Bethany Weed: Studio Owner & Instructor
I have been dancing since the age of four, growing up training at the former Ballet Academy of Performing Arts in Edmonds. Here I not only received experience in formal ballet technique but also became a teaching assistant then progressed to instructor and eventually assistant director and last year director before it’s closing. I have a BA from the University of Washington in interdisciplinary arts with a focus on culture, literature, and the arts. I had the opportunity to be a company member of Seattle based Sixth Day Dance Company over the years and pursued training in jazz, modern, and tap technique as well at BAPA. I have 15 years of teaching experience and love getting to instruct dancers of all ages. The little ones bring such enthusiasm and wonder to the studio and seeing my older dancers progress throughout a season brings me such joy. I am excited to bring all of these experiences into my own studio and create a space that can reflect the joy that dance has given me throughout my life.
Fun Facts:
2018 was our year of 3s! We added a 3rd studio and we welcomed our third child Beckett Ryder into our family. Big sister Ryla Grace and big brother Lochlan William love to be at the studio and I feel immensely blessed to be their mom as well as do what I love at Haven.
Most people don’t realize I have a very adventurous side as well and have gone skydiving and enjoy camping. My husband and I are also avid Sounders FC fans!
Lindsay Johns: Instructor
Miss Lindsay started dancing at the age of 3 with creative ballet. She then continued dance at various studios until she found her dance home at Olympic Ballet Theater at the age of 9 and danced there until she graduated from high school. Lindsay then furthered her dance education at Cornish College of the Arts and graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance.
She has danced professionally with Walrus Performance Productions, and danced with and choreographed for Sixth Day Dance and Intrepidus Dance. She also has enjoyed performing in a couple of musicals.
Lindsay has taught dance at Reflections School of Dance, Ballet Academy of Performing Arts, and PacWest Performing Arts. She has taught ages 2 to adult and has taught ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, and lyrical.
She lives in Lake Stevens with her husband, Andrew, her daughter, Ava, and sons, Theo and Ben.
Kat Erickson: Instructor
Miss Kat has been a student in dance since she was 3. At 12, she fell in love with Riverdance, and a passion for Irish Dance was born. She has competed locally in Solos and Teams, but her passion lies within the community building dance can bring. Since beginning teaching in 2004, Kat’s excellence in form and line, as well as a foundation focused on longevity and passion for dance is what brings her students success. Outside of dance, Kat sings Barbershop harmony both in Chorus (A Cappella Joy) and in Quartet settings! She also runs a summer camp (Harmony Explosion NW) focused on Barbershop style music.
Morgan Thompson: Instructor
Mr. Morgan has been dancing for 20 years now and teaching for over a decade with his focus being in Hip-hop and urban choreography. With a jack-of-all trades approach to dance, he hopes to share his love and passion for the various styles of hip hop including: Popping, Locking, Krumping, Breaking, and a lot more! He has danced with a ton of West-coast crews like BPDC, Kontagious, Bad Kids, DC9, and many more, and performed and competed at venues like Hip hop international and World of Dance!
I cannot wait to meet you and cultivate a community of positivity and empowerment!
Victoria Gutierrez: Instructor
Miss Victoria received her professional training at Academia de la Danza Mexicana INBA, where she graduated with a BFA in Classical and Contemporary Dance. In 2007 she moved to Seattle where she continued her training with the International Ballet Academy. Victoria has performed for various dance companies such as International Ballet Theater, Evergreen City Ballet, ARC Dance, City Opera Ballet, Olympic Ballet Theater and Katy Hagelin Dance Project. As a choreographer she has collaborated with the Seattle International Dance Festival, Katy Hagelin Dance Project, Bohemia, Drybones Artist Collective and Le Faux. Victoria truly enjoys teaching and has been doing it since 2009 for numerous schools in Seattle.
Katarina Lee: Instructor
Born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Miss Katarina grew up dancing at Crawfordsville Academy of Dance. In high school, she spent two summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts participating in their dance program. She studied at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan and graduated Cum Laude in 2016 with a BA in dance and Minor in Business. While there, Katarina performed works by Amy O'Neal, Takehiro Ueyama, Lauren Edson, and Jesse Zaritt to name a few. Along with expanding her technique, Katarina was able to study other aspects of dance including; choreography, costuming, and pedagogy. Upon graduation Katarina moved to Houston to dance with Ad Deum Dance Company, where she was given the opportunity to dance with Springs Dance Company in London for a period of time. In 2017 Katarina moved to Cleveland, Ohio to dance with Inlet Dance Theatre undertaking the roles of Company Dancer and Costume Coordinator. While there she trained in Erick Hawkins Release technique, Pilobolian Nontraditional Partnering, and group based improvisation. In 2022, Katarina premiered her first professional work, Hiheyhello, as a part of Inlet's summer dance intensive. In August of 2022, Katarina moved to Seattle and spent a year performing in various projects throughout Seattle's dance scene. In 2023, Katarina accepted a company position with Spectrum Dance Theatre and is excited to begin her second season with them.
I love how dance creates space to express anything and everything! From the simple to the complex, dance is conduit for expression; it makes me think, makes me feel. I think in the classroom, dance can teach a lot of amazing life lessons about perseverance, discipline, confidence, and how to love who you are.
Kelsey Thomson: Instructor
Miss Kelsey grew up in Garden City, ID where she competed at Studio C Dance Company and was a Capital High Golden Girl on her high school dance team. After graduating in 2017 Kelsey continued her studies at Boise State University where she received two degrees from the College of Arts. One in Television and Film, and another in Dance. At BSU Kelsey focused mainly on ballet and contemporary while also perfecting her choreography skills. Throughout college Kelsey choreographed for multiple local studios in the area, and was also a teacher at a studio in Meridian, ID. Once Kelsey moved to Seattle in September of 2023 she acquired a job as the mini team coach at a studio in the downtown area as well as teaching multiple classes at the studio. Kelsey moved to Edmonds, WA in July 2024 and is excited to continue on this journey. Kelsey enjoys creating an environment in the studio that is fun and inclusive to all students that allows them the ability to express themselves through movement.
Bee Bolino: Instructor
Recently graduated magna cum laude from Cornish College of the Arts in 2023, Bee draws from their experience as a queer, disabled artist to give voice to the human experience. Born and raised in Oak Park, IL, they have over 20 years of dance education in ballet, Graham, contemporary, improv/contact improv, jazz, integrated dance, and more. Bee's work has been performed in Cornish's New Moves, MOMENTA's CounterBalance, and HEARTH, their up-and-coming dance company, co-directed by artistic partner Vera Drumond-Moore. They also put energy into their other passion, teaching, working with students of all ages at Haven Dance Academy, All That Dance, AIM Seattle, and the Academy of Music and Dance in Ballard and Shoreline. With almost a decade of teaching experience, Bee strives to create a welcoming space where dancers can explore and discover the creative force that they are!
Dakota Leigh: Instructor
Bio coming soon!
I began my ballet training at the age of five in Brazil and have dedicated my life to developing as a professional dancer and teacher. Throughout my training, I participated in numerous ballet competitions and performances, gaining valuable experience in both classical ballet and contemporary dance.
At 18, I moved to Romania to pursue a professional ballet contract, where I had the opportunity to work in an international environment and further develop my technique, artistry, and stage experience.
I am currently a professional dancer with Olympic Ballet Theater in Seattle, where I continue to perform and grow as an artist. Alongside my professional career, I have experience teaching ballet to children, teenagers, and adults, and I am passionate about helping students develop strong technique, musicality, confidence, and a love for dance.
Angelia Jarman: Instructor & Office Assistant
I began dancing at the age of five at Ballet Academy of Performing Arts, the place in which I not only developed my strong love for ballet, but also found my forever dance family. I danced at BAPA until its closing, following over to Haven Dance Academy in 2016, where I continued dancing for a couple of years, before taking a step back from dance altogether. In 2022, I was fortunate enough to become a member of the Haven Team as an office assistant and started taking classes again, falling in love with ballet once more. I am beyond excited to continue my dance journey, expanding my training in Ballet, Pointe, and Contemporary, as well as now getting to share my passion for it with others as an instructor! It has always been a dream of mine to be able to teach since I was just a little girl, and I am so grateful at the opportunity to finally do so! While I may be newer to instructing, I strive to create a nurturing, supportive environment within the studio. I am thrilled to be a face of Haven as both an office member and instructor, and am excited to meet you all!
Jojo Stratman - Instructor
Miss Jojo's Bio - Coming soon!
Hannah Roy: Instructor
Miss Hannah's Bio - Coming soon!
Dawn Madsen - Instructor
Dawn fell in love with Irish dance when she walked into Miss Kat’s classroom at the age of 12 and never looked back. It connected her with her love of music, culture and performance and through the years it has remained a safe space to express herself. Post high school, she turned to welding as a career, but after a decade, she came back to the body and movement. She’s now an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer with 22 years of dance experience and a passion for helping dancers and non-dancers alike find the strongest version of themselves.
She’s taken a great delight in trying out other styles of dance at Haven even if they make her feel a little silly. The teachers at Haven are incredibly welcoming regardless of experience and that’s what she loves about it!
Dawn is also a singer/ songwriter with many projects always in the works.
Felicia Brockmann: Studio Manager
I have been dancing for over 25 years. I began teaching at the Ballet Academy of Performing Arts in Edmonds and am now continuing with Haven Dance Academy. I feel that Ballet is not merely something that I do; it is an expression of who I am. I love working with children, sharing the gift of dance with them, and helping them to find their creative niche in an encouraging, supportive environment. I am very excited to be part of building the community here at Haven, both in the classroom and behind the scenes in the office! I hope to share the joy of dance with my young daughters, Liliana, Isabelle, and Clara.
One of my favorite dance memories is from early high school. I had volunteered to perform a solo for a ladies Bible study group, but the floor where they had me perform was pretty slick. In the middle of the dance I slipped and fell down to my knee (which really hurt) but I stood right back up and finished my dance. Afterward, I hobbled over to my mom and asked if anyone had noticed. She didn’t know what I was talking about and neither did any of the other ladies- evidently they assumed it was all part of the choreography. After that day, I wasn’t nervous about performing anymore, because I realized that if you pretend like you did everything correctly, the audience will believe you.
