Our Instructors
Brianna Jones
Artistic Director
Brianna Jones is a classically trained ballet, modern, and jazz dancer for the last 26 years. She has performed all across the United States and Canada, including Maui, Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland, and Seattle. Brianna has been a dance instructor and choreographer since 2012. She began choreographing as a contract worker for USC Seattle, which is a production company that hires world-class talent to perform at music festivals around Washington State. In 2016 Brianna began teaching ballet at Center Stage Dance Academy in Lacey, WA. In 2017, she helped open Inspired to Move Dance Academy also in Lacey, WA, as a ballet, modern, and jazz instructor. Later in 2017, Brianna joined the staff at Southwest Washington Dance Center as a ballet and pointe instructor. Brianna has a BA in Psychology from the University of Washington and also studied at Centralia Community College and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Briana will teach Ballet 3, 5, 7, & 8, Ballet Partnering and directs our Ballet Company. Briana also serves as the Artistic Director.
Danielle Brosco
Danielle Brosco begins her 28th year of teaching at SWDC. She has a BFA from the University of California-Irvine and also did graduate level study in choreography, performance and student teaching at UCI. Danielle brings 32 years of teaching and choreography experience to her classes. She was also the Founding Artistic Director and choreographer for Blacken Tan Dance, a professional modern dance company.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Danielle will teach levels 3, 4 and 5 of Modern and Directs the Modern Performing Company. She is one of the founding Directors of Dance Festival Northwest and continues to co-direct the performance.
Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones returns to teach and inspire dancers for her 26th year at SWDC. Stacy began her dance training at age 5 at the Linda Wagner School of Dance where she studied ballet, tap and jazz. Stacy also was a competitive gymnast for 6 years and continued in the field of coaching gymnastics until she found SWDC in 1995.
Stacy has been part of our Nutcracker since its inception 25 years ago: first as a cast member and dancer then as a choreographer. She continues to dance and perform with our modern dance company. Stacy also toured with the modern dance company, Blacken Tan, under the directorship of Danielle Brosco.
In 2020, Stacy was honored by Cultivating Inclusion - Lewis County for her passion and dedication to all students. Her teaching reaches beyond the walls of our studio as she volunteers as the Miss Lewis County’s Little Sisters choreographer and volunteers her dance expertise with our surrounding school districts. For the past 10 years, Stacy has Directed our Summer Dance Camps through the Parks and Recreation Departments.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Stacy will teach Parent/Toddler, Creative Movement, Modern 1/2, Adult Stretch & Tone, and all AcroArts Classes.
Bailey Moon
Bailey Moon has been part of our SWDC family for most of her life. Beginning classes early on, she trained with our staff for 19 years. Bailey has taken every style of dance offered at SWDC and expanded her dance horizons through intensives and master classes across the country. Prior to returning to teach at SWDC, Bailey worked for the Walt Disney World in Florida as a Character Performer.
She has choreographed for school musicals, competitive dance teams and is the producer/choreographer for the Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program. She is a graduate of Washington State University and works full time at the Washington State Farm Bureau. This is her 9th year teaching at SWDC.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Bailey will teach Jazz 8, Tap 5, and direct the Jazz performance company.
Sandra Young
Sandra Young begins her 8th year of teaching at SWDC. She has 11 years of training in ballet from SWDC instructors, Intensives, and CLI Studios. She has danced with the SWDC Company for 7 years performing in recitals, and in the ballets Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Cinderella. She has performed multiple times in Dance Festival Northwest, Olympia Dance Festival, Dance to Make a Difference, and Dancepalooza in Seattle. Her time as a choreographer began as a teen creating gymnastics and cheerleading choreography, then later in life moved on to choreographing for aerobics classes and children's musicals. As a teacher at SWDC she has choreographed multiple level appropriate pieces for class enrichment and recitals from world famous classical ballets. She also has an Associates Degree from Centralia College. Sandra likes to encourage people of all ages to take the time to courageously cultivate their natural abilities, and that it is never too late and so rewarding.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Sandra will be teach Ballet 3,4, and Teen/Adult/Open Ballet.
Gideon Newkirk
Gideon Newkirk returns for his 6th year teaching for SWDC. Gideon began his dance training with SWDC. He went on to train with Phillip Beamish in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Gideon also studied under various Master Teachers and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. He has many years experience as a personal trainer and a gymnastics coach. Gideon is a Licensed Massage Therapist. Gideon also has professional performance experience. He brings an amazing knowledge of how to train dancers to properly use their muscles and to help them avoid injuries.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Gideon will teach Ballet Partnering, Body Mechanics, Guys Ballet/mobility/conditioning and Boys Ballet.
Mike Orr
Trained and employed as an engineer and an accountant. No prior dance or gymnastics experience.
Introduced to artistic gymnastics by a friend's daughter in the mid 1980's. Through on-the job training, was then involved in teaching recreation and pre-team classes.
Introduced to rhythmic gymnastics at the Goodwill Games in Spokane in 1990. Developed a basic understanding of the sport through workshops and training videos.
Introduced to the Dance Center by another gymnast in 2003. Was allowed to set up the recreational rhythmic gymnastics program we have today.
Also assist another teacher in tumbling and pre-acro classes.
USA Gymnastics Professional member in the Rhythmic discipline.
I am involved in this sport because I respect how difficult it is. I enjoy teaching it to young girls and teenagers, and watching them develop skills.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Mike will teach all levels of Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Amanda Brossard
Amanda Brossard has been a dancer at SWDC for many years. She is currently a Senior at Napavine high school. She has completed 10 years of dance, mainly studying at Southwest Washington Dance Center but, has also attended courses at Polaris Dance Theatre and Cornish College of the Arts. Her training consists of Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Partnering, and Tap. Amanda is also part of our competition program and has attended MOVE Dance Competition and Convention, Act 1 Talent, and Groove Competition with a solo, duet, and production number. She has been a substitute teacher in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern for the past year and now teaches all levels of our Lyrical classes and tap. Her most loved place is on a stage with the lights shining down and a big audience watching. Amanda’s favorite thing about dancing is to perform and give people the gift of dance.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Amanda will teach Tap 1, Jazz 1, 2, and Lyrical 3 & 4.
Ava McGregor
Ava McGregor is returning for her 4rd year as our Hip Hop teacher. She is a graduate of W.F. West High school and is currently attending Centralia College.
Ava has been dancing at Southwest Washington Dance Center for 12 years Her training consists of Ballet, Modern, Acro, Tap, Hip hop, Jazz, and Lyrical. She continues to perform with our Jazz Company.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Ava will teach Hip Hop 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5.
Myah O’Neill
Myah is returning for her 4th year of teaching at SWDC. She has been dancing for 10+ years with training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and lyrical. She is a student at Centralia College pursuing a degree in Education. Her plan is to become an elementary school teacher. Myah has a passion for teaching children, and finds it very special to share her love of dance with them.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Myah will teach Ballet 1 & 2.
Hannah Feaster
Hannah Feaster has been dancing at SWDC since 2010, taking classes in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. She has performed in Nutcracker, Dance Festival, School Tours, and the Spring into Summer recital. She began teaching in 2020, and attended Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Teacher Seminar. She has participated in Master Classes at multiple dance studios across Washington State.
For the 2023 dance season, Hannah will teach Pre-Ballet, Ballet 1, 4, & 6.
Julia King
Julia has been a dancer at SWDC for most of her life. Having trained in all styles, she eventually found her love for Jazz, Tap and Musical Theater. Julia has taught various levels and styles including creative movement and assisted with our summer dance programs for many years. Beyond training at SWDC, she has attended various master classes and trained with Tap Into The Network.
She is the Director of the School Tours program which brings dance into elementary school around Lewis County.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Julia will be teaching Tap 2, 3, & 4, Jazz 3 & 6, Musical Theater and Teen/Adult Tap.
Savanna Riordan
Bio coming soon.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Savvy will be teaching Jazz 3, 4 & 7.
Cory Stajduhar
This is Cory’s third year teaching all levels of Acrobatic Arts classes here at SWDC. Cory has been involved in various forms of movement since he started doing martial arts at the age of 13.
He began teaching gymnastics in 1992 and has continually been a part of acrobatics since he began. He has taught both competitive and recreational gymnastics in Lewis, Pierce, and King County.
Cory also enjoys various forms of dance including ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and ballroom.
While living in Seattle, he performed with the Eastside Moving Company and was also involved in modern, ballroom, hip hop and jazz performances both as a student and as an instructor. He has also taught Latin Dance here at SWDC and plans on expanding the classes he teaches.
Cory is a musician/recording artist and also speaks several languages. Prior to teaching here at SWDC, he worked as a Spanish interpreter for thirty years both here in Lewis County and King County.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Cory will teach all levels of AcroArts.
Adrien Zimmer
Adrien Zimmer has been dancing with SWDC for 13 years studying the styles of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Acro, Modern, and Hip Hop. He is a Senior at Centralia High School. Not only has he studied at SWDC, but he has also studied at intensives at Polaris Dance Theatre in Portland, OR. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he continued his training through ZOOM classes, intensives with CLI Studios, and Travis Wall’s Break The Floor convention. Adrien received 9th place overall teen solos with the GROOVE virtual dance competition, as well as multiple overall scores with Industri Dance Convention virtually.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Adrien will teach Jazz 1 and Hip Hop 1.
Rachel March
Rachel March is starting her fourth year teaching the All Abilities Classes at Southwest Washington Dance Center. She has a bachelor's degree in special education that gives her the skills and enjoyment to teach three All Abilities classes at SWDC. These classes allow student with disabilities and students with typical development to interact together in a social setting to learn about body mechanics and develop attention skills. She has a masters degree in parish education that allows her to teach all ages. Rachel started dancing before she was three years old in tap. She was in dance classes in Michigan for over ten years with a main focus in tap. She began her involvement in SWDC ten years ago when her family moved to Washington and her daughter continued her dance training. Rachel has volunteered in the Booster's Club that supports dancers and teachers, and holding the position of president for a year and a half. She has volunteered with the Nutcracker production for six years and has performed on stage four of those years. Rachel holds a firm belief that dance and movement is crucial for brain development and positive mental health. She is able to provide experiences for children and adults as a teacher at SWDC.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Rachel will teach all levels of All Abilities classes.
Tanya Zimmer
I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, with Art History minor in 1990 from Western Washington University. In the summer of 2018, I received my teaching certificate in Special Education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from City University.
This year, I begin my 16th year in Special Education. I have spent the past six years as a K-6 Special Education teacher in the Centralia School District. I have a wide range of diagnoses and ability levels in my classroom and teach both Life Skills and Intensive Academics. Previously, I was a paraeducator within the same classroom for 10 years.
My dance experience has primarily been that of a dance parent since 2012-- volunteering backstage for Nutcracker, Dance Festival Northwest, and Spring Recital. I have also been a member of the SWDC Backstage Booster Club for the past several years. I have occasionally subbed for classes at SWDC; most often in Creative Movement.
My background in Special Education and as a dance parent and occasional substitute has allowed me to merge both worlds into teaching All Abilities Dance (ages 5-10 and 11-17) with fellow dance parent and Special Education teacher, Rachel March.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Tanya will teach All Abilities for ages 5 - 16.
Kyndra Hillock
Kyndra Hillock has been dancing at SWDC for many years, training in Ballet, Partnering, Jazz, Acro, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. She has taught and choreographed for SWDC Dance Camps, Chehalis Fest, and SWDC Fair Performances. As well as apprenticed teaching Acro and Hip Hop for 3 years and is a certified assistant teacher in the Acrobatic Arts program. She plans on furthering her knowledge by becoming a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher, and continuing to learn so she can share her knowledge and love of dance.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Kyndra will be teaching Hip Hop 1.
Hollie McGovern
Hollie McGovern began her classical ballet journey at the age of four in Olympia, WA, under the guidance of Virginia Woods. She continued her training with Brigitte de Calle at the Ballet School of Olympia. Between 1990 and 1992, she started sharing her expertise by teaching pre-dance classes.
At the age of 11, Hollie’s talent was recognized by the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, where she was accepted as a full-time student. She further refined her skills at The University of Utah’s dance program, earning a B.S. degree.
From 2001 to 2006, Hollie served as the Artistic Director at Penn Valley Academy of Dance. She expanded her teaching repertoire by instructing ballet, lyrical, and jazz at Sierra Dance Institute, Bear River, and Nevada Union High Schools from 2008 to 2016.
In 2016, Hollie assumed the role of Artistic Director at Center Stage Dance Studio in Grass Valley, CA, a position she held until 2023. Her performance repertoire includes Paquita, Coppélia, Nutcracker, Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and La Bayadère.
In 2023, Hollie returned to Olympia and began teaching at Studio West Dance Academy. Driven by her passion for dance, she also started teaching at Western Washington Dance Center to engage with more students.
Hollie holds the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher Certification and is an ABT®-certified teacher, having completed the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Her journey reflects her unwavering dedication to the art of dance and her commitment to sharing her knowledge with others.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Hollie will be teaching Ballet 5, 7, & 8.
Eva Reynolds
Bio coming soon.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Eva will be teaching Pre-Ballet, Ballet 1, and Lyrical 1 & 2.
Paige Ricks
Bio coming soon.
For the 2024/2025 dance season, Paige will be teaching Rhythmic Gymnastics.