Guest Artists

Kaitlin Arena

Kaitlin Arena began her dance training at Spotlight Dance Works at age seven and continued in the Pre-Professional Company until her high school graduation in 2017. During her time at Spotlight, Kaitlin had the honor of performing works and training under Sonya Tayeh, Lauren Adams, Adam McGaw, Meg Paul, and more. In May of 2021, Kaitlin graduated from Oakland University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. During her undergraduate training she participated in intensives through LA Contemporary Dance, Gibney Company, and studied dance abroad in Berlin, Germany at the Tanzfabrik and the Freie Universität. Kaitlin was honored with the Oakland University Maggie Allesee Choreography Award in 2021 for her self-produced show, The Things We Feel. She has set works on Brenau University Dance Program, Oakland Dance Theater and Eisenhower Dance Detroit Youth Ensemble which was selected for the Emerging Choreographer Award at Midstate Regional Dance America. a professional company member with Take Root, under artistic direction of Ali Woerner. Currently, She is a company and recreational instructor at Spotlight Dance Works. Kaitlin is certified in Dance for Parkinson’s, is an Acrobatic Arts certified teacher, and is a Pilates instructor at Reforming Foundation Pilates and Wellness in Rochester, MI.  As a movement educator, Kaitlin is passionate about making all of her students feel confident, gain creativity, and grow as dancers and humans! 

Chase Braun

Chase Braun is currently a senior at the University of Michigan pursuing a degree in Neuroscience. He is upcoming his fourth year on Dance 2xs Michigan, U of M’s pre-professional hip hop crew performing at venues featuring Necto, The Metro in Chicago,and Little Caesar’s Arena, as well as qualifying for the World of Dance Championship. Chase was a student at Rhythmn N Jump, training in all styles on the competition team. He was also Captain on L’Anse Creuse High School Varsity Dance Team and has come back as an alum to teach for the past 3 years. Chase also recently danced with the opener for the artist Chappell Roan. He is very excited to challenge and inspire students. 

Sydney Duhaime

Sydney Duhaime competitively danced for 8 years in all styles and trained under the direction of Kelly Powers. Sydney has won countless scholarships and overalls at all Break The Floor conventions/competitions. As well as scholarships at The Dance Awards and Hollywood Connection Nationals. She also spent two years on the Tremaine Performance Company and as well as assisted classes at Hollywood Connection and Ignite Dance Convention. She recently graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelors of Science in Advertising. 

Maggie Kirkum

Maggie Kirkum grew up dancing at Rhythm N Jump Dance Academy. She is a current Junior at L'Anse Creuse High School. Maggie is apart of the Pankow Dance Performing Arts Program under the direction of Niki Thuman and is a second-year Captain of the L'Anse Creuse Varsity Dance Team under the direction of Diana Balgenorth. During her time at Rhythm N Jump Dance Academy, Maggie has helped develop and assist our Inclusive Dance Program for Special Needs Dancers. Maggie is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pointe, and pom lead by Suzette D'Andrea. She is also certified in Cecchetti grades 1 and 2. Maggie has performed in numerous productions of BalletMet's The Nutcracker directed by Dmitri Suslov, Darielle Eberhard, Daryl Kamer, JoAnn Cusmano, and Judith Molina. Additionally, Maggie has won multiple titles, broadway invitations, and scholarships from 27/4, Nuvo, DMI, Kids Artistic Revue, Breakout, StarQuest, Spotlight Dance Cup, Ignite and more. Last season, Maggie recieved the highest scoring dance of the weekend for her duet at Kids Artistic Revue with a free entry to Ultra Dance Competition. Maggie is also a delagate for the Miss America Organization where she has won scholarships and talent awards to help her continue to grow with her platform and passions. Maggie is so excited to share her love and passion for dance with our students!

Nathan Manella

Nathan Manella  is currently a student at the University of Michigan where he is majoring in dance. He grew up dancing at Spotlight Dance Works where he was a member of the Pre-Professional Program under the direction of Liz Schmidt. Nathan has received the honor of working with choreographers such as Adam Mcgaw, Lauren Adams, Meg Paul, and Lily Sheppard. He is trained in styles such as contemporary, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, ballroom, and modern. He is currently an Honored Assistant for both Revive and Adrenaline conventions. Nathan has been able to choreograph many pieces under the supervision of Niki Thuman while in the Pankow Performing Arts Program. Nathan has a great passion for choreography, and he loves seeing students learn and thrive in their dance journey!