Miss. Jessica OWNER/DIRECTOR
Meet Josie! She is in her 6th season at West Michigan Elite. She is a competitive dancer and loves the community she is a part of at WME. She loves learning and improving in the classroom, and enjoys taking what she has learned and applying in her teaching role.
Meet Addison! She is a senior in high school this year and in her 13th season with West Michigan Elite. She is working at West Michigan Elite as a Junior Teacher before she graduates and is ready to take on more classes.
Meet Miss. Alexis Ellen! She grew up dancing at both Body Language Dance Company and West Michigan Elite, where her passion for dance flourished. With over six years of experience working with children as a full-time nanny, Lexi brings her love for teaching and working with kids into everything she does. Her natural ability to connect with children, both in and out of the dance studio, makes her a valuable part of the WME family.
When she’s not busy working, Lexi enjoys tapping into her creative side through art and yoga. She’s also a devoted vinyl collector, always adding new records to her growing collection. At home, Lexi’s heart belongs to her two spoiled cats, Gracie and Kevin, who are never far from her side. With her nurturing spirit and artistic passions, Miss Lexi is excited to share her love for dance and creativity with her students!
Miss. Maddie COMPETITIVE TEAM INSTRUCTOR
AVALYN VERVILLE
Meet Avy! She is in her 6th season with West Michigan Elite. She is a competitive dancer. Avy has started her junior teaching career this season and shows her dedication every day she is at the studio.
"WME and My Students are my pride and joy. I absolutely love seeing my students succeed, learn new things, and have those "ah-ha" moments. I have always envisioned WME to be a safe place for any child to not feel judged, gain confidence, and create new friendships. Our students are amazing humans who have the kindest hearts. "
Meet Miss. Becca Workman! She has been a WERQ® Dance Fitness instructor for over 7 years and brings a contagious energy to every class she teaches. WERQ® is an exhilarating dance fitness format that blends athletic moves with fun, rhythmic choreography set to pop and hip-hop hits. Known for creating a high-energy, party-like atmosphere, Becca’s classes are designed for a serious calorie burn that doesn’t feel like a workout—it feels like a dance party!
Her passion for both dance and fitness shines through in every session, and she loves being able to share that joy with her students. Being an instructor allows her to connect with people, helping them feel confident and empowered through movement.
MEET OUR JUNIOR TEACHERS
Our Junior Teachers are our teachers in training. These are our current students dedicated to West Michigan Elite and wanting to gain experience teaching.
Miss. Kaitlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Meet Gracie! She is in her 7th season at West Michigan Elite. Gracie is a competitive dancer and loves growing in each of her classes. She loves helping in the classroom and is an excellent role model to the younger students.
Meet Miss. Abby Machesky! She trained at the elite level in the Detroit area for 15 years. After high school, Abby continued her dance career by traveling with two competition & convention companies- Dupree Dance and EnerGy National Dance Competition from 2017-2021. Additionally, Abby obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at Michigan State University in 2021. Abby is certified in Barre, and completing her 200 hour training to become a Registered Yoga Teacher. Abby is the Program Director of the Competitive Teams and the Lady Fit programs.
Meet OUR WME Tribe of Teachers
Meet Miss. Jessica Stadt! She has been teaching students as young as 2 years old since 2006. Her favorite styles to teach are pom and jazz. Miss Jessica grew up in Forest Hills, Michigan, and now lives with her husband, Josh, and their dogs, Molly & Moxie. Outside of WME, Jessica likes to be outdoors, hiking, camping, and being on the water.
ADDISON BYRNE
Meet Morgan! She is in her 9th season with West Michigan Elite. She is a competitive dancer and loves helping in the classroom. She is dedicated to helping students with their goals, and is great at bringing a positive attitude in each class.
RYENN DYKHUIZEN
CONTACT
Call or Text: (616) 466-4408
Address: 6841 Lake Michigan Dr,
Allendale MI, 49401 US
Miss. Abby PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Miss. Kylie DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Miss. Melanie
ITTY BITTY DANCE INSTRUCTOR
GRACIE RAAP
Miss. Lexi RECEPTIONIST
Meet Miss. Kylie Townley! She has been dancing for 20 years, and her love for the art form only continues to grow. With her deep experience, she enjoys teaching a variety of dance styles, from ballet to hip-hop, and she’s always thrilled to share her passion with the next generation of dancers. Her classes are filled with energy, encouragement, and a focus on helping each student find their own unique style.
In addition to her dance background, Miss Kylie cheered on the GVSU cheer team during her college years, showcasing her versatility and dedication to performance. Her time as a cheerleader gave her a strong sense of teamwork and spirit, which she now brings to her dance classes, motivating her students to support one another and push their boundaries.
Miss Kylie is ready for an exciting year of creativity, learning, and plenty of fun on the dance floor!
Miss. Becca WERQ® INSTRUCTOR
JOSIE NYKAMP
Miss. Kathleen BALLET INSTRUCTOR
Meet Miss. Melanie Moore! She discovered her love for dance at just 5 years old, and by 8, she was fully immersed in her first tap, ballet, and jazz classes. It wasn’t long before she realized that dance would become a lifelong passion. In high school, she took her dedication to the next level, becoming a dance teacher—a role she’s held for the past 20 years without skipping a beat!
Her love for teaching spans across all ages, but she finds special joy in working with preschoolers. Their enthusiasm and energy bring a unique spark to her classes, especially in her favorite styles of ballet and tap.
Outside of the studio, she’s a devoted mom to three wonderful children, aged 9, 5, and 2, who keep her just as busy and joyful as her students do. Balancing her professional and personal life, she graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts and has since embraced homeschooling her kids, fostering a creative and nurturing learning environment at home as well.
MENU
FUN - SAFE - POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE WHERE KIDS GAIN CONFIDENCE!
Meet Miss. Angela VandenBrink! She has been a warm and welcoming part of the West Michigan Elite family since the fall of 2019. Over the years, she has enjoyed getting to know the dancers and their families, many of whom have become close friends. Her infectious enthusiasm for the WME community shines through in everything she does, and she truly loves being part of the supportive and fun atmosphere at the studio.
Though her dance background comes from country line dancing rather than classical training, Angela is always learning something new from the talented dancers she works with, and she embraces the fun of it all with a smile and a sense of humor! She’s a proud dance mom to her daughter, Preslee, who is 6 years old and currently in her fifth dance season at WME.
Angela is always ready to lend a helping hand or share a friendly chat, so whether you have questions or just want to say hello, don’t hesitate to stop by the desk and connect with her!
Miss. Angela RECEPTIONIST
Meet Miss. Maddie Machesky! She is a Detroit native who fell in love with dance at just 2 years old! Her passion for dance led her to competitive dancing, which she continued throughout high school. During those years, she also began teaching dance and assisting other instructors at various competitions and conventions.
While in college, she worked for Dupree Dance Competition and Convention as a Lead Assistant teacher. In 2016, she joined West Michigan Elite, where she has been sharing her love for dance ever since, now with 25 years of experience under her belt.
In her free time, she enjoys being with family and friends, spending time with her cat, Goose, and teaching dancers to express themselves through the joy and art of dance.
MORGAN VANDERWAGEN
Meet Miss. Audra Ellen! She has been passionate about dance since the age of 3, and her love for the art has only grown over the years. With three years of competitive dance under her belt, she has developed a strong connection to hip-hop and jazz, her favorite styles. Whether she’s teaching or performing, Miss Audra brings energy and enthusiasm to every dance floor she steps on.
Outside of dance, she enjoys spending time at concerts and making memories with her family, balancing her love for movement with fun and relaxation. Her vibrant personality and passion for dance make her a favorite among her students!
SOCIALS
Meet Ryenn! She is in her 9th season with West Michigan Elite. And started her junior teaching career this year. She is a fabulous dancer and leader in the classroom. She strives to always make everyone feel welcome.
Meet Miss. Kathleen Lucas! She grew up in West Michigan and for over 30 years has trained in styles including ballet and pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and swing. With over 15 years of experience as an instructor, Miss Kathleen believes dance classes teach so much more than “just technique” and that studying dance helps students learn valuable life skills.
Besides teaching dance, Miss Kathleen works in the construction group at a local architectural/engineering firm. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters, who also dance at WME, and her partner. They have two cats at home, Gretchen Kitmer and Scarf.
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Miss. Audra RECEPTIONIST/
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Meet Miss. Kaitlyn Townley! has been immersed in the world of dance for over 16 years, and for the past 6 years, she's been sharing her passion as a dance instructor. Her journey in dance has been one of dedication, joy, and growth, and she finds immense fulfillment in helping young dancers develop their skills and confidence.
In addition to her love for dance, Kaitlyn is pursuing an academic path at Grand Valley State University, where she’s majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology.
Kaitlyn is thrilled for the year ahead and can’t wait to see the growth, creativity, and energy that her students will bring to each class.
WEST MICHIGAN ELITE POM & DANCE