Artistic Staff

Stephanie Wood, Co-Director

Stephanie Wood began her early years of ballet training with Ballet Arts of Olympia. At the age of 15 Ms. Wood was invited to further her training at The Washington Academy of Performing Arts under the direction of Deborah Hadley; former principal ballerina for the Pacific Northwest Ballet. During Ms. Wood’s years of study at WAPA, she performed numerous title roles including Giselle at the age of 16 with William DeGregory, former principal with The Pennsylvania Ballet, George Balanchine’s Tarantella and Act II of Swan Lake as Odette. 

Ms. Wood attended prestigious summer programs on merit scholarship with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Oregon Ballet Theatre School and the San Francisco Ballet School. In addition to these summer programs Ms. Wood attended Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and was personally invited to return by Ms. Farrell for the following summer. She continued her training at the San Francisco Ballet School performing in the company’s production of The Nutcracker as Chinese, Snow and Waltz of The Flowers.  Ms. Wood also performed in Lew Christensen’s Vivaldi Concerto Grosso, Balanchine’s Divertimento #15, and Stars and Stripes Forever.

In 1998 Ms. Wood joined Ballet Memphis where she danced professionally for six years. While performing with Ballet Memphis, Ms. Wood toured to New York City and Saint-Sauveur, Quebec for an elite choreographers competition. She has also performed many varying soloist roles in the following ballets; Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Napoli, Dracula, Where the Wild Things Are,  Concerto Barocco and cutting edge works by innovative choreographers, including; Trey McIntyre, Joseph Jeffries, Garret Ammon, Septime Webre, Lila York and Mark Godden.  Ms. Wood was given the opportunity to choreograph works at the professional level for the main stage company of Ballet Memphis.

During Ms. Wood’s career she has instructed at the following schools; Ballet Memphis, Performing Arts of Germantown, The Evergreen City Ballet, Ballet Arts of Olympia and the Washington Contemporary Ballet.  In 2008 Ms. Wood and Ms. Zechmann opened Studio West Dance Academy to share their love, expertise and passion for dance with the community.

Mary Cecelia Zechmann, Co-Director

Born and raised in Olympia, Washington, Mary Cecelia Zechmann began dancing at the age of six. She studied under and received fundamental ballet training from Bridgette de’Calle at the Ballet School of Olympia.   Ms. Zechmann was awarded multiple dance scholarships and attended numerous summer dance workshops including The Marin Ballet School in San Francisco, CA & Summer Dance Lab in Walla Walla, WA.  While attending college at Creighton University, she danced with both the Creighton Dance Division and at Ballet Omaha’s School of Dance. After earning her college degree in Social Work, she moved back to Olympia and pursued a career in the mental health field before accepting the opportunity to rediscover her love of dance and teach ballet at Ballet Arts Olympia.  With her ballet training, understanding of child psychology and development, as well as becoming a parent of two beautiful daughters, Ms. Zechmann is able to bring her experience into the classroom teaching children the discipline and most of all the joy of dance.  In 2008, Mary Cecelia Zechmann and Stephanie Wood joined forces and opened Studio West Dance Academy.

Alexandra Asbury, Guest Ballet Teacher

As a very young dancer Alex studied at the Ballet Arts Center in Bellevue, Washington, while also taking classes at Cornish Institute in Seattle. She also studied at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School where she performed the role of "Clara" in PNB's Nutcracker for two seasons. Alex attended the National Ballet School (NBS) in Toronto, Ontario Canada, for four years before returning to the United States to study at the San Francisco Ballet School. In 1985 Alex came to Olympia where she trained briefly with Brigitte d'Calle at the Ballet School of Olympia. In 1986 Alex was awarded a POSSCA (Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts) Scholarship which enabled her to pursue a BFA in Ballet at the University of Utah. Alex attended the U of U on scholarship, and performed many lead roles with Utah Ballet. Alex also performed as an apprentice with Ballet West in Salt Lake City. In 1988 she received a scholarship to study with the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1989 a car accident ended her dance career, although she did return to the University of Utah to act as Publicist for Utah Ballet, and continue with her college education. Alex has taught for several local dance studios, and after taking time off to raise her two children, is excited to return to the challenges and rewards of teaching for Studio West.

Angela Brandenburg, Ballet & Flamenco

Angela began her dance training with the Washington Contemporary Ballet in Tacoma, Wa. She furthered her dance studies by attending prestigious summer programs with the American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and the Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. Angela then danced with the Tacoma Opera for six seasons and performed extensively with the Washington Contemporary Ballet. Angela has performed many lead roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and has also danced in many Contemporary Ballets. In addition to her performing career, Angela served as Ballet Mistress and ballet instructor at WCB. Another passion of Angela's is Flamenco dance, which she has performed and taught throughout the South Sound Region.  

Brittni Bryan, Jazz

Brittni is originally from Olympia, WA where she began her training at Debbi's Dance Etc. She also has studied at Westlake Dance Center, Ballet Arts, and Honolulu Dance Center. She performed and competed the contemporary/lyrical genre for eleven years at the national and regional levels. She has won various awards and scholarships; including the prestigious "Triple Threat" scholarship from the NYCDA convention. Brittni has been choreographing off and on since 2003, and has been awarded two first place choreography awards for best student choreography. Brittni is extremely excited to share her love of dance with Studio West Dance Academy's students.

Nathan Cook, Ballet

Nathan Cook began his ballet training at the age of four at Washington Contemporary Ballet in Tacoma, WA where he studied classical and contemporary ballet. He has studied a wide variety of dance styles including, modern, jazz, tap and flamenco. Mr. Cook spent three summers dancing on a merit scholarship with Pacific Northwest Ballet in their summer intensive program.  He has performed in The Nutcracker, Firebird, Alexander Nevsky, and a Midsummer Night's Dream to name a few. In 2009, Mr. Cook took home the Platinum Award from the New York City Dance Alliance competition. Currently, he is a principle in the Washington Contemporary Ballet company, and has performed with studios throughout the Puget Sound region.

Jerri Globe, Jazz & Tap

Jerri started dancing at age 11 with Suzi Gilbertson, and trained in jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, and gymnastics. She attended competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada. After assisting with classes, Jerri began teaching her own classes and choreographing for competitions. She was the Director of Dance Direction and Dance Fashions Unlimited for 10 years. Jerri has been part of the Studio West staff for 2 years and brings an uplifting and possitive energy to all.

Trish Hall, Office Manager

Trish Hall is a native of Olympia and has been The Studio West Office Manager for the past two years.  She is a graduate of Central Washington University. Trish began with Studio West as a volunteer and transitioned to a full time Studio West team member. She is married and has two beautiful children. Trish always has a smile on her face and keeps us on our toes!

 Adah (Cookie) Harn, Wardrobe Mistress for Studio West Dance Theatre

Born and raised in Washington State, Cookie is a  talented self-taught seamstress, and has been creating and altering clothing all of her life   She is married and the mother of 5 and a proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren.  Ms. Cookie operated an in-home daycare for over 40 years and is now retired.  She currently enjoys being the costume director and designer for Studio West Dance Theatre.  Since the opening of Studio West, Cookie has discovered a love for designing and working on ballet costumes such as:   The Nutcracker, Peter Pan & numerous dance festivals.

Joseph Jefferies, Guest Perfomer, Choreographer & Ballet Instructor

Joseph Jefferies has danced professionally for 14 years. He has danced several lead roles in classical full length ballets as well as contemporary pieces by noted choreographers. Most recently he has had the opportunity to tour the world dancing with Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo . While performing with this prestigious company he toured Japan, Russia, Brazil, Italy, France, Australia, Germany and the UK. Additionally, Mr. Jefferies has choreographed over 30 works, primarily for Ballet Memphis, where he also danced professional for 10 years. He has won the RDA Emerging Choreographer Scholarship twice and had his work selected for and performed in New York City's Ballet Builders Showcase. Mr. Jefferies was named "Artist of the Year" in 2002 by the Memphis Commercial Appeal for his dancing and choreography.  In January of 2011, Mr. Jefferies choreographed "Bright Waters" for Studio West Dance Theatre.

Scott Leathers - Studio West's Resident Professional lighting Designer & Stage Manager

Scott Leathers is the Resident Lighting Designer for Nashville Ballet (since 1987), Nashville Children's Theatre(since Sep.2003), and Kentucky Repertory Theatre (since 2005) and has previously served as R.L.D. for the Ryman Auditorium's Musical Theatre Series ('99-'01), Opera at Chattanooga Symphony and Opera ('02-'07),and for Ballet TN ('97-'01). He also served as Nashville Ballets' Production Stage Manager for over 11 years and then as Production Manger for an additional 6 years. Mr. Leathers has designed lighting for theatre, opera, ballet, and modern dance since 1981 to critical acclaim. Many of his designs have been for original works. He has designed lights for most of Nashville's performing arts organizations as well as Theatre Craft, Milwaukee Ballet, American Negro Playwrights Theatre, Amun Ra Theatre, Karen Steele Dance Quintet, Ballet Omaha, Ballet Austin, Cumberland County Playhouse, Dollywood, and internationally with Tanz Ensemble Cathy Sharp (TECS-Switzerland) and Ballet Manila (Philippines). He has taught Lighting Design at the college level as well as leading over 30 workshops. He has also designed scenery for many productions including Nashville Ballet's productions of Robin Hood, Postcards from the Boys, The Bell Witch, Harvest Home, Western Stars, and Fete Champtetre. Mr. Leathers graduated from the College of Santa Fe with a BFA in technical theatre and is a member of United Scenic Artists.

 Jessica Peirce, Jazz , Tap & Ballet

Originally from California, Jessica studied at Jazz N Taps Dance Studio as well as the Pleasanton Dance Academy, and spent most of her time competing in, and training for, dance competitions.  She began teaching in high school and has gone on to teach everything from ballet to gymnastics to drama.  Jessica studied Musical Theater at California State University, Sacramento where she appeared in numerous productions and trained with the Sacramento Black Art Of Dance and the Sacramento Ballet's character artist, Nolan T'Sani. She was the 2005 CSUS recipient of the Drama Award for her performance in Godspell , and is a Jeffrey Award recipient.  She was nominated for an Elly award in 2010 for her work in children's theater. Jessica served at the Managing Director for Sacramento Theater Experiment (a movement-based theater company) after being a company member for 3 years. Jessica was fortunate enough to bring theater and dance to the children of Tortola, BVI. She performed in HONK! - the first musical ever performed on the island, and helped build a theater for the local community.  Before moving to Olympia, Jessica served as Assistant Director at ArtBEAST Children's Studio; a non-profit organization which serves the community through art, as well as providing funding for Tubman House; a home for pregnant and parenting homeless youth.  She hopes to inspire a love of art, dance, and creativity in all her students. 

Elizabeth Piper, Guest Performer & Ballet/Jazz Instructor

Elizabeth Piper grew up in Olympia, WA where she first started her training at Ballet Arts of Olympia. She was first inspired by Musical Theatre classes at age 9 and as a result started training in Ballet at age 10.

Stephanie Wood was a primary inspiration and teacher for Ms. Piper, not only in her ballet training, but in her pursuit in becoming a proffesional dancer.

Ms. Piper has attended Summer Prorgams at The Pacific Northwest Ballet School, The Boston Ballet School, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and The School of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Her most recent training was at The School of Oregon Ballet Theatre where she trained on full Scholarship under the direction of Damara Bennet and Cristopher Stowell.

Ms. Piper has performed in ballet's including Balanchine's Nutcracker, Rubies, Serenade, Walpurigisnacht & Valse Fantasie. She has also performed in many other ballet's including Lew Christensen's Il Distratto, Bruce Steivel's Peter Pan, Christopher Stowell's Peter and The Wolf, Bruce Wells Snow White and Betsey Wistrich's The Nutcracker, Carmen, Giselle and Swan Lake. Ms. Piper has also danced for Peter Kalvis's modern dance company The PGK Project in California.

Ms. Piper will be starting her third season with City Ballet of San Diego as a Company member after being an apprentice for two years. She also choreographs for the company periodically and has created two new works for them. Ms. Piper enjoys guest teaching at Studio West and is inspired by the hard working students and the positive energy the studio has to offer. 

 Krista Suko, Ballet

Krista Suko began dancing at a young age with the Severance Ballet School in Fresno, California.  As a young adult she spent many years volunteering in special education classrooms and with the Special Olympics.  Ms. Suko attended a teacher academy program allowing her to spend a year with a kindergarten class at Lakes Elementary in Lacey, WA.  She studied at South Puget Sound Community College early childhood development.  Since 2002 has devoted herself to homeschooling her own children.

Ms. Suko rekindled her appreciation for dance with the opening of Studio West Dance Academy.  She continues to enjoy taking classes in ballet, jazz, modern and tap, while also performing in Studio West Dance Theatre's production.

Rachel Tudor, Ballet

Rachel Tudor has been teaching for nearly 20 years. Passionate, demanding and very caring, Ms. Tudor is highly regarded as a gifted teacher and is known for bringing out the personal best in each of her students. She believes strongly every student of dance deserves an excellent education, whether or not the student continues on into the professional dance world. Many previous students have gone on to dance in ballet, modern and contemporary companies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Students have also been accepted into prestigious college programs such as Julliard, Tisch/NYU, Fordham/Ailey, Utah, Oklahoma, and London Studio Centre, as well as for apprenticeships and into summer programs at such schools as ABT, SAB, San Francisco Ballet, Suzanne Farrell, PNB, Boston Ballet, The Rock School, Alonzo King’s Lines and Alvin Ailey. Ms. Tudor is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music in Boston, and brings a strong focus on musicality to her classes. She spent several years under the tutelage of Pilates master teacher Rael Isacowitz in Southern California. She believes that anyone working with growing bodies should have a good understanding of anatomy, physiology and development. She works very hard to make sure all her classes are safe, productive and supportive for every student. Studio West is honored to have Ms. Tudor.

Valerie Van Horn-Cotey, Ballet

Valerie Van Horn-Cotey has been dancing and performing in Olympia for over 20 years. She has most recently performed in Studio West Dance Academy's Nutcracker production as "Frau Siberhaus", Clara's mother, as a member of the Corps de Ballet, and Wendy’s mother in Peter Pan. As a teacher at Studio West, Ms. Val enjoys sharing her love and knowledge of ballet to her students. She and her husband own a software development company; Ms Val is a developer and software tester. In her leisure time, she enjoys boating, snowboarding and mountain biking in the Pacific Northwest.

Ari Wildau, Guest Choreographer & Jazz/Contemporary Instructor

Studio West welcomed Ari Wildau as a faculty member during the Fall of 2009. She studied at the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School, and University of Colorado jazz dance workshops. Currently Ari instructs Jazz classes at Studio West. She also has extensive training in hip-hop, ballet, tango, salsa, break dancing, and modern. Ms. Ari travelled to Italy to continue her dance education and to choreograph the musical performance "Esmeralda". Ms. Ari was a member of the senior jazz troupe at Motion Underground in Boulder, CO for 6 years, where she was a dance instructor and director. Ms. Ari has performed in numerous dance productions, as well as prestigious dance competitions, both regionally and nationally.  She currenlty lives in Argentina.