Summer 2026
Masterclass Faculty
Scroll below to get to know our summer faculty!
The Adult Master Class Series is open to dancers and movers of all levels. Ages 15+
Classes run Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. June 16 - August 4
Drop-ins welcome!
Matt Farmer
JUNE 16
Swing/Classical Jazz
MEET MATTHEW
Matthew Farmer is currently the Dorothy Wiley DeLong Endowed Chair of the Dance Department at Hope College, and is the Co-Artistic Director of RGDance Productions and H2 Dance Co. He received his MFA from the University of Michigan, his BA from Hope College. His choreography has been produced by dance companies, theaters, arts festivals, competitive dance teams, and universities in the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France and Germany. He has taught for numerous national dance conventions and competitions throughout the United States of America, and specializes in modern dance, contemporary, jazz dance, and dance improvisation. He is the co-author the book Introductory Modern Dance: A Teaching Manual (published by the Chicago National Associate of Dance Masters), and the singular author of Teaching Dance Improvisation: A Beginner’s Guide (published by Taylor and Francis).
Hannah Seidel
JUNE 23
Contact Improvisation
MEET HANNAH
Hannah Seidel, Associate Professor of Dance at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She is a mover, maker, educator, researcher, mom, and gardener who dances at the intersections of play, improvisation, and the therapeutic aspects of movement. Her choreography has been presented at Meijer Gardens, RADFest, Going Dutch, Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Festivals, the Block Theatre, Dance Studies Association and Society for Freshwater Science conferences, and commissioned Society for New Music concerts. New York City performance credits include David Appel, Erica Essner Performance Co-op, Mariah Maloney, Tiffany Mills, and Gibney Dance with whom she also offered movement workshops to survivors of domestic violence for six years. Hannah has previously been Lecturer at Purchase College, Education Programs Coordinator for Dance New Amsterdam, and summer intensive teacher at New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Her work is published in Research in Dance Education and the Journal of Dance Education. Hannah received her BA from Pomona College, MFA from SUNY Brockport, completed the 92NY’s Alternate Route Dance/Movement Therapy training program, and is the recipient of two National Dance Education Organization President’s Awards and GVSU’s Pew Teaching Excellence Award.
Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert
JUNE 30
Musical Theater
MEET JENNIFER
Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert is a dynamic and influential festival director renowned for her exceptional skills in orchestrating high-profile events. With over 25 years of extensive experience in the entertainment industry, she has evolved from a professional dancer to an innovative choreographer, a sought-after booking agent, and a visionary creative director.Jennifer's profound dedication to music and community building is the cornerstone of her career.She is not just a dreamer but a doer, fiercely committed to fostering a robust and supportive community that champions change and empowers artists within the music industry. Her ambitious project, Sounds of the Zoo, is a testament to her leadership and collaborative spirit. Originating from a long-held vision, this festival is now a celebrated reality in Kalamazoo, MI, symbolizing Jennifer's remarkable ability to transform dreams into impactful, community-driven successes.
Betty Kondo
JULY 7
Ballet
The fundamentals of ballet will be explored in this class which focuses on proper body placement, alignment and classical ballet technique through basic barre and center floor exercises. Betty creates an uplifting and supportive environment throughout class which includes a warm-up at the barre, working on exercises like plies & tendues, center exercises, such as pirouettes and jumps, and will also include traveling steps and combinations that travel across the floor.
MEET BETTY
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 feels honored to serve Ballet Arts Ensemble as the Artistic Director and is excited to inspire the next generation of dancers to fall in love with ballet.
Shantese Robinson
JULY 14
Heels
This class will be held in the Judy Jolliffe Theatre, 2nd floor Epic Center
Fearless Heels is more than just a dance class—it’s a full-body confidence experience. Designed for all levels, this heels-based class blends sass, strength, and self-expression through powerful choreography and playful performance energy.
In every session, you’ll explore fluid lines, sharp execution, and bold presence while building endurance, flexibility, and musicality. Shantese brings her signature flare—incorporating affirmations, expressive movement, and creative combos—to help you own your power and perform with confidence, whether you're on stage or in the mirror.
Come ready to strut, sweat, and slay in a supportive, no-judgment zone where everyone is encouraged to be FEARLESS.
MEET SHANTESE
Shantese Robinson is a dynamic dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Muskegon Heights, Michigan. Her journey began with dancing in her mother’s salon and evolved through Modern and Jazz studies at HBCU summer camps. She has performed at iconic venues like the Apollo Theater and starred as an Ikette in Takin Back My Name, a stage production based on the life of Ike & Tina Turner in Chicago, IL.
Shantese has worked with legends like Melvin Elijah (Motown Live) and Wink Atme (Tour Secrets). She choreographs for dance teams in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, is a competitive dance trainer at The Space Dance Studio, and serves as a teaching artist with Education for the Arts. She also owns and operates IDanceFearless, a dance brand that empowers movement through creativity and self-expression.
Known for her signature Fearless Heels class, Shantese inspires dancers to build confidence, stage presence, and bold artistry. Her KADI grant–funded productions Dance Figures and The Color of Dance celebrate Black dance history, healing, and storytelling through movement. Shantese continues to lead with purpose, power, and fearless passion.
Heather Mitchell
JULY 21
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
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.
Taylor Timmerman
JULY 28
Hip Hop
MEET TAYLOR
Taylor Timmerman is a professional dancer and choreographer originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She began her training as a competition dancer from a young age and continued through high school. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University, graduating in 2019.
Immediately after college, Taylor moved to Los Angeles, California, where she spent six years building her professional commercial dance career. During her time in LA, she worked with many of the industry’s top choreographers such as Richy Jackson, Tyrik Patterson, Hollywood, JoJo Gomez, and many more. Her credits include performances on multiple world tours, award shows, music videos, commercials, festivals, and television appearances.
Taylor has danced for a wide range of renowned musical artists, including Doechii, The Isley Brothers, JoJo Siwa, Jordin Sparks, Fat Joe, Ava Max, Young Thug, Gunna, Rebecca Black, and many more. She has taught multiple classes at the world-renowned Millennium Dance Complex. She has also worked as a choreographer for several musical artists for live performances and music videos.
Taylor is passionate about sharing her experience, inspiring dancers, and bringing high-level industry training wherever she goes.
Marisa Bianan
AUGUST 4
Modern
Rooted in modern dance technique and informed by the Normative Method, this class focuses on approaching movement through the skeletal system to integrate the body’s top and bottom centers. Led by Marisa Bianan, Artistic Director of Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, dancers will have the opportunity to learn and perform some of the company's regular exercises. The session begins with a floor warm-up to increase body awareness, followed by standing exercises to build strength and mobility. The class concludes with a brief repertoire sequence, allowing dancers to apply the principles discovered in floorwork and standing. Open to all levels, this class emphasizes technique, physical awareness, and expressive movement.
MEET MARISA
Marisa Bianan (she/her) obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Michigan University in April 2018. Through her studies, Marisa had the privilege to work with choreographers including Jeremy Blair, Monique Haley, Carolyn Pavlik, and Brendan Duggan. Since graduating, Marisa has presented various choreographic works in the Midwest, including at the 2019 Midwest RADFest and Inaside’s Summer 2022 in-person/virtual hybrid concert. Recent accolades include becoming a finalist for the 2021 Maggie Allesee Choreography Competition, receiving a commission to create a new work for Western Michigan University’s First Year Performance class, which premiered in February 2022, and being accepted into the 2023 + 2024 Detroit Dance City Festival Choreographer’s Showcase. Most notably, she received the 2024 Detroit Dance City Festival's Best Choreographer Award and will present at the 2025 Festival. Marisa completed her first season as Artistic Director of Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers in 2024–2025 and looks forward to further sharing her artistic vision with the Southwest Michigan community.