About Our Instructors.

Miss Marcia has been dancing as long as she can remember.  While growing up, she performed all over the Midwest, for USO shows and toured Poland as a folk dancer. She performed as a professional tap dancer in Northern Nevada.  She has a Bachelors Degree in elementary education and utilizes that knowledge when working with the variety of ages and learning styles of her students.  She is constantly taking classes for professional dance educators in all areas of dance, is certified by Dance Masters of America and is part of a network of highly respected dance teachers throughout the West.  She has choreographed for musical theater productions at the high school and is co director of the summer children’s theater program on the South Shore. Her choreography could also be seen at dance galas in Reno and at pageants. Miss Marcia received the “Champions For Children” award from The El Dorado Child Abuse Prevention Council and carried the Olympic Torch representing the spirit of the City of South Lake Tahoe. It is a continuing goal to build the dance and performing arts outreach programs. She has been married to Dennis forever and they are the parents of Lisa, who graduated from UNLV with a BFA in dance and works as a substitute teacher and dancer in Las Vegas and Evan, who recently graduated from UCSB. She is grateful every day for her wonderful family, staff, dancers, parents and friends who are truly the ones who make our dancers “The Shining Stars of Lake Tahoe”.

Miss Angie brings a dynamic hip hop and creative contemporary jazz style to her classes and her choreography. In addition to her dance background, Angie has been studying extensively with the top hip hop and jazz choreographers in the nation. Miss Angie is a gifted singer, who studied with an esteemed vocal coach in New York. She was one of the lead organizers in the Diabetes fundraisers. Angie was diagnosed at 10 years old with Type I diabetes and is an advocate for children with this lifelong illness.  In addition, Angie is a talented cosmetologist and the owner of RAH hair salon. Her daughter, Aurora, is the light of her life

Miss Nicole incorporates her extensive ballet training and brings an artistic style to her choreography in all the classes she teaches. Nicole has danced professionally for Eli Kerr’s show that toured Northern California, Northern Nevada and Oregon, the “Chipper Lowell Show” and continues to perform for Tahoe Entertainment’s special events. Nicole was also a lead organizer for the diabetes fundraisers. Her son Kasey, was diagnosed with diabetes in March of 2006 at the age of 2. Kasey and Alyssa are “Shining Stars” and welcomed new brother, Tyler this past October.

Miss Robin is one of the most sought after ballet instructors in the Tahoe-Carson area. From the time she started taking classes, she was recognized for her exceptional talent as a dancer.  She studied with various ballet schools and performed in ballet companies all over the United States.  She also has a long career as a performer in other dance styles. She loves sharing her vast knowledge and background with her students and is proud that her ballet students have gone on to join professional ballet companies all over the country. Miss Robin is also a seamstress and co-owner of Tahoe Photographic Tours. She and her husband Keith have a home in Christmas Valley.

Ethan Niven began his acting career at the age of one in “Ebeneezer Scrooge” on Harrah’s stage.  Ethan has been in numerous productions and is known for his outstanding comedic timing and beautiful singing voice. His role as the Sir Percival Blakeney in the “Scarlet Pimpernel”  in high school and “Skimbleshanks” in LTCC’s production of “Cats” had audiences on their feet.. He had lead roles in all three productions at Lake Tahoe Community college in the last year He teaches the theater classes for the older elementary and middle school students.

Cooley Jackson was in the cast of “Solid Gold”, “Tap Girls” and the movie “Breakin”. Cooley appeared in the video “Smooth Criminal” and is known for teaching Michael Jackson the moonwalk, which was called the backslide. He teaches at LTCC and produces children’s educational rap cd’s.

Jayme Lowe received her Bachelors Degree at Chapman University this past June. She studied dance at both Chapman and UNR and is versatile in a variety of dance styles. Jayme worked this past summer at the SOCAPA performing arts camp in Los Angeles as the dance director, where she not only taught, but worked with top name dance instructors in Southern California. We are excited to have her back with us.

Once again, we will be bringing in a variety of guest instructors from all over the country.