Amanda Verthein Owner/Director
Miss Amanda has been an instructor; teaching and choreographing various levels of dance, for over 14 years. In addition to managing dance studios for several years, she has continued her dance education through leading schools, conventions and workshops. Before becoming an instructor in La Crosse, she continued her training in Milwaukee, The Dance Studio, Viterbo University, the University of WI - La Crosse and Stevens Point performing art program. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from UW-La Crosse and is regional delegate for National Dance Week.
Teaching Faculty
Dana Schultz (11th Year Instructor)
Miss Dana is the head instructor for the teen dance programs and brings over 18 years of dance experience to Amanda's Academy of Dance. Miss Dana began her dance training at the age of 9. She has trained with world renowned instructors and has studied: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Clogging. Miss Dana holds degrees in graphic design, marketing and business management. It is Miss Dana's goal to share her passion for dance, technique and discipline and love of the arts with her students.
Barbara Albrechtson (9th Year Instructor)
Ms. Barb has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education and Professional Development degree from UW La Crosse.
She has taught young children's dance since the mid 1980's. She has thirty years of Middle Eastern Dance training and is the director of the Sahara Desert Dance Company.
Chelsea Bright (6th Year Instructor)
Miss Chelsea started dancing when she was five years old.
She has studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. Miss Chelsea has been an assistant in children’s programs for eight years and teaching for six years, including several of AAD’s outreach programs.
Kelly Shannon (4th Year Instructor)
Miss Kelly is returning to AAD for her forth year. She brings 15 years of dance experience in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, and Pointe. She studied at Larkin Dance Studios in Maplewood, MN and has performed as well as competed all around the United States. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist working with at-risk youth in the Viroqua area and is looking forward to another amazing year at AAD!
Nora Minster (3rd Year Instructor)
Miss Nora M. is eager to instruct the Irish dancers again this year with a new and exciting edge. Miss Nora comes to us from Trinity Academy of Irish Dance as well as the Glencastle Irish Dancers in Milwaukee. She has been dancing for over 13 years with 8 years of instruction background. We are very pleased and excited to have her for a third year!
Annika Olson (2nd Year Instructor)
Miss Annika is delighted to return to AAD for another year. She brings 18 years of dance experience with training in Modern, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Dance Team. Before joining AAD, she was a part of a dance company that toured internationally, captain of her high school dance team and taught dance with the La Crosse and Madison Rec. Departments. Miss Annika holds a degree in Sociology from UW-Madison. She is excited to share her passion for dance with her students in this new year at AAD!
Jenna Nelson (2nd Year Instructor)
Miss Jenna has over 16 years of dance training in styles including Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Pom Poms and Musical Theatre. She was involved with a dance team for 10 years that won many competitions throughout the country. She received her training from West Side Performing Arts in her home town of Madison, WI. She is currently a senior at UW-La Crosse working towards a degree in Business Management.
Emily Pearse (2nd Year Instructor)
Miss Emily holds a BS in Theatre and Communications from UW-La Crosse, and she is currently working on her Masters degree in Choral Music Education. She has over 20 years of dance experience; including studio lessons, high school and professional dance teams, and collegiate dance companies. She is currently a performer for the La Crosse based Grand River Show Choir, and she is also a local high school dance team coach. Miss Emily most enjoys lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre dance.
Brittany Sherman (7th Year Returning Instructor)
Brittany Sherman is a La Crosse native and she is more commonly known as Z93's Brittany Styles. Brittany taught dance classes & attended classes at The Dance Studio in La Crosse from 2000-2006 and at that time was also the Dance Team Coach & Choreographer for the Logan High School Dance Team. Brittany has also choreographed for show choirs at Logan High School, Longfellow Middle School, Central High School, and more! She has been formally trained in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballet and has taken classes from Mia Michaels, and many other high profile choreographers at the "Edge Performing Arts Center" in Los Angeles, California. Brittany's specialty is Hip Hop. Welcome back Miss Brittany!
Nick Quamme
Mr. Nick is a first year staff member & very excited to be working with a fantastic studio. Nick has 7 years of dance experience, mainly in areas of modern, hip hop, jazz and musical theater. Nick is currently a third year member of the La Crosse based Grand River Show Choir. Nick is also the assistant dance team coach at Aquinas High School and will be attending The Salon Professional Academy in the fall to pursue a career in cosmetology. He most recently appeared as a featured dancer at the 2010 Miss Wisconsin Pageant. Welcome Mr. Nick!
Lauren Dietz
Miss Lauren comes to AAD as an assistant instructor with over 12 years of dance experience from Andover, MN. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern and Lyrical & Dance Team styles of dance. Along with teaching dance she is pursuing her Bachelor's Degree at the University of WI- La Crosse. Miss Lauren is honored to have the opportunity to share her passion for dance with the dancers of AAD! Welcome Miss Lauren!
