Kincaid Ritzler
Kirsten Carpenter
Gracie is the friendly face at the front desk here at Dance Nation, where she has been a valued team member for the past three years. Her connection with Dance Nation, however, spans much longer. Before joining our staff, Gracie was an integral part of our Competition Team for eight years, where she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to dance from the age of six.
Gracie's passion for dance is evident in every aspect of her work. She enjoys assisting everyone at Dance Nation, from supporting our young dancers to addressing parents' inquiries with care and efficiency. Her commitment is to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Gracie is delighted to continue her journey with Dance Nation, and we are fortunate to have her dedicated presence within our community.
Faculty
Erin Stilwell has been passionately involved in dance for most of her life, starting at the age of three in her small hometown. Dance has profoundly influenced her life's trajectory, leading her to participate in numerous musicals and productions, compete nationally, and be an active member of her high school's pom team. Erin was a dedicated member of the Varsity Pom team for four years and also contributed to a nationally-ranked exhibition stunt team.
Erin pursued higher education while continuing her dance journey, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. It was during her college years that she met her wonderful husband, Derek. Together, they share a daughter, Kendall, who is also a dancer at Dance Nation.
With over 14 years of teaching experience in the valley, Erin has had the privilege of coaching the Varsity Pom team at Pinnacle High School. She currently teaches Musical Theater at North Valley Christian Academy and is honored to also teach at Dance Nation.
Erin is excited to continue her journey with the Dance Nation family, feeling truly blessed and eager to impart her teaching with grace, love, and compassion to all of her students.
Madison Carmichael
Grace SandMan
Nichole Grosjean
Grace Sandman is a dedicated and accomplished dance professional with a deep-rooted passion for the art form. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Grace has cultivated her expertise through extensive training and diverse experiences across the United States. Her dance journey began at the age of two, and by the time she was ten, she had already embarked on a competitive path.
Grace's commitment to dance was further demonstrated through her tenure on the Mountain Ridge High School pom team, where she contributed as a varsity pom dancer during her freshman and sophomore years. Her involvement in competitive dance has equipped her with a profound understanding of both performance and technique.
In addition to her dance career, Grace has actively sought opportunities to broaden her knowledge and skills, including travel to Los Angeles and the East Coast. Her dedication to dance is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching, especially to young dancers. Grace is passionate about fostering growth and development in her students and is eager to share her expertise in dance education.
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Curtis Walker
Kenzie Short
Gracie Seegan
Jayar (J.R.) Fernandez, a dynamic performer originally from New York and raised in Chicago, now brings his talents to Phoenix. As an accomplished dancer and actor, Fernandez has garnered recognition through a variety of high-profile projects. His notable credits include the Adidas "All In" campaign, serving as the principal dancer for Mary Kay’s cosmetic line, and performances at Fort McDowell Casino.
Jayar's dance career is distinguished by his participation in prestigious events such as Miss Teen World 2008, Celebration of Dance, and World of Dance San Diego 2010, where he and his team secured 3rd place. He further showcased his exceptional skills as the 2012 BoogieDaBeat Champion. Currently, he is a prominent member of both 6 Feet Deep and Automatic Response Dance Crew, with appearances on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 1 and NBC’s “World of Dance” Season 2.
In addition to his performance career, Fernandez extends his expertise to media and hosting roles. He contributes to Pacific Rim Video in Los Angeles, CA, and Hip Hop International in Las Vegas, NV, where he engages with audiences and provides insightful coverage of the dance world.
Jayar also shares his passion and knowledge through teaching, offering classes at various studios throughout the Phoenix area. His diverse talents and dedication to the arts continue to make a significant impact on the dance community and beyond.
Lexxi discovered her passion for dance at the age of two, and her dedication to the art form has been evident throughout her career. She honed her skills through local and national competitions with Diverse Elements, a testament to her early commitment and talent.
Continuing her dance journey, Lexxi joined the Arizona State University (ASU) dance team, where she performed at football and basketball games and competed at the UDA Nationals. Her professional experience extends to notable organizations such as the Phoenix Suns, the Phoenix Mercury, and Automatic Response, showcasing her versatility and expertise.
Since beginning her teaching career in 2016, Lexxi has earned numerous accolades for her choreography, including several overall high point and top choreography awards. Her passion for dance is clearly reflected in her instruction and creative work, inspiring her students to achieve their fullest potential.
We are honored to have Lexxi as a valued member of our dance family, where her enthusiasm and dedication continue to make a significant impact on our dancers.
Clara was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she developed a lifelong passion for dance. In 2014, she had the honor of dancing with the Arizona Rattlers dance team, an experience that marked a significant milestone in her dance career.
Following this, Clara spent three years in Hawaii. During her time there, she taught surf and swim lessons, alongside dance instruction for approximately two years. In her final year in Hawaii, she transitioned to a role as a Behavioral Therapist, working with children with autism, special needs, and developmental delays.
Upon returning to Phoenix, Clara continued to advance her career in Behavior Therapy for about a year before embarking on a new career path. She now specializes in swim and water safety instruction for infants through three years old, including those with special needs, at Hubbard Family Swim School. Clara also brings her expertise and enthusiasm to Dance Nation, where she continues to make a positive impact.
Madison Carmichael is an accomplished dancer and esteemed dance educator with a career spanning over two decades. Beginning her dance journey at the age of three, Madison entered the competitive arena at seven and garnered numerous scholarships at prestigious conventions throughout her ten years of competition.
At Pinnacle High School, Madison excelled as a member of the Pom team, competing at both regional and national levels. Her leadership and dedication earned her the role of captain during her senior year. Following high school, Madison pursued her passion further at Arizona State University, where she was an integral part of their renowned dance team, gaining national and international recognition.
Professionally, Madison has performed in various shows with Automatic Response, showcasing her exceptional talent and versatility. Since beginning her teaching career in 2012, her choreography has been celebrated at multiple competitions, reflecting her innovative approach and deep understanding of dance.
Since 2017, Madison has served as the Company Director at Dance Nation. In this role, she combines her extensive experience and passion for dance to inspire and mentor her students, fostering their growth and development in the art form.
Madison's dedication to dance and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers remain central to her professional journey.
AunDreea "Dre" Hardy
Performance Team Director
Leilany Ramos
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Company Director
Christine Unger
Kirsten "Kit" Carpenter is a distinguished dancer, choreographer, and educator with a notable career spanning over two decades. She earned her degree in Dance from Mercyhurst University and San Francisco State University, where she honed her craft as a member of both institutions' dance companies. During her academic tenure, Kirsten had the privilege of studying under renowned instructors and performing alongside various prestigious companies and choreographers.
Upon completing her education, Kirsten embarked on a teaching career that led her to Carlsbad Dance Centre. Over nearly a decade there, she led the Ballet program and the competition team, garnering numerous national-level choreography awards and securing National Top Honors for her students' performances.
Returning to her roots in Erie, PA, Kirsten took on pivotal roles as Director at Lake Erie Ballet and Company Class Instructor at Mercyhurst University. Her contributions included choreographing and co-producing full-length ballets such as The Nutcracker and La Boutique Fantasque, as well as expanding the curriculum to include Lyrical, Conditioning, and Tap dance.
Kirsten's career then expanded into Dance Fitness, where she integrated Ballet, Aerial Dance, Yoga, and Pilates to support adult students in achieving their fitness goals. Her passion for teaching spans all ages, from three-year-olds to eighty-three-year-olds, reflecting her commitment to making dance accessible to everyone.
Now based in the Phoenix area, Kirsten is thrilled to be part of the Dance Nation family and looks forward to contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the local dance community for many years to come.
Katy Huetter
Randi Johnston
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info@dancenationaz.com
Owner
Jayar Fernandez
Melanie Gabbard
Aundreea began her dance journey at the age of two, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in the performing arts. She furthered her training at the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, where she studied for over two years.
Aundreea pursued her passion academically at Columbia College Chicago, where she majored in Dance Choreography and minored in Theater. After returning to Phoenix, she expanded her involvement in the modeling industry, participating in local fashion shows and photo shoots.
Currently, Aundreea performs at various events throughout the valley and contributes her choreographic expertise to a range of projects. She has crafted choreography for high school dance teams, local theater productions, and music videos for artists, demonstrating her versatility and creative vision.
Clara McGowan
Katy Huetter was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and began her dance journey at the age of three. She started competing at ten, training extensively as an elite dancer. Katy’s commitment to her craft led her to further her education at the Rock School of Ballet in Philadelphia, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and with the Radio City Rockettes in New York City, where she spent two summers honing her skills.
In recent years, Katy has performed at various events throughout the valley, including serving as a backup dancer for a local singer. She began teaching at dance studios a few years ago, bringing her rich experience and passion for dance to her students.
Melanie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where she began her dance journey at the age of four. Her early training at a local studio included ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and pointe.
Melanie continued her dance education at Southeast Missouri State University, where she was a member of the dance team for four years and earned a minor in dance. After graduating, she danced professionally as a St. Louis Rams Cheerleader for one year before joining the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders, where she performed for the next four years.
In 2017, Melanie played a pivotal role in establishing the cheer and dance teams at Ottawa University in Surprise, leading the development of these programs for their inaugural 2.5 years.
With over a decade of experience teaching dance to all ages, Melanie is thrilled to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to the Dance Nation family.
Coming Soon
Lexxi Carmichael
Erin Stilwell
Curtis Walker was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 30, 1971. His family relocated to Arizona at the age of 6, and he has called the state home ever since. His childhood interests in breakdancing, martial arts, and gymnastics paved the way for a lifelong passion for movement and performance.
Curtis began his formal dance training at Royal Dance Works in Phoenix in 1988. In 1991, as a member of the hip-hop team North Side Crew, he had the opportunity to compete on Ed McMahon’s Star Search. The crew won their first round and gained invaluable experience despite their loss in the subsequent round to a more experienced team.
Over the years, Curtis’s enthusiasm for dance, cheer, and gymnastics evolved into a dedicated career in coaching. He has spent over 35 years as a cheer, gymnastics, and tumbling coach. His extensive experience spans to over 50 junior high/high schools, all-star gyms, and junior colleges across Arizona, Nevada, and California.
In 2018, Curtis ventured into entrepreneurship by founding his own business 3C Tumbling, offering private and group tumbling lessons. He finds immense satisfaction in helping athletes achieve their goals and believes that with hard work and persistence, anything is possible.
Curtis feels honored to contribute to the growth and development of young athletes, and is grateful for the trust parents place in him. He credits all his success to his faith in Jesus Christ, through whom he believes he has been blessed to turn his passion into a profession.
Christine Unger has been immersed in the arts from a young age, beginning dance at just 3 years old and joining a dance company at 12, performing throughout Phoenix during her high school years. A talented singer as well, she discovered a passion for choir and musical theater early on, earning a full scholarship to Grand Canyon University, where she received a BA in Music with an emphasis in voice.
Christine taught dance throughout college and honed her teaching skills under the guidance of various mentors. Since the early 2000s, she has shared her expertise in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, acro, and musical theater with students across the Valley.
Married to her husband Philip since 2006, Christine is the proud mother of five children and finds immense joy in passing on the art forms of dance and music to the next generation.
Kincaid Ritzler is a seasoned dance professional and passionate educator from Phoenix, Arizona. From a young age, Kincaid immersed herself in the world of competitive dance, demonstrating her commitment and skill throughout her high school years as an active member of her school's pom team.
In addition to her extensive dance background, Kincaid has built a diverse portfolio in dance photography, capturing moments from multiple tours and various competitions. This experience has provided her with a unique perspective on the art form and its many facets.
Kincaid is deeply devoted to teaching dance and enjoys working with students of all ages. Her approach to instruction emphasizes creating an engaging and enjoyable environment where students not only have fun but also achieve tangible learning outcomes each week.
Randi has been an integral part of Dance Nation since 2016, bringing a lifetime of dedication to dance and dance education. With a career that began at the age of five, Randi has accumulated extensive experience in both performance and instruction. Her professional journey includes coaching high school pom and cheer teams, as well as choreographing numerous award-winning routines for Dance Nation and other esteemed dance companies.
Randi's true passion lies in dance education. With over a decade of teaching experience at Arizona Dance and Company/Dance Nation, she is deeply committed to shaping the next generation of dancers. Her classes go beyond formal dance training, integrating essential life lessons such as dedication, respect, passion, and the value of friendships. Many of her students have forged lifelong connections through their dance experiences.
Randi is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for dance and is dedicated to helping each student thrive both in their dance journey and in life.