Instructors

Amber - Artistic Director/Owner

From the age of two, I have been addicted to dance. While I was homeschooled for four years, dance was where I made many lasting friendships that I still hold close today.

Attitude is everything!  I wasn't a perfect dancer, I was often a "back row" student, but that didn't bother me,  my priority was being on a team and a part of something bigger than just myself. Dance was my healthy outlet to escape all the stress that every teen/tween faces. Being able to provide that same escape for my older dancers and watching my youngest dancers develop the same passion is what it's all about for me. 

Dance has always been my second home. I've been a student since the age of two. I've been given many unique opportunities along the way including 3 years of .participation in the Minnesota Junior Vikings Cheerleader program. Performing on the field in the old Metrodome during halftime was a thrill.  While attending high school at Concordia Academy I competed at state level on the dance/cheer team where we brought home a state championship win and performed on stage in Disney World.  I also danced competitively for several years and was a student assistant teacher at a wonderful studio in Woodbury.  

To keep up with trends and ensure our dancers have the best experience possible, I attend dance studio owner conventions and workshops.  In August, our instruction team will be attending a convention in Chicago.   I also hold 4 levels of Zumba certifications and I'm constantly looking for new ways to grow as both a dancer and instructor.

Other than dance life, I also volunteer every June at MSRA's Back To The 50's as part of the emergency medical response team.  As a nice little perk, the EMS organizer graciously loaned our dancers an ambulance stretcher for 9 months to use as a prop in one of our dances. 

Away from the studio I soak up every possible moment with my family, especially my 2 year old daughter who made her dance debut at our recital this year.  

 I'm also a massive Disney FANatic and look forward to December of 2020 when our dancers will dance in Disney World at Disney's "Dance the magic". 

The photo above (right) -  A full circle moment.  The top photo is from 10 years ago when I was a competitive dancer accepting our team's award at Nationals. The bottom photo was taken at the same venue this year (2019) as I accepted a dance instructor recognition plaque after my student competition dancers competed at the very same venue as I had 10 years earlier.  I'm where I always wanted to be. #mymomcried  

Chandler

The first year I opened Sanibel Dance I had a very dear dance friend, Chandler, by my side as an instructor.  Chandler left for college and returned this year after graduating from Northland University.. I'm so excited to have Chandler and his creative input return for the upcoming season while he continues his education locally in pursuit of a career in Psychology.