Meet Our Staff!

Kate started dancing at the age of 9 in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. She studied Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Modern in the Milwaukee area. She moved to the La Crosse area to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology. While in college, she performed with UW-L's Kinesis Dance Theatre. Miss Kate is a member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She is a Certified Master Dance Educator (MDE) through Chicago National Association of Dance Masters where she is on the Board of Directors. Miss Kate is also certified and licensed in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility Modules 1-5 and Contortion Training, and Sugarfoot Therapy. Miss Kate is also a Level 3 Certified Barre Instructor through the International Ballet Barre Fitness Association. She enjoys attending dance conventions and dance training schools throughout the year. Kate has been teaching dance throughout the Coulee Region since 2010. She has experience teaching all ages and abilities and hopes to inspire her students to love dance as much as she does.

Contact Miss Kate at kate@applauselacrosse.com

Miss Liz started dancing at the age of four in Central Wisconsin. She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop, and Modern. Miss Liz attended Viterbo University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Sports Science. While in college, Liz also continued her dance training by taking classes at Viterbo. Miss Liz is a Certified Dance Educator through CNADM and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility Modules 1-5 and Contortion Training, and Sugarfoot Therapy. Miss Liz has also continued her tap training through Karida Griffith's Tap Teacher Training and is certified in the Basic and Beginning levels of Giordano Jazz Technique. She has also been awarded Best Choreography for her dance 'Run' at Midwest Starz Dance Competition in 2022. Miss Liz performed in the Coulee region with Affinity for Dance, a semiprofessional dance company based in La Crosse. Miss Liz began teaching with Applause in 2018 and has found her home here. Miss Liz is very excited to be a member of the the Applause family and to work with wonderful dancers!

Contact Miss Liz at elizabeth@applauselacrosse.com

Miss Kelsie began her passion for dance in the Twin Cities area and later moved to Appleton, where she continued her passion for dance in the studio and on the Appleton East Dance Team. Once she graduated high school, Kelsie attended the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and graduated with a double major in Public Administration and Sociology. During her time at WU-L, she was part of the LC Hip Hop Dance Team and was Captain for three years. Miss Kelsie has also coached the Logan High School Dance Team for five years, where she led them to state for the first time in seven years! Recently, Kelsie completed her Masters of Social Work through Winona State University and she now works as a school social worker wiwth the La Crosse School District. She is also a certified yoga instructor though Breathe for Change and loves to find ways to bring mindful movement into classrooms. Although Miss Kelsie loves to teach all styles of dance, her all time favorites are musical theatre and hip hop. Miss Kelsie is also a member of CNADM.

Contact Miss Kelsie at kelsie@applauselacrosse.com

Miss Evelyn started dancing at two years old and began competing in middle school. Her favorite styles of dance are Tap and Hip Hop, you can even catch her still taking tap classes at Applause along with teaching! Evelyn is currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and is studying Biology on their Pre-Physical Therapy Track. At Applause, you can find Miss Evelyn teaching in the studios and working the front desk. A fun fact about Evelyn is that her first dance class was taught in Spanish. Miss Evelyn loves dancing and is excited for the next dance season!

Josie began dancing at age two in Minnesota. She followed in her big sister's footsteps for 16 years at the studio competing in solos, duets, groups, and productions. Throughout high school she helped assist and teach many classes at her studio, along with choreographing for their competitions. You may have even had Miss Josie as an assistant at Applause during our 2022-2023 season! Josie was also the Captain of her high school dance team. She now attends the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse studying Exercise Sports Science on the Pre-Physical Therapy Track. She is also growing her dance studies by declaring a dance minor as well! She cannot wait to meet all her students and help them have fun and find their own passion for dance!

Miss Amy was born and raised in California and started dancing at four years old. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and ballroom. At 16, she had the opportunity to dance professionally with Ballet Magnificat, where she was offered a scholarship to attend their trainee program after graduating high school. Miss Amy has three kids and an awesome husband who coaches soccer. At Applause, you can find Amy assisting classes, working the front desk, and even taking classes herself! Amy is very excited to continue her own passion for dancing and to share it up and coming generations.