Our Dance Instructors

Lyla is part of our next generation of dancers!  We couldn't resist this precious picture!

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Jayne began taking dance classes in Youngstown, Ohio in 1959 at almost 3. Her Aunt Flo opened a small studio and had been training in the "Al Gilbert" method of teaching Tap Dance (Al is still the "voice" of tap at TJ Dance) Then came the early 60s and most of Jayne's family moved to the San Fernando Valley in California. Aunt Flo opened another studio so Jayne's dance training hardly missed a beat! Throughout her many years of dancing, Jayne was lucky enough to dance with Al Gilbert, Luigi and other local teachers that became legends (in Hollywood). Debbie Reynolds would often stop by and observe classes looking for local talent for her "Debbie Reynolds Show". In the mid 60s, Jayne often attended the summer workshops known as "Dance Caravan" with teachers Betty & Danny Hoctor, Mallory Graham and Kit Andree. Luigi often taught at the "Caravans" also. "It was so fun to spend the day in a huge ballroom full of dancers, changing teachers and dance styles every hour. During our lunch breaks, we would walk the Santa Monica Pier and love being on our own at the beach!" Jayne remembers. After high school, Jayne attended two colleges and soon after became a wife and mother. By the time Jayne's second son was born, Jayne REALLY started to miss dancing! In 1984 she got out her old "Al Gilbert Tap Exercise" LPs and her Luigi Warm Up album and started practicing on the porch! A dance studio was in the making!

Jayne has been so lucky to continue learning with so many "GREATS"... The classic hoofers! Brenda Buffalino, Arthur Duncan (from Lawrence Welk) Jerry Aimes, Sam Webber, Cholly Atlins (a Motown Choreographer) Lynn Daley, Diane Walker (from the movie "TAP") Savion Glover (remember when he was on Sesame Street?) and even Gregory Hines, who Jayne still quotes to all the boys and men interested in dance, but hesitant to give it a try - Gregory always said "Its the place to meet all the girls! You will be surrounded by them!" Jayne credits "Johnson and Peters", a Dancing Duo that have their own studio in Seattle (originally with Shirley Jenkins on Capitol Hill) for regenerating and energizing TAP in the Northwest!

Jayne is truly thankful that she has had such wonderful family support over the years, as well as friends and the community. TJ Dance has always had one main goal. "To instill a love of dance in every dancer". When former students return or bring their kids back to our studio to dance, Jayne feels we've done our job. At TJ Dance - It matters less how "well" you dance and more how much you "love" to dance! We work endlessly on technique, but each dancer has their own style and each dancer has their own level of "natural ability". Jayne also believes in keeping dancers strong and flexible because she truly believes that strength is grace! "Dance" expresses what we are from the inside - out. Our energy, our body's rhythms, our emotions - It's all a part of us and of "dance"!

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Thanks to her Mom, Lorraine, Peg began dancing at age 3 with Rosemary's Academy of Ballet in Richland, WA. She studied ballet, character and later pointe until the age of 15. She also attended summer classes at The Novikov Ballet School and Lois Rathvons Dance Studio. In high school, Peg used her dance training in cheer, drill and the gymnastics team. In the summer between her Jr. & Sr. year, Peg taught dance to Head Start Preschoolers. Peg moved to Seattle in 1969 and while attending the University of Washington, took ballet classes with Hannah Wiley (classes were at 7:30AM!) She then took a few years off from dance training to raise a family.

Music and Dance were always, and continue to be, a big presence in her home.

Peg joined Jayne at TJ Dance in 1989 to teach a few ballet classes and to learn tap dancing from Jayne. The rest is history! Jayne and Peg are "TJ Dance"! Peg continues to study dance by taking class in ballet at Pacific Northwest Ballet School Eastside, jazz classes and tap workshops locally.

Peg believes in teaching the love of dance and learning an appreciation for classical music, along with the fundamentals. Dancing should be a joy!

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Carolyn first fell in love with dance at the age of 5, captivated by the Maypole Dancers weaving ribbons in and out of intricate patterns during a traditional May Day celebration in her Mum’s hometown of Lincoln, England.  Back home in San Francisco, she began her dance training at Knight Studios, studying ballroom and ethnic dance.  During her high school and college years, she studied Rhythmic Gymnastics, a discipline that combines elements of dance and gymnastics, incorporating ropes, hoops, balls, and ribbons as apparatus.  (ribbons again!)

An interest in physical fitness led Carolyn to train as a Stability Ball instructor.  She has studied with Alice Lockridge, founder of ProFit, and with Mark Kane, professional dancer and founder of Body Balancing.  Her ongoing professional development in the fitness field includes having recently completed both Zumba® Basic Training and Zumba® Gold Training.

Carolyn also loves working with TJ Dance’s very youngest students in the Parent/Toddler Movement Exploration class.  Inspired by Anne Green Gilbert’s brain-compatible approach to dance education, this class promotes healthy and optimal brain development through movement, a multi-sensory environment, and time to nurture the loving relationship between parent and child.  Best of all … we get to use ribbons!

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At a very young age, Jamie knew she wanted to dance. At the age of 3, her Mother, Bonnie, enrolled her in a dance class at Gloria Hudsons School of Dance in Kirkland, WA. After watching Jamie's best friend dance in the first TJ Dance recital, Bonnie decided she wanted Jamie to take classes at TJ Dance because the recital was so cute with that "home town" feeling. Jamie started taking tap and jazz classes with Jayne. Then a few years later she also started taking ballet classes with Peg. By the age of 13, Jamie became Jayne's "teacher's assistant" and at 18 started teaching her own classes. Jamie has been with TJ Dance for almost 25 years. She was a member of TJ Tap Troupe during High School and performed with them at many competitions, including a National Dance Competition in Las Vegas, NV. She was also awarded a scholarship from TJ Dance to take summer classes at Washington Academy of Performing Arts in Redmond. Jamie has attended a number of classes & workshops (many of them with Jayne) taught by some of the greats such as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Arthur Duncan, Brenda Buffalino, & Al Gilbert.

Jamie truly enjoys teaching and sharing her love of dance with all of her students. She's also thankful for Jayne & Peg for sharing their love of dance with her. Jamie also believes that dance class should not only be a place where you learn technique & routines, but a place where you can let loose and have fun.

TJ Dance adds... We are so proud of Jamie. She was always the "Shirley Temple" at the studio but wouldn't show off enough to let herself shine! Now at recital time, we see the more playful and provocative Jamie we know has been hiding - not wanting to stand out - but always being quick to learn and masterful at performing!

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Nyree was born in Baghdad of Armenian parents. She was exposed to Arabic music and dance all of her life from all areas of the Middle East. As soon as she could walk, Nyree was dancing in all styles of the region, not just "belly dancing". However, her favorite has always been the Egyptian style of music and dancing.

Nyree immigrated to the United States when she was 15. At age 19 she decided to take a class in belly dancing from an American teacher. She enjoyed the class but realized she could teach a more authentic representation of "Belly Dance" and hopefully create an appreciation for "True Middle Eastern Dance"! Soon Nyree was dancing professionally and teaching. She also continued to take classes herself from the masters of bellydance. One of her favorite memories is teaching "belly fitness" classes at a "Women Only" health club in California. She also organized and taught her own community workshops.

Nyree believes that every woman, regardless of age, body shape or size, can do this form of dancing. It is an ancient dance form that is safe as long as one "listens" to her body and never tries to do anything that doesn't feel good. She stresses fun and feeling for the music in her classes rather than technique. Her greatest reward is seeing her dancers have a breakthrough in their self-expression, allowing the music to move their bodies free of concerns about "doing it right."

Nyree believes that we are all students and teachers. She continues to take classes herself and learns from every dancer she encounters. Her classes provide the safe, non-judgemental environment necessary for students to be "open" to learning this beautiful cultural artform.

Ladies, whether your goal is to get in shape, stay in shape, have fun, or have a breakthrough in your self expression, this class is for you!

TJ Dance adds: Jayne and Peg found a treasure when Nyree found the studio. Nyree is truly a natural born and gifted dancer.  Luckily for us, she has learned to teach Middle Eastern Dance too!  To Nyree dancing is a natural gift she delights in having.  Often that makes sharing that gift (as in teaching it) much harder!   Nyree has done a wonderful job and more!  We truly feel we have a reat gift having Nyree on our teaching staff!

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TJ Dance is proud to announce the newest member of our team, Kadey. We're so excited to have her join the studio. Kadey will be teaching Middle School, High School and Adult Hip Hop and Musical Theater. Welcome Kadey!

TJ Dance would like to add "WOW"...  we got to dance with Kadey at Open House!  She is - well - she puts the "funk" in HipHop and we are really excited to offer her classes!

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Margie has been Jayne's friend since Jayne first moved to Duvall almost 29 years ago! She's been a part of TJ dance for over 15 years because her daughter Cassie has danced with Jayne since she was 3. She and her husband Mike have always been there to help with moving the studio (have we really ever counted our number of locations?) - building dance floors - tearing down and building up walls - painting - even hanging signs! Margie has always kept track of tickets at recital time. Years ago Jayne and Peg asked for her help with the "book work". Do you really think she knew what she was taking on? She now does much more than books and has become our "Studio Manager". Our studio was once described by a journalist as "organized chaos" - Margie is used to working in her own quiet office - so imagine the culture shock she experiences each time she sits in the studio office trying to get things done :-) But we'd like her there for all of you - available to answer questions and take care of things that we're only getting done half way because our classes take the majority of our time and energy! We are very glad to have her! If you ever need her help, she can often be found in the office trying to make sense of so many things at once!  She is a very appreciated employee!!! and a very great person and friend to us all!  Thanks for joining our team Margie!

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Until Chelsea gets her bio to us, her Mom Jayne will do the introductions.  If anyone was at the recital in 1992, you saw Jayne very ready for her baby to be born!  Recital Day '92 was Chelsea's actual due date, but she waited 10 more days to actually make her appearance!

Chelsea has always been a dancer. even before she was born!  She began taking classes at the studio when she was 3.  As she got older, she began studying many styles of dance with many of the wonderful teachers at TJ Dance. She has taught at the studio for two years, teaching mostly hiphop, tap and jazz.  When needed, she can usually sub for almost any teacher. 

Chelsea graduated with honors in 2010 from Cedarcrest High School.  Last year she worked with the studio, the community, and even some local churches volunteering her time for her senior project.  Her project basically centered on the importance  of the "Preforming Arts" in our culture, in our commuities and even more specifically to us, the human race.  It involved searching for ways to preserve it, studied it's benefits throughout history, and introduced "Performing Arts" to many by volunteering her time and energy.

Chelsea begins her nursing studies this fall.  She begins school at BC in September but still plans to be present often at the studio.

TJ Dance adds: Chelsea is a very busy girl but we feel very lucky to have so much of her time and energy!   She has always been a bright light at the studio, invlolved, helpful, caring and fun.  It's amazing to watch her interact with the dancers.  She is a great dancer and teacher and dancing has always brought her joy!  She also brings us all joy - watching her dance!

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Bethany McCaig has been dancing for fourteen years and is trained in many styles from ballet to hip hop. She has been dancing with TJ Dance Studio since she was six years old. Bethany has also danced with Kirkland Dance Center, Westlake Dance Center in Seattle, and EDGE Performing Arts in Hollywood. When at school she was a part of the Eastside Moving Company for Bellevue College. Right now she is teaching a Hiphop/Jazz Fusion class for TJ Dance Studio and will be attending Bastyr University next year to attain her Bachelor in Science in Exercise Science and Wellness and personal trainer certifications. Bethany hopes to continue teaching and performing dance until she is a little old lady! Dance styles trained in – Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Fusion, Fossie, and Hip Hop.

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Ileah begin dancing at TJ Dance when she was 2 1/2!  She was in her first recital when she was 3!  This year she is a sophomore at Cedarcrest.  She has been Jayne's assistant teacher for several years now.  She's not just a wonderful helper - she great fun, has great technique and the kids love her!  She often subs for us too!  Ileah is a beautiful dancer, singer & person.

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Maha is originally from Beirut, Lebanon.  Like all Middle Eastern women, Maha learned to dance naturally by watching her mom, her aunt, and women on TV.  She appreciates the authentic “oldies” of Egyptian, Lebanese, and various other styles of Arabic music, songs and dance.  The first year at TJ Dance, Maha enjoyed performing in four different Middle Eastern dances at 2010’s recital.  TJ Dance is happy to welcome Maha into the TJ Dance Family!  Nyree is excited to have Maha bring extra authenticity while helping her teach the belly dance classes.

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