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 20 years and choreographing for the last 15 years. She enjoys teaching a variety of classes at Debut Dance… Jazz is her favorite! Recently 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 Spoptlight regional event. When Ms. Megan is not at the studio, she loves to spend time with her family! She is mother to three very energetic boys- Milo, Quincy and Bowen. You may even see them up on stage!
Contact Megan
[email protected]
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.
Konstanze
Crile
INSTRUCTOR
Konstanze Crile grew up in North Liberty, Iowa. She started dancing at Debut when she was seven years old. She has danced for 11 years and competed with Forte for 10 of those years. Throughout her dance career, she has attended many competitions and conventions and has received many high point awards as well as scholarships. In her staff role, she was a Jr. Instructor for five years, training directly under Ms. Megan, and is now the Assistant Forte Director. Miss Konstanze is skilled in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and loves to choreograph! She is very excited to work with Debut Dance’s Forte Performance and Company programs and share her love for dance with all of the Debut dancers.
Contact Konstanze
Piper
Brady
INSTRUCTOR
Piper Brady is very excited to be part of another exciting year of teaching and watching her students grow. Piper has been dancing for 16 years and competed for 13 years of her dance career. She has competed in various states receiving many high points and special awards and multiple scholarships. Piper is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, acro, pointe, and pom. Before graduating, Piper attended Debut Dance as a part of the elite competition team, Forte Pro. Piper was also a member of West High Varsity Poms where the team attended and placed in multiple national championship finals. Piper loves getting to help her students grow and share her love for dance. She is a freshman at the University of Iowa.
Jillian
Canfield
INSTRUCTOR
Jillian Canfield is from North Liberty, Iowa and has had a passion for dance ever since she was three. Miss Jillian was a member of the Forte Company for five years where she competed and won many awards during her dance career. Growing up Miss 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. Miss Jillian graduated from the University of Iowa in 2019 majoring in Elementary Education. Currently, Miss Jillian is a Fourth Grade teacher in the Iowa City Community School District. Her love for children transfers perfectly to the studio as a veteran instructor of dance. This is Miss Jillian’s eighth year teaching at Debut Dance.
Alannah
DiBerardino
INSTRUCTOR
Alannah DiBerardino has been dancing since she was five years old. Miss Alannah danced at Dancing with Celeste in Sioux City, IA. growing up. She has competed in many styles of dance including jazz, lyrical, tap, and tumbling. Throughout high school, Alannah was on her high school varsity dance team and involved with the National Honor Society. She graduated from East High School in 2019. Alannah currently attends the University of Iowa where she is studying therapeutic recreation and human relations with hopes of attending occupational therapy school after her four years at Iowa. Miss Alannah is a senior on the Iowa Dance Team. Alannah loves to help others and is excited to start year two teaching and working with the wonderful kids at Debut Dance.
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!
Abigail
Hochstetler
INSTRUCTOR
Abigail Hochstetler
danced at Brekke Dance Center from the age of four until she graduated from high school at 18. At her studio, she competed for over 10 years in all styles of jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, musical theater, and tumbling. Miss Abby has also done Dance Masters of America pageants where she represented the Midwest when she was 13 and again when she was 17. Throughout high school, Miss Abby was on her varsity high school dance team, varsity high school football cheer squad, and ran varsity track and field all four years. Abby currently attends the University of Iowa, studying Secondary English Education. Miss Abby also is a fourth year member of the prestigious Iowa Dance Team. This will be Miss Abby’s third year at Debut. She is excited to help grow your dancers knowledge and passion for dance!
Isabelle
Kafer
INSTRUCTOR
Isabelle Kafer has grown up in North Liberty, Iowa. She has been a part of Debut’s Forte Company competition team for 8 years. She is also a part of Debut’s Forte Pro team, an elite group of dancers who travel around the U.S. to showcase their dancing. In addition to being in the studio every night, she is also a member of the Iowa CIty West High Dance Team. At Debut, Isabelle trains in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tumbling, pointe, and lyrical. This past competition season Ms. Isabelle received various awards including regional titles, many overall awards, various scholarships at conventions, making it to finals at TOP nationals in Des Moines. Recently, she traveled to Ohio State University and trained with their nationally ranked dance team. Ms. Isabelle’s love for dance continues to grow and she cannot wait to share her passion with many young dancers.
Lara
Kounkel
INSTRUCTOR
Lara Kounkel is a senior at Clear Creek Amana High school in Tiffin. This is her 6th year on the Forte Company Team, third year on Debut’s Forte Pro team, and second year as a member of the Debut Staff. Miss Lara is trained in various styles of dance including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, pointe, tumbling, tap, musical theatre, and hip hop. This summer Miss Lara traveled to Branson for a week-long dance intensive (GoPro) where she took class, learned routines, and performed a show at the end of the week. She loves competition season and has received many awards and scholarships during her time at the studio. She plans to continue dancing and teaching after she graduates. Miss Lara loves intensives, conventions and all things dance! She is so excited to meet your dancer and carry on their passion for dance!
Brittlyn
Taylor
INSTRUCTOR
Brittlyn Taylor is from Waukee, Iowa, and has been dancing and tumbling since the age of two. She competed for Charlee’s Elite School of Dance Elite Edge competition team for 11 years. Brittlyn has trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, jazz funk, modern, hip hop, tumbling, and gymnastics. Brittlyn competed in many regional and national competitions over the years earning consistent high point finishes, title distinctions, and national honors, including national high point finishes and winning three national solo championships. Brittlyn was an instructor for three years while at Charlee’s Elite School of Dance, teaching dance and tumbling classes. Brittlyn also attended many conventions, has been awarded numerous scholarships and had the great opportunity to work with and assist many professional dancers and choreographers throughout the years. In addition to studio dance, Brittlyn was also a member of the Waukee High School Varsity Dance Team. Brittlyn is currently attending the University of Iowa double majoring in Dance and Sports & Recreation Management. She loves continuing her dance journey as a dance major and as a member of the University of Iowa Dance Team. Brittlyn hopes to dance professionally and pursue both choreography and dance education after college. She is super excited to be an instructor at Debut Dance!!
Bri
Vogel
INSTRUCTOR
Bri Vogel grew up in Quincy, Illinois, where she danced competitively at QDance, training in jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, tap, and musical theater. She was part of her high school’s dance team all four years and served as captain her senior year. Bri moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa in 2019 where she majored in Dance and Psychology. During her time at Iowa, she was a member of the UI Dance Company, the dance department’s touring performance group. Bri also worked as a student trainer and supervisor at Cambus, the university’s transit system. She recently graduated in the spring of 2022 and this is her second year teaching at Debut. When she is not teaching at the studio, Bri teaches preschool at Willowwind in Iowa City. She is passionate about dance and working with young children, and loves combining those passions here at Debut.
COPYRIGHT 2023 DEBUT DANCE STUDIO