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Meet the owner: Kristen Reeb Wardlaw
Thank you for your interest in Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio. My name is Kristen Reeb Wardlaw, owner of Heavenly Rhythm. HR has been an inspiration that God has placed in my heart. It began many years ago as I developed my love for dance coincided with my love for the Lord. It has become a reality and a motivating factor now, for my little sister. Holly Reeb (HR) went to be with Jesus Aug 13, 2005. Because of her faith, motivation, and example she made in this world, I too want to make a statement to kids and young girls. You can dance and feel the gift of music bringing glory to the Creator of it all. I have enjoyed so much being a mentor to dancers that I have taught in the past. I pray now that I can also be a positive influence in your child’s life.
Kristen Reeb Wardlaw has been a dancer and a gymnast for over 22 years. She started at age three with Solar Saltos Gymnastics in Mesa, AZ. At age five she moved to Belleville, IL were she continued her gymnastics training as well as started her dance training. Kristen continued to compete gymnastics nationwide, winning the USGF State Champion Uneven Bars title in Level 6, 7, & 8, and was USAIGC Nationally placed 13th on the Uneven Bars in level 9. Kristen continued her dance training at age twelve to eighteen with Taylor’s Academy of Dance in Ofallon, IL where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and pom dance. She was a part of Taylor’s competition and parade teams and competed in many area competitions such as Regency Talent competition, Showbiz, Rainbow Connections, etc. Kristen was also a member of her high school dance team, where she became captain and co-choreographed award winning routines, and was also named a part of UDA All-Star teams in both 2000 and 2001. In 2003, at age 19, Kristen became founder and coach of Metro East Lutheran High School’s Varsity Dancer Knights where she currently is still employed. The Dancer Knights, under her training and choreography, have won IDTA Class A State titles in Pom Dance (2005), Dance (2008), Contemporary Lyrical (2009), Jazz & Pom Dance (2010) as well as Choreographed Belleville Easts state winning Jazz Routine (2010).
Kristen earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Minor in Art from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. During this time she was a part of both the dance team and involved in many classes in the dance program. She went on to earn her Teacher’s Certification in Art Education and is currently finishing her Masters.
For the last 10 years, Kristen has taught both gymnastics and dance for various studios/gyms as well as choreographed many award winning solo and group dances. She has studied at The Broadway Dance Center in New York City and has been given the opportunity to learn from various artists such as Tokyo, Mia Micheals, Chris Judd, Wade Robson, Dave Scott, and SonyaTayeh. Kristen was a member of The Ashleyliane Dance Company (ADC), A fushion between urban street and studio technique, based out of the St. Louis area in 2009/2010. www.ashleyliane.com
Meet the teachers:
Brooke Rabin - Ballet tech, Contemporary Lyrical
Dancing since the age of 2 Brooke Rabin is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. She trained at Helena Hosch School of Dance participating in the competition team as well as winning many scholarships at dance conventions. For 4 years she also assisted with choreography for her school cheerleading team. Brooke is a certified dance instructor with Dance Masters of America since 2004.
While getting a bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Indiana University, Brooke was a part of In Motion Dance Company on campus. She was a main choreographer and held a director position of the company for 3 years. She also choreographed and orchestrated dancers, singers, and musicians, for the IU foundation’s largest fundraising event on campus. Brooke is currently a student at Washington University School of Medicine where she will receive her Doctorate in occupational therapy in May of 2011.
Angie Nelson- Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pom, Pointe
Angie Nelson began her dance career at age 4 at Becky Kern's Dance studio where she continued through the age of 24. Angie also given the opportunity to attended Dance Caravan as a student. As a dancer at BKDS Angie attended many years of competing with Regency Talent Competition, Showcase Talent Competition, and others, winning many competitions as a solo, duet and group dancer. One of Angie's highest achievement as a dancer was winning first place at Regency's Talent Competition National Event with a tap duet with Jeannine Taylor (Owner of Taylor's Academy of Dance). Angie was a student teacher at BKDS and also on the staff for several years. She then went on to open Angie's School of Dance in Collinsville in 1994. Angie continued training for herself and her students with yearly workshops. She attended Dupree Dance Expo, Showbiz "The Class" and Tremaine. Angie had the opportunity to privately train with Robert Reed who is one of the best "hoofers" in the country. Through the workshops attended she has been priveleged to train with top dancers from the east coast to the west coast. Some of her favorites were, Mike Minery, Mr. Dupree and Thommy Retter. Angie says she was blessed to reconnect with Kristen Wardlaw in 2007 when she was contemplating closing her studio to be at home more with my daughter Victoria. As it turns out they were a direct answer to each other's prayer and Angie's School of Dance celebrated with our final recital in 2007 and Heavenly Rhythm became a reality in Collinsville that same year. Angie has taught at Heavenly Rhythm for the last 2 years.
Alexis Cotto - Ballet, tap, Jazz, Modern
Alexis Cotto has been dancing for 24 years, beginning her education with Fleur De Lis Academy in St. Louis, Mo where she started her study of ballet, tap, and jazz and continued there through age 18. Alexis was also a part of her high school's Varsity dance team were she became captain her senior year. After high school she went on to Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville where she continued her dancing education as well as studied Speech Language Pathology. At SIUE Alexis continued her study of ballet and Jazz and was introduced to Modern and its various techniques. She participated in SIUE's dance shows, "Dance in Concert" and "Opus" each year from 2000-2004. While in college Alexis also began teaching at Angie's School of Dance and continued for 6 years before beginning to teach here at Heavenly Rhythm. Alexis has been with Heavenly Rhythm for 3years and is continuing to grow as a teacher as well as a dancer.
Charley Barlow- Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, leaps and Turns
Charley Barlow started dancing at the age of three and ended up doing most of her formal training at Gou-jon Academy of Dance in St. Charles Missouri. There she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, pointe and tumbling. There Charley was given the opportunity to compete locally and nationally in places such as Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, and Branson. In 2002, she won a scholarship through the Broadway Dance Experience and spent two weeks doing intensive training in New York City with several major choreographers. Charley was the captain of her high school dance team and a three-time All American dancer. This is Charley's third wonderful year at Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio as a teacher and choreographer. Charley recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from SIUE in May with her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Secondary Education. She plans to find a teaching position, but will never stop teaching dance as well.
Nicole Thomas- Ballet, tap, Jazz, hip hop
Nicole Thomas, 22, has been involved in dance for over 12 years. Beginning her dance education in 1997 with Angie's School of dance and continued there until the studio closed in 2007. She was a part of the Collinsville High School Varsity Dance Team for all four years of high school, becoming a captain her senior year. Nikki has continued her dancing and has been teaching dance at various studios since she was 16 years old and has taught all ages from 3-18yr as well as all different styles. She is currently a student at SIUE were she is studying to be a physical Education Teacher. Nikki has been teaching at Heavenly Rhythm for 4 years as well as Taylor's Academy of dance for 6years. Nikki is also the Collinsville Middle School dance team coach.
Stephanie McGovern- Ballet, Ballet technique, Tap, Jazz, leaps and Turns
Stephanie McGovern has been dancing for 17 years, beginning at age 3 at Collinsville center of performing arts. She then switched to Angie's School of dance in 1995. There Stephanie was a part of the competition team and was given the opportunity to compete at many regional competitions as well as participate in dance conventions such as Dupree Dance Expo. While in High School Stephanie was a part of the Collinsville Varsity Dance Team where they won the state contest in the Kick category in 2007. She is now a current member of the Illinois Drill Team Association and the JV Dance team coach at Metro East Lutheran High School. Stephanie taught at Angie's School of dance for 3 years and has been teaching at Heavenly Rhythm for 3. She is currently attending college at SIUE where she is obtaining a major in Psychology and a minor in Dance.
Judy Gasser- Ballet, tap, Jazz
Judy Gasser started her dancing career at age 3 at Angie's School of Dance. There she studied tap, ballet, and jazz for 12 years, beginning her study of pointe and modern in her later years. After Angie's, Judy continued to study ballet, tap, Jazz, pointe, modern and lyrical at Heavenly Rhythm for the past 2years. During high school she was a part of Metro East Lutheran's Junior Varsity dance team for 2 years, Varsity for 2, and a member of the 2008, as well as the 2009 State Championship Teams. Judy began as a student teacher at Angie's school of dance and went on to teach at Heavenly Rhythm. This will be Judy's 3rd year teaching at Heavenly Rhythm. Judy is currently a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville were she majors in Secondary Education and a minor in Dance and Theatre.
Danielle Lucier- Ballet, Tap, Jazz, hip hop
Danielle started dancing in 1995 when she was 5 years old. She began her dance career at Angie's School of dance where she studied for 11 years. While there Danielle participated on the competition team, competing at many regional competitions as both a group and solo dancer, as well as had the opportunity to attend workshops such as Tremaine and Dupree Dance Expo. In 2002 Danielle was part of a trio dance placing first in nationals. Danielle was also a part of her middle school dance team where she was captain her 8th grade year. She then went on to be a part her high school dance team for three years, winning state in 2008. Danielle has been an assistant teacher for 5 years. This will be Danielle's 3rd year teaching at Heavenly Rhythm.
Allison Clessa- Ballet, tap
Allison Clessa started her dancing education at age 6. Beginning at Angie's School of Dance Allie studied ballet, tap, jazz, pom, hip hop and began pointe. Allie was also part of Angie's competition team competing in various area competitions throughout her years there. While in High school Allie has been a part of the Metro East Lutheran Varsity Dancer Knights for 4 years and a member of the 2008, 2009, as well as the 2010 State Championship Teams. She was captain for 2 years, runner up for Junior Miss IDTA (Illinois Drill Team Association) in 2007, 6th runner up for Miss IDTA in 2009, and was named UDA (Universal Dance Association) All American Dancer in 2009. Allie has continued her dance training at Heavenly Rhythm and has been a substitute teacher at HR for two years. This will be Allie's 2nd year as a teacher at Heavenly Rhythm.
Mariah Scott- Ballet, tap, Jazz
Mariah Scott began dancing at age three at Bridget James Dance Studio in Florissant, MO. During her time there she received many perfect attendance awards, several most improved, and outstanding student awards. She then moved to Edwardsville, IL where she began cheering at Trinity Lutheran and continued to dance at a local studio. While cheering at Trinity, Mariah received the "Eagle Award" (similar to MVP) and was also on the team that placed second in the LSA state finals. Mariah was nominated three years in a row for UCA all American cheerleader. In high school Mariah joined the Metro East Lutheran Varsity dance team for 4 years, and was a member of the Varsity cheerleading squad for two years. Mariah was named captain of the dance team her senior year, awarded MVD (most valuable dancer) in 2008, and was on the 2008 A Dance State Champion team, and the 2009 A Lyrical State Champion team. Mariah was also an active member of National Honor Society, a member of the state-qualifying WYSE team (worldwide youth in science and engineering), and was president of Science Club. Mariah graduated from Metro East Lutheran High School in 2009 as salutatorian and is in her first year at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, where she received the President's Scholarship. Mariah also received a college scholarship from the Hall of Fame Dance Challenge Foundation. Mariah is currently assisting with the Varsity Dance team at Metro East Lutheran High School and will be in her 3rd year as a teacher at Heavenly Rhythm. Mariah enjoys learning and is always working to improve herself and her knowledge of dance and enjoys passing on that knowledge and love to her students
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