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Prodigy believes in the
child first.
Come see us and learn the difference that everyone is talking
about.
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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.
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ABOUT PRODIGY
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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.
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STAFF
BIOGRAPHIES
Click
here to see our staff
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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 two adorable
children.
ELYSHA BLACK--COMPANY, JAZZ AND
LYRICAL
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 HORSLEY—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.
MICHELLE ROBINS - COMPANY, JAZZ
Michelle
has been dancing and performing for 15 years and has loved every minute
of it. Michelle has had the opportunity to perform both locally
and nationally. Her performing highlights include; Nascar in
Nagoya Japan, Usana Conventions, Lagoon Entertainment, Utah Blaze and
Homemaker Conventions. Michelle received her degree in Dance
Education from UVSC two years ago and has had the opportunity to teach
and choreograph for many companies across the Utah valley; including
Belasco Theater Company, On Stage Productions, USANA, Center Stage
Studios, The Egyptian Theater Company, and the UVSC dance team.
Michelle just finished coaching the Ogden High Tigerettes whom
she led to a National Championship this past March. Michelle
loves to share her passion not only on stage, but also in the
classroom. Michelle has had the opportunity to teach for the past
6 years and has learned as much from her students as they have learned
from her. Michelle encourages her students to be dedicated,
motivated and most of all passionate about their dancing.
Michelle currently lives in utter happiness with her husband,
Jordan and her two cats.
MELANIE GRACE--JAZZ, PRESCHOOL
From
clogging to tap, ballet, jazz, modern and folk dance, Melanie Grace has
done it and taught it all. She has her Professional Educator
License from the state of Utah and is currently a dance teacher
at Lehi Jr. High and Oak Canyon Jr. High. But her love for
dancing goes back to her early childhood. Born in Bismarck, North
Dakota, Melanie moved to Sandy when she was three and has been dancing
ever since. She started with clogging, jazz, and tumbling with
the Hidden Valley Dancers in Sandy. During this time, she was the
overall freestyle Grand Champion in clogging and the second place
overall Duet Grand Champion. Next was Artistic Dance with added
experience in jazz, ballet and pointe ballet.
Melanie
was named to Alta High School's Dance Company all three years at the
school, while also participating as Head Cheerleader for both the JV
and Varsity squads. The university experience brought a wealth of
opportunity for Melanie. She was accepted into Brigham Young
University's modern dance department and was named to BYU's top Folk
Dance team. A dance major, Melanie traveled the world, touring,
teaching and choreographing throughout her time at BYU. She also
taught Aerobic Dance. While at Brigham Young, Melanie won the
Folk Dance Scholarship, a Performing Missionary Award and the Dance
Department Scholarship. She is excited to join the very talented
group of teachers at Prodigy and can't wait to share her lifelong dance
experiences with the next generation of gifted dance performers.
COURTNEY GLEAVES--JAZZ
Courtney
loves the passion dance gives you for life. Courtney loves to
share her passion for dance with others by teaching and choreographing.
Growing up in a small town, Spanish Fork, UT, Courtney started
dancing at the age of 5 and has never stopped since. Courtney has
had professional training in Modern, Jazz Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tumbling,
Cheer, Lyrical and Contemporary. Courtney started competing at
the age of 11 with Heart-n-Soul Dance Company, competing in Utah, as
well in New York City, L.A. and Las Vegas. Courtney has taken
master classes by Janalyn Memmott, Ronn Stewart, Sam Watson, Joe
Tremaine Dance Conventions, New York City Dance Alliance and Broadway
Dance Center in New York City. Courtney is a three-time Overall
Professional Soloist Winner at Dance Spectacular. Courtney has
been a Scholarship Recipient and won Overall Group in the senior room
at Joe Tremaine Conventions and Competition.
Courtney
attended Spanish Fork High School, involved in Cheer, Song leading and
Dance Company. As a Senior Courtney was Assistant Drill Mistress
and Dance Company President. Courtney was voted by her classmates
Outstanding Dancer for Drill Team as well as Outstanding Dancer for
Dance Company. Courtney was a 5A All-State Utah Drill Team
member; Courtney was also Dance Sterling Scholar for Spanish Fork High
School for 2007 with a University of Arizona Award of Excellences,
Academic Scholarship. Courtney attended University of Arizona her
freshmen year studying dance, but in the fall of 2008 she will continue
her education at the University of Utah being a B.A. candidate in
Modern Dance. Courtney will continue to share her passion as a
dancer and teacher with her goal to have her own International Touring
Dance Performance Company.
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.
MIMI JONES--BALLET
Mimi received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
from the University of Utah.
She holds a degree in Ballet with a teaching emphasis.
While at the University, Mimi performed with the Utah Ballet and
Utah Opera Company as well as choreographed for Ballet
Ensembles. She performed with Carmel
Ballet Academy
and Monterey Performing Company and danced in leading rolls such
as Sugar Plumb Fairy and The Snow Queen. At a young age Mimi
trained with Ballet West Conservatory. She then went on to
train under renowned teachers such as William Christensen, Bene Arnold, Barbara Hamblin, Joy and Conrad
Ludlow, Shari Lane,
and Marine Laird at the University
of Utah. Aside
from her ballet training, Mimi also studied jazz, modern and
character dance which has afforded her the opportunity to teach a
variety of dance styles to all ages for over 12 years. As a
teacher, Mimi encourages creativity, fun, individual attention
and a love for dance in the classroom while maintaining proper
discipline. She also strives to remain current in her field
by continuing her studies with Ballet West's Peter
Christie. Mimi hopes to extend her love of the art form to
all of her students.
KERRY GOULD--BALLET
Kerry
began training in ballet at the age of eight under the direction of
Laura Reinschmidt in Kansas City, MO. In the following years she
performed with the young company, Ballet North, and attended summer
dance programs with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Boston Ballet
School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, International Ballet Competition
Workshop, and Tulsa Ballet. During high school Kerry performed
lead and soloist roles in Les Sylphids, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Sleeping
Beauty and Swan Lake. Kerry attended the University of Utah's
prestigious Ballet Department where she danced on scholarship with Utah
Ballet under direction of Attila Ficzere and Character Dance Ensemble.
After graduating with a BFA in Ballet she accepted a contract to
dance with Tulsa Ballet II and studied under artistic director Marcello
Angelini. There she performed works by Tulsa's resident
choreographer Val Caniparoli and Marcello Angelini; while in Tulsa
Kerry also performed in George Balanchine's Serenade, set by San
Francisco Ballet's Ballet Mistress. Currently, Kerry is teaching
ballet and takes classes for enjoyment; she plans to complete a
Masters' of Nutrition in Sports Dietetics with the goal of working with
dancers and athletes.
MADDIE JAMES-- BALLET
Maddie
received her primary dance training with Boulder Ballet Arts Academy
and Colorado Ballet Academy. Maddie has received additional
training from Perry Mansfield and Boston Ballet. Mrs. James is
currently attending the University of Utah on scholarship under the
direction of Bene Arnold. She will receive her B.F.A. with an
emphasis in performance and teaching. She has performed with
Denver Ballet in the Nutcracker, Utah Ballet in Paquita, Swan Lake
and other various student concerts.
VICTORIA NORMAN--BALLET
Victoria
was born and raised in Tulsa, Ok. She received her training at
Tulsa Youth Ballet and Tulsa Ballet. She has trained in Ballet, Tap,
Jazz, Acrobatics, Singing, Acting, Lyrical, Modern, and Hip Hop.
She has attended over 7 summer programs ranging from Pacific
Northwest Ballet to Milwaukee Ballet. Victoria was coached for
her teaching techniques by the Artistic Director for Oklahoma
Performing Arts whom is her mother. Students of her mother's have
become a Rockette and have toured in the productions of "Swing."
Victoria has been teaching for over five years. She is currently
a Junior at the University of Utah on merit scholarship, and
participating in the company Utah Ballet and Character Dance Ensemble.
This winter she will be performing with Aspen Sante Fe Ballet in
the role of Snow and Flower and will perform solo roles in the fall
production of Utah Ballet. She is nineteen years old and plans on
dancing and teaching until she is 90!
BRANDY SPAIN--TUMBLING
Brandy
was a competitive gymnast for over ten years. She has coached
optional gymnastics for more than four years. Her accomplishments
while coaching include: Level 10 State Beam Champion 2007, Level 7
State Champion Team 2006, Level 8 State Champion Team 2007, Level 8
Regional's 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Brandy recently graduated from the University of Utah in Excercise and
Sports Science with a minor in Nutrition. While she was there she
received the National Coaching Certificate from ACSM. Brandy has
earned national academic awards which have helped to enhance her
coaching skills. She has obtained Safety, CPR, First
Aid, USAG and Judges certifications. Brandy is currently going to
school to become a licensed physical therapist assistant.
ERIN COOPER--TAP
Erin has been an enthusiastic student of dance for the majority of her
life. Dance is her first true love, and she still feels giddy
with excitement whenever she has the chance to experience it in any
form. Erin studied ballet, tap and jazz with Ginger Gunn; and
ballet with Mickey Casalino for many years before studying ballet at
the University of Utah. Her love of tap started as a child and
has become a passion in adulthood. Erin has studied under many
great tap teachers including Gina Petersen Young, Colleen West,
Christopher Smith and Cheryl Lee. Teaching tap and taking dance
classes with her mother and her two daughters have been a rewarding
experience that she hopes to continue for many decades to come.
JULIE JEPPSEN-BOYE—SOJOURN
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 3
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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