Stephanie’s early education and love for dance started in the suburbs of Chicago at Paula Aubrey’s School of Dance. She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance from the University of Idaho and further, a Master’s of Science in Recreation Therapy from the University of Florida. She has had a wide range of experience in her professional dance career, starting in Florida as a Miami Heat Dancer and a Character Dancer at Walt Disney World.

More recently, Stephanie was the Competition Director for East County Performing Arts Center in Brentwood, California. For 17 years, she was a teacher and choreographer for the competition team specializing in technique, private lessons, and choreography cleaning. Stephanie’s students have helped to add to her list of accomplishments winning choreography awards from over 10 different national competitions. She also co-founded and led The Ballet Company of East County as the Artistic Director which puts on, amongst other productions, an elaborate and very successful interpretation of The Nutcracker each year. Through the years the part she is most proud of are the dancers that have gone on to work on Broadway, for the Raiders and the Kings, Disney, in Las Vegas, traveling shows and of course the dancers who teach and choreograph now!

Today, Stephanie’s favorite part of her work is judging at Competitions and teaching on the convention circuit!  She has judged for many national competitions over the last 8 years and loves meeting dancers and teachers that share the same passion for dance.

Sydney Knudson Mitchell works as a Dance Teacher, Judge, Master Teacher, and Choreographer around the country. As a young adult she traveled the United States and Australia with the Star Dance Alliance, directing and planning dance competitions, teaching master classes ,and setting outside choreography. She has won numerous awards for her choreography including- National Musical Theater Choreographer of the year. She grew up as a competitive dancer and holds two Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Dance and Organizational Sciences. She is also Ellove Technique and Acrobatic A Certified and BASI Pilates Certified. In collaboration with her work in the dance competition industry, Sydney has years of experience in teaching in studio, dance team, and convention settings. Sydney's passion is educating dancers on true foundational technique built on strength and education.