MONTANA DANCE WORKS FACULTY

Ashley Nikolaisen
​Co-Owner/ Director

Ashley is so excited to be back in her hometown of Butte sharing her passion of dance! She started her dance training at the age of 3 with Dixie Harrington and has never stopped taking class. During her young dance career she won many awards and scholarships, and was lucky enough to travel and study with top master teachers and choreographers all over the country.  She started teaching for Dixie when she was sixteen. Ashley went on to graduate from the University of Montana where she continued her dance education and was a member of both the Cheer and Dance Teams for the Griz! Ashley coached the UM Dance Team while finishing up her degree in Communication Studies. During college Ashley danced professionally on a cruise ship and throughout the country. Ashley has worked in dance studios in Montana and Oregon, where she was a dance instructor and director. She has instructed all levels and ages for over 16 years. In recent years she has focused the instruction and direction of recreational and competitive youth dancers. Ashley has created the overall look, style and technique of award winning routines and companies.

Shauna Hollow
​Co-Owner/Director

​​Shauna has been involved with dance from a very young age.  She has danced competitively throughout the country and has won multiple performance awards, including Miss Spotlight of Montana.  Shauna was selected for an exclusive dance internship at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City where she studied and trained in both the dance and business aspect of the company.  Shauna has been teaching and choreographing for all ages and levels of dancers for sixteen years.  Shauna earned her B.S. in Business Management from Montana Tech.

TARYN ANN QUAYLE
​TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Taryn  is originally from Sandpoint, ID and just moved to Butte this year. A graduate of the University of Montana, Taryn is thrilled to be back in Big Sky Country!  Taryn received her dance training at Studio 1 Dance Academy and The University of Montana where she earned degrees in Dance Education, Choreography/Performance, and Theatre Acting/Directing. Taryn has worked with world renowned companies & choreographers such as Susan Marshal, BeBe Miller, Alvin Ailey II, The Trey McIntyer Project, and the Moscow Ballet. In 2012 Taryn traveled to North Carolina where she was the Technical Director for The American Dance Festival at Duke University. While at Duke Taryn also danced with the ADF Company.
Taryn has choreographed numerous musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, Hair!, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She is a recipient of The Alexander & Virginia Dean Theatre Award & The University of Montana Outstanding Senior Recognition Award of 2011. Taryn believes dance is the most beautiful way humans can express themselves and enjoys sharing her love of dance with everyone around her. Her dance tip for students is to keep trying; no one gets anything the first time. 

MICA CLARKSON
​TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
​Mica is astatic to join Montana Dance Works to teach hip hop!  Mica just recently moved back to the western side of Montana after being a principal for a year in Circle, Montana.  This academic year she will be a K-2 Special Educator in Anaconda and work to complete her dissertation for a doctoral in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana (UM).  Several of her prior dance experiences include dancing for the UM Dance Team; touring two summers as a director/actress for Missoula Children’s Theatre; performing in multiple Missoula Community Theatre productions; teaching tap, jazz, and a competitive Hip Hop Team at All That Dance in Flagstaff, Arizona; coaching Varsity Cheerleading in Polson, Montana; dance coordinator and instructor for Hot Springs Summer Art Camp; and teaching Hip Hop for On Center Performing Arts in Missoula, Montana.  She is eager to begin dancing in the Butte Community and to meet all the wonderful performers in the area.  

NICOLLE STAGNOLI
​TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Nicolle IS 27 years old and live in Butte with my husband Jake.
In addition to teaching at Montana Dance Works, Nicolle spends her days as a clinical pharmacist.She has spent the last two plus years working in critical care at St. James Healthcare and just recenetly made the switch to Anaconda Community Hospital where she will be specializing in oncology.
In her free time you can find Nicolle at Seeley Lake or on a plane to anywhere! 
​Nicolle studied dance at the Dynamic Dance and Tumbling Academy from pre-school through high school. Since then she has spent time on the University of Montana Dance team and as head coach of the Butte Central Cheerleaders. This will be her second year teaching your wonderful children. 
Nicolle is forever grateful for the life lessons and friendships that dance gave her. She is so appreciative of Shauna and Ashley for allowing her to continue to be a part of the dance community. It’s going to be a fun year!

CASSANDRA CRNICH
YOGA GURU
Cassandra has been teaching yoga since 2011. She is certified and registered at the E-RYT 200 level and YACEP with the Yoga Alliance. She is also a certified Relax & Renew(R) Trainer under Judith H. Lasater and certified Level 1 Prenatal Yoga Teacher with Shanti Yoga.Cassandra is currently working on  her advanced 500 hour teacher training with the Himalayan Institute.

Cassandra is very passionate about yoga and its benefits on and off the mat. She believes in yoga as a way to remove suffering from our lives, both physically and mentally. She invites everyone to try yoga and to listen and learn from their own bodies.