Recognizing dance as an art form…that is an essential part of human expression. Ultimate Leap Dance Center will guide students to develop skills, insights and attitudes for a lifetime of dance.
Danielle Fuhrmann has been teaching dance for over 15 years, and she has watched many former students go on to become dance teachers and professional dancers! Her passion is giving her dancers the tools and confidence to find their maximum potential through building a solid technical foundation and instilling the love of dance! Danielle grew up studying at Monona Academy of Dance, Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and Dance Wisconsin under the direction of JoJean Retrum. She has
performed various roles in many ballet productions including The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, and Coppelia to name a few. She received additional training at Walnut Hill School for the Arts and Virginia School of the Arts. Later, she moved to New York City where she studied with Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center.
Professionally, Danielle has performed all over the country including on Disney Cruise Lines. She sang and danced her way around the ocean onboard the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic playing various lead roles including Cinderella. Other favorite credits include West Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, 9 to 5, All Shook Up, Guys and Dolls, Annie, and Cinderella. She performed in many theaters throughout the country including The Fireside Theatre here in Wisconsin!
Danielle has been recognized many times as a choreographer and has had severalpieces selected to perform at Regional Dance America. She received the National Commissioning Award for her piece “Hallelujah” and attended the National Choreography Intensive. Danielle has also choreographed several shows for Children’s Theater of Madison. She has traveled the country as a judge in the dance competition circuit and has judged for Imagine, Star Systems, Nexstar, Starpower and others.
Danielle holds certificates in Acrobatic Arts, Pilates and other fitness certifications. She was a dance instructor at The Pointe Dance Academy in Denver, CO and has been a guest teacher at other studios in the area. She was the Competition Director and a teacher at Monona Academy of Dance and teaches Pilates at Prairie Athletic Club. Danielle feels so blessed to join such a wonderful team here at ULDC. She will strive every day to make the studio a positive, safe, educational space for dancers to learn and grow.
Mary Kennedy studied dance in Green Bay, WI at Shirley Van’s Dance Studio. She has been dancing since the age of four and has taken tap, jazz, ballet, character, and lyrical. She was a member of the People’s Ballet Company of Green Bay, and has performed in the Nutcracker, The Tales of Beatrix Potter, and The Wizard of Oz. Mary was also a member of the Jazzworks Performance Group out of Green Bay, performing at various community events. She has danced and studied with tapper Ryan Lohoff. While in college at UW-Madison, she studied modern dance and ballroom dance. Mary also taught dance, including developing a dance program and classes at an eight week camp in New Hampshire.
Mary graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in mathematics and a high school education certificate. After taking time off for raising a family, she returned to teaching dance in addition to managing the financial part of a studio. Mary loves working with students and truly is inspired with her students smiles. She currently works as a K-12 gifted and talented coordinator for the Poynette School District.
Chelsey isa choreographer, professor, and dance educator. She completed her Master’s Degree in Dance and Choreography at the Peck School of the Arts, then served as a lecturer of dance for the University of Wisconsin while traveling the country working as a guest choreographer. Her work can be found in the repertoire of Dance Wisconsin, Greater Lansing Ballet Company, Canton Ballet, Ballet 5:8, Project Ballet, and the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble.
Her work has earned her Regional Dance America’s National Choreographic Commissioning award four times, Regional Dance America’s Choreography Connection Grant, a Choreographic Honors Award from the University of Wisconsin, and several choreography awards from regional competitions such as New York City Dance Alliance.
In addition to her contemporary work, Chelsey has premiered three full-length ballets, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” and “The Wizard of Oz” for Dance Wisconsin, and “Snow White” for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. Her greatest production to date is being mother to Alice, Charlie, & Theo.
Týra Lex emerges as a formidable presence within the dance world, her journey marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, passion, and innovation. Specializing in contemporary/modern, lyrical, jazz, tap, and heels, she brings a rich tapestry of styles to her performances and classes, complemented by her mastery of ballet, hip hop, musical theatre and acrobatics.
With each step, Týra has left an indelible mark on the stage and in the classroom, both as a student and choreographer. Týra took a break from dance as a senior in high school and reintroduced herself late in college. She was able to experience dance from an entirely different perspective, one that helped opened up doors for Týra, and inspired her to fill up 14 hours a week dancing professionally, for fun, and as a student by the beginning of 2023. It was by investing in her individual strengths Týra was able to find a quiet confidence that has carried her to progress in many areas as technical and diverse dancer.
Týra carries over the importance of investing in individuals’ potential in her classes and hosts group environments where all people are valued and invested into. Effort, progress, and individuality is awarded in Týra’s classes whether her dancers nail a new move or show up with a fun and productive attitude.
KRISTEN HAMMER began her training in Bloomfield Hills, MI under Mary C. Geiger at Geiger Classical Ballet Academy and its affiliate company, Michigan Classic Ballet Company. Her training continued at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Boston Ballet. She went on to earn a B.S. degree in Dance Arts Administration from Butler University. Ms. Hammer has been a company dancer with Madison Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Deos Contemporary Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and more. She has performed across the nation as a guest artist with many notable organizations including Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, Capital City Theater, Isthmus Dance Collective, Dance at Delafield, and for Marlene Skog of the UW Dance Department. She has choreographed over 50 pieces for both professionals and students. Ms. Hammer has taught ballet at academies across the nation including Joffrey Ballet Academy, Planko Classical Ballet Academy, Madison Ballet, Synergy Dance Academy, and Naperville School of the Arts. She is excited to join the faculty of Ultimate Leap Dance Academy.
Peyton, a 26-year-old Hmong man, has been dancing for 15 years, falling in love with breakin’ at the age of 13 in 2011. Inspired by his peers and mentors, he ventured into various dance styles before discovering his true passion for KRUMP, a journey he’s been dedicated to for the past five years. Through countless trials and errors, Peyton has grown as both a dancer and an individual, continually honing his craft.
Peyton believes that immersing himself in Black street dance culture is not only a means to sharpen his own skills but also a way to preserve the rich heritage embedded in these art forms. By doing so, he is able to connect with and reflect on his own cultural identity as a Hmong-American. For Peyton, dance is more than just an art form—it is a powerful tool for self-expression and cultural preservation. He encourages those around him to embrace their unique identities and push themselves to grow in their own specialized crafts, fostering a community of mutual growth and understanding.
Aly Dahmen grew up studying dance at Monona Academy of Dance under the tutelage of JoJean Retrum. She had the opportunity to compete at multiple competitions with the Mad City Dancers including Showstoppers, NYCDA and Youth America Grand Prix. In addition to competitions, Aly danced multiple roles in Nutcracker as well as a different spring Ballet production every year from the time she was 7 until 18. Additionally, Aly was accepted into the pre-professional company Dance Wisconsin. She had the opportunity to attend Regional Dance America multiple times and showcase pieces choreographed by Danielle Fuhrmann, Ashley Christensen and Chelsey Bradley. Aly also choreographed her own piece that was chosen to be showcased at Regional Dance America. This piece earned her an Emerging Choreographer Award with the opportunity to attend the National Choreography Intensive. Aly is also fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to study with the Jordan Academy of Dance at Butler University, The Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Austin and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dance program. Aly graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a bachelor of science degree in Nursing. She currently works as a Clinical Operations Coordinator-RN. She is excited to join the faculty of Ultimate Leap Dance Center and be able to share all the positives dance can bring to her students.
Tom Kilps is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, where he received his early dance training from Studio One, Monona Academy of Dance, Ballet Madison, and Madison Ballet. He furthered his education at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Rock School, and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy before joining Texas Ballet Theater in 2003.
Throughout his career with TBT, Kilps performed numerous roles in Ben Stevenson’s ballets, including “Ptolemy” in Cleopatra, “Renfield” in Dracula, “White Rabbit” in Alice in Wonderland, “Mercutio” in Romeo and Juliet, “Amour” in Don Quixote, and “Jester” in Cinderella.
Kilps retired from full-time dancing with TBT in 2015 but continued dancing guest roles with the Fort Worth Opera, The Dallas Opera, and Contemporary Ballet Dallas before relocating to Wisconsin in 2016 to be closer to family. He now runs Dance Jox full-time and enjoys teaching ballet in the Madison area.
Ashley Christensen has been teaching dance for over 15 years and is excited for her first year at ULDC. She grew up dancing at Monona Academy of Dance and Dance Wisconsin. Additionally she trained at Virginia School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Alonzo King Lines Ballet. Ashley danced professionally with the Joel Hall Dancers and Jazzworks. She has also performed principal roles as a guest of Dance Wisconsin in The Nutcracker, LaFille Mal Gardee, and Coppelia. She has had choreography selected for the Gala performance of Regional Dance America. In addition to teaching and choreographing, she also creates custom tutus for individuals and pre-professional dance companies. Ashley enjoys helping her students achieve their goals through her teaching and love for the art of dance.
Kiarah Cystrunk developed an interest in the arts at the age of five. She started with classes through DeForest Parks & Recreation, but found true appreciation after beginning classes at Ultimate Leap Dance Center, at the age of six. She has continued to broaden her dance education in multiple genres including Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, and Tap. Kiarah is taking on her sixth year of performance team with Ultimate Leap Dance Center, which has allowed her to experience conventions and various levels of competition throughout the midwest. This has strengthened both her skill and knowledge in dance. After being a Teacher Assistant for several years, Kiarah is excited to further her dance career by becoming an instructor at Ultimate Leap.
Emma McFall began taking dance lessons at the age of four at Madison Dance Academy. They started with ballet and then progressed into tap and jazz at the age of five. Then eventually at the age of seven started at Ultimate Leap Dance Center and over time took lessons in pointe, contemporary, hip hop, and lyrical. They then fell in love with the movement and music that comes with dance when they joined the studio. Soon started the competition team, which they participated in for eleven years. Emma assisted for seven years. They want to continue the number of years at the studio and start a new journey with teaching. Emma is thrilled and excited to be starting to instruct at this amazing studio!
Darya Ellickson holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. During her time at NIU, she directed two productions, the Student Choreographic Showcase and the Art for Life Show which benefited Chicago Dancers United, an organization that helps raise money for dancers and communities. Additionally, she held the role of Northern Dance Theater President helping organize events and fundraiser for the program and bring in guest artists. She has performed for the Spirit of the Horse equestrian show in Lake City, Florida, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. She has worked with Paula Frasz, Marc Macaranas, Judith Chitwood, Michel Rodriquez- Cintra, Rich Grund, Joshua Ishmon, and Brian Enos and many more. As a leader, Darya is focused, engaged and values help by asking intuitive questions and working respectively with her students, ensemble, and her team. She loves exploring new perspectives, ideas or creations because it gives her a sense that the work that she is doing makes her feel alive and present in the work she does. Her dancing, choreography and leadership brings in unique and creative ideas, encouraging dancers to bring in their own flavor
and style to make dances engaging and to keep an audience excited to see her creations. Bringing in her appreciation, passion and influence of all styles of dance, she keeps her independent signature and foundation exuberant.
Nicole Rounds grew up training at Monona Academy of Dance and Dance Wisconsin. Additional summer training included: Walnut Hill, Virginia School of the Arts, Milwaukee Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theater and classes at Steps on Broadway. She went on to dance professionally with The Charleston Ballet Theater where she performed in shows such as, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Serenade. She then performed at The Fireside Dinner Theater and Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Favorite theater credits include: Zaneeta (Music Man) and Louise (Carousel). Nicole is also certified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique.) Nicole loves teaching and is excited to share her love of dance with everyone at ULDC.
Karina Dyslin is a sophomore at UW-Madison, studying psychology and criminal justice. She started dancing at three years old at Monona Academy of Dance where she earned the honor of dancer of the year twice. Karina joined the Mad City Dancers competition team at age 12 and Dance Wisconsin at age 14. She studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and modern. Karina attended dance conventions such as NYCDA and Radix where she learned from a diverse set of teachers in multiple genres. Continually learning and growing her style as a choreographer, she has choreographed a couple of concert length pieces for Dance Wisconsin in the contemporary genre. Karina loves having dance in her life! She is grateful for how her past teachers have shaped her as an artist, and she is extremely excited to share her passion for dance with others!
Tailyn Peck started taking dance at the age of three at Donna Davis School of Dance. She then continued her dance education at various dance studios in the Madison area including Monona Academy of Dance and Spotlight Dance Academy before finding her home at Ultimate Leap Dance Center. She has taken lessons in many genres of dance including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, pointe, lyrical, and contemporary. Tailyn has performed in The Nutcracker, many musical theatre productions, and has assisted in choreographing school musicals. She also attended Radix and Showstoppers dance conventions. Tailyn recently was an assistant at ULDC in the K-1 tap and ballet classes. She is thrilled to be sharing her love and passion of dance and cannot wait to inspire future generations of dancers.
