Hosanna Dance Staff
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TIESE MORGAN, OWNER
Tiese completed most of her training at Heartland School of Dance in Grants Pass, Oregon. Upon graduating, she sought out classes from a variety of teachers. In 1991, she accepted Jesus as her savior and began to search out what it meant to dance for God. Taking over ownership of Hosanna Dance in 1995 fulfilled her heart’s desire to provide quality dance instruction with the purpose of worshipping God. As the owner of Hosanna Dance, she has set the vision of teaching the art of dance with a heart of worship. Under Tiese’s leadership, Hosanna began staging the annual holiday production Adventures in Narnia. She also founded the Hosanna Youth Performers dance company. Tiese is pleased to be a part of God’s plan for this community and looks forward to all He will accomplish through the studio. |
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AUBRIANNE ANDERSON
Aubrianne began her dance training at Hosanna at age 12. She has studied ballet, modern, jazz, and contact improv. Upon completion of high school, Aubrianne lived in Europe for a year, where she studied ballet, and modern. She has a BA in Linguistics with a Japanese minor at the University of Oregon. In 2012, Aubrianne founded the Hosanna Dance Company, now Dance Veritas. She and her husband have two children. Aubrianne began teaching at Hosanna in 2005. |
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NICOLE BROWN
Nicole received formal training at Ballet Royale Minnesota under Denise and Rick Vogt. She danced professionally with St. Paul Ballet and Ballet CoLaboratory from 2013 to 2020, performing works by noted choreographers including Lirena Branitski, Joseph Morrissey, Kinsun Chan, and Peter Davison. During this time, she was featured in several soloist roles, including “Lise” in American in Paris and “The Capitano” in Bella Luna, both choreographed by Peter Davison. In 2021, Nicole began working with Hatch Dance and Honeyworks, performing in original contemporary works by Helen Hatch and Berit Ahlgren. She went on to complete two seasons with Ballet Fantastique and appeared as a guest artist with Eugene Ballet in Toni Pimble’s The Nutcracker. Nicole frequently performs with the interactive dance company #Instaballet, and most recently set a new original work as a guest choreographer for Texture Contemporary Ballet. When she isn’t performing, Nicole enjoys teaching and choreographing for local studios in the Eugene area. Nicole began teaching at Hosanna in 2024 and is in her second season working with the level IV ballet students. |
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NICOLE ELLIOTT
Nicole began dancing at the age of three pursuing ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling throughout her childhood. Along with dance, she participated in high school gymnastics and cheerleading. She continued her dance education by pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Dance at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. She has had the privilege of participating in several American Collegiate Dance Festivals as well as summer intensives including American Dance Festival and Bill Evans Summer Dance Institute. Nicole moved to Eugene, OR in 1991 to pursue her graduate studies in Dance Science at the University of Oregon where she taught as a graduate teaching fellow. Along with teaching technique classes to undergraduates, she directed the U of O Jazzline - a dance team that performed alongside the U of O Marching Band. Alongside her interest in dance, Nicole has pursued a professional fitness career as a group fitness instructor. She is AFAA certified and teaches a wide variety of fitness classes at several local gyms. Nicole's teaching career spans over 20 years and she has been on staff at Hosanna Dance since 1996 where she teaches a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, tumbling and PiYo. |
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JESSICA HIGGINS
Jessica was born and raised in Eugene/Springfield. Her dance career started over 25 years ago when her grandma bought her first tap shoes. From there she studied tap under Marc Siegel and Elizabeth and Elizabeth Siegel at the Eugene Ballet. In 2004, she switched studios continuing her studies at Hosanna Dance in Tap, Ballet, Jazz/Lyrical Jazz and Modern. At 14 she started assisting classes and competing in local competitions and by 19 she was teaching full time at 3 studios across the community. She performed in Adventures in Narnia for 6 years and did character makeup for 17 years. In 2013, Jessica joined Hosanna's adult performing group Veritas, and had the pleasure of performing in and doing makeup in New Hope's production of Tarzan. In 2016, she was cast as Identity Dance Studio’s Red and the Royals Snow White and played her for 3 years at their annual teas. In 2017, Jessica was cast as a dancer in Pathway Media's "Translated" the Movie. She also performed with, assisted, and helped choreograph for the Eugene Flash Mob & Thrill the World Eugene from 2013-2018. In 2018, she started taking East Coast & Country Swing lessons and enjoys line dancing in her free time. She has been teaching with Hosanna since 2013. |
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JANNA HOLT
After 16 years of being a Hosanna Dance parent to three dancers, I'm excited to continue being a part of the studio as Office Manager. It has been a pleasure to continue to support dancers, teachers, and parents in this place that has always been so important to my family. When I'm not in the office, you might find me creating costumes, teaching kids at my church, playing trombone in community bands and pit orchestras, or directing the Oregon Tuba Ensemble. My husband Christopher and I are enjoying the empty-nest life and keeping up with our adult kids as they continue to dance in Grand Junction, Austin, and Santa Barbara. Janna joined the Hosanna staff in 2023. |
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KADIAN KEIM
Kadian has been dancing at Hosanna since the age of three and grew up in Eugene, Oregon where the studio became an important part of her life. She trained in Acro, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Drama, developing into a well-rounded and expressive dancer. Hosanna quickly became more than a place to train, it was a second home where he felt challenged, supported and inspired. In 2023, Kadian began teaching at Hosanna, excited to give back to the community that helped shape her. She is passionate about encouraging confidence, creativity, and love for movement in each of her students. |
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ADAM KELLY
Adam Kelly is an aspiring artist/choreographer from Portland Oregon with a love for dance and a passion for performing. His dancing career began at ACT 1 School of Dance, a family owned studio which led him to performing for several years in OBT's The Nutcracker and being cast as the lead in Oregon Symphony's production of The Snow Man. Finally acknowledging his longing sensation to tap dance, Adam pursued teaching classes of his own and educating himself through the masters including Terry Brock, Sam Weber, Dianne Walker, and Brenda Bufalino. After moving to Eugene in 2011 he has focused his efforts in teaching and choreographing around town, aiming for excellence and discipline while encouraging a fun learning environment for all to share their enthusiasm for the arts. Adam is the founder of Flex Studio's tap company, Tappers.Of.Eugene and has had the privilege to choreograph for Rose Children's Theater, South Eugene High School and Spencer Butte Middle School's musical productions including The Lion King, Seussical, Dogfight and Spring Awakening. He snagged his first leading role in the Shedd Institutes production of Robert and was an honored tap choreographer in Singing in the Rain. He enjoys thinking outside the box by mixing dance styles while adding a little bit of humor to everything. Aside from making people laugh, he hopes to inspire other to learn and pass on the heritage of the arts in a positive and profound manner. Adam began teaching at Hosanna in 2018. |
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EMERSON LEGER
Emerson began her dance journey at Hosanna Dance Studios at the age of four, exploring Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hip Hop. As a member of the Hosanna Youth Performers, she had the exciting opportunity to perform at Disneyland and various local festivals. Emerson has also enjoyed 11 years of ballet performances in the winter production Adventures in Narnia, taking on various roles, most notably Susan Pevensie and Spring Splendor. In the summer of 2023, Emerson furthered her training at Butler University, deepening her skills and passion for dance. In 2020, she joined the mentorship program under the guidance of Sarah McCarthy. Currently, Emerson is pursuing studies in Physical Therapy at Lane Community College, with the goal of combining her passion for dance and healthcare by becoming a Dance Physical Therapist. She continues to train in dance, bringing both her love for movement and understanding of the body to her teaching. Emerson joined the Hosanna staff in 2025. |
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SARAH McCARTHY
Sarah is a native of Eugene and happy to raise her family here. She has danced with the Eugene School of Ballet, the Eugene Youth Ballet, the Lane Community College dance department, and the Eugene Ballet Company and Flex dance studio. Sarah has taught at Ballet Fantastique, Eugene school of Ballet and various non-profit organizations. Sarah’s Christian faith has led to her passion for community awareness that different disabilities and abilities integrated into dance can be beneficial for all in many ways. Sarah is also passionate about making sure all of her dancers are in a safe environment and knows that she is always striving to create a space that gives equality for all. In 2008, she created My Buddy & Me, a class for older students to be paired up with dancers 18 months to age 3 as an introductory class to preschool movement. Through this class her goal was to give young dancers their first magic of being in a studio, give older dancers a lasting relationship that would carry past this class. Sarah currently teaches Hip Hop, Hip Hop/Tumbling, Creative Dance, and My Buddy and Me. Sarah began teaching at Hosanna in 2007. |
KYNDRA MORGAN
Born into dance, Kyndra began her first "Mommy and Me" dance class at the age of two, with her mother, and owner of Hosanna Dance Studio, Tiese Morgan. Privileged by the opportunity to pursue many genres of dance, Kyndra has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, dance acrobatics, Tap, Hip Hop, and choreography. In her years as a student, Kyndra was a member of HYPe, and continues to perform in HPAF's annual winter ballet based on C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After graduating, she choreographed and performed a piece with Dréos to their song Day Dawn in 2016, joined the contemporary/modern dance company Dance Veritas, and was one of three featured dancers in award winning pianist Neil Patton's music video for his song. Surface Tension. Kyndra began teaching in 2016.
Born into dance, Kyndra began her first "Mommy and Me" dance class at the age of two, with her mother, and owner of Hosanna Dance Studio, Tiese Morgan. Privileged by the opportunity to pursue many genres of dance, Kyndra has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, dance acrobatics, Tap, Hip Hop, and choreography. In her years as a student, Kyndra was a member of HYPe, and continues to perform in HPAF's annual winter ballet based on C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After graduating, she choreographed and performed a piece with Dréos to their song Day Dawn in 2016, joined the contemporary/modern dance company Dance Veritas, and was one of three featured dancers in award winning pianist Neil Patton's music video for his song. Surface Tension. Kyndra began teaching in 2016.
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JESSIE NEWELL
Jessie is a Colorado native who moved to Eugene for school. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2005 with a B.S. in Dance and Human Physiology. Locally, she has performed with Traduza Dance Company, the University of Oregon Repertory Dance Company (UO-RDC) and Dance Africa. Jessie is a Stott certified Pilates instructor and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). She is also an active member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). Jessie loves being outdoors with her three children, Elizabeth, Alyssa & Ryan, taking walks, playing at the park, hiking, biking, and frolicking at the Oregon coast. Jessie began teaching at Hosanna in 2007. |
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SIOBHAN NICKELL
Siobhan started her ballet training at small recreational ballet schools in central Ohio, eventually moving to Dayton Ballet School to complete most of her training. During her senior year of high school Siobhan moved to Washington D.C. for more advanced ballet training with The Washington School of Ballet in their professional training program. After a year in D.C. she moved back to Ohio to continue her training with Cincinnati Ballet as a trainee. During her years of training Siobhan was fortunate to perform in George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments and Valse Fantasie, many different versions of Waltz of the Snowflakes and Waltz of the Flowers, and Clara in Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker to name a few. She has even been fortunate to have danced the full length ballet of Swan Lake two separate times. After three years at Cincinnati Ballet, Siobhan received her first professional contract with Eugene Ballet where she is currently finishing her third season. After many years of ballet training Siobhan is very grateful to begin to pass down her knowledge of the art form to talented and hardworking students through teaching and choreographing. Siobhan began teaching at Hosanna in 2024. |
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ANGIE RENICH
Angie’s love of musical theater sparked an early interest in singing, acting, and dancing. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Lane Community College and a Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Oregon, and she has performed with Actor’s Cabaret of Eugene and the Eugene Opera chorus. Angie composes for church worship, ballet, musical theater, and podcasts and has won several local awards for her music. She started teaching drama at Hosanna Dance in 2014 and is passionate about encouraging the next generation of Christ-following artists to pursue performing arts. |
ZACH ROPP
Zach is a Eugene native and a husband and dad of three daughters. As someone who got the theater bug in middle school, he understands just how impactful a positive experience in theater arts can have on someone’s life, relationships and self-esteem. Years of being onstage, from Shakespeare to musicals, has fueled his passion and provided Zach a well-rounded knowledge of theater. His professional and academic experience is highly diverse including a Bachelor Degree in Creative Arts (Drama) from New Hope Christian College and a Masters in Elementary Teaching from Bushnell. In addition to acting, directing, scriptwriting and storyboarding, he also exercises his creativity through visual arts, novel writing, creative programming and much more. Zac began teaching at Hosanna in 2024.
Zach is a Eugene native and a husband and dad of three daughters. As someone who got the theater bug in middle school, he understands just how impactful a positive experience in theater arts can have on someone’s life, relationships and self-esteem. Years of being onstage, from Shakespeare to musicals, has fueled his passion and provided Zach a well-rounded knowledge of theater. His professional and academic experience is highly diverse including a Bachelor Degree in Creative Arts (Drama) from New Hope Christian College and a Masters in Elementary Teaching from Bushnell. In addition to acting, directing, scriptwriting and storyboarding, he also exercises his creativity through visual arts, novel writing, creative programming and much more. Zac began teaching at Hosanna in 2024.
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PEACE VAN WHEELER
Peace started dancing at Hosanna at the age of five, where she studied classical ballet, jazz, and modern technique. While at Hosanna, she was honored to perform in several solo roles in Adventures in Narnia and to dance with Hosanna Youth Performers. Peace began pursuing her dream of teaching dance as a teaching assistant at Hosanna in 2011. She continued her training at Ballet Fantastique, studying the Vaganova method for two years in their Advanced Teacher Training Program and performing as a Company Apprentice in their 2017-18 season. In recent years, Peace has taught for several studios in the local area. She joined the staff at Hosanna and is excited to pass on her love of ballet to a new generation of dancers. |
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AMY WEINKAUF
Amy Weinkauf is a Pacific Northwest-based actor, director and playwright. Guided by pedagogy studies in Moment Work through NYC based Tectonic Theatre Project and her master teaching certification from DanceAbility International. She strives to help her students cultivate their God given sense for creative storytelling. Amy is a wife, mother, and grandmother to a family of artistic dreamers and storytellers. Amy began teaching at Hosanna in 2024. |
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MELISSA WINCHELL
Melissa became a Hosanna dance parent in 2006 when her daughter began dancing. She joined the staff in 2012, as the studio Office Manager. She received her Bachelors in Business Management, in 1995, from Southern Oregon University. Melissa was a member of the Hosanna Performing Arts board for five years and President four of those years. In 2023, she passed the office reins to Janna Holt. She will continue to work for the studio, part-time as a consultant and will help out with some of the larger projects through the year. She plans on spending the majority of her time being the best Grandma she can be to Everett, Meadow and Reece. ♥ |
Hosanna Dance Studio • 1361 River Road, Eugene OR 97404 • 541-607-5798 • [email protected]
