MEET THE team...
MEET THE team...
Miss Sarah was born and raised in Moline, Illinois, and has been dancing since the age of 2. She graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and earned her Master's degree in Special Education in 2021. Her passion for working with children, combined with her lifelong love of dance, naturally led her to teaching at the Academy. In 2025, that passion came full circle when she and her husband proudly became the owners of the Academy for the Performing Arts.
Miss Sarah and her husband live in Moline, where they are raising their four children: Noah, Micah, Makennah, and Joyce. Dance has become a family tradition—Makennah began dancing at the Academy at age two and has been a member of the Academy Company for over 11 years. Joyce also started dancing at the Academy at age two and has been part of the Academy Company for the past five years.
When she's not at the studio, Miss Sarah enjoys leading worship at her church, coaching the Moline Contemporaires dance team, cheering on her daughters at competitions and performances, and spending quality time with her family. She is passionate about creating a positive, encouraging environment where every dancer feels valued, inspired, and excited to grow.
Miss Deb was born in Sterling, Illinois, and has spent most of her life in the Quad Cities. As the Academy's Office Manager, she is often the first friendly face families see when they walk through the doors. For more than 12 years, she has worked closely with parents, students, and staff to help ensure each dance season runs smoothly.
Miss Deb loves being part of the Academy family and enjoys building relationships with dancers and their families. From answering questions to keeping the studio organized behind the scenes, she takes pride in creating a welcoming environment for everyone. One of her favorite parts of the season is watching the Academy Company take the stage and cheering on the dancers as they perform and grow.
Outside of the studio, Miss Deb is the proud mother of three adult children and a devoted grandmother to three grandchildren who keep her busy. She also enjoys gardening, caring for her many houseplants, antique shopping, and tackling home improvement projects. She is grateful to be part of a studio that feels like family and loves helping make every dancer's experience at the Academy a positive one.
Miss Alyssa has been dancing since the age of two and began competing at the age of seven. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she has trained in a variety of dance styles and is especially passionate about tap, hip-hop, and contemporary. Her love for dance and performance has inspired her to pursue teaching and choreography.
At the Academy, Miss Alyssa teaches both recreational and competitive classes, where she enjoys helping dancers develop strong technique, confidence, and a genuine love for performing. She strives to create a positive, supportive environment where every student feels encouraged to grow, work hard, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Outside of teaching, Miss Alyssa enjoys choreographing and watching dancers bring each routine to life on stage. She is inspired by the dedication and passion her students show each season and takes pride in being part of their dance journey. She is grateful to be a member of the Academy family and loves helping every dancer reach their full potential.
Miss Addie has been dancing since the age of three and began her competitive dance journey at age eleven. Originally from the Peoria, Illinois area, she has trained in a wide variety of dance styles, with a special passion for jazz and contemporary. Her dedication to dance has led her to opportunities in teaching, choreography, and judging.
At the Academy, Miss Addie teaches both recreational and competitive classes, where she enjoys helping dancers strengthen their technique while building confidence and artistry. She strives to create a positive, encouraging classroom where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
When she's not in the studio, Miss Addie continues to share her love of dance through choreography and judging. She especially enjoys watching dancers light up the stage and is inspired by the confidence, creativity, and joy they bring to every performance. She is proud to be part of the Academy family and loves helping students discover their passion for dance.
Miss Luna was born in Moline, Illinois, and grew up on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities. She began dancing at the Academy as a recreational student before earning a spot on the Academy Company Dance Team, where she trained and competed for 10 years. During her time as a student, she also assisted classes for several years, helping develop her passion for teaching.
Today, Miss Luna teaches her own classes and choreographs for the Academy Company. She loves sharing her knowledge with the next generation of dancers and is passionate about helping each student build confidence, develop strong technique, and discover a love for dance in a positive and encouraging environment.
Outside of the studio, Miss Luna is a student at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, where she is studying to become a veterinary technician. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, expressing her creativity through artwork, and making memories with her sister, Holly. She is grateful to continue giving back to the studio that has been such an important part of her life.
Bio Coming Soon!
Miss Anna has been dancing since the age of five and began competing at the age of twelve. Originally from Sycamore, Illinois, she has trained in a wide variety of dance styles, with a special passion for ballet. She currently teaches recreational classes at the Academy while continuing her own dance career as a member of the St. Ambrose Dance Team.
At the Academy, Miss Anna enjoys sharing her love of dance with young students and helping them build a strong technical foundation in a fun and encouraging environment. She is passionate about inspiring confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for dance, both through teaching and choreography.
Outside of the studio, Miss Anna continues to pursue her passion for dance as a collegiate dancer while balancing her academic studies. She loves watching her students grow in both skill and confidence and hopes to inspire each dancer with the same passion and dedication that has shaped her own dance journey. She is proud to be part of the Academy family and excited to help every student reach their full potential.
Miss Molly was born and raised in Moline, Illinois, and danced at the Academy for 13 years, spending most of that time as a member of the Academy Company. During middle school, she transferred to Pleasant Valley High School, where she became a member of the varsity and competition cheer teams. She is also a two-time All-American Cheerleader and has developed a passion for performing both on the dance floor and the sidelines.
At the Academy, Miss Molly enjoys sharing her love of dance with the next generation of dancers while creating a fun, positive, and encouraging classroom environment. In addition to teaching, she has a passion for musical theatre and has performed in several local productions, including Bring It On: The Musical at The Spotlight Theatre. She also served as a mentor for Pleasant Valley's all-inclusive cheer team, Sparkles, where she loved helping athletes build confidence and teamwork.
After graduating from Pleasant Valley High School, Miss Molly began attending Scott Community College and plans to continue her education at a four-year university, where she hopes to study business and sales. She looks forward to continuing her involvement in musical theatre while inspiring young dancers to grow in confidence, performance, and their love for the arts.
Bio Coming Soon...
Miss Elizabeth is a Quad Cities native who trained under Miss Tammy at the Academy for 18 years. During her time as a student, she was a member of the Academy Company, attended dance conventions, and assisted classes alongside Miss Tammy. She has now been teaching at the Academy for over 15 years and is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop, choreographing routines for dancers of all ages.
At the Academy, Miss Elizabeth is passionate about helping students build strong technical skills while developing confidence and a lifelong love for dance. She enjoys working with dancers at every stage of their journey and strives to create a positive, supportive environment where every student can grow both in and out of the studio.
Outside of dance, Miss Elizabeth earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and her MBA from Upper Iowa University. She currently works as an accountant for an insurance company. In her free time, she enjoys reading, binge-watching her favorite TV shows, and spending quality time with her young son. She is proud to continue sharing her passion for dance with the Academy family.
Miss Caitlin was born and raised in the Quad Cities and has been part of the Academy family for nearly 16 years. She began as a recreational dancer before joining the Academy Company in 2013. In addition to dance, she was involved in cheerleading and served as the captain of her high school dance team, further developing her leadership skills and love for performance.
At the Academy, Miss Caitlin enjoys sharing her passion for dance while helping students grow in confidence, technique, and artistry. She strives to create a positive and encouraging classroom where dancers feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn. Having grown up at the Academy, she loves giving back to the studio that played such an important role in her own dance journey.
After graduating from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology, Miss Caitlin returned to the Quad Cities and joined the Academy faculty. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at St. Ambrose University and plans to graduate in December 2026. She hopes to build a career in pediatric or hospital-based physical therapy while continuing to inspire young dancers at the Academy.