Meet the Staff | N-Step Dance Academy

N-Step Staff

Owner/Director

Shanna Young

Shanna began dancing at a very young age, studying Tap, Ballet and Jazz; later gymnastics and cheerleading. After a severe injury to her hip and ankle, she was told she could no longer do gymnastics. Determined, she decided to try clogging. She loved clogging and was a natural, she had the opportunity to go to Nashville several times and perform on the Grand Ole Opery stage, she got to meet the staff of Hee-Haw and solute her hometown. She also worked with Merrill Osmond where she performed in TV specials, music videos, stadium of fire, and other performances for our troops abroad, Top Ten Honored Americans and other once in a lifetime opportunities. She also studied Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballroom and Lyrical styles during this time. Shanna began teaching dance and clogging when she was 15 years old. She has more than 26 years of teaching experience. Her dances have won many overall awards, and she has been recognized for her creative choreography. She loves teaching and developing dancers, as well as teachers. She has been the owner of N-Step Dance Academy for 23 years and loves working with the children of Tooele County.

instructor

Paige Johnson

Competitive Teams - Technique

Paige started dancing when she was three years old at a studio in Salt Lake City. She competed on their competitive teams and then went on to be a part of the Junior Elite Team. Paige also danced with her high school dance company where she choreographed and taught many pieces. While she danced with her high school team she got the opportunity of working with many professional choreographers, as well as completing a dance intensive in New York City at Alvin Ailey. Paige then attended college at Utah State University where she continuted her dance training and education. She is trained in many styles including, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and Clogging. Her favorite style of dance is Contemporary. When Paige is not dancing, she is a busy mom to two boys! Paige loves being a part of the N-Step dance family!

instructor

Noel Cain

Non-Competitive & Competitive Teams - Technique

My passion for dance started from a very young age dancing around my grandparents kitchen! I started dancing at a studio in Salt Lake City when I was 2 years old, I trained competitively at N-Step Dance Academy from 2009-2016. My favorite styles to study and teach are lyrical, contemporary, modern, and jazz! I was on my high school drill team, I was co-captain my junior year and Captain my senior year! My other passions include sewing, childcare, and spending time with my family! I have 3 beautiful girls. I love sharing my passion for dance with others and my favorite part of teaching is watching their eyes light up when they master the skill they have been working so hard on!!

instructor

Danyel Cooper

Competitive Teams - Technique

Hi I’m Danyel Cooper. I have been dancing for 28 years. I started at the age of 3 at Center Stage dance studio in Burley Idaho. I have trained in various styles and techniques of dance the entirety of my life. I competed and performed in north western states and had the opportunity to perform at Disneyland and universal studios. I joined the dance team at my high school and earned senior counselor for the dance team. I had the opportunity to choreograph as a senior as well. I then attended Utah State University for two years training in ballet, hip-hop and Contemporary. They didn’t provide a degree in dance so I transferred to Southern Utah University where I finished my Bachelors of Science degree in Dance Education. I trained under several renowned professors that had trained across the nation from New York to China and so forth and I had performance opportunities with choreographers across the nation. I trained in somatic movement in modern and took classes with Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey dance company, Ririe -Woodbury and so many others. My Senior year I tried out for the Faculty showcase and earned the honor as soloist for the Showcase. After graduating I married my Husband Matt and we started our beautiful family. Dance has always been my passion and outlet in my life. It has Shaped the person I am today. More than anything I love to share that knowledge and passion with my students.

instructor

Chelsea Gonda

Tumbling - Cheer

Chelsea started cheerleading and dancing when she was 4 years old at a studio in West Valley City. She also

performed with Up With Kids. Learning different acting and performing skills. At 15 years old, she started gymnastics, where she grew as an athlete, and her love for tumbling started. She was a part of her Jr High and High School cheer team where she received the title of All American in 2010 and was known for her facials, loud cheer voice, and her abilities in stunting. Chelsea loves teaching students new skills and watching their confidence grow. Aside from cheer, and tumbling, she’s a mother of 4, and love spending time with family, photography, and horses.

instructor

Rylisha Ulin

Competitive Teams

Rylisha has been dancing competitively since she was 2 years old. She spent 8 years of that time dancing at N-Step training in jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary/modern, ballet, and tumbling. Her favorite types of dance are lyrical and contemporary. Rylisha says her greatest accomplishment in dance was winning an award for being the most aspiring dancer of the night. She lives for anything that has to do with dancing. Aside from dancing, some of her favorite things to do include camping, going for jeep rides, and spending time with her family. Her favorite places to go camping are Lava Hot Spring and Bear Lake. Her passions include dancing and helping people of all ages.; from Teaching somebody a new dance move, to teaching somebody their ABC's. She is always there to help. Her goals in life are to teach dance and pursue a career that allows her to give back to others.

instructor

JenniLyn Wilcox

Non-Competitive and Competitive Teams -

Boys Hip-Hop

JenniLyn started dancing when she was 2 years old. She learned jazz, ballet, lyrical, and technique. She also participated in little league cheerleading from the ages of 8-11. She continued dancing until she was 11. After 2 years she returned to dance as part of junior high dance company team. She was part of this team for 2 years and during that time she improved on the styles she already knew, and learned new styles of dance that included hip-hop, contemporary, modern, character, and everything in between. She also choreographed dances for their teams dance recitals. During her 8th and 9th grade years she took gymnastics classes at a gym in SLC. When JenniLyn hit High School she participated in various things such as drill team and cheerleading. During her senior year she received her school's Sterling Scholar in Dance and represented her school against other schools. She went onto college where she took some dance classes but her life’s path lead her away from dance. She later returned to dance as a teacher here at N-Step Dance Academy in the spring of 2010. She enjoyed teaching with us until she moved to New York in Jan. 2011. After being gone for 5 ½ years JenniLyn and her family moved back to Utah in the summer of 2016. Upon returning, she was very excited to return to N-Step to teach again. JenniLyn loves teaching your children and watching them improve on their dancing, tumbling, and cheer skills and she is very grateful to be part of the N-Step dance family.

instructor

JenniLyn Wilcox

Non-Competitive and Competitive Teams -

Boys Hip-Hop

JenniLyn started dancing when she was 2 years old. She learned jazz, ballet, lyrical, and technique. She also participated in little league cheerleading from the ages of 8-11. She continued dancing until she was 11. After 2 years she returned to dance as part of junior high dance company team. She was part of this team for 2 years and during that time she improved on the styles she already knew, and learned new styles of dance that included hip-hop, contemporary, modern, character, and everything in between. She also choreographed dances for their teams dance recitals. During her 8th and 9th grade years she took gymnastics classes at a gym in SLC. When JenniLyn hit High School she participated in various things such as drill team and cheerleading. During her senior year she received her school's Sterling Scholar in Dance and represented her school against other schools. She went onto college where she took some dance classes but her life’s path lead her away from dance. She later returned to dance as a teacher here at N-Step Dance Academy in the spring of 2010. She enjoyed teaching with us until she moved to New York in Jan. 2011. After being gone for 5 ½ years JenniLyn and her family moved back to Utah in the summer of 2016. Upon returning, she was very excited to return to N-Step to teach again. JenniLyn loves teaching your children and watching them improve on their dancing, tumbling, and cheer skills and she is very grateful to be part of the N-Step dance family.

instructor

JenniLyn Wilcox

Non-Competitive and Competitive Teams -

Boys Hip-Hop

JenniLyn started dancing when she was 2 years old. She learned jazz, ballet, lyrical, and technique. She also participated in little league cheerleading from the ages of 8-11. She continued dancing until she was 11. After 2 years she returned to dance as part of junior high dance company team. She was part of this team for 2 years and during that time she improved on the styles she already knew, and learned new styles of dance that included hip-hop, contemporary, modern, character, and everything in between. She also choreographed dances for their teams dance recitals. During her 8th and 9th grade years she took gymnastics classes at a gym in SLC. When JenniLyn hit High School she participated in various things such as drill team and cheerleading. During her senior year she received her school's Sterling Scholar in Dance and represented her school against other schools. She went onto college where she took some dance classes but her life’s path lead her away from dance. She later returned to dance as a teacher here at N-Step Dance Academy in the spring of 2010. She enjoyed teaching with us until she moved to New York in Jan. 2011. After being gone for 5 ½ years JenniLyn and her family moved back to Utah in the summer of 2016. Upon returning, she was very excited to return to N-Step to teach again. JenniLyn loves teaching your children and watching them improve on their dancing, tumbling, and cheer skills and she is very grateful to be part of the N-Step dance family.

instructor

Jessica Grover

Non-Competitive Teams - Technique

Jessica has been dancing her entire life. As a child she trained at Lifehouse Performing Arts Academy where she was a member of their top company. She attended college at BYU where she took classes in advanced ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap. Jessica was also invited to participate in BYU’s masterclass series where she had the opportunity to take classes from organizations such as Ballet West, RAB, ABT, and many other prestigious companies across the world. During this time she was offered positions in many pre-professional companies.

After moving to a rural area Jessica continued to dance, opening her own dance studio, and continuing her own education through clinics and online certifications. She is a lifelong learner, and it is not uncommon to see her at dance camps up on stage dancing with the teenagers!

Jessica loves dance but her true passion is teaching, which she has been doing for 15 years. She has developed her own creative curriculum to help make dance accessible and fun. She loves every child who walks through her doors and is especially good at helping children to whom dancing does not come naturally.

instructor

JenniLyn Wilcox

Non-Competitive and Competitive Teams -

Boys Hip-Hop

JenniLyn started dancing when she was 2 years old. She learned jazz, ballet, lyrical, and technique. She also participated in little league cheerleading from the ages of 8-11. She continued dancing until she was 11. After 2 years she returned to dance as part of junior high dance company team. She was part of this team for 2 years and during that time she improved on the styles she already knew, and learned new styles of dance that included hip-hop, contemporary, modern, character, and everything in between. She also choreographed dances for their teams dance recitals. During her 8th and 9th grade years she took gymnastics classes at a gym in SLC. When JenniLyn hit High School she participated in various things such as drill team and cheerleading. During her senior year she received her school's Sterling Scholar in Dance and represented her school against other schools. She went onto college where she took some dance classes but her life’s path lead her away from dance. She later returned to dance as a teacher here at N-Step Dance Academy in the spring of 2010. She enjoyed teaching with us until she moved to New York in Jan. 2011. After being gone for 5 ½ years JenniLyn and her family moved back to Utah in the summer of 2016. Upon returning, she was very excited to return to N-Step to teach again. JenniLyn loves teaching your children and watching them improve on their dancing, tumbling, and cheer skills and she is very grateful to be part of the N-Step dance family.

instructor

Baylee Poland

Non-Competitive Teams - Competitive Teams

I’m 18 years old and I have been dancing since I was 4! I danced competitively with N-Step for 6 years. I was on the Tooele High School drill team for 3 years! My favorite styles of dance are Hip-Hop and contemporary! I love dancing and the art of it! I also really love sharing my talent with others! Dance is my form of escape and my way to let go!

instructor

Nicole Smith

Improv

Nicole Meyer Smith grew up training at The Dance Club in Orem, UT. After graduating she fell in love with teaching dance and since then has worked with numerous studios across the state. She is currently the director of The Collective Performing Arts Center in Layton. Dance has taught Nicole invaluable skills including discipline, teamwork, leadership, service, and self-confidence. Her desire is to share those same lessons with younger dancers in their studios. Her classes help dancers learn how to put their life and their real emotions into their dancing; allowing them to grow in more than just technique. Nicole believes every dancer has the ability to shine on stage.

instructor

Samantha Grover

Acting

Samantha (Samm) received her training in Theatre Education and Dance at Central Washington University with a certification of dance from DTW at the University of Las Vegas. During her time at CWU she performed in various productions, was Captain of the CWU Collegiate Dance Team, and was selected for theatre scholarships. Samantha opened her own dance company in Ellensburg that was successful for eight years until her family moved for her husband’s job. She has 18 years of dance education experience, 12 years in coaching dance in schools, multiple certifications in dance, acro, and gymnastics, holds multiple awards for choreography, costuming, and staging, and loves sharing her passion with young artists. Samantha has worked with numerous individuals in the tv/film industry, worked on sets in LA, and has had the opportunity to gain experiences that will add value to her students’ dance education. Currently, Samantha is attending BYU Idaho with the goal of earning her Master’s in Business Management, lives in Syracuse with her family, loves the outdoors, and is excited to be part of the students’ dance education.

Gracie Wilcox

Junior Instructor

Houston Swarthout

Junior Instructor