Our Staff

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Meet the Owners

  • Simone Peterson

    Owner, Team Director Jazz/Lyrical: Simone Peterson has been teaching and choreographing in the Puget Sound region for 25 years. At the University of Puget Sound, Simone participated in Repertory Dance Group. Simone graduated from UPS with a B.A. in Psychology. She then began teaching at Harbor Conservatory in 2002-2005, working as an instructor and as a Performing Group Director. Simone then became the director of dance at the Lakewood Family YMCA from 2005-2009, where she oversaw a program of between 500-600 students and integrated valuable curriculum. Simone actively seeks out and attends educational opportunities surrounding dance, movement, instruction, anatomy/physiology, choreography, and holistic health regularly. Simone views dance as a holistic art that incorporates the entire being and benefits the mind, the body, the soul. She believes that dance enhances a person immensely, both internally and externally.

  • Sue Dellinger

    Owner and Administrator, Ballet Company and Ballet Elite coordinator: Sue has been immersed in dance since attending Pacific Lutheran University 30+ years ago. She loves all dance forms and has studied many including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, flamenco and more. Her love of the artform is matched only by her love of working with children. She strives to provide a safe place for the area’s youth to foster creativity, confidence, and a sense of discipline; all qualities she believes are essential and will create a strong foundation for our children by equipping them with the tools they need to thrive as adults.

Meet our AMAZING staff!

Meet our AMAZING staff!

Paula Johnson

Jazz, Tap Team Director: Paula trained and performed extensively in Seattle and Redmond. Her training includes ballet, tap, and jazz. In addition to studying dance at University of Washington she received her B.A. degree in Psychology. Paula continues to perfect her art attending master classes in all styles. Paula has been teaching for over twenty years locally.

Kate Monthy

Ballet Company Artistic Director: Kate was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Tacoma City Ballet, joining their professional division later in her dance training.  She performed leading roles in Carmina Burana, Cinderella, Dracula, Les Sylphides, Pas de Quatre, and The Nutcracker.

Her professional dance career includes company dancer for Zoe | Juniper, Eryc Taylor Dance Company NYC, and Spectrum Dance Theater.  While dancing for SDT, Kate performed works by Donald Byrd, Olivier Weavers, and Cyrus Khambatta.  She toured nationally and internationally to teach and perform as part of DanceMotion USA.  She has performed at Bumbershoot, Chop Shop, Jacob's Pillow, Seattle International Dance Festival, Summer Stages NYC, Velocity Fall Kick Off, and the 5th Avenue Theater.  Kate is the Ballet Director for Harbor Dance, and the Artistic Director of the Harbor Dance Ballet Company. 

Amber Klumker

Ballet, Tap: Amber grew up in Southern California and began her dance training in tap at the age of 6 with her mentor Elsie Leach. She went on to do competitive cheer/dance through High School and studied tap at Brigham Young University and jazz and ballet class at Cypress Community College. She moved to Gig Harbor with her husband, four children and their dog Tucker in 2003. After baby number 5 she decided it was time to dust off her tap shoes and in 2006 began teaching. She continues to study her craft through online learning/teacher training. Amber instructs many of our little dancers and wouldn’t have it any other way. She strives to make dance class a happy, comfortable, instructive environment where new dance friendships are formed and creativity fostered.

Reilly Zink

Ballet: Reilly received her ballet training at Willamette Ballet Academy under the direction of Deborah Higginbotham. There, she danced principal roles in classical ballets such as Giselle, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, and Paquita as well as many Balanchine ballets such as Serenade, Apollo, and Who Cares. She also studied at The Portland Ballet where she had the opportunity to dance for Nancy Davis and to perform George Balanchine's Valse Fantaisie under the direction of John Clifford. Reilly attended summer intensives at Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre in New York. She continued her professional training after highschool with Los Angeles Ballet. This is her ninth year teaching in the Washington area.

Larieza Leigh

Cohesion Team Director; Hip Hop and Contemporary/Hip Hop: Larieza Leigh started dancing at the age of 15 at Mount Tahoma High School and was a part of their dance/drill team for 3 years (2006-2009). After graduating she stayed to help by becoming the assistant coach and was the choreographer for their WIAA Dance/Drill Competitions from 2009-2013. Since then Larieza has honed her teaching skills at a multitude of places such as local public schools, YMCA, Westlake Dance Center, The Beat Box, Image Studio of Dance, The Surge Dance Center, and other surrounding studios in the area. Larieza started dabbling in choreography when she made Mount Tahoma's Dance Team and has grown to create award-winning pieces over the years and is currently the Company Director at Freedom Dance Center. In addition to teaching, Larieza still loves to take classes and perform when an opportunity arises. She has consistently trained at Westlake Dance Center, Freedom Dance Center, and many other locations. In September 2016, Value Village aired a Halloween Commercial in which Larieza participated. She also choreographed and danced in SYML - The Bird music video that aired April 15, 2019. Larieza wants nothing more than to witness and foster the growth and achievements of her dancers. In these moments, she feels the most accomplished, and she finds the answer to her question, WHY? "Live to inspire & be inspired"

Ian Howe

Jazz: Ian was inspired to start tap dancing at age 5 when he watched Savion Glover perform on Sesame Street.  He started training at a small studio in Woodinville, later moving to what would become his dance home for almost 18 years, Backstage Dance Studio owned by Marty Roberts.  While at Backstage, Ian competed regionally and nationally on their competitive dance team.  While competing he was able to take classes from greats like Frank Hatchet, Joe Tremaine and Joe Lantieri. In 2004, Ian took the incredible opportunity to travel and perform all over the world as a dancer and singer on Holland America Line, where he remained for almost eight years. Returning to both land (and his roots) in 2011, Ian started teaching again at Backstage, throwing himself into the hip-hop world and choreographing award-winning numbers for four years.

Ian became Owner + Artistic Director of Pacific West Performing Arts, serving two locations in both Snohomish & Lake Stevens in 2018.  He continues to teach at various studios around the Seattle, while also traveling both nationally and internationally setting competitive choreography, running intensives and getting to meet some new and wonderfully inspiring dance teachers and students. Ian most recently was in Sydney and on the Gold Coast in Australia, setting choreography and teaching at various colleges. In 2021 Ian Co-Founded, The Power of 3 Dance Training Intensive along with Chris Wendorff & Fernando Naranjo leaving in 2023. The intent of bringing decades worth of teaching and professional dance experience into the studio setting, helping train the next generation of dancers.

In 2024 Ian & Anneka Parr created in|flux dance, a new company that focuses on choreography and style. Creating dancers who want to further their training in a non-competitive environment. Also new is creating a new Assistant Program that will be a branch of in|flux, offering dancers the real world experience on how to assist teachers & choreographers, while also learning to teach their own classes. www.influx.dance

Ian performed regularly with 3rd Shift Dance under the direction of Xaviera Vandermay and he was also Associate Director for the 3rd Shift Dance Youth Ensemble.  With 3SD, Ian has had a plethora of performances, including live collaborative performances with musicians Caela Bailey, The Bad Tenants, Naomi Wachira, and Whitney Mongé, back up dancing for Fly Moon Royalty and Mike Illvester, music videos with Vespera, Naomi Wachira & Whitney Mongé, getting Gooed with photographer Meagan Hall of Blue Cone Studios, became community partners with the Lupus Foundation of America, performing on stage across the Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles.

Ian has choreographed numerous musicals, he works with Platinum National Dance Competition as Director, Judge, Emcee & Teacher. Ian & Karyn Tobin started “Apropos Motus” in 2021 & in 2022 he started his small photography business, Dance Meets The Eye. He's worked with artists Lauren Edson, Eva Stone and he has many projects coming down the line!  Ian enjoys teaching all over and he hopes to continue to "Motivate & Inspire through Dance" wherever he goes.

Dane Holman

Ballet: Dane began studying ballet in Jacksonville, Florida with Marta Jackson. She continued her training at Alabama School of Fine Arts, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.  She danced with American Ballet Theatre II and the Cleveland Ballet. Dane joined the Pacific Northwest Ballet School faculty in 1997 and retired in 2022. While at PNB she taught in the  Student Division, Professional Division, Adult Classes, Dance Chance Program and Company Class.  She presented lecture demonstrations in PNB’s Teacher Seminar workshops, assisted in rehearsing students for the Family Matinee and auditioned students across the country for PNB’s Summer Course. Dane has been a guest teacher and taught Master Classes at Cornish College, Gonzaga University, Olympia Dance Center and many more.  Dane is excited to work with the students at Harbor Dance!

Lynne Short

Ballet: During a brief professional dancing career Lynne Short was fortunate to have danced in ballets by George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, August Bournonville, Lew Christensen, Michael Fokine, Michael Uthoff and others. Ms. Short was part of the faculty at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, from 1984-2000, when, under the guidance of Francia Russell, Director of PNBS, the ideas of dedicated colleagues with various backgrounds were formed into a unified, cohesive curriculum. From 2001-2013, Ms. Short, as principal of Ballet Austin Academy, was able to implement a syllabus that produced students and dancers who learned to realize the joy of working in a deep, thorough, meticulous way. There were four years of teaching at Chamberlain Ballet in Plano, Texas before Ms. Short relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2017. She was on the faculty of Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center until 2021.

Sydney Buckley

Jazz/Lyrical, Contemporary: Sydney Buckley is an alumna of the University of Washington where she earned her B.A. in English and dance. She has performed with the 5th Avenue Theater in A Chorus Line and the World-Premiere production of Secondhand Lions with choreographers Joshua Bergasse (SMASH), Kerry Casserly (A Chorus Line), and director Scott Schwartz (The Prince of Egypt). Sydney was a Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort, appearing in California Adventure’s Pixar Play Parade and as an original member of Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary nighttime spectacular, Paint the Night.

A Seattle native, Sydney trained, taught, and coached competitive teams at her mother’s studio.  Most recently, she has gone on to teach classes at the University of Washington, Cornish College of the Arts’ summer program, Idaho State University, and assist Ellenore Scott on Pride and Prejudice at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.  Sydney spent a number of years teaching on faculty with Dupree Dance and now travels as a freelance educator and choreographer.  Integrating her penchant for theatre with the belief that at its core, dance training should spark joy, Sydney’s classes equip dancers to flourish in both their technical and storytelling abilities.  Regardless of age or experience, students can anticipate an inviting and always upbeat classroom environment with

Annelise Lawrence

Broadway Musical Theater, Tap, Jazz: Annelise was born and raised in Tacoma, WA. She began dancing at the age of two at the Morgan Family YMCA. She trained in many styles including: Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. Annelise performed in The Y Dance Company for six years. Her passion for dance continued to grow and led her to Saint Mary’s College where she combined her interests for science and dance to begin pursing her dream of Physical Therapy.

Annelise is a graduate from Saint Mary’s College of California where she received a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science and Dance Choreography and Performance. She performed in the Saint Mary’s Dance Company and trained in: Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary. She intensively studied dance courses including: Dance Science, Dance History, Dance Pedagogy, Choreography, Laban/Bartenieff Fundamentals, Dance in Performance, Dance and Social Justice and much more. She co-produced the senior dance show, The Spaces In Between, directing and showcasing her own work of art and senior thesis, To Have a Guardian Angel.

Annelise provides a supportive and inclusive environment for all dancers to achieve movement and an exploration of dance. 

Shadou Mintrone

Contemporary, Jazz, and Ballet: Shadou received her dance training from a tiny vaudeville school in southwest Florida. She graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in jazz dance. She currently is performing, co-producing and costume designing for Can Can Culinary Cabaret in the Pike Place Market. Credits include: Brian Sanders’ JUNK, Gunnar Montana Productions, Breton Follies, 7Doors, RudduR Dance, Spectrum Dance Theater, 5th Avenue Theater, Verlaine/McCann Productions, Paulanow Events, SIDF, Bumbershoot, BAM’s Dancemotion USA, Village Theater, and ArtsWest. She has taught jazz, ballet and tap at multiple studios around the PNW over the course of her career. 

Shadou has also been highlighted in Dance Magazine. To read the article, click on the image of Miss Shadou.

Charles Bontemps

Contemporary, Jazz, and Ballet: Charles is a highly accomplished and dedicated professional dancer with a diverse background in various dance styles. Having discovered his passion for dance at a young age, Charles began his journey in southeastern Washington, where he embarked on his training in Jazz. Recognizing his potential, he was encouraged to explore Ballet at the age of 9, which became a pivotal turning point in his dance education. Charles devoted himself to dance and participated in summer dance intensives and summer musicals, further honing his skills and expanding his artistic repertoire.
 
In 2016, Charles relocated to Seattle. Through his network of friends and training at Pacific Northwest Ballet, he was fortunate to collaborate with two esteemed ballet companies: Ballet Bellevue and later Olympic Ballet Theatre. During his tenure at Olympic Ballet Theatre, Charles distinguished himself as a soloist for two years.

Charles possesses a passion for choreography. He finds joy in creating captivating dance works that resonate with audiences on an emotional level. Charles has embraced the role of educator, sharing his knowledge and expertise as teacher at Olympic Ballet Theatre and Freedom Dance Center. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers is a testament to his dedication and love for the art form.
 
Charles continues to inspire and captivate through his artistry. He eagerly looks forward to the future, where he can continue to push boundaries, create meaningful choreography, and inspire dancers to reach their full potential.

Aisaac Gathwright

Hip Hop: Aisaac is a dynamic and strong leader and has been dancing since the age of 12, predominately in competitive Hiphop. Aisaac started off his experience as a company student at Freedom Dance Center from 2019-2023 under his long time mentor Larieza Leigh. After years of experience, hard work, and dedication to his craft, Aisaac had a full circle moment and stepped up in his role as a dancer and took on more of a teaching & choreographing position. Aisaac was an award winning coach and choreographer for Freedom Dance Centers Hiphop company between the years of 2023-2024. Aisaac loves teaching but he loves being a student just as much, as it has helped him become the best teacher/choreographer he could be. Aisaac has trained in many programs, conventions, and mentorship’s in his past years of dancing that have helped open his versatility in not only Hiphop but many other styles like Contemporary, Jazz Funk, and Modern or Commercial Choreography. Aisaac is very well known in the community as he has taught at many familiar studios like The Beat Box, Cultivate Dance Project, Freedom Dance Center, Emerald City Dance Complex and more surrounding studios. One of Aisaac’s biggest achievements was participating in the KĀOS aftermath show in California, where he got to work alongside some of today’s most idolized choreographers and dancers in the Hiphop world. Aisaac’s passion from dance stems from seeing how much joy it brings people as they move to music and his main goal is to continue spreading that joy and to become a better part of the new generations journey to success.

Dominic Crisostomo

Hip Hop, Contemporary Hip Hop: Dominic is a multifaceted dancer whose dance journey began at Freedom Dance Center where he trained to perfect his skills from 2017-2024.
During his time at this studio, he primarily trained in hip-hop, but he also branched out to include contemporary, waacking, vogue, and jazz funk. From his broad training, he began to curate his own art of dance and created a style that is uniquely his own. His passion for self expression propelled his growth as a dancer and amplified his appreciation of the mental side of dance. Dominic is committed to sharing his love for dance with others in the hopes that they can find their own passion in the artform as well . He finds great joy in teaching and mentoring all dancers, no matter the level. He hopes to promote the discovery of their own voices. He found his passion for teaching as a teacher’s assistant at Freedom Dance Center, and eventually branched out to teaching with The Backstage Foundation, a local nonprofit focused on supporting dancers. Dominic's passion and talent have not gone unnoticed. Dominic has been selected to train personally with renowned choreographers Cameron Lee, Tina Landon, and Jimmy Locust among his highlights. All of his experience in the dance world has helped him to become a passionate and dedicated leader. His primary goal is to watch the growth and passion for the art of dance in his students. 


Joel Myers

Ballet: Joel Myers received the majority of his training at the Evergreen City Ballet under artistic director Wade Walthall.

He has performed as a company member with the Evergreen City Ballet, Tacoma City Ballet, Corpo and as a Principle Artist with Spectrum Dance Theater under Artistic Director Donald Byrd.

He has also performed as a guest artist with Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, the 5th Ave Theater, Ballet Northwest, Ballet Bellevue, DASS Dance, Coriolis Dance Collective, Dance Peninsula Ballet, the Gritty City Sirens and the Vuelta La Luna Circus.

Joel has taught and choreographed for Evergreen City Ballet, the Tacoma School of the Arts, the school of Spectrum Dance Theater, Centralia Ballet Academy, Tacoma City Ballet and is currently a member of the Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma faculty.

 

Hallie Keel

Hip Hop: Bio coming soon.


Student Instructors

Veronica Bray