Susie Hunter has an excellent ability to work with children and outstanding education credentials. A graduate in elementary education from Saint Mary’s of Notre Dame, Susie is a literacy leader and staff development coach in the Des Moines Schools.

A graduate of the Betty Hill Studios, Susie advises dancers to study a variety of dance styles and have fun!  Dance has been a life-long passion for Susie, and she appreciates the poise, confidence, and grace that dance brings to her life.

Christy Giblin is a professional educator, graduating from the University of Iowa with a teaching certificate in secondary education.  Christy has taught middle school in the Des Moines Schools for several years.

A Betty Hill graduate, Christy excelled in all forms of dance, as well as baton.  A well-rounded dancer and performer, Christy teaches Junior PA, jazz, and private lessons.  Christy says that dance is the best gift her parents ever gave her.

Kathy Bixler, a Betty Hill graduate, is a veteran member of our faculty.  Kathy was captain of her high-school gymnastics team and performed at the Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search!

Kathy's love of dance is diverse.  She excelled in all dance forms, including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, acrobatics, gymnastics, and baton.  Kathy says that dance has kept her in shape, has taught her patience, and she loves sharing her passion for dance with her children.

 Karen Sissel, a Betty Hill graduate, has a degree in theater, speech, and English, as well as a secondary teaching certificate.  After teaching middle school, Karen now teaches high school drama in Des Moines. 

A dynamic performer, Karen says her students inspire her to "dream big" and that anything is possible.  She loves Maya Angelou's quote:  "Everything in the universe has rhythm.  Everything dances."  Karen advises her students always to turn out, and to embrace ballet!

Michelle Pechinovsky brings her talent in competitive gymnastics and acrobatics to our students, as well as her experience as a Betty Hill Dancer.  Michelle teaches several levels of acrobatics at our Windsor studio, as well as our senior partners.

Shari Bergman, a Betty Hill graduate, teaches lyrical, jazz, private lessons, and many advanced students.  Shari performed in the Nutcracker Ballet at CY Stephens for many years, as well as studying from Sally Garfield at Drake University.

Shari's creativity and artistic ability extend to the visual arts where she loves painting on canvas.  Her technical expertise, classical training, and interesting choreography make a valuable contribution to our students.

Lindsey Motsenbocker, a Betty Hill graduate, has a degree from the University of Northern Iowa in elementary education with a reading endorsement.  She teaches in the West Des Moines Schools.

Lindsey studied all dance styles, including acrobatics and partnering, and competed on her high school dance team, as well as our studio team.  Lindsey's skill with production numbers makes her a valuable asset to our studios, particularly in working with our Juniors, Seniors, and finale.  Lindsey advises serious dancers to attend classical ballet!

Lyndsay Childers, a Betty Hill graduate, has a degree in human resources management from Upper Iowa University and loves working with people, especially teaching.

Lyndsay has taught at all three of studios, summer camp, Christmas Show, and helps with our Iowa State Fair performances.  Lyndsay encourages dancers to try the diverse classes we offer in order to build confidence and technique.  She especially appreciates the lasting friendships she has acquired through dance. 

Jayme Ammann, a Betty Hill graduate, has a Bachelor's Degree in nursing degree from Grandview College. A member of her high school and college dance teams and show choir, Jayme won first place in the collegiate dance regional solo competition.

Jayme teaches hip hop and private lessons at our WDM studios, choreographing dances that are contemporary, lyrical, and hip.  She encourages students to dance from the heart, work on their technique, and enjoy performing! 

Melissa Parks, a Betty Hill graduate, received her bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in psychology and has a masters degree in human resources.

Melissa toured the Midwest with Universal Dance Association training high school and college dance team squads.  She loves seeing her students improve, and she enjoys helping build their confidence and ability through positive reinforcement and correction.  She tells her dancers, "Never stop learning." 

Alice Hoffmeister is a graduate from Drake University with a teaching certificate in secondary education. A junior high teacher in West Des Moines, Alice was selected as a leader for Super Camps of America.

Alice grew up dancing in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, studying diverse dance styles.  She stopped at our studios the first weekend of her freshman year at Drake, and she's been with us ever since.  Alice tells her students to try their hardest and to say, "I can!"  She loves the arts and the feelings she is able to express through dance.

Vicki Williams, a graduate of our studios, has a degree in music education from Iowa State University and has taught vocal and instrumental music at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels.  Vicki is certified by test to teach dance by Dance Masters of Mid-America.

Vicki teaches ballet and tap to our upper-elementary dancers, as well as teaching private lessons.  She encourages her students to try for their personal best, have fun, and "dance like no one is watching."

Jenna Kollings, a Betty Hill alum, graduated from the University of Iowa where she was a member of the well-respected Iowa Dance Team.  A graphic designer, Jenna is a talented artist and her creativity enhances her choreography. 

A member of our competition team, Jenna excels at all dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, acrobatics, pointe, and partnering.  Jenna loves teaching and appreciates the confidence and work ethic she gained from dance at a young age.

Nicole McBride, a Betty Hill graduate, received her degree in elementary education with a teaching certificate from the University of North Carolina.  Nicole was a featured singer in show choir throughout high school and won national recognition as a soloist her senior year.

A certified Zumba teacher, Nicole teaches all ages, including combination classes, Dance Camp, Christmas Show, and Iowa State Fair.  Nicole also works in the main office and assists Debbie.

Amanda Moede, a Betty Hill Dancer, returned to our studios to teach children’s combination, jazz, acrobatics, and "cheer dance."  Amanda excelled as a dancer, a partner, an acrobat, and a cheerleader while in high school, and has coached local cheerleading squads.

Amanda appreciates the benefits of dance, including strength, endurance, flexibility, and a sense of well-being.  Amanda has learned from her students to expect the unexpected, and she advises them to dance with their spirits and their bodies will follow! 

Gigi Oerter, former Ballet Mistress of the Des Moines Ballet Company, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet from the North Carolina School of Arts.  She was a featured performer and soloist with the Milwaukee Ballet and San Antonio Ballet, and has toured extensively

Gigi is well respected as a master ballet teacher and brings the grace, strength, and discipline of classical ballet to her classes.  Gigi coached our developing and advanced students for many years and we are blessed to have her!