Meet Our Instructors and Staff

Samantha Hunt began her BCFD career as an outside choreographer for BCFD competitive dance teams. In 2017, she moved from Las Vegas, NV and became an official staff member. Originally from Chesterfield, Michigan, Samantha has graced the dance world both competitively and professionally. Training for over 20 years, Samantha specializes in modern, lyrical, jazz and stretch. She has worked in numerous shows in Las Vegas. Her credits include; “Masquerade Show in the Sky”, Buck Wild, The Sopranos, Bite and Sin City Comedy. She has also performed in such industrials as Beauty Craft and Maly’s Hair Shows, the NFL Thanksgiving Day Half Time Show and the Detroit Shock Team. Samantha has worked with such stars as Debbi Allen, Paula Abdul and Enrique Iglesias. She has had training from, Dee and Denis Caspary, Gus Giordano (The Jazz Dance World Congress), Ray Savage, Mia Michales, Jason Parsons and Lauren Adams. She has choreographed all over the United States winning many awards and has received outstanding ovations for her hard work and dedication.

Laura Kowaleski began taking dance lessons at the age of three through high school participating in annual recitals and many competitions. She also attends numerous dance workshops and conventions. During high school she was selected as a member of the American All-Star Dance Team and performed during halftime of Super Bowl XXX and at Euro Disney in Paris, France. Ms Kowaleski continued her dance education at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She choreographed and performed in the University’s AfterImages program each year from 1996-2000. She also performed in Danstage during 1999 and 2000. Ms Kowaleski graduated from UW-Stevens Point in May 2000 with a double major in Dance and Business. She has also trained at “Broadway Dance Center” and “Steps” in New York City. Ms Kowaleski has worked for Barb’s Centre for Dance since 1994. Her first six years were part-time as school permitted. Since graduation from college, she has worked at at Barb's Centre for Dance. We are very proud to have her as a key member of our faculty.

Hope Sitzberger is dedicated, driven artist, passionate about creating a space where dance can inspire and motivate everyone it comes in contact with! She grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin training locally with Barbs Centre for Dance and Makaroff School of Ballet. She then continued her training at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Hope received her BFA in Dance with a concentration in Modern. While there, she worked with renowned faculty such as Jason McDole, Kiesha Lalama, Crystal Frazier, Shana Simmons. After graduation, she had the opportunity to dance with Visceral Dance Company, in Chicago Illinois. Hope set her first choreographic work in the Senior Dance Project “compliment to the sun”; she plans on growing her passion of choreography and educating. 

Kerri started dancing at 6 years old. She started at different dance studio then switched to Barb's, where she danced all through high school and even was on the Pom-Pon squad.  

Kerri received her BFA in Dance and a business degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After graduating, she moved to Chicago to pursue her dancing career. While living in Chicago, Kerri danced professionally for 12 years and taught at various dance studios around Chicagoland. She implemented several Parent Tot dance programs and Creative Movement classes for little dancers. This is where Kerri found her passion for teaching the babies/little dancers. Kerri moved back to Green Bay in late summer 2016 to be closer to her family and has taught at Barb's since. She considers the studio her 2nd home and loves teaching at Barb's. Kerri's teaching styles include Creative Movement (Pre-Ballet and Tap), Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary, Hippity Hop, and basic Ballroom. She is trained in the Leap N' Learn Dance Program. Kerri is also Mat Pilates certified. When Kerri isn't teaching, she loves spending time with her family and likes traveling to see her friends in Chicago. She loves anything fitness related. Kerri is thrilled to be teaching her passion, dance. 

Kara has been dancing for 15 years, 9 of which have been with BCFD. Her favorite styles are Tap, Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary. She's grown up and lived in the Appleton area her entire life. As a class of 2022 graduate, Kara decided to jump right into teaching at BCFD. Along with teaching, she works at the FV front desk. In her free time, she likes spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors. She loves working with the kids and can't wait to watch them grow.

Tiffany's deep connection to dance, started in her formative years in Eau Claire, WI, where she attended studio dance classes, specializing in various styles such as jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and pom. Her dedication and skills led her to become the captain of her high school varsity dance team, achieving success at the state level.

Her passion for dance persisted as she pursued further education in dance at UW-Stout, later transitioning into teaching at a local studio. Upon relocating, she enrolled her daughters in dance classes at Barb's Centre for Dance-Fox Valley and swiftly became an instructor herself. Beyond her love for dance, Tiffany cherishes family time, frequently indulging in activities with her loved ones. She enjoys attending sporting events, relishing moments by the lake, and nurturing her relationship with date nights alongside her husband.

Ms. Emily is an alumni of BCFD, and trained for 14 years in various disciplines. Additionally, Ms. Emily has worked with choreographers such as Samantha Hunt, Kevin Leon, Eddie Garcia, Hailey Mac, Liz Imperio, and Twitch. While attending UW-Madison to pursue a degree in education, Ms. Emily also continued her training within the dance department taking various collegiate dance classes. Outside of the studio, Ms Emily is an educator in the Pulaski Community School District. Ms. Emily is excited to return to BCFD, and share her passion with other dancers! 

Abbi started dancing when she was 6 years old, beginning with ballet and quickly adding tap and jazz to the lineup. By the time she came to Barb's Centre For Dance when she was 13 year old. Abbie was dedicated to expanding her dance vocabulary across numerous dance styles. To continue her dance training while also learning more about dance history, teaching, choreographing, and physiology she studied at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Abbi graduated with her BA in dance and minor in creative writing from Stevens Point in May of 2023. She is dedicated to spreading the love and passion for dance among students and hopes to inspire many young dancers as she continues to teach. When not dancing, Abbi likes to spend her free time with her family and loved ones, playing video and board games, watching movies, collecting rubber ducks, and exploring the central Wisconsin area.

Jordan began her love for dance at Barb’s Centre for Dance when she was 3 years old. While a student at Barb’s Centre for Dance, Jordan competed in various styles at national and regional competitions. She continued her studies and graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a double major in dance and psychology and a certificate in leadership. Within her education, she has had the opportunity to study and perform under profound artists such as: Li Chiao-Ping, Peggy Choy, Kate Corby, Zi Hao Li, Andrea Harris, Mariah LeFeber, Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, Robin Pettersen, Liz Sexe, Marlene Skog, Collette Stewart, Chris Walker, Michael Whaites, and Jin-Wen Yu. She also had the opportunity to attend various workshops including ACDFA in Madison, WI and Mankato, MN.  During her time in Madison, Jordan participated and held offices in Optima Dance, a student led dance organization.  She also contributed to the dance community by organizing the Madison Dance Conference 2011-2013. Jordan also worked as a stage manager and stage crew for shows held at the Margaret H’Doubler Theater at UW-Madison. From 2014 – 2016 Jordan danced professionally with Madison Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of Sara Rohs. To further her education Jordan spent time in New York City. She attended the Break the Floor Tap Conference during July of 2006, where she had the opportunity to dance in an off-Broadway show.  In 2010, she performed in the World Dance Alliance; and in 2011 she attended Dance Education Laboratory to further her dance teaching education. Jordan also participated in Arts Alive in Chicago, Illinois during 2012. Chicago also provided Jordan with the opportunity to teach tap as a guest artist during the fall of 2012. In 2013, Jordan started teaching all ages, styles, and levels at Barb’s Centre for Dance and is excited to be part of the teaching staff again this year. She loves working with people and is energized when she can share her love of dance with others.