Jennifer Valinski began her dance and gymnastics training in St. Clair Shores at the age of five at Dancer‘s and Gymnastics Workshop. Later she moved to Warren and started classes at Professional School of Ballet. Jennifer started as an assistant at sixteen years old and by the age of eighteen was a full time teacher with over two hundred students. She has taught at The Professional School, Juliart Dance, Van Buren Parks and Recreation, Livonia Public Schools and P&P Dance. In 2001, she married and moved to Belleville and continues to teach while raising her son, Drew and daughter, Sarah. Later on, she created Jitterbugs Dance to start teaching children physical and health education through dance and tumbling. Through the years her local reputations has expanded all throughout Michigan. she is apart of numerous dance, gymnastic and educational organizations and certified in CPR and First Aid. Also, she has  donated my hours along with my students to convalescent homes, festivals, churches, schools, and various other organizations.  Finally, you will find Ms. Jennifer teaching Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's

Ashley Gautreau began her dance and acrobat training in New Orleans, LA where she studied the arts for 10 years.  Thereafter, she moved to Michigan and continued her training in Sterling Heights and Troy.  She has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, pompom and musical theatre.  She became a student teacher at the age of twelve, was the captain of her high school dance team and taught a variety of dance styles at a studio in Troy, MI during college.  Ashley received an academic scholarship to Oakland University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree with a major in political science and a minor in communication.  Ashley also received an academic scholarship to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor and is a practicing attorney in Belleville, MI.  She has a passion for dance, a love for children and is very excited to be a part of Jitterbugs Dance! Ms. Ashley will be teaching Tuesday Evenings.

Nicole Heikkila began her dance career with Dance Express (Garden City, MI) and studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop and musical theatre for 15 years. She is finishing up her schooling at Wayne State University where she will receive her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Science in Dance with secondary education certification in May of 2018. Nicole has been a part of numerous dance and theatre performances around Metro-Detroit and was a member of WSU’s dance Company One. She is a current member of the National Dance Education Organization. Nicole loves to teach dance as she hopes to share her passion while helping her students gain confidence, coordination, physical fitness, team work skills, and creativity. She is very excited to be joining the Jitterbugs Elite Dance family.   You will find Ms. Nicole teaching on Monday & Saturday's

 

Anna Hoppe  has been dancing with Jitterbugs for 10 years. She has studied ballet with exposier to different styles of ballet including pointe. Anna under several years has been training in the Vangonva Method.  Anna has assisted numberous year in Jr. Ballet, Kinder and Preschool level clases under the direction of Jennifer Valinski.  Along with teaching Ballet Anna is found teaching piano to varies age groups. This Fall Anna will be attending college locally.  When not dancing Anna joys being with people, playing soccer, and playing music. She is one of twelve children and so has experience with younger ones. She currently studing Marketing at  Schoolcraft College.

Carrie Baker started her dance training at the age of three and continues to further and expand her career in dance by performing and teaching all over south eastern Michigan. Also, Carrie has receive a Business Degree and currently holds a full-time administration position at the University of Michigan.   When Carrie  is not at the office she focuses her time to teaching and learning various styles of dance. Carrie has taught a variety of dance styles locally for the past 10 years. She continues to perform and teach at recitals and community events. Her primary focus is in ballet, jazz and lyrical. 

2017/2018  Student Teachers

This is my second year assisting and teaching with Ms. Avery.  I love assisting the young dancers and helping with choreography.  I hope to continue and grow as a teacher.  Thank You for this experience it was the best.    Ms. Abby

This is my second year teaching and I have to say, I love it!   I have been assisting Ms. Avery on Monday’s evening and the dancers make my evening.  The little dancers always are cheerful and have smiles on their face.  I love each the the dancers on Monday night you are have made my teaching/assisting memorable.    Ms. Tara

Stay Tune for Ms. Sarah and Ms. Ariells Bio's