MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Megan
Snyder
OWNER & DIRECTOR
Megan Snyder is the proud owner of Debut Dance and is passionate about sharing her love of dance with students of all ages and abilities. Shortly after receiving her B.A. in Dance from the University of Iowa, she opened Debut Dance in 2008. While at the University of Iowa, Ms. Megan spent three years on the nationally ranked Iowa Dance Team cheering on the Hawkeyes and competing at the UDA College National Competition. Ms. Megan has been providing dance instruction to children for more than 25 years and choreographing for the last 20 years. She enjoys teaching a variety of classes at Debut Dance… Jazz is her favorite! Recently in the summer of 2023, Debut Dance attended Starz Nationals and came home national champions in multiple categories! In 2022, Debut Dance won TOP STUDIO at the Masquerade regional competition in the elite level and won the STUDIO OF EXCELLENCE award at the Spotlight regional event. When Ms. Megan is not at the studio, she loves to spend time with her family! She is the mother to three very energetic boys- Milo, Quincy, and Bowen. You may even see them up on stage!
Contact Megan
megan@debutdancestudio.com
Kathleen
Fallon
INSTRUCTOR
Kathleen Fallon plays a major leadership role at Debut Dance as one of the lead competition team choreographers and partners with Megan Snyder as a Co. Forte Director. Miss Kathleen has been a part of the Debut family for close to ten years and continues to share her passion and competitive knowledge with the dancers on our competition teams. She has implemented the Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) into core Company classes and is excited to launch a new team called Company Pro. As Forte Director, Miss Kathleen has received numerous choreography awards and high point awards when her dancers have competed at various regional competitions around the Midwest. Miss Kathleen grew up in West Des Moines studying all styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theatre, and tumbling. She has received numerous titles and scholarships from local and national dance competitions. In high school, Miss Kathleen danced on Valley’s Varsity Dance team for four years and was captain her senior year. Miss Kathleen recently graduated from the University of Iowa studying both Dance and Business Management.
Sarah
Auman
INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, IA. Ms. Sarah stepped into the world of dance at just three years old, and has been passionate about dance ever since. She has a background that includes 4 years on the dance team at Kennedy High School and 1 year with the University of Northern Iowa's dance team, where she obtained a National title in pom and top 10 in jazz. For the past decade, Ms. Sarah has dedicated her talents to coaching the dance team at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, fostering the next generation of dancers. Ms. Sarah prides herself on training the team to push themselves to dance at the collegiate level and also encourage her dancers to be good people in the classroom, out of the classroom, and in life. While Ms. Sarah has coached at Prairie, the team has obtained top 5 at State, Regional champion jazz titles, and top 10 in large pom at Nationals in 2020. Ms. Sarah is a competitive coach, but loves dancers' growth and personal victories more than anything else. Outside of dance, Ms. Sarah is a Realtor, a proud dog mom, and happily married to her loving husband, Tyler.
Tatum
Brumm
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
Tatum Brumm is starting her first year of teaching here at Debut Dance, but she has been a junior instructor for many years. Tatum has been dancing at debut for 8 years, and has been on the competition team for 5. Tatum is a freshman at Liberty High School, and is involved in choir! She enjoys traveling for competitions and conventions with her team throughout the season. She trains in multiple styles, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, tumbling, and musical theater. She cannot wait for a great year with your dancers!
Jillian
Canfield
INSTRUCTOR
Jillian Canfield is from North Liberty, Iowa and has had a passion for dance ever since she was three. Ms. Jillian was a member of the Forte Company for five years where she competed and won many awards during her dance career. Growing up Ms. Jillian trained in the styles of ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, tumbling, poms, and hip-hop. She enjoys teaching a variety of recreational classes. Ms. Jillian graduated from the University of Iowa in 2019 majoring in Elementary Education. Currently, Ms. Jillian is a Fourth Grade teacher in the Iowa City Community School District and is working on completing her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Her love for children transfers perfectly to the studio as a veteran instructor of dance. This is Ms. Jillian’s tenth year teaching at Debut Dance. When Ms. Jillian is not at the studio, she loves to spend time with her family! She is a mother of a one year old daughter Rowan.
Harper
Cochran
INSTRUCTOR
Harper Cochran is a Junior at Clear Creek Amana High School in Tiffin. She has lived in North Liberty for her whole life. Harper has been dancing for 11 years at Debut. This upcoming year will be her 10th year on the Forte competition team. This will be Harper’s second year of competing on Debut’s Forte Pro team, which travels and competes all around the US to compete and take master classes. This will also be her second year as an official Debut instructor. Harper has trained in ballet, tap, musical theater, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and tumbling. Harper has taught at many summer camps, clinics, and bootcamps here at Debut over the years. Ms. Harper is so excited to work with your young dancers!
Diane
Fickel
OFFICE MANAGER
Diane Fickel not only is the office manager at Debut Dance, but is also Ms. Megan’s mom! Diane has been part of the Debut family since the studio opened in 2008 and loves watching the dancers perform in and outside of dance class. Diane teaches business at West High School in Iowa City and devotes her free time to spending time with her five grandchildren. Diane is always available to help answer any of your financial questions!
Aly
Farrell
INSTRUCTOR
Aly Farrell grew up in North Liberty Iowa and is a Junior at Liberty High School. Aly also competes and travels with the Liberty Varsity Dance team and this will be her third year on the team. This will be Aly’s second year of officially teaching at Debut. This will also be Aly’s 11th year on the Forte Competition Team, and her fourth year on the Pro Team. The pro competition team travels around the U.S to show off their dances. Aly trains in many styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tumbling, tap, and hip hop. She is very excited to get to work with the dancers and share her love for dancing again this year!
Sophia
Hawkins
INSTRUCTOR
Sophia Hawkins is from Polk City, Iowa, and has been dancing for 19 years. She competed and attended conventions around the midwest for 13 years. Sophia also has been a part of Iowa Dance Theater’s productions of multiple different ballets including The Nutcracker, Peter Pan and more! Sophia has trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, jazz, modern, hip hop, and tumbling.
Sophia was an instructor for three years while at Nicole's School of Dance, teaching dance to all ages within multiple styles. Sophia also taught classes to less-experienced dancers at Des Moines Area Community College giving these students a base for their dance education. In addition to studio dance, Sophia was also a member of the North Polk High School Varsity Dance Team. Sophia served as captain for the team for 2 years. Through NPDT Sophia competed at both ISDTA state and MA dance conventions receiving many top 3 awards both solo and team. Sophia is currently attending The University of Iowa Studying Dance and Business.
Sophia is so grateful to continue her dance career in such a prestigious and experienced dance program with incredible staff. Sophia is beyond excited to start teaching here at Debut and grow alongside these amazing students!
Alaina
Hoffman
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
Alaina Hoffman is currently 16 years old and a sophomore at Liberty High School. She has been dancing for several years, but she made the switch to debut in fall of 2021. It’s now her 4th year competing and being a debut dancer, and she couldn’t be happier. In addition to dancing, she also loves to perform in show choir. Last year, Alaina was dance captain of her group and is hoping she can continue to build those leadership skills. Alaina loves Debut's supportive environment, as well as their commitment to their dancers. She’s very excited to do a little bit of teaching this year, and can’t wait for classes to start!
Alexa
Holzwarth
INSTRUCTOR
Alexa Holzwarth is so excited to start her first year instructing at Debut Dance. She graduated from Linn-Mar High School and is starting her freshman year at the University of Iowa studying Psychology on the Pre-Occupational Therapy program. Alexa has been dancing for 15 years and has trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and her favorite style is contemporary. She was on the dance team for two years and joined show choir her last two years of high school. She is so excited to meet everyone and work with the amazing kiddos!
Emily
Hudachek
OFFICE STAFF
Emily Hudachek is excited to start year two working in the Debut Family as part of the Office Staff! In addition to working at the Studio, she teaches business at West High School in Iowa City with Ms. Diane. Emily enjoys the positive atmosphere at Debut and how everyone is supported while pursuing their passion for dance. Emily is available to answer any registration questions or help you in the boutique!
Isabelle
Kafer
INSTRUCTOR
Isabelle Kafer has grown up in North Liberty, Iowa and is in her freshman year at the University of Iowa. There she is a part of the nationally ranked Iowa Dance team. She competed on Debut’s competition team for 10 years. She was also a part of Debut’s Forte Pro team, an elite group of dancers who travel around the U.S. to showcase their dancing. At Debut, Isabelle trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tumbling, and lyrical. This past season Ms. Isabelle received various awards including regional titles, many overall awards, and various scholarships at conventions. Last summer and this past fall she became a part of the Celebrity Dance Senior Crew which consisted of assisting classes at their nationals in Anaheim, California and traveling across the country to assist the company in convention classes. This fall she is excited to be dancing at all of the home Iowa football games and start her studies in accounting at the university. Ms. Isabelle’s love for dance continues to grow and she cannot wait to share her passion with many young dancers!
Emma
Moniza
INSTRUCTOR
Emma Moniza is so excited for her first year teaching tumbling at Debut Dance! Emma is a junior at West High School and a level 10 gymnast at Twisters Gymnastics. She qualified for Nationals in Daytona, Florida, last competition season. She enjoys being outdoors and spending time at the lake with her friends and family. Emma's little sister, Julia, is a Forte dancer at Debut. Emma is looking forward to helping kids become passionate and confident in their tumbling to help elevate their dances!
Rachel
Mundt
INSTRUCTOR
Rachel Mundt has grown up in North Liberty, Iowa and has been dancing since she was 3. This will be her 9th year on the Forte competition team at Debut! She is a junior at Clear Creek Amana High School, and is also a second year member of the West High Dance Team. Rachel trains in styles of jazz, musical theater, hip hop, lyrical, tumbling, ballet, pom, and contemporary. This summer she had the amazing opportunity to train as a part of Celebrity’s Senior Crew in Phoenix and Vegas! She has a huge passion for competing and attending conventions with her team. This will be Rachel’s second year on the Debut Staff, although she has been a junior instructor for many years. She cannot wait to pass on her huge love of dance to others, and is excited for a great season with your kids!
Ainsley
Proud
INSTRUCTOR
Ainsley Proud has grown up in North Liberty Iowa, and is a Junior at Liberty High School. She has been dancing at Debut for 13 years, 9 of those years on the competition team. Currently Ainsley is on the Forte Company and Pro team! She Trains in multiple styles including jazz, ballet, musical theater, tap, tumbling, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. This is Ainsley's 2nd year as a lead instructor. One of her favorite parts about Debut is the family like atmosphere, traveling the country with her Pro team, and learning from new teachers and choreographers. Outside of dance Ainsley participates in NHS and the You Matter project at Liberty. She cannot wait to share her passion for dance with Debuts dancers for another year!
Hailey
Robertson
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
Hailey Robertson is very excited to start this years’ dance season! This is Hailey’s fifth year at Debut Dance! She will be a lead DPA instructor and her favorite style of dance is contemporary and hip hop! She is a sophomore at the Clear Creek Amana High School. She moved to Tiffin in 2018 and started dancing in 2020. She is trained in many styles of dance including lyrical, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater, tap, ballet, and acro. One of her favorite parts of Debut is the family that has been created within it!. This will be her second year on the Forte Company team! Outside of dance, she also participates in band! She is also very artistic and she can’t wait for another great year at Debut Dance!
Zoey
Sackett
INSTRUCTOR
Zoey Sackett will be going onto her 16th year of dancing and 3rd year of instructing and choreographing which ranges from Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Productions. Throughout the years participating in studio dance, dance team, and choreographing, Zoey has made numerous accomplishments such as many overall placements, judge’s awards, multiple years of standout dancer, recognitions and scholarships through competitions and conventions in group dances, solos, and duets, and achieving two choreography awards within her first year of choreographing competition dances. With being so involved in dance she also balances going to school for Criminal Justice with a path of becoming an attorney, being a part of the iPush workshops and competition team, and having her own DJing business. Since DJ Z has experience in the DJ world, she is very skilled in mixing, cutting,and mashing music for dances. Zoey is so excited to be a part of the Debut family and she can not wait to instill greatness into your dancers!
Kelsi
Schicker
INSTRUCTOR
Kelsi Schicker grew up in Waterford, Wisconsin. She started dancing at the age of 2 at a studio in Oak Creek, Wisconsin where she was given the opportunity to perform onstage with Bob McGrath from Sesame Street and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in the “KinderKonzert” Series. After moving to Waterford, Wisconsin Kelsi danced with the Waterford Recreation Department for two years taking classes in pom, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, lyrical, and tumbling. She then has been training with Foursis Dance and Gymnastics located in Waterford, Wisconsin since the age of 5. She also started competing with the All-Star dance team, Foursis Dazzler Dance Team. She competed in team and solo competitions and won the title of National Champion for her solos for many years. Kelsi has been a member of many State & National Championship teams for 18 seasons. She has attended the USASF Dance Worlds and has been a member of the Foursis Dazzler Worlds teams from 2015-2023. In 2023, her team made finals in 5 routines and won 2nd Place in the World for their Kick routine & 3rd Place in the World for their Large Pom routine. Kelsi has taken Master Classes with professional dancers from So You Think You Can Dance including: Cyrus, Lil C, Comfort, Cedric Gardner & Chris Gilbert. Kelsi is a Sophomore at the University of Iowa, where she is also a 3rd year member of the University of Iowa Dance Team. This is Kelsi’s 2nd year teaching at Debut Dance.
Kendall
Schicker
INSTRUCTOR
Kendall Schicker Started dance at the age of 2 at Foursis Dance Academy. Kendall trains in ballet, pom, jazz, lyrical, kick, tumbling and acro. She also started competing with the Dazzler Dance Team when she was 3 years old. Kendall has been a member of many State & National Championship teams for the last 16 seasons. She has been a member of the Dazzler Worlds Teams from 2017-2024. In 2024, Kendall was selected as a member of the US National Junior Pom Team. The team earned the gold medal and was named World Champions! In 2024 her team won 3rd and earned their first globe in the Jazz division for their Senior Small Jazz Routine. Kendall has taken Master Classes with professional dancers from So You Think You Can Dance including: Cyrus, Lil C, Comfort, Cedric Gardner & Chris Gilbert. She is currently a Freshman at the University of Iowa and is a first year on the Iowa Dance Team. This is her first year teaching at Debut!
Addie
Schroeder
INSTRUCTOR
Addie Schroeder is so excited to be back for her second full year with her Debut family! She has 19 years of dancing experience, and was a competitive dancer for 15 years. She danced on the West High Dance Team for four years, where her team won two state titles and placed top 10 at UDA High School Nationals. She went on to dance on the University of Iowa Dance Team for the following four years. During that time, she earned five top 5 placements at UDA Nationals. At the end of her senior year at Iowa, she was voted Dancer of the Year by her fellow teammates. Addie graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2024 with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. She is now working full time as an Electrical Engineer at Design Engineers in Cedar Rapids. She is so excited to continue to share her life-long passion for dance, and she can’t wait to see what we can all accomplish together this year!
Caitlyn
Shepard
INSTRUCTOR
Caitlyn Shepard has grown up in North Liberty, and is a Freshman at Liberty High School. Caitlyn has been dancing for 13 years. This will be her 9th year on the Debut Competition team. This is Caitlyn's third year on the Forte Pro team, which travels to many places to compete and take master classes. Caitlyn recently started her first year on the Liberty Varsity Dance Team. Caitlyn has trained with Celebrity’s Junior Crew in the summer of 2023, where she took many classes from well-known instructors. This past summer, she trained in Branson at GoPro courtesy of Talent On Parade. Caitlyn has trained in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, tumbling, contemporary, and lyrical. Miss Caitlyn is very excited to work and share her passion and knowledge with all of the dancers!
Joscelyn
Siloro
INSTRUCTOR
Joscelyn Siloro is starting her second year teaching here at Debut and is ecstatic to start! Joscelyn is from West Liberty and moved to Tiffin in the 3rd grade. She goes to CCA high school in Tiffin and is a Senior this year and is also part of the Show Choir competition team, Vocal Dynamics. Joscelyn has been dancing since she was 5 and joined Debut in 4th grade, she’s been a part of Debut for 9 years and has been on the competition team for 7 years. She is a part of our C9 group and is in her third year on our Pro team. This summer she worked with Celebrity Dance Competition by being a part of the Senior Crew, and she also trained with Commercial Dance Intensive in learning how the professional dance world works, including Seminars, Mock Auditions, taking classes from broadway alumni, working with professional dancers, and even being in her first music video! She trains in all sorts of styles like Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and tumbling. Her most favorite styles are Hip Hop and Contemporary. Joscelyn loves teaching kids and is super excited to inspire and share her passion with the dancers!
Stella
Skelley
INSTRUCTOR
Stella Skelley was born in Burlington and then moved up to North Liberty where she has grown up. Stella is a Freshman at Liberty High School and competes with the Liberty Varsity Dance team. This year will be Stella’s 10th year at Debut and 9th year competing on the Forte Competition Team. Stella is also on the Forte Pro team where they travel the U.S to learn from many professional dancers and choreographers and they also showcase their dances that they learn from special choreographers. Stella has been Junior Instructing for 5 years now and can’t wait for more years! Stella also trains in many different styles like Lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and tumbling. Stella is so excited to start the year and work with your dancers and share her love for dance.
Autumn
Spicer
INSTRUCTOR
Autumn Spicer is in her second year of teaching at Debut Dance studio. Autumn is a sophomore at the University of Iowa studying Business Finance with a minor in Leadership Studies. Her love of dance started at the age of three and has never stopped! She has been competing for 14 years and her all time favorite style of dance is Jazz! Autumn was also on her high school’s dance team for 2 years and is trained in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and lyrical. Autumn is also known as DJ Auti from recital, and will bring the energy to your child’s class! When Miss. Autumn is not at the studio she enjoys working out, boating, and exploring the outdoors. Her favorite activity to do in the winter is go skiing in Colorado and ride her 2 horses. She is super excited to be back with the Debut Dance Family and can’t wait to work with all the amazing kids!
Avery
Wilson
INSTRUCTOR
Avery Wilson grew up in North Liberty, Iowa and has lived there her whole life. She is currently a freshman at Liberty High School and has been dancing at Debut for 9 years. Avery has trained in various styles of dance including, ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, ballroom, and tumbling. Avery is currently on the C9 and Pro team here at Debut. Also one of her passions is teaching, Avery has been a junior instructor for 5 years and she is excited to say this is her first year as a Debut staff. Avery has won many high point awards, scholarships, and just went to a summer intensive in Branson, Missouri called GoPro to learn and experience about the dance industry. Avery is beyond excited to start the new year and she hopes to see you in class!
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