Meet Our Instructors
Abbey
Abbey started dancing at the age of three at Studio M Dance Company in Dekalb, Illinois. She trained there for fifteen years in classical and theatrical jazz, tap, and ballet.
Since moving to Madison, she has expanded her training to include contemporary, jazz funk, heels, and hip-hop. Currently, she is part of a performance and competition team that specializes in different urban street styles of dance.
Beyond movement, Abbey’s passion for dance is rooted in the relationships she builds through it, and she believes that a supportive community should be prioritized in all dance environments. In classes, she focuses on foundations and learning proper technique while, most importantly, having fun.
Abbey has taught at multiple studios in the Madison area and is excited to share her love for dance with Foundations Dance!
Alyssa
Alyssa began her training at just three years old. She studied ballet, jazz, tap, and other dance styles and also enjoyed being a member of her the studios competition team. Alyssa continued to expand her opportunities in dance where she performed in galas, competed across Wisconsin, and even shared the stage with Madison’s Fresco Opera. H
Her dance journey also includes the wonderful world of ballroom where she has both performed and taught. She has choreographed countless wedding dances for couples, creating personal, magical, and unforgettable moments on the dance floor for their special day.
Alyssa is excited to bring positivity, professionalism, and a genuine love for movement to every class she teaches. She can’t wait to inspire students of all ages to find confidence and shine on the dance floor.
Anna
Anna was born and raised in Madison, WI. She is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she's pursuing a degree in Computer Science as well as International Studies.
Anna started dancing at the age of four and has loved dance ever since. She has trained in every style, but her favorites are lyrical and jazz.
Anna is looking forward to teaching at Foundations Dance again this year!
Brady
Brady is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
At 12 years old, his love for dance found its roots at the Verona Area Community Theatre where he first stepped onto the stage and learned the joy of creating movement. Since then, he has explored many different styles and has found that Hip Hop is his favorite.
Brady is thrilled to join the Foundations Dance community!
Courtney
Courtney started dancing at the age of 3 at Virginia Davis School of Dance in Madison, WI. She danced all through high school taking tap, ballet and jazz. She took a short break when she went to the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with minors in Special Education and English as a Second Language.
During the day, she is a Kindergarten teacher at Elvehjem Elementary School in Madison. During the last several years, she has been teaching classes including ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop at Virginia Davis School of Dance. She loves combining two of her favorite things: dancing and teaching! Building confidence, teaching technique, creating a safe place to grow, have fun and make friends are very important to her. She is so excited to join the Foundations Dance Team!
Rachelle
Rachelle’s professional training began with Wisconsin Dance Ensemble (now Madison Ballet), A Step Above, and continued on to The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Ballet Chicago. Her professional career includes dancing with Sacramento Ballet and Madison Ballet, where she performed soloist and principal roles until her retirement in 2016.
Following her retirement she became Ballet Master and School Director for Madison Ballet. During that time, she rehearsed company dancers and students in full-length productions such as The Nutcracker, as well as Madison Ballet’s mixed repertory programs.
Rachelle began teaching while a student at Ballet Chicago, and has continued to develop her comprehensive and compassionate teaching style throughout her professional career. She is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion - allowing this to guide her continued work towards a more diverse and accepting world through her chosen medium, ballet.
Currently, she spends most of her time learning and growing with her son, and teaching dance.
Sarah
Sarah has always loved the artistic expression of dance. She was born and raised in Madison, WI. She looks fondly on her formative dancing years which were filled with classes, recitals, and performances. Sarah has experience in ballet, jazz, and lyrical dance but continues to expand her knowledge in other styles of dance including tap, contemporary, pom, and hip hop. Sarah has had the joy of watching her own daughter grow and follow in her dancing footsteps. She is thrilled to continue her passion for teaching in the Cottage Grove community. Sarah believes dance is for anyone at any age, and that life is just better when you dance!