Faculty
Owners & Office Staff
Sonja Kim
Studio Director Office Manager
Michelle
Office Assistant
Instructors
Our teachers are among the most talented in the industry. It would be our pleasure to put our extensive experience to work for you.
(click on photos below for complete bios)
Kyle Lang
Ballet
Kyle joined us in the fall of 2010. He has brought a higher level of teaching to our ballet program in just one year. We are very fortunate to have him at Urbana Dance. He will be teaching some of the higher level ballet classes.
Deb Heims
Ballet and Tap
Miss Deb joined our group in the spring of 2010. She is a wealth of information in all genres of dance, particularly ballet and tap, as well as a phenominal tap dancer. It is a pleasure and privilege to have her on our teaching team.
Shannon Babe-Thomas
Jazz, Intro & Pre-Dance
Shannon has been a teacher at Urbana Dance since the doors opened in 2003. She teaches some of our Jazz classes as well as the Intro to Dance and Pre-Dance classes. Shannon is a great resource and asset to Urbana Dance. She is also assisting with UDS' competition team.
Ashley Gerstner
Creative Ballet, Intro &
Pre-Dance
Ashley grew up at Urbana Dance. She is exceptional with the young students demanding their attention while having fun. She teaches on Friday and Saturday. Ashley will also be assisting with UDS' competition dance team.
Kelsey Switlick
Pre-Dance & Tap
Kelsey also grew up at Urbana Dance. She is back this fall after studying makeup in Burbank, California. Kelsey will be teaching a Pre-Dance class on Wednesday nights as well as the Adult Beginner Tap. Kelsey is great with the kids and a fantastic tapper.
Paige Friedeman
Hip Hop, Poms & Jazz
Paige has been with UDS for several years bringing her style of hip hop. She brings great energy to her classes and her students adore her. Paige is also working with our competition dance team.
Martin "Ice" Milan
Hip Hop and B-Boy
Mr. Ice is our resident B-Boy. He has a very strong work ethic and expects it from his students. He is teaching our hip hop and b-boy classes on Tuesday nights.
Jamile McGee
Hip Hop
Jamile is the newest member of our exceptional team. He was a dancer on SYTYCD first season. He is a phenominal dancer and can't wait to bring his energy and enthusiasm to Urbana Dance. Jamile will be teaching on Thursday nights.
Stephanie Dews-Fowlkes
Tumbling Coach
Stephanie is a wonderful addition to our teaching staff. In her years of experience, she has trained recreational & high school cheer teams, all-star dance & tumbling teams and has produced numerous state champions. We are excited to have her as our tumbling coach on Monday nights.
Hector "Toti" Chavez &
Paulina Iza
Latin Mix
Toti and Paulina have been teaching Latin style dances at Urbana Dance for a couple of years. They are fantastic with the kids as well as the adults. They love to teach and it shows. They are with us on Friday nights bringing us their Latin Dance Vibe.
Jessica SmartPre-Dance & Jr Jazz
This is Jessica's first year at Urbana Dance. As a previous Redskinette and Wizard dancer, Jessica brings great experience to her classes. Jessica teaches are little ones in Creative Ballet, Intro to Dance and Pre-Dance. Welcome, Jessica.
West Coast Swing
David and Janell are known from coast-to-coast for the energy they bring to the dance floor. Together, they have over 20 years combined experience in popular Swing and social dance styles. David and Janell both compete in West Coast Swing on the national circuit and are currently choreographing their first Classic West Coast Swing routine!
Guest Teachers/Choreographers
(click on photos below for complete bios)
Christina Woodard
Adam Parson
Karla Garcia
Suzanne "Neo" Lynch
Nicole Klett
