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 with Dixie and Krista Harrington. She has danced competitively throughout the country and has won multiple performance awards, including Miss Spotlight of Montana.  Shauna traveled the country from a very young age participating and competing on the national dance circuit. She continued to study dance in Las Vegas and Missoula after high school. Shauna was then 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 in Butte and Missoula. Shauna earned her B.S. in Business Management from Montana Tech. She is excited to share her love and passion for dance and hopes to inspire young artists to continue to pursue their dreams with confidence! 
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. 

ALEX CANAVAN
TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Alex Canavan is a Butte native and lover of any and all art. Along with dance instruction Alex is a licensed Esthetician working out of Jade Hair Studio and Day Spa. She has a passion for helping others to feel great about themselves inside and out. Alex danced competitively with Dynamic Dance and Tumbling Academy starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Alex also studied dance at the University of Montana in Missoula. Alex has been involved with The Revolution Productions hair and fashion show going on five years now and loves anything to do with performing and stage life. When not working Alex enjoys time with her loving daughter and wonderful husband exploring Montana's rivers and forests.
Mattison McEwen
TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Mattison started dancing at age 5 and has been dancing since recreationally, competitively, and professionally. She's received many awards individually and with teams. She danced with Dynamic Dance and Tumbling throughout elementary and high school, and also beginning teaching dance in high school. After high school, Mattison danced professionally on a cruise ship. During this time she learned her heart is in Montana. She moved back and taught dance classes off and on, and also helped choreograph productions for the Orphan Girl Theater. Later she married her sweet husband and had a baby boy, who is now 2. Her passion for dance has not waned since she began, but her truest love lies with her family. 
NICOLLE STAGNOLI
​TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Nicolle IS 27 years old and live in Butte with my husband Jake and beautiful baby girl.
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
YOGINI AND FRONT DESK GURU
Cassandra received her advanced Teacher Training through the Himalayan Institute under the guidance of Shari Friedrichsen, Rolf Sovik, Sandra Anderson, and Judy Moulton. She is certified and registered with the Yoga Alliance at the E-500RYT and YACEP level. Cassandra is also certified as a Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist through the Himalayan Institute, she is a certified Relax & Renew(R) Trainer under Judith H. Lasater, and is a certified Level 1 Prenatal Yoga Teacher with Shanti Yoga.​

​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.
Alaina Little
Kate Hardman