Keep scrolling down for Dress Code & More.

Claudette Lee, Artistic Director, Dance & ZUMBA Instructor, has her BS from Central Michigan University with a Minor in Dance. She began dancing at age 5 in Westmont, Illinois, and continued her training in Downers Grove and Chicago, Illinois. After moving to West Michigan her dance training continued at Ballet Arts & Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She then went on to dance with the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet Company, performing in numerous productions such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "The Nutcracker", & "Carmen". The Ken Tepper studio in Grand Rapids provided Jazz training during those years. Claudette went on to dance with CMU's Orchesis Dance Theatre where she was trained in Modern Dance, Choreography, Teaching Techniques, & Performance Production. Master classes and dance conventions all over the country have also added to her knowledge, understanding & passion for dance. Marrying a wonderful husband, Lonnie; having two children, Sam & Alonna; and moving around the country slowed her dance career for a while. But in 2005 she opened and began operating a successful school of dance in Tennessee (what a fantastic experience!). However, West Michigan kept calling her heart, so the Lee family returned home to Fennville during the summer of 2007. Claudette continues to educate herself with dance classes whenever she can squeeze them into her busy schedule. She also completed her ZUMBA Fitness Instructor's certification during the summer of 2009.

Francie Underwood, Tumbling Instructor, has been working with children in various capacities for nearly 20 years. She received her education and training from Western Michigan University, Andrews University, University of Missouri, The Little Gym, Patti Komara's, and Chicago's Yoga Central. The areas of study and training include elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood, play programming, tumbling for the young student, pediatric physical therapy, and YogaKids. For the past 6 years, she has been teaching motor movement/physical education to toddlers and preschoolers along with recreational tumbling. She is very excited to be teaching at Discovery Dance and having the opportunity to work with your children.

Catie Hauch: Tap, Jazz & Hip-Hop Fusion Instructor began dancing at age 3 and danced competively throughout her younger years and into her years at Hope College, where she also studied dance and performed.  In addition to teaching dance workshops both locally and abroad she has volunteered her skills to help teach adults with developmental impairments.  She has three small children of her own and greatly enjoys dancing with them and experiencing dance from their perspective.  Catie is looking forward to getting to know our students and she is exicited to have the opportunity to teach at Discovery Dance.

Elizabeth Mendoza, Dance Instructor, is a member of the Discovery Dance Senior Ensemble.  Elizabeth enjoys working with our littlest dancers and is very patient and skilled in helping them to expand their skills and discover what their little bodies can do!

Michele Troutman, Dance, ZUMBA & CORE Fitness Instructor, and member of the Discovery Dance Senior Ensemble.  She received her dance training at Long Beach City College and Saddleback College in California where she was involved with numerous faculty & student choreographed dance concerts. She is a certified secondary teacher of chemistry & technology, a Rocket cheerleader coach and a certified ZUMBA instructor. She enjoys working with children & spending time at Discovery Dance.

Alisha Giles:  Dance Instructor, is a member of the Discovery Dance Senior Ensemble.  Experienced in gymnastics as well as a Rocket Cheerleading Coach, Piano Instructor and a Substitute School Teacher, Alisha has an eye for detail and a wonderful disposition for working with children.  She has choreographed and staged several pieces for Discovery Dance and looks forward to instructing our young dancers.

Sam Lee:  Boys High Energy Dance Co-Instructor has been dancing at his mom's (Miss Claudette) studio for 5 years.  He has experience in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Clogging and Modern Dance.  He loves music and playing the guitar as well.  While assisting Miss Claudette with dance classes, it became apparent that he had a knack for drawing energy out of dance students.  His first choreographic work, "Men in Black" for the 2010 Recital was a huge success!  He enjoys motivating his students to be stronger, jump higher, dance funkier, and let their personalities explode!

The following dress codes are for girls.  Boys and adults, please contact Miss Claudette at (269) 355-0562 or by email at claudette@discoverydancefennville.com for specific dress code information.  Exception:  Boys in Hip-Hop Fusion and Boy's High Energy Dance will need to follow the same standards for dress as the girls. 

Ballet Classes (Ballet/Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz/Modern, Ballet II, Ballet III, Ballet IV)
Any color leotard and tights, ballet shoes.  Ballet skirts or dance shorts are okay.  Short dance sweaters are okay.  No baggy clothes.  No long pants.  Hair must be pulled back into a bun or ponytail.  No bulky jewelry.

Ballet/Jazz/Modern I (5-7 yrs)
In addition to the leotard, tights, and ballet shoes, students in this class will need to have black jazz shoes for the jazz portion of class.  Slip on jazz shoes are preferred because the children can usually put them on without assistance.

Tap Classes
Snug fitting top (leotard suggested) and Jazz pants, capris, or other dance pants.  Black tap shoes.  Hair must be pulled back off the face.

Tumbling (Motor Movement & Tumbling, all ages)
Snug fitting clothing with bare legs from the mid-thigh down.  Leotards or biketards are recommended.  Shirts must be snug enough that they won't fall down when the child is upside down.  Bare feet.  No jewelry.

Lyrical Technique and Discovery Dance Ensemble
Snug fitting, stretchy clothing (leotard with tights, dance pants or capris suggested).  Bare feet, foot undies, dance paws, or ballet shoes on feet.

Hip-Hop Fusion and Boy's High Energy Dance
Any clothing that is easy to move in, Black Jazz or Hip-Hop shoes.  No pants that drag on the floor, no clothing that distracts from class with crude graphics or that fits incorrectly and needs constant adjustment.  No exposed bellies. 

Reflections of Dance in Holland carries a full line of all dancewear and shoes that you will need for classes at Discovery Dance.  They also offer Discovery Dance students 15% off all of their purchases.

Interesting websites that you may want to check out.
Photography for Dancers http://www.photographybyleones.com
Unique accessories and clothing for the Princess in YOUR Life http://princesshannahbowtique.com/
Videographer for dance recitals and many other occasions K Productions John Keck Videography
Online Ballet Dictionary with video demonstration http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html
Other sites for dancewear and shoes http://www.discountdance.com/index.php, http://www.dancedistributors.com/, http://www.dancewearsolutions.com/Default.aspx
Fennville News Online Newspaper http://www.fennvillenews.com/
City of Fennville's Official Website http://www.fennville.com/