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"I like the studio and the instructors...all very nice!"
Our StudioDance Arts Academy was established in Boise in 1976 and is committed to giving each student a positive dancing experience while teaching fundamentals that will give support to their personal growth and self-confidence building.
Dance Arts Academy also offers a pre-professional performing team for dancers who love to perform and want to rise to the next level in their dancing abilities. These dancers perform year-round and have danced in regional and national competitions as well as performed in Walt Disney World and Disneyland on several occasions. |
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"A lovely, fun place for children to dance."
All students are given the opportunity to perform and show off what they have learned in class. Ballet students perform in our annual Nutcracker performance and we also_ take students to perform at Festival of Trees, Freeze Frame, the Winterland Parade, Dairy Days Parade, local retirement homes and other local events. All students are invited to perform in our annual spring recital.
Dance Arts Academy is a member of the Boise Dance Teacher’s Association which upholds high standards in dance and ethical business practices.
Dance Arts Academy is a member of the Boise Dance Teacher’s Association which upholds high standards in dance and ethical business practices.
"Love it. My kids have been going to DAA for 9+ years.
Love the teachers, and they love going."
OUR VALUES
Love of Dance: Each student will experience the passion our teachers demonstrate so that they will see the joy dance brings and ultimately love and appreciate dance and the arts.
Feeling of Home: We want our studio to be a home away from home, where classmates and staff members become like family.
Personal Growth: Students will grow as dancers as well as responsible, caring, and humble young people.
Confidence: Dance and performance opportunities build confidence in students as well as through encouragement from faculty.
Technique: Proper and safe teaching methods are important to build strong dancers.
Feeling of Home: We want our studio to be a home away from home, where classmates and staff members become like family.
Personal Growth: Students will grow as dancers as well as responsible, caring, and humble young people.
Confidence: Dance and performance opportunities build confidence in students as well as through encouragement from faculty.
Technique: Proper and safe teaching methods are important to build strong dancers.
OUR FACULTY
"We love the teacher...she is awesome!"
Dotty Hancock, Owner/Director
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Dotty has a passion for dance education and is a wife, mom of a special needs daughter and a full of energy son! A Boise native, Dotty began dancing at the age of eight, taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz and baton from a dance studio in Algona, Iowa. She continued her dance training in Boise at Kathy Lee School of Dance through her senior year of high school, and was a member of the K. Lee Jazz-Tappers, the New Edition Dance Company and the Borah High School Lionettes. She continues her education by regularly attending national dance teacher and studio owner conventions and conferences and is always hungry to learn more about how to reach her students and fill them with the passion she has for dance!
While earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication from Boise State University (2001) she taught dance classes and coached gymnastics. In the spring of 2001, Dotty purchased Dance Arts Academy and has taken many groups of dancers to perform at Disneyland and Disney World. Dotty enjoys working with students of all ages, but specializes in dance education for little ones! Dotty is a member of the Boise Dance Teacher’s Association and has served as Secretary, Treasurer, and President. |
"My daughter loves going and talks about Miss Dotty all the time. The studio is clean and welcoming, it reminds me of the studio I danced at as a kid."
Romeo Almeida
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Romeo Angel Almeida first started dancing when he was 16 years old. He was inspired by watching a Michael Jackson music video and began practicing in front of the backyard glass door instead of a studio mirror! Romeo went to college in Los Angeles to study theology at The Dream Center and while in LA he found his mentor and dance teacher, Billy Strmiska. He soon went on to learn from others including Matt Steffanina, Tricia Miranda, MADD Chadd Smith, Jay Smooth and Criscilla Anderson. Romeo also had the opportunity to take charge as director of the dance ministry at the college he attended where he taught free dance lessons to kids in Los Angeles. His program started with 100 kids and grew to 1500 within 4 months. Soon after finishing college, Romeo auditioned for two talent agencies and was offered contracts from both, but decided to decline both contracts and come home to Idaho. Romeo is now pursuing his dream as a hip hop teacher in the Treasure Valley. He hopes to inspire his students to dance and to also choose the better road in life through dancing!
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Kimberleah Burks
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Kim Burks grew up in Salem, Oregon. From a young age she fell in love with performing. She started acting and singing as young as she could and continued with a community choir up until a few years ago when her family moved to Idaho. Miss Kim has worked over the past 15 years in management and administration and now works at a small Telecommunications Engineering Firm during the day. She has found the office at Dance Arts Academy to be the perfect fit for combining her passion for the arts and skills in organization.
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"The academy is committed to helping the students develop skills and passion for dancing through highly skilled and passionate teachers. DAA is highly organized for parents and I appreciate all the detailed info for recitals, rehearsals, etc. The front desk person was extremely helpful, as were the other parents when we joined DAA to help our daughter feel welcomed."
Jessica Cooper
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Miss Jessica moved from Fairbanks, Alaska, where her dance training began at the tender age of 3. She has studied under acclaimed local, national, and international dancers and instructors. She was the former director of the Dance Theatre Fairbanks’ Junior Company, as well as their Aurora Dance Ensemble; a high caliber performing group comprised of dancers aged 8-18. Jessica prides herself on her high standard of teaching and is certified in levels Pre-Primary through 7 and Partnering of the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum. Together with her sister, Jessica cofounded a dance group called The Safety Dancers to give themselves and other adult dancers a greater opportunity to perform. The Safety Dancers regularly organized performance fundraisers, with the proceeds going to local non-profits and volunteer organizations that cater to at risk children and the arts. Jessica and her husband BJ have two children, Eli and KD. When she is not at the dance studio, she enjoys reading, writing, Seahawks football, and Doctor Who!
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Lori Gonzales
Lori is a native of northern California. She has placed high in ballroom competitions all along the west coast. She has earned her professional medals from The United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She has won several awards for her teaching skills and is one of the very few instructors in the state of Idaho who holds credentialing, earning a Highly Commended rating.
Lori has studied under some of the biggest names in competitive ballroom. Because she believes that great teachers need to be always working on their own dancing, still actively pursues coaching from some of Americas finest competitive dancers.
She is married to her husband, Charlie, and they have three children. While Lori does teach almost every night during the week, she stays home during the day to home educate their three children. She has been teaching both social and competitive Ballroom for over twenty years and has loved every minute of it!
Lori has studied under some of the biggest names in competitive ballroom. Because she believes that great teachers need to be always working on their own dancing, still actively pursues coaching from some of Americas finest competitive dancers.
She is married to her husband, Charlie, and they have three children. While Lori does teach almost every night during the week, she stays home during the day to home educate their three children. She has been teaching both social and competitive Ballroom for over twenty years and has loved every minute of it!
Emily Goethel
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Emily began dancing at the age of 10 in Northern California. After just one year of training, she performed with a competition team and was a founding member of the Prima Arts Student Ballet Company where she performed for local schools and community events. At the age of 15 Emily joined the Folsom Lake Civic Ballet Company and iMPACT Contemporary Dance Company as a principal dancer under the umbrella of Stages Northern California Performing Arts. As a Stages dancer, she performed in many community events, fundraisers, showcases and was a finalist for the Sacramento Area Dance Alliance Scholarship. Emily also spent her free time competing across the Northern California region winning various musicality and overall high score awards including numerous 1st overall high score awards in student choreography divisions. Upon moving to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University, Emily has danced and performed with Butterworth Dance Company, Mesa College Dance Company, Bite Dance Company, Ooh La La Dance Company, The PGK Dance Project, Velours Rouge Entertainment, and Viola Entertainment. In 2016 she danced on an international tour to the Maldives and Thailand, and was part of a performance featured in a commercial for Allina Healthcare. Emily recently performed site specific choreography with San Diego Dance Theater in the annual “Trolley Dances”, the performance was voted “Best of Trolley” out of 20 years of productions. Her most recent choreography for teen competitors has won multiple high score, choreography and judges choice awards. Emily and her husband Matthew are new to the Boise area and share their home with their cat, Gus.
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Georgette Hobson
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Georgette has teaching dance lessons for over 20 years and trained for twelve years in tap and jazz. Her specialty is tap and she also teaches the Exceptional Movers Adaptive Dance Class. She has a degree from Boise State University in Secondary Education- Physical Education with a minor in Health.
Georgette is a native of Boise, now residing in Meridian, and is married with three children. |
"Georgette is such an asset! She acknowledges and is friendly to the parents, she is always enthusiastic with the dancers."
Anamar Jiménez Colt
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Anamar Jiménez Colt was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico the “Island of Enchantment”. She was inspired to start dancing at the age of six and soon fell in love with classical ballet. Anamar has studied traditional Classical Ballet, Vaganova, and Cecchetti methods. She attended the school of Ballets de San Juan and the Julian E. Blanco School, specializing in Ballet. She has also trained in modern, contemporary, and experimental dance.
At the age of 18, Anamar entered the prestigious dance company of Ballets de San Juan, where she spent five years of dedication and performance. As a ballet student, some of Anamar’s highlights are La Sylphide (2010) principal role, Coppélia (2009), Swanhilda Friend and Variation “Dawn” and Serenade (2010) by Balanchine. Her professional repertoire includes: Elegie (2012) supervised from the Balanchine Trust, La Bruja de Loíza- The witch of Loíza (2014) interpreted the soloist role as “The Girlfriend” and Fili Melé (2015) Pas de Deux, poetry by Luis Palés Matos. Anamar has a deep love for theater and dance. Her vision as a teacher is to provide her students with the opportunity to find their own passion for the arts. By developing their skills and talents with love, discipline, and a fun creative environment, she is able to bring out the best in her students. Currently, Anamar lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband Josiah and she is excited to continue with her dance adventures. |
Samantha Kelsay
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Samantha began dancing with Tap classes in Southern California at age 3. She started competitively dancing at age 10. She was a member of the Dance Electric Jr & Sr Teams, Take 5 & the youngest member to be accepted to The Dance Project group at Pat Harris School of Dance. She has also performed the Nutcracker with Ballet Idaho for 4 seasons. Winning a Scholarship through CSI IDAA, Samantha spent her summers attending Idaho Dance Arts Alliance dance camps & was invited to act as a choreographer & then as a judge for scholarship auditions for young dancers. In high school she was a member of the MHS Warriorette Dance Team & served as a captain her senior year. At 17, she was accepted to the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle for their Ballet/Modern & Repertory Program. She also attended Boise State University where she performed & competed for the Harvey Neef Maneline Dancers for 3yrs & participated in their dance department & Repertory Showcases. Earning a Minor in Dance Education, Samantha produced, choreographed & performed many pieces that were displayed in showcases during her time at BSU. Miss Sam was among the 1st members of the performing troop The Hip Hop Shop, giving her the opportunity of performing in concert with Sir Mix-A-Lot & Nelly when they toured to Idaho. Samantha starting coaching the MHS Warriorette Dance Team in 2006 & led them to many local & national awards in the 6yrs as Head Coach. Miss Sam formed & coached the Ruby Competition team at Dance Arts Academy in 2017 where she led both the SR & JR teams, soloists & duos to multiple 1st place Overall awards, including Execution, Showmanship, Judges Choice, Choreography & Most Entertaining Routine Awards. Her award winning choreography was also chosen to be showcased at Treefort: Kidsfort Variety Show in 2018. Samantha is involved in judging local dance team competitions & has run the music for the District 3 competition for 4 years now. She specializes in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, & Dance Team Technique. Miss Sam lives in Boise with her hubby & 2 children, whom you’ll see dancing all over our studio as well.
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Debbie Sparks
Debbie grew up in Minnesota and moved to Idaho to attend Boise State on a gymnastics scholarship. She began training in gymnastics when she was 3 years old and competed all the way through college at the division I collegiate level. During her time at Boise State, she earned her bachelors degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Health Promotion. Debbie has coached gymnastics and tumbling from beginner to competitive levels with all age groups. Debbie currently works at the JR Simplot Company as a purchasing manager and lives in Meridian with her husband and 3 children.
Heidi Zahn
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Heidi grew up in Minnesota and began training in ballet, tap, and jazz when she was a young girl at a small studio near her home. Heidi studied ballet during her high school years at Minnesota Dance Theatre. She also discovered acting, performing, and the magic of the American musical during high school and college. She attended Concordia College in St Paul Minnesota and majored in elementary education with a minor in theatre. Heidi danced professionally from 1992 until 1996 with a modern/lyrical dance company in Minneapolis. She began teaching dance and movement in 1994 to children in St Paul and later in Minneapolis. After moving to Idaho she established her own business bringing dance to schools, day cares, and, private homes from 1997-1999. Heidi also currently works at CapEd Credit Union as the IRA specialist.
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