Instructors

Highly Qualified & Fun Instructors

Not only do our instructors have a passion and love for teaching dance and they also the credentials to back it. Dance 101 instructors have college degrees in dance as well as certifications from reputable dance organizations. Instructors have access to continued education with some of the nation’s top professionals. This provides our students with up-to-date steps, technique and the latest dance trends.​

Emily Finch Dance 101 Owner

Ms Emily

Ms Amanda

Ms Amanda

Ms Brianna H

Ms Brianna

Ms Dee

Ms Dee

Ms Evie

Ms Evie

Dance 101 Ms Jess

Ms Jess

Ryn

Ryn

MsSara

Ms Sara

MsStevi

Ms Stevi

Ms Tessa

Ms Tessa

Treva Stotts

Ms Treva

We teach fundamentals, creativity and self-expression
Dance is not just about the steps and choreography. By teaching students dance elements alongside technique we give them the tools and confidence to not only duplicate movement, but to express their self through it.
Emily Finch Dance 101 Owner

Ms Emily

Owner / Artistic Director
Ms Emily, a native of Marshalltown, Iowa, began her dancing career at the age of three. Always knowing she wanted to be a dance teacher, Emily attended the University of New Mexico to study dance. Ms Finch then transferred to ASU where she earned her BFA in Dance Education. She was the Outstanding Dance Education Student for the ASU Department of Dance and the 2001 winner of the Arizona Choreography Competition. Following graduation, Emily danced with two Valley modern dance companies. Ms Finch then moved to Iowa where she was an Instructor and Studio Director for her childhood studio in 4 neighboring communities. Emily was a core member of Des Moines’ only professional modern dance company, and has performed in Canada and Minneapolis with them. Upon moving back to the Valley in 2006, Emily has taught for local studios in Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, and Tempe. Ms Emily has over 25 years of experience instructing classes in pre-school dance, creative movement, ballet, modern, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, contemporary, pom/cheer, yoga and fitness. Ms Emily also shares her love of dance with her two beautiful children.
When I think of Dance 101 one word comes to mind…FAMILY. Dance 101 is one big happy community. It is a place where EVERYONE can dance! I am so grateful for the never ending support of our students, families, and staff.
Ms Amanda

Ms Amanda

Dance Instructor

Ms Amanda was born in Oregon and started dancing when she was 11 years old. Ms Amanda has trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, musical theater, and has danced at the competitive level. In 2022, she moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University where she got her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Dance. She has previously taught dance at her home studios in Oregon as well as at Life Time Fitness. Ms Amanda has a passion for spreading the love of dance and is excited to continue to do that at Dance 101.

I love being a part of the Dance 101 team! I feel supported and inspired by my coworkers and students. Nothing is better than being happy to go to work everyday and getting to share my love of dance.
Ms Brianna H

Ms Brianna

Dance Instructor
Ms Brianna was born in Long Island, New York and was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She started dancing when she was two and in later years danced at a competitive level. She has been on various performance teams. Ms Brianna has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, pointe and musical theater. She loved choreographing for the theater productions at her high school and within the community. When she was given the opportunity to instruct young dancers at her childhood studio, her passion for teaching blossomed! Ms Brianna has been at Dance 101 since 2019 and has loved every minute of it! She graduated from Arizona State University in 2022, with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy (Morality, Politics, and Law) and Justice Studies. Ms Brianna loves being a part of the Dance 101 family and is so excited for the new season!
Dance 101 is an incredible studio with a remarkable and loving community. I am beyond grateful to be surrounded by so many talented and caring coworkers who make everyday better than the last and students who are eager to learn and share a passion for dance. Being a part of Dance 101 has helped me grow not only as an instructor and a dancer, but as an individual and I look forward to seeing the growth of our students and the studio!
Ms Dee

Ms Dee

Dance Instructor
De’Aviyon was born and raised in Detroit, where her passion for dance started. She began dancing at the age of five and focused her training in the style of Hip Hop. In 2013, De’Aviyon and her family moved to Phoenix, where she opened her eyes and heart to training in other styles such as Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, and Improvisation at her local dance studio, Desert Sun Performing Arts. In high school, De’Aviyon was the captain of the Urban Dance Team, on the Mountain Pointe Dance Company and a member of the BSU Step Team. De’Aviyon has taught at other local dance studios, choreographing on students within different demographic and cultural groups. She has had the pleasure of choreographing competition routines and leading private lessons and dance workshops. De’Aviyon earned her degree in Dance Education from Arizona State University in 2021. She spent the 2021-2022 school year at Intrinsic Schools Downtown Campus as their Dance Instructor; a school that pulled students from more than 75% of the neighborhoods within Chicago, IL. De’Aviyon is spending the 2023-2024 school year teaching dance full time at Westwood High School and cannot wait to dance the season away with both her high school and Dance101 students!
Dance 101 is one of the best and most enjoyable community based studios in Arizona! I enjoy coming into a space with strong individuals that serve as faculty and with all the students who remind me why I love what I do.
Ms Evie

Ms Evie

Dance Instructor
Ms Evie has been dancing since high school and she has trained in gymnastics for over 8 years. She has grown to love both the sport and art form of dance and gymnastics. Ms Evie is from Arizona and has 6 siblings. She is currently studying at Chandler Gilbert Community College and working towards her Bachelor Degree in Education. Ms Evie has aspirations to be an Elementary School Teacher. Her favorite style of dance is Hip-Hop, but she loves training in all different styles and trying new things! Ms Evie is so excited to be a part of the Dance 101 team!
Dance 101 brings an energy that is different than any other dance studio, everyone is so welcoming and I am so grateful to be apart of it!
Dance 101 Ms Jess

Ms Jessica

Assistant Director and Dance Instructor
Ms Jessica, originally from El Paso, Texas, moved to Chandler, Arizona at age 10. In Texas, she participated in gymnastics, dance, and was a member of her five older brothers’ dance crew starting at age five. After moving to Arizona, she joined her middle school’s Cheer & Pom team and entered into her high school’s dance program graduating as a member of the National Dance Honors Society. Ms Jessica directed the Boys & Girls Club summer dance program from 2013-2017 at the Chandler-Compadre Branch, where as a youth she was a part of their DAINOW dance crew. Ms Jessica was the Pom and Dance coach for Willis Junior High in Chandler, Arizona from 2017-2020. Ms Jessica is an Arizona State University alum, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in Dance and Educational Studies. At home, Ms Jessica dances with her daughter Lucy and husband. Ms Jessica joined the Dance 101 team in 2017. At Dance 101, Ms Jessica is the Assistant Director and teaches Hip-Hop, Ballet, Tap and Acro classes.
Dance 101 fosters the artistic, intellectual, and personal growth of its instructors. I learn from my boss, coworkers, and students on a daily basis. Because my students are continuously working on their talent, they push me to be more creative and expand my own knowledge of dance skills.
Ryn

Ryn

Dance Instructor
Ryn was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona, where they now attend Arizona State University. They began tap dancing at 3 years old, with Ms. Emily, at Tempe Dance Academy. Initially they took Ballet, Tap, Jazz but once they began attending Dance 101 Ryn found their true passion, Hip-Hop. During middle school and high school, Ryn helped choreograph dances for their school’s musical theater program. They have been dancing at Dance 101 since it opened. More recently, Ryn has gone back to taking tap, and now takes contemporary. While pursuing a degree in genetics, Ryn enjoys taking hip-hop classes at ASU. When they aren’t dancing, Ryn loves drawing, true crime shows and attending concerts with friends.
Dance 101 is a second home for me. Both the staff and students are constantly inspiring me to be a better dancer and person.
MsSara

Ms Sara

Director of Educational Development and Dance Instructor
Ms Sara was born and raised in Arizona. Her dance experience started when she was two and a half years old and from then on it became her passion. Ms Sara has trained in contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, modern, musical theater, acro and much more. She has participated in numerous competitions with local dance studios. While a member of the Dobson High School Dance Company for 3 years, Ms Sara was President her senior year and received the Dancer of the Year award. Ms Sara has had the opportunity to work with many prominent choreographers in the valley and out of state. She graduated with a dual degree combining Fine Arts in Dance and Applied Science in Dance Technology as well as being a part of 2 pre-professional companies. She enjoys setting choreography and has set work on many students throughout her life and even took many of them to competition. Ms Sara loves being able to share her knowledge of dance as well as being able to encourage the students to be themselves whether in dance class or on a daily basis. She has enjoyed being able to set a positive outlook on other people’s lives. Ms Sara has worked at other local dance studios before coming to Dance 101. She is a former crew member of a local non-profit dance company, “The Be Kind People Project.” Ms Sara is the Director of Educational Development and a Dance Instructor at Dance 101 and she teaches a variety of different styles, classes and age groups. She enjoys working at Dance 101 and sharing her knowledge as well as her passion for dance with so many other artists.
Dance 101 has been such a blessing in my life! When I go to work I always feel supported, encouraged, appreciated and energized by everyone at the studio! I have seen personal growth in myself since I have been teaching here! I have gained more knowledge, experience, and structure from Ms Emily and the other instructors that also love what they do! It’s been one of the best studios I have ever taught at and I look forward to being a part of Dance 101 for a long time!
MsStevi

Ms Stevi

Dance Instructor
Ms Stevi is currently a Junior at Arizona State University.. She has been dancing for over 15 years and plans to continue pursuing dance after graduation. Her favorite style of dance is tap, but she also loves Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Ballet. Stevi has transitioned from taking classes since she was 5 at Dance 101 to teaching them and she is looking forward to the upcoming season.
I am so happy that I get to be a part of an amazing dance studio that is so inviting and supportive! It is exciting and fun for me to learn and teach dance everyday!
Ms Tessa

Ms Tessa

Dance Instructor

Ms Tessa was raised in Chandler, Arizona and began dancing at the age of 9. She learned styles from tap, jazz and ballet to ballroom, pointe and musical theatre. She danced recreationally for a few years and then began competing with the company at Dance Connection 2. Tessa competed regionally all throughout Arizona and on the national level. Competing taught Tessa professionalism and gave her confidence. Tessa has also participated in many community dance events, and performed at events through school during her years in college. Tessa graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2019 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Dance. Ms Tessa began at Dance 101 in 2016 and after a few years away from teaching, is excited to be back in the studio in an instructor role! She has a love of learning as well as teaching. She hopes to learn just as much from her students as her students learn from her.

Dance 101 is a place where each dancer is known by name, every class is thoughtfully planned and every event is exceptional! I love being a part of the Dance 101 community!
Treva Stotts

Ms Treva

Dance Instructor

Ms Treva was born and raised in Escondido, CA and began her dance education at age four at Katharine’s Academy of Dance in Vista, CA. She is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and modern dance. In 2018, she was given the opportunity to dance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as a representative for the Baja Region of the American College Dance Association. She attained her Associates degree in Dance from MiraCosta College in 2019 and Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Canyon University in Christian Studies with a minor in dance in 2021. Ms Treva has a passion for teaching and creating choreography. She is excited to continue sharing her love for dance with her students at Dance 101.

At Dance 101 I feel valued and supported by my coworkers. The environment of the studio is warm and welcoming and the students are eager to learn. Dance 101 offers a five star experience for the entire family! Coming to Dance 101 is the highlight of my day and I am honored to be a part of the Dance 101 team.

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Hip-Hop Tap Jazz Acro Ballet classes with us

Come take Hip-Hop Tap Jazz Ballet Acro classes with us!

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