Teachers
Miss Stephanie
A graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, Stephanie Annandale began her dance training right here at The Dance Company as a student of Miss Diane and a member of the Indianapolis Children's Dance League. At UB, Stephanie was an Honors Program Scholar, a four year member of the Zodiaque Dance Company and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance. Stephanie then spent time in Orlando dancing in such places at DisneyWorld Resorts and Busch Gardens Tampa, performing as a back-up dancer for recording artists and as a magician's assistant. She was also a dancer on Disney Cruise Lines. Stephanie has been the owner and director of The Dance Company and the Indiana State Dance Championships since 2005. She holds teaching certifications through Dance Masters of America and is a member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dance Educators of America. She is a respected adjudicator and has worked with organizations including Starquest International, American Dance Awards, Encore Talent Productions, International Dance Challenge and Rhythm Dance Canada. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. Watching students' growth from year to year and seeing their hardwork pay off for them are Stephanie's favorite things about teaching.
Miss Diane
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Diane Gudat is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana where she began The Dance Company in 1979. She is the artistic director of the Indianapolis Children's Dance league and originally produced/directed the Indiana State Dance Championships Diane has served as a guest artist and choreographer to numerous private studios, high schools and companies all over the United States and Canada. She has also served as a Master Teacher for many dance teachers' organizations, including Dance Masters of America, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, Florida Dance Masters, Southern Association of Dance Masters and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. As an independent, award-winning choreographer she has staged a wide variety of musicals and has choreographed numerous show choirs and dance lines. She was one of the coaches to the 2002 gold medal USA Tap and Showdance teams at the World Championships held in Germany. Diane is the author of three dance books, Acrobatics for the Dance Studio, The Time Step Dictionary, and Music Theory for the Dance Classroom. Diane has served as a faculty member for DMA, DTCB, Florida Dance Masters and the CNADM Teacher's Training Schools. Her humor and energy have made her a popular judge, scholarship auditioner and faculty member for numerous conventions and competitions across the U.S. and Canada. |
Miss Sallie
Sallie began her dance training here in Indianapolis and was a graduate of Decatur High School. She continued her dance studies at Butler University. In 1990 she became a member of Dance Masters of America and became a certified post graduate of the DMA Teacher Training School in 1997. She is committed to continuing her training as an educator by attending conventions through DMA and others including Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dance Educators of America. Sallie has choreographed numerous musicals and show choirs in her community. She has also had the opportunity to be on staff at the Indiana State Dance Championships as well as American Dance Awards' Dayton Regionals and Encore Talent Productions. Sallie had been a valued member of The Dance Dance Company faculty for more than twenty years. She works with students of all ages and levels and is Choreographer for the ICDL Rising Stars.
Miss Lara
Lara Ladd has been a part of the Dance Company family since a young age. She began taking classes as a preschooler and continued taking lessons into high school. After a brief absence, Lara returned and began rekindling her love for dance through classes. While majoring in Exercise Science at IUPUI, she became a member of the "Moving Company" in 2006 and served as President of the dance organization during the 2007/2008 season. She was featured as a performer and choreographer during her years as a company member. After time as a teaching assistant and substitute teacher, Lara became a permanent member of the Dance Company faculty in 2008. A certified member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, she looks forward to growing as a dance educator and inspiring the students of the Dance Company.
Miss Lindsey
Lindsey Sahm started dancing at the Dance Company at the age of 4 and was involved in the Indianapolis Children's Dance League for many years. After graduating from high school, she moved to Buffalo, NY where and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from SUNY Buffalo. While in college, her choreography was showcased at the American College Dance Festival and at numerous univeristy sponsored perormances. After graduation, Lindsey moved to Chicago, Illinois where she taught dance and was a finalist for the Leo Choreographers Showcase for Jazz Dance World Congress. She is also a judge for American Dance Awards. Lindsey's award winning choreography has been featured in the ICDL repretiore for many years and has been awarded several times at competitive events. This past year Lindsey moved back to Indianapolis and was accepted into the Doctoral program of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis. She will begin the program this Fall and will also be getting married next summer!! Lindsey is excited to be back home with her Dance Company family!!
Miss Sarah
Sarah Stierwalt is a sophomore at the Univeristy of Indianapolis. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology/Pre-Physical Therapy and is a member of the U of I dance team. Before college, she attended Southport High School where she graduated as valedictorian of her senior class. She has been dancing for twelve years and was a student of the Dance Company for ten. During her time at the studio Sarah was a member of the Indianapolis Children's Dance League, a teaching assistant and a student teacher. Sarah can now be found subbing classes when necessary and helping out in the office as she works towards her degree.
Mr. Branden
Branden Willburn's passion for dance began in high school when he joined the Pike Encores Dance Team. During this time he was exposed to styles including Hip Hop, Broadway and Jazz. Upon graduating from High School, life took him into work with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; but his passion inspired him to study Hip Hop styles independently and then with his mentor, Travon Booker. Branden began performing and competing with all-star cheer and dance teams, including Kid's Spirit All-Stars, Indiana Extreme & Dream Quest, now Hollywood All-Stars. His love for the cheer and dance world leads him still in his coaching for Legends Cheer Academy. Branden looks forward to sharing his passion for the excitement and energy of the Hip Hop and Break worlds with the students of The Dance Company.
