RHYTHM DANCE CENTER
Jen Hanes
Owner and Artistic Director Jen Hanes brings to West Michigan a contemporary style of dance combined with classical technique in all areas of dance. Ms. Hanes has been a student of dance for most of her life. Her credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Western Michigan University with a minor degree in Business and over 27 years of teaching experience. To maintain her strong foundation and modern style Jen has been continuously studying in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, while also teaching. While in Chicago for seven years she performed professionally with a variety of dance companies, including Rhythm and Groove Exchange, Culture Shock Chicago (hip-hop companies), Ascension - The Kirby Reed Project (Jazz company) and James P. Productions. Along with creative competitive choreography for her team she also choreographs Industrial shows for many Companies including Hush Puppies and One stop Apparel Company.
Holly Wallace
Holly is a graduate from Central Michigan University with a BS in Psychology. She has been teaching ballet for 25 years and danced as a member of the Grand Rapids Ballet and Orchesis-Dance Company at Central Michigan University. She has worked as Co-Artistic Director and director of ballet for the past 10 years and is currently also employed with Forest Hills Public Schools as resident choreographer for musicals and Musical Theatre classes. Her choreography works include Hello Dolly, High School Musical, State Fair, Joseph, Footloose, Annie, Back to the 80's, Music Man, Beauty and the Beast and Hairspray among others. Her training includes, Sally Seven, Grand Rapids Ballet, Mary Lou's, Academy of Dance Arts and Central Michigan University.
Sarah Maxim Gerard
Sarah has taught dance for over 20 years including GR Civic Theatre Dance Center and other area studios. She teaches tap, ballet, jazz and has taught competition teams and is a former Co-Artistic Director of area dance school. She's currently Dance Captain for Civic's Cabaret, movement coach for Civic's Snow White, Asst. Choreographer for Circle's Kuni Leml. Sarah has performed in: Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph, Godspell, Mack and Mabel, Hair, Guys and Dolls for area theatres as well as in Faust for Opera Grand Rapids. She was a member of area dance and acting troupes and has years of vocal and acting studies in addition to dance. She's a recreational therapist specializing in music/movement with persons with disabilities and older adults and has studied dance at regional and national workshops. Also Sarah has choreographed for the Forest Hills High School Cheerleading squad.
James Grzeszak
JoAnna Havlik
JoAnna Havlik has been dancing for 18 years. She served as a teachers' assistant three years and has been teaching for the past six. JoAnna competed across the mid-west for eight years where she received many special awards for her performances. Throughout her years of dance she has choreographed a number of routines which have placed overall at the regional and national level. Since then she has continued her involvement in dance as the co-leader/choreographer of Cornerstone University's hip hop team and worked with the Grand Rapids Community College Dance team.
LuAnne Baar
Angela Guerro
Angela received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance at Western Michigan University. During her time there she was a member of The Western Dance Project and has performed in original faculty pieces by David Curwen and Kirsten Harvey. She has had three of her own choreographed pieces chosen to be in the Orchesis Dance Concert, one of which was chosen for the 2010 Winter Gala Concert and was also performed at the 2010 American College Dance Festival. Angela was a member of the student run organization Orchesis Dance Society for three years, and served as the boards President, Vice President, and Box Office Assistant. While a student Angela has worked with dance studios throughout Michigan and now, as a recent WMU alum, she is continuing to pursue her love of teaching and choreographing as a full-time teacher at The Dance Zone, Rhythm Dance Center, and part-time professor at Western Michigan University.
MIss LuAnne is going on her 5th year teaching at Rhythm Dance! She has been involved in the "gymnastics world"for well over 40 years. She began her gymanstics career as a gymnastics competitor, continued in college as a Grand Vallet cheerleader and started teaching while at Grand Valley State for various YMCA's and community education programs. She has been involved as a coach and instructor at various gymnastics clubs: Alpine Gymanstics, Grandville Gymnastics and assisted Rockford High School gymnasts with choreography for beam and floor exercise. Through the years she has coached every level...parent and tot, preschool, recreational school age and high level competitive gymnasts. She has benefited from teaching and training of several gymnastics legends and former Olympic coaches - Dick Mulvihill, Bill Sands, the Karoli's and John Geddert. Her personal teaching style is hands on and based on progressive skills and circuits. Her goal for all gymnasts, regardless of level, is to increase body awareness, flexibility, strength, advance skills and ultimately increase self confidence.
MEET OUR STAFF........
Katelyn Bonnano
MacKenzie McArthur
MacKenzie is no stranger to RDC, as a former member of the Rhythm Dance Center Competitive team she was able to find a love for dance that would last a lifetime. MacKenzie has danced for fourteen years in all styles, with an emphasis in Tap and Hip Hop. Mackenzie attended Western Michigan University where she gained a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and danced with the WMU’s dance group; Bronco Bella’s. She currently works as a registered nurse at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, where she is a member of the spinal cord team. On top of working in one of the top professions she is able to share her love for dance as a teacher at RDC.
This is James second year at RDC. James, aka Raw Steady, has been dancing for 21 years and has focused intensely on Break Dancing along with many Hip Hop dance styles. James is the founder of The Quick Silver Breakers (1998) and a co-founder of Michigan's legendary Break Dance crew 61syx Teknique (2004). He has competed and taught nationally along with performing with many mainstream artists. His passion is youth development, health & wellness, uplifting the community through healthy living and Hip Hop culture. He is currently the director of the youth development Impact program, teaches dance and is a fitness instructor at the Visser YMCA. .
Katelyn is a trained technical dancer who has won countless awards, titles and National competitions. She is a graduate of Broadway Dance Center's Professional Semester in NYC. She can be seen in Matthew Koma & the Knocks music video "I wish." When she's not training or touring, Katelyn shares her passion by teaching the next generation of dancers.
