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 Owner/Director of Expressions Dance Studio, Miss Nikki, has been dancing since the age of 3, starting with her first instructor being her Grandmother, DJ Koontz of Bremen! She has been teaching since the age of 17, opening her own studio at the age of 22 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. Joe counties! She has instructed and specialized in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pointe, Acro, Contemporary, Lyrical, Improv, Liturgical, Tumbling, Ballroom, and many specialty forms of dance. She has also won many awards at the local and state level competitions for choreography, specialized routines, and top scoring pieces at each competition! She is always learning new methods, forms, and techniques and brings the love of new things to the studio! Miss Nikki treats the studio as a dance family and takes the 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 working a rewarding full time job! Our studio family growing day by day and crossing boundaries we never thought were possible, all thanks to this amazing, selfless, inspiring woman! 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!
The Owner/Director of Expressions Dance Studio, Miss Nikki, has been dancing since the age of 3, starting with her first instructor being her Grandmother, DJ Koontz of Bremen! She has been teaching since the age of 17, opening her own studio at the age of 22 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. Joe counties! She has instructed and specialized in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pointe, Acro, Contemporary, Lyrical, Improv, Liturgical, Tumbling, Ballroom, and many specialty forms of dance. She has also won many awards at the local and state level competitions for choreography, specialized routines, and top scoring pieces at each competition! She is always learning new methods, forms, and techniques and brings the love of new things to the studio! Miss Nikki treats the studio as a dance family and takes the 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 working a rewarding full time job! Our studio family growing day by day and crossing boundaries we never thought were possible, all thanks to this amazing, selfless, inspiring woman! 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 12th Season with us as our Studio Assistant Director, Social Media Coordinator, Instructor, Choreographer, and Marketing Manager! Miss Liz graduated from Plymouth High School 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 working towards 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, Roxie, and Henry, 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 12th Season with us as our Studio Assistant Director, Social Media Coordinator, Instructor, Choreographer, and Marketing Manager! Miss Liz graduated from Plymouth High School 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 working towards 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, Roxie, and Henry, 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!
Ashley Walls
Our Head Tumbling Coach and Strength/Flexibility Instructor here at Expressions. Miss Ashley 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 Head Tumbling Coach and Strength/Flexibility Instructor here at Expressions. Miss Ashley 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!
Performing Arts at EDS is at its best!
Erin Jones
Our studios certified Zumba Instructor, Musical Theatre Vocal Coach, and Costume Coordinator! 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! 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 Costume Coordinator! 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! 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 an 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 an 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 Accounts Receivable Manager 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 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 Accounts Receivable Manager 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 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!
Kristine Price
Miss Kristine is our Boutique Manager, Costume Designer, and "Jack of All Trades". She has been part of our studio for several seasons now and is appreciated for all her support and willingness to jump in wherever she can. You will see Miss Kristine in the boutique throughout the week working on logo wear, costumes, inventory, and assisting our students and parents with all their dance needs! Miss Kristine is a proud mother of 3 children. Her 2 daughters, Teagon and Aralyn, are a part of the EDS Dance Co. and her son, Bowen, steps in and helps when muscles are needed lol. We are so thankful for Miss Kristine and her family for being a part of our dance family!
Miss Kristine is our Boutique Manager, Costume Designer, and "Jack of All Trades". She has been part of our studio for several seasons now and is appreciated for all her support and willingness to jump in wherever she can. You will see Miss Kristine in the boutique throughout the week working on logo wear, costumes, inventory, and assisting our students and parents with all their dance needs! Miss Kristine is a proud mother of 3 children. Her 2 daughters, Teagon and Aralyn, are a part of the EDS Dance Co. and her son, Bowen, steps in and helps when muscles are needed lol. We are so thankful for Miss Kristine and her family for being 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 Encore 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 Encore Dancer! We are so thankful for Miss Brianne and having her a part of our dance family!
Amber Collins
Miss Amber is one of the front desk attendants! She will be helping at the front desk on Tuesdays and Saturdays. She is happily married to the love of her life and has a beautiful 8 almost 9 year old little girl, Aubree. Aubree dances on the competition team so she is able to be involved in her dance education by helping the studio out. When she's not at the studio she is at her day job at Jefferson Elementary. This is going on her third year working for the school. Miss Amber is really excited to see how all the kids grow and learn this upcoming season because she knows we have amazing people who have put a lot into getting them to their goals.
Miss Amber is one of the front desk attendants! She will be helping at the front desk on Tuesdays and Saturdays. She is happily married to the love of her life and has a beautiful 8 almost 9 year old little girl, Aubree. Aubree dances on the competition team so she is able to be involved in her dance education by helping the studio out. When she's not at the studio she is at her day job at Jefferson Elementary. This is going on her third year working for the school. Miss Amber is really excited to see how all the kids grow and learn this upcoming season because she knows we have amazing people who have put a lot into getting them to their goals.
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 29 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 and enjoys our Musical Theatre Program! She also is newly a Grammy to Miss Claire who is a future EDS dancer! Miss Amy has even been know to dance a step or two!