The demands of being a dance teacher often make talented people feel tapped out, uninspired, and alone. The worst part is when we’re unenthusiastic about our teaching... our students know it, which can make them bored & disinterested in dance.
Our resources & online events spark dance teachers' creativity so they can make every class fresh & exciting.When people use our tools & strategies, they feel empowered to educate the next generation of dancers.
Dance Ed Tips exists because dance teachers who are inspired make a lasting impact on their students.
We are veteran dance teachers who work in PK-12 schools, private studios, & higher education. Through our careers, we've experienced ALL the ups & downs that come along with our job.
We've also realized that dance teachers don't get all of the support that they need or deserve. So, we made it our mission to create all the resources and ongoing education we wished we had access to.
And in 2017, Dance Ed Tips was born!
Our team believes in Supporting, Refining, Connecting, & Celebrating dance teachers!
Thanks for being here! We are excited to learn and grow with you.
Location: Eagle, CO
Teaching Environment: Higher Education, PK-12, & Private Studio
Favorite Product: Back to School Kits
Degree: B.F.A. in Dance Performance & Ed.M. in Dance Education
Olivia Mode-Cater (she/her) is an industry leader in dance education and dance entrepreneurship and the Director of the Dance Studio Owners Association, the largest community of dance studio owners in the world.
Olivia is also the Founder of Dance Ed Tips, the leading dance education resource company whose products are used by thousands of teachers and students in over 25 countries and all 50 states. Best known for her expertise in dance pedagogy, dance business profitability, marketing, and automation, Olivia has trained thousands of dance teachers, studio owners, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Her insights have been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Business Weekly, Dance Studio Life Magazine, the Australian Dance Festival, and the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast.
Previously, Olivia launched the marketing department at DanceStudio-Pro, the world's preeminent dance studio software. She led the team through a complete rebrand, strategic communication planning, and lead generation diversification and automation. Her mission is to create the world's best training, resources, and technology for dance educators so they can transform their teaching and their business.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Teaching Environment: PK-12 & Private Studio
Favorite Product: Elements of Dance through Sports Unit
Degree: B.F.A. in Dance Performance & Ed.M. in Dance Education
Helen Snelgrove (she/her) is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Dance Ed Tips. She has been a member of the DETeam since 2018. Helen is a middle school dance teacher for San Francisco Unified School District. In 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Helen organized a book drive with Dee Holliday where they were able to collect over 500 books. With their efforts, each middle school student at Helen's school was able to get a gift during the holiday season. In 2017, Helen presented at the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Conference in San Antonio, TX. She is currently working with Lila Flow Yoga to receive her 200HR yoga certification. When Helen isn't working for DET or teaching, you can find her outdoors, whether it be skiing, hiking or camping with her dogs, Otto & Luna!
Location: Summit, NJ
Teaching Environment: PK-12
Favorite Product: Deck of Cards Bundle
Degree: B.A. in Dance Education & Ed.M. Dance Education
Melissa Gaul (she/her) is the Content Manager and Video Editor at Dance Ed Tips. Melissa joined the DETeam in 2020. She is currently a high school Dance Educator in Union City Public Schools in New Jersey. Melissa graduated from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education where she received her masters of education (EdM) and PK-12 dance teaching certification. She completed her undergraduate degree at Muhlenberg College where she received a BA in dance with a concentration in education. Melissa is an American Ballet Theater® Certified Teacher and has taught at the ABT® Certified School of Ballet at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. While at Rutgers, she also taught in and managed the community partnership between the Mason Gross Extension Division and East Brunswick After School Kids Program, enriching their after school program with creative movement classes for all elementary and middle school students. Melissa co-presented an experiential workshop titled, "Inclusive Dance Learning: Puzzle Room Style" at the National Dance Education Organization's 2017 national conference. She is a New Jersey native, where she has trained in ballet, modern, tap, and jazz throughout her childhood. Melissa has several years of experience in filming and video editing, and enjoys pairing these skills with her passion for dance education. When Melissa isn't working for DET or teaching, you can find her spending time relaxing at Martha's Vineyard with her family or playing with her dog, Wally!
Location: Macomb, MI
Teaching Environment: Studio
Favorite Product: Warm Up Cards
Degree: B.A. in Media Studies and Communication
Cortney King (she/her) is a Content Developer and Brand Ambassador for Dance Ed Tips. Since 2003, she has been sharing her passion for dance, movement, and performance with dancers of all ages and levels. Specializing in Tap, Hip Hop and Jazz, her students and choreography consistently place in the top 10 at numerous competitions. Teaching is her true passion, and she is grateful to have been invited as a guest teacher to many studios. As a member of the Detroit Tap Repertory performance company, Cortney performs consistently at small and large events throughout the year. Continuing education and personal growth is another passion of hers. Cortney is certified in STOTT Pilates and PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique), and believes true technique comes from understanding your body from the inside out. Her calm and positive nature creates an encouraging and motivating atmosphere where dancers can feel safe to make mistakes, try new things and grow as movers and humans. When she isn’t dancing in the studio, you can find her cooking and dancing in the kitchen with her husband and 3 fantastic kids!
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Teaching Environment: Studio
Favorite Product: It's still a secret! Stay tuned for the launch in 2025.
Sophie McKie is a distinguished dance teacher, choreographer, competition judge, and digital artist with over 28 years of experience in the dance world. With 17 years of teaching expertise, Sophie has cultivated a reputation for excellence and innovation. She is renowned for her role as a judge in dance competitions, where her keen eye and extensive knowledge contribute to the development of emerging talent. As a digital artist, Sophie leverages her platform, Milibelle, to advocate for positive change within the dance industry, using her creative works to inspire and drive transformation. Her commitment to both education and advocacy underscores her dedication to advancing the art form and fostering a supportive, inclusive community.
Location: Tampa, FL
Teaching Environment: Private Studio
Favorite Product: Cards vs. Dancers™
Degree: B.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Communication
Jeanne-Marie Branche (she/her) is a graduate from the University of Tampa. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. Jeanne-Marie has experience performing, teaching, and choreographing in the Tampa Bay community. She has her own blog called Dancers of the Light that gives advice and tips for surviving the dance world / performing arts world. Jeanne-Marie is also the founder and creative director of Relevé Marketing- a social media and digital marketing agency for dance businesses/brands/organizations! (IG @relevemarketing | website: www.relevemarketing.com )
Location: Hillsville, VA
Teaching Environment: Private Studio
Favorite Product: Emotional Wellness Bundle for Middle/High School
Degree: B.S. in Theatre & Dance Performance and Minor in Interdisciplinary Writing & Speech
Katie Wilber (she/her) is the Communications Coordinator at Dance Ed Tips as of 2021. Katie is also a dance teacher at Carroll County Dance Center. As a soloist and Company Member with Inlet Dance Theatre (Cleveland, OH) for 8 years, Katie toured regionally and nationally. Most notably, she performed at Jacob’s Pillow as part of the Inside/Out Series in 2016 and the leading role in the internationally renowned production of “What Do You Do With An Idea?” at the International Performing Arts for a Youth Conference in Philadelphia in 2020. At heart, Katie has always been a dance educator and has personally experienced the life changing growth that can happen in a dance class. Katie established the Newton D. Baker Dance Program and Student Dance Ensemble in 2017 and oversaw the program for 3 years. From 2014 - 2021, Katie was a lead competition program instructor for Ignite Dance Studio in Medina, OH. Katie has also served as a guest teacher at various dance studios in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee. She also has had the privilege of being a guest choreographer winning multiple choreography awards throughout the Midwest region.Through her work as Inlet’s Social Media Coordinator, Katie discovered a love for arts administration. She now represents arts & entertainment organizations and artists globally, providing marketing and advertising strategy and execution. Katie truly loves working behind-the-scenes to provide knowledge, resources, and support for and about this art form and those working in the arts field. Originally from Newport, Tennessee, Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre with a Dance focus and a minor in Interdisciplinary Writing and Speech from Middle Tennessee State University. Katie would like to thank all those who have helped her along the way, and especially for the support from her husband, Sean, her daughter, Eve, and her house full of furry friends (Cybil, Hurley, Desmo, Barry, and Norman)!
Location: Bordentown, NJ
Teaching Environment: Higher Education & Pk-12 Schools
Favorite Product: Under-Represented Black Dance Artist Bundle
Degree: B.A. in English & Biology, M.Ed. in Science Education, Post-Graduate Certificate in Museum Sciences, Shakespearian Scholar at Oxford University, & Post-Graduate in Certificate in Informal and Experiential Learning from Oregon State University.
Kate Sommerhalter (she/her) is a career educator having taught preschool through college level classes in public, private, & charter schools in rural, suburban and urban settings where she has also been a content supervisor, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, & principal. Growing up in close proximity to New York City, her love of the arts began as a child frequently attending performances & visiting museums and galleries. This passion continued through her formal education where she pursued Shakespearian studies at Oxford University, fine and performing arts, educational administration, & the sciences. Her eye is always focused on multidisciplinary opportunities which highlight the joy of life-long learning.
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