Briley Shanander
Ms. Briley Shanander has been teaching ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop to students of every age for nearly a decade. She has trained Academy of Dance’s competition team for two successful seasons.
Briley started her career in the performing arts at age 10 and fell in love with dance during high school. She trained at Academy of Dance under Yvonne Cox, Christina Krejer, and Sylvia Trask. Briley is a member of Dance Educators of America and holds a Bachelor of Education from Western Washington University.
Ms. Briley believes in the lifelong value of dance education in her students’ lives from discipline, teamwork, coordination, creativity, and self-expression. She is committed to the family-friendly culture and success of the dancers and staff at Academy of Dance through teaching best practices, open communication, positive role models, clear policies, empathy, and flexibility.
Briley Shanander
Ms. Briley Shanander has been teaching ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop to students of every age for nearly a decade. She has trained Academy of Dance’s competition team for two successful seasons.
Briley started her career in the performing arts at age 10 and fell in love with dance during high school. She trained at Academy of Dance under Yvonne Cox, Christina Krejer, and Sylvia Trask. Briley is a member of Dance Educators of America and holds a Bachelor of Education from Western Washington University.
Ms. Briley believes in the lifelong value of dance education in her students’ lives from discipline, teamwork, coordination, creativity, and self-expression. She is committed to the family-friendly culture and success of the dancers and staff at Academy of Dance through teaching best practices, open communication, positive role models, clear policies, empathy, and flexibility.
Yvonne Cox
Ms. Yvonne Cox has more than 25 years experience teaching tap/ballet/hip-hop/jazz/lyrical & pointe to ages 2 years-adult. Yvonne knew from an early age that she wanted to own her own dance studio. She has had formal training in the greater Seattle area in dance since childhood, including Cornish Art Institute. Yvonne is a long time member of Dance Educators of America. Ms. Yvonne is a successful and experienced choreographer. She participates in domestic and international dance conventions and competitions, which feature many industry leaders and innovators. Due in part to her vast creativity, AOD competitors have received Special Judges Awards, Cash Awards, and National and Regional Titles.
Ms. Yvonne’s 3 most inspiring teachers were, Anne Reinking (a mainstay in Musicals and Chorus Lines), Frank Hatchett (the King of VOP Hip Hop and Jazz), and Charles Kelley (The Tap legend known as Chuck/Chaz). Reiking, Hatchett and Kelley leave their legacy to teachers like Yvonne to continue instilling a passion of the Arts to new generations of dancers. While at Western Washington University and The Houston Ballet, Ms Yvonne continued to build on her dance education and knowledge. Yvonne was an Orchesis honorary company member and has run Choreography for the Eugene Ballet, “Nutcracker” as well as Lyric Light Opera’s “Beauty and the Beast”. Ms. Yvonne has a B.A. from Washington State University.
Ms. Yvonne Cox has more than 25 years experience teaching tap/ballet/hip-hop/jazz/lyrical & pointe to ages 2 years-adult. Yvonne knew from an early age that she wanted to own her own dance studio. She has had formal training in the greater Seattle area in dance since childhood, including Cornish Art Institute. Yvonne is a long time member of Dance Educators of America. Ms. Yvonne is a successful and experienced choreographer. She participates in domestic and international dance conventions and competitions, which feature many industry leaders and innovators. Due in part to her vast creativity, AOD competitors have received Special Judges Awards, Cash Awards, and National and Regional Titles.
Ms. Yvonne’s 3 most inspiring teachers were, Anne Reinking (a mainstay in Musicals and Chorus Lines), Frank Hatchett (the King of VOP Hip Hop and Jazz), and Charles Kelley (The Tap legend known as Chuck/Chaz). Reiking, Hatchett and Kelley leave their legacy to teachers like Yvonne to continue instilling a passion of the Arts to new generations of dancers. While at Western Washington University and The Houston Ballet, Ms Yvonne continued to build on her dance education and knowledge. Yvonne was an Orchesis honorary company member and has run Choreography for the Eugene Ballet, “Nutcracker” as well as Lyric Light Opera’s “Beauty and the Beast”. Ms. Yvonne has a B.A. from Washington State University.
Yvonne Cox
Mandy Rovengo
Academy of Dance is so excited to have Ms. Mandy join our staff! Ms. Mandy began dancing at the age of four in Pullman, Washington at Rising Stars Dance Academy studying every style of dance available to her. Her favorite styles when she was younger were ballet, jazz, and drill team. When she was old enough to go en pointe she attended the Graham Academy of Classical Ballet and began to pursue lyrical/contemporary and hip-hop training at Sanctuary Dance Discipline. She danced on her high school dance team as well as attending these two studios until she graduated. Ms. Mandy attended Washington State University to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. After moving to Western Washington, she got a job with the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation department where she loves to educate all ages of people about movement and run sports programming. If Ms. Mandy is not at the studio or the park, you can find her crocheting a blanket for one of her many nieces and nephews.
Mandy Rovengo
Academy of Dance is so excited to have Ms. Mandy join our staff! Ms. Mandy began dancing at the age of four in Pullman, Washington at Rising Stars Dance Academy studying every style of dance available to her. Her favorite styles when she was younger were ballet, jazz, and drill team. When she was old enough to go en pointe she attended the Graham Academy of Classical Ballet and began to pursue lyrical/contemporary and hip-hop training at Sanctuary Dance Discipline. She danced on her high school dance team as well as attending these two studios until she graduated. Ms. Mandy attended Washington State University to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. After moving to Western Washington, she got a job with the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation department where she loves to educate all ages of people about movement and run sports programming. If Ms. Mandy is not at the studio or the park, you can find her crocheting a blanket for one of her many nieces and nephews.
Megan Christianson
Ms. Megan has been dancing for 12 years now, most of which have been here Academy of Dance! She is on her second year of teaching classes, including Tots, PreK, and Kinderdance. She is a wonderful teacher for these younger ages and is especially passionate about tap dancing! Ms. Megan is currently going to college with the goal of earning her degree in business and accounting with the goal of becoming a CPA!
Ms. Megan Christianson has been dancing for 12 years now, most of which have been here Academy of Dance! She is on her third year of teaching classes. She is a wonderful teacher for these younger ages and is especially passionate about tap dancing! Ms. Megan is currently going to college with the goal of earning her degree in business and accounting with the goal of becoming a CPA!
Megan Christianson
Adrianna Crommett
Ms. Adrianna Crommett got her start in dance at the Northwest Ballet School in Anacortes when she was four years old. She studied at The Dance Center in Anacortes, as well as Academy of Dance in Burlington. She has been performing in musicals since 2007 with many community theatres in Skagit County!
Adrianna Crommett
Ms. Adrianna Crommett got her start in dance at the Northwest Ballet School in Anacortes when she was four years old. She studied at The Dance Center in Anacortes, as well as Academy of Dance in Burlington. She has been performing in musicals since 2007 with many community theatres in Skagit County!
Ms. Citori began her dancing career here at En Avant at 9 years old. By age 11, she was on the studio’s competition team, performing in a variety of styles including lyrical, theatre, and jazz. Ms. Citori took a break from dancing during Covid while she finished high school and earned her cosmetology license. She has since returned to the studio, quickly picking back up all her training, and began teaching dance! Ms. Citori is well-loved by all of our tots, pre-k, and kinder dancers!
Citori Jones
Citori Jones
Ms. Citori began her dancing career here at En Avant at 9 years old. By age 11, she was on the studio’s competition team, performing in a variety of styles including lyrical, theatre, and jazz. Ms. Citori took a break from dancing during Covid while she finished high school and earned her cosmetology license. She has since returned to the studio, quickly picking back up all her training, and began teaching dance! Ms. Citori is well-loved by all of our tots, pre-k, and kinder dancers!
Taryn Parker
Congratulations to Ms. Taryn on her one-year anniversary of joining the En Avant Academy of Dance staff!
Ms. Taryn began taking dance classes at En Avant just before Covid and said she “always knew this would be a great first job”. While Ms. Taryn primarily works in our office assisting families with registration, shoes, and questions, you may also see her helping out with PreK classes sometimes!
Taryn Parker
Congratulations to Ms. Taryn on her one-year anniversary of joining the En Avant Academy of Dance staff!
Ms. Taryn began taking dance classes at En Avant just before Covid and said she “always knew this would be a great first job”. While Ms. Taryn primarily works in our office assisting families with registration, shoes, and questions, you may also see her helping out with PreK classes sometimes!
More about Ms. Abby coming soon!
Abby Cordova
Abby Cordova
More about Ms. Abby coming soon!
Brante Copling
More about Ms. Brante coming soon!
Brante Copling
More about Ms. Brante coming soon!
Lena Banta
More about Ms. Lena coming soon!
More about Ms. Lena coming soon!
Lena Banta
Sylvia Trask
Ms. Sylvia Trask has been dancing since she was 8 years old. She acknowledges the kindness of people on all side of the country, that have allowed her to be able to experience training in a vast variety including Jacob’s Pillow, American University in Washington DC. At Dance Lab in Seattle, WA she studied under Ray Bussey in Jazz for 4 years. Sylvia’s inspiration to teach came from her hometown instructor, Klara Koenig. She taught Sylvia to follow her passion for dance, in spite of Sylvia not having that perfect turn. This encouragement is what lead Sylvia to 40+ years of quality instruction. She continues training today at Pacific Northwest Ballet and Western Washington University.
Ms. Sylvia Trask has been dancing since she was 8 years old. She acknowledges the kindness of people on all side of the country, that have allowed her to be able to experience training in a vast variety including Jacob’s Pillow, American University in Washington DC. At Dance Lab in Seattle, WA she studied under Ray Bussey in Jazz for 4 years. Sylvia’s inspiration to teach came from her hometown instructor, Klara Koenig. She taught Sylvia to follow her passion for dance, in spite of Sylvia not having that perfect turn. This encouragement is what lead Sylvia to 40+ years of quality instruction. She continues training today at Pacific Northwest Ballet and Western Washington University.
Sylvia Trask
Kerry began dancing at Liberty Bay Danceworks where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. Several summers have been spent studying with the Joffrey Ballet Dance Lab at Whitman College. In addition, Kerry has studied with Dance Ensemble Northwest, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the University of Washington, and Bellevue College. She has won numerous dance scholarships and awards. At a young age, Kerry was a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) dancing and singing in a nationwide commercial, and local television commercials thereafter. As a mother of 4, Kerry is very excited to return to teaching dance.
In Memory Of
Ms. Christina Krejer trained with New York Ballet dancer, Lynda Yourth, Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich and continued with California Ballet’s Paul Koverman and Maxine Mahon. She was in programs with Pennsylvania Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Washington Ballet in D.C. Most of Ms. Krejer’s professional dance experience was with California Ballet Company where she performed roles from corps to soloist from most major classical and contemporary ballets including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, Balanchine’s Serenade and Francisco Gella’s Suite Vivaldi. Ms. Krejer also guested with San Diego Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre and Connecticut Ballet Theatre. In addition, she performed with Maui on Stage and Maui Song and Dance. Christina taught dance both nationally and internationally.
