Company Owners

 Tanya is our resident Dance Mom Extraordinaire! She has four ASAO dancers, all taking various classes and joining in every opportunity available. If you have a question - this Dance Momma knows how to help! She often supervises events for the Community Performance Team, Pas de Deux Team, and Competition Team! 

Most days, you'll find her at our reception desk for dancer check in and safety assistance. Tanya also works in the office on costume management, financial organization, studio decor, and staff/class scheduling. Each week, she also processes all of our boutique orders and checks on any back ordered items. This season, she is also training to become one of our advanced acrobatic dance instructors! She has also been helping to organize our curriculum into levels and age groups as our acro program grows and develops.   

Tanya and her husband, J.D., are also often chaperones for ASAO affiliated events off site, in addition to the youth group activities they sponsor and supervise for the First Church of Christ in Sault Ste. Marie.  

  Erin has been an ASAO Dance Mom since we first opened our Creative Movement for Special Needs program in 2017! She has two dancing children that also work for ASAO, and takes all of the ASAO Adult Classes too! Erin is one of ASAO's greatest morale supporters - always helping our dancers stay excited about what's ahead! 

Most days, you'll find her in our boutique; Erin presses all of the vinyl you see on ASAO merchandise - sweatshirts, t-shirts, dance bags, shorts, and more! She also manages all of our supplies and inventory, making sure our teachers always have what they need for class. Erin  tracks all of the formal wear rentals for weddings, monitors the calendars for upcoming company events, and manages Ashley's to do list - making sure the trains always run on time! This season, she is also training to become one of our advanced acrobatic dance instructors!  

Erin works for the Sault Ste. Marie Public Schools. She loves spending time outdoors with her kids and dog Cork. When not dancing... wait, are there any days Erin isn't dancing? Peep the Staff Memories for her cartwheel in the staff dance from the Triumph Recital! 

Ashley has taken recreational dance classes for 27 years, most from mentors Dede DeCamp, Lindsay DeCamp, Sandra Brewer, Melanie Eashoo, Kara Hajak-Meier, and Heather Coleman. Her training is largely in Ceccetti technique, with additional training and certification from Marie Walton-Mahon's Progressing Ballet Technique and CLI Studios Studio Partnership Program. She danced competitively for 10 years, attended 4 years of UDA camp and various dance conventions, as well as performed en pointe for 6 years.

Ashley believes in using classical teaching methods, with heavy emphasis on safe body mechanics and dance theory. She is currently studying pedagogy and technical skill acquisition through the National Dance Education Organization's Online Professional Development Institute as well as the International Dance Teaching Standards Certification Program.  

 Ashley's passion for teaching has led to extensive curriculum development, community education, and expansive opportunities for area dancers. Ashley currently teaches 22 weekly classes, a variety of private lessons, and special event classes for community groups. She also coaches the ASAO Community Performance Troupe, ASAO Pas de Deux Team,  and ASAO Competition Team.  

Beth Nelson is new to our team this year and is very excited to start her dance teaching adventure with our 3-4 year old dancers, which is the age when she fell in love with the world of dance. Beth has been dancing for 27 years in various styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and musical theater. Her favorite and most challenging style is hip hop. 

Teaching is not new for Beth as she attended Michigan State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Following her education there she taught English language learners and 1st grade before having her own children. Beth and her family (husband, 3 children & 2 dogs) live out in Pickford. When she’s not dancing Beth loves to play games with her family, take walks with her dogs and read books. She also works for Karl’s Cuisine as their office manager and designs websites for a professional dancer friend.     

Jamie teaches 7-9 Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical, as well as Jazz Level 1. She is also one of the developers of the ASAO Dance Curriculum, studying materials in all styles of dance from a variety of resources and training opportunities. 

This season, in addition to teaching, Jamie is studying ballet, pointe, modern, and lyrical. She is on the ASAO Competition Team as well! Jamie is a founding member of the ASAO Performance Team (now titled the Community Performance Troupe), and participated for 7 consecutive seasons! 

Jamie was also selected as ASAO's Dancer of the Year in 2020!  Jamie has been an exemplary role model at ASAO, especially during this incredible year. During this, her first year en Pointe and her 5th consecutive season as a Teaching Assistant- Jamie’s dedication to all that ASAO stands for has shined. Her choreography retention skills, attention to detail, and grace when dancing have led her to be one of our most technical dancers- an attribute highly valued in our curriculum!

In addition to dance, Jamie is a Pickford Panther! Jamie is a dog lover and excellent party game planner. She is also very active in assisting in her family's business, MMC Store, Inc. of Barbeau. 

Madeline (Maddy) teaches tap for ages 4-6. 7-9. Level 1, and Adult (18+ Beginners). Maddy was awarded the Best Technique certificate of 2020 and is one of our ASAO Pointe Dancers! Before being offered a teaching position, Maddy assisted at ASAO in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap classes for various ages. 

In 2021, Madeline was awarded the Staff of the Year award, received because of her fantastic dedication and willingness to step up to lead classes. Her grace and technical skill are amazing assets to the ASAO staff. 

This season, Maddy is on the ASAO Competition Team with two duets and a solo routine. Last season, Maddy participated in 3 competitions with a Tap solo and Jazz duet. Maddy placed first overall at Fly Dance as an improvisational dancer, as well as first in the division for her duet. 

Madeline started dancing at age 4, with training in Ballet and Tap. She attends Michigan International Prep School, has served as a Girls on the Run Junior Coach, and enjoys participating in the Sault Theatre Project. Maddy has extensive musical theater knowledge, and excellent choreography skills in this style! She lives on Northern Rose Farm with her family and many pets.