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.

Kendal Bogan - Kendal began her dance training at Washington Academy of Performing Arts where she went on to join the Conservatory High School.

She continued her training at International Youth Ballet, where she had the amazing opportunity to travel to Russia and placed second for her performance in the Pas de Trois from Le Corsaire. She attended several summer intensives including: The Rock, Boston Ballet, LINES, San Francisco Conservatory, and Ballet British Columbia; where she stayed for the fall quarter to apprentice with Ballet BC.

Upon her return to Seattle she danced with Dance Contemporary and the Stone Dance Collective. She has performed in several shows with Seattle Musical Theater. Last Spring she traveled to New York to choreograph and perform for a short film, titled Metanoia.  Kendal enjoys every aspect of theater and dance. She loves to create and share with other artists!

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.

Mark Mendonca - Mark’s career as a performer and choreographer includes performances for the last three U.S. Presidents, as well as performances on Broadway, television, and concert stages around the world. Mark's dancing was motion captured for the animated feature film, "The Polar Express". Mark was chosen to open for Barbra Streisand's farewell concert tour with performances at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

On Broadway, Mark danced in the Tony Award-winning production of "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring
in 'da Funk,” and has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Davies Symphony Hall as well as many venues throughout Europe. He has shared the stage with many of the late tap masters including the Nicholas Brothers, Jimmy Slyde, Charles 'Honi' Coles and has made numerous appearances with friend and mentor, Gregory Hines, appearing with him in "A Gala for the President at Ford's Theatre," and in "The Kennedy Center Honors". Mark's dancing was featured in the Emmy Award nominated documentary, "Juba: The Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance," aired on PBS, and in "The Summit of the Americas,” which aired in Canada.

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!

Laura Peterson - Born in Seattle and raised in Issaquah, Laura Peterson has been sharing her knowledge, skills and experiences with Puget Sound dance students since 1992.  She received a Bachelor’s of Art in Dance from the University of Washington and Master’s in Dance Science from Laban in London, UK. Her background in dance includes tap, ballet, modern and many styles of jazz.

Laura currently dances for Redd Legg Dance and New Vision Dance. She has been seen on stage performing with such companies as Lehua Dance Theatre, Arc Dance and the Seattle Symphony.  She has also worked with such celebrated choreographers as Wade Masden, Mark J. Kane, Mark Haines, Eva Stone, Catherine Cabeen and Rain Ross.

Laura also teaches jazz at North Seattle Community College. As a dance scientist, she conducts Performance Enhancement Screenings on the dance students of Cornish College of the Arts as well as for other studios. Since 1996, she has been Dance Director of Reach for the Sky July, a summer camp that provides dance, drama and art to underserved youth.

Tamara Helland - Tamara has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for the past 10. She has taught everything from African to lyrical to tap... so really, EVERYTHING. When Tamara was 18, she opened her own dance studio, enrolling 125 students in her first year, teaching all of the classes, creating all of the choreography, all while going to school as a full-time college student. She auditioned for Disney Entertainment and spent 6 months in Orlando as a character performer and parade dancer. Tamara moved back to Washington to finish school and marry the most supportive husband in the world. In June 2011, she graduated from CWU with a Musical Theatre BFA. While at school, she was also the cheerleading coach and the tap teacher for CWU. Tamara and her husband are new to the Seattle area, but she's very excited to be added to the family at Backstage Dance Studio!

Ian Howe - Ian teaches Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and also the Boy's classes.  He started
dancing at 5 years old at a small studio in Woodinville, later moving
here to Backstage to further his dance education.  Ian was part of the
Award Winning Competition Team, traveling around WA State and the
Nation taking classes in NYC and Vegas at studios like Broadway Dance
Center and Steps!  He also got the chance to compete on the National
level at Rainbow and NYCDA.

Ian had the joy of teaching here at BDS before the "Seven Seas" called
his name in 2004.  For 7 years he had the amazing opportunity to work
on cruise ships with Holland America Line, traveling around the World
(twice actually!) doing Las Vegas and Broadway style shows.
Now Ian is back.  Ready to get his "land legs" back and start teaching
again here at BDS and sharing his love for dance with everyone!