Meet our Faculty
DENELE SWEET
Academy Director
Small Business Owner
Dance Instructor
Choreographer, 25+ years
"It is my lifelong dream come true to serve my community with our very own 'Fame'-style performing arts school. I am deeply committed to the success of each and every one of our Academy students."
MISS COURTNEY
Academic Director
Academy 4th-12th Grade Teacher
Tumbling & Acrobatic Instructor
M.S.Ed., 2005
Acrobatic Arts Certified
USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
Specialty: Acro, Tumbling, Academics
"I love the 'goosebump moments' when you can see a child succeed after months or years of hard work on a skill. You can see all the pieces click into place, and witness the joy and sometimes happy tears, that come with a job well done."
MISS TRIXIE
Leadership Development Director
Academy 4th-12th Grade Teacher
Dance Teacher & Competition Choreographer
M.S.Ed., 2000
Strength & Flexibility Trainer, NASM
Specialty: Cecchetti Ballet, Broadway Jazz, & Musical Theatre
"For the past 30 years, I have cultivated healthy bodies and vibrant minds of all ages through the study of dance, performing arts, fitness, and academics. Nothing brings me more happiness than guiding each student to discover their unique strengths, fostering their confidence, and imparting essential life skills for successful adulthood."
MISS ANA
Academy 1st - 2nd Grade Teacher
M.A.Ed., 2013
Specialty: Developing Bilingual curricula for all ages including videos production and art.
"My goal is to inspire and support
life-long learners. I believe in
creating a culture of respect and
community in every classroom I
am a part of."
MISS ELIZABETH
Academy Teacher
35+ Years Teaching Experience
Specialty: Native fluency in Spanish & English, basic ASL teaching techniques
"Enthusiasm and creativity allow me to find new ways to keep subjects fresh and interesting to different ages and generations of students. I developed effective programs for students K to 12th grade encouraging play, free expression and curiosity while advancing on curriculum goals. It is my experience that academic progress and communication skills quickly improve when students are challenged, motivated, and taught with an emphasis on cultural awareness."
MISS TIFFANY
Academy Homeroom Teacher
Specialty: General Education 3rd-4th Grades, Hip-hop, Cheerleading & Athletics Coach.
"I have a great love for education and dance, while also imbedding confidence in children. I am passionate about ensuring that children have every available opportunity in education to be successful."
MISS SUE
Office Administrator
MISS MICHELLE
Academy Head Preschool Teacher
B.S.E.Ed, 2003
Specialty: Pre-K through 3rd Grade Education
"I love working in a place where children of all ages can dance, learn, and play in a fun environment.
My favorite part of teaching little kids is watching their growth and development from the beginning of the year until they graduate and go on to kindergarten."
MISS GHINA
Academy Preschool Teacher
Specialty: Early Language Development and Inclusion
"I am so excited to have begun my professional education career here at Encore Academy where I can create a safe and fun environment for our littles."
MISS CC
Dance Instructor
Cecchetti Ballet Certified
Specialty: Ballet, Lyrical,
Contemporary
CC began rigorous training in the ballet world at a young age, playing classical roles such as "Clara" in the Nutcracker Ballet. She has studied with a wide variety of well-known teachers in the areas of ballet, Spanish flamenco, Chinese, character, and modern dance. CC is certified in all levels of Cecchetti ballet training.
MISS NORMA
Dance Instructor
B.S. Dance
Competition Choreographer
Specialty: Jazz, Hiphop
"Encore is a truly special, inclusive safe place for children to learn and express themselves through the art and physicality of movement. I've loved watching my students grow, not only as dancers, but also as creative, compassionate, hard-working people."
MISS ALEXA
Dance Instructor
Competition Choreographer
Alexa began dancing at a very young age, and teaching dance at age 15. She has studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, African, and Aerial and Acrobatics. Alexa has performed and choreographed nationally, internationally, and professionally with Pixie Dust Productions and The Jefferson Dancers, and is an award-winning dancer.
She has been certified to teach Acrobatic Arts and AcroDance Preschool Arts through Acrobatic Arts. Alexa is currently perusing an associate's degree in fitness & nutrition at Lower Columbia College.
Alexa has been dancing since the age of 7 and never stopped. From Ballet and modern to Jazz and Tap, don't forget Hip Hop and Acrobatics, she's danced around the US and internationally. With dancing her passion she began teaching dance to others in high school, then in 2022 she moved to the Oregon Coast where she looks forward to continuing to inspire young dancers to strive to the best of their abilities.
MISS TAYLOR
Dance Instructor
B.A. in Dance, Psychology & Humanities, 2019
Specialties: Jazz, HipHop, and Competition Choreography.
OSAA Certified Dance, Drill & Cheer
Zumba Certified
"Dance isn't just about doing the steps; it's about bringing your heart, soul, and character to the stage... letting the music and words guide you. My approach is to challenge each dancer and to encourage them to always try the thing that's hard, new, or scary... and own it!"
MISS KATIE
MISS MICHELLE
Academy 1st-3rd Grade Teacher
B.S.E.Ed.
Specialty: Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade Education
"I love working in a place where children of all ages can dance, learn, and play in a fun environment. My favorite part of teaching little kids is watching the growth and development from the beginning of the year until they graduate and go on to kindergarten."
MISS SUZANNAH
Dance Instructor
Acrobatic Arts Certified
Specialty: Ballet, Tumbling
Suzannah has studied both Vaganova and Cecchetti ballet styles, jazz, tap, modern, and tumbling. Discovering her passion for teaching as a teenager, it led her to study set and costume design as well. She is delighted to continue her dream of teaching at Encore.
MISS JENNY
Academy 4th-12th Grade Teacher
B.A. English
M.A.Ed
Specialty: Humanities
"It is my great privilege and joy to guide and adventure along with young people as they discover and become their best selves."