The Dance Academy of CR
About Us
We at the Dance Academy of Cedar Rapids can't think of a better way for your
child to express themselves than through the art of dance!
It is our goal to create a welcoming environment where every student regardless of ability or skill level can learn, be confident and, above all, have fun while nurturing a love and respect for the art of dance. We offer classes in all styles of dance technique!
The Dance Academy of Cedar Rapids is committed to providing knowledgeable, challenging, and cutting edge dance training while upholding the artistic traditions deeply ingrained in our own lives. Every day we provide the best dance education possible for each and every child. Our faculty members work together to create passionate, insightful, and highly technical dancers.
What makes our facility stand out? We constantly uphold high, yet attainable standards for students and deeply care about dance education. Know that our faculty love to teach. So much so that this is our mission: to guide, inspire, and educate students who enter our doors on the highest standers of dance education.
We strive to teach our students life lessons through dance lessons.
Meet Our Staff
"A Dance Teacher Helps Their Students Find The Song In Their Heart, The Beat In Their Feet, And A Passion For Life.”
SARA
EIGHME
OWNER/DIRECTOR
Sara is the owner and director of The Dance Academy of Cedar Rapids. She has been teaching in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area for over 20 years. Each year Sara continues to study in Chicago and New York to keep up with the latest trends in the industry. Sara judges regional and national dance competitions throughout the United States for various companies, Sara enjoys challenging her students and is dedicated to helping them reach their full potential.
SHERRY OESTERBORG
INSTRUCTOR
Sherry is a terrific dancer and teacher. Her classes are energetic, positive, and lots of fun! Sherry studied musical theatre at the University of Iowa, and has taught for over 30 years. Sherry is also the To The Pointe Boutique manager.
ROWAN
BERGEN
INSTRUCTOR
Ms. Rowan recently joined the DACR family as an instructor the summer of 2021. She has been dancing since 2015, specializing in ballet, lyrical, and modern. She received her degree in Dance from the University of Iowa in early 2021, where she discovered her love of teaching dance. This is her fourth year of teaching dance and she can't wait to get to know your kids! When she's not teaching, you can find her doing her other passion, which is curling up with a good book!
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SHAWN
NELSON
INSTRUCTOR
Shawn has been performing hip hop dance for over 20 years. He grew up in Chicago, dancing with his high school dance team. Since moving to Iowa, he has had the chance to dance for a slew of people including Revival Theatre Company and Theatre Cedar Rapids with credits including "The Color Purple", "The Little Mermaid", and "Dreamgirls". He's also had the chance to choreograph as well, winning the judges choice in 2019 at "Dancing with the Saints." He loves to dance and, more than that, he loves making people smile.
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ERICA
NICHOLS
INSTRUCTOR
In between raising 3 kids and working full -time teaching Spanish at Mt. Vernon High School, Erica has been teaching for DACR on and off for 16 years. She began dancing as a child and continued to perform semi-professionally after college. Erica loves to travel and has lived abroad in several Spanish-speaking countries. Her classes bring joy and energy for all her students to share!
APRIL
SCHAEFER
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
April began dancing at age 3 in Winterset, Iowa. She studied all forms of dance including ballet, jazz, and tap. April attended the University of Iowa and received a B.A. in dance in 2004. While at Iowa she performed in many shows at Space Place Theatre for the university dance program. She has choreographed for dance teams and pom squads in southern Iowa. April’s passion is to teach children and teens so that they may not only learn the correct fundamentals, but also have the talent and passion to continue dancing through life.
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CHLOE
MARZEN
INSTRUCTOR
Chloe is excited to continue her journey as a DACR staff member. She has been dancing for 16 years and was a member of the DACR Performing Company for 10 years. During her time competing she received high point awards, multiple special awards, and scholarships. Chloe has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. She looks forward to sharing her love for dance with everyone at DACR!
ELIZABETH
KIMMEL
INSTRUCTOR
Elizabeth is a graduate of Alma College with a dance minor and focus on ballet. She started dancing at the age of 3 under Claudette Soltis, often in partnership with the Indianapolis Ballet Company. She continues to dance with Alisabeth Von Presley, Revival Theatre Company, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and was actively involved with the Cedar Rapids Follies. She's excited to bring her joy and love of dance to all.
REAGAN
BROWN
INSTRUCTOR
Reagan is a current student at Coe College and is an athlete on their dance team. She grew up dancing in her gymnastics gym, but found a love for it in high school, where her drill team won numerous state and regional titles. Reagan took tumbling classes from Moser’s School of Dance and Gymnastics for 13 years and competed for 10. She has competed at numerous competitions and qualified for 10 national championships. She looks forward to working with students to improve their acro and dance skills!
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ELLA
BRAZELL
INSTRUCTOR
Ella has been dancing a total of 15 years on many studio and high school teams doing both performance and competition. In high school, Ella competed in High Kick and Jazz for the Mayo High School Dance Team, plus was a member of her studio competition teams. Ella continues to compete as a member of Coe College's Varsity Dance Team. Dance is her passion!