Meet our Staff

Instructors:

Tammy Wooten-Singh: Artistic Director
Miss Tammy is the founder of the Academy and has spearheaded its growth as one of the area’s premier dance education facilities for close to two decades. Tammy's involvement in dance spans 37 years. She has performed in 30 pageants, 12 of which were with the Miss Iowa organization. Miss Tammy’s dance career has taken her to the far reaches of the globe performing as far away as the Soviet Union. Her expertise in choreography led her to lead the dance team for a semi-professional basketball team. This later led to her being selected as a Chicago Bulls “Luvabull” dancer.  Her education includes a degree in business and teacher certification with Dance Educators of America. Tammy has also been an active member of the community.  Her involvement spans school fund raising, talent shows, Wild About the Child and most recently chairing the Genesis Health Systems charity Gala.

Miss Tammy’s mission to provide top quality dance education to her students led her to assemble a team of professionals dedicated to teaching dance, many of whom possess degrees and advanced degrees in education.  Complete with an office staff ready to serve the needs of parents freeing up the instructing faculty to spend more time with students.  

When relaxing away from the studio Tammy enjoys spending time with her husband Ajay and kids Sydney and Aidan.  Her hobbies include reading and travelling throughout the world including South America, Europe and Africa.

Tonya Lindskog:
Born and raised in Moline IL Miss Tonya’s has been involved in dance since the age of three and continued her formal training through college.  The ability to express herself creatively drew her to dance. “Movement feels great,” comments Tonya.
Seeing her students make progress excites and fuels Tonya’s passion for dance.  Tonya has a multitude of education in the field of teaching most recently acquiring her masters of education degree.
In her spare time? Miss Tonya loves to read, scrapbook and is involved in a number of community events. Her proudest moment as a dancer came when she performed in her college recitals.
Her best advice to her students, “keep at it even when you feel it’s tough”. Tonya resides in Moline with her husband Reid and children Zoe and Emma (not to mention Mellon the dog).

Jan Ferry:
Born in Des Moines Iowa Miss Jan’s involvement in dance spans an incredible 55 years.  Her formal dance education has taken her across the country from Las Vegas to New York City and has included an appearance on Canadian National television. 
Miss Jan’s specializes in ballet and tap and loves instilling the ability for her students to speak without talking through their expressiveness in dance. She encourages her students to achieve scholastically so that they always have a back up plan should they choose a career in dance.

In what spare time Miss Jan may have she enjoys reading, listening to music and watching old black and white movies. Jan has two married daughters and a grand daughter.

Heather Huisenga:
Miss Heather is returning to us for her second year as a teacher at the Academy after dancing with us for the past 8 years. Miss Heather is a native of the Quad Cities and resides in Moline.  She has been a cheerleader and a member of the Contemporaires Dance Team since she was a freshman. Heather graduated from Moline High School this year and is a sophomore at Black Hawk College. Her specialties in dance include ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling and lyrical.  Heather is wonderfully patient with her students and enjoys passing along her passion for dance to them every day.  Heather is currently adding to her repertoire of dance by taking ballroom dancing lessons. 
Heather loves being with her friends and shopping when the opportunity arises. 

Lisa Lampe:
Miss Lisa was born in Des Moines Iowa and has spent most of her life in the Quad Cities.  She has been dancing for as long as she can remember.  Lisa was first drawn to dance when at a young age she watched a neighbor of hers dance.  She was so intrigued that her mother signed her up for a class. 
Miss Lisa has a passion for learning new things and describes herself as funny even though her kids might disagree.  Her greatest sense of accomplishment comes from seeing her students learn something new for the very first time.
Miss Lisa is a graduate of Bettendorf High School and earned her bachelors degree from the University of Northern Iowa.  She went on to earn her MBA in education from Loras College. 
Miss Lisa started dance at the age of 6 and continued through college as captain of the UNI dance team.  In her spare time she enjoys reading, travelling, running and spending time with her husband Todd and kids Julia, Ellie and Kara.
Her advice to young dancers starting out today; “Don’t be afraid to take chances and to keep working hard”.

Kristen Stewart:
Born and raised in Marshalltown Iowa Miss Kristin has spent the last twenty years involved in dance.  Inspired at an early age by her dance teacher Miss Kristin went on to pursue and obtain her BA in dance at the University of Iowa. 
Miss Kristin loves learning new techniques in dance and is always thrilled to see her student’s “light bulbs” come on after learning a dance routine.  Her best advice to her students? “follow you heart”.

Kirstin’s proudest moment as a dancer came when she became an instructor.  She now has the pleasure of observing the many personalities her students possess.  They inspire her each and every day.  When not instructing Kristin loves being with friends and family, going to movies and listening to music.

Katie Roling:
Miss Katie was born in Dubuque Iowa and started dance at the young age of three.  She continued on to dance at St. Ambrose University while pursuing her degree in elementary education.  Her love of music and movement helped inspire her to dance.  She describes additional benefits as improved coordination.
Most people would have a hard time believing that Katie is deaf in her right ear.  While faced with this issue since early childhood Katie never let that stop her from following her dreams.  She strives to inspire young students to do just the same.  Miss Katie loves learning new moves and trying new things, she goes on to say, “dance is always changing and I love to change with it”.
Miss Katie’s repertoire includes tap, ballet, pointe and jazz.  Her favorite thing about instructing at the studio is the children, “ I love getting to know them and watch grow as dancers right before my own eyes” she says.  Miss Katie’s proudest moment came when she danced at Disney World and on a cruise ship.  “sharing my talent with complete strangers was an amazing feeling” she went on to say.
When not dancing you will find Miss Katie running, listening to music and being around her friends.

Meghan Loy:
Miss Meghan is a Quad City native born in Moline.  Entering her twelfth year in dance Meghan recently joined the Academy faculty and is busy instructing jazz and Hip Hop.
A love of music and desire to dance drew her in and she has not stopped her pursuit of the arts since.  You might not know that Meghan owns a miniature doxin “wiener dog” names Samantha.  Her greatest excitement comes from competing and performing dance in front of an audience. 
Miss Meghan is a graduate of Riverdale High School and is pursuing her education in radiology at Black Hawk College.  Miss Meghan loves interacting with her students and helping them learn to love and enjoy dance. Her advice to students, “stay with it and don’t ever give up”.
Her proudest moment as a dancer always came when she competed well at competitions, especially when placing first.  In her spare time Meghan enjoys hanging out with her friends and shopping.

Guest Instructors:

Breanne Buckrop:
Breanne is one of the Academy's most tenured students having spent close to eighteen years dancing there. Miss Breanne is a graduate of Moline High School and went on the complete her degree in business at the University of Iowa. Miss Breanne’s specialties in dance include; jazz, tap, funk and lyrical.  Look for her to be guest instructing at the Academy throughout the year.

Elizabeth Timm:
Miss Elizabeth has been a tenured student at the Academy most recently departing to continue her studies at Iowa State University.  Elizabeth took her passion for dance and turned it into a love of dance instruction.  She taught students at the Academy for many years and instilled a passion for accomplishing their best. Her specialties include: tap, jazz, Hip Hop and lyrical.  Look for Miss Elizabeth to making an appearance at the studio throughout the year.

Sara VonGillern:
Sara appeared as one of the top 20 finalists in the third season of the Fox network’s reality television series, So You Think You Can Dance. Nicknamed “Mis’ Von,” she entered the world of dance at the early age of four years old. Her formal dance training includes participation in the Colorado State University Dance Program, studying as an intern at the Broadway Dance Center, and with the Academy for the Performing Arts. Sara says that her techniques and dance style draws mainly on elements of hip-hop such as breaking and locking, and that her most memorable dance experience was living and training in New York.
Apart from dancing, she also enjoys numerous hobbies in her spare time, such as figure skating, graphic design, skiing, playing the guitar, snowboarding, and writing. She admires various dancers in each hip-hop style she observes and studies, though she doesn’t have a particular favorite professional dancer. Sara has performed at the NBA as a member of the Denver Nuggets’ Mob Squad, their hip-hop dance and cheerleading team. She has also danced for the AFL Colorado Crush as a Crush City dancer, as well as traveling to Nevada, Hawaii and California with her previous dance troupes.(Buddy TV interview)
Sara recently completed a world tour with Avril Lavigne and the Jonas Brothers and is currently wrapping up work on an indy film.

Sara will be returning on occasion to her former studio as guest instructor/choreographer showcasing her talent in Hip Hop. Students will love hearing of her experiences in the world of dance and will learn what it takes to make a successful career in arts and entertainment.

Office Staff:

Cyndi Borman (Office Manager):
Miss Cyndi is a native of the Quad Cities and currently resides in LeClaire Iowa.  If you have met Cyndi you are sure not to forget her.  Her passion for working with both the parents and students at the Academy is a breath of fresh air.  Entering her tenth year as Office Manager Cyndi spends most of her time ensuring that the operational component to the Academy runs smoothly.  You’ll often find her walking the hallways checking in with parents and students alike.
Seeing the students have fun with dance brings a smile to her face.  Her proudest moment as a parent came when her daughter Belle (also a student at the Academy) made the Company performing team.  “Dream Big!” is her advice to students.  When not at the studio Cyndi spends her time watching her two boys Brendon and Brady compete in sports. In addition she loves spending time with her husband Darin and their friends.

Elisa Ahlgren:
Miss Elise was born in Des Moines Iowa and now resides in the Quad Cities.   She is a recent addition to the Academy team and helps ensure that parents are well informed of various matters relating to the studio and their dancers.
Elise has a background in early education and channels her love of children by supporting their efforts at the studio.  She loves watching how excited the students get when they immerse themselves in dance.
When not active at the studio Elise loves to play volleyball and being with her friends and family.  Her advice to students? “Work as hard as you can to reach your goals. You don’t want to look back when you are older and wonder what could have been”.