Our Premier Teachers
Miss Emmy BondererEmmy has danced since she was two years old. Throughout her years of dance, she and her teammates have competed in and earned awards at several dance competitions, including StarQuest and Bravo. Emmy has also attended the Chicago Dance Connection and the Tremaine Dance Convention studying with various master teachers. Emmy has taught and choreographed for Premier Dance Company since 2013. Emmy is a Health Sciences major at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Miss Elizabeth BarbourElizabeth is returning as a member of our Premier staff this fall! Elizabeth is a senior at Fulton High School and has been dancing at Premier for over five years. Elizabeth is part of our Senior Company and is in her sixth year of dance. Elizabeth's favorite dance memories are those she shares with her fellow dancers. Elizabeth will be graduating from Fulton High School in May and plans to study Marine Biology at Northwest Missouri State, join the dance club, and continue teaching dance in Maryville.
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Miss Kelsey BrandesKelsey has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained in St. Louis at three studios. She was on the competition team for two of them. In high school, she joined the cheer team for one year, followed by two years on the dance team. During her senior year, her dance teamed placed 5th in Team Performance and 6th in Hip Hop at NDA Nationals. Kelsey attends the University of Missouri-Columbia and is excited to continue her love of dance as a teacher for Premier Dance Company!
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Miss Nikki DOWDENNikki began dancing at age three and we are very excited to welcome her to the Premier staff! Nikki now works at Christian Fellowship School as a preschool aide. Her favorite dance memory is going to St. Louis and Kansas City for weekend competitions.
She has loved becoming part of the Premier Dance family and can't wait for recital and the years ahead! |
Miss Alexa JonesPremier Dance welcomes Miss Alexa Jones to our teaching staff! Alexa is a student at North Callaway High School and has danced since she was three years old and has been with Premier since our opening. Alexa's favorite dance memories include getting ready with Makenlea, Addisyn, Emmy, and Annie before recitals. She plans to graduate high school and attend school to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. This is Alexa's first year teaching at Premier, and we're so lucky to have another one of our dancers teaching for us!
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Miss Makenlea JonesMakenlea began dancing at age three; she has competed in dance competitions, including StarQuest and Bravo, earning gold medals with her team. She has attended and studied with master teachers at various dance conventions, including the Tremaine Dance Convention. She is currently an instructor and choreographer for Premier Dance Company, where she has taught since 2013. Makenlea attends the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she is studying nursing.
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Miss Karley LongPremier Dance welcomes Miss Karley Long to our teaching staff! Karley has danced for 18 years, and this is her first year with Premier. She is currently at Westminster College here in Fulton as a full time student, as well as working at Premier and at ALDI in Columbia. Karley plans to become a District Manager for ALDI after graduation. Her favorite dance memories are seeing her students outside class and having them rush up to give her hugs! If you see Miss Karley outside of class, be sure to give her a big hug!
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Miss Niki MITCHUMNiki is from Kansas and has been dancing for 16 years. Her favorite dance memory was coming to college and meeting her best friends through her sorority's dance team. Niki is so excited to see everyone rock their performances at recital tonight, and wants to thank everyone for making her feel at home at Premier! We're so lucky to have you, Miss Niki!
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MISS SARAH PAINTERSarah lives in Fulton with her husband and two children. She has danced since the age of three and currently teaches our youngest dancers, the Twinkle Toes, where she is able to share her love of dancing with a new group of beginners every year. Sarah also works at Fulton High School.
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Miss Kat SandersKat has danced since age two, competitively since age seven. A member of the JCHS cheer squad, dance team, and Elite Performing Arts, Kat has attended many dance conventions including Adrenaline, Showtime, Tremaine, and Pulse. She has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and tap and earned several pageant titles including that of Young Miss Missouri. Kat attends the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Miss Katherine WhiteKatherine has been dancing for ten years. She and her teammates attended the Bravo National Dance Competition, where they earned gold medals for their performance. Katherine's favorite style of dance is lyrical. Katherine attends Westminster College in Fulton and is excited to share her love of dance with her new students this year!
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Premier Dance Company studio photos are posted courtesy of Leah Johnson, Johnson Photography.