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Angelina Dickinson graduated from Spring Arbor University in 2013 with a Bachelors of Science in Fine Art and a Minor in Visual Art. Angelina started dancing at age 2, she found a love for Irish Step Dance in middle school and has continued to study ballet, ballroom, folk dance and Irish around the globe for many years. She started teaching at JSA in 2013.
In 2018, she traveled to Dublin, Ireland and received a teaching certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique from renowned teacher Marie Walter-Mahon. Angelina has participated in various dramatic performing groups from a very young age, debuting in a university play at the age of 12. She has performed and provided costumes for numerous plays at Spring Arbor University, where she is currently employed as costumer.
Her studies in theatre included directing, theatre history, stage-combat, costuming, script-writing, lighting and sound design, stage craft, as well as stage hair/make-up & effects (such as prosthetic creation and application.) Angelina began teaching theatre in 2012 and has since branched out to direct her own performing group, Schemata Theatre, as well as consult, direct and perform at several community theatres in the Spring Arbor area. She enjoys guest teaching theatre classes for Ballet 5:8 in Chicago; including cooperative efforts with Pilar Garcia of Gelsey Kirkland Academy. Angelina loves the creative processes wherever it can be found, and continually strives to better herself as both an artist and a teacher.
Dustin was born in Jackson, Michigan and began performing in theatre productions with Center Stage of Jackson at 13. In these productions he found a love for dance, so he started attending the Academy of the Arts at 15, under the direction of Lori Ladwig and then Kate Price.
At the Academy he was trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Broadway and was fortunate enough to compete in competitions such as Tremaine and Nuvo, winning a Breakout Artist scholarship. Also guest performing for Wendi Dubois with Ballet Chelsea in productions of the Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
Dustin continued his passion by going to Grand Valley State University and graduating with a B.A in Dance. While in college, he trained under incredible Ballet teachers such as Samantha Shelton (American Ballet Theatre), Brian McSween (Joffrey Ballet & Ballet Memphis), and Calin Radulescu (Opera Națională București) as Ballet professors. At GVSU he discovered his love of Modern dance, being inspired by Martha Graham, Twyla Tharp, and Pina Bausch.
Some of his past performances include working with the Children’s Ballet Theatre of Lansing in Don Quixote, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, and multiple Nutcrackers. While also guest performing for Ballet 5:8 Chicago and Caledonia Dance & Music Center in the productions of the Nutcracker. Additionally in Modern productions choreographed by Carrie Bruck Morris, Shawn T. Bible, Eddie O’Campo, Mike Esperanza, Bryn Cohn, Lauren Blaine, and Ann Sofie Clemmensen.
As a teacher Dustin focuses on providing a safe, judgement-free learning environment for students to explore their creative imagination without fear of rejection during movement discovery. Another main focus for him is working with his students on proper body alignment and placement in all techniques to help prevent injury.
Nadyia Smith Norman for several years has taken advanced dance classes because she likes to be challenged and learn at a higher level. She likes to be pushed to be a better learner and at the same time build her confidence and help children do the same; to teach children to reach their best potential with expressing themselves through dance. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old at the Jackson School of the Arts and has danced in multiple genres such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, acro and contortion. In the last year while attending JSA, she has been an assistant teacher in ballet, tap, and acro. She is also a gymnastics teacher assistant for the Boos Center in Jackson for the last six years.
With JSA she has also had the opportunity to volunteer her time throughout the community. She really enjoys teaching the children of Jackson not just for the joy it brings her but for bringing the joy of dance to children. She loves seeing their faces when they learn something new or just for the sheer fun of it. This gives her a sense of accomplishment as a teacher.
Aimie Smith began dancing at the age of three. She attributes her love of dance and Al Gilbert to her first dance instructor, Connie Wolin. Aimie danced in college under Heather Vaughn-Southard (Albion College), as well as Martha Petry (Jackson College).
She would go on to work as adjunct faculty for the dance program periodically for Jackson College, as needed. She also taught at Susan Vaughn’s School of Dance for seven years.
Most recently, her choreography was seen on the stage with Center Stage Jackson, both with main stage and youth theater productions. Aimie specializes in tap, but has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and ballroom.
Natalee Sabo was born and raised in Jackson, where she started her dance training at the age of four at Jackson School of the Arts. She continued training at JSA for the next 13 dance seasons in all kinds of dance including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. While at JSA Natalee competed in nationwide dance competitions with Encore and KAR Dance Competitions as part of a team as well as a solo dancer. Natalee has also spent many years doing community outreach events to promote Jackson School of the Arts dance programs while performing with the JSA Performance Company including events at Bright Walls, Parma Days, and Ella Sharp Museum.
Seven years ago, Natalee was asked to become a dance teacher’s assistant and she was hooked! This will be her 5-year anniversary of teaching her “littles” and this is what truly makes her happy. Natalee continues to be excited about teaching her “littles” so she may share her love for dance with them. Since starting at a young age herself, she knows how important it is to make each class entertaining while still teaching basic positions and terminology to her students. She is committed to helping Jackson School of the Arts continue to build their dance program and hopes that she can inspire some “littles” to follow in their footsteps by becoming future Assistants and Teachers themselves in the years to come.
Emily Scott a dancer, instructor, and choreographer who also dabbles in acting and singing. She was born in Dayton, OH, but moved with her family to Mid-Michigan when she was a toddler. Emily danced competitively throughout elementary school & junior high, and has performed in the Nutcracker with the Children’s Ballet Theater at the Wharton Center, with the Cincinnati Ballet Company at the Detroit Opera House, & the with the Moscow Ballet at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
While majoring in performance dance at Eastern Michigan University, Emily also had the opportunity to perform at Pease Auditorium and Quirk Theater. She has taught at the Foster Community Center in Lansing, and at Gardner International Magnet School via Zoom. She also works at her alma mater Happendance, in Okemos, where she is an instructor, an assistant director Impulse, their children’s dance company, and DANCE Lansing, their summer community dance program, is a company member of Velocity, their professional company, and was featured in their local commercial. Over her career, Emily has had the opportunity to work with a multitude of dance professionals including Kristi Faulkner, Joori Jung, Joanna McNamara, Sherry Wilkinson, Phil Simmons, Jeremy Blair, & Haleem Rasul.
Dance has always been Emily’s “escape from reality” and the one constant in her life. She knows she can always turn to dance when life gets crazy. Emily’s main focus in regards to teaching dance is to try to break the cycle of mental trauma that some young dancers have had to endure growing up in the art form. Emily had heard many horror stories about what dancers go through as kids, and she wanted to change that. She focuses on having a very body positive atmosphere, not playing favorites, and trying to catch the warning signs of perfectionism, burnout, and anxiety as early as she can, and give her students ways to work through it. Emily loves the opportunity to pass her passion for dance on to aspiring dancers for generations to come.
Isabella fell in love with ballet at the young age of four right here at the Jackson School of the Arts. During Isabella’s years studying ballet at JSA she has enjoyed master classes, private lessons, summer intensives with Grand Rapids Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. She loves improving her talent and perfecting her art of dancing. In addition to ballet, Isabella has enjoyed taking lyrical jazz, and competing as a solo dancer at state wide competitions. Isabella is also a company member at Children’s Ballet Theater in Lansing, Michigan where she dances in a production of the Nutcracker as well as other various ballet productions.
This is Isabella’s fourth year teaching dance here at JSA and she adores teaching the younger students all about ballet and sharing their joy and excitement of being in the dance studio with their ballet shoes and tutus.
Jahmon has done competitive dance for over three years. He has competed in multiple competitions and has won several awards for his solo performance. He has loved doing dance and has assisted many classes beforehand. Jahmon has assisted many Hip Hop and Acro classes and previous years and enjoys doing so. He loves teaching children and wants them to grow and share the same passion for dance that he has himself. Jackson School of the Arts gave Jahmon the chance to continue doing what he loved by sharing his love of dance with children. Jahmon loves giving back to the community and he believes that the program that JSA has is the perfect way for him.
Chris is born and raised in Jackson, MI. He took his first clogging class while in 3rd grade and has been hooked ever since. Chris grew up performing with a local clogging group at different events in and around Jackson county. He’s traveled all around the States and Canada teaching and participating in workshops. Currently, Chris leads a group of amazing dancers that love to show perform and dance together.
Jode is the Art and Special Program Manager, an art instructor, the director and lead teacher of Kids Create Preschool Experience, and in charge of visual displays for holidays and special events at Jackson School of the Arts. Jode has a Business Degree in Graphic Communications and a CDA in Early Childhood Education.
Her past experience includes owning and operating her own preschool center, Happy Hearts Children’s Center, and working as a preschool teacher in Northwest School District. Jode is an artist herself working with paint, drawing and mixed-media. She was commissioned to create a large-scale mural at the Westwood Mall in Jackson, Mi, where she painted a beautiful set of wings. Jode has been in charge of numerous student art installations at various galleries throughout Jackson County, including, The Pure Credit Union Square Gallery, Spring Arbor University, The Ella Sharp Museum, The Westwood Mall and Jackson School of the Arts. She has also been involved in judging various community student art exhibitions at Ella Sharp Museum and The Jackson Crossing Mall. Jode has been an artist in the Art 634 24-hour Art Show, “Make-Talk-Sing-Play, and has participated in creative event planning for Bright Walls, and the Jackson School of the Arts annual Fairy Festival.
Jode believes that everyone is an artist, and finds her true joy in the classroom instilling the love for the arts in each and every student she has the privilege to work with. She enjoys sharing her creative spirit, and seeing the joy and pride it brings to others. Passionate about being an advocate for the arts and early childhood education, she fills her heart with the process of inspiring her students to create!
Carey Baumgardner studied Art and K-8 education at Adrian College. Her work is best known for her mixed-media portraits which hinge on the juxtaposition of OLD and NEW. Layer by layer she builds up a painting on top of paper relics like maps, magazines advertisements, and even gum wrappers!
She enjoys implementing her art experiences and art history background in all of her lessons and classes. She strives to create a supportive classroom nature, teaching young artists that there are NO mistakes in art. Everyone in her classroom can create an original masterpiece that they can be proud of!
An educator since 2004, Carey’s broad scope of teaching opportunities include a 7th grade classroom teacher, Middle School Math instructor, K-8 Art teacher, to the present serving as Jackson School of the Arts Drawing and Painting instructor.
In a variety of capacities, she has helped organize innovative art programs for young artists. Programs including Mural Clubs, Saturday Art Camps, Community Service Art, and Chalk Mural Competitions. Carey’s artwork has been on display in gallery space, Art634 and she was selected for the artists line-up in Bright Walls 2019. View Carey’s artwork at modernrelic.weebly.com
As a young child Sara overcame many obstacles with the help of art therapy. This encouraged her to pursue her artistic abilities. After receiving Citizen of the year in Jackson county, Sara volunteered her time helping others in many charities with a large influence in the Arts. In such local events including The Tony Open, The Lumen Christi Silent Auction, Relay for Life, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and many more.
Attending Central Michigan University and Jackson College with backgrounds in Graphic design, Art history, and children’s illustration was just the start of Sara’s creative soul.
As a teacher for over 6 years Sara strives in getting to know the best qualities in her students.
She will help bring your child’s creative abilities to their full potential.
Alix attended Siena Heights University and studied Ceramics and Art History. Alix’s work has been displayed in Eclipse magazine and local art shows. Alix believes anyone can be an artist, and that art itself has great values and lessons that everyone can learn from.
She has spent time teaching english at the multi cultural academy summer camp for Chinese students.
Her love for ceramics stems from her love for history. She finds utilizing both old and new techniques with clay is important in her mission to preserve history and teach art. So that younger artists can grow and improve their skills.
Rene enjoys working in a variety of mediums and believes there is a creative spirit in everyone. She studied Art History, drawing and pottery at Cedarville College, as she pursued her Bachelors of Arts in English. Just as she believes everyone has a hidden creative spirit, Rene likes to find creative uses for ordinary things. Her art, under the name Attic Rescue League, has been featured at a few local galleries. She likes to help her students tap into their artistic side and hopes to inspire everyone to give “junk” a second chance through reuse.
A Michigan State University college of education graduate who developed her love for visual art through personal practices. It is her goal to ensure all people have access to creative resources through the discovery of innovative and accessible mediums. A few examples of her work with the youth includes coffee creation painting classes, make and take magnets, paint pouring, multimedia collaging, decorating, and step by step acrylic and water color painting tutorials.
Sam is new to the Jackson School of the Arts, as she recently moved back to Jackson after spending two post-college years in the Lansing area helping the art community grow and develop. The opportunity to guide the youth, and those interested in learning about the arts, has always been a dream of Sam’s. She is ready to help the people of Jackson experience the best of what this city has to offer.
Jode Piotrowski, Art Program Coordinator has a business degree in Graphic Communications from Baker College. She also has a Child Development Associate from Jackson Community College. She owned and operated her own preschool, Happy Hearts Children’s Center for six years where she worked as the director and lead teacher in the classroom and she has worked at Northwest Preschool and in visual merchandising at Elder Beerman Stores. She has taught various art classes for Jackson School of the Arts, including on-site classes, summer art camps, as well as the After School Art Programs and is also the Director of Kids Create, an immersive preschool experience in the arts.
Carey Baumgardner studied Art and K-8 education at Adrian College. Her work is best known for her mixed-media portraits which hinge on the juxtaposition of OLD and NEW. Layer by layer she builds up a painting on top of paper relics like maps, magazines advertisements, and even gum wrappers!
She enjoys implementing her art experiences and art history background in all of her lessons and classes. She strives to create a supportive classroom nature, teaching young artists that there are NO mistakes in art. Everyone in her classroom can create an original masterpiece that they can be proud of!
An educator since 2004, Carey’s broad scope of teaching opportunities include a 7th grade classroom teacher, Middle School Math instructor, K-8 Art teacher, to the present serving as Jackson School of the Arts Drawing and Painting instructor.
In a variety of capacities, she has helped organize innovative art programs for young artists. Programs including Mural Clubs, Saturday Art Camps, Community Service Art, and Chalk Mural Competitions. Carey’s artwork has been on display in gallery space, Art634 and she was selected for the artists line-up in Bright Walls 2019. View Carey’s artwork at modernrelic.weebly.com
Brent Carpenter is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He started in Tae Kwon Do back in 2005and have trained in Hapkido as well as Tae Kwon Do. He is a 2nd degree black belt and proficient in all techniques leading up to his current rank and many beyond. Brent teaches many students from age 5 up to students in their 50s. Brent teaches in the traditional style of discipline and improvement of the whole person instead of teaching for sports.
Jeanette Lamphere is a Michigan native, holds a BA in business administration from Spring Arbor University (SAU) and a MA in health education science from the University of Alabama. Having extensive experience in business and health care administration through the University of Michigan, as well as E-RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Trainer), CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) and Mindfulness Educator certifications, Jeanette is now working toward her certification as a yoga therapist, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to sharing integrative medicine, mind/body fitness, and mindfulness practices.
Jeanette has worked on a NIH program project study through Michigan State University for six years, where she teaches yoga and mindfulness to stage-three and -four cancer patients to help with symptom management. Since 2014, Jeanette has also shared these disciplines in K-12 emotionally- and autistically-impaired classrooms throughout Jackson County. She has written both the Beginning Yoga, Yoga II, and Mindfulness curriculums for Jackson College (JC), where Jeanette has taught as a master adjunct instructor since 2006.
At Spring Arbor University, she has worked extensively with the Track and Field Team, teaching yoga for injury prevention and mindfulness for enhanced focus and is currently an adjunct instructor in the Health, Human Performance, and Recreation Department. She provides individual and group instruction as well as therapeutic workshops within her business, BeFITting Body/Mind Connections, LLC, for many Jackson area organizations.
Julia is currently enrolled as a student at Spring Arbor University, she is earning a degree to become an educator in the future. She has always had a love for gymnastics and dance. In high school she was on a competitive dance team. Julia started gymnastics at a young age and continued taking tumbling classes throughout the years. She loves working with kids and being able to help them grow a love and passion for the sport. She’s excited to start her journey here at JSA with this amazing community.
Allie is a Jackson based fitness instructor, with a background in dance. She began her fitness career teaching Pop Pilates, and in learning that format, fell in love with teaching fitness to the beat of music. Since then, Allie has picked up teaching Barre, along with Barre and Pilates fusion classes. She is passionate about making fitness fun and accessible for all different levels and ages.
