Dance Program
All is Dance Academy Recital
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FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH AT 6:30PM
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SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH AT 10AM
Purchase Tickets online
All is Dance Academy:
For any additional information regarding the All is Dance Academy, please email allisdance@wawmsd.org.
Diamond Twirlers Baton/Dance Program:
All Is Dance Academy
All is Dance Information
- INTRO: AGES 4-5
- LEVEL 1: BEGINNER - AGES 6+
- LEVEL 2: INTERMEDIATE - AGES 6+
- LEVEL 3: ADVANCED - AGES 8+
INTRO: AGES 4-5
LEVEL 1: BEGINNER - AGES 6+
LEVEL 2: INTERMEDIATE - AGES 6+
LEVEL 3: ADVANCED - AGES 8+
This level is for children who have preferably had some dance experience in the past but are also fast learners. This level includes a faster moving curriculum and involves movement taught from past levels. This level expects dancers to have some dance knowledge, be open minded to trying new things, have music coordination and to be able to memorize choreography.
COSTUME:
RECITAL:
Participants will perform at an end of the year recital scheduled for FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH and SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH at NATHAN HALE HIGH SCHOOL.
The rehearsal is scheduled for THURSDAY, MARCH 7TH. More information to come.
ACRO: Learn the fundamentals of movement, timing and stunts. We will focus on flexibility, body strengthening and stunts.
BALLET: Let’s start at first position and go from there! Ballet strives to improve coordination, posture and muscle development. Learn basic ballet positions, steps and floor combinations.
HAWAIIAN: Hawaiian dance is packed with ancient traditions with a fascinating and intricate history. Movement in this dance style has specific meanings ranging from the elements of nature to celebrating their culture. We will cover basic steps that will focus on the dancer’s flexibility, creativity, endurance and more.
HIP HOP: Hip hop includes a wide range of styles primarily isolations, popping, voguing, locking and breaking. Dancers learn strong movements that are low and grounded and focus on their center. Hip hop is known to be a very fun style of dance.
JAZZ/POP: This upbeat style of dance emphasizes proper body alignment and clean technique. We will include stretch and strength exercises and floor work. Dancers will work on musicality, turns, kicks and jumps.
NEW! LATIN STYLE - MINI MERENGUE: Try a variety of Latin dance styles that will focus on the steps and go from there.
NEW! LYRICAL: Dancers will learn a combination of several dance styles from Ballet to Jazz to Contemporary that they will apply to the words of songs to create the beautiful choreography.
NEW! MUSICAL THEATER: Learn choreography that is typically performed by theater performers for their stage act.
POMS: Participants will work on techniques that include leaps, jumps, turns and flexibility.
STRETCH AND FLEXIBILITY: Dancers will be introduced to new stretches that will benefit their overall skill and enhance their performances in their technique classes.
TAP: Participants will work on timing and rhythms of tap as well as learning basic combinations while working on developing their coordination and stamina.
All is Dance - Schedules
All is Dance - Staff Introductions
Michelle Zamora
Michelle is the Coordinator of the All is Dance Academy. Born & raised in Milwaukee, WI, she has 20+ years of dance training and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Entrepreneurship from Columbia College Chicago. She trained with semi- professional and professional salsa companies, Spotlight, Mayambo and Salsabrosa Dance Co. and today, she is a competitive dancer, holding the title of 3rd place champion in the Rising Star open genre category at the World Salsa Summit. She is the owner of Las Estrellas Dance Company and also owns a dance entertainment agency, mzamoraproductions. She provides dance education for schools for events like Hispanic Heritage Month. Michelle is a boy mom and finds dance to be a wonderful way for both boys and girls to gain confidence, discipline and respect for one’s self and for one another. She is passionate about this program for youth and adults at All is Dance!
Karen Hansen
Karen grew up in West Allis and began Hawaiian dance lessons through the WAWM Rec Department, starting at the age of 5, and continued lessons until the age of 24. She became part of a Hawaiian Dance group called The Maile Lei Dancers and performed throughout the midwest. She also had training from Hawaiian teachers in Hawaii and the midwest. Karen has been teaching hula for the last 30 years and continues to performs with her hālau, or dance family, including Holiday Folk Fair in Milwaukee. Karen has taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade in West Allis for 35 years and recently retired. Teaching is a passion, along with baking, working out, and reading!
Mariela Martinez
Mariela is one of the All is Dance Academy’s Ballet, Poms, and Jazz instructors. She started dancing ballet at 4 years old with the WAWM RCS Dance Program! Later on, she studied at Danceworks Inc., Milwaukee Ballet Company, and Mezclando Milwaukee Dance Company. Mariela started assisting classes at 15 years old and became a full-time instructor at 18 years old. She likes to occupy herself with multiple jobs but teaching dance remains her all-time favorite! Growing up in the program inspired her to become an Entrepreneur; Quince Choreography is where she is proud to share her Latino roots with all types of dancers! Mariela hopes that every student finds a love for learning new skills, dance routines, performing, making friends, and creating lifelong memories.
Rachel Lockwood
Rachel Lockwood has been dancing with the WAWM Recreation Dance program since she was 5, assisted as a volunteer for five years, and began teaching ballet as a senior in high school. She currently teaches various classes in Ballet, Jazz, and Poms through the All is Dance Academy. She also has dance experience from her poms team in middle and high school, various dance styles through a dance group at Marquette University, and has taught ballet, poms, and tumbling at the Pewaukee Recreation Department. Rachel graduated with both a bachelor's and master’s degree from Marquette University in the field of education. She works full-time as a middle school science teacher at St. Leonard School in Muskego but still loves to come and work with the students at the All is Dance Academy each week.
Lisa Day
Lisa has grown up in the city of West Allis. Being the youngest of 12 kids, Lisa started in the Dance program at age 5, participating in Tap, Ballet, and Acrobatics, and later added Jazz and Poms. She's currently in her 30th year of being a dance instructor. She has mainly danced through the rec program but has attended the Dance teacher conference in Las Vegas to develop her dance knowledge.
Lynette Brenner
This is Lynette's 25th year with the West Allis-West Milwaukee dance program. Lynette has been teaching and assisting for over 12 years. Lynette likes teaching all different ages. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Gwen Piekarski
Gwen has been dancing for 13 years. She has experience in many different types of dance: ballet, poms, jazz, and acro. Gwen fell in love with ballet at a young age and has been doing ballet ever since. She loves reading, hanging out with friends, and dancing! Gwen is excited to assist through the All is Dance Academy to see all the different levels and inspire younger girls to continue their dance journey. As we get closer to the event, you will receive a list of all the staff volunteers from your school.
Asialina Grootemaat
Asialina is a sophomore in high school. This is her second year assisting and first time teaching the Musical Theater class. Asialina started dancing with the WAWM RCS Department at the age of 4 years old. She also was a part of the Novice Dance team at Miss Becky’s Dance Studio and a student at the Generation Dance Studio. With this being her first time teaching the Musical Theater class she is very excited! She started preforming in musicals and plays in fifth grade. Asialina is very excited to start the new dance year off and she hope you are too!
Emma Valcq
This is Emma's first year teaching with All Is Dance Academy, yet dance has always been a huge part of her life. She started dancing tap and tumbling at the age of 4 and it quickly became her childhood passion. Taking every class she could, she learned everything from tap to kick, and pointe to hip hop. Now as a mom of 2, she's so excited to help others grow their skills and learn how to use dance as a form of self-expression.
Diamond Twirlers Baton/Dance Program
- Diamond Twirlers Baton/Dance Competitive Teams
- Diamond Twirlers Baton and Dance Teams
- Recreational Classes
- Diamond Twirlers Coaches - Introductions
Diamond Twirlers Baton/Dance Competitive Teams
Diamond Twirlers Baton/Dance Competitive Teams
Diamond Twirlers Baton/Dance Competitive Teams Diamond Twirlers is a club sport activity under the auspices of the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department. Our State/Regional Champion Competitive Teams attend dance and baton competitions. Members of the group have used their baton/dance skills to compete not only in dance/baton contests but also in scholarship programs, pageants and community service roles.
The goals of this group are:
- Develop ability within the sport
- Promote teamwork
- Have fun The Program
Director, Kathy Kugi-Tom, is a registered judge/coach with the National Baton Twirling Association.
In addition to offering competitive Baton/Dance teams, the Diamond Twirlers partners with the WAWM RCS Department to offer recreational classes throughout the year.
A baton is required for the classes and it is advised to contact Program Director, Kathy Kugi-Tom, prior to purchasing.
For more information, contact the 414-604-4900 or schwichtenberga@wawmsd.org.
Diamond Twirlers Baton and Dance Teams
- TINY TOT POM TEAM - AGES 4-7
- JUVENILE BATON TEAM - AGES 7-12
- HALFTIME SHOW TEAM - AGES 10-18
- JUNIOR BATON TEAM - AGES 12-18
- SENIOR BATON TEAM - AGES 14-25
TINY TOT POM TEAM - AGES 4-7
JUVENILE BATON TEAM - AGES 7-12
HALFTIME SHOW TEAM - AGES 10-18
JUNIOR BATON TEAM - AGES 12-18
SENIOR BATON TEAM - AGES 14-25
Diamond Twirlers Baton and Dance Teams Placement on teams may need to be adjusted based on skills and is the sole discretion of the director.
2024 TEAM SCHEDULE
Practices are scheduled to be held at Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School located at 9501 W. Cleveland Ave. No practices on 3/30 or 5/25.
Recreational Classes
- INTRO TO HALFTIME SHOW - AGES 3-7
- INTRO TO BATON TWIRLING - AGES 4-6
- BEGINNING BATON TWIRLING - AGES 7-10
INTRO TO HALFTIME SHOW - AGES 3-7
INTRO TO BATON TWIRLING - AGES 4-6
BEGINNING BATON TWIRLING - AGES 7-10
In these classes, twirlers will exercise not only their physical abilities but work on developing their hand-eye coordination, rhythm, timing, poise, and more. Each class focuses on building on the fundamental tricks and skills of twirling leading into more advanced combinations as the twirler progresses.
Diamond Twirlers Coaches - Introductions
Kathy Kugi-Tom
Kathy has been the director/coach of the West Allis Diamond Twirlers for the past 14 years. She is a registered National Baton Twirling Association Judge and Coach. Kathy has been involved with the West Allis Recreation Department for many years as a former dance instructor and her long-standing relationship with the Baton program. An alumnus of the Daley Debutantes, Kathy twirled from a young age and started coaching baton and dance in her early teens. She has coached numerous State and Regional winning teams, many individual twirlers, and Badger State pom competitors.
RJ Tom
RJ is an alumnus of West Allis Diamond Twirlers, a 3x National Men’s Strut Champion, and National Men’s Intermediate and Beginner 2 Baton champion. He is an assistant coach with our program and enjoys working on technical skills and marching techniques. RJ’s experience has been a wide variety in solo, marching, and teams but as well as Regional duet champion multiple times with his partner/sister Taryn. He has been a member of all our teams in his 14 years with the program.
Taryn Tom
Taryn is an assistant coach and alumni of the West Allis Diamond Twirlers. Taryn has previously won the All North Beginner X Strut title and many Miss Waukesha Majorette titles. She has been twirling since she was four years old and has led as co-captain of our teams for many years. Taryn loves to coach and be active. She is a Regional and State Duet competitor with her twin brother, RJ.