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| Faculty and Staff |
We are pleased and excited to introduce Katie Jorgensen to our
fantastic staff at True Dance! Katie began dancing at age
seven. She auditioned and competed with Paul Lynn’s
Company in Norfolk NE from age 9 until she graduated from
High School. While in dance Katie was awarded a scholarship
for Tremaine Dancer of the Year and chosen by the Minnesota
Ballet to dance Clara in the Nutcracker. Katie has taught master
classes in Jazz and hip hop since 2004, and has had many
awards given to her for her outstanding Jazz Choreography. She
has traveled to many current workshops and intensives. Katie
continues to choreograph dances for competition groups and
school dance teams around the country. Katie has received
many top awards for her choreography at numerous
competitions in the regional area.
fantastic staff at True Dance! Katie began dancing at age
seven. She auditioned and competed with Paul Lynn’s
Company in Norfolk NE from age 9 until she graduated from
High School. While in dance Katie was awarded a scholarship
for Tremaine Dancer of the Year and chosen by the Minnesota
Ballet to dance Clara in the Nutcracker. Katie has taught master
classes in Jazz and hip hop since 2004, and has had many
awards given to her for her outstanding Jazz Choreography. She
has traveled to many current workshops and intensives. Katie
continues to choreograph dances for competition groups and
school dance teams around the country. Katie has received
many top awards for her choreography at numerous
competitions in the regional area.
Colleen grew up dancing at True Dance Academy from the time
she was 12. She started dancing competitively and participating in
the Nutcracker at the age of 7 with the Lincoln Midwest Ballet
Company. She held many principle and soloist roles with the
LMBC company. During her first years in the Nutcracker she
danced with the Colorado Ballet. In high school Colleen was on
the Thunderettes dance team at Pius X. Also during high school
Colleen studied with American Ballet Theater. After high school
Collen started participating in shows at Pinewood Bowl at
Pioneers Park , in shows such as CATS and Crazy for You. Last
year she became the assistant choreographer the Music Man
2008 and for Footloose 2009. Colleen will be a senior at
she was 12. She started dancing competitively and participating in
the Nutcracker at the age of 7 with the Lincoln Midwest Ballet
Company. She held many principle and soloist roles with the
LMBC company. During her first years in the Nutcracker she
danced with the Colorado Ballet. In high school Colleen was on
the Thunderettes dance team at Pius X. Also during high school
Colleen studied with American Ballet Theater. After high school
Collen started participating in shows at Pinewood Bowl at
Pioneers Park , in shows such as CATS and Crazy for You. Last
year she became the assistant choreographer the Music Man
2008 and for Footloose 2009. Colleen will be a senior at
Sarah Preston has been dancing since the age of three. She
has been a part of the True Dance Academy for the last fourteen
years. She has trained extensively in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical,
and hip-hop. Sarah has been a member of the True Dance
Academy’s competitive team for 10 years, traveling and winning
awards in small groups, solos, duos and trios. Outside of
training with the True staff, Sarah’s dancing has taken her all
over the nation. Her summer studies include the American
Theatre of Ballet, New York City Dance Alliance summer
intensive, Lincoln Midwest Ballet Intensive, and other master
classes in New York City. While attending Lincoln East High
she was on honor roll for four years and on National Honor
Society her senior year. As a member of the Apollonaire’s dance
team, she excelled as a leader and team member. Sarah is
currently majoring in Health and Nutrition Sciences at the
University of Nebraska Lincoln. She plans on pursuing a career
as a Physical Therapist.
has been a part of the True Dance Academy for the last fourteen
years. She has trained extensively in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical,
and hip-hop. Sarah has been a member of the True Dance
Academy’s competitive team for 10 years, traveling and winning
awards in small groups, solos, duos and trios. Outside of
training with the True staff, Sarah’s dancing has taken her all
over the nation. Her summer studies include the American
Theatre of Ballet, New York City Dance Alliance summer
intensive, Lincoln Midwest Ballet Intensive, and other master
classes in New York City. While attending Lincoln East High
she was on honor roll for four years and on National Honor
Society her senior year. As a member of the Apollonaire’s dance
team, she excelled as a leader and team member. Sarah is
currently majoring in Health and Nutrition Sciences at the
University of Nebraska Lincoln. She plans on pursuing a career
as a Physical Therapist.
| Meet the Faculty and Staff of True Dance |
| Shari True - Owner/Director |
| Collen Johnson - Instructor |
Nebraska Wesleyan University studying elementary education and will be student teaching in
the fall. At Nebraska Wesleyan she has been on the dance team for the past three years and
was captain for two. This will be her fourth year on the team and her third year as captain. She
enjoys teaching at True Dance Academy and working with all the great students!
the fall. At Nebraska Wesleyan she has been on the dance team for the past three years and
was captain for two. This will be her fourth year on the team and her third year as captain. She
enjoys teaching at True Dance Academy and working with all the great students!
| Sarah Preston - Instructor |
| Katie Jorgensen - Instructor |
| Site Map Home | About TDA | Faculty | Contact TDA | Recital | Class Descriptions | Class Schedule | Summer Classes Junior Company | Senior Company | Company Schedule | FAQ Sheet True Dance Academy Shari True - Owner/Director 6120 S. 57th Lincoln, NE 68516 (402)-423-8838 |
Shari True started True Dance in 1980 and has since provided
instruction in classical ballet, jazz, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, hip
hop and tap to area youth for over 30 years. In 1985, she founded
Ballet Midwest Dance Company now renamed Lincoln Midwest
Ballet which produces the Nutcracker each year and this particular
year will bring us a spring show of Snow White. Ms. True has
dedicated her life to children and has brought many fabulous
concerts, opportunities and dance excellence through her training
including fabulous ballet outreach programs to our community
children.
instruction in classical ballet, jazz, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, hip
hop and tap to area youth for over 30 years. In 1985, she founded
Ballet Midwest Dance Company now renamed Lincoln Midwest
Ballet which produces the Nutcracker each year and this particular
year will bring us a spring show of Snow White. Ms. True has
dedicated her life to children and has brought many fabulous
concerts, opportunities and dance excellence through her training
including fabulous ballet outreach programs to our community
children.
Ms. True is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with degrees in Children's Education
and Dance. She was a member of the Orchesis Dance Ensemble, UNL Flag and Dance
Corps, and Nebraska Dance Ensemble in Classical Ballet. She danced in Ballet Omaha's
production of The Nutcracker for five years and was assistant choreographer of the Lincoln
Community Playhouse production of The Nutcracker in 1982 and 1983. She has been on
staff with Ballet West Summer Dance Camp in Colorado and the St. Louis Ballet. Ms. True
wrote and choreographed an original ballet entitled The Crystal Slippers which premiered in
Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1993. In 1994, it was performed by the Chamberlain Ballet Company
in Dallas, Texas. Ms. True has taught master ballet classes in Denver, Dallas, and Kansas
City. She and her continue to study in New York City at Broadway Dance Center, and Steps.
She recently was on staff with the Rock School in Pennsylvania where she was a camp
counselor and took several of her students there to study classical ballet.
Ms. True has choreographed for Pinewood Bowl's productions of Hello Dolly, Carousel, and
for the Pinewood Players. In 1985, she danced with Academy West, Rolland DuPree, and
taught for Act III Studio in West Hollywood, California. Ms. True had the delightful opportunity
to appear in Universal Studio's movie To Wong Foo with a speaking part as the dance
teacher, and as an extra in the movie Staying ALive with John Travolta. She has
choreographed for UNL's Scarlett and Cream singers under the direction of Paula Bach. In
1996, Shari and her advanced jazz class filmed two commercials for Channels 10-11.
Shari has students recieve scholarships and been accpeted to the following programs:
Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Butler University, Creighton University, OKlahoma City
University, American Ballet Theater in NewYork, Washington Ballet, Ballet MET in Ohio,
Pacific Northwest Ballet, University of Arizona, and many other world renowed ballet
programs.
Ms. True's Choreography has won many awards both regional and nationally and continues
to encorage children to dance through her love of the art and the children she teaches.
and Dance. She was a member of the Orchesis Dance Ensemble, UNL Flag and Dance
Corps, and Nebraska Dance Ensemble in Classical Ballet. She danced in Ballet Omaha's
production of The Nutcracker for five years and was assistant choreographer of the Lincoln
Community Playhouse production of The Nutcracker in 1982 and 1983. She has been on
staff with Ballet West Summer Dance Camp in Colorado and the St. Louis Ballet. Ms. True
wrote and choreographed an original ballet entitled The Crystal Slippers which premiered in
Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1993. In 1994, it was performed by the Chamberlain Ballet Company
in Dallas, Texas. Ms. True has taught master ballet classes in Denver, Dallas, and Kansas
City. She and her continue to study in New York City at Broadway Dance Center, and Steps.
She recently was on staff with the Rock School in Pennsylvania where she was a camp
counselor and took several of her students there to study classical ballet.
Ms. True has choreographed for Pinewood Bowl's productions of Hello Dolly, Carousel, and
for the Pinewood Players. In 1985, she danced with Academy West, Rolland DuPree, and
taught for Act III Studio in West Hollywood, California. Ms. True had the delightful opportunity
to appear in Universal Studio's movie To Wong Foo with a speaking part as the dance
teacher, and as an extra in the movie Staying ALive with John Travolta. She has
choreographed for UNL's Scarlett and Cream singers under the direction of Paula Bach. In
1996, Shari and her advanced jazz class filmed two commercials for Channels 10-11.
Shari has students recieve scholarships and been accpeted to the following programs:
Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Butler University, Creighton University, OKlahoma City
University, American Ballet Theater in NewYork, Washington Ballet, Ballet MET in Ohio,
Pacific Northwest Ballet, University of Arizona, and many other world renowed ballet
programs.
Ms. True's Choreography has won many awards both regional and nationally and continues
to encorage children to dance through her love of the art and the children she teaches.
| Courtney Piccoli - Instructor |
Courtney has been involved with Dance and Theatre Arts for over 30
years. The last eight years have been spent teaching at True dance,
and working both on stage and as a director/choreographer for
numerous productions at Pinewood Bowl, Lincoln Community
Playhouse, and the Haymarket theatre.
years. The last eight years have been spent teaching at True dance,
and working both on stage and as a director/choreographer for
numerous productions at Pinewood Bowl, Lincoln Community
Playhouse, and the Haymarket theatre.
Some of here favorite shows in the last few years have been Crazy for you (PW -
Director/Choreographer), Cats (PW-Director/Choreographer), Sweet Charity (LCP -
Nickie/Choreographer), Cabaret (Haymarket Theatre - Sally Bowles/ Choreographer), and
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator/Choreographer). Courtney loves
seeing the kids grow as dancers and as individuals. This is reinforced through her
instruction in technique, creative showmanship, and stage presence.
Director/Choreographer), Cats (PW-Director/Choreographer), Sweet Charity (LCP -
Nickie/Choreographer), Cabaret (Haymarket Theatre - Sally Bowles/ Choreographer), and
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator/Choreographer). Courtney loves
seeing the kids grow as dancers and as individuals. This is reinforced through her
instruction in technique, creative showmanship, and stage presence.
Nichole comes to True Dance from Kearney, Nebraska where
she graduated from Kearney High School in 2006. She has
taught all forms of dance at Kearney School of Dance for four
years. She brings a wealth of experience as she was a member
of the University of Nebraska Dance Team for the past four
years. Nichole is expecting to graduate from UNL in 2011 with a
major in Marketing with an emphasis in Event Planning. While at
UNL, Nichole was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
Nichole is so excited to join the True Dance Academy staff
teaching hip-hop, jazz,and childrens classes.
she graduated from Kearney High School in 2006. She has
taught all forms of dance at Kearney School of Dance for four
years. She brings a wealth of experience as she was a member
of the University of Nebraska Dance Team for the past four
years. Nichole is expecting to graduate from UNL in 2011 with a
major in Marketing with an emphasis in Event Planning. While at
UNL, Nichole was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
Nichole is so excited to join the True Dance Academy staff
teaching hip-hop, jazz,and childrens classes.
| Katie Jorgensen - Instructor |
| Katie Jorgensen - Instructor |
| Nichole Ryan - Instructor |
| Carrie Wanamaker-Gold - Instructor |
Carrie Wanamaker-Gold has been teaching and performing in
Omaha for over ten years. Her professional carreer has taken
her to Kaleningrad, Russia where she performed the title role in
"Giselle" with the Kiel Tanz Gruppe. As a member of the Omaha
Theater Ballet, she has worked with Judith Fugate from the New
York City Ballet and Rochelle Zide-Booth from the Ballet Russes
de Monte Carlo. Some of her favorite roles include Lucy in
"Dracula", Lilac Fairy in "The Sleeping Beauty", Swanhilda in
"Coppelia", and the Snow Queen and Dew Drop in "The
Nutcracker".
Omaha for over ten years. Her professional carreer has taken
her to Kaleningrad, Russia where she performed the title role in
"Giselle" with the Kiel Tanz Gruppe. As a member of the Omaha
Theater Ballet, she has worked with Judith Fugate from the New
York City Ballet and Rochelle Zide-Booth from the Ballet Russes
de Monte Carlo. Some of her favorite roles include Lucy in
"Dracula", Lilac Fairy in "The Sleeping Beauty", Swanhilda in
"Coppelia", and the Snow Queen and Dew Drop in "The
Nutcracker".
| Sarah Preston - Instructor |
| Brittany Lewis - Instructor |
Brittany Lewis has been a teacher at True Dance Academy
since 2004. She has been involved with both recreational and
competition team classes, doing choreography, and traveling to
competitions. Outside of school Brittany has been involved in
the Lincoln community theater scene, performing with both
Pinewood Bowl and the Lincoln Community Playhouse. She
has had the privilege of participating as an assistant
choreographer, performer, and dance captain in many shows
including CATS, Crazy for You, Cabaret, and Sweet Charity.
Also, for the past two years she has acted as a choreographer
for the Lincoln East High School Apollonaire dance team.
Brittany has a degree in Middle School Education and currently
teaches in the Millard Public Schools district as a seventh grade
Language Arts and Social Studies teacher.
since 2004. She has been involved with both recreational and
competition team classes, doing choreography, and traveling to
competitions. Outside of school Brittany has been involved in
the Lincoln community theater scene, performing with both
Pinewood Bowl and the Lincoln Community Playhouse. She
has had the privilege of participating as an assistant
choreographer, performer, and dance captain in many shows
including CATS, Crazy for You, Cabaret, and Sweet Charity.
Also, for the past two years she has acted as a choreographer
for the Lincoln East High School Apollonaire dance team.
Brittany has a degree in Middle School Education and currently
teaches in the Millard Public Schools district as a seventh grade
Language Arts and Social Studies teacher.
