Teacher Bios
Heather Heupel
Ms. Heather has trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet training for the past 28 years. These years have included training under the direction of Mrs. Susan Robbins and attending many workshops and seminars with fine instructors. She has completed five examinations that allow her to teach the Italian Classical Ballet Method under the Cecchetti Council of America. She has completed testing in ballet, tap, and jazz to become a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
Having danced from early childhood through college, she has studied ballet, tap, and jazz from various teachers throughout America. As a student, she has passed student exams I-V in the Cecchetti method. She continues her dance education by attending workshops and taking Cecchetti exams. She is a graduate of Dickinson State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Music.
She is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She is also a member of the Northern Plains Cecchetti Council Committee.
Heather will be teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and all Cecchetti classes at the Academy.
Cassi Leintz
Ms. Cassi attended the Academy of Dance in junior high and high school, taking her Cecchitti student exams through Grade III. She also danced on the DHS dance team for four years, serving as a choreographer and captain her senior year. Cassi was accepted to complete the Radio City Rockette summer intensive and attended two Chicago National Association of Dance Masters summer intensives. She studied dance (modern, ballet, jazz, and hip hop) and economics at the University of Minnesota. Cassi recently coached jazz/hip hop with Just for Kix. She is in her sixth year with American Bank Center, working as the Lead Credit Analyst. Cassi will be teaching Ballet IV, Hip Hop II and III.
Monica Lefor
Miss Monica is in her 12th year of dance at the Academy of Dance. She loves expressing herself through ballet, Cecchetti, tap, and jazz. Miss Monica is a senior homeschool student who is also taking classes at DHS and DSU. She plans to attend the University of Mary in Bismarck next year where she hopes to study journalism and communications. Miss Monica enjoys spending time with her family, participating in church events, and has found a new interest in Student Congress. She is excited to share her love of dance with younger students. Miss Monica teaches Intro to Jazz and Hip Hop and Jazz 1.
Ms. Heather has trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet training for the past 28 years. These years have included training under the direction of Mrs. Susan Robbins and attending many workshops and seminars with fine instructors. She has completed five examinations that allow her to teach the Italian Classical Ballet Method under the Cecchetti Council of America. She has completed testing in ballet, tap, and jazz to become a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
Having danced from early childhood through college, she has studied ballet, tap, and jazz from various teachers throughout America. As a student, she has passed student exams I-V in the Cecchetti method. She continues her dance education by attending workshops and taking Cecchetti exams. She is a graduate of Dickinson State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Music.
She is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She is also a member of the Northern Plains Cecchetti Council Committee.
Heather will be teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and all Cecchetti classes at the Academy.
Cassi Leintz
Ms. Cassi attended the Academy of Dance in junior high and high school, taking her Cecchitti student exams through Grade III. She also danced on the DHS dance team for four years, serving as a choreographer and captain her senior year. Cassi was accepted to complete the Radio City Rockette summer intensive and attended two Chicago National Association of Dance Masters summer intensives. She studied dance (modern, ballet, jazz, and hip hop) and economics at the University of Minnesota. Cassi recently coached jazz/hip hop with Just for Kix. She is in her sixth year with American Bank Center, working as the Lead Credit Analyst. Cassi will be teaching Ballet IV, Hip Hop II and III.
Monica Lefor
Miss Monica is in her 12th year of dance at the Academy of Dance. She loves expressing herself through ballet, Cecchetti, tap, and jazz. Miss Monica is a senior homeschool student who is also taking classes at DHS and DSU. She plans to attend the University of Mary in Bismarck next year where she hopes to study journalism and communications. Miss Monica enjoys spending time with her family, participating in church events, and has found a new interest in Student Congress. She is excited to share her love of dance with younger students. Miss Monica teaches Intro to Jazz and Hip Hop and Jazz 1.
