Amanda Verthein Owner/Director

Miss Amanda has been an instructor; teaching and choreographing various levels of dance, for over 16 years.  Before becoming a dance instructor in La Crosse, she received her training at Milwaukee’s Performing Arts School, Viterbo University, the University of WI – La Crosse and Stevens Point performing art program.  After moving to La Crosse she managed a dance studio for several years and continues her dance education through leading schools, conventions and workshops. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from UW-La Crosse and is regional delegate for National Dance Week.  Most importantly, she takes pride in AAD and is eager to share her love of dance with every AAD student!

 

Dana Clark (12th Year Instructor)

Miss Dana is the head instructor for the teen dance programs and brings over 18 years of dance experience to Amanda’s Academy of Dance.  Miss Dana began her dance training at the age of 9.  She has trained with world renowned instructors and has studied:  Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Clogging. Miss Dana holds degrees in graphic design, marketing and business management.  It is Miss Dana’s goal to share her passion for dance, technique and discipline and love of the arts with her students.

 

Barbara Albrechtson (10th Year Instructor)

Ms. Barb has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education and Professional Development degree from UW La Crosse.  She has taught young children’s dance since the mid 1980′s.  She has thirty years of Middle Eastern Dance training and is the director of the Sahara Desert Dance Company.

 

Chelsea Moten (7th Year Instructor)

Miss Chelsea started dancing when she was five years old.  She has studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop.  Miss Chelsea has been an assistant in children’s programs for nine years and teaching for seven years, including several of AAD’s outreach programs.

 

Kelly Shannon (5th Year Instructor)

Miss Kelly is returning to AAD for her fifth year.  She brings 16 years of dance experience in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, and Pointe.  She studied at Larkin Dance Studios in Maplewood, MN and has performed as well as competed all around the United States.  She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist working with the La Crosse School District & is looking forward to another amazing year at AAD!

 

Nora Minster (4th Year Instructor)

Miss Nora is eager to instruct the Irish dancers again this year with a new and exciting edge. Miss Nora comes to us from Trinity Academy of Irish Dance as well as the Glencastle Irish Dancers in Milwaukee.  She has been dancing for over 14 years with 9 years of instruction background.  We are very pleased and excited to have her for a third year!

 

Annika Olson (3rd Year Instructor)

Miss Annika is delighted to return to AAD for another year.  She brings 18 years of dance experience with training in Modern, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Dance Team. Before joining AAD, she was a part of a dance company that toured internationally, captain of her high school dance team and taught dance with the La Crosse and Madison Rec. Departments.  Miss Annika holds a degree in Sociology from UW-Madison.  She is excited to share her passion for dance with her students in this new year at AAD!

 

Jenna Hulbert (3rd Year Instructor)

Miss Jenna has over 16 years of dance training in styles including Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Pom Poms and Musical Theatre.  She was involved with a dance team for 10 years that won many competitions throughout the country.  She received her training from West Side Performing Arts in her home town of Madison, WI.  Miss Jenna is excited to continue sharing her talent with the students of AAD again this year.

 

Brittany Sherman (8th Year Returning Instructor)

Brittany Sherman is a La Crosse native and she is more commonly known as Z93′s Brittany Styles.  Brittany has choreographed for show choirs & dance teams for several local schools. She has been formally trained in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballet and has taken classes from Mia Michaels, and many other high profile choreographers at the ”Edge Performing Arts Center” in Los Angeles, California.  Brittany’s specialty is Hip Hop.

 

Nick Quamme (2nd Year Instructor)

Nick Quamme is  very excited to be working with AAD again this year. Nick has 8 years of dance experience, mainly in areas of modern, hip hop, jazz and musical theater. Nick is currently a forth year member of the La Crosse based Grand River Show Choir. Nick is also the assistant dance team coach at Aquinas High School and will be continuing his education at  The Salon  Professional Academy to pursue a career in cosmetology.

 

Addison Hanson (1st Year Instructor)

Dancing is Miss Addison’s passion and has played a huge role in her life for the past 11 years.  She started dancing and competing at an early age at Helmer Dance Studio in Hudson, WI.  Miss Addison attends UW-La Crosse where she is studying Journalism and is also member of the UWL Dance Team, who won a National Championship this past year. She is excited to be a part of the AAD staff and cannot wait to share her love of dance with her students!  Welcome Miss Addison!

 

Emily Rauscher (1st Year Instructor)

Miss Emily is excited to start sharing her passion for dancing at Amanda’s Academy of Dance!  It has always been a dream of hers to teach dance and learn from those she teaches.  She started dancing at the age of six years old and she has been doing so ever since.  She spent four years on her high school’s poms dance team and was voted team captain for two of those years, one of which they won the state championship in hip hop!  She is also a member of the UW-L Competition Dance Team, who won a National Championship this past year. Welcome to AAD!