OUR FACULTY

Terah Partridge: Instructor, Owner

With over twenty-five years of dancing experience, and numerous years of dance instruction experience at various companies (including the Dance Evolutions studio, Lakewood Community Education, and the Marysville Performing Arts Center) Terah has been a committed patron of the art of dance her entire life. Although ballet is her first love, Terah also has experience as Co-Captain of the Lakewood High School Varsity Cheerleading squad, and also professionally coached the Rocky Mountain Junior High School cheerleading squad, leading them to place #1 in the Golden State Cheerleading competition in Ogden, Utah.

After searching for a ballet class for her five-year-old daughter, Lydia, Terah realized there was a need for a superior dance school here on Camano Island. Terah began the Camano Dance Academy in early 2007, and it has been growing by leaps and bounds ever since.

With dance education from Cornish College of the Arts, Brigham Young University, Casper College, and Weber State University, along with a special education teaching degree from Utah State University, Terah combines technical and artistic dance knowledge with the class management and motivational techniques she learned while teaching public school.

As a teacher and a mom, Terah is committed to producing artistically advanced, technically sound, healthy and happy dancers - while instilling a love of dance in her students.

Sarah Cooper: Dance Instructor

Sarah began performing ballet at the age of seven, studying at the esteemed Moving Company Dance Workshop in Everett, Washington, for ten years. She continued her dance career as Captain of the Lakewood High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad, member of the Southern Virginia University Cheerleading Squad, member of the Viriginia Military Institute cheerleading squad, member of the BYU-idaho Dance Team and Hip Hop Team (o3-04), BYU Hip Hop Dance Instrutor, and member of the "Club Style" BYU Hip Hop Dance Team (2007). Along with dance, Sarah has also been employed as a personal trainer, and loves to help others increase their level of fitness.

Sarah joined CDA to teach Pre-Ballet, Hip Hop, and Adult Aerobics. Sarah's vivacious personality and high energy make her an ideal teacher for any age group. We are so excited to have her at CDA, and know her experience will bring a new level of excellence to our school.

Marissa Wenner: Dance Instructor

Marissa studied dance for twelve years at the Burien Dance Theater, taking classes in Jazz, Ballet, Show Biz, Hip Hop, Modern, and Pointe. Currently, Marissa is on the dance team at Western Washington University, where she is earning her degree. Marissa is very excited to be joining our staff here at the Camano Dance Academy. We know that her wonderful energy, enthusiasm, and love of dance will make her a great addition to our staff.

Lauren Greertsen: Dance Assistant (right/center)

 Although Lauren only began her study of dance two and a half years ago, when she began private lessons with Terah, she has developed into an amazing ballet student. Lauren combines the technical skill and graceful fluidity one would expect to find in a life-long dancer.

Lauren is currently assisting with Miss Terah's Monday Intermediate Ballet class, and we are thrilled to have her as both an accomplished student, and an encouraging assistant.

Emily Callies: Dance Assistant (left/center)

Emily has been studying ballet for several years, and it shows! She is a graceful and gifted dancer. Currently, Emily attends our Ballet II and Pre-Pointe classes, and recently starred as the "Prima Ballerina" in our CDA Winter Showcase. The girls in Ballet I could not have a better example to look up to!

Becca Gascoigne - Dance Assistant

Becca began studying dance with Miss Terah three years ago. She loves all kinds of dance, and works extremely hard at perfecting her craft. Currently, she is attending classes at CDA in Ballet, Pre-Pointe, and Hip Hop. Becca is very excited to begin pointe work soon! She also assists Miss Sarah's Beginning Ballet class. We are so glad to have Miss Becca as a part of our team.

Becky Samii - Dance Assistant (far right)

Becky is an amazingly strong and athletic dancer, most likely due to her background in karate. The girls in Beginning Ballet and Pre-Combo absolutely adore her, and she is a very gifted assistant. You may remember Becky's memorable performance as one of the three lion's in last year's Wild Dance Kingdom. Becky is also excited to begin studying pointe soon, and is a wonderful addition to our Ballet II and Pre-Pointe classes.