Meet the Owner:
Dianna Andrews Gaither received a BFA in dance from Webster University. She was also granted departmental honors upon graduating. Dianna furthered her studies in New York City at The Ailey School, where she extensively studied the Lester Horton technique of modern dance. She has performed with The Ailey School, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Slaughter Project, Webster University Dance Ensemble, Movement Dance Theater, and State Street Dance Company. Dianna is also an educator for aTrek Dance Collective’s elementary school performance and residency program Moving Through Math. She has ten years of teaching experience and is one of the four founding company members of Turn of Change Dance Collective. Dianna currently teaches at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Meet the instructors:
Kristin Best is an assistant professor of dance at Lindenwood University where she is the co-director of the LU Dance Ensemble. Kristin is a founding member of Turn of Change Dance Collective and has performed with Duarte Dance Works, University of Iowa’s premiere touring ensemble Dancers in Company and The Slaughter Project. She has danced and choreographed in opening acts for hypnotist Tony Z, comedian Phyllis Diller, the Nokia Sugar Bowl as well as on ESPN for the National Dance Team Championship. Best has taught courses at the University of Iowa, Lewis and Clark College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was a head instructor for the Universal Dance Association for 7 years, served on the curriculum development committee and currently judges for the National Dance Team Championship. Her choreography for dance teams has won numerous awards including the 2008 State Champions Collinsville High School Kick routine and O’Fallon High School’s Dance routine. Kristin holds a MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa and a BS in Theater and Dance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Lindsay Kelly graduated from Webster University in 2004 with her BFA in Dance. While at Webster she was a member of Webster University Dance Ensemble under direction of Gary Hubler and Beckah Voigt. Lindsay was a company member and resident choreographer with The Slaughter Project for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Recently she has joined forces to form Turn of Change Dance Collective. Ms. Kelly has also studied and performed with Alexandra Ballet Company, Dance Aspen, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Saint Louis Ballet, State Ballet of Missouri, The Jillana School, and The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. Currently, Ms. Kelly is the ballet program coordinator for Dance Floor, LLC and an I an instructor at Renee Johnson’s Dance Studio in West St. Louis County.
Lindsay McGregor grew up in the St. Louis area dancing at Motion Express. She received her BA in dance at Webster University and studied at The Ailey School in New York City. After graduating, she moved to Chicago where she performed with the modern dance company, Rasa. She has taught at Renee Johnson’s Dance Studio and the Dance Floor, LLC. She is also a founding member of Turn of Change Dance Collective.
Gwen Meeker (Guest Artist) is well known for her intensity and passion for the art of dance. She has studied all genres of dance, and is an incredible choreographer. She has studied with internationally known instructors such as Brian Friedman, Dave Scott, Chris Judd, Tamara Squires and Liz Imperio to name a few. In 2000 Gwen attended The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angelos, California. Currently attending Lindenwood University with a major toward Dance Management, Gwen is highly regarded for her challenging and enthusiastic hip hop class.
Matthew Allison (yoga)-visit www.MatthewJohnAllison.com.