Faculty
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Lynette Branson
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Jessie Gephart
 
       

Andrea Clark - Owner/Office Manager has been involved in dance off an on for 17 years, studying jazz, ballet, tap, tumbling, lyrical, hip-hop and Modern. She has received several awards in competitions and conventions for the hip hop competing team “Powersource." She has also been in the business industry for the past 6 years. As a licensed Cosmetologist (Former Hair Stylist of Dolce Salon & Spa) she has received a National award for her expertise and a 1st place winner in a State Hair show.  She is our hair and make up designer for our concerts (and any competitions that may take place).
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Kim Bower - Artistic Dance Director /Instructor is a dancer of 46 years, and a dance instructor of 34 years, certified by Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America in ballet, tap, jazz, and tumbling. She is the Director of the Teacher Training Intership program which has been created specifically for Dance Matrix students. She was certified by Al Gilbert in his instructional technique in 1973. Before Kim opened her own studio at the age of 13, she performed as a member of both the Golden State Junior Ballet and the San Gabriel Valley Ballet of California. She was a member of the Children’s Screen Actors Guild working in commercials and television. Her theatrical background includes involvement in off-Broadway productions at Lakewood Musical Playhouse in PA. San Bernardino and Pasadena Playhouses in CA. Her choreographic works include numerous productions, musicals, pageants, and award winning competition pieces. As co-choreographer of the premier performances of the, “Wager” in February 2007, she was proud to be working with a number of past and current students. Many former students have gone on professionally to perform on television, industrials, music videos, movies, Las Vegas shows, cruise lines, instruct for dance conventions, studios, schools, universities, and become studio directors, and studio owners, throughout the country.
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Miss Lynette - Ballet Instructor has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, where she took dance and acrobats mostly at Charmette Academy of Dance. She also taught dance and acrobatics there for 7 years, ages 3 through teen, beginners through advanced. While with Charmette, she was a member of Dance Company for 5 years where she won numerous awards, including a scholarship, at the regional and national levels for solo, duet and group competitions. She helped plan, choreograph, and design program covers, T-shirts, and scenery for recitals. She also spent 7 years with Six Flags St. Louis as a supervisor, while performing and choreographing various shows with the Looney Tunes characters. Miss Lynette spent a summer performing in the Country Show in the Palace Theatre. In 1996 she graduated from Webster University, St. Louis, with a B.F.A. in Fine Arts with a major in Ballet. While at Webster, Miss Lynette had a guest appearance with the Webster Dance Company. After moving to Arizona 9 years ago, she began taking classes with Dance Network for about 3 years. She works as an administrative assistant and lives in Gilbert with her husband, Jay, and 2 year old daughter, Audrey.
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Natalie Ingram has been dancing for 20 years and has been a part of the Dance Matrix team since March of 2009. She has completed the Dance Matrix Training program. While she is predominately trained in classical ballet, Natalie has also been trained in jazz, tap, tumbling and clogging. Outside of studio dancing, she also performed with her varsity high school dance team which took first place at the state competition using a dance she helped to choreograph. As a senior in high school she was able to teach a jazz, ballet, and tap class for her local studio where she discovered her love for teaching and working with young people.
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Lorie Keller - Jazz Instructor whose passion for Dance and Music spans 25 plus years. Born and raised in Rochester NY where she trained at the Bonaldi Dance Academy from the age of 4. Jazz, Modern with a foundation in classical ballet and Pointe. Lorie has won numerous first place awards for her solos and group performances at the Local and NY State competitions. At the age of 16 she became an instructor and choreographer for the Academy. As a senior she had the honor of joining the renowned Eastman school of the Arts for Dance and Music. Earning a scholarship she continued her training in college where she worked with Diane Lange, former member of the Alvin Ailey Modern Dance Company in NY City. Lorie is also a classically trained Violinist from the age of 5. After moving to AZ she fell into a successful career in new home sales. She has one daughter named Ciara - She rekindled her passion for dance these last 3 years and is honored to be a teacher for Dance Matrix. Her goal is to bring out the love and passion for dance in each one of her students through creativity and fun!
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Ross Pearce - Has trained in many areas such as ballet, jazz, modern, and of course ballroom. He was a student at Brigham Young University in Utah where he learned most of his dancing and teaching techniques. He then started competing on the Professional Circuit. Soon after starting dance professionally and competing, he started teaching social dance classes at the University of Utah. As a professional competitor and teacher, Ross has worked in the following styles of ballroom dance: Latin, Rhythm, Smooth, Cabaret and Standard. His articulated technique and great presence on the dance floor makes him a great teacher for both the technical dancer and the social beginner.
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Ashley Raben - She was involved in jazz, lyrical, partner dancing, tapping, and ballet for 13 years. She won numerous awards competing with her Dance Team.  She performed at Disneyland, Sea world, Lagoon, and a pro bowl game in Hawaii.  She was involved with three different dance teams and also competed in many solo competitions.  During high school she made the cheer squad and became head cheerleader for both J.V. and Varsity.  Her squad won 1st place in regional’s three years in a row.  She also started a song leading squad her senior year, where they were able to compete in that division at nationals.  She qualified to go to Paris, France to perform at their light parade.  She made the cheer squad at Southern Utah University, where she was able to advance her cheerleading and stunting abilities. She moved to Taylor, AZ about five years ago and was hired to coach at Snowflake High School for the J.V. cheer squad.  She has completed the Dance Matrix Training Program in San Tan Valley, AZ.
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Kristen Hiser - has been tumbling for 7 years and just joined the Dance Matrix team as a tumbling Assistant Instructor and Pom & Cheer Instructor.  She has completed the Teacher Training program here at Dance Matrix and is now a certified Instructor. She has been a very dedicated, hard working varsity cheerleader since her freshman year in High School.   Competed in nationals and state competitions and won 3rd place in their division.  She has choreographed many cheer routines and is very creative and precise in her choreography.
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Michelle Hunt - Began dancing when she was 3 years old. She took ballet and tap classes initially. At the age of 5, she was cast in the Arizona Ballet production of ―The Christmas Carol. She began clogging at the age of 7. She joined the High Country 4-H Cloggers at the age of 9 and began teaching clogging around age 13. She won several awards at the regional and state level for clogging. She became a member of the Snowflake High School Loboettes dance line her sophomore and junior years of high school. She was a member of the first ―Spirit Line‖ at Snowflake High School and began stunting as well as cheerleading then. At the age of 19, she became the JV Spirit line coach for Snowflake High School. She was a JV coach for 3 years and a Varsity coach for 2 years. Her Varsity team were state champions for the 2004—2005 school year. She was a committee member of the AIA Spiritline Coaches Association and has obtained the silver-level certification for cheer/stunting. She has completed the Dance Matrix Training program in San Tan Valley, AZ and is a certified Dance & Cheer Instructor.
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Andrea Irelan - has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained in tap, ballet, tumbling, and jazz. In high school she danced with a state and national ranked team for 4 years. She traveled to Paris to perform with an All Star dance team with members from all over the U.S.. She coached and choreographed for the high school squad allowing many of the dances she choreographed to rank in both state and national competitions. This gave her team the opportunity to perform at Disney World on ESPN. She also organized and hosted several fundraisers for the team. She then began taking private choreography opportunities for competitions and fundraising events. Since moving to Arizona, she has continued to study in ballet, tap, and hip hop with main focus in hip hop. She is so happy to be here at Dance Matrix and have the opportunity to work with kids here in Arizona and do what she loves.
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Cory Grant
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Ryan Butler - started his training at Pacific Lutheran University studying foxtrot,waltz, and east coast swing. He then continued his training here at Dance Matrix for 2 yrs and has completed the Dance Matrix Teacher Training Program. He was also a member and choreographer for San Tan Foothills High School's Advanced Dance Team. He was also a varsity cheerleader as a Junior, taking first place with his squad at the Sweetheart Classic's Best in the West Championship. Ryan was voted "Best All-Around Cheerleader" by his coaches and teammates. Ryan takes much pride in academics as he does dance and understands the importance of being well rounded. Not only was he voted Student Body President his Senior year, but he was chosen by The American Legion to participate at the Boys State at NAU. He is a very talented dancer, choreographer/instructor in Tumbling, Hip Hop and Pom and Cheer. Even though he was given the opportunity to dance and compete complimentary with another studio, Ryan's heart quickly drew back to the Dance Matrix Family. Ryan looks forward to continuing his training in dance, in his education, and growing along with Dance Matrix.
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Katie Foster has been dancing since she was 2. She has trained mainly in classical ballet, but has also trained in jazz, lyrical, tap, modern and clogging. Katie has performed four times in The Nutcracker, twice with Ballet Arizona and also with Ballet Etudes.Formerly a member of the high school junior varsity and varsity cheer team; her varsity team received first in the show cheer, and third in the pom division at the state competition. Since she was a little girl Katie has always dreamed of being a dance teacher. When joining the Dance Matrix family in 2009 she started her education process in becoming a teacher through the Teacher Training Internship Program (TTI). She loves to work with all ages, and wants to be an inspiration to young dancers, just like her teachers are to her.  She is now currently in level 4 of the Teacher Training Internship, assisting other instructors, soon to be teaching her own classes.
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Jessie Gephart - started dancing at the age of 4 In Colorado where she studied tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and gymnastics.  She won several awards in gymnastics.   She was an assistant instructor in the valley here in Arizona where she continued her training.  She has completed the Dance Matrix Training program and is now a Beginning Tumbling Instructor.  She is married with 2 daughters.
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Bryan Clark -Instructor is a dancer of 26 years and instructor of 9 years. His dance background includes tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, clogging, tumbling, and modern. He has studied under world renowned instructors such as, Joe Tremaine, Roland Dupree, Douglas Caldwell and Mia Michaels (from “So You Think You Can Dance“ T.V. show), just to name a few. A former Junior Mr. Headliner and former member of Double Steppin’ Cloggers, he has received Over All awards in both regional and national competitions. He has been the director of the Hip Hop Team Powersource which has received numerous top awards for presentation and choreography and danced professionally with PowerNow Entertainment.
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staff

     
 
     
     
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For more information call 480-987-3073
OPEN at the SW corner of Combs and
Gantzel next to Fry's Marketplace.
OR 928-536-9993 Also OPEN at the
East side of Hwy 77, across street from
Sonic, next to Hancock Insurance.
Queen Creek / San Tan Valley
Snowflake / Taylor
85 W. Combs
Suite #108
San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
480-987-3073

google map
121 N. Main St.
Bldg. A
Taylor, AZ 85939
928-536-9993
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