meet our staff....
all of our staff is in agreeance that we love to create a warm and friendly dance environment as well as a high level of training and dance education for each class we offer.
EDS Instructors!
Nikki Pittman
The wonderful owner and operator of Expressions, has been dancing since the age of 3, starting with her first instructor being her Grandma, DJ Koontz of Bremen. She has been teaching since the age of 17 and has had a major passion for dance all of her life! Miss.Nikki has studied and instructed at many local dance studios around the Marshall, Elkhart, and St.Joseph Counties! She has instructed and specialized in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pointe, acrodance, contemporary, lyrical, improv, liturgical, tumbling, ballroom, and many specialty forms of dance. She has also won many awards at local and state wide competitions for choreography and specialized routines along with multiple routines receiving top scoring awards at each competition! You can see many of them at multiple of our studio locations! She is always learning new methods, forms, and techniques of dance and loves to bring new things into the studio. Miss.Nikki treats the studio as a "Dance Family," and takes the dance education of her students very seriously. She is always looking for new ways to improve and grow as a studio, instructor, and dancer! When she isn't at the studio, Miss.Nikki spends time renovating her home to make it one of a kind and loves to spend time with her loving family and dog Roxie! Our Studio Family is growing by the day and crossing boundaries we never thought were possible, all thanks to this amazing, selfless, inspiring lady! Miss.Nikki is so very proud to call each and every student a part of her dance family and loves to see the growth in each and every one of them!
Nikki Pittman
The wonderful owner and operator of Expressions, has been dancing since the age of 3, starting with her first instructor being her Grandma, DJ Koontz of Bremen. She has been teaching since the age of 17 and has had a major passion for dance all of her life! Miss.Nikki has studied and instructed at many local dance studios around the Marshall, Elkhart, and St.Joseph Counties! She has instructed and specialized in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pointe, acrodance, contemporary, lyrical, improv, liturgical, tumbling, ballroom, and many specialty forms of dance. She has also won many awards at local and state wide competitions for choreography and specialized routines along with multiple routines receiving top scoring awards at each competition! You can see many of them at multiple of our studio locations! She is always learning new methods, forms, and techniques of dance and loves to bring new things into the studio. Miss.Nikki treats the studio as a "Dance Family," and takes the dance education of her students very seriously. She is always looking for new ways to improve and grow as a studio, instructor, and dancer! When she isn't at the studio, Miss.Nikki spends time renovating her home to make it one of a kind and loves to spend time with her loving family and dog Roxie! Our Studio Family is growing by the day and crossing boundaries we never thought were possible, all thanks to this amazing, selfless, inspiring lady! Miss.Nikki is so very proud to call each and every student a part of her dance family and loves to see the growth in each and every one of them!
Elizabeth Wickens
Best known around the studio as “Miss Liz” started as a dancer at EDS and is now in her 11th Season with us as our Studios Assistant Director, Social Media Coordinator, Instructor, Choreographer, and Marketing Manager! Miss Liz graduated from PHS in 2017 and made the decision to pursue dance as her main passion in life and full time career! In high school she pursued a teaching interest with our studio and has put in many hours of work and dedication! She specializes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Acro, Tumbling, and Pointe! Her main love is Ballet as she is becoming certified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique). You will see Miss Liz mainly in the studio room teaching and choreographing, but she has a hand at every aspect of the studio! Outside of the studio, Miss Liz teaches at the Goshen Theatre one day a week! In her spare time she loves spending time with her dogs Lucy and Roxie, reading, and watching old recital videos! Miss Liz has a lot of knowledge in all areas of the studio and is certainly a great asset to our team!
Best known around the studio as “Miss Liz” started as a dancer at EDS and is now in her 11th Season with us as our Studios Assistant Director, Social Media Coordinator, Instructor, Choreographer, and Marketing Manager! Miss Liz graduated from PHS in 2017 and made the decision to pursue dance as her main passion in life and full time career! In high school she pursued a teaching interest with our studio and has put in many hours of work and dedication! She specializes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Acro, Tumbling, and Pointe! Her main love is Ballet as she is becoming certified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique). You will see Miss Liz mainly in the studio room teaching and choreographing, but she has a hand at every aspect of the studio! Outside of the studio, Miss Liz teaches at the Goshen Theatre one day a week! In her spare time she loves spending time with her dogs Lucy and Roxie, reading, and watching old recital videos! Miss Liz has a lot of knowledge in all areas of the studio and is certainly a great asset to our team!
Our Staff... Giving Back...
|
|
|
Ashley Walls
Our Tumbling Coach and Instructor here at Expressions, Miss Ashley Walls graduated from John Glenn High School in 2008! You will see Miss Ashley in the studio room multiple days a week instructing class and helping any and every way she can! She has a daughter, Kamryn, who is a part of our STEPS Program and E.D.S. Dance Co as a Junior! She also has two amazing sons, CJ and Rowan, who have been part of the studio in many different ways over the years, and an amazing husband, Chris, who is one of our many wonderful prop dads! Miss Ashley is a Doula in training in hopes to be a certified Doula and help provide women with emotional, physical, and education support when expecting! She also enjoys camping with her family in the summers! We are so beyond blessed to have Miss Ashley as a part of our staff and dance family!
Our Tumbling Coach and Instructor here at Expressions, Miss Ashley Walls graduated from John Glenn High School in 2008! You will see Miss Ashley in the studio room multiple days a week instructing class and helping any and every way she can! She has a daughter, Kamryn, who is a part of our STEPS Program and E.D.S. Dance Co as a Junior! She also has two amazing sons, CJ and Rowan, who have been part of the studio in many different ways over the years, and an amazing husband, Chris, who is one of our many wonderful prop dads! Miss Ashley is a Doula in training in hopes to be a certified Doula and help provide women with emotional, physical, and education support when expecting! She also enjoys camping with her family in the summers! We are so beyond blessed to have Miss Ashley as a part of our staff and dance family!
Hi everyone! My name is Bryan Carter and I am one of the Tumbling Instructors at EDS! I am 31 years old originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas! I went to Navarro College for 2 years and have over 20 years of Cheer and Tumbling experience! I used to live in Texas and was located there for 12 years. I currently live in Plymouth with my niece Invi who is 8! I aspire to build confidence in all areas of tumbling and stretching! I’m looking forward to making new friends here at EDS as well as teaching and learning many new skills!
Perfroming Arts at EDS is at it's best!
Meet Miss. Erin our vocal coach and Miss. Shiloh our acting director.
Erin Jones
Our studios certified Zumba Instructor, Musical Theatre Vocal Coach, and Front Desk Attendant at the EDS Dance Boutique! Miss Erin loves all aspects of music and enjoys furthering her knowledge! She has a daughter Sophia who is in our STEPS Program and is on the EDS Dance Co as an Encore and Evolution Dancer! Miss Erin has two amazing sons that play an amazing part in the studio as well! We appreciate everything that Miss Erin does for the studio and we love having her a part of our staff!
Our studios certified Zumba Instructor, Musical Theatre Vocal Coach, and Front Desk Attendant at the EDS Dance Boutique! Miss Erin loves all aspects of music and enjoys furthering her knowledge! She has a daughter Sophia who is in our STEPS Program and is on the EDS Dance Co as an Encore and Evolution Dancer! Miss Erin has two amazing sons that play an amazing part in the studio as well! We appreciate everything that Miss Erin does for the studio and we love having her a part of our staff!
Shiloh Milner
Our Musical Theatre Acting Coach! Miss Shiloh began acting at age 10 in the outdoor drama Tecumseh! In Chillicothe, Ohio. She attended the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and received her Bachelor of Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Credits include Mustardseed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nursemaid in Romeo and Juliet, Lizzie Borden in Lizzie Borden Took and Axe, Penny Puddle in The Ugly Duckling, Felicia in Felicia or The Gossip Trap. Miss Shiloh also owns the Black Cat Clothing Co in downtown Plymouth specializing in the best second hand and vintage clothing! We are so lucky to have Miss Shiloh a part of our staff here at Expressions!
Our Musical Theatre Acting Coach! Miss Shiloh began acting at age 10 in the outdoor drama Tecumseh! In Chillicothe, Ohio. She attended the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and received her Bachelor of Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Credits include Mustardseed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nursemaid in Romeo and Juliet, Lizzie Borden in Lizzie Borden Took and Axe, Penny Puddle in The Ugly Duckling, Felicia in Felicia or The Gossip Trap. Miss Shiloh also owns the Black Cat Clothing Co in downtown Plymouth specializing in the best second hand and vintage clothing! We are so lucky to have Miss Shiloh a part of our staff here at Expressions!
Our Front Desk Representatives!
Samantha Schaeffer
Our Front Desk Attendant at both the studio and EDS Dance Boutique, Accounts Receivable Manager, Logowear and Costuming Designer, and Seamstress. Miss Sam plays many, many roles in the studio and has a hand at almost every aspect here at Expressions. You can find Miss Sam in the studio or boutique almost any day of the week helping out! She has a daughter Madilyn who is in our STEPS Program and a part of the EDS Dance Co as an All Stars Dancer! They have been a part of our studio since 2014 and we could not be more blessed to have them as a part of our dance family!
Our Front Desk Attendant at both the studio and EDS Dance Boutique, Accounts Receivable Manager, Logowear and Costuming Designer, and Seamstress. Miss Sam plays many, many roles in the studio and has a hand at almost every aspect here at Expressions. You can find Miss Sam in the studio or boutique almost any day of the week helping out! She has a daughter Madilyn who is in our STEPS Program and a part of the EDS Dance Co as an All Stars Dancer! They have been a part of our studio since 2014 and we could not be more blessed to have them as a part of our dance family!
Brianne Leslie
One of our Front Desk Representatives, our EDS Dance Co Coordinator, and our EDS Dance Boutique Window Designer! Miss Brianne has been involved with our studio for many seasons now and is an incredible staff member! You will see Miss Brianne in the studio throughout the week helping in any way she can! She has a daughter Lainey who is a part of the EDS Dance Co as an All Star Dancer! We are so thankful for Miss Brianne and having her a part of our dance family!
One of our Front Desk Representatives, our EDS Dance Co Coordinator, and our EDS Dance Boutique Window Designer! Miss Brianne has been involved with our studio for many seasons now and is an incredible staff member! You will see Miss Brianne in the studio throughout the week helping in any way she can! She has a daughter Lainey who is a part of the EDS Dance Co as an All Star Dancer! We are so thankful for Miss Brianne and having her a part of our dance family!
Amy Thompson
Our oldest and wisest staff member. She is the secretary to Miss Nikki and Miss Liz. She also operates our shuttle service. She has been married to her husband, Carter for 26 years. She is mom to 3 wonderful kids. Her oldest, Tori, was a dancer at Expressions and a ballet teacher until moving to Florida. Kelly is a dancer at Expressions right now. Miss Amy has even been know to dance a step or too.
Hope Koontz
Our front desk manager! You will see her at the front desk. As our front desk manager she is the forefront of our studio and can answer questions, help you enroll or offer solutions at anytime. Miss. Hope is a previous dancer at our studio and enjoys dancing in her solo class and adult classes. She spends time with friends and family and her cat Sassy whenever possible. Her love of the studio and the passion for our dancers is a blessing to have at our facility!
Our front desk manager! You will see her at the front desk. As our front desk manager she is the forefront of our studio and can answer questions, help you enroll or offer solutions at anytime. Miss. Hope is a previous dancer at our studio and enjoys dancing in her solo class and adult classes. She spends time with friends and family and her cat Sassy whenever possible. Her love of the studio and the passion for our dancers is a blessing to have at our facility!
Amber Collins
Hi I'm Amber. I am one of the three front desk ladies. I will be helping at the front desk on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also on a couple Saturdays. I am happily married to the love of my love and we have a beautiful 7 almost 8 year old little girl. Aubree dances on the competition team so I'm able to be involved in her dance educations by helping the studio out. When I'm not at the studio I'm at my day job at Jefferson Elementary. This is going on my second year working for the school. I'm really excited to see how all the kids grow and learn this upcoming season because I know we have amazing people who have put a lot into getting them to their goals.
Hi I'm Amber. I am one of the three front desk ladies. I will be helping at the front desk on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also on a couple Saturdays. I am happily married to the love of my love and we have a beautiful 7 almost 8 year old little girl. Aubree dances on the competition team so I'm able to be involved in her dance educations by helping the studio out. When I'm not at the studio I'm at my day job at Jefferson Elementary. This is going on my second year working for the school. I'm really excited to see how all the kids grow and learn this upcoming season because I know we have amazing people who have put a lot into getting them to their goals.
Kristine Price
Hello dance family, I am Miss Kristine and new to the EDS staff this year. I am so excited to be part of this team! Besides being a dance mom I keep busy homeschooling my 3 kiddos Aralyn 8, Teagon 13, and Bowen 15. I am also a full time hospitality manager at Biddle Point Inn as of today…. Goodbye dirty factory cleaning lol.
I love being a part of EDS! We have found a home away from home with everyone here. Aralyn, is starting her 3rd year and has grown so much not only in skill but in so many ways through this experience. Teagon, is going into her second year, she slow rolled in but now is full throttle and loving it. Her confidence has grown leaps and bounds being with EDS. As for me, I’ve become quite the fixture at the studio as I’ve rarely missed one of the girls practices and while there I lend support anyway I can. I truly love all my fellow staff members and feel so blessed they have welcome me to the team this year. 22/23 is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to see all the kids shine!
Hello dance family, I am Miss Kristine and new to the EDS staff this year. I am so excited to be part of this team! Besides being a dance mom I keep busy homeschooling my 3 kiddos Aralyn 8, Teagon 13, and Bowen 15. I am also a full time hospitality manager at Biddle Point Inn as of today…. Goodbye dirty factory cleaning lol.
I love being a part of EDS! We have found a home away from home with everyone here. Aralyn, is starting her 3rd year and has grown so much not only in skill but in so many ways through this experience. Teagon, is going into her second year, she slow rolled in but now is full throttle and loving it. Her confidence has grown leaps and bounds being with EDS. As for me, I’ve become quite the fixture at the studio as I’ve rarely missed one of the girls practices and while there I lend support anyway I can. I truly love all my fellow staff members and feel so blessed they have welcome me to the team this year. 22/23 is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to see all the kids shine!
Robin McCarthy
Hi everyone! I'm Miss Robin! I am the fundraising coordinator for the dance studio and also work at the boutique on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays! You can also see me posting online as I am the online sales coordinator for the dance studio where we sell new, used, and specialty costumes! I graduated from Northwood High School in 2009 and have three daughters Kimberly, Autumn, and Gracie. Gracie is in the S.T.E.P.S. Program and also on All Stars. Kimberly and Autumn are on Minis this year! I also work for Plymouth Community School Corporation at Riverside as a Corporation Aide!
Hi everyone! I'm Miss Robin! I am the fundraising coordinator for the dance studio and also work at the boutique on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays! You can also see me posting online as I am the online sales coordinator for the dance studio where we sell new, used, and specialty costumes! I graduated from Northwood High School in 2009 and have three daughters Kimberly, Autumn, and Gracie. Gracie is in the S.T.E.P.S. Program and also on All Stars. Kimberly and Autumn are on Minis this year! I also work for Plymouth Community School Corporation at Riverside as a Corporation Aide!