Category: Instructor

Instructor

Christina started training in all-around gymnastics at the age of five with dreams of competing nationally. In high school, after an unfortunate injury, her focus shifted towards dance since it allowed her to move and tumble outside of gymnastics. She quickly became responsible for the acrobatics and tumbling on the competitive drill and contemporary teams. Later, she revisited the world of gymnastics where she received her coaching certificate for recreational and competitive gymnastics from the National Gymnastics Association which she did briefly before moving out of state for college. Once, while on set as a dancer for a music video, she fell in love with the “behind the scenes” life and has since pursued a career in event videography.

Instructor

Hi there! I’m Trevor, and I’m thrilled to have you here! The journey into hip-hop dance has been a lifelong dream for me, and it wasn’t until 2022, at the age of 35, that I made the decision to take it seriously and find a dance studio. Fortunately, I discovered Studio Move. With zero dance experience, I received training as an adult and found a supportive community that encouraged me to have fun while pushing my boundaries. In a short span, I seized every opportunity to immerse myself in hip-hop dance, leading to a significant achievement in 2023 – winning an international dance competition hosted by the DNCR Academy, a virtual dance space by Matt Steffanina. This gave me the incredible chance to fly to LA, where I met Matt Steffanina and attended a live class with him and the talented Chachi Gonzalez.

I am truly honored to be a part of the Studio Move team, where I now teach Basic Hip Hop. My mission is to inspire others by demonstrating that age doesn’t have to be a barrier to pursuing lifelong passions. In my classes, we delve into choreography with the goal of connecting the body to the rhythm of music, fostering a deeper mind-body connection. The content is thoughtfully crafted for novice dancers, providing a challenge without overwhelming them, creating an environment that promotes growth rather than discouragement.

I look forward to welcoming you to class soon!

Instructor

Celeste was raised in Boise, Idaho and began dancing at 6 years old. She has trained in various styles including Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Pom. She stepped aside from competitive studio dancing when she started high school and became a member of the Sweet Liberty Dance Team at Centennial High School and danced with this team for 4 years. While part of this team they won the 5A State Dance Championship in 2012, and continued to place in the top 3 the next 3 years. Additionally, Celeste competed in the 5A division as a soloist her junior and senior year and consistently placed in the top 3.

After high school, she was a member of FUSE Dance Collaboration for one season before going on to dance at the Division I level at Washington State University with the Crimson Girls Dance Team for 3 years. She also earned a captain position during her second and third year on this team. During her time on this team they placed in the top 5 in the D1A Jazz category at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida in 2019 alongside The Ohio State University, University of Minnesota, Arizona State, and University of Tennessee. While in college she also helped dancers train for college dance team auditions through College Dance Prep. Throughout her dance career, she has assisted several dance teams in the valley as a judge, teacher, choreographer, and coach.

Since graduating she has been actively pursuing her Master of Education degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology through Springfield College and is looking forward to becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology in the future, and will specialize in working with dancers. Celeste believes that dancers are athletes and deserve to have access to resources that will help them reach their performance potential and maximize enjoyment in what they are most passionate about. She believes Studio Move is the perfect place for dancers of ANY age or experience level to unlock their passion for movement in an environment void of judgment and full of love and support!

Instructor

I started dancing at the age of 7 at National Folk Dance Ensemble (couple of years classical ballet training, then a lot of folk dancing). Being rebellious and tired of rigorous training, I quit as a teenager, just to discover in my early 20’s that I don’t like any other kind of sport. So I went back to the studio – this time as an adult, without external pressures – and my relationship with dance changed completely. I found out that dancing does not come naturally to me (or maybe to anyone really), but I immensely enjoy the process and I don’t imagine I will ever quit again.

With my passion rediscovered, experience gained from coming back to dance, from overcoming my personal expectations of my form and technique, I am excited to share my “happy movement” as a dance instructor.

Instructor

Victoria started dancing at the age of three. Her focus has always been dancing for fun, self-expression, and the satisfaction of improvement rather than dancing on a competitive basis. She encourages confidence in her students and prioritizes meeting them at the level they are at.

In 2017 Victoria reentered the world of dance by discovering a Minneapolis MN studio that focused on adult drop-in classes. She loved the community it provided and vowed to never leave dance behind again. In 2022 Victoria moved to Boise and immediately found acceptance in her new community at Studio Move. Today she shares the joy of movement by attending a variety of classes and teaching Fem Fusion.

Instructor

Danessa has been with StudioMove for two and a half years first as a student and now as an instructor. After taking a long hiatus after college, working, and starting a family, she is excited for the opportunity to teach both hip-hop and Fem-Fusion.

Instructor

Born and raised in Rupert, Idaho, Kimiko began her training at the age of 8 at Centre Stage Stage Studios of Dance and Performing Arts in Burley, Idaho. Under the instructions of Jennifer Sage and Alyssa Robinson she performed in the studios annual production of the Nutcracker and was on the competing dance team until she graduated in the year 2000 from Minico High School. She was honored with parts such as Clara, The Snow Queen, Dew Drop Soloist, The Doll, and many more in the Nutcracker and had several successful team and solo wins at dance competitions on the West Coast and Las Vegas, NV.

Kimiko went on to dance with the Boise State University Mane Line Dancers for the 2001-2002 school year and then took a break from dancing from the year 2003 until she made her return to movement via Zumba® and Strong Nation® certification in 2018 and a R.A.D. Women’s Self Defense instructor in 2019 in Santa Rosa, CA.

Kimiko has two beautiful children and loves teaching jazz, contemporary/lyrical, and Studio Moves signature adult class Fem Fusion. Aside from managing the studio, she works alongside the owner Tawnya and fellow teacher Lauren to mentor the Jr’s and Mini’s Studio Move competition teams and simultaneously works with youth recreational dancers as well.

Photography by Jason Guy Boudoir

Instructor

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Sofia began her training at Long Beach Ballet at the age of 4. During her time there, she performed in the Nutcracker for 15 years, and attended Regional Dance America festivals. Sofia continued her training at summer programs with American Ballet Theater, Ballet West, and The Rock School for Dance Education. She also competed in the Youth America Grand Prix, receiving both Top Twelve and 2nd place awards. Sofia then joined Grand Rapids Ballet as a trainee, performing in productions like The Nutcracker, Cinderella, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Balanchine’s Serenade, as well as dance films and educational outreach performances.

Sofia is now an apprentice at Ballet Idaho after joining their Trainee Program for the 2022-2023 season. She has performed classical works such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, and contemporary works from choreographers including Penny Saunders, Dani Rowe, and Joseph Hernandez.

Sofia has enjoyed teaching classes at her home studio, Long Beach Ballet, as well as working at their summer intensive. She is looking forward to continuing to teach at StudioMove!

Instructor

Taylor has over 12 years of dance experience in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, and her personal favorite; hip hop! She began dancing at 8 years old in her hometown of Seattle, Washington. She has trained under professional dancers including Rie Hata, Kyle Hanagami, Kolanie Marks, Dave Scott, and Travis Wall. In 2008, she joined Phyzikal Graffi-T (PG FAM), an adult hip-hop team that trained and performed at a professional level. Performances included recitals, benefits, competitions and a dance film titled Battlefield America in 2012. She spent seven years teaching jazz and hip-hop classes at local dance studios and choreographed for many shows and competitions each year. Dance allowed her to travel to Los Angeles, Canada, Las Vegas, and Oregon for different performing opportunities. She has a strong passion for dance that will never be lost, and loves teaching people how to groove to the music while gaining confidence through movement.

Founder, CEO

Tawnya first began her career as a student of dance 35 years ago. Her young start helped develop a deep love for dance that led to a deep love of teaching the art to all levels of skill. At the age of 12, she began teaching her first dance class, where she was mentored to become one of Idaho’s top dance instructors.

While a student in high school, Tawnya was also a high school dance team coach for one of Idaho’s award-winning teams. She then pursued her education at Boise State University while a member of the two-time National Champion Mainline Dance Team. After her college days, she continued her dancing experience as a member of the Steelheads Hockey dance/cheer team as well as a team member of the Boise Stallions and a part of the Stampede dance team.

After spending several years as a professional dancer, Tawnya returned to the dance studio as an instructor where she quickly became well known in the dance community as a creative, cutting-edge dance artist who brings original content to all of her programs and classes. As a lifelong student of the art of dance, Tawnya has enjoyed continuing her education with classes, certifications, and trainings throughout the United States and internationally including the prestigious Millennium Dance Complex in Salt Lake City; additional courses at The Edge Performing Arts in Los Angeles CA, and visiting studios in New York and Hollywood.

A gifted instructor, Tawnya’s classes and programs have attracted all levels of ability from beginners to advanced where she custom fits the content to each individual.

Tawnya is the owner and founder of the dance studio Hidden Springs Dance Academy, teaching a wide range of programs to all ages. In January 2017, she founded the original Dance N Sip program, catering to ladies 21 and up for a fun-filled evening of wine and dance that encourages every woman to find their inner sexy self through a little liquid courage — the ultimate Girls’ Night Out!