Laura Peterson
Laura Peterson has been sharing her knowledge, skills and experiences with Puget Sound dance students since 1992. She received a Bachelors of Art in Dance from the University of Washington and Master’s in Dance Science from Laban in London, UK.
Laura has been seen on stage performing with such companies as Lehua Dance Theatre, Arc Dance Productions and the Seattle Symphony. She has also worked with such celebrated choreographers as Wade Masden, Mark J. Kane, Mark Haines and Rain Ross.
Laura emphasizes sound anatomical practices within her classes and encourages the art of performing, not competition. Laura teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and directs the Performance Group at The Center for Dance. She also is Dance Director of Reach for the Sky July, a non-profit youth summer arts camp.
Kathi Marin
I have been dancing all my life! My earliest training was in Santa Monica, California with a wonderful Russian teacher at “Mari School of Dance.” I went on to major in dance, attending Christian College, San Diego State, and ending here at Cornish College here in Seattle. My interest has always been in walking a line between strong technical understanding of dance, and learning how to reach and teach the unique capabilities of each of the students in my care. I studied kinesiology, sports medicine, and movement therapy for deaf children. I also studied and became certified in aerobics and yoga instruction before opening my studio, The Center for Dance, in 1987 in Issaquah. We moved to our larger facility in Preston in 2001.
For the last twenty years I have had the honor to run The Center for Dance. I have been blessed with some of the best instructors available, and they have helped me create a studio that offers the best in technical training within a nurturing environment, while fostering self-esteem and creative confidence in our students.
Cristie Coffing
Cristie Coffing earned her degree in Physical Education, Dance and English from Central Washington University, then attended Reed College. She has been been performing since 1979 and teaching since 1984.
She has trained with such masters as; Armgard von Bardeleben, Leslie Watanabe, Penny Hutchinson, Bill Evans, Greg Lizzenberry, Shirley Jenkins, Erica Angelakos and Pat Graney. She has danced professionally with Winnie Chapin Young & Co., Erica Angelakos & Associates and many independent choreographers. She has been seen on stage in various productions, including; Dancing at Lughnassa, Barefoot in the Park, Lie of the Mind, West Side Story, and Dial M for Murder.
She currently works with Theatre Black Dog and is Theatre Director of Reach for the Sky July while writing her own plays and novel. Dance, theatre, art; that's all there is to it.
Leanne Gravette
Leanne Gravette graduated from Western Washington University in March of 2008 with her BA in Theatre Education. She finished her degree while on the road with Missoula Children’s Theatre, working as a Tour Actor/Director for the five month Winter/Spring tour of The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. She now teaches KIDSTAGE classes at the Village Theatre in Issaquah and has served as Co-ASM of VT's Summerstock production of The Secret Garden, Assistant Stage Manager for KIDSTAGE's TeenSelect productions of Into the Woods and High School Musical, and Assistant Director of KIDSTAGE Ensemble’s production of Willy Wonka Jr.
Leanne has been dancing since 2000 (when she finally realized she was no good at gymnastics) and enjoys connecting the worlds of dance and theatre through emotional and physical expression, confidence, and creativity.
Jenna Crisafulli
I have been dancing at the Center for Dance for 5 years. I have been training in many types of dance such as Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Ballet, Lyrical and Tap.
My junior year of high school I joined the IHS dance team and competed against many different high schools. During my senior year, I was asked to be a co-captain of the squad as well as serving as the dance team manager.
Two years ago, I was asked to teach a kid's Hip-Hop class here at the studio. As the years went on, I gained more classes and am delighted to be teaching and hope to continue my teaching career at the Center for Dance.
Ron Smith
Ron Smith studied dance and performed professionally in Los Angeles. He has choreographed pieces for Carnival: Choreographers Ball, Seattle Fashion Week, as well as various shows in the Greater Seattle hip hop community. Currently he is the director and lead choreographer of Butch Queens Dance Company.
Ron’s approach to teaching is that dance should be accessible to everyone. His classes focus on building confidence and a strong vocabulary of movement, which dancers can use to enhance their quality of performance. This year’s primary focus is helping dancers become more comfortable performing on stage. This is Ron’s second year with Center for Dance.
Josh Cantine
Arielle Blume
Arielle Blume is new to the dance scene but is a firm advocate of the idea it’s never too late to learn a new skill. She began dancing by learning Lindy Hop at Western Washington’s Swing Kids group and hasn’t looked back since. In the two years following her introduction to dancing, she has thrown herself whole heartedly into the dance world, learning any style she could get her hands on as well as perfecting her Lindy Hop. She has been involved in several of the international swing exchanges held in Seattle. While she is now competent in ballroom, blues and tango, swing remains her first love. Teaching swing has been a dream of hers since she first learned and is ecstatic to have this opportunity to share her knowledge of the Seattle Swing Scene.
John-Michael Spangler
Johnny Spangler has been dancing for most of his life. Though he was dancing from an early age, his first formal training was at the Center for Dance. He subsequently learned swing in high school during the middle of its rise to popularity in the 90’s. After being bitten by the Jitter Bug, he has been dancing socially for the pasts 11 years and has been teaching swing across the nation to various groups and ages. “Dance is about having fun and interacting with people on a level that is not found in typical social situations. The reason that I fell in love with swing was due to its emphasis on fun and playfulness”. Johnny is currently teaching dance as a past time while he pursues his true love of education and learning.
Rachel Arseneau
Rachel's Bio coming soon!