THE TEAM

Who We Are

Our mission is to inspire and empower dancers of all ages and skill levels by providing high-quality dance education in a supportive and joyful environment.

We aim to nurture creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of dance in every student.

HI! I am Jensyn Echternach, director of Dance Expressions Studio.

I teach at the Columbia and Moberly location. I started dancing when I was just 3 years old! I absolutely LOVED it. When I was 6, I joined Acrobatic Gymnastics and competed for 15 years. I have studied all styles of dance throughout my years, but my favorite style is lyrical. I love the freedom of expression and emotion you get while dancing that style. But as I got older, I realized I wanted to share the love of dance with others. So I became a teacher at just 14 years old, but that wasn't enough for me... so I decided to start my very own studio! And I couldn't have made a better decision!

Watching my students grow and achieve the smallest of things makes my heart happy.

I love sharing my passion with other students and other teachers.

A little about me outside of the dance world... I have a dog and two cats. I LOVE Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (and most other fantasy books/movies). My favorite color is aquamarine (my birthstone). I love throwing a good themed party. I was a nanny to 3 amazing boys,

and I LOVE my family. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. They are so supportive of me and my studio. Being a dance teacher was what I was meant to be. I always tell my students, it isn't about being the best, it is about being YOUR best- and that is what I bring into my studio.

Ms. Jensyn

Ms. Ava

Hi, I’m Ava March. I currently teach acrobatic gymnastics and tumbling

at Dance Expressions Studio.

I have been doing dance and gymnastics since I was 3 years old and I have been teaching at DES since it first opened! My favorite genre of dance is lyrical because I love the way it allows me to express myself through movement.

Some fun facts about me: I am 22 years old, I have a cat and a dog, I love reading (especially fantasy), and I am currently in nursing school at Columbia college.

I’m so excited to see what this next year at DES brings!

Ms. Heather

Hi everybody, my name is Heather Duque!
I teach at the Columbia and Moberly location. I started dancing when I was four or five, I am now 18 years of age. I was trained in modern ballet, but more specifically as well as classical ballet. I also have experience in modern, tap, jazz, as well as lyrical. I adored dance with a passion, but I also really enjoy other things outside of studio dance… like line dancing, and ballroom dancing! I have two cats and three dogs! I love dinosaurs, they’re so cool. All in all back to dance!!

I love giving students and young dancers the inspiration that I’ve had throughout my lifetime. Dancing is something to be enjoyed and have fun with movement. It’s a really good outlet, exercise and experience that can take you very far in life. :)

Hi! I’m Emilia Curran, or Emme for short!

I bring over a decade of dance experience, beginning with tumbling in 2008 and expanding into focused training in ballet, jazz, and lyrical. I’ve competed at conventions and competitions such as Tremaine, Dupree Dance, and Hollywood Connection. After taking a few years off to finish college, I returned to dance in 2023 with a renewed passion for movement and teaching. I have been at Dance Expressions ever since!

I’m dedicated to teaching proper technique and alignment while encouraging my students to express emotion and explore their creativity through dance. I strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment where dancers can build confidence, grow their skills, and truly shine. I’m always excited to continue my own dance journey and love learning from the talented teachers at Dance Expressions!

Ms. Emilia

Ms. Olivia

My name is Olivia Stitz.

I’ve been dancing since I was three years old. I grew up at a dance competition studio in St. Louis, and also competed with my high school dance team (Lindbergh) for four years. I brought my knowledge of dance to Columbia my freshman year of college, and for the past four years have been a competition teacher at The Dance Academy. I have choreographed several pieces with The Dance Academy, have been their main hip-hop teacher, and have traveled and worked with the competition team. I am so beyond excited to start with Expressions and can’t wait to see what this year brings!

Hi everyone! My name is Parker Echelmeier.

I am currently 16 years old and have been dancing since I was 4! I have been on The Dance Academy’s competitive team for the past 6 years and now I am super excited to work with the competition team at Expressions! I have experienced all styles of dance, from Hip Hop to Ballet, with Contemporary being my absolute favorite! I am excited to continue supporting all the dancers that walk through the studio and I cannot wait for this upcoming year!

Ms. Parker

Ms. Sammy

I’m Sammy Baker Weise, a Columbia, MO native and a graduate of Central Methodist University, where I earned a double major in Child Development and Psychology. With over twenty-five years of dance experience, I’ve trained and competed in cities like New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, earning numerous awards along the way. In 2017, I was honored to receive Tribute’s National Dance Competition Teacher of the Year Award.

My love for dance and dedication to my students have shaped my career. I spent seven years teaching at The Academy of Fine Arts before becoming the owner and director of The Dance Academy in Columbia, where I proudly led for eight years. Now, I’m thrilled to continue sharing my passion by teaching dance classes and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Hey there! My name is Kennedy!

Ms. Kennedy

Ms. Casey

Hi, y’all, I’m Casey Bruen! :)

I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, and have fallen more in love with it every year since. I’ve been trained in all styles, but I particularly love lyrical, musical theater, and pom. I grew up here in Columbia, where I competed with The Academy of Fine Arts and was a member of the first Blazer Girl dance team at Tolton Catholic! In college, I danced for the Baylor Dance Company for four years. During my time at Baylor, I also taught students at a local studio and worked as an instructor for Universal Dance Association (UDA) during the summers. Outside of the studio, I love to bake, read books, go on coffee dates with my husband, Michael, and play with my newborn baby girl, Catherine!

I am so excited to teach at Dance Expressions this year! Dance is such a gift — each of us gets to bring music and beauty to life in a way that no one else can. I can’t wait to watch you shine this year, DES!!

Hey! I am Mackenzie Goodman.

I am a dance teacher at Dance Expressions Studio Moberly. I love the creative arts, dancing, theater, arts and crafts, and I love to spread that joy around my community! My dance journey started three years ago and ever since I have made it my mission to be the best at it as I can be. I was never an athletic kid but something about dancing, the music, the atmosphere, was so fulfilling. It lit a fire in my chest, to be better, to put myself out there and once I started, it was just too good not to share.

Ms. Mackenzie

Ms. Jetta

Hi! I'm Jetta Goodman.

I am a teacher at Dance Expressions Studio Moberly. I've been dancing for four years and I have loved every second of it! My favorite style of dance is contemporary, i love that it allows freedom and lets me be funky, but I love tap and ballet a lot! Some facts about me are I have three pets, my favorite food is kimchi, i want to be a therapist when im older and i love reading romance books. I can't wait to have fun with your little ones!

Dance Your True Expression

Hi! My name is Emily Dampier and I’m a teacher at Dance Expressions Studio!

I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and have been competing since age 8. I’ve been teaching dance since I graduated high school in the studio as well as for high schoolers through National Dance Alliance. I also currently work as an Assistant Coach for the Rock Bridge Bruin Girls. I have training in a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, tap, pom technique and more! I love how dance gives you the ability to take a step back from everyday life and gives you a space to feel confident while doing what you love!

I am currently a junior at the University of Missouri studying Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Child Life. I was born and raised here in Columbia! My favorite movie is Tangled and I love M&M’s. I currently work at a preschool and I love to read a good book! I’m so excited to take on a new journey at Dance Expressions Studio!