Meet the Team

Miss Sarah was born and raised in Moline, Illinois.  She started dancing at the age of 2!  She was a cheerleader for all of middle school and high school and a Moline Contemporaire for her junior and senior years! She graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  In 2021, she got her Masters degree in Special Education. Her love for teaching children and her passion for dance come together at the Academy.  This passion for dance lead to her and her husband purchasing the Academy in 2025.

Miss Sarah and her husband live in Moline and are raising four awesome children; Noah, Micah, Makennah and Joyce.  Makennah has been on the Academy Company team for 10 years now and also started dancing at The Academy when she was 2! Her daughter Joyce joined the Academy Company team 4 years ago as well. 

When she isn’t at the Academy, she stays very busy with many activities.  Her favorites are leading worship at her church, watching her daughters dance, coaching the Moline Contemporaires (local High School Dance team), and spending time with family.

Miss Tammy is the founder of the Academy, EST in 1991. She has spearheaded its growth as one of the area’s premier dance education facilities for over three decades. Tammy’s been involved in dance since the age of 6.  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 Denmark and Russia. Her expertise in choreography led her to lead the dance team for the semi-professional Thunder 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 fundraising, talent shows, festivals, chairing both Wild about the Child and the Genesis Health Systems Charity Gala. Miss Tammy has continued to Chair the Wild About the Child Fundraiser since 2009, and the proceeds go to an at risk camp for kids.  Miss Tammy, her husband Ajay, daughter Sydney, and son Aidan enjoy  traveling, family time, cooking at home and entertaining with family and friends.

Born in Sterling, IL, Miss Deb has spent most of her life here in the Quad Cities.  Miss Deb is the Academy Office Manager, and works closely with the Academy Parents, Students, and Staff.  After 12 years at the Academy, she still looks forward to seeing all the smiling faces, and the exchange of “hellos”.  Miss Deb has 3 adult children, but keeps very busy with her 3 grandchildren.   

Miss Deb looks forward to watching the team on stage, her Academy Company Dance Team “Family”. When not busy with her family, Miss Deb is passionate about gardening and tending after her many houseplants. She enjoys antique shopping and staying busy with home improvement projects.  

Born in Moline, Illinois, Miss Luna grew up on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities. She began Recreational Dance Classes at the Academy, before auditioning for the Company Dance Team.  Miss Luna danced on the Company Dance Team for 10 years, helped out as an assistant teacher for several years, and is currently teaching her own classes and choreographing for the company team at the studio.

Miss Luna is a student at EICC and is studying to become a Vet Tech. In her spare time, Miss Luna enjoys being outdoors, expressing herself through her art work, and  spending time with her sister Holly.

Miss Addie has been dancing since the age of three and entered the world of competitive dance at age eleven. Miss Addie has trained in a wide range of styles, but she is especially passionate about jazz and contemporary pieces. She currently teaches a variety of recreational and competitive classes at the Academy.

Originally from the Peoria, IL area, Miss Addie brings both technical knowledge and a huge love for dancing whether that is through teaching, choreographing, or judging. She loves watching dancers shine on stage and is always inspired by the confidence, creativity, and joy they bring to their performances!

Miss Alyssa has been dancing since the age of two and has competed since the age of seven. Alyssa has been trained in many styles of dance, but her favorites to perform and teach are tap, hip-hop, and contemporary. She currently teaches a variety of recreational and competitive classes at the Academy.

Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Miss Alyssa brings a love for teaching and choreographing to every piece she works on. She loves seeing all the dancers perform their hearts out on stage and is inspired and proud of every student that makes their way through the Academy!

Miss Sarah Michelle graduated from Indiana University with degrees in Ballet and Arts Management. She is currently a professional ballet dancer with Ballet Quad Cities.

At the Academy, she teaches a variety of classes including 3&4's recreational dance, competitive ballet, and choreographs contemporary and jazz routines for the competition company. Miss Sarah Michelle is passionate about inspiring her dancers to develop a strong love for dance and is dedicated to helping them grow both as performers and as confident individuals.

Miss Elizabeth is a native of the Quad Cities where she trained under Miss Tammy for 18 years. During her time at the Academy, she danced on the competition team, attended conventions, and assisted alongside Miss Tammy. She has taught dance for 15 years at the Academy. She is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop and has choreographed routines for a variety of age groups. 

Miss Elizabeth has her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from Upper Iowa University. She is currently working as an accountant for an insurance company. In her free time, she enjoys reading, binge-watching TV shows, and spending time with her 5-year-old son.

Miss Anna has been dancing since the age of five and entered the world of competitive dance at age twelve. Anna has trained in a wide range of styles, but she is especially passionate about ballet. She currently teaches recreational dance classes,  while currently being a competitive dancer on the St. Ambrose Dance Team. 

Originally from Sycamore, IL, she brings strong technical training and a deep love for dance, whether she’s teaching in the studio or choreographing new pieces. She loves watching her dancers grow and hopes to inspire in them the same passion she has for dance. 

Miss Ava has been dancing since she was 3 years old and competed from age 9 to 12 She has trained in a variety of styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, and pom as a member of her high school dance team. Ava has a true passion for dance and loves sharing that passion through teaching. She currently teaches recreational dance and enjoys helping dancers build confidence while having fun.

Originally from Geneseo, Illinois, Ava is currently attending Capri College studying cosmetology. Along with her love for dance, she has a strong interest in teaching and choreographing. Ava is dedicated to helping her dancers shine inside and out, whether they’re on stage, in the studio, or in everyday life. 

Miss Grace was born and raised in Silvis, Illinois. She has danced at the Academy since the age of 2 being trained in many different styles of dance. She has not only been a part of the competition team but has also participated in recreational dance classes, performed in Walt Disney World, assisted teaching classes, and is now teaching her own classes. Grace’s educational career is another important piece of her life. She is in many accelerated classes at her school and a key member of her high school cheerleading team where she dances, stunts, choreographs, and cheers. Grace is hoping to after high school join an accomplished university and join a profession in the medical field.  

In her free time, she loves to binge watch any romantic comedy you feed to her. Miss Grace also loves spending time with her dance family and friends including her sister, Megan. Other things she is a huge fan of include cooking, baking, and organizing at any time of the day.

Miss Emma is from Geneseo, IL and attends St. Ambrose University where she is a cheerleader and is studying elementary education. She coaches a tumbling class at the academy for all ages! She graduated from Geneseo High School and has been in cheerleading and gymnastics. Miss Emma has coached tumbling and cheerleading at a local QC gym, and has also coached cheerleading at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center. 

In her spare time, Emma enjoys shopping, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her mom Allison! Miss Emma is very passionate about coaching and teaching children. 

Miss Caitlin was born and raised in the Quad Cities, and she has been apart of the Academy for almost 16 years. She took recreational classes for many years before joining the Company team in 2013. Also, she participated in cheerleading and was the captain of her high school dance team. 

After high school, Miss Caitlin attended the University of Iowa where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Physiology. After graduating from Iowa, Miss Caitlin moved back to the Quad Cities and is now a substitute teacher at the studio. She is currently in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at St. Ambrose University and will graduate in December 2026, where she hopes to get a job in pediatrics or hospital based physical therapy post-graduation. 

Miss Ali was born and raised in the Quad Cities.  Ali started dancing when she was 3 years old and was always looking for an opportunity to perform.  Ali was active in dance, tumbling, cheerleading and colorguard during her time in school.  In 2006, she moved to Champaign, Illinois where she attended the University of Illinois.  During her time at the University of Illinois, she was a member of the Marching Illini Flag Corp and started coaching gymnastics part time.  After graduation, she became the Director of Gymnastics at a local YMCA in Champaign.  While working as Gymnastics Director, Miss Ali started nursing school, graduating in 2014.

In 2017, Ali and her family moved back to the Quad Cities.  In 2021, she completed her Masters degree in Health Administration.  Ali is currently the Clinical Manager at UnityPoint at Home in Moline.  Miss Ali joined the Academy team in 2022 and loves having a chance to work with children to help develop them as dancers and as people.

Miss Ali and her husband live in Moline where they stay busy with their two littles: Ada and Bruin.  Ada has been dancing at the Academy since she was two years old and is a member of the Academy Company Team.  In her free time, Miss Ali enjoys making memories with her family and friends, and working on home improvement projects.