Studio K Faculty



	faculty Niki Stokes Owner & Artistic Director. Niki has had the joy of instructing many wonderful students in the greater Jacksonville area for the past ten years and is now proud to announce that she is the new owner of Studio K Progressive and Kreative Dance. Dancing since a young age, she has had the pleasure of performing for many Jacksonville pageants, the Inaugural Jaguar Pre-Game, Post-Game and Halftime shows, and at the Coca-Cola Olympic City in Atlanta, Georgia for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. She believes in encouraging children's growth through the arts and has been able to do so with organizations such as Youth of the Beaches Arts Guild, Theatre Jacksonville's Educational Outreach Program and as the Director of Dance for The Foundation Academy, a Private Christian Arts School. Niki is currently the Tap Ensemble Director and Performance Level Director at LaVilla School of the Arts. She has taught master classes at Jacksonville University, The Florida Ballet and Episcopal High School. Niki lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a short time were she was on scholarship with Debi Myers at The June Runyon School of Ballet. Niki has enjoyed her role at Stanton College Preparatory School as the choreographer for How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Urinetown. Other choreography highlights include Guys and Dolls, The King and I, Lil' Abner, Children of Eden and Red, Hot and Cole. Past students have won scholarships to L.A. Dance Force, Dance USA, International Dance Challenge and I Love Dance. Current students were recognized for their outstanding work at Dance Masters of America. Niki CAN'T WAIT to see you in one of her exciting classes! Come prepared for fun! Jennifer Turbyfill - Assistant Artistic Director Jennifer Turbyfill is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a 1998 graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she was a member of Dance Theatre. Upon completion of high school, she went on to attend Florida State University and graduated cum laude in 2002 with a major in dance performance. While attending Florida State, Jennifer was a multiple recipient of the Friends of Dance Scholarship. She was also a member of Dance Repertory Theatre for three years and assisted as rehearsal director for much of that time under the direction of Lynda Davis. Also at FSU, Jennifer was privileged to study under world-renowned ballerina Suzanne Farrell, Lynda Davis, Anthony Morgan, Douglas Corbin, Anjali Austin, Richard Sias, Sheila Humphreys, Patty Phillips, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Director of Urban Bush Women. After graduation Jennifer pursued her dream of dance and moved to New York City. She trained intensively with Doug Varone and Dancers at the Limon Dance Studios in New York. Jennifer has danced as a featured performer in works by: Bridget Bleistein, Sean Curran, Alan Danielson, Lynda Davis, Gerri Houlihan, Demetrius Klein, Cari Martin, Anthony Morgan, Shane O’Hara, Jessica Patz, and Jawole Jo Willa Zollar. She has performed as an ensemble dancer in works by Piper Arpan, Brigid Baker, Maria Bauman, Nancy Smith Fichter, Donlin Foreman, Lynda Davis Jennifer Handel, Brian Palmer, and Brent Schneider. Her choreography has also been shown in many cities throughout Florida and in New York City. Since moving back to Jacksonville, she has been teaching throughout the city, and is currently on faculty with Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Studio K Dance. Linda Reifsnyder Jenkins - Instructor Linda Reifsnyder Jenkins trained as a scholarship student at the Ed Parish Dance Foundation, Ruth Page Foundation of Chicago and Joffery Ballet of New York. She has danced professionally with Chicago Ballet, National Ballet of Peru, and Kiel (Germany) Ballet. Ms. Jenkins was the Director of Florence School of Ballet (Alabama), the Academy of Nevada Dance Theatre, and Jacksonville University’s Dance with Distinction program and Principal Teacher for School of Ballet Oklahoma. She received her BFA in dance from Jacksonville University and has taught at Jacksonville University, Florida StateCollege at Jacksonville, Landon Middle School of the Arts and held the position of Artistic Associate for First Coast Nutcracker for 5 years. Presently Ms. Jenkins is teaching at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville University as well as private studios in the Jacksonville area. Julia Gregory - Instructor Julia Gregory is a Jacksonville native. She began her dance training at the age of twelve and is a graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. In 2004, she graduated from Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance under the direction of Brian Palmer. She previously trained at New World School of the Arts under the direction of Daniel Lewis and Florida Community College at Jacksonville with Rosemary Fletcher. During her college career, she had the pleasure of training and performing with Oberlin Dance Collective/San Francisco and Shapiro and Smith Dance of New York. She has also performed with Freddick Bratcher Contemporary Dance Company, Altered Dance and Music, Cooper Morgan Dance, and as an independent artist for Jacksonville's Downtown Dance Project. Ms. Gregory has been teaching throughout the Jacksonville community since 2000 and currently teaches dance composition for Lavilla School of the Arts, and dance techniques for Cathedral Arts Project, Jacksonville Center of the Arts, and Dansations. She is also a member of Braided Light Dance Project. Ms. Gregory is very excited to join the Studio K team and looks forward to a great season! Beth Higgins - Instructor Beth began taking acrobatics at the age of eight here in Jacksonville at Virginia Dell School of Dance. After two years, Beth left acro, and started gymnastics at All American Gymnastics under the coaching of D.J. Milam. She was placed on the Class 2 Intermediate Competition Team, and quickly moved to the Class 1 Advanced Competition Team on which she competed for six years. Beth and her teammates competed locally, regionally, and nationally. She brought home numerous trophies for individual all-around winnings, as well as for team winnings. Beth trained daily 4:00 - 9:00 and competed most weekends. Beth is very excited to teach acro at Studio K Dance. She loves working with kids, and still has a strong love for the sport. When she is not at the Studio, she is teaching first grade or is relaxing at home with her husband and daughter Addie. April Henehan - Instructor April Henehan is a native of Jacksonville who has been dancing since the age of three. She began her training at The Foxworth Talent Theatre under the direction of Tracy Rogers-Hazouri where she started participating in Regional and National Competitions at the age of eight. With competing came the opportunity to attend workshops and intensives where April was awarded numerous scholarships allowing her to further her studies with elite choreographers such as Ronen Koresh, Zdenek Konvalina, Adele Myers, Eddie Toussaint, and Bill Evans. Following graduation from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts she continued her education earning a degree in Finance from Florida State University. Since returning to Jacksonville, she has become a member of Kamia’ Contemporary Dance Theatre, been seen in episodes as a Las Vegas finalist on Season 4 of the hit TV series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and was photographed and featured in an article of The Florida Times Union in February, 2009. April has been teaching for several years with concentration in Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Modern; and looks forward to all the new and exciting opportunities this year’s dance season will bring! Laura Mauldin - Instructor Linda Resta Ingram - Instructor Linda Resta Ingram is a native of South Florida and began her dance training at Pofahls studio in Gainesville under Judy Skinner and Kim Tuttle the artistic directors of Dance Alive National Ballet Company. She later attended Douglas Anderson School of The Arts c/o 88’ and Jacksonville University c/o 97’ where she studied under Debbie Prado, Phyllis Penney, Betty Swenson, Angie Hollis and Rhonda Stampalia. While attending Jacksonville University she also studied under Dulce Anaya and performed with the Jacksonville Ballet Theatre in productions such as The Sleeping Beauty, Copeillia and Swan Lake. She has taken master classes from Edward Villella, artistic director of Miami City Ballet, John Landovsky, Director of Hawaii State Ballet, Sandra Hammond from the University of Hawaii and Rachel Lampert among several others. She began instructing at a children’s dance studio in 1990 in ballet, pointe, jazz and tap along with becoming certified in group exercise instruction through the Y.M.C.A. She later became certified in step, strength training, yoga and Zumba through A.F.A.A., Aerobic & Fitness Association of America. Her two daughters, Julia & Alexa, have danced with Studio K for six years and currently attend LaVilla School of The Arts where Linda is actively involved with the Dance Boosters. While she is substitute teaching and tutoring students she is also completing a teacher certification program at Jacksonville University. Linda is excited to be on staff with Studio K and is dedicated to enriching her students dance education. Carlos Garland - Summer Intensive Guest Artist Carlos Garland was raised in Jacksonville Florida. He started dance at the age of 13 at Lavilla School of the Arts. Originally in drama he was brought into dance through a bet by a friend in the 7th grade. He recently graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts studying dance all four years. During this time he performed in the First Coast Nutcracker as lead the Russian Doll for 6 straight years. Carlos is currently attending Jacksonville University double majoring in dance and computer science. In 2005 Carlos was the winner of the Mille Lewis America's Models and Talent Competition in dance. Carlos has been trained in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, comtemporary, and breakdance. He has a previous background in Taekwondo of 6 years and reached a second degree black belt. Carlos has taught all styles of dance in numerous dance studios around Jacksonville. He has also taught at conventions for Dancer's Spotlight Competition and master classes at Douglas Anderson. Carlos and his dance crew recently won BET's 106th and Park dance competition on Wild Out Wednesday, and has been in national and international commercials for Busch Gardens and Head Tennis Rackets. Carlos and his crew will be auditioning for America's Best Dance Crew for this summer of 2009. In the future he hopes to become a professional dancer/ choreographer for all styles of dance. Maria Bauman - Summer Intensive Instructor/Repertoire Choreographer Maria Bauman is a performer, choreographer and teacher. She currently dances with Blacksmith's Daughter under the direction of Nia Love, and with Adele Myers and Dancers, both based in New York. She is also an apprentice with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Prior to these companies, Maria danced with acclaimed contemporary dance company Urban Bush Women for five seasons. She originated roles in _Walking with Pearl: Africa Diaries,_ _Walking with Pearl: Southern Diaries,_ and _Sacred Vessel._ Touring highlights include performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Joyce Theater in New York, Symphony Space in New York, and the Basel Arts Festival in Basel, Switzerland. She still works with Urban Bush Women as a Community Specialist, often co-facilitating workshops and playing an active role in the company’s Community Engagement Projects. Through UBW, Bauman has taught dance as a catalyst towards positive self-imagery at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and at the Atlantic Terminal Housing Development in Brooklyn, as well as at various schools and community centers throughout the country. She continues her community engagement work outside of Urban Bush Women, as well, with an active roster of freelance workshops at sites including the New Jersey Governor's School for the Arts, Greenwich Academy, Spelman College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others. Maria is an active choreographer, as well. She has created dances for numerous groups across the United States. Most recently, she presented three original works in New York at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance. Maria graduated cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance and English from the Florida State University, and is also trained in the art of capoeira, an African-Brazilian martial art which employs dance. Her website is www.mbdance.org.

faculty

Niki Stokes
Owner & Artistic Director.

Niki has had the joy of instructing many wonderful students in the greater Jacksonville area for the past ten years and is now proud to announce that she is the new owner of Studio K Progressive and Kreative Dance. Dancing since a young age, she has had the pleasure of performing for many Jacksonville pageants, the Inaugural Jaguar Pre-Game, Post-Game and Halftime shows, and at the Coca-Cola Olympic City in Atlanta, Georgia for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. She believes in encouraging children's growth through the arts and has been able to do so with organizations such as Youth of the Beaches Arts Guild, Theatre Jacksonville's Educational Outreach Program and as the Director of Dance for The Foundation Academy, a Private Christian Arts School. Niki is currently the Tap Ensemble Director and Performance Level Director at LaVilla School of the Arts. She has taught master classes at Jacksonville University, The Florida Ballet and Episcopal High School. Niki lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a short time were she was on scholarship with Debi Myers at The June Runyon School of Ballet. Niki has enjoyed her role at Stanton College Preparatory School as the choreographer for How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Urinetown. Other choreography highlights include Guys and Dolls, The King and I, Lil' Abner, Children of Eden and Red, Hot and Cole. Past students have won scholarships to L.A. Dance Force, Dance USA, International Dance Challenge and I Love Dance. Current students were recognized for their outstanding work at Dance Masters of America. Niki CAN'T WAIT to see you in one of her exciting classes! Come prepared for fun!

Jennifer Turbyfill -
Assistant Artistic Director

Jennifer Turbyfill is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a 1998 graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she was a member of Dance Theatre. Upon completion of high school, she went on to attend Florida State University and graduated cum laude in 2002 with a major in dance performance. While attending Florida State, Jennifer was a multiple recipient of the Friends of Dance Scholarship. She was also a member of Dance Repertory Theatre for three years and assisted as rehearsal director for much of that time under the direction of Lynda Davis. Also at FSU, Jennifer was privileged to study under world-renowned ballerina Suzanne Farrell, Lynda Davis, Anthony Morgan, Douglas Corbin, Anjali Austin, Richard Sias, Sheila Humphreys, Patty Phillips, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Director of Urban Bush Women. After graduation Jennifer pursued her dream of dance and moved to New York City. She trained intensively with Doug Varone and Dancers at the Limon Dance Studios in New York. Jennifer has danced as a featured performer in works by: Bridget Bleistein, Sean Curran, Alan Danielson, Lynda Davis, Gerri Houlihan, Demetrius Klein, Cari Martin, Anthony Morgan, Shane O’Hara, Jessica Patz, and Jawole Jo Willa Zollar. She has performed as an ensemble dancer in works by Piper Arpan, Brigid Baker, Maria Bauman, Nancy Smith Fichter, Donlin Foreman, Lynda Davis Jennifer Handel, Brian Palmer, and Brent Schneider. Her choreography has also been shown in many cities throughout Florida and in New York City. Since moving back to Jacksonville, she has been teaching throughout the city, and is currently on faculty with Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Studio K Dance.

Linda Reifsnyder Jenkins - Instructor

Linda Reifsnyder Jenkins trained as a scholarship student at the Ed Parish Dance Foundation, Ruth Page Foundation of Chicago and Joffery Ballet of New York. She has danced professionally with Chicago Ballet, National Ballet of Peru, and Kiel (Germany) Ballet. Ms. Jenkins was the Director of Florence School of Ballet (Alabama), the Academy of Nevada Dance Theatre, and Jacksonville University’s Dance with Distinction program and Principal Teacher for School of Ballet Oklahoma. She received her BFA in dance from Jacksonville University and has taught at Jacksonville University, Florida StateCollege at Jacksonville, Landon Middle School of the Arts and held the position of Artistic Associate for First Coast Nutcracker for 5 years. Presently Ms. Jenkins is teaching at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville University as well as private studios in the Jacksonville area.

Julia Gregory -
Instructor

Julia Gregory is a Jacksonville native. She began her dance training at the age of twelve and is a graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. In 2004, she graduated from Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance under the direction of Brian Palmer. She previously trained at New World School of the Arts under the direction of Daniel Lewis and Florida Community College at Jacksonville with Rosemary Fletcher. During her college career, she had the pleasure of training and performing with Oberlin Dance Collective/San Francisco and Shapiro and Smith Dance of New York. She has also performed with Freddick Bratcher Contemporary Dance Company, Altered Dance and Music, Cooper Morgan Dance, and as an independent artist for Jacksonville's Downtown Dance Project. Ms. Gregory has been teaching throughout the Jacksonville community since 2000 and currently teaches dance composition for Lavilla School of the Arts, and dance techniques for Cathedral Arts Project, Jacksonville Center of the Arts, and Dansations. She is also a member of Braided Light Dance Project. Ms. Gregory is very excited to join the Studio K team and looks forward to a great season!

Beth Higgins -
Instructor

Beth began taking acrobatics at the age of eight here in Jacksonville at Virginia Dell School of Dance. After two years, Beth left acro, and started gymnastics at All American Gymnastics under the coaching of D.J. Milam. She was placed on the Class 2 Intermediate Competition Team, and quickly moved to the Class 1 Advanced Competition Team on which she competed for six years. Beth and her teammates competed locally, regionally, and nationally. She brought home numerous trophies for individual all-around winnings, as well as for team winnings. Beth trained daily 4:00 - 9:00 and competed most weekends. Beth is very excited to teach acro at Studio K Dance. She loves working with kids, and still has a strong love for the sport. When she is not at the Studio, she is teaching first grade or is relaxing at home with her husband and daughter Addie.

April Henehan - Instructor

April Henehan is a native of Jacksonville who has been dancing since the age of three. She began her training at The Foxworth Talent Theatre under the direction of Tracy Rogers-Hazouri where she started participating in Regional and National Competitions at the age of eight. With competing came the opportunity to attend workshops and intensives where April was awarded numerous scholarships allowing her to further her studies with elite choreographers such as Ronen Koresh, Zdenek Konvalina, Adele Myers, Eddie Toussaint, and Bill Evans. Following graduation from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts she continued her education earning a degree in Finance from Florida State University. Since returning to Jacksonville, she has become a member of Kamia’ Contemporary Dance Theatre, been seen in episodes as a Las Vegas finalist on Season 4 of the hit TV series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and was photographed and featured in an article of The Florida Times Union in February, 2009. April has been teaching for several years with concentration in Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Modern; and looks forward to all the new and exciting opportunities this year’s dance season will bring!

Laura Mauldin - Instructor

Linda Resta Ingram - Instructor

Linda Resta Ingram is a native of South Florida and began her dance training at Pofahls studio in Gainesville under Judy Skinner and Kim Tuttle the artistic directors of Dance Alive National Ballet Company. She later attended Douglas Anderson School of The Arts c/o 88’ and Jacksonville University c/o 97’ where she studied under Debbie Prado, Phyllis Penney, Betty Swenson, Angie Hollis and Rhonda Stampalia. While attending Jacksonville University she also studied under Dulce Anaya and performed with the Jacksonville Ballet Theatre in productions such as The Sleeping Beauty, Copeillia and Swan Lake. She has taken master classes from Edward Villella, artistic director of Miami City Ballet, John Landovsky, Director of Hawaii State Ballet, Sandra Hammond from the University of Hawaii and Rachel Lampert among several others. She began instructing at a children’s dance studio in 1990 in ballet, pointe, jazz and tap along with becoming certified in group exercise instruction through the Y.M.C.A. She later became certified in step, strength training, yoga and Zumba through A.F.A.A., Aerobic & Fitness Association of America.

Her two daughters, Julia & Alexa, have danced with Studio K for six years and currently attend LaVilla School of The Arts where Linda is actively involved with the Dance Boosters. While she is substitute teaching and tutoring students she is also completing a teacher certification program at Jacksonville University. Linda is excited to be on staff with Studio K and is dedicated to enriching her students dance education.

Carlos Garland -
Summer Intensive Guest Artist

Carlos Garland was raised in Jacksonville Florida. He started dance at the age of 13 at Lavilla School of the Arts. Originally in drama he was brought into dance through a bet by a friend in the 7th grade. He recently graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts studying dance all four years. During this time he performed in the First Coast Nutcracker as lead the Russian Doll for 6 straight years. Carlos is currently attending Jacksonville University double majoring in dance and computer science. In 2005 Carlos was the winner of the Mille Lewis America's Models and Talent Competition in dance. Carlos has been trained in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, comtemporary, and breakdance. He has a previous background in Taekwondo of 6 years and reached a second degree black belt. Carlos has taught all styles of dance in numerous dance studios around Jacksonville. He has also taught at conventions for Dancer's Spotlight Competition and master classes at Douglas Anderson. Carlos and his dance crew recently won BET's 106th and Park dance competition on Wild Out Wednesday, and has been in national and international commercials for Busch Gardens and Head Tennis Rackets. Carlos and his crew will be auditioning for America's Best Dance Crew for this summer of 2009. In the future he hopes to become a professional dancer/ choreographer for all styles of dance.

Maria Bauman -
Summer Intensive Instructor/Repertoire Choreographer

Maria Bauman is a performer, choreographer and teacher. She currently dances with Blacksmith's Daughter under the direction of Nia Love, and with Adele Myers and Dancers, both based in New York. She is also an apprentice with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Prior to these companies, Maria danced with acclaimed contemporary dance company Urban Bush Women for five seasons. She originated roles in _Walking with Pearl: Africa Diaries,_ _Walking with Pearl: Southern Diaries,_ and _Sacred Vessel._ Touring highlights include performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Joyce Theater in New York, Symphony Space in New York, and the Basel Arts Festival in Basel, Switzerland.

She still works with Urban Bush Women as a Community Specialist, often co-facilitating workshops and playing an active role in the company’s Community Engagement Projects. Through UBW, Bauman has taught dance as a catalyst towards positive self-imagery at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and at the Atlantic Terminal Housing Development in Brooklyn, as well as at various schools and community centers throughout the country. She continues her community engagement work outside of Urban Bush Women, as well, with an active roster of freelance workshops at sites including the New Jersey Governor's School for the Arts, Greenwich Academy, Spelman College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others.

Maria is an active choreographer, as well. She has created dances for numerous groups across the United States. Most recently, she presented three original works in New York at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance.

Maria graduated cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance and English from the Florida State University, and is also trained in the art of capoeira, an African-Brazilian martial art which employs dance. Her website is www.mbdance.org.