ABOUT US
The Joy of Dance professional staff is dedicated to providing quality training to all dance students in a Godly atmosphere. The School focuses on training young dancers in excellence to use their gifts and talents to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
MEET OUR STAFF
The Joy of Dance instruction team is comprised of a wide variety of dance professionals. With backgrounds ranging from certified instructors to those using dance to spread the Gospel of Jesus across the globe, the love of both Jesus Christ and the beauty of dance is prevalent.
Annie Knoedler
Owner, Instructor
Annie has taught dance for 20 years. She has a passion for dance as worship and discipleship as life. She is a lover of Jesus, God's Word, kids, tea, and good books. She shelters in grace and gratitude.
Cassie Gettles
Instructor, Lower School Director, Media Director
Cassie Gettles began her training with The Joy of Dance in 2007. Throughout her years of training at The Joy of Dance, Cassie's passion for using the art of dance to worship our Creator has continued to grow! It is in Him that she is able to dance and her desire is to continue to use this gift as a tool to worship, train and disciple young women, and to share the Good News with those who do not know.
"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship" Romans 12:1
Emily Coder
Instructor, Administrative Director
Emily rejoined Joy of Dance in 2015 after a long break from dancing - she first danced with JOD when she was 5 years old. She trained as a teacher trainee for a few years before becoming an instructor, and has loved being able to use dance as a way to worship. Throughout her life, God has used the ministry of Joy of Dance to grow her in her faith, and challenge her to glorify His name in all aspects of her live, even her hobbies. Just as she has been blessed and encouraged, Emily hopes to pass that on to others.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Christina Wilder
Instructor, Upper School Director
Christina was born in Portland and raised in the local Vancouver area where she got her start in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Character dancing. Enjoying working with dancers, Christina entered into the three-year Royal Academy of Dancing teachers training program at age 18. Christina has also trained and/or taken classes in: Pilates, child development, anatomy, early childhood dance, dance history, injury prevention classes, Vaganova syllabus, Cecchetti syllabus, Progressing Ballet Technique and dance as worship. Christina currently lives in her home town with her husband, Aaron and three children, Emmaline, Eli and Olivia.
Laura Yoder
Intstructor
Laura started dancing with the Joy of Dance when she was 11 and began teaching in high school. She danced with the Touring Company for many years. In 2006, she attended Ballet Magnificat! summer dance intensive. In 2009, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Laura has a passion for dancing to proclaim the gospel and as a form of worship. Her heart is to train up and teach dancers to grow in their technique in a setting that glorifies the Lord.
Whittannie Weber
Intstructor
Rose Knoedler
Intstructor
Helen Snitily
Intstructor
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Camille Peru
Intstructor
Emma Hagedorn
Intstructor
Jasmine Dong
Intstructor
Olga Cable
Intstructor
Olga began dancing in 2015 at Joy of Dance and was apart of the Teacher Trainee Program for 4 years. Combining her love for the Lord and ballet has blessed her life! Through teaching, Olga hopes to encourage young dancers and point them towards Christ.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...” Colossians 3:23-24
Angela Neal
Intstructor
Angela has loved ballet since the age of 3. Her dance training began at the age of 8, including instruction from RAD, Vaganova, and Cecchetti methods. Ballet has been an outlet for her various passions, storytelling, worship, understanding the human body, communication across languages, processing emotions, and creativity. Studios she has trained at: On Your Toes, The Joy of Dance, Ballet Magnificat!, and Instruments Ballet Company. She has been blessed to have danced at faith based studios, where God and excellence have been priorities. Now, teaching allows her pass on these priorities and how to safeguard your body in dance.
Psalm 150