Our 2024-2025 Teachers

Ava Crowder - A current senior at Gallatin High School, Ava has been dancing for 10 years - taking it all: tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe. After previously student teaching for 4 years, she is now on her 2nd year of teaching here at Jump for Joy.

Michelle Heinen - Michelle has been dancing for over 30 years. She has been teaching dance over 20 years after having student taught for 3 years. Over the years, she has trained under numerous dance professionals in regular classes, conventions, and workshops. She is a former member and certified instructor through Southern Association of Dance Masters.

Christina Lee - Christina has been dancing for 12 years. Her daughter actually got her involved in dance. Her first dance class was the mother/daughter combo class offered here at Jump For Joy. After that class, she was hooked! Since that first year, she has continued taking mother/daughter, but also dances in the adult tap, ballet, and jazz classes. This is her 7th year teaching dance, but she student taught for 2 years prior. She is very excited to be a part of the teaching staff again this year!

Joy Mehorczyk - Joy was born with tap shoes on her feet! Starting her dancing career at the age of 3, Joy danced at Dance Plus Studio in Gallatin just over 15 years. During her time there, she competed at numerous dance competitions. She also taught combo classes 2 years before taking a break to focus on her schooling and family. She is glad to be back doing what she loves! Joy has now been dancing for 21 years.

Noa Parker - Noa has been dancing for 12 years. She has taken all subjects: tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe. After student teaching and watching her sister (Reign) teach, she decided to teach as well. She is now on her 2nd year of teaching here at Jump for Joy!

Reign Parker - Reign has been dancing for 14 years. She has taken all subjects: tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe. After student teaching a couple of years, she has now taught 6 years at Jump for Joy!

Kathryn Russell- Kathryn has been taking dance since she was 3 years old. This is her 5th year teaching, but she student taught for 5 years prior. She has taken ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and lyrical. She fell in love with dance and now she loves sharing her passion with her students.

Sondi Trenkler - Dr. Sondi Trenkler is a dancer, actress, choreographer, author, and educator of dance for over 30 years. She received a Bachelors degree in Dance from the University of South Florida, and a Masters degree in Communication through Dance from Florida State University. She received a Doctorate in Physical Education with an emphasis in Dance Curriculum from Auburn University. Dr. Trenkler taught at Auburn University and was Head of the Dance Department at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. Most recently, she has been choreographing musicals for the Steeple Players, a drama ministry of the First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, Tn. Dr. Trenkler has attended numerous dance workshops in the U.S., Africa, the Orient, Hawaii, Europe, and the West Indies.

Jamie Westerhoff - Jamie has been dancing for 40+ years and is in her 18th year of teaching children. She studied choreography and dance at Middle Tennessee State University where she majored in music. She is so excited to be teaching at Jump for Joy! Jamie is married to her husband, Steve, and is the proud mom of 2 siamese cats: Clark & Addison.

Sylvie Wingert - Sylvie has been dancing for over 25 years, and has been teaching over 15 years. She has trained under numerous dance professionals and uses a variety of teaching styles in her classes. She likes to keep her classes fun, energetic and upbeat. While she believes basic dance technique is a staple for all styles of dance, she wants to make sure all of her students have fun. "Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn." -Sweetpea Tyler

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