Our Dance Staff
Meet the instructors behind our dance program! Each of our university trained instructors can teach in a variety of different dance styles. We have a teacher for you no matter what teaching style you need! All of our instructors are committed to creating a safe dance environment and have undergone a criminal background check for your piece of mind.
Kelsey Thomson
Dance Instructor
Kelsey has been dancing for 15 years and it is her lifelong passion. She started dancing at a young age in Boise, Idaho and fell in love with it. Kelsey danced on the competition team at Studio C Dance Company in Eagle, Idaho performing various solos and group dances throughout the years at many different competitions and conventions including Jump, Nuvo, NRG, Nexus, Hollywood Vibe, and Spotlight. Kelsey joined the Capital High School dance team her sophomore year and became a Golden Girl for 3 consecutive years before graduating in 2017. Throughout that time Kelsey competed at nationals in Los Angeles 2 times and once in Texas. Kelsey attended Boise State University earning a degree in Television and Film as well as another degree in Dance. In the dance program she expanded her choreography skills and focused mainly on the styles of ballet and contemporary. Kelsey has been teaching and choreographing dance since she was in college and enjoys having the ability to tell stories through movement and create a space where everyone can freely express themselves. When she is not dancing Kelsey enjoys playing with her 1 year old goldendoodle, Ruby Mae, or curling up with a good book, a nice cup of tea, and a great view of the PNW rain.
Marte Madera
Dance Instructor
Marte Osiris Madera was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. He graduated with an MFA in Dance from the University of Washington and a BFA in Dance from San Jose State University. Marte has danced professionally with companies across the U.S., including Spectrum Dance Theater, Khambatta Dance Company, Dance Kaleidoscope, Lustig Dance Theater, Central West Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Menlowe Ballet, sjDANCEco, Robert Moses Kin (guest), Olympic Ballet Theater (guest) and the Margaret Wingrove Dance Company. He has also choreographed and taught dance at various institutions to students of all ages and abilities including serving as Interim Artistic Director for Evergreen City Ballet. Marte is serving the Academy of Music and Dance, Ballard, and Shoreline as the Dance Program Manager and Troupe Director.
Rylie Hubbard
Dance Teacher
Rylie is elated to be hired on as a dance teacher at AMD. Having a BA in Theatre and a minor in Dance from Eastern Washington University; she has taught, choreographed, directed, acted, sang, and danced all over the east side of the state and is happy to now be doing the same on the west side. They have an enthusiastic teaching style that focuses on teaching wholistically, encouraging dancers to listen to their bodies, and teaching choreography collaboratively, supporting dancers as they learn to trust their artistry and their voice. When not teaching dance they are a Marketing Manager and Administrative Assistant at Centerstage Theatre, as well as a storyteller. Telling stories on stage as an actor, behind the scenes as a choreographer or director, playing Dungeons & Dragons, or telling stories with their daughter. At home Rylie relaxes with her three sweet cats, their hilarious 4 year old, and her incredibly encouraging partner, Sascha.
SUSIE Matthews
Dance Instructor
Susie began seriously tap dancing when she was thirteen years old. Coming from a theatre background, she had as inspiration such amazing dancers as Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller, as well as her favorite local theatre back in Boulder, Colorado. She expanded her dance training to include ballet, jazz, modern, and ballroom, all of which she studied throughout high school, college, and beyond. Her first teaching job was for Rockford Dance Company nine years ago, and she has been fortunate enough to teach dance and theatre ever since. Recently, she completed her Master of Arts in Teaching so that she can teach middle and high schoolers the joys of literature and theatre. She owes her deep love and expertise of tap dance to Gene Gebauer who lives on in the lives and studios of all of his students.
*More instructor bios to be published soon*