Summer 2025 Masterclass Faculty

Scroll below to get to know our faculty!

CLASS STYLE: West African

Participants will delve into the embodiment of polyrhythm through the exploration of traditional West African Dance. Dancers will learn Lamba, the dance in honor of the Griot (Oral historians), as well as explore the freedom of improvisation within the cultural context. This class is beginner-friendly!

MEET HEATHER MITCHELL
Heather Mitchell is a somatic movement artist and educator who uses dance, mindfulness, and cultural expression to support youth in connecting with their power and healing. As the Co-Founder and Youth Enrichment Director at Rootead Enrichment Center, she creates spaces rooted in the lived experiences of BIPOC youth, centering body awareness, emotional literacy, and community care. With a background in trauma-informed education and African Diasporic dance, Heather brings depth, warmth, and intention to every space she enters.

Betty Kondo black and white image — **Betty Kondo**

**JUNE 24**

CLASS STYLE: Ballet

Class description coming soon!
MEET BETTY KONDO
Betty Kondo, originally from Bowie, Maryland, has been a professional dancer for over 15 years. She received her training at Maryland Youth Ballet and spent several summers participating in summer programs throughout the country. She began her professional career with Orlando Ballet and has since performed with many classical and contemporary ballet companies including Kansas City Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and Owen/Cox Dance Group. She has competed and won high medals in the American Dance Competition as well as the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. In addition to performing, she has over ten years of experience teaching ballet, pointe, contemporary, conditioning, and choreography. She currently serves as Artistic Director of the Ballet Arts Ensemble Company and is excited to inspire the next generation of dancers to fall in love with ballet.

Photo of Shantese Robinson taken outdoors. She is shown in motion with both arms raised and bent at the elbows with her hands cupped toward her face. She is wearing a sleeveless yellow dress. Trees and buildings are shown blurred in the background. — **Shantese Robinson**

**JULY 1**

CLASS STYLE: Heels

Class description coming soon!
MEET SHANTESE ROBINSON
Shantese is the epitome of dance. She has studied at Western Michigan University, and over the years she has performed at word-renowned venues such as the Apollo Theater. She also has been featured in John Ruffin’s Theater 47 production, “Takin Back My Name,” by world-famous musician Ike Turner; Melvin Elijah from The Temptations production, ”Motown Live”; and Choreographer/Author Wink Atme production, “Tour Secrets.” Shantese teaches jazz/modern/hip-hop in Kalamazoo & Muskegon, Mich., to all ages. Her work also has been featured in churches, schools, and some theater productions. Recently, she travelled to Nigeria to learn some of their culture’s artistry. Coming back home to the United States, she decided to start teaching Afro beats/West African dance. iDance_Fearless was created to motivate individuals to sway in their own way, whether it’s spiritual, mental, or physical, and to inspire all dancers to pursue their goals despite life’s trials & tribulations.

CLASS STYLE: Contemporary Modern

Heavily influenced by Limon, Cunningham, Graham, and Horton, this class is a blend of classical modern technique and contemporary styles. Through fall and recovery, contraction and release, we will discover and uncover new movement pathways and explore our authentic voices. Expect floorwork, center, and sweeping phrases that move through space.
MEET AMY WILSON
Amy Wilson is a dance artist, choreographer, dance educator and the Artistic Director of Dance in the Annex (DITA), a Grand Rapids-based modern dance collective. DITA produces and creates live and dance-film works that are site-specific with an emphasis on process. Amy has served on faculty at Grand Valley State University, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Michigan Ballet Academy, Grand Rapids Community College, and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and is a regular guest artist and choreographer for professional dance companies, dance academies and universities around West Michigan. She has presented live performance and screendance at the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RADFest) hosted by Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers and is currently on the RADFest Steering Committee.

CLASS STYLE: PBT

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is a method of dance training focused on improving ballet technique by strengthening and conditioning the body, especially the core and muscles involved in ballet movements. It aims to enhance muscle memory, flexibility, and alignment, ultimately improving dancers' performance and injury prevention
MEET KYLA COOK
Kyla Cook was born and raised in Portage, Mich., where she began dancing at age 3. She received her training locally and nationally. She had the opportunity to train with Gelsey Kirkland, Mikhaïl Lavrovsky, and Audrey Mendel as a teenager, igniting her lifelong love of ballet. Kyla had the opportunity to perform in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl with artists Boyz 2 Men and the Doobie Brothers. She also participated in the All American Halftime Show during the Citrus Bowl. Kyla has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She is an award winning dancer and choreographer. She is certified in PBT (progressing ballet technique).

CLASS STYLE: Ballroom

This class will introduce the students to the first two steps of Hustle, Foxtrot, and the Waltz. The students will be taught about what type of music correlates with each style. Students will see a demonstration of how their Waltz skills can transfer to the Rumba, dependent on what music is being played. The basic rhythm and foot patterns will be addressed in each style, as well as how to dance with another person. Individuals and couples are welcomed, and partnering with others is only expected to the extent of your personal comfort level. Simple and easy rules will be taught to make social dancing fun and accessible to dancers of all levels!
MEET EMMA KENT
Emma Kent graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her time at Grand Valley, she majored in dance and was a member of Momentum dance club. She has performed her choreography in concerts hosted by DancePlayhouse, Movement Reservoir, and RADFest. She previously performed with Currents Dance Theatre and is a company member for Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, entering her second season. She has experience teaching ballet, modern, and ballroom dance styles.