Meet Our Wonderful Staff
Sharon Carruthers
Teaching
dance has been my dream since I put on my first pair of tap
and
ballet shoes at the age of four. I danced my whole childhood and began
assisting during my high school years. After graduating from St. Gabriel
in 1979 and
Mercy
Academy
in 1983, I began studying Psychology at
Bellarmine
University.
I graduated from the
University
of
Louisville
with a BA in Psychology and then again in 1988 with a BA in Communications.
I continued to teach dance part time as I explored other professions, including
managing a restaurant and working at WAVE Television. But my dance dream
never died. I opened That’s Dancing in February of 1991 with only a
handful of students. I moved to this current location in June of 1999
after ‘outgrowing’ the first studio.
I have the
best ‘dance husband’ and ‘dance dad’ in Barry who helps out in every way he can.
Our three daughters, Kaci, Kaylee and Kenzie, love dance as well (thank
goodness!). I have the best job in town! I love to dance and I love
to teach. I take great pride in all of my students and my teachers.
Many of my teachers have been with me since they were toddlers themselves!
Owning
That’s Dancing carries with it an unbelievable amount of work, but because of
such wonderful teachers and staff, helpful parents, and eager students, my job
is very rewarding. I hope that That’s Dancing will forever be a ‘happy
dance’ in your child’s life.
Robin Heckman
I am very
proud to be the ballet director here at That’s Dancing. I have been
teaching here for over 11 years. I have danced professionally and taught
throughout the
U.S.,
and have chosen this studio to pursue my teaching career. I enjoy working
with Sharon and the other instructors here. I especially love the
students! I have watched the dancer’s appreciation of ballet grow over the
years and I am very proud of the technical and artistic accomplishments.
I am
originally from
Hollywood,
FL., where I began my ballet training. I joined the
Louisville
Ballet in 1986 where I danced professionally for 15 years. I have been
married for 13 years to Steve Heckman and have three beautiful children,
Savannah,
Stevie and Jake. I look forward to another rewarding year at That’s
Dancing.
Janet French
I am
very excited to be a ballet instructor here at That's Dancing! I have been
teaching here for four years, however I have had over 19 years of teaching
experience. I have taught in several
U.S.
cities, including choreography for
Park
Tudor
School
and IUPUI in
Indianapolis.
I am gad I have chosen That's Dancing for pursing my teaching career because it
is a studio that nurtures the arts and allows the students the opportunity to do
composition. I began dancing at
Jordan
School
of Dance in
Indianapolis,
Indiana,
and received my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from
Butler
University.
I have performed at several shows and performances, including being a guest
soloist with the Children's Ballet and with the Evansville Dance Theater and the
Indianapolis Opera Company. I choreographed several scenes in That's
Dancing's performance of Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan and The Lion King. I
look forward to another rewarding and fun year with your children.
Misty Hodges
I am the
Jazz and Hip Hop teacher at That's Dancing! I am also a full-time Personal
Trainer at
Baptist
East
Milestone
Wellness
Center.
I was married in 2006 to my wonderful husband, Kenny. I LOVE to dance, but
most of all I love teaching your children! Dance has been a part of my
life in many different ways. I took ballet, tap and jazz for five years in
a studio setting. In high school, I was a member of the Jazz Choir
Production team and a member of the Dance Team. After reaching the college
level, I danced at the
University
of
Kentucky.
When I moved to
Louisville,
I joined the
Louisville
Fire Arena Football Dance Team and danced with the semi-pro basketball team, the
Kentucky
Colonels.
Brittany Patton
That's
Dancing has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. At the age of
4, I began dancing as one of
Sharon's
very first students (and I liked it so much that I never left!) Since
then, I have had over 16 years of studio dance training. In my 'prime'
dancing years, I was several main characters including Maria in The Sound of
Music, an 'ugly stepsister' in Cinderella, Cogsworth the Clock in Beauty and the
Beast, and Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story. After graduating from Assumption
in 2004, I continued to teach dance while studying psychology at Bellarmine.
I have a BA in Psychology and a BA in Sociology from the Bellarmine. I have
carried my love of dance with me from childhood to adulthood. As a child,
I used to love dance class with Ms. Sharon and the rest of my 'dance friends.'
Through competition, I began to appreciate dance as a form of art that requires
much skill and training. Now, as an adult, I find joy and fulfillment in
teaching and choreography. I have been teaching for 8 years, and love it
more with each passing year. I look forward to another great year teaching
your children!
Rachel Krebs
I
have been dancing at That’s Dancing since 1992. I have been an instructor
since 2002 and for many years before that I was an assistant for many classes.
I have taught many age and ability levels. From three year olds to adults!
During the years when I was a student here, I had many main character roles in
our ballet productions. My most known role was that of Buzz Lightyear in
our Ballet Production of Toy Story.
I have also performed in Walt Disney World twice and as half time entertainment
at a
University
of
Louisville
football game.
In my
life outside of dance, I currently am working a a Physical Therapy Aide with
Frazier Rehabilitation and will be attending JCC’s Physical Therapy Assistant
Program starting in the fall of 2009.
I am a 2008 graduate of
Bellarmine
University.
I am also a 2004
Assumption
High
School
and a 2000 St. Gabriel Alumni. I am very excited to be teaching another
year and hope this is a very productive, fun-filled year!
Emily Lewellen
I am so
excited to take on this challenge of instructing your children in all forms of
dance. I was a competitive dancer for 15 years, and this is my fifth year
as an instructor. I attend the
University
of
Louisville
as a senior, Communication major. I have taught children ages three to 13,
and have also had experience choreographing award winning solos and assisting
with classes for many years. In the past, I danced many main character
roles in the production ballets at the end of the season. I was Rex in Toy
Story, the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz and Ursula in my final ballet, the
Little Mermaid.
I can’t
wait to pass my love of dance to the new generation of That’s Dancing and
incorporate my ideas and creations with the classic technique I was taught as a
new student. I hope you and your child are as excited as I am! I
can’t wait to see you in class!!
Amy Woods
I
am 20 years old and I have been dancing for 17 years here at That's Dancing.
I have been teaching for six years. I really
enjoy being around the kids all of the time. I currently attend the
University
of
Louisville
with a double major in Business Management and Marketing. I graduated from
Assumption
High
School
in the spring of 2007. Some of my main parts in our ballets include
Michael in Peter Pan, Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, an ugly stepsister in
Cinderella, and most recently Belle in The Beauty and the Beast.
I will be teaching throughout my years at the
University
of
Louisville
because I cannot see my life without That's Dancing!
Lauren Burkhardt
Hi, my
name is Lauren Burkhardt.
I am 19 years old and a sophomore at the
University
of
Louisville.
I danced at That's Dancing for 13 years.
I have been teaching for five years and assisting
for about eight. In previous ballets, I have been Flotsam in The Little
Mermaid, The Evil Step-mother in Cinderella, The Beast in Beauty and the Beast
and Peter Pan in Peter Pan. I am really excited and have lots of new ideas
for this year.
I want my students to have fun and be comfortable in
class, but I also want them to learn a lot. I am so excited to be able to
pass my knowledge and love for dance on to the next generation of That's Dancing
dancers.
"Dance for
yourself, if someone understands good. If not then no matter, go right on
doing what you love." ~Lois Hurst
Crystal Patrick
I am a
sophomore at UofK and a varsity dancer on the UofK Dance Team. I graduated
from the
Youth
Performing
Arts
School
(YPAS), where we studied ballet and modern dance. I danced at That's Dancing for
15 years. I danced competitively for 12 years. I am interested in
many different varieties of dance. I love tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and
ballet. In 2001, I enjoyed the opportunity to dance with The
Louisville
Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. I was cast as a soldier and
polichinelle. I love to dance, so that was a great opportunity for me to
see the professional side of dancing.
I have been
a teacher at That's Dancing for three years. I was also an assistant
teacher prior to that for three years. I enjoy teaching, especially at
That's Dancing, because it is a great atmosphere to do what I love to do and to
share my love and enthusiasm of dance with new, young dancers.
Rachelle McKinley
Hi, my name is Rachelle McKinley. I am a
senior at Assumption High School and I have been dancing at That's Dancing since
I was four years old. This is my second year teaching and I have been assisting
with classes for the last five years. I love to dance and my favorite type of
dance is tap. In our past ballets I have many main characters. My
favorites include one of the Darling children in Peter Pan, the Wardrobe in
Beauty and the Beast, and Timon in The Lion King. I am very excited about
the upcoming year at the studio and look forward to teaching in the fall.
Colleen Nalley
My name is
Colleen Nalley and I am 17 years old.
I am a 2006 graduate of
St.
Gabriel
School
and am a member of
Assumption
High School’s
class of 2010.
I have been dancing since the age of three and
started competing at That’s Dancing when I was seven years old.
I have trained in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe,
lyrical, and hip-hop.
Tap is my favorite style of dance and I have
performed tap solos for the past six years.
I recently played the role of Young Simba in our
ballet production of ‘The Lion King’.
In 2007, I was Chip in ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and
in 2008, Michael Darling in ‘Peter Pan’.
This will be my 6th year of assisting
classes and my 2nd year of teaching at That’s Dancing.
This will also be my second year as a coach of St.
Gabriel’s dance team.
I enjoy teaching all ages and genres of dance and
love being around children.
I anticipate attending
UK
or UL next year with the hopes of making one of their dance teams or
Western
Kentucky
University
to obtain a BA degree in dance.
I come to love dance more each day and cannot
imagine doing anything but dancing in the future. I look forward to meeting and
teaching your children throughout the year.
Elizabeth Edrington
Hi, my name is Elizabeth Edrington.
I am a Junior at
Louisville
Male
High School and I have
been dancing at That’s Dancing since I was 3 years old.
This is my third year of teaching and I have been
assisting with classes for about 6 years.
That’s Dancing is pretty much my second home.
I love dancing here and I wouldn’t trade it for
anything!
I know that you’re going to love it just as much as I do!
I am so excited about teaching this fall.
I can’t wait to get started!
Madeline Conkin
Hello, my name is Madeline Ashley
Conkin.
I’ve been dancing at That’s Dancing for 13 years.
I take ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe and hip
hop classes.
I love helping and teaching little girls because it also
helps myself grow not only as a teacher, but as a dancer.
In the ballets, I’ve been a poppy flower in Wizard
of Oz, Triton’s Sea Horse in the Little Mermaid, Gus in Cinderella, Belle’s
father in Beauty and the Beast, and Wendy in Peter Pan.
I’ve been helping for 3 years and this is my second
year teaching.
I am very excited, and can’t wait to start.
I love dance so much!
That’s Dancing has been my second home.
I love everything about this studio and I hope
everyone who walks into this studio feels the same way I do.
MORE TO COME: Marissa, Katie, Kathleen
Teacher Assistants 2009-2010
RILEY
FERGUSON
My name is Riley Ferguson.
I have been dancing at That’s Dancing for 9 years.
This is my third year at
Meredith-Dunn
School
and I am in the 7th
grade.
That's Dancing is like my home away from home.
My favorite type of dance is lyrical. I like dancing
because it is fun and great exercise!
I love the teachers, especially Ms. Sharon.
One day I hope to be a great dance teacher like
her.
HOLLY KIRWAN
Hi, I’m Holly Kirwan.
I am in the 8th
grade.
I am very passionate about dance and teaching
dance.
I am going into the eighth year here at That’s Dancing.
I have been in quite a few of the competitive
classes here since my second year.
I have had the following roles in the latest
ballets; Beauty and the Beast – Lead Flower and Be our Guest Chorus; Peter Pan –
Lead Toy Soldier - Lead Mermaid and Life Dancer.
It is an enjoyment to help teach younger students
learn to dance.
ZOE KNIGHT
Hi!
My name is Zoe Knight and I am a sophomore at
Mercy
Academy.
I am in the Art and Drama Club.
This is my 12th
year of dancing at That’s Dancing.
In those 12 years, I have had several main parts.
My first main part was in the Wizard of Oz.
I was a lead munchkin and Glenda’s Magic Dust.
Since then, I have been a sea treasure in The
Little Mermaid, the librarian and lead snow in Beauty and the Beast, a lead
pixie and lead mermaid in Peter Pan and a Life Dancer and Hyena in The Lion
King.
I have also been in the Ballet Production for three years.
This is my second year as an assistant teacher.
I look forward to teaching your kids!
SAVANNAH
STALLCUP
My name is
Savannah and I am 12
years old.
I have been dancing for seven years.
I have been a lead character for 3 years.
I have performed three duets and one solo.
I enjoy being an assistant teacher.
It is a lot of fun to teach the little kids because
I think they are so cute and funny.
They are always so full of joy and happiness.
SARAH STEPHENS
I love dance!
It is one of the many important things of my life.
I have danced for seven years and six at That’s
Dancing.
I have been in a competitive class for five years.
My favorite kind of dance is tap and jazz.
I have had Ms. Sharon for all the time that I have
been at That’s Dancing.
All I can say is THAT’S DANCING is
the BEST!
KACI CARRUTHERS
Hi, my name is Kaci.
I am 12 years old.
I have been dancing for 10 years.
I love it!
I am in the 7th
grade.
I have been a lead character for 3 years and it is
so much fun.
I have learned so many things since I have been dancing.
I especially love the little kids.
They are so adorable.
I love talking to them.
It is always so much fun at the studio.
HANNAH
JENNINGS
My name is Hannah Jennings.
I’m 12 years old and in the 7th
grade at JCTMS.
This is my 10th
year at That’s Dancing.
I take tap, jazz, ballet and Lyrical.
Tap is my favorite type of dance.
This is my third year as a teacher assistant.
I enjoy teaching the younger kids.
They are so cute and hope that they enjoy dance as
much as I do!
MADISON CLARK
Hi, my name is Madison and I have been dancing for 9 years.
I am 13 years old and I go to St. Michael School. I LOVE to dance and I
especially love to help with classes. My favorite type of dance is jazz.
I love that I get to dance with my friends and I hope to be a great dance
teacher one day. See you in class!
JESSICA KANERVIKO
Hi, my name is Jessica and I love to dance. I am
13 years old and am an 8th grader at St. Michael. I have 3 siblings, two
of which dance here at That's Dancing. This year I am participating in The
Louisville Ballet's Production of The Nutcracker as a soldier. I love to
help with classes, and one day hope to be a great teacher like Ms. Sharon.
STEPHANIE LOSSMAN
My name is Stephanie Lossman and I am
11 years old.
I am currently in the 6th
grade at Westport
Middle School.
I have been dancing with That’s Dancing since 2001
and I love it.
I am in Senior Prep Rockettes, Jazz and Lyrical.
What I love most about That’s Dancing is the Ballet
that they have on recital each year.
You get to try out for main characters and it is a
lot of fun and it makes you feel like a star.
I love teaching younger children dance steps.
It makes me feel good and I can help teach them
what I have learned at That’s Dancing.
And, I also love all the hugs I get from them.
I am looking forward to another year at That’s
Dancing.