What Inspired JDS Staff To Become Dance Teachers???

Jill Cardenas- I apologize for my delay in response. Last week I had two exams and one quiz, plus dancing 24/7. Throughout my dance training I have always played a part in leadership and diligence in dance. My past and current teachers are the reason why I have taken an interest in teaching dance. My past and first teacher Trisha Cuvelier taught me so many life lessons. Trisha was not only my teacher but my frie...nd and mentor. She always believed in me and I thought of her as my second mom. Christy McQuaid was also a huge inspiration to me. I received all my ballet training from her and Dayna Marshall. Dayna is amazing and I feel so blessed to have been taught by her. She is a great example and shows me that my dreams are attainable. Back to Christy who pushed me to my limits, taught me discipline and showed me determination for my goals. Each of these dance instructors played a huge part in the dancer I am today and I teach because I want to have an impact on the next generation of dancers. I want to influence them to make right choices and find meaning through dance. I want to be the dance instructor that sees light in each individual and want's them to shine. The current faculty members who teach me at the University of Utah are impeccable and reassure me that teaching is in my path and future. I'm so grateful that Celeste and Jessie have brought me on board to teach at JDS. It has such a positive impact on my life. Going to the studio and working/teaching with these students has taught me many lessons and I hope they are learning from as well. Thank you Celeste and Jessie for an amazing opportunity. I love you both, all the faculty, and especially all the beautiful dancers I have the privilege to teach. ♥/ Jilly Cardenas Crystal Bueter-
Okay...My turn (better late then never!) ;) WHY did I become a dance teacher..here goes!  Dancing has been a true, deep passion of mine since my walkin days!  (ASK my mom Bonnie Vaccaro for valid proof! hehe!)  there was nothing I enjoyed more then shakin', struttin, and wigglin' just about ANYWHERE I went... You could find me dancin' in the walk-ways at grocery stores, on a cement platforms outside the school lunch room at recess (costumes on and pom poms in hand of course), up and down the black paved road in any direction I was going-and then some!  I have LOVED dancing to the fullest since the day it got introduced to my soul!  As a young child, my DREAM was to open up a dance studio of my own with my Best Friend Ciell Hammond.  We talked about it at  EVERY sleepover, made plans, even wrote up our steps and goals (I still have all these papers by the way- found them during the move! haha!)  We LOVED making up dances together, and we started at a young age choreographing ore own dances and performing & competing them together.  Then it got bigger... we began choreographing dances for teams at our studio, and for our Dance Company in Jr. High.  When I entered High School, I made Varsity Cheer... I was blown away when asked to choreograph not one, but several routines for our team to perform at assemblies and half times! MY DREAM WAS CONTINUING!  I absolutely LOVED choreographing and teaching my work to my team mates!  Then of course we did Mini-Cheer and taught little tykes, then came Drill team, and Mini-Drill, and each of these just moved me that much further to my goal of teaching dance as a career! :) After High School I got a teaching job at a dance studio I attended for several years.  I LOVED IT! It was like getting my feet wet and moving even further to my goal!  As time went on just a little, I made a wonderful LIFE LONG FRIEND, Cari Meyer.  The two of us went out dancing one evening and it just so happens, I wiggled myself right into the 'one and only', Jessie Jane Jessie Zufelt!  Cari introduced us, and then began to explain to Jessie how much I LOVED to dance, and praised me to the fullest... (then of course made me show her) haha! Turns out, this GREAT NEW FRIEND OF MINE was the co-owner of Just Dance Studio!  Cari began to tell Jessie that I would be a Wonderful asset to her studio, and she should hire me at once!  Truthfully, I thought to myself, she is NEVER going to call me, who am I kidding.  I was STUNNED when Jessie called me in for an interview, and to introduce me to her PFL Business partner Miss Celeste Maughan!  (Truthfully, I already knew Celeste! I had watched her dance for years in Awe!  It was like meeting Mia Michaels face to face!  Celeste was a dancing idol to me for YEARS!)  The two of them made an executive decision to bring me aboard the JDS family!  Something I have NEVER regretted for a single day!  To end this Novel-becoming a teacher and choreographer for JDS was and IS A TRULY incredible experience for me.  After teaching for JDS for a couple of years, and watching both Jessie & Celeste OWN, RUN, and operate the studio, I knew that OWNING at studio just wasn't in my cards!  I was able to see just how much went into the Business, all the fine details, the ENDLESS work, dedication, Fine print... and SO ON!  I TRULY don't know how the two of them do it!  It made me realize that Teaching, Instructing and Choreographing was for me!  That owning and running a Dance Studio was not.  The two of them TRULY are  an INCREDIBLE duo, GREAT PARTNERS IN CRIME, and HANDS DOWN have SUCH an Incredible Studio together, and its just PROVEN year after year watching them grow and succeed together!  Many days it brings tears to my eyes to be SO BLESSED to be a part of SUCH a WONDERFUL studio and Staff at Just Dance!  Teaching, and instructing girls and boys of ALL ages is truly and incredible experience and joy for me.  I enjoy sharing my passion and talent with everyone that comes into my sight, and passing on my joy and love for dance!  Its something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life!!!!!  That's all for now folks!
Dance on! Luvs! XOXO
Miss Crystal

Shawnee Davis-
My dream of becoming a dance teacher started years ago.  As a child my friends and I were constantly making up silly dances.  I got the opportunity to assist classes as I got older, and had so much fun teaching the younger girls.  My love for teaching grew from there as I choreographed dances through out Jr. High and high school.  Now as a coach to the Kearns high drill team and instructor at Just Dance Studio my love for teaching continues to grow!  I love seeing the improvement and growth within my dancers!  It is the most amazing feeling and experience!  I am truly blessed to be a part of the JDS family!  Thank you for the opportunity to share my love of dance!

Alison Yingling-
Well here goes my little story..
Every since I can remember my life was living, breathing, dreaming dance.  From age 7-17 I was training 3-5 days a week 4+ hours a day.  I always pictured myself as the type to go on and keep being on stage and doing what I always thought I loved most, performing.  When I was 14 I started assistant teaching and choreographing solos for younger dancers at my studio.  I remember thinking it was the coolest thing to be able to share everything I had been taught through out the years.  In high school being on dance company taught me how to express my passion into my choreography  even more (thank you Jody Jensen btw) and by my Senior year of high school my amazing Spinnaker coach at the time (Miss Celeste Maughan)  offered me to start helping with tumbling and cheer classes.  From then on branched in to working with the teams.  I love teaching these girls so much.  Being able to watch them grow has been a blessing, and knowing that a little bit of my knowledge has maybe helped a few of them makes me feel empowered.  Love you ladies, keep working hard.

Jessie Zufelt-
Some might know and some might not.  Growing up I was a sports chick through and through, yes I danced and was good at it but it wasn't my top priority or real passion.  I actually didn't start dancing or playing on a sports team until I was 10 or 11.  Basketball, Golf, Volleyball and ESPECIALLY Softball was more my passion.  I played varsity softball at Cyprus my 9th grade year....woot woot!  I ended up getting hurt and my coach didn't handle it very well.  This ended my softball career which I'm still bummed about but it did end up leading me more towards dance.  After finishing 3yrs on Spinnakers two of which I served as Vice President and President so I guess you could say I had good leadership skills (which you need as a teacher :)).  I danced on a competitive adult team.  One of my teammates was a teacher at the studio we danced for.  She needed a sub for a few weeks and asked if I would want to do it.  I said sure why not!  Well that sure why not turned into one of the best decisions I have made!  There is nothing better than sharing my passion with little dancers that fulfill my heart so so very much.  I love knowing that I have and am a positive influence on so many lives.  But most of all, my dancers have even more of a positive influence on me!!!  Thank you all for just being you!  Love Miss Jessie

Savinn Chhoun-
If you guys didn't know, I played sports way before I started dancing.  I made all my teams in Jr. High and my freshman year playing basketball.  It was during my eighth grade that I started breakdancing.  I wasn't serious about it until I had my first battle and lost.  From then on, I vowed to always train hard and become a better dancer every day.  It was after my first year of college I realized that I needed to expand my dancing career.  Competing and showcasing wasn't enough so I wanted to spread the knowledge of hip hop.  Andrea Pina Kuhn, my director of United We Dance (underground), shared some info on JDS to our company and I couldn't help but contact Celeste ASAP!!  I never thought that I would be teaching at a studio and here I am with the amazing staff, parents and students.  Thank you JDS for all the love and support!!

Celeste Maughan-
If you know me, you probably know that dance has always been a big part of my life.  I started competing at a young age and took on a lot of leadership responsibilities in my dancing.  But once in elementary school I tried out for the talent show.  Of course I did a dance and made the show.  I was super excited.  However, the teacher that was over the show came to me and asked if I would choreograph and then teach a dance to a bunch of girls that didn't make the show so that way these girls could still participate in it.  I think I was more excited about that than me actually making the show.  I went home and right away started to pick out music, choreograph, set the schedule, formations, etc.  It was from then on that I knew I wanted to become a dance teacher.  And now, it's been one of my biggest passions in life and I truly feel so blessed everyday that I get to share it with all these little dancers.

Rachyl Mears-
I love being able to teach others my passion!  It is incredibly rewarding to see someone accomplish something they have worked so hard on!  I love seeing all the amazing talent in everyone!  I always knew I wanted to teach dance and I feel very lucky to be able to do so!  I love our JDS family!