Working with kids is Tanya’s passion and pure joy.  Tanya received her teaching certification in Chicago in 1991. She has been teaching since 1992 and started Life Dance Academy competition team shortly after that. Tanya has won several awards and scholarships as a dancer and has since led her own dancers to accomplish the same.  Tanya has been recognized regionally and nationally for her choreography and holds several Regional and National “Best Choreography" Awards. She has had the honor of working with choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance, MTV Music awards, and many music video choreographers. January 6th, 2024 Tanya was inducted into the Rock County Arts Hall of Fame honoring hersignificant contributions to the growth and well-being of the arts in Rock County.  Tanya has traveled doing Master classes and assisted at several Dance Conventions.  She had the honor of choreographing the opening number for the Stephen Wolf concert, a Janesville Gazette commercial and several community theater shows.  Tanya’s vision for Life Dance Academy is to instill self-confidence, accomplishment, artistry, and great dance technique to all ages and abilities.  Life Dance Academy is for all dancers beginner to Elite and will bring excellence to every child through teaching them with their own individual learning style. Tanya is committed to creating a safe place of positive reinforcements, self-expression, and individuality, challenging her dancers to be the best they can be.

Originally from Las Vegas, NV, she received her classical ballet training under the Royal Academy of Dance and studied Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. In 2014 Taylor graduated from Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance. Her professional experience includes performing and serving as dance captain in multiple musicals including “Hairspray”, “West Side Story”, “Cats”, “How To Succeed In Business”, and “Beauty and The Beast”; working for Spirit Productions/Dublin Worldwide in “Dance Inferno”; and  performing as a Dancer/Aerialist for Royal Caribbean Productions. Since moving to Wisconsin in 2017, she has choreographed "Beauty and The Beast", "Bound: A Dance Drama", and "Godspell" at JPAC, was a company member and summer intensive instructor with Madison Contemporary Dance in 2023, and was a guest faculty member/choreographer at Beloit College in 2024. Taylor is also certified in P.M.A. Pilates Mat and Apparatus, Bootybarre, ADTA Acro Dance, Fascial Stretch Therapy and Neuro Kinetic Therapy.  She is so grateful that Life Dance Academy has become her home where she can pass on her life experience as a professional dancer and her knowledge of as a bodyworker to all of her students.

Ashley began dancing at the age of three in Cape Girardeau, MO.  She attended Webster University in St. Louis, MO, where she graduated with a BFA in Dance in 2007 and an MFA in Arts Management and Leadership in 2009.  While at Webster, Ashley developed three original choreographic pieces for her BFA capstone.  She also performed with the Webster University Dance Ensemble, several student-choreographed performances, and participated in ACDFA.  Ashley has danced in Paris, France as part of the Universal Dance Association's All-Star program.  During the summer of 2006, she attended the Ailey Summer Intensive in New York City, taking daily classes in ballet, Horton technique, and West African.

During her time in St. Louis, Ashley was the junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach of the state-ranked Westminster Christian Academy dance team, and taught at Renee Johnson's Dance Studio and Renee's Dance Floor.  She has taught and choreographed for Studio One Dance Company in Wales, WI for the past four seasons. 

Courtney is a dancer and choreographer based in Madison, Wisconsin, specializing in Hip Hop and commercial styles of dance, as well as contemporary and floor work. She holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a certified Pilates Instructor. As a creator, Courtney emphasizes the use of isolations, foundational and dynamic movements. She values the community that dance creates between every mover and the use of artists' bodies as a means of communication. 

Alyssa was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois where she danced her whole life. Alyssa started dancing at the age of 3 and joined the competition team by the age of 7. She took classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Acro. When she went to high school, she began teaching at the dance studio as well as taking classes. Alyssa was on her college dance team all four years of college. Her Senior year of college, she was a co-captain of the dance team. She ran practices as well as choreographed and taught dances. Alyssa moved to Janesville about a year and a half ago. She was very sad to leave dancing, but very excited to have accepted a teaching position at Monroe Elementary School in Janesville teaching 2nd grade! It definitely helped make the move easier. After a year of being in Janesville, Alyssa was ready to start teaching her love of dance again! Alyssa loves watching her students have fun, grow and share that passion for dance that she has! Alyssa always comes to class with a smiling face, a positive attitude and great enthusiasm! Alyssa is SO excited to be a part of The Life Dance Academy Family and looks forward to seeing new smiling faces!

I am Kayla French. I started my ballet training at American Midwest Ballet located in Omaha, NE where I grew up. At 10 years old I attended my first summer intensive training at Joffrey Ballet in San Fransico, and the following years at Joffrey Ballet New York City, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Kirov Academy Ballet, Houston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet and Ballet Arizona. I graduated high school at 16 to become a trainee at Cincinnati Ballet for 3 years under the direction of Victoria Morgan (2019-2022).

After my time at Cincinnati Ballet, I joined Ballet Arizona as a studio company member for 1 year under the direction of IB Andersen (2022-2023). This past season I joined Madison Ballet company under the direction of Ja’ Malik. I will be returning with them for next season as well.

Kallisty has danced with what is now Life Dance Academy since the age of 3. She has been competitively dancing since 2009. She has had the pleasure of working with numerous choreographers throughout the years, such as Mo Williams, Missy Lobes, Patrick Burns, and more. In 2015, Kallisty was awarded with a scholarship from Coast to Coast for a fantastic essay about what dance meant to her. In 2018, Kallisty went to Dupree Dance where she earned a scholarship giving her a full ride to the convention in Chicago. When Kallisty wasn't in competition or recreational classes for herself, she has assisted teaching classes at the studio. Kallisty loves sharing her passion for dance with all of her students! Having her students feel seen and accomplished is her greatest joy within the classroom.

Elly has been dancing since 2005 and excited to joing Life Dance Academy in 2023. Elly is dedicated to sharing a passion for movement with students of all ages and skill levels, offering a unique blend of technical expertise and creative flair to every class. Elly is committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where students can develop their skills and confidence. Whether teaching beginners or coaching advanced dancers, tailoring lessons to meet the individual needs and goals of each student. Choreographing since 15 years old, Elly has created captivating routines showcased around the Wisconsin and Illinois. ​Earning many awards during her high school career, one of her biggest accomplishments was winning Miss Dance Master's of Wisconsin in 2018. She has won many top awards for her self choreographed solos, including outstanding choreographer award at 17 years old. Elly has been choreographing for Sparrow Dance Company for the last 3 years and a dancers for the company for 6 years; located in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. ​ Another proud moment was being casted as  Hot Chocolate soloist in the 2023 Stageworks Project Nutcracker. Outside the studio, Elly continues to enrich their dance education through workshops, performances and ongoing professional development. With a belief that dance is a transformative art form that enriches lives, Elly strives to instill a love of dance in every student she works with, promoting both technical proficiency and a deep appreciation for the artistry of movement. We are elated to welcome Elly to Life Dance Academy!

Life Dance Academy welcomes Morgan Schnulle to the family as our newest Acro Instructor. Morgan grew up participating in a variety of sports and activities including dance and cheer. She graduated from Concordia University of Wisconsin in December of 2023 with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. While at Concordia, Morgan competed for three seasons on the Acrobatics and Tumbling team. Her favorite skill to compete was the bridge stunt. Since graduating, Morgan substitute teaches in the area and is a Middle School Cheer Coach at St. Pauls in Janesville. Morgan is a great addition to our dance family and she cannot wait to share her excitement for dance Acro and watch the students learn their new skills. 

Britton Dorcey is an award-winning choreographer and instructor. Originally from Janesville, Britton

began her dance training at the age of two and a half under the direction of Cheryl Schmidt. At the age of 15, she continued her training at the Rockford Dance Company and joined the Rockford Ballet Company’s production of the Nutcracker. While attending college, she was a member of the Midwest Movement Dance Company, a semi-

professional competition team under the direction of Ted Jackson. Britton has spent many years traveling and training all over the country. She trained in New York at the Broadway Dance Center with Tony Award winning choreographer Michelle Assaf, along with classes in Los Angeles and LasVegas. While living in Chicago, Britton trained at Lou Conte Dance Studio, the studio of the

Hubbard Street Dancers, and the Joel Hall Dance Center.

She began her teaching career in 1997 and was active as a dance apprentice starting at a young age. After returning from Chicago in 2009, Britton began her career at Stoughton Center for the Performing Arts, first as an instructor, then becoming Company Director and Assistant to the Artistic Director. She began as a contracted choreographer in 2010 for StageWorks Projects, under

the direction of Coleen Kehl before becoming Board Vice President. Britton helped produce shows including The Nutcracker Ballet, Christmas Carol Ballet, Drakula- The Performance, and Oliver. Britton has been contracted for multiple projects within the southern Wisconsin area. She has set competition choreography for Vibe: The Place for Dance in Middleton, WI and the Verona High School Dance Team. Most recently, she was brought on as the choreographer for Theater Unlimited Inc’s production of Rock Of Ages The Musical right here in Janesville, WI. She is so incredibly excited to join the Life Dance Academy family and truly feels she’s coming “home. ”

Emma began dancing at the age of 6 in Smithfield, VA where she took classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Tumbling. She has danced with what is now Life Dance Academy since the age of 10, and danced competitively in Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre for 3 years. Emma attended Craig High School where she choreographed and danced on the POMS team for 3 years. When she had free time between POMS, recreational classes, or competition rehearsals, she assisted teaching classes at the studio. Emma began assisting the preschool and tiny tots classes in 2018 and fell in love with it. She has been teaching her own preschool combo classes and elementary ballet classes the past several years.  Emma has a love for children and works full-time at a daycare as well as teaching dance classes.

Mr. Jack started at the age of 8 by dancing in the doorway of the classroom when waiting for his sisters to finish class at the Academy of Dance and Music (now known as Studio 17) in Carrollton, Virginia under Karissa Evans and Presley Shields. He has been at Life Dance Academy since 2013, and has trained under Tanya Dubinski and Taylor Manney, completing for many years on the Competition Dance Team. Jack has been dancing now for over 10 years and has learned many styles of dance including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical,  Contemporary, and Ballet. Mr Jack has been leading our all boys Hip Hop classes for the past few years.  He is very excited to continue teaching and helping his students learn here at Life Dance Academy. 

~Bio Coming Soon~

Tara is no stranger to the dance world.  All 3 of Tara's adult children have danced since they were small.  Tara attended Michigan State University where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design. She spent 10 years working in the architecture, design and facility management industries.  Her kindness, attention to detail, and positivity are the perfect match for our studio culture.  Tara will be your friendly face answering your questions, phone calls, emails and taking payments.  Tara is crucial to the ins and outs that make Life Dance all it can be.  She will always greet you with smile and will make sure you have all the information you need. Tara is warm and welcoming and goes above and beyond to get to know our families and dancers.  

Brianna's dance passion and experience comes from watching her own tiny dancer twirl since the wee age of 2 when her daughter began dancing at Life Dance Academy. Brianna attended college at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Brianna is a Middle and High School Teacher at Parkview Jr./Sr. High,  in Orfordville,WI.  Her talent and joy of working with kids expands beyond her own classroom and she is excited to bring her many talents and organization skills to Life Dance Academy along side our Office Manager Tara.