Denele Sweet - Studio owner and Instructor
Denele began her dancing career at the tiny age of 2½. She grew up training with Portland’s best, Lynn Johnson-Wiltshire, Sally Mack, Vicki Mills, and Debbie Pierce. Denele was professionally educated and trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Hawaiian, Gymnastics, and Ballroom Dancing.
Competing and traveling is a big part of Denele’s dance background. Denele began competitive ballroom dancing from the age of 8 taking her to all over the Northwest and Canada. Her ballet training and desire to be on stage landed a role with Ballet West and their presentation of the Nutcracker performed at the Keller Auditorium.
Tap dancing has always been her love and led her to being a member of the Northwest Tap Consort. Constantly moving her feet and practically living at the dance studio rolled into a lifelong love of dance that will never go away. Judging Dance competitions is another aspect of dance Denele has enjoyed for several years traveling from Portland and Canada.
Denele is a proud supporter of the Miss America Organization. She is the Producer of the Miss Clatsop County Program and the Contestant Choreographer for the Miss Oregon program since 1996. You may have seen her tapping on the Miss Oregon stage over the years as well! In 1992 she was crowned Miss Umatilla County.
At Seaside High School, Denele’s choreography credits include “Kiss me Kate” and “The Wiz”, “Grease”, “Anything Goes” to name a few. Denele was a SHS Cheerleader 1988-90. Her dancing was such a major part of her life so she moved back to Portland in 1991.
Shortly after her son Zachary was born in 1995, Denele began teaching in Seaside. Her love of dance and children is her life and she can’t wait to share it with your children.
Enjoy your classes here at Encore, Denele was worked very hard to make a warm, encouraging environment for dancers of all ages!
Cecila “C.C.” Sibony
Cecilia, “C.C.” Sibony began dancing at the Old Dominion University in Virginia. There she performed the role of “Clara” in The Nutcracker. Soon after, at age ten, Cecilia was accepted into the National Ballet School in Toronto, Canada. Here she lived in the dormitories; attended academic classes, and underwent a rigorous dance-training program. C.C. is certified in all levels of the Cecchetti method of ballet.
Cecilia has also studied with an impressive list of guest teachers from all over the world. From these teachers she learned dance styles including, ballet, Spanish flamenco, Chinese dance, character dance, and modern dance.
C.C. also performed with the National Ballet of Canada and the Toronto Dance Theatre (Martha Graham modern dance). She then went on to creating, founding and co-directing “Freelance Dance,” a casting agency specializing in dancers and choreographers. Later C.C. taught dance classes to aspiring figure skaters of the Canadian National Team.
The love of the Oregon Coast has C.C. and her husband settled here with their three children.
Tiana Carpenter
Miss Tia discovered her love for dancing at age 7 when her mom enrolled her in her first ballet class. Wanting to grow and learn more about different dance styles she eventually added Jazz, Lyrical and Pointe classes to her weekly dance schedule. She also attended multiple summer intensive dance camps and began creating and performing her own choreography as a teenager.
Tia’s teaching path was sparked when she began working with the children at Meridian Academy of Gymnastics near Boise, Idaho. There she was trained to coach tumbling to children of all ages. She also began teaching preschool curriculum in the Academy's daycare. Quickly, Tia’s responsibility’s at MAG grew into becoming the director of the school's dance program - teaching ballet, jazz, tap and creative movement.
Teaching children to dance and putting their dreams in the spotlight is a true passion of Tia’s. Since moving back to the area in 2005, she has enjoyed continuing and growing her career with the children at ENCORE. She has attended many continuing education conventions, classes and conferences including Tremaine, JUMP and Rhee Gold's DanceLife seminar. Tia has judged for the competition Dance Magic and also enjoys volunteering and choreographing for the Miss Clatsop County Outstanding Princess Program. Miss Tia is safety certified by USA Gymnastics and is also First Aid Certified.
KRYSTI FICKER
Krysti began dancing after receiving tap shoes for her 11th Birthday. Growing up, she studied Tap, Jazz and Ballet, performed in The Nutcracker, as well as in a variety of musical theatre roles at The Coaster Theatre.
Krysti earned her Bachelor’s at Western Oregon University, where she majored in Dance with concentrations in dance production, technology, and pedagogy. She performed in WOUDT’s annual Spring Concert throughout her collegiate career, focusing on Tap, Hip-Hop, Modern, Partnering, and Ballet. She was cast in the Pilobolus-inspired piece “Cellular Yoga”, which was chosen to represent WOU at the American College Dance Festival in 2002. Her senior thesis, “For the Funk of It”, a fusion of Tap and Hip-Hop, was voted Best Choreography amongst her peers, and was selected by faculty as the Students in Excellence performance piece for 2003.
Before leaving the Willamette Valley, she began teaching at the North Santiam Academy of Ballet, running summer sessions while the artistic director was on sabbatical. She additionally taught an after-school Hip-Hop and Musical Theatre program. Krysti has returned to the beach with her hubby to raise their daughter, and is super excited she joined the Encore family!
Josh murry
Josh began dancing when he was 11 years old. He studied Tap, Jazz and Ballet. Local performance opportunities include the Miss Oregon & Miss Clatsop pageants, Nutcracker, and The Polar Express.
Josh has studied on a full scholarship with Milwaukee Ballet School in Wisconsin, Joffrey Ballet School in New York and Brigham Young University’s Theatre Ballet Company. During his time at BYU Josh was able to be a full time student while continuing his training in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance. BYU offered many opportunities to take master classes and seminars with renowned teachers from the Royal Ballet, Ballet West, and Center Stage.
Recent performance experiences include dancing the lead male role Franz in the ballet Coppelia, Snow King and Arabian Prince in the Nutcracker, corpes de ballet in Fleddermeus, and Ipsy Discit. He also was selected to perform in many senior projects and composition pieces receiving recognition from many teachers and directors in the dance department at BYU.
Taking a break from his career, Josh is back on the coast looking forward to sharing his love of dance with others.
COURTNEY BANGS
Courtney began her gymnastics career at the tiny age of 2. Competing and traveling since the age of six has been a big part of Courtney’s gymnastics background. She excelled at tumbling and vault and often placed in the top 10 at state competitions.
Her love for the sport led her to begin coaching when she was 18 at her original gymnastics club, Mid Valley Gymnastics. Courtney has coached both recreational and competitive team gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling, kindergym, and tiny tots. Throughout her coaching career she has also choreographed floor, cheerleading, and Miss Fitness dance and tumbling routines. Her love for coaching and for kids led her to continue her coaching career through college while pursuing her degrees in agriculture and education.
Since completing her education at Oregon State University, Courtney has been teaching high school for the last five years. Now as a part time teacher, she is able to pursue one of her true loves again, coaching kids. She feels blessed that her job makes her smile so much.
bobbi nunn
Music, theatre, gymnastics, and the performing arts have been a part of Bobbi’s life since the age of 3. She has completed over 15 years of Gymnastics training and by the age of 7, she was the youngest member of the “Vegas Valley Cloggers.”
By the age of 11, she was a member of a tumbling and acting group sponsored by D.A.R.E. In Junior High, Bobbi was the captain of the Drill Team. She was also a member of her school’s competitive show choir, “Reflections”. In High School, Bobbi was accepted to the prestigious “Academy of Performing Arts and Music” in Las Vegas. Bobbi went on to lead her school’s Varsity Cheer team as Captain and in her spare time you could find her lighting up the stage playing the lead role’s in production’s such as “Bye Bye Birdie”, “The Three Musketeers”, “Aladdin” and “Romeo & Juliet” Bobbi also directed numerous One Acts and the hilarious play “Odd Couple”.
Moving to the Oregon coast has always been a dream for Bobbi and her husband Jay. They look forward to raising their two children Makenna and Kyler in this wonderful community. Bobbi is honored to teach the next generation to express themselves thru movement and music.
Laura Kaim
- Receptionist
Laura first came to Encore as a dance mom and soon found herself helping in the dressing room during recitals and eventually came to work afternoons at the studio. Her previous performing arts experience includes competitive speaking/debate in high school, an internship at California Lutheran College’s Summer Stock Theater and directing Children’s Christmas Programs at church.
At the tender age of 40, she took her first Jazz class as well as Hip Hop and Ballet. During her year of dance she competed at ADX and Dance Magic.
When not working at the studio, Laura is the Office Manager at the Seaside Chamber of Commerce. She also enjoys and volunteering as the coordinator for the Miss Clatsop County and Miss Oregon Princess Programs.
Most Commonly Asked Questions:
Welcome to Encore Dance Studio!
“The Second Happiest Place on Earth!”
Studio Contact Info:
ENCORE DANCE STUDIO
3593 HWY 101 NORTH
GEARHART, OREGON 97138
503-717-1637
Warrenton location
429 SE Marlin Avenue,
Suite B
Warrenton, Oregon 97146
Email: encoregearhart@msn.com
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, there is a $30 registration fee due. The Family Fee is $40. Fees are due annually.
What is the registration fee for?
The fee is to process accounts, student registration and administration.
When do Fall classes begin?
September 7th will be the first day of fall classes.
When is Tuition Due?
If paying by check or cash your tuition is due in advance on the last class of the month for the following month’s lessons. A $10 late fee will automatically be charged to past due accounts if not paid by the 1st. If payment by check is late more than once or if a check is returned to our office you will be required to enroll in our autopay system. Autopay costumers will be charged on the 25th of the month prior. For example January’s tuition will be processed on December 25th. Tuition and fees are non-refundable for any reason unless there is a class cancellation and no make up classes are available. We do not send monthly statements unless warranted.
How does Autopay work?
Autopay is the most convenient and earth friendly way to pay tuition. Tuition is also discounted when you enroll in our autopay system. Your debit/credit card will be charged on the 25th of each month beginning August 25th and ending May 25th. We require a 30-day written notice if you wish to drop a class or no longer what to participate with the autopay system. Decline fee is $10.
What if I need to drop a class?
Our office will assume you are still enrolled in classes and you will be billed unless the office is notified 30 days in advance, in writing. Many times we have students on waiting lists and we need to be able to offer the opening to those waiting.
How long does the session run?
Classes are a flat monthly rate and run 9 months; September thru June. Students are enrolled in classes through the end of the year. Students are to pay full tuition every month including the last month of June ending with our Showcase. Classes are not pro-rated for missed classes.
How early can I Drop Off/Pick up?
Drop off is no more than 10 minutes prior to class. Pick up is promptly. Encore does not provide supervision for students before, after, or between classes.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes, during the Winter Season we visit area retirement homes and hospitals to show off our steps as well as local community events. In the Spring is our annual “Showcase”, usually in June. This winter 2010 many Encore students will be performing in Disneyland!
What is the “Dance Team”?
Our dance team is by invitation only. Dance team students perform and compete throughout the year ending in June.
Why is there an “Equipment Fee”?
This fee assists in the maintenance and updating of our tumbling equipment. This fee applies to all students enrolled in a tumbling class and is due once a year in September.
What if I miss a class?
Students can schedule a make up class through the office. Tuition is not prorated for missed classes. There is only ONE make up classes allowed per six weeks and must be due to illness or school function.
Do we need costumes? How much are they & when is the money due?
Yes, your dancer will need one costume for every subject they are enrolled in. Prices for Spring Showcase costumes are $50 for child sizes and $70 for adult. There is an additional fee for plus size costumes. Spring Costume Fees are split into two payments with the first one being Due October 25th and the second payment due November 25th. These payments are automatically charged to your credit card for Autopay customers. Any alterations needed for your child’s costume is your responsibility.
None of the make up times work for me, what should I do?
One of the advantages of choosing Encore is the wide range of classes we offer. If your child is signed up for tumbling they can make up in ballet, hip hop or lots of other classes at the studio. As long as the age and level are appropriate, you are always encouraged to try new things here at Encore.
I think my child is more advanced then the rest of her class?
If your child is more advanced—their teacher will move them up. Our teachers have a great deal of experience with placement and skill level. Your child might be more advanced in one area, but needing improvement in another. If you ever have any questions about how your child is doing, please leave a note for your teacher and they will be happy to discuss your child’s progress.
My child didn’t get moved up with the rest of her class, is there something wrong?
“Each child has a gift, some of them open their gifts at different times.” How true, although your child didn’t move up this year, maybe next year they will move up, maybe even skip a level. Children should experience all aspects of dance and tumbling over the years. Some years they might be at the bottom of the class, or the top, or they might be right in the middle. One year they might look up to someone in the class, another year they might be the role model. No matter where they are placed, a lot of valuable things can be learned.
Why can’t I watch my daughter’s dance class every week?
Although it is a joy to watch your child dance, it can be very distracting to her and other students. Have you ever heard that your child behaves completely different for Grandma or the teacher then they do for you? It can certainly be true when parents are watching class. Students seem to focus more on “Mommy” then they do themselves and their dance steps. As you will see when you come to watch during the last class of the month, it can be a little crazy. That is why we limit the days for viewing.
Why is there a dress code?
If your child has ever played team sports, this should be easy to understand. You wouldn’t play soccer with the wrong color jersey, right? What about your cleats? You need them too! How about your hair? Pulled back out of your face to play a good game. When you enroll your child in dance you can expect they will be required to have certain dress for their classes. Dress codes for the fall will be available online and in the office.
Why is there a recital fee?
The recital fee and tickets to our show assist in covering venue rental, staffing, program printing, props, etc. Recital Fee is $25 per dancer and is due February 25th and is automatically charged to your credit card on file for Autopay customers.
How do I schedule my child for private lessons? How much are they?
Students who take private lessons at Encore must be currently enrolled in a class. Rates are $30 for ½ Hour and $50 for One Hour. Check in at the desk or talk to your teacher if you would like schedule private time for your dancer.
Studio Location
Encore Dance Studio
North Coast Plaza
3593 Hwy 101 North
Gearhart, Oregon 97138
Phone: (503) 717-1637
Click here for directions to the studio
Our new location
429 SE Marlin Avenue,
Suite B
Warrenton, Oregon 97146
Click here for directions to the studio
