As a dancer, Laurentia performed with both classical and modern dance ensembles including Bucharest National Opera (Bucharest, Romania), Ajkun Ballet Theatre (Mantova, Italy) and the Moving Academy for Performing Arts (Amsterdam, The Netherlands).

Her works as choreographer or dancer received recognition in major dance and theater festivals in Romania, Austria, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and The Netherlands. In Romania, Laurentia also created choreographies for film and television, worked as music videos producer and hosted a television show focused on performing arts. Her work has been qualified by the media as unique, innovative and daring.

Laurentia recently immigrated to the United Sates. She continues to follow her dreams as dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher in the great Pacific Northwest area.

At Principia College, Jennifer became a student teacher under Joy Baker of the St. Louis Ballet and studied dance history and teaching methodology. After graduating, she taught at the St. Louis Ballet's company school under Gen Hiroshi and Antoni Zalewski.

In Portland, Oregon, she taught jazz, modern, hip hop and funk at many studios. Her next passion became combining all these styles of dance into one and forming a dance company called Dance Groove.

Now, a new Seattle resident, she is excited to teach at Whidbey’s Island Dance Studio. Her classes this fall will be a fusion of jazz, hip hop, modern and funk with unique, athletic choreography to all sorts of music. In addition, Andrea is offering Reiki Massage appointments at Island Dance Studios Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Click her for more information.

Charlene has worked extensively in musical productions and many of her students have won individual titles and honors in dance. Many of her students have gone on to college and received degrees in dance. Her choreography has been seen in numerous local musical and dance productions.

Andrea Burr, 21, was a Whidbey Island Dance Theatre member for nine years. She is currently living in Seattle and attending the University of Washington. Andrea is a member of Cruz Control directed by Daniel Cruz, team boogiezone Breed, and Potion. As well as receiving scholarships to Steps On Broadway, NY, Milenium Dance Complex in LA and various convention scholoarships, Andrea recently won the Monster of Hip Hop Tour pass which includes free attendance at all Monsters of Hip Hop conventions for one year and the opportunity to perform in the Monsters show in LA with choreography by Brian Freedmen, Tabatha & Mapoleon, Dave Scott and more.

Cohen was Artistic Director of Conservatory Ballet of Washington and Director of the Ballet Department at Washington Academy of Performing Arts for several years as well as a ballet and Spanish dance instructor. Prior to this role, she served as a dance faculty member at Oakland University, Michigan. Ms Cohen's teaching experience was enhanced by her role as assistant coach with Ballet British Columbia where she danced for many years. She has had the privilege of teaching student and professional dancers in Canada and the United States.

Her performing career included principal roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Balanchine's Allegro Brillante , Four Temperaments, Apollo, Concerto Barocco and Bruce Wells' A Midsummer's Night Dream. She has performed with a number of companies in North America including Ballet British Columbia, Ballet Jurgen, Metropolitan Ballet Theater and Pennsylvania Ballet. Ms. Cohen has danced principal roles in works by some of the most eminent contemporary choreographers including Ashton, Butler, Cranko, Tetley and Forsythe. In 1989 she was honored to be chosen for the lead role in the Canadian premiere of William Forsythe's "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated."

Ms. Cohen has choreographed numerous pieces including works for Ballet British Columbia's Choreographic Workshop and for Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's Choreoplan. Her works have been performed at RDA festivals including Gala Night performances in 1994 and 1999.

Andy Mesner teaches gymnastics at Island Dance. The mission is to challenge and teach in always changing ways to maximize the gymnasts' potential for growth and understanding. Gymnastics is fun, interactive and provides a class atmosphere of positive reinforcement enabling all students to step outside comfort zones, to overcome fears and exude confidence in class and life.

At age 5 Andy was placed in gymnastics under the instruction of Robert Tull. From 1997-2000 he competed in men's gymnastics working his way to the upper levels of men's gymnastics. During Andy's freshmen year of High School he was on the varsity Cheer leading squad where heI helped the cheer squad place first in state for the first time ever and later that year they took 7th at nationals.

After High School AndyI went on to teach gymnastics in Oak Harbor for Gym Kids. Currently, in addtion to being the Gymnastics Director for Island Dance, on Fridays he volunteers at Dimensions of Gymnastics teaching the Friday boys classes and when time permits he takes private lessons to stay in shape.

Jamee Pitts was a student of Island Dance since she was three. Now, 21, Jamee is teaching her own very popular Lyrical classes. Jamee has performed in many WIDT Spring Concerts, Nutcracker productions, as well as The Snow Queen. She performed in several group and solo jazz competitions, winning high silvers. In 2003, Jamee's piece was chosen to perform at Regional Dance American/Pacific in the emerging choreographer category. Jamee enjoys teaching at Island Dance Lyrical/Hip Hop and being a Mom.

Susan Campbell Sandri has danced and choreographed for ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, tap and musical theatre companies, and for stage, television, video and film. She holds a Ph.D. in Dance Sciences and an M.A. in Dance Education and Kinesiology. She is also certified in Pilates dance conditioning and rehabilitation.

Dr. Sandri has been training professional and pre-professional dancers since 1977. She has directed college and professional dance companies, including her own San Francisco area company for 10 years. She has published and presented many papers in dance medicine and education at the international and national levels and is currently co-artistic director and resident choreographer for Whidbey Island Dance Theatre.

Graham Vanderwood  bio and photo coming soon....
   

Susan Vanderwood has studied, taught and performed in Boston, New York City, Dallas, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles and Eugene. She studied jazz with Phil Black, Chuck Kelly, Luigi and JoJo Smith. She has studied ballet with Finis Jhung, Nadine Ravine of American Ballet Theatre, and Stefan Wenta of the Royal Danish Ballet. Susan also has had a variety of performing experiences including the 2nd and 3rd annual Disco Awards Shows, a nightclub tour, the Riverside Dance Festival and the Oregon Dance Theatre.

Susan has performed in Whidbey Dance Theatre productions including The Nutcracker, Jazz Alive and many WDT Spring Concerts. Susan loves teaching all ages from adults to children; she has a natural love for children as she has seven of her own! For the past two years, Susan Vanderwood has taken her Jazz Competition classes to various competitions in the northwest. This will be Susan's tenth year with Island Dance.

Island Dance Administrative Staff

Sharla Matthews - administrator and Co-owner of Island Dance.
Lori Moore - secretary and receptionist.