Our Staff

DIRECTORS

DONNA WHITE
Miss Donna has over 30 years of experience teaching all forms of dance. Former students have gone on to pursue professional careers in all venues, from Disney to Cruise Lines, from Ballet/Modern Companies to Cheerleading. Donna makes a strong impact on her students by utilizing her talents and abilities to help children learn, grow and mature. Her students acquire the skills and techniques they will need not only to become dancers, but to become good people that contribute to our community. As the Director of Dance Legacy, Miss Donna strives to instill confidence and self-esteem in all students. Wether working at the counter, in the office, or teaching in the dance rooms Miss Donna has a direct impact on everything at Dance Legacy; she is the heart of our studio.

DAWN BANDY
After graduating from Brownsburg High School, Dawn became a professional dancer at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. As a well rounded professional with a strong classical background she brings her personal style and valuable experience to teaching all levels and fields of dance. Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater, tumbling and hip hop are all part of Dawn’s styles of teaching. Dawn’s early performing experiences include performing as Clara for the Butler University Production of the Nutcracker Suite, and performing with Ballet International in several Productions. She attended dance programs at New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Aspen Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet. Dawn traveled with a well known dance convention, Dance Caravan Production, where she assisted and taught all forms of dance while performing as a guest artist in the Dance Caravan Production Show. In 1994 Dawn had the honor of representing Indianapolis as “Miss Indianapolis Teen”. As a Local, State and National Judge for numerous dance competitions, Dawn has traveled extensively teaching dancers at dance conventions and competitions. Her dancer’s have received top honors at many nationally known dance competitions where her choreography has been recognized and awarded. In 2004 Dawn received an invitation to perform in China where she, her students, and her choreography were showcased in several stage performances. She and her baby daughter DaeLynn, live in Brownsburg close to Dance Legacy. As the Artistic Director of Dance Legacy, Dawn brings a dedication to achieving excellence for her students and her studio. She looks forward to making Dance Legacy a true legacy of dance for all.

INSTRUCTORS

JESS STATES

Jessica grew up on the dance scene in St Louis, MO. Over 25 years of dance training, has made her specialties include lyrical, jazz, and musical theater. Many trips to New York’s Broadway Dance Center and LA’s Edge have given Jessica the opportunities to stay with the cutting edge dance styles. Jessica comes to Dance Legacy with sixteen years of performing, teaching, and choreographing. Jessica has also been on staff at many other successful studios recognized as some of the top in the nation. Her students have won many regional, national, and international titles, and have gone on to obtain agents performing nationally and internationally. Jessica has been a guest teacher and choreographer at many studios where she has shared her love of dance and passion for teaching. When not in the classroom, Jessica travels with many national competitions as an adjudicator for the nation’s top talent. At a young age Jessica was asked to assist one of the many choreographers for the RAMS cheerleaders. Her performing credits include Alice Cooper’s Brutal Planet where she was honored as Dance Captain, Six Flags theme parks, and many regional theater productions. Academically Jessica studied psychology at Southern Illinois University. She resides with her husband and new baby girl.

MIMI PRIEST
Mimi Priest holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Dance from Butler University in Indianapolis Indiana. She danced professionally with the Louisville Ballet and has been teaching for more than 30 years. Mimi has taught all levels of ballet including pre-school creative movement. She has concentrated on training pre-professional dancers of all ages. A highly talented and dedicated dance teacher and choreographer; Mimi has created original choreography for children’s ballets including Peter Pan, Little Orphan Annie, Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland and has mounted many classical ballets including Les Sylphides, Raymonda, and Pas de Quatre. She is a locally and nationally known dance technician, with a history of facilitating students in to becoming professional dancers. Mimi’s unique teaching style motivates and inspires every student she teaches. She and her husband David have 3 sons and live in Geist. Dance Legacy is proud to have Mrs. Priest as part of our team.

HEAD COACH NICOLE
Nicole directs the Dance Legacy All-Star Cheer Squad. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1995 and was a member of the Indiana Dance Ambassadors. Nicole attended Marion College for 2 years and was an “All American” Cheerleader. She also attended the Worcester School of Performing Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. Nicole began her coaching career while attending the University of Indianapolis and has coached for 14 years. As a NCA All American, Nicole judges cheer competitions nationwide. She has choreographed competition cheer and gymnastic floor routines. Her teams have performed at Colts, Pacers, and Fever games, as well as the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade. Coach Nicole is the driving force behind Dance Legacy's Cheerleading Program; she strives to instill excellence in everyone she teaches here at Dance Legacy.

KATIE WHITE
Katie has been dancing since the age of 2. She is a graduate of Marion College with degrees in Musical Theatre, Communication and Elementary Education. Katie is trained in tap, jazz, ballet and gymnastics. She competed in numerous Local and National dance competitions, winning many awards over the years. Katie appeared in the off-Broadway tap production “Break the Floor”. She enjoys choreographing for local show choirs and theatres in our area. Katie's advanced tap technique is a great contribution to Dance Legacy's program. We welcome Katie to our Dance Legacy Family this season, and for many seasons to come.

REGAN MOSHER RUDOLF
Regan began dancing and tumbling at 3 year of age. She danced and cheered all through High School and attending Indiana University where she cheered on the IU Pom Squad. Regan finished her college years at Purdue University, with a minor in dance where she performed and choreographed for the Purdue Repertory Dance Company. Moving to Boston, Regan worked on her Master's Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and is a registered Dance/Movement Therapist. Regan is proud to have spent 4 years working with “at-risk” and special needs youth in Boston and Washington D.C. Regan, her husband and daughter recently moved back to Indiana where she joined the Dance Legacy Team. Regan's teaching skills have made a great impact on the program here at Dance Legacy; she is a wonderful teacher and a valuable addition to our Dance Legacy Family.


SENSEI JIM
SENSEI STEVE
Sensei Jim is the Director of the Legacy Self Defense Program. Together with Sensei Steve they educate and motivate each student in the art of self defense. Both Sensei's are 5 th degree black belts with over 50 years of experience. The Sensei's instruct students to respect authority, to have the confidence to defend them selves when needed, to have physical and mental alertness and to strive for a healthy balance in there lives. The main goal of the self defense class is to promote physical fitness, to tone the body and gain muscle, and have fun. A good work out will also act as a stress reliever. Self defense gives each student self confidence, self discipline, and mental alertness. The Sensei's will motivate each student to higher achievement, not only in self defense, but in all aspects of life