Owner/Director/Instructor-Stephanie Kath
Stephanie is a Torrington native and owns the studio with her husband, Grant Kath. She has two children, Taylor (daughter) and Ryan (son). She received her B.S. in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Physical Education from Chadron State College. She later student and substitute taught in Torrington while also instructing the THS dance team for 3 years. Additionally, Kath worked at St. Joseph's Children's Home for 4 years. Stephanie served on the committee that developed the Physical Education Standards for St. Joe's. Stephanie taught Ballet for the Community Education Program at EWC, before opening her own dance studio. Stephanie's parents, Ron and Ilene Kaufman, enrolled her in a tumbling class at age 3. She then began taking dance lessons (primarily Ballet, Tap, and Jazz) from Iris Beesaw in Scottsbluff, Neb. She continued with Holly Reno in Gering, Neb., and then Sue West in Torrington. Stephanie danced on the THS dance team all four years of high school, under the direction of Linda Johnson. Kath was accepted to a Ballet West summer intensive as a sophomore in high school and participated in the Miss Drill Team USA Competition in California in 1984. She was also invited to perform as a soloist in the Miss Drill Team International Event in Japan. Stephanie helped form a dance team at EWC and danced on that team for two years. Stephanie received quality training in Gymnastics during her childhood under the direction of Norm and Erlene Eskam and was a competitive gymnast with the Scottsbluff School of Gymnastics. She has taught elective dance classes at Torrington Middle School, choreographed musicals for both Torrington and Southeast High Schools, and choreographed several productions for Goshen Community Theatre. Stephanie has taken various master classes throughout her tenure as a teacher. Kath is passionate about education and provides continued training opportunities for her staff. She is a certified Acrobatic Arts Preschool and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor. Stephanie loves working with children, providing an experience in the Arts, and witnessing her students' success outside of the studio.
Stephanie is a Torrington native and owns the studio with her husband, Grant Kath. She has two children, Taylor (daughter) and Ryan (son). She received her B.S. in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Physical Education from Chadron State College. She later student and substitute taught in Torrington while also instructing the THS dance team for 3 years. Additionally, Kath worked at St. Joseph's Children's Home for 4 years. Stephanie served on the committee that developed the Physical Education Standards for St. Joe's. Stephanie taught Ballet for the Community Education Program at EWC, before opening her own dance studio. Stephanie's parents, Ron and Ilene Kaufman, enrolled her in a tumbling class at age 3. She then began taking dance lessons (primarily Ballet, Tap, and Jazz) from Iris Beesaw in Scottsbluff, Neb. She continued with Holly Reno in Gering, Neb., and then Sue West in Torrington. Stephanie danced on the THS dance team all four years of high school, under the direction of Linda Johnson. Kath was accepted to a Ballet West summer intensive as a sophomore in high school and participated in the Miss Drill Team USA Competition in California in 1984. She was also invited to perform as a soloist in the Miss Drill Team International Event in Japan. Stephanie helped form a dance team at EWC and danced on that team for two years. Stephanie received quality training in Gymnastics during her childhood under the direction of Norm and Erlene Eskam and was a competitive gymnast with the Scottsbluff School of Gymnastics. She has taught elective dance classes at Torrington Middle School, choreographed musicals for both Torrington and Southeast High Schools, and choreographed several productions for Goshen Community Theatre. Stephanie has taken various master classes throughout her tenure as a teacher. Kath is passionate about education and provides continued training opportunities for her staff. She is a certified Acrobatic Arts Preschool and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor. Stephanie loves working with children, providing an experience in the Arts, and witnessing her students' success outside of the studio.
Assistant Director/Instructor-Taylor Bartel
Taylor began taking dance lessons from her mother (Stephanie) at age 4. She has trained in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballroom, and pointe. Taylor began her teaching career in 2008 at 28th Avenue Dance Studio. She received her Master of Arts degree in Dance Education from University of Northern Colorado and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from University of Wyoming. Taylor is a certified Acrobatic Arts and Yoga Instructor.
Before moving back to Torrington in 2018, Taylor taught and choreographed for studios and programs across Southwest Wyoming. She coached a competitive dance team at Artistry in Motion. Bartel has had the opportunity to assist with classes at Manhattan Dance Project in Seattle and has been to various workshops, master classes, and festivals around the Western Region. At UW, Taylor was cast in Carmina Burana, From the Ashes: A Cinderella Ballet, Continuous Momentum: The Works of Bill T. Jones, The Nutcracker, and various concerts. Taylor's choreography, Etched, was chosen to be performed at the American College Dance Festival in Cedar City, Utah. She has a knack for adventure and traveled to London and Paris in the spring of 2013 to take dance classes, see shows, and study Art. Taylor's main artistic goals are to instill drive, passion, and resilience in her students. Taylor enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband (Garrett), daughter (Sloane), and their two dogs (Yeti) and (Ziggy).
Taylor began taking dance lessons from her mother (Stephanie) at age 4. She has trained in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballroom, and pointe. Taylor began her teaching career in 2008 at 28th Avenue Dance Studio. She received her Master of Arts degree in Dance Education from University of Northern Colorado and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from University of Wyoming. Taylor is a certified Acrobatic Arts and Yoga Instructor.
Before moving back to Torrington in 2018, Taylor taught and choreographed for studios and programs across Southwest Wyoming. She coached a competitive dance team at Artistry in Motion. Bartel has had the opportunity to assist with classes at Manhattan Dance Project in Seattle and has been to various workshops, master classes, and festivals around the Western Region. At UW, Taylor was cast in Carmina Burana, From the Ashes: A Cinderella Ballet, Continuous Momentum: The Works of Bill T. Jones, The Nutcracker, and various concerts. Taylor's choreography, Etched, was chosen to be performed at the American College Dance Festival in Cedar City, Utah. She has a knack for adventure and traveled to London and Paris in the spring of 2013 to take dance classes, see shows, and study Art. Taylor's main artistic goals are to instill drive, passion, and resilience in her students. Taylor enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband (Garrett), daughter (Sloane), and their two dogs (Yeti) and (Ziggy).
Instructor-Natalie Davila
Natalie began dancing at 28th Avenue Dance Studio in 2009. She took many classes at the studio including tap, lyrical, ballet, and hip hop. She was also a part of the performance company. Natalie assisted Stephanie with all of the tap classes and completed her CRT course at the studio, her senior year. She studied dance at Casper College and trained in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. Natalie was cast as a swing dancer in the show A Rock N Roll Fantasy. Natalie is excited to be teaching lyrical and tap this year along with directing the Teen Company Stars! She is eager to share her passion for dance and be a part of the 28th Avenue Dance Studio team.
Natalie began dancing at 28th Avenue Dance Studio in 2009. She took many classes at the studio including tap, lyrical, ballet, and hip hop. She was also a part of the performance company. Natalie assisted Stephanie with all of the tap classes and completed her CRT course at the studio, her senior year. She studied dance at Casper College and trained in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. Natalie was cast as a swing dancer in the show A Rock N Roll Fantasy. Natalie is excited to be teaching lyrical and tap this year along with directing the Teen Company Stars! She is eager to share her passion for dance and be a part of the 28th Avenue Dance Studio team.
Instructor-Melanie Wolfe
Melanie leads the 28th Avenue Dance Studio's Cheer Program. She began helping with cheer classes in 2021. She instructs three different levels of cheer and teaches four classes. Melanie was a middle school and high school cheerleader while attending Torrington Schools and later served as the coach for the THS Cheer Program for 5 years. Under Melanie's leadership, the cheer team became State Champs in 2005 with the All Girls squad and Co-ed squad. She is certified in USA Cheer Safety & Risk Management. In addition to her passion for cheer, Melanie loves spending time with her family and crafting. She has two sons (Griffin) and (Kieser) and one daughter (Briella) with her husband, Aaron. Brie dances and cheers at the 28th Avenue Dance Studio. Melanie also enjoys traveling around the state with her daughter, participating in pageants. Melanie works as a mental health professional in Torrington.
Melanie leads the 28th Avenue Dance Studio's Cheer Program. She began helping with cheer classes in 2021. She instructs three different levels of cheer and teaches four classes. Melanie was a middle school and high school cheerleader while attending Torrington Schools and later served as the coach for the THS Cheer Program for 5 years. Under Melanie's leadership, the cheer team became State Champs in 2005 with the All Girls squad and Co-ed squad. She is certified in USA Cheer Safety & Risk Management. In addition to her passion for cheer, Melanie loves spending time with her family and crafting. She has two sons (Griffin) and (Kieser) and one daughter (Briella) with her husband, Aaron. Brie dances and cheers at the 28th Avenue Dance Studio. Melanie also enjoys traveling around the state with her daughter, participating in pageants. Melanie works as a mental health professional in Torrington.
Instructor-Kathleen Snarr
Kathleen Snarr's love for dance started with training in classical ballet and jazz at Utah Dance Center. She performed in the Nutcracker with Mountain West Ballet and Ballet West. She was president of Alta High School's Dance Company and took master classes in New York City (Alvin Ailey Company and Paul Taylor Dance Company). As a student at BYU-Idaho, Kathleen performed with Contemporary Dance Theatre and took master classes at the University of Utah, Western Washington University, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. She toured in the United States and in Central America and earned a minor in Dance. Kathleen taught children's dance at Dance Unlimited in Rexburg, Idaho. Following graduation, she joined the Diamond Dance Company and later choreographed and directed a piece for the Phoenix Arizona Cultural Celebration which was performed by 400 dancers. Recently, Kathleen has enjoyed taking tap and ballet at 28th Avenue Dance Studio and is thrilled to join the staff! Outside of dance, Kathleen and husband, Michael, enjoy hiking, biking and traveling with their four children.
Kathleen Snarr's love for dance started with training in classical ballet and jazz at Utah Dance Center. She performed in the Nutcracker with Mountain West Ballet and Ballet West. She was president of Alta High School's Dance Company and took master classes in New York City (Alvin Ailey Company and Paul Taylor Dance Company). As a student at BYU-Idaho, Kathleen performed with Contemporary Dance Theatre and took master classes at the University of Utah, Western Washington University, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. She toured in the United States and in Central America and earned a minor in Dance. Kathleen taught children's dance at Dance Unlimited in Rexburg, Idaho. Following graduation, she joined the Diamond Dance Company and later choreographed and directed a piece for the Phoenix Arizona Cultural Celebration which was performed by 400 dancers. Recently, Kathleen has enjoyed taking tap and ballet at 28th Avenue Dance Studio and is thrilled to join the staff! Outside of dance, Kathleen and husband, Michael, enjoy hiking, biking and traveling with their four children.
Office Manger-Brenda McCranie
Brenda has worked part time at the studio since 2010, as the Office Manager. Her daughter, Jazmine, has danced in numerous dance classes at the studio since the age of 4, which brought Brenda to work at 28th Avenue Dance Studio. Jazmine taught at the 28th Avenue Dance Studio for a few years. Brenda enjoys being at the dance studio with the kids, seeing the smiling faces and excitement they have when they come in and out of the door. McCranie also enjoys being outside, taking vacations, and fishing with her husband Clay. Brenda adores her dogs-just ask her!
Brenda has worked part time at the studio since 2010, as the Office Manager. Her daughter, Jazmine, has danced in numerous dance classes at the studio since the age of 4, which brought Brenda to work at 28th Avenue Dance Studio. Jazmine taught at the 28th Avenue Dance Studio for a few years. Brenda enjoys being at the dance studio with the kids, seeing the smiling faces and excitement they have when they come in and out of the door. McCranie also enjoys being outside, taking vacations, and fishing with her husband Clay. Brenda adores her dogs-just ask her!
Office Assistant-Denise Heilbrun-Ellis
Denise grew up in Scottsbluff, Neb., graduated from SHS, and attended both WNCC and EWC. She received AA degrees in Elementary Music Education, Elementary Ed, and Business Administration. Ellis is proud to share that both of her parents are from Goshen County. Denise has worked as a graphic designer, writer, and editor for various newspapers. Her most recognized award "Wyoming State Historical Society Writing Award" was for an exclusive short series that she wrote of (Goshen County) Women in History. Denise has a baking business she runs out of her own home and enjoys utilizing her mother's German recipes and baking secrets. Denise is married to Tim Ellis. She is a proud mother and grandmother to 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Her son, Daniel, has four children named Shelby, Madison, Payton, and Wyatt. He works at a Cool Customs in Torrington. Her daughter, Dena (Douchant) lives in Rock Springs with husband, Michael, and has a little girl named, Kamrynn. She works as an administrative assistant and is the Head Cheer Coach at Rock Springs High School. Dena took dance lessons from Stephanie at the 28th Avenue Dance Studio and was later team captain of the University of Wyoming Wildfire Dance Team. Denise enjoys being around all of the energetic children and seeing them grow throughout the year! |