Dancing since age six, substitute teaching by thirteen, and becoming a full-time instructor at the young age of fourteen, Nicole’s lifelong passion for Performance and Dance has taken her from her roots in small town Michigan and propelled her into a lifelong pursuit of excellence in the world of Performing Arts. Nicole has studied and taught for over 25 years in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Thailand, and Chicago, and is currently situated in the heart of Farmington Hills, Michigan. Her background is extensive and includes a wide variety of styles, including Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Dance Meditation, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Burlesque, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre, with the ever-constant desire to learn and grow as an artist and an instructor.

Nicole is a 200-HR Certified Yoga Instructor, along with being a First Level Prema Reiki Healer, completing her training at Marina Yoga, in Krabi, Thailand, in December of 2018. Nicole can be seen on stage and on the big screen in productions such as The Biography Channel’s “Vantage Point”, Bravo TV’s nationally televised dance competition series “Step It Up & Dance”, live performances on NBC’s “The Today Show”, live performances at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival for “The 25th Anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Album Thriller,” along with a number of music videos, commercials, plays, independent films and other art-filled endeavors.

My Goal: My goal is to simply bring Yoga and Dance and Performance to everyone. All ages, all levels, together, enjoying the art and the joys of stretching, moving, and creating everything that brings pure joy to one’s life.

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein

“Teaching is my number one passion. Always has been, always will.” -Nicole Berrong

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Courtney started dancing at the age of 2 and competing at 5, training in ballet, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, jazz, and hip hop. She continued to dance and finished her senior year competing for Drive Dance Co., having continued to train in additional styles such as modern, ballroom, and contemporary. She is currently a student at the University of Michigan, majoring in business administration, and a member of the University of Michigan Dance Team. On the team, Courtney dances for the football, basketball, and volleyball teams, and competes at UDA nationals. She loves connecting with and inspiring other dancers, encouraging a sense of belonging in any dance setting.

Samantha Borchardt is from St. Louis, and has been dancing for 18 years. She is trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, tap, contemporary, modern, and ballroom, and was a student at Drive Dance Co. her senior year of high school. Currently, she is a sophomore at the University of Michigan studying business administration at the Ross School of Business with a minor in education while also being a part of the University’s Dance Team. Samantha represents her school at football, basketball, and volleyball games while also competing at UDA College Nationals, something she has experienced at the high school level, helping her team win their first national championship when she was a captain in 2023. She loves helping dancers reach their furthest potential and goals, and cannot wait to work with everyone. Go Blue!

Jayme Crabtree began her training at Dance Theatre Studio. As a youngster, Jayme passed her Cecchetti exams, attended the Bates Dance Festival Professional Training Program and the Rockette Summer Intensive. Jayme went on to earn a B.S. in Contemporary Dance with a Fitness Minor from Indiana University. As a part of the dance program Jayme took different kinesiology classes, which had a great impact on her dancing and teaching. Additionally while at IU she had the opportunity to perform choreography by Martha Graham, David Parsons and Anna Sokolow. Jayme is ACE Personal Training, ACE Group Exercise and Pilates certified. ​

Kenny Crabtree holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education with a focus in strength and conditioning from Eastern Michigan University. Kenny has been an ACE certified personal trainer since 2008. He holds additional certifications as a TRX Instructor, TRX Level 2 Sports medicine/musculoskeletal injury and prevention, Cancer Exercise Specialist, and Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Instructor. Kenny is also First Aid, CPR and AED certified through the American Red Cross. ​​

Sophia started dancing at the age of 3. She has experience in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Argentine Tango. Sophia has B.A. in Theatre from Hope College and is also a certified personal trainer. Sophia still loves to perform and share her passion for dance with all ages.

Dammy Ikwe started dancing at a young age studying contemporary and modern. While studying psychology at the University of Michigan he danced with a branch of the International dance company Dance 2XS, eventually becoming one of the branches Co-Artistic Directors. This year he became the Creative Director of Next Level Dance Company, a youth and adult hip-hop dance company based in Detroit. Level Up competes across the mid-west region and took 3rd place at Word of Dance Chicago, earning an invitation to compete at World of Dance International Finals L.A. in 2015. Dammy loves working with both adults and children and is always looking to push dancers to think outside of their box and find their personal style. ​

Sam Ketslakh is originally from Ann Arbor, MI, and has been dancing at Dance Theatre Studio since the age of three. She has trained and competed in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, and has been assisting classes for nearly seven years. Currently a junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Business with a concentration in Finance, Sam loves creating a fun and engaging learning environment for young dancers. She is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance and her love for DTS!

Kate (she/her) began her dance journey at age 4 at Jeannie Zimbalatti’s School of Dance in her hometown of Dearborn Heights, MI and has been groovin ever since. She danced in styles of ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and contemporary recreationally and later competitively on their Company team. This is also where she first began teaching ballet, jazz and tap as a substitute teacher. She is currently pursuing majors in Theater Arts - Performing Arts Management- and Organizational Studies with a minor in Dance from University of Michigan with hopes of working in the field of arts administration. In her free time she is a student leader in student organizations Pure Dance (lyrical & jazz dance) and MUSKET (musical theater). She is dedicated to building community and empowering dancers to make connections within themselves, their bodies and others within the classroom.

Malana has been dancing since the age of three and started her competitive dance career at the age of eight. She has worked hard and honed her skills from a very young age and her commitment is evident in her achievements. She started taking classes at RARA, then continued training at MI Premier Dance Co. before finally coming to Inferno Dance Co. Through her years, she has been seriously trained in contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, and pom. During her time in high school, she competed on the Adams varsity dance team for four years and was a captain her senior year. She has won countless scholarships from numerous dance competitions and conventions including KAR, VIP, Dance Force, and many others. In the Fall, she will be a sophomore at the University of Michigan and Artistic Director of her dance group, 2XS Michigan, which performs at countless events such as Urbanite in Chicago. Malana is blessed to be doing what she loves and has a passion for teaching and inspiring younger students.

Originally from Milwaukee, Veronica Dittman Stanich holds a BFA in Dance and a PhD in Dance Studies from the Ohio State University. She has taught ballet and contemporary dance to children, teens, and adults, from beginners to professionals, at the Mark Morris Dance Center and at Spoke the Hub Re:creation Center in Brooklyn, and at Ohio State. She danced with the St. Louis Ballet and for choreographers including D. Chase Angier, Matthew Brookoff, Joe Alter, and Jordan Fuchs.

Jessie Wise was born and raised right here in Ann Arbor, and after a few years living and working abroad in New Zealand, she is grateful to be back in this vibrant community. Jessie brings over 15 years of experience as an educator and choreographer in the performing arts, including social dance, musical theatre, and therapeutic movement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Columbia College Chicago and recently completed my Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy through Dance Therapy New Zealand. She has performed both professionally and as part of community organizations in modern, contemporary, musical theatre and latin dance styles. Throughout her career, she has choreographed more than 30 musicals and she is passionate about creating joyful, inclusive spaces where every performer feels seen, supported, and encouraged to explore their creativity. As a Therapeutic Dance Practitioner, Jessie places a strong emphasis on safe technique, development-appropriate movement, and multi-sensory, flexible teaching that meets each student where they are. Jessie believes that dance and theatre are powerful tools for building confidence, empathy, and connection.