Studio Owner & Instructor
Catie has a decades-long commitment to dance and a deep passion for helping others grow through movement. She began dancing at a young age and competed throughout her youth. In high school, she volunteered with a dance troupe for students with special needs—an experience that shaped her inclusive and compassionate approach to teaching. As someone who is autistic herself, Catie brings a unique perspective to her classes, creating a welcoming and supportive environment where every dancer can thrive.
She studied dance at Hope College and has led liturgical dance workshops both in West Michigan and internationally. Before founding Dance United, Catie taught at Discovery Dance in Fennville for nine years. Many of her students have gone on to dance on college teams, earn scholarships, and become teachers themselves.
Catie has her MA in Health & Wellness Coaching and is a Certified Autism Specialist. She blends her dance expertise with a holistic approach to education, supporting not only her students' technical growth, but also their confidence and well-being.
Outside the studio, Catie is married and a proud mom of four. She enjoys thrifting and binge-watching tv her free time.
Competition, Beginning & Advanced Level Instructor
Mari brings a lifelong love of dance to her teaching. Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, modern, and hip-hop, she began her journey as a member of a competitive and performance dance group, traveling both nationally and internationally. She went on to study dance at Hope College, earning a minor in dance and performing in numerous student and faculty productions. Mari was also a member of InSync Dance Theatre, a professional dance company, and later joined the Hope College dance faculty, where she taught jazz.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Mari started at her hometown studio and has spent the past 7 years at Discovery Dance of Fennville. Her students have gone on to perform with college dance teams, earn scholarships, and become dance educators themselves.
In addition to her work in the studio, Mari has taught first grade at Fennville Elementary for the last 15 years.
She is a proud mom to one son and enjoys reading, singing, playing guitar, and spending time with her friends and family.
Beginning/Intermediate Level Instructor
Ballet Instructor
Myléne (pronounced muh-lane, she/hers) is a West Michigan native returning home after eight years in Orlando, Florida. She has experience in competitive, recreational, and concert/performance dance across her fifteen years of teaching at W.E Dance Academy, the Zeeland Dance Program, Discovery Dance of Fennville, Studio K (Orlando, Fl), and Windermere Preparatory Academy (Windermere, Fl)
While living in Orlando, Florida, Myléne performed with Universal Studios Orlando in Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s for three seasons in five different roles and Halloween Horror Nights for four seasons, where she worked closely with performance directors for both Universal and Netflix. In addition to her performance opportunities, her eight year employment as a Cast Member at Walt Disney World provided an atmosphere of fun and creativity while challenging the way she interacted with people every day. These interactions showcased the importance of an inclusive environment for her dance students within the studio where every dancer feels heard, valued, and respected.
Myléne spends her spare time hanging out with her black lab named Tucker, spending time with her husband, taking pilates classes, and doing arts and crafts! She is so excited to be back in the Mitten, teaching dance at a Dance United as it aligns so perfectly with what she values most as a teacher and dancer.
Dance United
420 West 17th Street, Holland, Michigan 49423, United States
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