Our Teachers
Shannon Simon
BA in Dance Western Michigan University |
Owner of Delta Dance Connection
Shannon holds a bachelors of arts in dance from Western Michigan University and has been teaching dance for over a decade. Shannon is passionate about passing down her love and knowledge for the art form and giving every child the opportunity to dance. Over the years she has choreographed and directed multiple dance concerts, served as an assistant director for student dance companies and taught ages 18months-adult for multiple dance studios in the Greater Lansing area including Happendance, The Dance Conservatory, Fusion Dance Center and In Motion Dance Center. In 2015 Shannon served as the long-term dance substitute for six months at Everett High School where she also choreographed and directed their fall dance concert. In addition to teaching and directing, Shannon also danced professionally with Happendance’s, Velocity! Concert Dance, and Happendance Education Exchange in which she was a company member for three years performing regionally throughout the Midwest area. For the past three years she has lead and designed the dance program at Delta Township. In 2021 she founded Delta Dance Connection, LLC which partners with Delta Township to offer quality dance education with a community focus from some of the best degreed and professional dance teachers in the area.
Lauren Mudry
BS in Dance Eastern Michigan University |
Adjunct Dance Instructor Lansing Comm. College |
Teaching Artist Residency Wharton Center of Perf. Arts
Lauren was born and raised in Lansing, MI and has been dancing for over 28 years and teaching over 18. She is not only a professional dancer and educator, but also a freelance graphic designer. She has been a Professional Dance Instructor and Choreographer for various studios, companies, colleges, dance festivals, and theatre programs all over Mid-Michigan, New York, Chicago, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Lauren is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Lansing Community College and celebrated five years as a faculty member. Along with Lauren’s long list of dance credentials, she was a professional dancer for Velocity Concert Dance/ Educational Exchange Program for 4 seasons, Associate Director for Happendance Impulse, Assistant Director of DANCE Lansing for five years, and Personal Assistant and later Assistant Director for a New York Producer.
Lauren graduated from Lansing Community College with an Associates in Applied Arts and Eastern Michigan University with her bachelor’s in Science: Dance Performance and Teaching. In 2013 she was Assistant Producer for EMU’s Video Dance Project: For Diego Directed by Joanna McNamara that premiered at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2014, and later adjudicated for presentation at an International Dance Film Festival in Korea. Lauren also served at both Vice President and President of EMU Dance Forum Student Organization.
Lauren is on faculty at (GLAD) Greater Lansing Academy of Dance and choreographer for (GLBC) Greater Lansing Ballet Company. Lauren’s piece “Locked In” (2016) and “Beach Babes” (2020) was selected to perform and be adjudicated at Regional Dance America Regional Festival. At The 2017 RDA Nationals Lauren expanded her education and is now certified in Progressing Ballet technique. In 2019, Lauren became the Associate Artistic Director of GLBC Elements Contemporary Company. Along with teaching and directing, Lauren's choreography has been presented at Kristi Faulkner's Women's Work Concert, Michigan Youth Arts Dance Festival, Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
Lauren’s second love is acting and singing. To add to her long list of education and performing, she has performed off-Broadway in New York City three times. There, she worked with professionals in the industry such as, Jeanne Lehman (Beauty and The Beast Mrs. Potts), Joseph Melendez (Ozark, Joseph and The Technicolor Coat), Ernesto Rosas (X-men, Law and Order), Brandon Beiber (Something Rotten), and Lee Stringer. In 2018, Lauren had the opportunity to study in London, England, working with professionals from the BBC, the Doctor Who TV Series, and the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company).
Over the years, Lauren has had the privilege to work with well-known instructors and choreographers such as Frank Hatchett, Dr. Alice Bloch (5th generation Isadora Duncan dancer), Ellen Werksman- Smith, Kathy King, Wendi DuBois, William Crowley, Danielle Selby, Phillip Simmons, Brandon Beiber, Sherry Jerome-Wilkinson, and Barbra Selinger to name a few.
As an educator, Lauren strives to create an inclusive, diverse, safe, constructive, and educational work environment for all ages and levels. Her goal is to provide students with the proper tools to help them progress forward and feel empowered in their own abilities. Lauren tries very hard to show that no matter who you are or where you come from, dance is for everyone.
Currently, Lauren is still spreading her wings teaching at multiple locations virtually and in-person. She is also in-house choreographer for Evolve Theatrics, and guest Instructor for MSU Orchesis Dance, fitness instructor for the MSU University Club, and will beginning teaching at the newly established Delta Dance Connection this Fall. Lauren recently accepted and will be apart of the KC-PIE (Kennedy Center Partners in Education) family at MSU Wharton Center.
Amanda Green
Studied Dance at Lansing Comm. College | Classroom Assistant at Stepping Stones Montessori
Amanda Green discovered her love for dance at the age of 8. In 2012 she began studying it seriously with classes at Lansing Community College. She has a broad knowledge of Ballet, Modern and Jazz as well as experience in many other styles. She has performed numerous times with LCC and Happendance in LCC’s Dart Auditorium and at nearby venues such as Jazzfest, Bluesfest and several local galleries. In 2015, Amanda gained teaching experience as Teacher’s Assistant to Patty Villanueva at Happendance and in the same season had the privilege of accepting the position of Ballet Instructor for Class Act Competitive Dance Company. Amanda has served as a teaching assistant to Miss Shannon in the 6 and under classes for the past three years and is excited to take on teaching some of her own during the 2021-2022 season. Currently, in addition to Teaching at Delta Dance Connection, Amanda is also taking classes at Greater Lansing Academy of Dance and performing with their professional company.
Amanda Tollstam
Studied Dance at Western Michigan University |
Choreographer at Riverwalk Theatre
Amanda Tollstam was trained at the Rosemarie Floyd’s Studio of Dance, Center for the advanced studies and the Arts, and the College of Creative studies, all based in Detroit, MI. She was a dance major at Western Michigan University and continued to dance professionally with the Happendance Modern Company (now Velocity)and Happendance Education Exchange performing all over Michigan and Chicago. Amanda has since been an award winning choreographer and ensemble member of several shows at Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing, mi. She continues to choreograph for local kids, middle and high school theatre productions. When not involved with dance, Amanda is a local Massage Therapist and Yoga instructor.
Bridget Vander Hoff
BA in Dance Oakland University |
Executive Secretary for Michigan Dance Council
Bridget Vander Hoff graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in dance. While there, she performed with the Oakland Dance Theatre and in The Autumn of the Rite of Spring as the lead role. Her thesis, George Balanchine's Funeral March, Rediscovering the Lost Work of a Master, won the Oakland University Honors College Thesis Award in Dance. She has participated in intensives with the American Ballet Theatre and Parsons Dance, and has taught at various studios throughout Mid-Michigan. She is an Opportunity Arts affiliate, and dances in works with Happendance Velocity and Dance Uprising. She currently serves as the Executive Secretary for Michigan Dance Council.