Claudette Lee, Artistic Director & Dance Educator, 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 under artistic director Sally Seven, 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.

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 several years, she has been teaching motor movement/physical education to toddlers and preschoolers along with recreational tumbling. Francie has been teaching at Discovery Dance since the fall of 2009 and greatly enjoys working with our students to help them achieve their very best. 

Sadly, Miss Francie passed away October 2011.  We will GREATLY miss her sparkling smile and enthusiastic teaching style.  She will never be forgotten!

Catie Hauch: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, & 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 began teaching at Discovery Dance in the fall of 2010.  She was a member of Discvoery Dance Ensemble for the 2010/2011 school year and contributed creatieve choreography for the original children's ballet "Stellaluna".  Catie has a wonderful eye for detail and a keen interest in each of her students.

Mari started her dance career at the age of three. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop at Miss Kathy's School of Dance in both Decatur and Dowagiac, MI. Throughout middle school and high school she was a member of the Encore Dance Company.  With Encore, Mari was given the opportunity to perform and dance competitively throughout the country, and even traveled to Japan!  Mari continued her dance training at Hope College and added the style of modern dance to her repertoire. At Hope she performed in and had her choreography featured in several student dance concerts, and was also a member of the Insync Dance Theatre, a semi-professional jazz and tap company. Mari graduated from Hope with a degree in elementary education and a minor in dance. After graduating from college, Mari taught a semester of jazz at Hope, continued to choreograph for the Encore Dance Company, and coached the West Ottawa Competitive Dance team for 3 years. Mari also started an after school dance program at Fennville Elementary where she currently teaches First grade. She is very excited to share her passion and love of dance with the students of Discovery Dance!  

Alisha began taking gymnastics at the age of 4 at Superior Gymnastics in Kentwood, and continued her training there for the next 8 years.  She continued to develop her tumbling skills as a competitive cheerleader while cheering with Caledonia High School.  She received her elementary teaching degree from Grand Valley State University and has been working with children for over 10 years.  Alisha has been coaching rocket cheerleading for Saugatuck Schools for the past four years, as well as teaching piano lessons, Project Charlie drug and alcohol prevention program, and running the Sunday School program at her church.  Since 2008 she has been a part of the Discovery Dance family, along with her step-daughter.  Alisha has been fully absorbed in dance classes, teacher assisting, and as a member of the Discovery Dance Ensemble, where she has been developing her skills as a choreographer.  She loves working with children and is excited to help her students be more confident by improving their tumbling skills in a fun environment. 

Interesting websites that you may want to check out.
Dancewear and Shoes  http://www.dancewearsolutions.com/affiliate/370.html 
Photography for Dancers, Families, Weddings, Seniors  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
Fennville News Online Newspaper http://www.fennvillenews.com/
City of Fennville's Official Website http://www.fennville.com/
Cool handcrafted accessories, clothing, decor, and other original stuff http://www.etsy.com