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Prodigy believes in the child first.
Come see us and learn the difference that everyone is talking about.

THE PRODIGY MISSION

Creativity is more than an expression of the moment. At Prodigy, we believe that creativity in dance is an expression of what you will become. Our mission is to teach the skills that foster confidence and nurture the confidence that perfects the grace of character. Every child is an individual, yet we are one dance family. Not only do we teach each dancer to carry themselves with dignity, we also teach them to carry each other.

ABOUT PRODIGY

Prodigy is proud to bring you a unique dance experience.  From the two-year old to the twenty-year old, Prodigy encourages the development of each dancer through rigorous technique training, creative movement exploration and choreography.  The studio is structured so that students are free to progress at their own rate.  There are companies and classes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and lyrical.  All of the teachers are accomplished dancers and experienced instructors with credits that include dancing in Europe, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, (take a look at our teacher biographies).

The Preschool dance program is one we are very proud of, they require the greatest amount of patience and skill to teach, but it is so important to make sure that the love for dance is present first.  We love to see them blossom from shy little 2 year olds, to confident children who love to express themselves.  Every year Prodigy holds a separate spring performance for our preschool age dancers and other fun and exciting events.

Our major performance each year is a Benefit Concert.  We have sponsored United Families and Best Buddies through "Operation Kids" and the Spina Bifida Association of Utah at Primary Children's Hospital.  We look forward to sponsoring more wonderful charities in the future.  Our dance Companies perform at other events throughout the year. You are welcome to stop in anytime and watch a class.  You'll be surprised at the emphasis on the individual, and on the art form itself.  Children need to learn respectful ways to dance and express themselves.  For information on Prodigy's tuition, schedules, registration or to arrange a private audition for Company, please browse the website or give us a call.  Or even better, stop by and visit. 

STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

JAMILYN BELL--CO-OWNER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND JAZZ

Jamilyn Jardine Bell lives to dance and to share that love with anyone who will watch and listen. Born in Bismarck, North Dakota, by age three, Jamilyn was already tapping her way through several dance classes. The love of dance followed Jamilyn to Utah where she became one of the most accomplished cloggers in the state. Through nine years of competition, Jamilyn won local, state and national championships! Her dances won the overall Grand National Championship in short duet and freestyle. She was also part of the Rocky Mountain All American Team. Professional training in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tumbling (Cheer) and Modern dance followed.

Jamilyn’s high school experience included being selected for three consecutive years to Alta’s Dance Company. She was also Head Varsity Cheerleader, choreographing routines and dances, including three end-of-year performances with Dance Company.

In 2002, Jamilyn entered the University of Utah. She auditioned for and was selected into the school’s nationally ranked Department of Modern Dance. During this time, Jamilyn was privileged to learn from master teachers including; Brent Schneider, Kaye Richards, Stephen Koester and Eric Handman. These opportunities broadened her skills in Folk Dance, Pilates, Modern, African, Ballet, Kinesiology and Improvisational Dance. Jamilyn was selected to perform in several concerts and choreographed a piece for Senior Concert. The University experience also taught Jamilyn all aspects of lighting, costuming and most importantly, teaching and sharing all dance forms with children.

In her senior year, Jamilyn was honored to be selected as an Arts Bridge Scholar. Only one student from each of the fine Arts’ colleges receives this distinction. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah in May 2008 with a major in Modern Dance and a minor in Health Education. At this time, she also received her teaching certification.

According to Jamilyn, dance is the purest form of expressing life and life’s experiences. “I love dance and what it can do to improve self esteem in young people! It teaches discipline, teamwork, accountability and how to have fun in a structured setting. I have taught in many places; Hidden Valley Dancers, Salt Lake County Recreation programs, Jordan School District, Calvert School of Dance, Children’s Dance Theater (where I worked with the Dancers with Disabilities program and Arts in Education) just to name a few. Now I’m thrilled to be part of the Prodigy legacy. I love this place and I can’t wait to welcome back dancers I’ve come to know and love from previous years, while anxiously anticipating the new faces that will make up the 2008-2009 Prodigy Family!”

JENNIFER WUNDERLI--CO-FOUNDER

Jennifer grew up in a small college town close to Boston and only a few hours away from New York City.  Visiting both cities often to attend the ballet, opera, Broadway musicals, the theatre and art museums, instilled in Jennifer a lifelong passion and commitment to the performing arts.  Jennifer has danced with studios all over New England, studied at numerous workshops and conventions such as the famous "Jacobs Pillow" in Hanover New Hampshire. She majored in dance at the University of Utah, were she met her "very supportive" husband, Steve (he is the best backstage help there is, but he is not for hire!)  Much of Jennifer's life has been spent serving children, from teaching the physically challenged and volunteering at the local YMCA as a teenager, to the numerous and diverse boards she has served on.  Each effort had one thing in mind:  the welfare of children. Some were underserved populations like the school children and orphans in Africa; others were Downs Syndrome kids who wanted to learn to dance, still others were average neighborhood kids who needed someone to help them fulfill their dreams.  Students of Jennifer's have gone on to dance at major colleges and dance companies of note, but the students she is most proud of are the ones who developed a stronger sense of self, a better appreciation for the arts, and an ability to handle the spotlight in life when it demands character. Where there is a need in our community, you will generally find Jennifer, most likely accompanied by her students.  "Dance is a perfect way to improve a child's life," Jennifer says,  "It’s challenging physically and mentally, developing the individual, while teaching her to be an unselfish part of the bigger picture; the performance.”

JACKIE MOORE --C0-FOUNDER/OWNER/BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Jackie is very organized.  Prodigy would not "run" smoothly without her.  Jackie has an extensive background in office management.  For 16 years Jackie was part owner and office manager of BRW frozen foods, a very successful business that was bought out in 2002 by Dreyer’s Ice Cream.  Now as a business director for Prodigy, she loves spending time with the girls, the parents and a wonderful staff.  "Having great parents and a staff that does their job well makes my job much easier."  Jackie is looking forward to a fun and exciting future at Prodigy.

Jackie grew up in Salt Lake City.  She has 3 wonderful boys and 2 great daughter-in-laws.  She has dedicated most of her life to being involved with her boys and all of the sports they have participated in.  She has worked with many youth groups, creating and organizing activities and social events.

LEISL ALLEN--COMPANY JAZZ AND PRESCHOOL

Leisl Allen has been dancing for 20 years. Leisl is a versatile dancer, trained in various disciplines including jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and novelty.  She has danced at various studios including Ballet Works, The Ballet School and Masquerade Dance Studio.  She has also trained extensively in New York City and Los Angeles and has attended numerous conventions and workshops in Utah and throughout the United States.  While in High School she enjoyed the time she spent performing with the Drill teams and Dance Companies for 3 years, two of which she was captain. After graduating from High School, Leisl was an assistant drill team coach for one year.  Leisl has performed at many events, including festivals, The Olympics, Charity Galas, and competitions.  She also helped create Sojourn Dance Company, now sponsored by Prodigy, for advanced dancers ages 18 and up.  Although, Leisl loves to dance and perform, her main passion is to teach.  In her classes she finds it important to implement fun and creativity.  As she teaches and strengthens her student's technique, she also finds it important to encourage confidence, self motivation, dedication, hard work and showmanship.  She believes these, along with technique and style, are the key elements for dancers to have the best experience possible.  Leisl is married and has three adorable children.

ELYSHA BLACK--COMPANY JAZZ, LYRICAL AND HIP HOP

Elysha has had over ten years of professional training in ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and tap.  She has been teaching for over 7 years and has loved every minute of it.  Elysha has trained and performed all over the country including Hawaii, California, Las Vegas, Florida and on various Cruise Lines.  She has trained under teachers including Danny Thompson, Bonnie Story, Tamara Squires, and various professional teachers in New York and L.A.  She was selected to be part of the "shoot" in LA under the direction of Dee Caspary and the LA Dance Magic staff.  She was selected to perform with Odyssey in "Thriller"  and was then hired by Odyssey and Jeffrey Berk Productions to be part of an elite company of dancers called "LiveWire" which performed all over Salt Lake representing the Mayor and his theme "Light up the Night."  This brought many media opportunities where she appeared on multiple news stations and the Good Things Utah show.  She has taught master dance classes in L.A. under the direction of Danny Thompson and has won multiple awards at competitions, including "sweetheart" from I Love Dance Competition, where she got to represent Utah in a Las Vegas show.  She continues to perform all over the valley in events such as pageants, conventions, and benefit concerts.  She helped form the company Sojourn where she continues to perform and choreograph solo and group routines with her emphasis in Lyrical.  She is passionate about teaching, performing and sharing her love for dance, "Whatever you want to do, do it!  There are only so many tomorrows."

DRU POWERS—COMPANY JAZZ

Dru comes from a family of six girls who all danced, so dancing has been an integral part in her life. Dru received her training in ballet, jazz and lyrical at Salt Lake Dance Center. During her many years there she was a part of the advanced jazz and ballet companies with which she competed in several national dance competitions each year. She received the top award at the competition “I Love Dance” called the “Sweetheart” award and was asked to travel to New York to perform with the other winners/representatives from each of the states. She also traveled with these companies to San Francisco, L.A. and Florida for various workshops and performances. Dru performed in Ballet West’s production of the Nutcracker three consecutive years. At the age of 15 Dru spent a summer in Seattle training at Pacific Northwest Ballet Academy where she spent 8 hours a day in ballet, jazz and character classes. At Olympus High School she was the president of the Dance Company her senior year in 1999-2000. Upon graduation from high school she began teaching. She has taught at Salt Lake Dance Center, Jazz Tech Studios in Park City, Clayton Productions, Silhouette Dance, and will now be returning for her second year at Prodigy. One of the performances that is most memorable for Dru is the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. For this production she worked with nationally known choreographers Kenny Ortega and Bonnie Story. She is now a member of Sojourn and has had the opportunity to perform at the Dew Tour, Outdoor Retail Convention, many community events, concerts and benefits as well as perform alongside the well-known LDS artists Alex Boye and Jessie Clark Funk.

NICOLE MIDKIRK--COMPANY JAZZ

Nicole was born and raised in Salt Lake City, UT where she developed the passion for dance at a young age of 3. She has received her training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Hip-Hop from various studios across the Salt Lake Valley including: Salt Lake Dance Center, Dance Attack, and Razz-Ma-Tazz Academy, where she performed and competed across the state of Utah. In high school Nicole was able to express her love for dance while being a member of the Kearns High Dance Company and Drill Team. As an officer of the Drill Team Nicole helped lead her team to receive the first ever first place award in the history of the school. As a member of the Dance Company, Nicole had the opportunity to choreograph for the local Jr. High School Dance Companies to perform in their Spring Show. Nicole was also accepted into the Ririe-Woodbury Jr. Dance Company, where she received professional training in Modern Dance. “Dance has helped me through many troubling times in my life. And no matter what happens in life, I always find my place on the dance floor.”

SHEENA M. BREINHOLT--BALLET

Sheena Breinholt was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She began her dance training at the age of four, studying intensively in ballet and jazz at private studios, which she continued to do until her graduation from high school. While in high school Sheena discovered another aspect of her dancing when she began to choreograph for her high school dance company. Her choreography took her to the district level where she received high acclaim. Following her passion for the art of dance she was accepted into the University of Utah’s nationally ranked Modern Dance Department, and as a freshman received one of two Elizabeth R. Hayes full tuition scholarships. Within the Modern Dance Department she performed with the department’s acclaimed semi-professional company, Performing Dance Company. She also performed and choreographed for Ballet Showcase and Senior Concert. Her studies within the program included Modern, Ballet Technique, Pilates, Composition, Kinesiology, Dance History, Dance Theory and Music. In 2006 Sheena received her B.F.A. in Modern Dance with an emphasis in Performance and Choreography.

Sheena has also had extensive teaching experience here in Salt Lake. She has taught creative movement in the public school system, and has taught and choreographed in private studios in Salt Lake and Park City. Her teaching philosophy, particularly in Ballet, is to combine formal technical training with individual inspiration to create a firm yet nurturing atmosphere in her classes. While teaching here at Prodigy continues to be a source of fulfillment and creativity, Sheena continues her own dance training and artistic exploration by taking various dance classes around Salt Lake and performing in different free-lance projects.

SHELLEY ELGGREN SWAPP--BALLET, PRESCHOOL, TAP

Shelley grew up studying, performing and competing in tap, ballet, jazz, modern and ballroom dance for nearly 20 years with companies such as, Moving On, Buckles & Bows,  Alta High School Ballroom Company and the University of Utah Ballroom Dance Team.  She has performed throughout the state and competed in various local, national and world dance championships.  She has been teaching for over 17 years!  Her experience includes teaching ballet for the Patty Eisenhower School of Dance in Franklin, MA while also teaching and coordinating preschool dance programs in Bellingham, MA.  Later, she taught and administered ballet and tap classes for two studios in Falls Church, VA.  She has also taught adapted dance classes for Hartvigsen School in Salt Lake County.  Since returning to Utah in 2004, she has taught ballet, technique, jazz and tap for studios across the valley.

Shelley has a special place in her heart for preschool and beginning dance classes.  She feels strongly that proper dance technique introduced in a fun, disciplined and healthy environment develops a foundation for a lifetime love of dance!  Shelley is married to a wonderful man and has 4 crazy (and wonderful) kids!

ROCHELLE RICHARDS--PRESCHOOL

Rochelle's  love for dance began as a little girl in a small home studio in Hawaii and has stayed with her ever since.  She continued dancing after family moved to Utah and also participated in power tumbling at Salt Lake Gymnastics.  In high school Rochelle was a cheerleader and a key component on the National Champion Olympus High School Drill Team.  After graduating from high school she continued to take dance classes while attending BYU.  She graduated with a degree in Family & Human Development.  She worked with the Utah Youth Village as a Families First Specialist and with an Early Head Start Program in Chicago. She served a full time LDS mission in the Paraguay Asuncion North mission.  Rochelle is a creative independent person whose achievements include starting her own Chocolate Fountain business that remains successful to this day in Chicago.  Rochelle is a currently a mother of two young energetic children and spends most of her time enjoying them.  She is a very active parent who has successfully organized and developed curriculums for a neighborhood preschool.  Any remaining free time for Rochelle is spent competing in at least one triathlon a year with her husband, snowboarding, water skiing, cycling, running, hiking, canyoneering, and of course continuing to dance.

LINDSAY PORTER--BALLET

Currently, Lindsay is finishing up her senior year at the University of Utah’s Department of Ballet. She will graduate with a performance emphasis in her field. Lindsay began her dance training at the age of three with Judi Pressick; there her love for dance began and grew. After the sixth grade, Lindsay decided to take her training to another level. She started to attend a pre-professional program, the Flint Institute of Performing Arts, and continued training there until she graduated high school. Throughout, her training she has had many opportunities to work with some amazing people. This list of people includes John Magnus, Judy Rice, Darrell Moultrie, Kevin Thomas and other accomplished people. She has also attended numerous summer intensives, such as the Joffery Midwest Workshop and the Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive. Although, ballet has always been Lindsay’s focus she has had some minimal training in tap, as well as some more extensive training in modern dance. Lindsay is enjoying teaching at Prodigy and working with her students. Lindsay is looking forward to the future and what will come next for her and her husband.

JULIE JEPPSEN-BOYE—COMPANY JAZZ AND HIP HOP

Julie has danced since she was little, but got seriously involved at about age 15.  She studied ballet under the direction of Janet Gray for 6 years and did gymnastics at Salt Lake Gymnastics for 5 years.  After participating in the Olympus High Dance Company for 3 years and Drill team for one, she danced with Weber State University for one year on their dance line.  She was privileged to be apart of the 2002 Paralympic Opening Ceremonies, performing with various artists such as Donny Osmond and Stevie Wonder. Julie also danced at the Summer Jams Post-Party at Club Vesuvius for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.  After returning from an LDS mission in Asuncion Paraguay, Julie was involved with Odyssey Dance Theater and received advanced instruction from Bonnie Story at the University of Utah, where Julie also received her BA in Psychology and Spanish.  Currently, she is teaching Hip Hop and Jazz at Prodigy Dance Studio under the direction of Jennifer Wunderli.  Julie performs with several professional dancers in a group called Sojourn.  She has taken professional classes in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City and has had the great privilege to be a part of Benefit Concerts and service performances.  "Dancing is what I love most and it is an honor to share my talent with others!"

KAREN COULAM - OFFICE MANAGER/WEB DESIGN

Karen was born in New Zealand and grew up in Texas and Utah.  When her family moved to Utah in 1978

her parents started the International Folk Dance team at the Ogden LDS Institute of Religion on Weber State University Campus.  Karen participated with the folk dance team serving as Vice President for one year and continued to dance with her husband when they were first married.  Through folk dancing she had the opportunity to learn dances from countries such as Poland, Germany, Russia, Guam, Mexico, Israel and America.  As a youth her mother owned a private dance studio.  She preformed at the World Fairs in Canada and New Orleans, the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, a reception for President Reagan and the TV program PM Magazine Utah.    Karen graduated from Weber State University in Social work and coordinated the Volunteer Center for Weber/Morgan Counties. Karen enjoys business and personal organization and has worked in private homes and in a small business.   

KIM LAMBOURNE--SECRETARY

Kiim is from southern New Hampshire and has worked in corporations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for many years.  She has 2 boys in their teens, and enjoys all the sports and activities they are involved in.  However, she does need her girl time and that is what brought her to Prodigy.  Kim has been the secretary at Prodigy for 5 years.  She enjoys working with the teachers and especially taking care of the students daily.  “It is truly a pleasure to come to work.   I do remember the experiences I had as a dancer of 15 years and the great memories I treasure."

Kim's responsibilities are secretarial and that of keeping an office organized.  She even unplugs toilets when needed.  An office must run smoothly and Prodigy does just that.  Kim loves the students and enjoys her work at Prodigy.

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