striggow’s Dance
Studio before joining Happendance Modern Dance Company. Sarah Elizabeth has many years
of choreographing and performances under her belt and has received a Certificate in Dance
from Lansing Community College. She plans to continue on to receive her bachelor’s in
Dance. She recently added a new little boy to her family and is excited to teach again and
begin at Ann’s School of Dance.
Emma Cole - Instructor
Emma started dancing at the age of four at Dancing Feet in Canton where she studied ballet
and tap. At the age of eight she continued her dance education at Bunny Sandford’s School
of Dance in Livonia where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and Checchetti up
to level six. Emma has attended several summer dance camps such as Joffery Midwest Ballet,
American Ballet Theatre and Checchetti Council of America where she was awarded the
Level D Scholarship. She has taught dance since she was a sophomore in high school. Emma
is currently in her second year as a member of the Michigan State Dance Team in which
they placed sixth in the nation this past year. Miss. Emma is a junior at Michigan State
University studying special education and can’t wait to start the new season at Ann’s School
of Dance.
Alyssa Roehm - Instructor
Ms. Alyssa has been dancing since she was three years old. She started her dance career in
Texas at Cindy's School of Dance where she practiced Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Her training
continued in Michigan at Sandra Brewers Dance Studio and then at DeCamp's Spotlight near
Davison, MI where she was a part of their competitive companies. At those studios Ms. Alyssa
added Hip Hop, Pom, Broadway and Lyrical to her list of talents. While dancing for the local
dance studios Ms. Alyssa also was a member of the Goodrich High School Varsity Dance
Team. The team performed at both Football and Basketball half times and danced
competitively in both UDA and Mid American. Ms. Alyssa was a captain of her dance team for
2 years and choreographed for the team as well. Ms. Alyssa also attended instructional
camps in the UDA and Mid American dance/pom style for four years. Ms. Alyssa is currently a
coach at Leslie High School coaching their Varsity Dance Team. She choreographs all of the
team's competitive routines in Pom, Kick and Jazz. She is also currently attending Michigan
State University and is a student in Accounting in the Broad College of Business. This is Ms.
Alyssa's third year teaching at Ann's School of Dance and loves working with all the different
age groups the studio has to offer. She teaches Creative Movement, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Kick
and Lyrical. Ms. Alyssa loves sassy productions and has a fear of flex feet!
Ms. Julie has been involved with dance for over 37 years. Her formal dance training was at
Rolann’s School of the Dance in Longwood, Florida, Step Sisters Dance Studio in Pontiac,
Michigan, Oakland University in Pontiac, Michigan, and Assiff’s Studio of Dance in East
Lansing, Michigan. Julie graduated from Michigan State University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Employment Relations and a minor in Child Psychology. Ms. Julie has a solid
history of theater & dance, with leads in such productions as Grease, Annie, and Bye Bye
Birdie. She pioneered the schools first dance troupe at Lahser High School in Bloomfield
Hills, Michigan, leading and performing with this group for 3 years. The group attended
several dance competitions and performed at The Silverdome and The Renaissance Center.
Ms. Julie continues her dance studies by attending technique classes, dance workshops and
seminars.
Nicole Ballesteros – Instructor
Miss Nicole began dancing at the age of six at the Bohaty’s School of Dance in Owosso and
Chesaning, Michigan. She continued with Bohaty’s until the age of fifteen, and with them
performed in several locations, including Chesaning Showboat, the Silverdome in Pontiac,
Michigan, and a Tour of Spain and North Africa. She was invited to perform at Julliard in
New York, New York, and was accepted to the dance college at Marymount Manhattan
College in
New York City. She performed in musicals, including Grease, and 42nd Street at the
Wharton Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Miss Nicole continued her dance training with
Assiff’s School of Dance in East Lansing, Michigan and the Academy of Dance Arts, in Lansing,
Michigan. She was a member of the dance company called the Academy Ballet Theatre for
three years. She also studied several forms of dance while attending Michigan State
University, including modern, jazz, tap, ballet, and African dance. Miss Nicole obtained a
bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Business, Materials and Logistics
Management, and a Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law. Miss Nicole has been
with Ann’s School of Dance since 2004, and a teacher here since 2006. She continues to
build upon her skills as a dancer and dance instructor by attending various seminars and
conventions throughout the country.
Debbie Jenkins - Instructor
Debbie has been connected to the studio since it began in helping in areas of props,
costumes, and teaching. She coached cheerleading for over 6 years with Young Champions.
During her coaching years she had many different age levels and managed to win many first
places at regional and state level competitions. This is where her strong background in
tumbling and strength-building skills adds to the studio’s assets.
Nicolas Sanchez - Instructor
Nicholas joins Ann’s School of Dance as a Hip Hop, Cardio Salsa, and Ballroom Instructor.
He started teaching at Danz-A-Lot Studios in Haslett, Michigan for 3 years, teaching and
competing in Hip Hop. He then moved to Grand Rapids to attend Kendall College of Art and
Design as a Fine Art major with a focus in Painting. In Grand Rapids, Michigan he taught
Cardio Salsa/Merengue classes at various athletic clubs. In 2007, he taught Hip Hop at all age
levels and Salsa/Merengue in Big Rapids, Michigan at Artworks Underground Dance Studio.
Nicolas just recently moved back to the Lansing area and is now teaching for Ann’s School
of Dance. His passion is to teach students the true form of Hip Hop dancing as a respected
and distinguishable discipline of dance.
Amanda Bacon - Instructor
Miss Amanda began dancing at the age of three at Suzette’s Masters of Dance in Shelby
Township, Michigan. At age nine, she began competing at the regional, national and
international level. She was awarded multiple dance scholarships as well as the title of Miss
Nexstar at the Nexstar Regional Competition in 2008. In addition to dancing at a studio, Miss
Amanda was also on the Eisenhower High School Dance Team for four years, serving as the
captain during her senior year. While Miss Amanda was on the team, the Eisenhower Dance
Team qualified for nationals every year, and placed fifth in the nation in 2008. Miss Amanda
attends Michigan State University where she is a junior. She is pursuing a double major in
business and French language.
Andrea Hodge - Instructor
Ms Andrea started dancing at age 4. She received her training at various studios in
Southeast Michigan. She took tap and jazz classes throughout high school, and competed in
various dance competitions under the direction of Dynamic Dance (North Branch, MI).
Andrea then moved to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College, where she joined Dance Guild,
a student run dance organization. She participated in tap, jazz, partner, funk, hip hop and
lyrical numbers, and soon became a choreographer. Tap has always been Andrea's favorite,
and she is very excited to teach tap this year at Ann's School of Dance.
Lila Gani - Instructor
Ms Lila began dancing at the age of 6, and soon after that she became a member of Ann’s
School of Dance at the age of 8. There, Ms Lila has taken various classes including Ballet,
Pointe, Tap, Jazz, HipHop and Lyrical. With the studio she has attended Show Stopper Dance
Conventions and performed for the Children’s Miracle Network. She has also studied at
Studio de Danse along with studying Ballet at Lansing Community College. Ms Lila has been
performing in the dance show cases at Lansing Community College for 4 semesters,
consisting of dances in the form of Ballet, Hiphop and Lyrical. This summer she participated
in the LCC/Happendance CD project, where they performed dances as a group throughout
the Lansing area. Ms Lila is very excited for this dance season.
Sarah Adams - Instructor
Sarah Elizabeth wanted to dance since she could walk and began taking classes at age 7.
She has studied in various techniques including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Composition,
Ballroom, Hip Hop, Irish, and Tap. She began assistant teaching at Jill Striggow’s Dance
Studio before joining Happendance Modern Dance Company. Sarah Elizabeth has many years
of choreographing and performances under her belt and has received a Certificate in Dance
from Lansing Community College. She plans to continue on to receive her bachelor’s in
Dance. She recently added a new little boy to her family and is excited to teach again and
begin at Ann’s School of Dance.
Emma Cole - Instructor
Emma started dancing at the age of four at Dancing Feet in Canton where she studied ballet
and tap. At the age of eight she continued her dance education at Bunny Sandford’s School
of Dance in Livonia where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and Checchetti up
to level six. Emma has attended several summer dance camps such as Joffery Midwest Ballet,
American Ballet Theatre and Checchetti Council of America where she was awarded the
Level D Scholarship. She has taught dance since she was a sophomore in high school. Emma
is currently in her second year as a member of the Michigan State Dance Team in which
they placed sixth in the nation this past year. Miss. Emma is a junior at Michigan State
University studying special education and can’t wait to start the new season at Ann’s School
of Dance.
Alyssa Roehm - Instructor
Ms. Alyssa has been dancing since she was three years old. She started her dance career in
Texas at Cindy's School of Dance where she practiced Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Her training
continued in Michigan at Sandra Brewers Dance Studio and then at DeCamp's Spotlight near
Davison, MI where she was a part of their competitive companies. At those studios Ms. Alyssa
added Hip Hop, Pom, Broadway and Lyrical to her list of talents. While dancing for the local
dance studios Ms. Alyssa also was a member of the Goodrich High School Varsity Dance
Team. The team performed at both Football and Basketball half times and danced
competitively in both UDA and Mid American. Ms. Alyssa was a captain of her dance team for
2 years and choreographed for the team as well. Ms. Alyssa also attended instructional
camps in the UDA and Mid American dance/pom style for four years. Ms. Alyssa is currently a
coach at Leslie High School coaching their Varsity Dance Team. She choreographs all of the
team's competitive routines in Pom, Kick and Jazz. She is also currently attending Michigan
State University and is a student in Accounting in the Broad College of Business. This is Ms.
Alyssa's third year teaching at Ann's School of Dance and loves working with all the different
age groups the studio has to offer. She teaches Creative Movement, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Kick
and Lyrical. Ms. Alyssa loves sassy productions and has a fear of flex feet!
Ann Buffa - Director & Instructor
Ms. Ann has been involved with dance for over 30 years. She took formal dance training
from the renowned Bohaty's School of Dance. She also has studied dance and gymnastics at
Lansing Community College and Michigan State University. Ann graduated from MSU in 1991
with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Ms. Ann has performed both nationally and
internationally with dance troupes and tours. These include performing at Walt Disney
World, the Silverdome, and touring throughout Spain and the Mediterranean. In 1992, she
developed and taught the Music 'n Motion Dance Program in DeWitt; which led to the 1994
opening of Ann's School of Dance. Ann continues her professional studies by attending
technique classes, dance workshops, and seminars.
Ms. Ann has been involved with dance for over 30 years. She took formal dance training
from the renowned Bohaty's School of Dance. She also has studied dance and gymnastics at
Lansing Community College and Michigan State University. Ann graduated from MSU in 1991
with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Ms. Ann has performed both nationally and
internationally with dance troupes and tours. These include performing at Walt Disney
World, the Silverdome, and touring throughout Spain and the Mediterranean. In 1992, she
developed and taught the Music 'n Motion Dance Program in DeWitt; which led to the 1994
opening of Ann's School of Dance. Ann continues her professional studies by attending
technique classes, dance workshops, and seminars.
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| Ann's School of Dance East Bend Building 3320 Lake Lansing Road East Lansing, MI 48823 517.333.1899 |
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