CHRISTINA JOHNSON, OWNER/DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Mrs. Christina is the owner & director of CDTA as well as the competition coordinator, all while maintaining the creative vision for the studio. She has been teaching students in cheer, dance and gymnastics how to love movement for over fifteen years. Certified in USA gymnastics you can be confident your gymnast is learning in a safe and comfortable environment. Her choreography has won numerous awards such as National Choreographer of the Year, Star Systems Top Teacher of the Year and more top overall & high point winners than she can count on her fingers, toes and all the the rest of the instructors fingers and toes as well. Her production dances consistently wow the dance world and is a favorite at recital each year. She believes dance should be fun and accessible to all. 

Alecia Frink, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Mrs. Alecia is the assistant director of CDTA and has the unofficial title of sounding board for Mrs. Christina’s crazy ideas. She absolutely adores kids and as the director of First Steps Early Learning Center that certainly comes in handy! She has received numerous choreography and judges choice awards for her work with the petite, mini, teen and senior age groups. Proving that it is NEVER too late to start dance, Mrs. Alecia started as a sophomore in high school. She continued dancing at the collegiate level on the performance team in Arizona and believes in the importance of continuous learning. Mrs. Alecia’s favorite types of dance are jazz and lyrical but she is also CDTA’s pointe and pre-pointe specialist and finds joy in getting to work with other ballet minded performers. Teaching gives Mrs. Alecia a creative outlet and a sense of purpose when she sees the smiles on her students faces, filling her students with happiness in turn fills her with the same. 

Hailey Garrard, Choreographer

Miss Hailey put on her first pair of tap shoes as soon as she could walk and never took them off. She started choreographing her own solos by middle school and received numerous accolades and high point recognitions. She followed up her traditional training by joining the Iowa Central Dance team where she was a three time state champion in Pom, Jazz & Hip Hop. The team was set to attend the Daytona Beach National Dance Competition but Covid took that opportunity away - I think we all know she would have killed it! Miss Hailey started working as a choreographer in 2016 and while her favorite styles of dance are modern and tap she excels at all types of choreography. In every year she has been a teacher she has won either a choreography award or high point. Watching the quality of movement change throughout the year is one of the things she finds most rewarding in dance.

Jamie Johnston, Choreographer

Miss Jamie first hit the stage around age 4. While many kids that age can be shy under the lights, she couldn’t get enough of it! She continued with studio dance or tumbling until she reached high school where she gave up studio to join her high school team and then went on to dance and compete at the collegiate level as well as participating in a hip-hop dance club at Iowa State. After Miss Jamie got married and started her family, she couldn’t deny the love she still had for dance and she is going on nearly 10 years as a dance teacher! In that time, she has been fortunate to watch many kids come and go as well as picking up a few awards along the way! Pom & hip-hop are most often the styles of dance you will find her teaching, but Miss Jamie also loves how some songs can spark so much emotion and movement in a lyrical or jazz style and she is always thrilled at the challenge of stepping slightly outside of what’s comfortable to choreograph solos, duets or group routines. One of her favorite parts of teaching is building such awesome relationships with students and then getting to see them shine on stage! She also enjoys getting to work alongside other amazing teachers that she can learn from and laugh with!

Jamie Varangkounh, Choreographer

Jamie Varangkounh is a dynamic and passionate dance teacher with a wealth of experience in various dance styles. With a career spanning over 10 years, Jamie has dedicated herself to inspiring and nurturing young dancers, helping them discover their true potential and love for dance. Jamie's journey in dance began at a young age, where she trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. Her diverse background allows her to bring a unique and well rounded approach to her teaching, incorporating elements from different styles to create a versatile and exciting learning environment. Jamie holds a bachelor's degree in Dance Education from a renowned dance university, where she further honed her skills and knowledge in dance pedagogy. She believes in the importance of a solid technical foundation and strives to instill proper technique and alignment in her students from the very beginning. She believes in fostering a sense of community and teamwork among her students, encouraging them to support and uplift one another.  Her teaching style is characterized by clear and concise instructions, allowing students to grasp new concepts and execute movements with confidence. Jamie's commitment to her students goes beyond the dance studio. She takes a holistic approach to teaching, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental well being.  She encourages her students to embrace self expression, creativity, and individuality, helping them develop their own unique dance style. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Jamie is an accomplished choreographer. Her innovating and captivating choreography has been showcased in numerous dance competitions and performances, earning her recognition and accolades within the dance community. Jamie continues to expand her knowledge and stay current with the latest trends and techniques in dance by attending workshops and conferences. She believes in the power of continuous learning and strives to bring fresh and exciting material to her students. As a dance teacher, Jamie is dedicate to empowering her students and helping them reach their full potential. She takes pride in witnessing their growth, not only as dancers but also as confident and resilient individuals.  Her passion for dance, combined with her nurturing and supportive approach, makes her a beloved and respected teacher among her students and their families.

Kate Cochrane Nelson, Choreographer

Mrs. Kate has been in music almost as long as her feet started moving. She performed in her first dance recital at three years old and her first musical at five. Her primary dance and gymnastics instruction came from Hollingsworth School of Dance and Gymnastics and vocal from the late Bruce Perry. Her lessons in tap, ballet, pas de deux and gymnastics prepared her for her next adventures. After graduating she was NYC bound where she majored in in Musical Theatre at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. There she was able to take master classes from amazing actors such as Kristen Chenoweth. Mrs. Kate’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing when something “clicks” for a student and their face fills with joy and accomplishment. 

Dr Alexandria Cochrane Cashmere, Choreographer

Dr. Cashmore’s first big role on the stage was as Zuzu the precocious child from “It’s A Wonderful Life” at four years old. Her family likes to say her claim to fame is the time she won best in show and her award was taller than she was. She is a multiple time Bill Riley State Finalist, four year cheerleader at Simpson College and member of the Drake Dance Team and Cheer Coach at Midland University. Additionally to all that (as if it wasn’t enough) she has taught gymnastics at Sapphire Gymnastics Academy in Urbandale as well as Kansas City Gymnastics. Dr. Cashmore has performed as the lead in numerous musicals and competed in vocal contests prior to life at Moffit Dental. Her favorite part of teaching is watching the kids have fun and exploring new skills. 

Nicole Fusco, Choreographer

Miss Nicole is a new instructor this year at CDTA.  She began dancing at 2 years old in studio dance and continued her passion through dance team at Humboldt high school and at Central College. She spent several years teaching studio dance and is going into her sixth year as the Humboldt dance team coach. She enjoys all teaching all styles of dance, but tap is her favorite. She is excited to share her passion for dance. ​