Studio 149 Dance


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	Tricia Graf; Founder, Artistic Director Mrs. Graf founded Studio 149 with 25 years of study in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Tap, when serving Promise Ministries as their Children's Ministry Director. Her experience consisted of competitive dance (obtaining various high score awards, and traveling across the country for both regionals and nationals), theater/musicals/Ballet's, (with lead roles in Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Godspell, MacBeth, Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, The Nutcracker Sweet, and Peter and the Wolf), and teaching. She has attended classes and training workshops at a variety of professional schools which include, Giordano and Hubbard Street Dance Centers in Chicago. Before receiving her BA in General Studies with her Minor in Dance from Indiana-Purdue University, Fort
		Wayne, Mrs. Graf attended Concordia University with three years of education and a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology. Her love for teaching and continually looking for opportunities to grow in all dance genres and teaching styles, shows. Before coming to Fort Wayne, she taught for numerous schools including the prestigious Ballet Conservatory of Lewisville, Texas. She has been honored to teach extensive summer workshops, which include Master Teachers from all over the world. Mrs. Graf has created and choreographed over 250 original works, including shows such as; “More Then a Dream,” “Creation,” “The Polar Express Experience,” and Studio 149’s renditions of "Peter and the Wolf," "The Wizard of Oz," and the 2012 production to be announced, "Peter Pan." Mrs. Graf currently teaches in the Dance Minor Program at IPFW. She is honored to teach in the academic course work given through the program, such as: Dance History, Movement/Culture, and Dance Teaching Methods. She is also honored to teach Jazz Seminar 1 this fall. Most recently, Mrs. Graf has also taken a position at the University of Saint Francis, teaching Ballet and Intro to Jazz Styles serving the Visual Performing Arts and Physical Education Programs. Mrs. Graf is currently preparing to enter the Masters in Education Program at USF in 2012, which focuses on children with exceptional needs in the K-12 setting.


	Kim Slygh, Business Director Mrs. Kim Slygh has been Studio 149’s Business Director for the past eight years. After enrolling her oldest daughter Lauren, who was 4 at the time, she realized her passion for this ministry. Feeling the desire to assist our founder, Mrs. Graf, in growing this ministry for Christ, she volunteered her time organizing the registration process, showcase costume ordering, and accounting. This dedication lead to assisting Studio 149 in becoming a Non-For-Profit Organization, and growing it’s families by offering her time commitment so Mrs. Graf could concentrate on the artistic portion of the Studio. Miss Kim, as we all know her, enjoys her time spent managing the studio and she exclaims with great passion, “When you see these students perform and shine the love for their Savior through their artistic expression; undoubtedly, I couldn’t resist to be a part of this ministry, for my girls, and our students.”

Kaitlyn York, Ballet and Contemporary Instructor

Kaitlyn York began her dance training at age 11 under the instruction of our artistic director Mrs. Graf. With training rooted in ballet technique, Kaitlyn was able to discover her passion for dance, and most importantly dance that gives our God glory. Kaitlyn has held numerous awards in dance at competitions such as “I Love Dance” and “Dance USA,” earning golds for her solos as well as group choreography. She has been chosen to play lead roles in ballets such as “Peter and

the Wolf.” She has continued her training in other dance forms at numerous studiosacross Ft. Wayne, in addition to the Varsity Northrop Jazz/Lyrical Dance Team, which God used to develop her interest in contemporary. Through her training, Kaitlyn has volunteered her time by working at Studio 149 first as a helper and then as an assistant and student teacher, and is now part of our faculty. Her love for teaching children has extended into her college career by majoring in Elementary Education at IPFW on a full ride scholarship in academics. Miss York is an extraordinary young woman with a passion for her Lord and we are truly blessed to have her as our newest addition to our faculty.

Stephanie Eastom, Tap instructor

With over 13 years of tap experience, Mrs. Stephanie Eastom has taught and assisted with tap classes at Studio 149 for over 5 years. Stephanie is a devoted wife and mother of two who started volunteering with Studio 149 when her daughter's tap class was in need of an assistant. "I realized my love for helping the students and my passion for tap dance could be used to praise our Lord and knew that this is where and what I needed to be doing."