Meet Our Instructors and Staff

Barbara Cedergren | Owner and Director of Dance Instruction

Barb has danced since age 3 at studios in the Green Bay area and throughout Wisconsin and the Chicago area. It was always Barb’s childhood dream to own her own dance studio. Her true love for dance helped her to establish and open Barb’s Centre for Dance in 1985. Under her guidance and with the help of her talented and dedicated staff, Barb’s Centre for Dance has grown to become one of the largest and most respected studios in the state of Wisconsin. Barb’s goal has always been to provide all of Northeast Wisconsin with the best dance education possible set in a welcoming and comfortable learning environment. Many thousands of dance students have experienced not only the professional instruction but also the sincere praise and encouragement it takes to foster young student’s character and self-esteem. Barb takes much pride and joy in the studio’s seasonal production, “Spirit of the Holidays, A Celebration of Dance”. The production is designed to feature our young dancer’s talents while celebrating the ‘reason for the season’. All profits from the shows and the weekend events are donated to local charitable organizations that serve both our Green Bay and Fox Valley locations communities. Over $406,175 has been raised and donated to very worthy local organizations like The Freedom House of Green Bay and Homeless Connections of the Fox Valley. Barb plans to continue growing the event and helping her students give back to the community.

Samantha Hunt | Director of Competitive Dance

Samantha 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.

Jen Palma | Director of Ballet 360

Jennifer started dancing in a suburb of Chicago at age four. Her family relocated to Wisconsin where her passion for dance continued to grow. She continued to dance through college and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a bachelor of social work with a focus in dance therapy. Jen has been sharing her knowledge and love of dance with her students for over a decade and has been awarded multiple choreography awards. Her students have also received multiple awards for technical excellence and overall championships awards. She continues to attend workshops and events to keep her dance knowledge current and to help her students excel to higher levels.

Shauna Moos

Shauna has been dancing ever since the age of 10 years old. She trained in Arizona and In Las Vegas, Nevada. She continued her training by attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas focusing on concert dance and obtaining her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. She went on to start her teaching journey at Innovation Dance as well as training with hip hop mentors from Jabbawockeez, Genesis, Exodus, and Freestyle crews. She began her own crew called The Killa’s Project. Her professional Line of Work consists of shows, gigs, back up dancing for various artists known as The Backstreet boys, Ginuwine, and Vheeriv, and performing in music Videos. She performed in a burlesque show called “XBurlesque’’ and gogo danced at many nightclubs in Las Vegas, as well as performed at a few corporate events. She specializes in Hip hop, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Contemporary, and Acro. She currently resides in Green Bay, Wisconsin where she is a Full Time Teacher Now at Barb’s Centre For Dance.

Laura Kowaleski

Laura 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.

Molly Melendy (Cupit)

Molly is a dancer, choreographer, and educator who is keen on sharing her passion and love of dance to others. A BCFD alumni, she began dancing at the age of 2 and never looked back. Since then Molly has danced professionally in various modern companies during her time in New York City, danced in NFL halftime performances, and has modeled for various campaigns. She most recently spent her time teaching and choreographing nationwide, having a home base in Minneapolis, MN. Molly has traveled as a convention master class teacher and dance adjudicator. Molly’s choreography has won multiple awards regionally and nationally. We look forward to the talent and energy she will bring!

Alicia Welhouse

Alicia grew up in Kaukauna WI and has been dancing since age 3. A BCFD alumni, Alicia continued her dance training at UW-Stevens Point and at Red Rock College in Lakewood, CO. Teaching since 2010, Alicia has coached both recreational and competition teams. She has received numerous awards including the Al Gilbert and Tap Excellence award. Her extensive tap dance training including the Hollywood Tap Fest in CA, Totally Tap in Nebraska, the Tap-In in Colorado and the Big Apple Tap Festival in NYC. We’re excited to welcome Alicia back to BCFD!

Max Timmer

Max is a dedicated dance teacher in his sixth year at Barb’s with over 15 years of dance training. With extensive training under Barb Cedegren, Samantha Hunt, Laura Kowaleski and Jen Palma, Max is passionate about nurturing his students' growth as both dancers and individuals. He has received multiple overall and judges' awards from regional competitions, reflecting his commitment to excellence in dance. Additionally, Max has furthered his development at St. Norbert College's Next Stage program, where he trained under Andrea Hearden and Teresa Schmidt. His experience and dedication make it him a valuable mentor to aspiring dancers

Hannah Bradshaw

Hannah grew up in Amarllo, TX. where she trained and performed in all styles of dance. Hannah attended summer programs with the American Ballet Theatre and competed in the Youth America Grand Prix regionals in Denver and finals in New York City. After graduating high school, she began her professional career as an Apprentice with the Oklahoma City Ballet and later became a trainee with BalletMet Columbus. She was chosen to perform and tour with the company in productions of “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, and “Alice in Wonderland.” Hannah has most recently been a competitive team coach and choreographer at Rock City Dance Center in Little Rock, AR.She’ll be bringing her talent and passion to our studios.

Caitlyn Skenandore

Caitlyn is a dedicated dancer with extensive training in classical ballet. She began her formal training on scholarship at Ballet Idaho Academy in 2011, where she studied until 2022 and was awarded the John William Jackson Fund scholarship for her talent and commitment. Under the direction of Peter Anastos, she performed in company productions such as The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Edward Liang’s Cinderella. She has also trained with distinguished instructors through masterclasses and at Westside School of Ballet in Los Angeles.

Caitlyn began teaching in 2014 and has since instructed dancers of all ages and styles, including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and heels. From 2023–2024, she trained, taught, and performed in Kaua’i, Hawai’i, where she was mentored by Jennifer Schwartz Bell-Grey and Yevhenii Kuchvar, performing classical pas de deuxs and coaching young ballerinas. She has continued expanding her versatility through training in Latin, modern, and commercial dance styles.

Now based in Green Bay, Caitlyn recently performed with NEWDO’s Nutcracker as Snow Queen, Lead Marzipan, and in the Flowers Corps. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers while continuing to grow as a performer, teacher, and choreographer.

Kerri Vaile

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.

Jess Guse

Jess has been working as a teaching assistant at our Fox Valley studio. She is from Appleton and attended Renaissance School for the Arts and the University of Wisconsin - Fox Valley. Jessica has danced competitively for many years and has also worked as a dance instructor at Inclusion Dance. She is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance at BCFD.

Mackenzie Timmer

Mackenzie danced at Barb’s Centre for Dance since the age of 4 and on a competitive travel team with Barb’s from age 7 until she graduated. She went to St. Norbert College, where she studied early childhood development and communications. She performed and competed with their collegiate dance team for 2 years. She has a passion for children and all things dance. This will be her 10th year teaching at Barb’s.

Abbi Wasielewski

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.

Murphy Shimek

Murphy has been a part of Barb's Centre for Dance for over 28 years where she began dancing at the young age of 2. She danced competitively with BCFD for 10 years, winning dozens of national and regional titles. After high school, Murphy attended Valparaiso University to pursue degrees in Public Relations and Dance. While studying at Valpo, Murphy danced and choreographed a number of routines for the Dance Ensemble between 2010-2014. In addition to choreographing and dancing for Valparaiso's Dance Ensemble, Murphy also taught and choreographed at United Dance Arts 2012-2014. After college, Murphy moved back to Green Bay where she began teaching at Barb's Centre for Dance part time. Specializing in tap and jazz for all ages, she has choreographed many award winning routines for the BCFD competition and travel teams. She absolutely loves spending time with the BCFD students and watching them learn and grow year after year!

Jordan Seitz

Jordan began dancing at Barb’s Centre for Dance at the age of three and went on to compete in multiple styles at regional and national competitions. She earned a double major in Dance and Psychology with a Leadership Certificate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied and performed under renowned artists and contributed to the campus dance community through Optima Dance and the Madison Dance Conference.

Her performance career includes dancing professionally with Madison Contemporary Dance Company (2014–2016) and appearances at national festivals, workshops, and conferences, including ACDFA, World Dance Alliance, Arts Alive, and Break the Floor Tap Conference in New York City. Jordan has also worked as a guest teaching artist in Chicago and stage manager at the Margaret H’Doubler Theater.Since 2013, Jordan has been part of the Barb’s Centre for Dance teaching staff, where she enjoys sharing her love of dance with students of all ages and levels.

Lacy Slaats

Lacy Slaats grew up in northeast Wisconsin, training in a variety of styles and dancing competitively at Barb’s Centre For Dance. There Lacy had the opportunity to discover her passion for teaching and choreographing. Throughout her high school years, she began assisting as well as setting her own award winning choreography. Lacy completed her education at The Ohio State University where she received her BFA in Dance with a Business minor. During her time at Ohio State, she had the opportunity to learn and perform work from faculty such as Bebe Miller, Abby Zbikowski, Crystal Michelle Perkins, and Charles O. Anderson. Her training also included collaborations with BalletMet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Her choreographic thesis, Praxis, was chosen to be restaged and performed internationally. Lacy has performed historic works by Martha Graham and Anna Sokolow across Paris, while also facilitating and leading discussions about how these works relate to global societal issues today. Recently, she demonstrated and assisted in the restaging of Balanchine’s Agon on artists of the New York City Ballet. Lacy has continued to teach throughout the years, striving to share her love for dance with others.