Sarah Reynolds – Originally from Perry, Utah, Sarah Reynolds started dancing in 1995. She received her B.F.A in Modern Dance from the University of Utah (2011) where she was awarded the Dee Winterton Award for excellence in performing and teaching dance. Sarah has studied ballet, creative dance and modern/contemporary dance extensively with instructors such as Satu Hummasti, Eric Handman, Stephen Koestor and Abby Fiat. Two of her favorite experiences with dance were performing a solo improvisation while vocalist Bobby McFarin accompanied and performing in a benefit concert to raise funds for the homeless. Adamant that dance is as vital as math or science, Sarah hopes to instill her passion for dance into her students. In addition to dance, Sarah loves to read, snowboard and take long walks with her husband, She is also attempting to take up gardening…
Kim Peterson- Kim started dancing when she was eight years old. She continued dancing through high school where she was a four year member of the West High School Drill Team. During her senior year she served as their drill mistress. Her first year at Salt Lake Community College, Kim was a member of the SLCC Dance Company. Kim continued to dance and compete with Power Plus throughout her years in high school and college and eventually started to teach, where she found her passion. Kim started teaching in 2003 and has since taught ages 3-18 in a variety of styles. Outside of teaching at Power Plus, Kim has taught various community school and church groups. Kim is married and has a beautiful little girl. She works full time as an Office Assistant. She graduated in May 2010 from Salt Lake Community College with her Associates of Science Degree.
Amanda Coon- Amanda Jo has recently graduated from SUU in Exercise Science. She was on the Waukeenyans dance team at SUU for three years and captain for two of them. Amanda has extensive training in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop, gymnastics, ballet, and cheerleading. She has had formal training at Elite Academy, Tree House, and dance conventions all over Utah. Amanda has been teaching jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and cheerleading for the past few years. Amanda has received many awards such as high point and sweepstakes in solo and duet categories, she won the COA National Championship in California for song leading and cheerleading solos, Amanda has also recently represented Utah in the American Miss Utah pageant in California taking first place in talent which is of course dancing! Amanda was a member on the All American Dance Nationals team for three years and received MVP for duet for one of those years with one of our other teachers Shauni Slade her best friend! Amanda has choreographed dances for previous dance studios, for her teams in high school, for the Waukeenyans and also solo and duets. Amanda was recently married, loves dancing, and is very excited to be joining the Power Plus dancers and can’t wait to share her experiences with you.
Shawna Holtam-I have been dancing all of my life, I started in Gymnastics, moved to Cheerleading and ended up in Dance, where I finally found the perfect sport for me. I danced for two years on the Hunter High Dance Company and taught for several years at a local dance studio before finding Power Plus. I have been taking classes and teaching classes at Power Plus for the last 4 years and have loved every minute of it.
Dacie Hoffman- Dacie has been dancing for eleven years and has studied Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Pointe. She was a member of the Taylorsville High Cheer and Drill team, then went on to be a Song Leader at Salt Lake Community College. She has had many great opportunities including taking summer intensive classes in New York City, at the Broadway Dance Center. Dacie is currently in the Nursing program at Weber State University.
Devan Wozab – Devan has been interested in tumbling and gymnastics since she was a child, but her love of the sport grew as her daughters became more involved in it. Over the past three years Devan has worked closely with tumbling coaches to learn different teaching methods and techniques. She enjoys introducing tumbling to new students and loves seeing them accomplish new skills and tricks. Devan is energetic and enthusiastic about tumbling and brings that excitement with her into the classroom. She has been an instructor at Power Plus for the last year and looks forward to another great year.
Ashley Pope- Ashley has enjoyed dancing since the age of three. She began her dancing career at Salt City Stars, were she excelled in both solos and competition teams. While at stars Ashley was a member of many national championship teams. Ashley loves dancing jazz, lyrical, ballet, and pointe. She continued dancing and cheering for Salt Lake Community College. There she meet her husband, a basketball player, and has been married for two years. Ashley loves to dance and appreciates the many opportunities dance has given her. She looks forward to teaching at Power Plus dance studio and hopes to instill the same love and respect that she has for dance in her students.
Cassie Willis-Cassie has been dancing since she was seven years old. She was on the cheer team at Taylorsville High and the drill team for two years, junior and sophomore. After Graduation she attended Salt Lake Community College and joined the song leading team where she helped choreograph a number of routines for the squad. She has experience in many different types of dance, with her expertise being jazz and lyrical. She is currently working on her Bachelors in Economics at the University of Utah.
Sipha Dennis Phaophongsavath-I was born in Magna, Utah, but raised in Kearns. I am the 2nd youngest and the only boy out of four children. I have graduated from Kearns High School and have been involved in many things such as captain for both football and track and field, served as SBO Cultural Affairs Vice President, been a part of the National Honors Society, and do what I love to do, dance! I have picked up on break dancing after I saw a showcase for my elementary school. These individuals were amazing and ever since then, I was inspired to dance. In 2004, in 7th grade is when I actually began to start my training as a break dancer and hip hop three years later. I have met a lot of dancers on the way and I have learned so much from every single one of them. Not only that I have learned from these amazing individuals, but I also learned about myself. The impression that the dancers and individuals have made on me has inspired me to do the same to others. I am very excited to be working with the instructors and students this upcoming year! Thank you guys for giving me this amazing opportunity.