Studio Staff & Dance Instructors

Shirley Van has been instrumental raising the visibility of the art of dance to the greater Green Bay area. She opened Shirley Van’s Dance Studio more than 60 years ago and continues to teach there today. Shirley founded The Young People’s Ballet Company, known today as The

Dance Company, and was co-founder of the Green Bay Chapter of Adventures Movement. For nine years, Shirley acted as the choreographer and director of the Green Bay

Packers cheerleaders and spent six years at St. Norbert College as an instructor in Movement and Dance in the Theatre Department. She was recognized with the Fort

Howard Paper Company John P. Cofrin Award for her contributions to the artistic life in our community. Shirley studied classical ballet at Stone and Camryn Ballet School. She also studied under the direction of Gus Giordiano, Luigi, Joe Tremaine, Matt Mattox and Fran Scanlon. As Artistic Director of The Dance Company, she has

choreographed and directed many shows, including more than 40 Nutcracker performances, Cinderella, Aladdin, Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Beatrix Potter and The Little Mermaid.

Tammy has been part of The Dance Company family since her daughter began dancing at the age of three. Over the years, she has served in multiple roles—including Guild President, board member, and currently President of the Board of Directors. With an accounting degree and a 47-year career at FEECO International, Inc., Tammy brings strong organizational and leadership skills to the studio.

Her true passion lies in fostering a positive and supportive environment where dancers can grow—not only in their technical skills, but also in confidence, creativity, and self-esteem. She believes The Dance Company is more than a place to learn dance; it’s a place where young people develop life skills, friendships, and a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond the stage.

Carrie has more than 40 years of dance experience, including more than 25 as a dance/gymnastics instructor. She is a 35-year member of The Dance Company, serving 19 years as Dance Captain. She also competed in rhythmic gymnastics and was an All-American gymnast in vault at UW-La Crosse. She choreographed Bay Port High School musicals for five years.

Jami began dancing at Shirley Van’s Dance Studio at the age of 2 and over the years studied every dance style the studio had to offer. She joined the teaching staff for Shirley Van’s and The Dance Company in 2013 where she has taught many styles of dance. Jami’s dance experience also includes performing with The Dance Company and both dancing with and coaching the West De Pere High School Dance Team. When she is not teaching dance, Jami works for the West De Pere School District. where she now serves as the Library Media/Instructional Technology Specialist for the West De Pere Intermediate School.

Bryanna began dancing at the age of 5 in Illinois and began taking classes at Shirley Van's Dance studio while attending St. Norbert College. In addition to studio dance both in Illinois and at Shirley Van's, Bryanna's dance experience includes performing in over a dozen musicals with Christian Youth Theater and countless Dance Company productions. Bryanna joined the teaching staff in 2013 and has taught many styles, although tap is her favorite! When she is not at the studio, Bryanna can be found teaching 4th grade at Dickinson Elementary school in De Pere.

Katelyn began dancing at the age of 3 and has learned a large variety of dance styles including: ballet (& pointe), tap, jazz, contemporary, Irish dance, ballroom, hip-hop, & more! She has over 15 years of dance teaching experience and holds a degree in Business Management. Katelyn joined the Shirley Van's family as a dancer in 2011, and performed various roles as a Dance Company Performance member. Now, she works behind the scenes as the Office Administrator, while teaching dance to some of the littles! Outside of the studio, Katelyn is a stay-at-home mom to her daughter and twin boys.

Beginning at age 7 in Michigan, Jenny studied tap, jazz, and ballet, and became a student of Shirley’s at age 13 when her family relocated to Green Bay. Jenny has competed at the local, regional and national levels, and performed in her high school's musicals, where she was made dance captain and had solo and featured performances in Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, and 42nd Street. Now, her love of dance is focused on tap, as she teaches the adult beginning/intermediate tap and adult advanced tap classes at The Dance Company.

Morgan began dancing at Shirley Van's when she was two years old, and it was here that she fostered a love for dance and performing. In 2023, Morgan graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a bachelor's degree in dance. While in college, Morgan was able to deepen her understanding of dance technique and anatomy and has since used that information to teach students of all ages and abilities. Following graduation, Morgan choreographed the summer musical for West De Pere High School and enjoys teaching students of all ages at The Dance Company.

Ana began doing gymnastics when was 8 years old for a performing team in Belen, New Mexico that combined dance and gymnastics. She later moved to Wisconsin and joined The American Turners Association in Sheboygan. Since then, she has also practiced gymnastics with teams in Cuenca, Ecuador and San Rafael, Argentina. Ana started coaching when she was 16 and loves sharing her passion for gymnastics with her students. When she is not coaching, Ana is a full time Spanish teacher at Pulaski High School in Pulaski, WI.

With three years of previous Zumba instructing, Stefanie joined the teaching staff in 2024. She began dance at 6 years old with one of Shirley’s previous students- Sue Darrow's School of Dance in Plymouth. While there, she took tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and pointe. She was also a member of the Dancescape Ballet Company and participated in many Nutcrackers and spring shows. As an adult, she wanted to find a dance family and attended a Zumba class. She fell in love with the atmosphere and knew others would have just as much fun! Still a ballerina at heart, Stefanie also learned that shaking those hips, letting loose, and getting sweaty to loud music is just as rewarding!

Jazmin has been dancing at Shirley Van’s since she was 5 years old.  She started dancing with her sister and cousins and she is the only one still dancing to this day.  She has studied tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and pointe.  Her favorite style of dance is ballet and pointe.  Jazmin has performed with The Dance Company for years.  She started assisting in the younger kids’ class and enjoyed dancing and teaching kids.  Jazmin is going to school to become a teacher.  In addition to dance, she can also be found riding horses.

Natalie started dancing with Shirley Van's when she was 8 years old. She was a member of the West De Pere Dance Team throughout all four years of high school. She currently dances on the UW Green Bay dance team and teaches dance at the De Pere Community Center, entering her second year in that role. In addition, Natalie has also helped lead technique classes for the West De Pere Dance Team. Outside of dance, Natalie is studying human biology with an emphasis on physical therapy.