FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Arye started dancing at the age of eleven and trained in many dance forms such as ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and Irish Step Dancing. She graduated from Hope College in 2011 with a BA in Dance Education and Elementary Education. While at Hope, she danced with the semi-professional modern dance company dANCEpROjECt, now known as H2. During her time at Hope, Arye worked with many choreographers including Steven Iannacone, Linda Graham, Sharon Wong, Matthew Thornton, and Alicia Diaz. Arye recently retired from education after ten years in the profession as a dance educator. She currently works as the Development Manager for a non -profit organization.

Arye lives in Grand Rapids with her husband Nicholas and, when not dancing, enjoys reading, hiking, good coffee, Spanish wine, and has an incurable case of wanderlust.

ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Seasons One, Two, Three, and Four

Cydney grew up in West Michigan, training in the Holland Area Arts Council, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and Zeeland Recreation. In high school she trained with Nancy Clyde in the Zeeland Dance Program and Zeeland Dance Ensemble. Cydney earned her BA in Dance and Religion Education from Hope College. During her time at Hope she received the Florence Cavanaugh Award for dance, presented choreography at the Veritas Forum and International Sacred Dance Guild, and had the opportunity to study under Steven Iannacone, Linda Graham, Sharon Wong, Matthew Thornton, and Alicia Diaz. Cydney has been teaching with Zeeland Recreation for 14 years and co-founded the Zeeland Youth Dance Company and Zeeland Dance Company in 2008 where she continues to serve as artistic director, choreographing original works and staging ballet productions for the youth company.

Cydney lives in Zeeland with her husband, Michael, and daughters, Remy and Ruby. When she is not dancing, Cydney enjoys hiking the West Michigan lakeshore, reading, writing, and making music and art.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons One, Two, Three, and Four

Amber grew up dancing in California at HS Dance Scene from age 2-17. While attending Calvin University, she participated in Dance Guild and was selected to be on the leadership board as Head Choreographer. She choreographed tap and hip hop for 7 semesters. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from USC (Go Trojans!). Amber is currently a transcriptionist and writer. She happily serves as the editor-in-chief of The Green Show Sanctuary, and indie e-magazine for budding new authors.

In her spare time, you can find her outside enjoying the quiet life with her boys.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons One, Two, Three, and Four

Alyssa began dancing at 5 years old at Milford Dance Academy, and was simultaneously a gymnast and cheerleader. She attended GVSU where she was part of the Gymnastics Club and University Choir Ensemble. She has rekindled her passion for dance through her time with GRDE and Atelier Dance Company.

Alyssa is the owner of Fleurology Designs where she was named - among other accolades- the two time winner of The Knot’s Best Wedding Vendors. Alyssa currently works as the Event Planning Specialist for LACASA Center - a non-profit for women’s shelter. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and dog, Otto.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons Two, Three, and Four

Addie began dancing at the age of 4 at DuHadway Dance Dimensions and was a member of the competitive Elite Team for 8 years. She was trained in tap (her favorite), ballet, jazz and contemporary. Addie then went on to Eastern Michigan University to pursue a double major in Dance and Psychology. Following her graduation, Addie continued her education at Antioch University New England and completed her Master's Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. In training for her degree, Addie danced and moved with a variety of people including children, older adults, and special needs populations. She is passionate about mental health and the power of movement.

Addie lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband, Ryan and their cats, Leicester and Dublin. Addie is currently working as a Counselor in West Michigan and is so excited to return to dancing and performing.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons Two, Three, and Four

Bethany Gravert grew up in Morrison, IL where she began dancing when she was just 4 years old. She primarily studied ballet, tap, and jazz, with occasional classes in pointe, hip-hop, clogging, musical theatre, and ballroom. Bethany participated on the Morrison High School dance team, who went on to win state in the High Kick division. Bethany went on to Hope College and was on the Poms Team from 2008 - 2012. She graduated from Hope in 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Psychology. After a small break, Bethany went on to Western Michigan University where she graduated with her Master’s in Counseling Education, with a specialization in K-12 School Counseling in 2018. Bethany currently works as a high school counselor in Grand Rapids. Bethany lives in Grand Rapids with her partner, Joel, and their dog, Ted. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue dancing with a group of other creative adults and resume her passion for dance and movement. When not working or dancing, she enjoys hiking, crocheting, and reading a good book.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons Two, Three, and Four

Jazzmine found her passion for dance at an early age. She has been dancing for as long as she can remember in many different styles.

Jazzmine has studied dance in a variety of locations, she danced at local Studios in both New Mexico and Colorado and also the School Of The Grand Rapids Ballet when she was younger. She then continued her study of dance at San Diego Mesa College and later at Cornish College of the Arts located in Seattle.

Her dancing career has consisted of numerous performances over the years across the United States. She was also a member of The Northwest Sweethearts, a nonprofit dance team located in Washington for two years, working with charitable organizations.

As a studio student she began assisting classes and quickly found her passion for teaching others. She has since been sharing her love of dance with everyone that she can. She believes everyone should be able to experience the power, magic and beauty of dance regardless of where they are at on their journey in life.

Currently, Jazzmine resides in Western, Michigan with her boyfriend, son and dogs. She instructs dance at Shoreline Dance Academy (South Haven, MI), She teaches Yoga in both studio and outdoor settings. She is also the coordinator for a staffing company based in California.

When she is not dancing or working, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, traveling, and going to the beach.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons Three and Four

Kylee started dancing in high school under the direction of Nancy Clyde with the Zeeland Dance Program and Zeeland Dance Ensemble. Having no previous experience before this, dance turned into a love for the art.

Kylee went on to dance at Hope College and had some fun her senior year by joining the poms dance team. She graduated with a BA in Exercise Science and minor in Psychology. After college Kylee helped coordinate dances at church and enjoys helping backstage for Zeeland Recreation’s ballets and recitals.

Kylee lives in West Michigan with her spouse and two daughters where she works at an elementary school. She is excited to return for another year of dancing with this amazing company of dancers and being able to create and move alongside of them. In her downtime, Kylee enjoys spending time with her family and reading in between running her girls to their dance classes and activities.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons Three and Four

Tiffany found a love for dance when she first started in high school. After graduation she attended Muskegon Community College with a dance scholarship, then transferred to Grand Valley State University to continue her dance education. She ultimately stepped away from dance to pursue a career in cosmetology at the Douglas J AVEDA institute. Still having a love for dance she found numerous studios to dance at over the years.

Tiffany lives in Zeeland with her husband, Jared and their five kids. She loves watching her kids enjoy football, basketball, swimming and dance. In her spare time you can find her reading a book, spending quality time with family and friends, or playing pickleball.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons One, Two, and Four

Mary began dancing at the age of 3. She grew up attending Diane’s School of Dance and studied tap, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop. She then perused a double major degree in dance and elementary education at Hope College where she continued her studies in dance and focused on modern and tap. Mary spent 2 years dancing with GRDE and this will be her 3rd season with Atelier Dance Company.

Mary currently teaches first grade at Jeffers Elementary School in Spring Lake. She lives in Norton Shores with her husband, Caleb, and her son, Henry. She loves spending time with family and friends, fishing, boating, and reading a good book. She is looking forward to reconnecting with fellow dancers this year after spending her last year on maternity leave.

COMPANY MEMBER

Seasons One and Four

Christina started dancing nearly as soon as she could walk. She grew up as a ballerina, but discovered her love for modern and contemporary dance in college. She loves nothing more than blending her training in environmental science with her love of movement. She is currently a co-lead artist on Future Fields, a dance investigation of climate change and agriculture with Dance Exchange. She is also the Education Specialist at the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University, where she leads aquatic science education and outreach programs. She has held artist residencies at Santa Fe Art Institute, Signal Fire, Works on Water and SciArt Center, and has presented her work widely. She was also the Director of Environmental Art at the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education for six years.

Christina is a native Pittsburgher and relatively new Michigander, and enjoys learning all she can about the Great Lakes. In her spare time, she knits feverishly, gardens novicely, hikes with her family, and tries to keep up with her energetic 1 year old.

She was a performing company member of Atelier in its first season and contributed as a guest choreographer in Seasons 2 and 3.

COMPANY MEMBER

Season Four

Growing up on the East side of Michigan training at Miss Lores Dance Rage. Stephanie started dancing at the age of 5 training in many styles of dance such as Jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop and acro-gymnastics. At the age of 6 Stephanie was asked and joined the competitive team getting to travel around the states competing at different dance competitions. When Stephanie turned 13 she moved to West Michigan and continued training and again joined the competitive team at Dance Kraze. After graduating High School in 2008 Stephanie then transitioned over to become a teacher and choreographer at Dance Kraze since then and is still currently doing so.

In 2021 Stephanie joined a dance competition Beyond The Stars Dance Competition and travels with them around the states as one of their photographers.

Stephanie lives in Allegan with her 2 daughters: Isabel and Rosie who are also young dancers themselves.

COMPANY MEMBER

Season Four

Sabrina started dancing at the age 3 at Miss Lore’s School of performing arts and moved to Dance Kraze. She trained in many dance forms: jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, modern, hip hop, tap, musical theatre, gymnastics/acro all while being a competitive dancer. During her time as a competition dancer, she received many judges awards, photogenic, scholarships, and placed in overalls. After graduating high school, she began teaching at Dance Kraze for 5 years where she received choreography and showmanship awards while taking basic college classes. In 2018-2020 she went to WMU to peruse a degree in Dance and Exercise Science, but put college on pause due to COVID and starting her family. Currently she is working part time at Little Tigers Learning Center and will be slowly teaching dance again at her hometown studio.

Sabrina lives in Otsego with her husband, Hagan and 2 daughters, Sophia and Hazel. When Sabrina is not dancing, she enjoys working out, doing different activities, and spending time with her family and friends.