BETHANY BASSO
Owner, Hip Hop, Tap, Creative Movement & Moving Together Instructor
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Certified Youth Protection Advocates In Dance Educator
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Certified Intellidance® Babies, Tykes, Tots & Kids Instructor
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Certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor
Miss Bethany started tap dancing when she was 13 years old and fell in love with all things dance. She added jazz, ballet, technique, and competition classes to her dance repertoire throughout high school. After college, she started assisting a tap class and discovered hip hop dance, which she also fell in love with. She went on to teach tap and hip hop classes for the next four years before taking a leap of faith and opening her own studio.
Now in her 19th year of teaching, she remains passionate about sharing the joy of dance with the next generation. Over the years, she has faced challenges both inside and outside the studio, including two major back surgeries and a spinal fusion. She is deeply grateful for the ability to teach, move, and dance, and she prays that the studio will continue to be a light in the community and a place that brings glory to God.
"Owning a studio may be my career, but when you make a living doing something you love, it oftentimes doesn't feel like a job (except maybe all the clerical work!). I absolutely love sharing my passion for dance with students and seeing them fall in love with it the way I did. It brings immeasurable joy to see them grow throughout the season and for years to follow. I thank God for the opportunity to do what I love and for continually restoring my body so I can keep dancing. In class I may be the instructor, but my students teach me more than they know in return."
MONICA ZAK
Jazz III, Jazz IV & Adult Jazz Instructor
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Certified Youth Protection Advocates In Dance Educator
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Licensed Bachelor's Social Worker
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Qualified Mental Health Professional
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CPR & First Aid Certified
Miss Monica started dancing in the third grade and instantly fell in love with it. Though shy and introverted, she found a creative outlet through dance and especially loved performing on stage. She credits dance as a major contributor to the confidence she has gained over the years.
She has taken classes in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical/contemporary, tap, and even some hip hop. She danced with the Ironwood Dance Company throughout high school and went on to participate in the NMU Dance Company during the 2005–2006 season. She also took several classes in the Marquette, Green Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and La Crosse areas as she moved around as a young adult.
Upon returning to the Ironwood area in 2014, Miss Monica joined the BAHS staff during Season 3. She is thankful for the many friendships she has made at the studio over the years and looks forward to celebrating our 15th season with the BAHS dance family.
“One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching dancers grow in confidence, both in class and on stage. I want all of my students to believe in themselves as much as I believe in them!”
CHRISTINA WANGELIN-LAVINDER
Ballet/Lyrical III, Ballet/Lyrical IV, Pre-Pointe/Pointe & Adult Ballet/Lyrical Instructor
Miss Christina’s dance journey began at just 5 years old, shortly after being adopted from another country. To help her adapt, socialize, and learn English in her new home, her parents enrolled her in dance classes. That decision quickly made dance a central part of her life and showed her firsthand how powerful movement can be in bringing people together. She has been dancing ever since.
While she has trained in pointe, hip hop, jazz, tap, and lyrical, her primary focus and the core of her training have always been rooted in ballet, which remains her true passion. Christina joined the BAHS team in Season 9 and is excited to be back for our 15th season.
"My greatest goal when teaching dance is showing students that dance is a universal language accessible to everyone and a supportive art form where they can always find comfort and community, no matter where life takes them. Sharing my love for dance and watching students of all ages discover their confidence and artistry in the studio is a dream come true. I am so grateful for this experience and am always learning just as much from my dancers as I hope they learn from me."
TIFFANY HOULE
Jazz I Instructor
Miss Tiffany started dancing at 13 years old, taking classes primarily in ballet and jazz. She later added lyrical, contemporary, and tap to her dance education. She first joined the BAHS staff in Season 9 and returned in Season 13. In addition to dance, she has many years of experience working with young children and enjoys helping students learn and grow.
"Dance has always been my favorite way to express myself, and I've found that it helps me relieve stress. I love seeing others express themselves freely through dance!"
AMELIA NORDHAUGEN
Ballet I, Ballet II & Jazz II Instructor
Miss Amelia has been dancing for nearly 13 years, with experience in ballet, lyrical, pointe, contemporary, and jazz, though ballet remains her favorite. In addition to her years of experience as an assistant, she is now entering her second season as an instructor at BAHS and enjoys helping young dancers build confidence, technique, and a love for dance.
“Dance has always been my passion and my first love, and I hope to always pursue it. What truly will always have a big spot in my heart is the joy of teaching dance to others. There’s something so magical about watching young dancers find their spark."
SARAH ROWE
Ballet I Instructor
Miss Sarah has 7 years of dance experience, primarily in ballet and lyrical, with additional training in contemporary and jazz. As a child, she always dreamed of becoming a dancer, but with the nearest studio nearly an hour away, she was unable to pursue that dream until college. Taking elective dance courses throughout college helped her discover a way to relieve stress through creative expression while pouring herself into something she was passionate about.
After graduating with nearly enough credits to earn a dance minor, she left college with a sense of peace, knowing she had finally taken the dance lessons she had always hoped for as a child. Miss Sarah has been part of the BAHS family since Season 11, first as a dance mom and later as an adult student, assistant, and now instructor.
“After leaving college, I truly thought dance had run its course in my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine returning to dance as an adult student, much less as an instructor. The 5-year-old little girl in me is so proud that we never gave up on becoming a dancer. If there is one thing that I hope to teach our students—beyond technique, artistry, and a true passion for dance—it is to never stop chasing their dreams. You never know when that dream will come back to you in life.”
