Katlin Zimmer
As a dance instructor and choreographer Katlin has always had an admiration towards the production side of dance. How can the pieces in a recital tell a story? How can each dancer uniquely contribute to the story? How can those stories provoke an emotion?
Katlin has studied dance and teaching methods in Checcetti and RAD, and has been certified to teach Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern by Dance Masters of America. With 20+ years of experience, she has been teaching, running competition teams, and managing dance camps. She's also had the pleasure of directing multiple productions at the famed Cal-Neva Historical Theater where Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack frequently performed. Katlin has danced and choreographed professionally for the NBA, as well as trained and choreographed award winning pieces at the highest national level.
Katlin currently resides in Lake City, Seattle and enjoys adventuring around the city with her 2 children.
Dr Megan MacDonald
Dr Megan MacDonald is a music educator, researcher, and vocalist with 20 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor in Music Education from Abilene Christian University as well as a PhD in Musicology from Florida State University and enjoys teaching music to everyone from toddlers to college students. She most recently taught courses in world music and ethnomusicology to students at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.
As a performer, she has enjoyed singing in jazz ensembles, old time and country music bands, renaissance music ensembles, as a church musician as well as performing in a number of musicals and operas, from Music Man to Street Scene. Megan currently trains our musical theatre students.
A Seattle native, Lake City resident and parent, Megan looks forward to bringing a love of singing to the students at Productions Dance.
Ms Kasey
Kasey Cheslow is thrilled to return to her roots by joining Productions Dance Performing Arts. She honed her skills in studio ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theater in Oceanside, California, before embarking on a new chapter in the Northwest as a young adult. As an accomplished singer and dancer, Kasey has spent years performing across the Northwest in both main-stage musicals and cabaret shows.
Her experience extends beyond the stage, as she has also worked as a teaching artist and dance instructor for students aged four to eighteen. While Kasey enjoys all aspects of her role as a dance instructor, her true passion lies in creating choreography that allows dancers to express themselves and convey a story to their audience. Kasey’s local choreography credits include works for Mercer Island High School’s theater department, West Seattle’s 12th Night Productions, Center Stage Young Actors’ workshop, and multiple Spokane Christian Youth Theater productions.
Kasey firmly believes that providing children and adults with a creative outlet like dance that is fun and inclusive is important, maybe now more than ever.
Ms Leanne
Leanne brings over 30 years of global performance, choreography, and teaching experience to the faculty. Having trained at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London and the University of Cape Town, her distinguished performance career includes soloist roles with Leipzig Ballet, Moving Visions Dance Theatre, and Siwela Sonke Contemporary Dance Company across Europe, the UK, and South Africa.
Leanne specializes in classical ballet, pointe, and has extensive expertise in tailoring training regimens specifically for male ballet dancers. She is trained across multiple classical lineages, allowing for a highly adaptable and comprehensive coaching style.
Leanne is dedicated to inspiring artistry, health, and lifelong growth in dancers of all ages and skill levels.
She is excited to bring her expertise to Productions Dance and guide the expansion of the studio's upper-level ballet curriculum, giving older dancers refined technique, pointe work, and comprehensive classical training.
Miss Daphne
Daphne has over a decade of experience training, competing, and teaching in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and ballet. As a former award-winning competitive dancer and team captain, she understands what it takes to build high technical standards alongside strong team unity. Her extensive background in child development and public education allows her to tailor her lesson plans to meet the unique needs of every student. Daphne is thrilled to bring her versatile training and positive coaching style to the studio, creating a supportive environment focused on artistic growth, confidence, and fun.
Staff
Mama Seana
As Productions Dance's Family Coordinator, Seana draws on her love for the performing arts and her deep roots in the local community to support every family at the studio. As a local mom, she understands firsthand the joy, commitment, and organization it takes to support a young performer. Her own background includes years of experience in cheerleading, choir, and musical theater performance, giving her a unique appreciation for the hard work and dedication students bring to the studio every day. Seana is your primary point of contact for class placements, scheduling, and family support, and she is dedicated to making sure every family feels truly at home in the studio community, informed and welcomed at every step.
Guest Instructors
Adri Polyak
2:30 - 4pmIntermediate Tap
4:30 - 6:30pm
Originally from Arizona and now based in Washington, Adri Polyak (they/them) is a nonbinary dance educator, choreographer, and life coach with over two decades of training. After a lifetime of versatile dance experience—including dancing for the GCU Dance Team and teaching since the age of 15—they have dedicated their primary focus to tap dance.
Adri holds a BS and MS in Psychology, bringing a unique, holistic perspective to their instruction. They have trained under tap legends such as Derick K. Grant, Anthony Morigerato, and Sarah Reich, and completed Hillary-Marie’s iTap Teacher Training (Levels 1 & 2).
A former performer with Tap 24/7 and DXX Tap, Adri currently runs their own tap company, teaches across Washington, and is the producer of an upcoming tap festival and showcase this August.
Angel Nunez
Foundations: August 15-16
Intermediate: August 14-16
10am - 12pmIntermediate Ballet
1 -3pm
Angel Nunez is an international ballet instructor, choreographer, and performer with over 30 years of elite experience.
A graduate of the world-renowned Teatro Colón’s Advanced Arts Institute and certified by the National University of Córdoba, Angel is an expert in the classic Vaganova technique, alongside Tango, Flamenco, and Argentine Folk. His distinguished career includes performing with the State Ballet Company (Ballet Oficial) in Argentina, winning multiple international gold and copper awards, and spending decades training pre-professional dancers across the United States.
Angel currently teaches and choreographs in the Seattle area and speaks four languages.