Kehl School of Dance Instructors
Jenny Kehl Hiltbrand (4th generation Kehl)
Jenny is the 4th generation Kehl School of Dance Director. Known as "Miss Jenny" to her students, she has been instructing all forms of dance for over 26 years.
Jenny is an accredited member of the Dance Masters of Wisconsin, Chicago Association of Dance Masters, and Wisconsin Dance Council. She believes continuing education is paramount to keeping the Kehl instructors outstanding in the field of dance instruction. She has studied under numerous dance masters and she and her instructors will attend the Dance Master's Convention in Chicago this summer.
"My passion for dance, as well as my business experience has helped me feel confident to lead the Kehl School of Dance into the future. "
Jenny danced 9 years with Jazzworks, Inc. She lives in Mc Farland with her husband Todd and son, Cooper. She enjoys water skiing and biking in the summer.
Jo Ann Uhalt Janus (4th generation Kehl)
Jo Ann has been dancing and performing since the age of two. Jo Ann attended Interlochen Arts Academy her junior year. She earned her degree in dance from the University of Kansas while on scholarship, and was the recipient of the coveted Elizabeth Sheridan Award. She trained extensively in New York City with the Paul Taylor School and the Broadway Dance Center. She attended the Joffery Ballet and Alvin Ailey schools also on scholarship. Her professional experience includes dancing with David Parsons in the New Arts Festival in Fort Meyers, FL., Gus Giordano and Hubbard Street Dance Companies. She is both an accredited member and past faculty member of Dance Masters of Wisconsin and Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
"My goal is to bring my wide range of dance experience and techincal training to students of all ages. Dance is so fun and rewarding. I strive to make each class count."
Indeed, Jo Ann instructs all levels at Kehls, from Fairytale Ballet to Senior Dance Team. She is a gormet cook, and lives with her husband Jim and her son Jaxson.
Wendy Winder
Wendy Winder began her dance training at Kehl's as a 3 year old taking pre-ballet. Soon afterwards, she began expanding her horizons as well as her shoe collection by taking ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and baton. She performed for many years with the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble. While in high school, she spend three summers studying at the Milwaukee School of Ballet. A UW-Madison graduate in psychology and sociology, she took ballet classes and performed in many UW-Madison Dance Department's concerts. She is currently dancing in her tenth season with Jazzworks company. She is particularly proud to have performed in the Leo Silver Award winning "Rebound" at the 1998 Jazz Dance World Congress. She continues her dance education as an accredited member of Dance Masters of Wisconsin, and Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
Wendy loves her career of teaching classes of enthusiastic dancers at Kehl's. she has been an instructor for over 10 years, and is a Co-Director of the Junior, Teen, Footlight and Tel-Tones performance/competition teams.
"Teaching a variety of disciplines and ages allows me to be creative and to enjoy watching the progress of the dancers. I can't pick a favorite style of dance to perform or teach; each one has it's own wonderful qualities to explore, develop, and express. I hope that my sense of humor, energy and love of expression encourages my dancers to excel in gaining a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and self-discipline. Embrace dance and the arts; it fulfills life!"
Susan Marsden
A founding member of the Milwaukee Ballet Company, Susan Marsden began her training in her native Paris, France. Her principal teachers have been Mlle. George de l'Opera de Paris, Xenia Chlistowa of the Kirov Ballet, William Reilley from Jerome Robbins Ballet U.S.A., and Lupe Serrano, prima ballerina with the American Ballet Theater. She has also performed with the Milwaukee Florentine Opera Company in the Viennese Operetta series at the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, England's Royal Ballet Theater at the Seattle Opera House, and the Milwaukee Contemporary Dance Theater. In Madison, she has been active with the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble, Kanopy Dance Company, Jazzworks and the Performing Arts for Children Company, contributing as soloist and principal performer, choreographer, and ballet mistress.
Susan has been a member of the faculty for the Milwaukee Ballet School, the Reilley Academy of Ballet in Milwaukee, the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, and noted schools of Dance in Madison. Many of her students have moved on to study with professional schools such as the American Ballet Theater, The Joffery Ballet, Universal Ballet Academy and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater while others have or now enjoy performing as member of the American Ballet Theater, the Garden State Ballet, and the Charleston Ballet Theater. She and her former business partner shared direction of the Turning Pointe School of Ballet in Madison, successfully featuring the Vagonova methodology of ballet training.
"In one gesture a dancer can tell an entire story. Such is the power of the art of dance as a primal and sophisticated communication of life. In teaching, I begin with one letter at a time, progressing to words, paragraphs, and fluency of expression. I feel great fortune in the opportunity to teach and share with dancers a language they may employ to tell their own stories."
Susan variously enjoys traveling around the world, flying private planes and, with her husband Gary, sponsoring Badger Midget Auto Racing Association cars, featuring the "tutu" (#22) car. She and Gary live in Verona with four feline friends.
Jaclyn Gregoire
Jaclyn took her first dance steps at Kehls and hasn't stopped dancing since. She is inspired by all types of music, especially music that makes you want to tap your feet! Jaclyn's experience ranges from the Nutcracker to the Middleton High School Dance team, to performing on cruise ships and the Badger Kick Off Classic. She excels at teaching and inspiring young dancers, especially those in Fairytale Ballet. Jaclyn is also an accredited member of Dance Masters of Wisconsin and Chicago National Assocation of Dance Masters.
"Dancing makes all my dreams come true; it is a way for me to get away from everything. To teach children your passion is the best feeling ever. To watch them grow and excel in dance motivates me to work harder!"
Jaclyn enjoys working out, and spending time with friends and family. She is a certified massage therapist and helps students and friends maintain healthy bodies.
Alicia Scott Lundal
Miss Alicia began taking dance at eight years of age in northern Indiana. She began teaching her own classes in jazz, tap and ballet when she was a senior in high school. She continued to study dance, as well as teach classes while a student at Indiana University. She has choreographed a number of award-winning routines for both local and regional competitions in the Midwest. Miss Alicia has attended numerous conventions of Dance Makers, Inc. and Dance Olympus. She has instructed students ranging in age from 3 years through adult for over 10 years. Miss Alicia is thrilled to be able to share in the Kehl family's 125 year celebration.
"I love sharing the art of dance with students! I've seen the skills my students develop in the studio serve them well outside of the dance school in a number of areas-from public speaking to an appreciation for the arts! Dancing is an incredible discipline that brings such joy to it's participants -I'm glad to share this with each of my students."
Miss Alicia and her husband David moved to Madison in August 2003. She has two sons, Roark (age 6), Cooper (age 3), and an eight-year old daughter, Haley, who takes dance classes at Kehl.
Katie Aide
Katie has been dancing for 19 years, with 7 years at Kehl's and is currently dancing with Jazzworks. She performed in many ballets and concerts during her dancing career, including Wisconsin Dance Ensemble's Nutcracker. Katie has choreographed for award-winning dance companies and the MATC Dance Team.
"I bring alot of spunk and energy to my classes! Dance is just way too much fun!"
Katie currently studies dietetics at the UW Madison. She wishes to help educate her students and others on eating healthy. "Health and diet has always interested me and as a dance teacher, I feel I can be a valuable resource to students if they are as curious as I am."
Merle (Endres) Boehnen
Merle has been dancing at Kehl School of Dance since the age of one. She has taught ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom, but specializes in hula. MIss Merle has been teaching for over thirty years, twelve with the Mount Horeb Recreation Department and five with the U. W. Extension.
Merle has her CDE (Certified Dance Educator) degree from Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and is a Board Assistant for the Dance Masters of Wisconsin.
"Dancing has been an important part of my life. I believe dance can help a person grow physically and raise self-esteem."
Merle has danced as a professional hula dancer for five years with "Kala and the Hanai Hawaiians". She is currently in a professional Hula group. She lives in Mount Horeb with her husband Joseph and has Three grown sons. In her spare time she enjoys crafts, her cat, reading and trying to learn the Hawaiian language.
Jenny Vavricka
Jenny has been dancing for 15 years. Her first 13 years were spent at Kehl's, engaging her talent in the many different styles of dance that Kehl's offers. She also participated in the Kehl's award-winning dance teams. During those 13 years, Jenny also danced on the West High School dance team, leading them through some rough, yet fun times. She went on to St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA and danced on the dance team for two years. Jenny returned to Madison to attend school at the UW.
Jenny excels in teaching hip hop classes, and has been teaching at Kehl's for the past few summers. She will continue on staff this fall. She has choreographed for the Kehl's Dance Teams.
"Dance is a huge stress reliever for me and when I see the kids having fun with the moves, it inspires and challenges me to come up with more."
Jenny is currently the coach of the West High School dance team. She likes to draw and paint and is majoring in Interior Design. She loves cats and in the winter she loves to snowboard.