About Us

ABOUT US

The Best Dance School In the Cedar Valley!

Allison's Dance Center first opened its doors in 2008 with the idea of a creating a studio where dancers felt safe to grow and learn valuable life lessons; a studio that will become a fundamental piece in their personal growth. Over the years, ADC has had a few different homes within our community. From our first single classroom studio to our current state of the art facilities with two locations and seven dance classrooms, we’ve always built and designed with our students and their families in mind.

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MISSION & CORE VALUES

Mission

At ADC, our mission is to offer a positive environment where all students feel safe to learn valuable life lessons through dance.

Core Values

POSITIVITY

We believe in a positive environment.

PROFESSIONALISM

We conduct ourselves in a professional manner, providing a consistent and fair experience for all.

DEDICATION

We are passionate about our mission and core values and believe our dance family deserves the best we can offer.

AGE-APPROPRIATENESS

We value age-appropriate music, choreography, and costumes.

EXCELLENCE

We like to set the “barre” high. Excellence is always our goal.

RESPECT

We give and expect respect.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

We value our community and feel a responsibility to give back.

Want to join our inspiring team?

We are always on the lookout for passionate, energetic, experienced, and dedicated teachers to join our faculty. If you're interested in teaching, please email your resume and a short narrative (about 250 words) about why you'd like to join our team. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hiring:

- Dance Teachers

- Art Teachers

- Vocal Teachers

- Piano Teachers

Email: business.allisonsdancecenter@gmail.com

OUR TEAM

Ms. Allison Meinert

Owner/Director

Ms. Allison began dance classes at age 2 and has never stopped! She danced competitively for many years, winning numerous awards. Ms. Allison graduated from UNI with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science – Dance Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and a minor in Dance. She also danced with Orchesis Dance Company, Young People’s Dance Theater, and Repertory Dance Theater while attending UNI. Ms. Allison became a head dance instructor and choreographer at age 19 and has continued this passion ever since. Her proudest accomplishment is the success of ADC since opening in 2008. Ms. Allison currently resides in rural Black Hawk County with her husband and their sons, Barrett and Brooks. Ms. Allison previously taught first grade at Lincoln Elementary in Cedar Falls. She is very excited to give 100% to her role as director this season.

Ms. Molly Visokey

Business Manager | Instructor

Ms. Molly began dancing at the age of 2 and has loved it ever since. She has danced at ADC since its opening in 2008 and has danced competitively for many years. Ms. Molly worked as a teaching assistant under Ms. Allison’s direct instruction for many hours each week from 2011-2018 and began teaching in 2018. She also has an extensive background as a competitive gymnast. Ms. Molly graduated from UNI in 2021 with degrees in Finance and Management which she is putting to good use as our Business Manager. Ms. Molly will be teaching many classes this year at both locations, as well as working with our competitive teams and solos/duos/trios.

Ms. Amanda Krambeer

Teams Coordinator | Instructor

Ms. Amanda started her love of dance at age 2. She has worked at ADC since 2011. Throughout her years of dancing, Ms. Amanda danced competitively, was a head instructor of UNI’s Young People’s Dance Theater and dancer for Orchesis Dance Company. Ms. Amanda graduated from UNI with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and minors in Special Education and Dance. Ms. Amanda currently resides in Cedar Falls with her husband and their two young sons. She also works as a Kindergarten teacher at Hudson Elementary. She will mainly be working with our competition teams this season.

Ms. Maddie Engelke

Marketing Manager | Instructor

Ms. Maddie joined the ADC team in 2021. With a lifelong passion for dance that began at the age of 4, she brings a unique blend of talents to our studio. Armed with a marketing degree and a specialization in digital media and advertising from UNI, Ms. Maddie seamlessly merges her love for dance with her marketing expertise. During her time at UNI, she was also a member of the UNI Orchesis Dance Company. At ADC, Maddie takes on two key roles: Marketing Manager and Instructor. This year, her primary focus is on expanding and enhancing the studio’s presence. Dancers may catch glimpses of her in the studio, capturing moments and creating lasting memories behind the camera. Maddie will also be teaching an Advanced Modern class this year. Ms. Maddie’s dedication to both dance and marketing has found its perfect home at ADC.

Ms. Jes Folkerts

Enrollment Coordinator / Instructor

Ms. Jes began dancing at age 3 and was one of Ms. Allison’s students! She danced all the way through high school and helped at previous ADC summer camps and recitals. Ms. Jes graduated from Loras College in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Early Childhood. This past summer she just completed her Masters in General Education. She currently resides in Cedar Falls with her husband and two kids. She formerly taught first grade at Aldrich Elementary and still subs. Jes is very excited to be working with our students this season at our Cedar Falls location!

Ms. Alexis Pender

TA Coordinator | Instructor

Ms. Alexis began dancing at the age of two and danced competitively for many years. She grew up dancing at Elite Academy of Dance in Illinois. She then danced at Geneva High School winning three state dance championships. Throughout college, she danced on the UNI dance team. While on the UNI dance team, the team won the UDA virtual national competition. Ms. Alexis is currently a fourth-grade teacher at Cedar Heights Elementary. This season she will be teaching middle school and high school classes at the Cedar Falls location along
with leading our Teaching Assistant Program!
She will also work closely with the competition teams and solo/duo/trios.

Ms. Mady Arnold

Instructor | Events Coordinator

Ms. Mady began dancing at her hometown studio when she was 3 years old and has continued her passion for dance ever since! While continuing studio dance, she then danced for North Linn High School placing at the Iowa State Dance Championships every year. After graduation, Ms. Mady attended the University of Northern Iowa and obtained a health science degree and is currently in nursing school to get her Bachelor’s Science of Nursing degree. Ms. Mady then plans to continue her education to become a Nurse Practitioner. She currently resides in Cedar Falls as a full-time student. She loves being a part of ADC, and sharing the love that dance has brought to her since she was a little girl!

Ms. Alexia Renner

Instructor

Ms. Alexia has been dancing since age 6 and has really grown a strong passion for dance over the years. She danced competitively for her high school, and also for Hawkeye Community College’s dance team. She gained experience teaching at her hometown studio. Her favorite part about teaching is getting to share her passion, and really grow and connect with the dancers no matter where their skill set is. She graduated from UNI with a degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Alexia will be working with our younger students and also instructing many hip-hop classes at both locations.

Ms. Amanda Fowler

Instructor

Ms. Amanda has been dancing since the age of 3 and competing for many years at her home studio in West Des Moines, IA. She assisted classes for many years and started teaching in 2020. She is currently attending UNI, pursuing a degree in Finance. Ms. Amanda will be working with middle schoolers and solos at the Cedar Falls location.

Ms. Maddie White

Instructor

Maddie began dancing at the age of 6 and fell in love with it. She has been dancing with ADC since 2010 and has danced competitively for several years up until graduating from high school. Maddie has also been a part of the Columbus Dance Team and has received three state titles. Maddie worked as a teaching assistant at ADC and is just beginning to choreograph solos and duos this year. She is attending the University of Northern Iowa to study interior design and would like to receive her real estate license.

Ms. Julia Larsen

Instructor

This will be Julia’s second season teaching at Allison’s Dance Center. She started dancing at the age of 2 and danced for 15 years. Julia was also a part of the competition team at Allison’s for 7 years. She is a second-year student at Hawkeye Community College. This year she will be teaching lots of classes at the Cedar Falls location and also working with the competition team for solos/duos/ as well as an Instructor piece.

Ms. Katie Murray

Instructor

Ms. Katie began dancing at the age of 3 and continued studio dance and competition team through high school. Throughout college at UW-Madison, she performed with Optima Dance and taught at her hometown studio. Ms. Katie currently works as a registered dietitian in the area. She is excited to jump back into working with students and share her passion for dance!

Ms. Stephanie Lehman

Instructor

Ms. Stephanie has loved dance her whole life and attended dance for many years growing up, with some of those years having the privilege of Ms. Allison as her instructor. Ms. Stephanie was born and raised in Denver, IA and is excited to be able to raise her 3 children is this amazing community! She attended Hawkeye Community College and the University of Northern Iowa, graduation with a double major in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She currently teaches Toddlers at the Hawkeye Child Development Center and is so excited to work with our youngest students at our Denver location this season!

Ms. Taylan Howard

Instructor

At the age of 3, Ms. Taylan started her dance journey, which included studio dance, competition dance, and being a member of her high school’s dance team in Boone, IA. After graduating, she pursued her Bachelor of Health Science degree at the University of Northern Iowa. Currently, she is studying nursing at Allen College to achieve her BSN. She is so excited to be able to share her passion of dance with her students and help them grow their love for this amazing art at ADC.

Ms. Renee Barbu

Instructor

Coming Soon!

Ms. Emma

Instructor

Ms. Emma’s life has revolved around dance since the age of 2. While gaining 16 years of studio training at Melinda’s School of Dance she was able to work as an assistant teacher. She was very lucky to attend conventions and competitions across the U.S. She has worked with Disney stars and trained professionals such as Kent Boyd, Molly Gray, and Christopher Smith. While being involved on the Humboldt High School Dance Team she got the opportunity to compete at ISDTA where she placed in the top ten for state solos. After graduating from Humboldt High School she attended Iowa Central Community College where she competed on the Triton Dance Team while also being active in the Musical Theater Program. In 2021, Ms. Emma won a Hip Hop National Championship at the collegiate NDA competition in Daytona Beach, Florida, and also placed third in Team Performance two years in a row. In May 2022, Ms. Emma was selected to be a part of the Disney College Program. This past fall she transferred to the University of Northern Iowa to major in Public Relations and Special Event Management. This is Ms. Emma’s first year at ADC, and she doesn’t hold back any excitement about joining our family as an instructor!

Kelly Sanders

Receptionist

Kelly grew up dancing and her joy came full circle when her daughter fell in love with dancing as well. They’ve been with Allison’s for 8 years. Currently, Kelly resides in Denver with her husband and two kids. She helps serve families at both Denver and Cedar Falls studios as well as working as a Production Supervisor at a local manufacturer. She loves helping families and students create the best dance journey of their own.

Paige Strohbehn

Receptionist

Ms. Paige is currently attending Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo. She is an Ag Business major. Paige graduated from Grundy Center High school in 2022. She loves getting to know others and meeting new people. She is so excited to be a part of the ADC family!