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Teachers

Nicole Hicken, Director

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Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Acro, Leaps & Turns, Musical Theater, Competition Team

Nicole's passion for dance began at the age of three.  Coming from a dancing family, she was inspired by her Grandmother and mother to pursue dancing all throughout her childhood.  Over the years Nicole studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, clogging and hip hop.  In 2011 she began teaching dance and discovered a wonderful and rewarding experience.  With a background in education, Nicole understands the developmental progression of children.  Her experiences with teaching include: swim team coach, lifeguard training, preschool education, childcare training and substitute teaching for GIPS and GINW.  Nicole has choreographed for the Grand Island Little Theater's production of Chicago, Clue the musical, and Annie Get Your Gun.  Nicole served as head coach for the Grand Island Central Catholic Lady Crusader Dance Team, while under her direction they won six state titles.  She began the dance studio dream when she was 13, with a small studio in her basement.  With the love and support of her husband, two boys and family; her dream became a reality in 2017.

Sarah Koch

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Mini Tots, Tiny Tots, PreK 3/4 Combo, PreK 4/5 Combo, Me & My Buddy

Sarah has taught dance with Studio N for the past 4 years. She has always had a love of dance ever since she was young. Her passion for dance was reignited watching her oldest daughter dance at Studio N. Our family has been a part of the Studio N family since Gracyn was 18 months old when she started in the Tiny Tots Class. Since then Sarah has helped our littlest dancer find their passion for dance by teaching Tiny Tots,  Pre-K 3's BT Combo & Pre-K 4's BT Combo. Sarah is originally from Lemoyne, Nebraska, She grew up on Lake McConaughy, and moved to Grand Island with her husband Brandon in 2016. Brandon is a Sprayer Technician with Simpson Farm Enterprises, and they are parents to two beautiful girls Gracyn and Addelyn as well as two labs, Pippi and Maggie. Sarah and her family love spending time together outdoors, especially at the lake.

Lauren Klein

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Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Competition Team

Lauren began dancing at the age of three years old. She began competing in jazz, lyrical, and tap at the age of eight. She also trained in ballet and pointe. She danced until the age of 19 when she went to college. She spent her middle school and high school years traveling for many competitions and attending dance camps.  Lauren has a doctorate in nursing practice and works as a nurse practitioner in Grand Island. She looks forward to being back in the dance studio teaching jazz, lyrical, and tap. Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and their three kids. She looks forward to another great season teaching at Studio N!

Lexi Long

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Jazz, Hip Hop, Competition Team

Lexi has been dancing since the age of 3.  She was apart of the Northwest Dance Team for 4 years and served as a captain her senior year.  Lexi choreographs for area dance teams and assists with the competition team. Lexi grew up in Grand Island and is currently studying at UNK to become a nurse. 

Skyler Nolan

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Hip Hop 1/2, Kinder Hip Hop, Level 2 BTJL, Jazz/ Lyrical Level 3 & Level 4

Skyler has been dancing since she was 4 years old, studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She was a member of the Studio N Competition Team in 2019. Skyler was a member of the GISH Varsity Cheer Team and served as captain for 2 years. She is currently studying business at Southeast Community College online. Skyler is so excited to come back to the studio to teach and can’t wait for an amazing season! She will be teaching Hip Hop 1/2, Level 1 BTJ combo, Kinder Hip Hop and Kinder BTJ combo.

 

Kenzie Essex

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Pom, Kinder BTJ Combo

Kenzie has been dancing since Studio N opened in 2017. She studies ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical and is a member of the Studio N competition team. She's competed with the team for the past 4 years. Kenzie attends Northwest High School and is a member of their dance team. She enjoys working out, reading and spending time with her family and friends. After high school Kenzie plans on studying law and to continue her dancing career! Kenzie will be teaching Pom and Kinder BTJ on Mondays this fall 2022!

Jessica Hancock

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Ballroom

Jessica has taught American Standard Ballroom Dancing in Tucson, Arizona for 5 years until she moved back to Nebraska where she taught at a Ballroom Studio in Omaha.  Jessica works full time in the Howard County Sheriff Office as the Office Manager.  Jessica took some time off from teaching since her two children were born and she has started teaching ballroom again in 2017.

Steph Myers

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Clogging

(coming soon)

Jamie Royer

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BTJ Level 1 Combo

Jamie starting dancing at the age of three and continued to studio dance for 12 years.  She attended the YWCA and Universal Dance Academy in Lincoln.  She competed with the studios in tap and jazz while also furthering her skills in ballet.  She was heavily involved in music throughout high school (show choir, concert band and choir, and marching band).  Her love of dance and music took a bit of a backseat while attending college, beginning her engineering career and starting a family.  After attending her oldest daughter’s first recital for Studio N Dance Center in 2021, Jamie knew she wanted to start dancing again and joined the Adult Class.  She hopes her enthusiasm for dance inspires others to further their dance journeys.

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