Faculty

* Sue * Beth* Kelly * Kari Lee * Tesee * Bernadette * Amy * Megan * Anne * Hillary * Betty * Drew *

Sue Warter Director/Owner (Tap, Ballet) started her dance training at the age of three.  She continued her training at Verla Flowers Dance Arts, Seattle, which included Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hawaiian and Tahition, through high school.  While majoring in Physical Education at  the University of Washington, she attended classes of ballet, and modern dance.  "Miss" Sue was a cheerleader and on the gymnastics team at Ingraham High School, Seattle, and on the U of W Rally Squad. 

She also coached the Woodinville Junior Cheerleaders for 5 years. Miss Sue taught Aerobic Dance for 10 years and continues her training in all forms of dance through master classes and workshops.  Miss Sue has over 30 years of teaching experience and is a certified member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter 39, Dance Educators of America, and the Professional Dance Teachers Association.  Miss Sue's students have enjoyed competing in local and national dance competitions bringing home may 1st place trophies, Woodinville All Fools Day Parade, Bothell 4th of July Parade, and the Snohomish Kla Ha Ya Days Parade.  Studio I students were chosen to perform during half-time at the first SEAHAWKS game of the 1992 season. 

Beth Ith Artistic Director (Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Turns & Progressions) started dancing at the age of two and has performed in many award winning dance routines.  She has received scholarships from LADF and DEA for her dancing potential and energy.  She has trained with many of the Masters including Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Diane Walker, Anthony Peters, Greg Russell, and Mark Haines, just to name a few.  A 2001 graduate of Western Washington University, Beth has found her passion in teaching dance. She has been teaching at Studio I since 1999, has taught for a dance studio in Bellingham and for Pilchuck Dance Academy in Marysville, Wa.  Beth’s choreography has won her monetary awards and a Best Choreographer award.  Beth is a certified member of Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America.  She was appointed Artistic Director of Studio I’s Competition Dance Teams in 2004.  Beth is a proud mother of two and if you'd like to view pictures of her two sons Kamden and Brycen, Click Here.

Kelly Anderson (Ballet. Jazz) has studied dance at Ballet Theatre San Jose, Velocity Dance Center and in Zurich, Switzerland.  In 2002 she received a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts, and in 2005 became a member of Dance Masters of America.  Kelly has danced professionally with Fusion Dance Company, Deborah Birrane’s Unexpected Company & Heart and Soul Dancers. She continues her love of dancing as an instructor, choreographer, and performer in the Seattle area.  All her dance classes are taught with fun, creativity, and musicality, while emphasizing proper body alignment, core support, and building strong dance technique and character.  We are excited to welcome Kelly to Studio I.

Kari Lee Florentine (Hip Hop) Kari Lee Florentine, founder and director of the hip hop group In Effect, has choreographed for several artists and shows. Some highlights include: the Seattle production of the "The Wiz", KUBE Summer Jam, Bumbershoot , King County Youth and Action, half time for the Sonics and IKEA Kids Club. Kari Lee brings passion and excitement to the art of Hip Hop.  Studio I is overjoyed in welcoming Kari Lee to our Faculty.
 

Tesee George (Ballet, Pointe, Modern) graduated Cum Laude, with a full ride Kreielsheimer Scholarship to Cornish College of the Arts, with a BFA in dance.  She has studied with the Eugene Ballet Company, Joffrey Ballet Company, and performed with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company from New York.  Tesee has created her own contemporary ballet company, based out of Seattle, showcasing her own choreography called Dance Contemporary. She is fully committed to bringing her love of classical ballet to the students at Studio I.  Tesee has been teaching for Studio I since 2003.

Bernadette Havok (Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet) has been dancing for 16 years.  She has won many “Platinum” and “Gold” awards throughout the West Coast competing in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Tap, Modern and Hip-Hop.  This versatile dancer is now studying at the University of Washington, focusing on Industrial Design. Bernadette recently performed in the musical “Pippin” at Seattle’s 5^th Avenue Theater.  This will be Bernadette's second year at Studio I.

Amy J. Henry (Jazz, Lyrical) began dancing at the age of three. She grew up doing several dance competitions under the training of Elizabeth Lanning at Dance Dimensions, receiving many awards along with scholarships to Tremaine and The Edge in Los Angeles. She was named the 1992 Jr. Miss Dance of the Pacific Northwest and 1st runner up in the 1994 Miss Dance of the Pacific Northwest Competition. She trained for two years in the World Arts and Cultures Department at UCLA before moving to New York and continuing her training at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Amy performed with the Fred Benjamin Dance Company in New York then moved on to tour nationally with the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company for three years.  Amy is excited to start another great year at Studio I.

Anne Motl (Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop) received her BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts in 2002.  Anne is a Production Manager and Co-Artist Director of NorthWest Dance Syndrome (NWDS), a collaborative modern dance company.  Anne has performed works by choreographers Trisha Brown, Jill Leversee, Aiko Kinoshita, Kristina, Dillard, Scott Phillips, and Paige Barnes.  Anne became a member of the Dance Educator's Association of Washington in 2003 and teaches a various eastside dance studios.  Anne is excited to start her first year at Studio I.

Hillary Pond (Creative Movement, Tap, Jazz, Ballet) has taught at numerous studios in Washington and Utah. While at Brigham Young University, as a Modern Dance student, she had the opportunity to study with leading experts on dance teaching methods, including Christine Ollerton and SaraLee Gibb.  She also performed with and choreographed for the University’s performing group, Dancensemble.  Hillary has been dancing for 18 years.  Hillary has been sharing her love for dance at Studio I since 2005.

Betty Stipek (Tap, Ballet) previously owned and directed Monroe Dance Studio, for several years, and then Bothell Dance Studio for 19 years.  Miss Betty has been teaching dance since 1974 and is a certified member of Dance Masters of America.  Her “Northshore Steppers” (Senior Citizen Tap Group) have performed on TV, the Bite of Seattle, many local events and are well known in the area.  Her love of children shows on the smiling faces of her students.  Betty's passion for teaching has been wonderful contribution to Studio I and our children's dance program for many years.

Drew Thompson (Hip Hop, Break Dancing) is an original member of Team Boogiezone Breed and BPDC.  He also co-founded and choreographed for Team DC.  Drew is a break dance memeber for many local crews and bigger names such as the Seattle Seahawks, April, Koffee Brown, Digital Underground, Blaque, and Common.  He began his hip hop and break dance training in 1999 and hasn't stopped since.  His talents have taken him all around the states for performances and competitions.  Drew's excitement and energy are a great addition to the Studio I faculty.  This is Drew's 2nd year at Studio I.