Jheri Glover
Owner/Artistic
Director - is a mother of 6 children, and has always had a passion for dance and
music. Jheri grew up dancing throughout the valley and studied jazz, ballet and
lyrical, however, in later years, she focused most of her dance energy towards
clogging. As an award winning clogger, she has traveled throughout the U.S.
performing. She has a lot of experience on stage and LOVES the performance
aspect of dancing. Her experience as a mother, a performer, a dancer and a teacher
have helped mold together the ideas and standards that Higher Ground Dance
Studio holds today. As someone who is constantly striving to make a difference
in the lives of those around her, Jheri is grateful for the opportunity she has
to work with so many wonderful dancers, to help them fulfill their dreams, in a
modest and wholesome way.
Nadja Langenhorst
Our
professional ballet instructor- Studied ballet in Reno Nevada under Barbara Fox
and Maggie Banks. Later, Nadja danced throughout Africa and Paris performing
with several companies such as the Paris Opera, Rolland Petit, Jazz Art and
others. Nadja has been teaching ballet for over twenty five years in Arizona.
She currently teaches college students at Scottsdale Community College and has
been an instructor there for the past 10 years. She has also been the ballet
mistress at Ballet Etudes and the Company director at Word of Grace church.
Nadja is known for her incredible knowledge and expertise and her ability to
captivate the classroom. Last year Nadja received her degree in Exercise
Science from ASU.
Nadja is one of the very BEST & highly sought after Ballet teachers in
the valley! Come try one of her classes and you'll understand why everyone
seeks after Nadja.
Michelle Taylor
Our professional Company choreographer and technique instructor- started dancing in high school and continued dancing in college at Ricks College in Idaho. She toured with a contemporary dance company directed by Mel Claridge to England and Wales in 1996. Michelle has been teaching dance at various local dance studios for 13+ years and has had many opportunities to choreograph for local high schools as well. Most recently, she has been dancing with CONDER/dance for the past 6 years and she joins Dulce Dance Co. on special projects from time to time. In 2003 Michelle launched a new dance adventure by starting "taylor'd dancewear" a line of dance basics and performance costumes. check it out at http://www.taylorddance.com/. She is an active member of AzDEO (AZ Dance Educators Organization) and hosts a scholarship for AzDEO from taylor'd dance for high school seniors who are pursuing dance education in college. Michelle also enjoys teaching a mixed martial arts cardio class and she has 3 beautiful girls - Emily, Macy and Avery, that keep her on my toes when she's not dancing! We're excited to have Michelle teaching levels II-V this year!
KerryLee Stewart
Our newest technique instructor- has been teaching dance for more than 20 years and is well respected by parents, teachers and judges for her natural ability to teach students age two through adult all levels and subjects with discipline, technique, passion and age appropriate routines and costumes. KerryLee has studied with Nationally renowned instructors in Massachusetts as well as at the Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City and at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Mrs. Stewart's choreography has been locally and nationally recognized throughout New England and Arizona, winning numerous awards and accolades. These accomplishments at competition are very rewarding, however she is most proud of the professional careers her former students are living. Past students of Mrs. Stewarts have danced in national and world tours, on Broadway, in Tokyo, at Disney, Busch Gardens, Cruise Ships and many shows in Los Angeles and New York City. KerryLee has enjoyed bringing the art of dance to competitive gymnasts, high school musical productions, and after school programs for inner-city children. As well as, autistic, mentally and physically challenged children and adults. KerryLee will be teaching our Level I and Level III-V technique classes!
KerryLee Stewart
Our newest technique instructor- has been teaching dance for more than 20 years and is well respected by parents, teachers and judges for her natural ability to teach students age two through adult all levels and subjects with discipline, technique, passion and age appropriate routines and costumes. KerryLee has studied with Nationally renowned instructors in Massachusetts as well as at the Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City and at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Mrs. Stewart's choreography has been locally and nationally recognized throughout New England and Arizona, winning numerous awards and accolades. These accomplishments at competition are very rewarding, however she is most proud of the professional careers her former students are living. Past students of Mrs. Stewarts have danced in national and world tours, on Broadway, in Tokyo, at Disney, Busch Gardens, Cruise Ships and many shows in Los Angeles and New York City. KerryLee has enjoyed bringing the art of dance to competitive gymnasts, high school musical productions, and after school programs for inner-city children. As well as, autistic, mentally and physically challenged children and adults. KerryLee will be teaching our Level I and Level III-V technique classes!
Kim Johnson
Our Beautiful Lyrical Teacher and Lil' Angels Company Instructor-
is 23 years old and one of Higher Grounds first students! Kim has had a love and a passion for dance since she was little. She danced through high school and was on Mesa High's Dance Company "Euporea". Euporea really challenged her as a dancer and as a choreographer, and has brought her to where she is today! She received awards for her work and continues to present beautiful choreography. Kim specializes in lyrical and contemporary dancing. Kim’s modern and creative style of dance brings a unique and exciting new idea of dance into our studio.
Michaela Granado
Our Dynamix and Hot Shots Instructor- began training and competing with local dance studios around the
Phoenix area at the age of six. She has been technically trained in the areas
of Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern and Hip-Hop. In high school she was a part of
Basha High School's dance company, Kinesis Dance Company, as the company's
president and was also a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
After high school, she became a member of the University of Arizona’s Pomline,
which she was a member of for three years. As a Wildcat she had the honor of
choreographing the university's hip-hop competition routine for Arizona’s
Pomline, which was performed at the Universal Dance Association National
Championship competition. After returning to the Phoenix Valley, she has had the
privilege to work with local choreographers from several dance companies such
as Tracy Morion from MarioCo, Sean Dahlberg from Phoenix Contemporary Dance
Company, and Carley Conder from CONDER/Dance. She is currently one of the
newest members of Phoenix’s street-fusion company, EPIK Dance Company. Michaela
coaches a high school varsity pom team and she continues to spread her love and
passion for the art of dance by teaching at various studios and schools around
the valley.
Our hip hop instructor, started dancing Hip-Hop in 8th
grade and moved on to technique her Junior year of high school. After
graduating she went on to Mesa Community College where she was on their dance
company for 4 seasons and graduated with an Associate Fine Arts Dance and
Psychology. She is currently scheduled to graduate from ASU this fall with a BA
in Arts Administration. She currently Dances for the Phoenix Suns Solar
Squad Hip-Hop Dance team as well as the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad the team
that gave her the name "Kicks." Professional credits include dancing
in the Just Dance 3 commercial and choreographing
for Canadian pop artist Kreesha Turner just to name a few. Kiersten
has taught all over the valley at different studios as well as after school
programs. She recently finished her first season as co-coach for the Phoenix
Suns Sun Dance Kids hip-hop team for ages 6-12. Kiersten absolutely loves
working with you and aspires to one day found a non-profit organization
dedicated to increasing arts programs.
