Teachers

We at Backstage Dance Studio are very proud of our staff of professional dance teachers and the accomplishments they have made, which include: degrees in dance and child development, professional work on stage and screen, and membership to respected dance organizations. All of our teachers share a common philosophy: we believe that students should enjoy, as well as learn, the art of dance, the joy of movement, and an appreciation for music while developing self-confidence and discipline. Our teachers are dedicated to the art of dance and are constantly updating their material and technique by attending professional dance conventions held throughout the United States. Students are provided the opportunity and are encouraged to attend the conventions with our teachers.

Marty Roberts - Marty is the Studio Owner and Director, as well as a teacher of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pointe. She started dancing in Bellevue with JoAnn McKimson at age 7. Throughout her teenage years, she spent summers studying with First Chamber Dance Company, as well as traveling to New York and Los Angeles to study with such greats as Luigi, Frank Hatchett, Joe Tremaine, and Phil Black. She continues to travel around the country to participate in conventions and workshops, always furthering her education. Marty’s goal is to share her knowledge and love of dance with all her students.

Michelle Chandler-Smith - Michelle teaches modern, lyrical, jazz, ballet, hip hop and tap. She began dancing late in life at age 12 and went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Theatre from Chapman University in Orange, California with honors. Michelle studied intense choreography and kinesiology and trained under such inspirations as Doug Caldwell, Joe Tremaine, Joe Lanteri, Cris Judd, Mia Michaels, and Dan Karaty. She has been with Backstage since 1996 and before beginning her family with her husband, danced with the Eastside Moving Company, and Fusion Dance Company in Seattle. Michelle has traveled throughout the United States expanding her knowledge of dance through many conventions and her students continue to achieve high standing with her award winning choreography.  Michelle has been excited to expand her career over the last few years as a competition judge and master class teacher, teaching and choreographing around the country. She is inspired to share her love of dance with dedicated young people willing to learn what she has to offer.  You can also find her at www.michellechandlersmith.com.

Rhonda George - Rhonda teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and pointe. She has been dancing for over twenty-five years and has been on the faculty at Backstage since 1990. She received her training at JoAnn McKimson School of Dance, Marty Roberts Dance Studio, Backstage Dance Studio, Bellevue Community College, Tremaine Dance Studio in Studio City, California, and Star Struck Dance Studio in Durham, Oregon. Rhonda continues her dance education by attending several conventions/competitions each year and she continually learns and grows from working with her students. She hopes to pass on the joy, love, respect, appreciation and enthusiasm that she has for dance.

Kim Gockel - Kim studied dance at the University Of Washington,where she also performed in UW dance concerts and earned her degree in Kineseology. She is the Director and Founder of Enlair Dance Benefit Company. Enlair Benefit Shows consist of a diverse array of dance styles that all blend together to express a common theme. Kim teaches turns, jazz, ballet and progressions. She is also a certified gyrotonics instructor.

Erin Hocevar - Erin teaches Hip Hop at Backstage. She started dancing at age 16 at Allegro Dance Academy in Kent and later went on to further her dance education in college. After recently earning her B.F.A in dance from Virginia Intermont College, Erin returned to Seattle teaching various genres of dance as well as developing choreography for competitions and pageants throughout Washington. She hopes to share with her students and audiences the magic she found in dance.
 

Jenny Ingram - Jenny teaches Terrific Twos, Creative Movement, Ballet, Tap and Jazz! She previously danced on the Backstage Competition Team for two years and with the Eastside Moving Company at Bellevue Community College. This is Jenny’s fifth year of teaching dance and she loves it! She fills her spare time working at Starbucks in the wee hours of the morning. She has attended various dance workshops and conventions throughout the U.S. and loves to share her knowledge and passion for dance with others.

Tani Ohashi - Tani teaches Hip Hop and Jazz. She has been dancing since the age of six and was a member of the Backstage Competition Team for eight years, where she took part in several award winning routines including top placements in national competitions. Now a graduate Cornish College of Arts for design, Tani is pursuing a career as a graphic designer while, through teaching, continuing with her love of dance. She hopes to share her knowledge and passion for dance with her students while watching them grow and having loads of fun!

Brittany Pulliam - Brittany has been dancing since she was three and teaching all over the Eastside for the past twelve years. She holds a Zoology degree with a focus on anatomy and physical therapy from the University of Washington where she also minored in Dance. Brittany is also very active in the musical theatre community. She has performed with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, and in multiple shows at the 5th Avenue Theatre including the world premiere of Yankee Doodle Dandy and as Ruth in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Brittany’s favorite roles include Maggie in Brigadoon, Lois/Bianca in Kiss Me Kate and Susan in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. She also does commercial, voice-over, and print work and hopes that this eclectic background helps her bring a unique perspective to her classes. Through teaching, Brittany aspires to help prepare the next generation of performers.

Kelsey Ruth - Kelsey teaches the art of movement all over the eastside and loves working with people of all ages. She began dancing at the age of three and her dance repertoire has been expanding ever since. Kelsey was part of a competitive tap team from the age of five through the age of sixteen. She spent her high school and college years participating in many musicals and plays. Kelsey has been assistant choreographer for several musicals and she takes every opportunity available to make her ideas take life through dance. She earned a minor in Dance and a Psychology degree at the University of Washington. She has also studied acting, voice, and yoga and hopes to incorporate these things into her classes in order to foster a unique style and wide appreciation of the arts in each of her students.

Lizzy Melton -Lizzy Melton trained at the Washington Academy of Performing Arts and, later, on scholarship at the London Studio Centre (UK). Upon graduation, she worked with several companies in Europe. Most recently, Lizzy has worked on a freelance basis with companies around the Seattle area including Coriolis, Zoe Scofield, and the Stone Dance Collective.

Christie Elling - Christie teaches Terrific Twos, Creative Movement, and Pre- Ballet. Currently attending University of Washington, she is majoring in business. Having previously danced on the Backstage Competition Team for seven years, Christie has attended different conventions and national competitions
throughout the United States. She enjoys working with kids and sharing her love of dance with them