Welcome to Westlake High School's Dance Program!!!!
Student's will have the opportunity to not only train their bodies but also examine and contextualize the historical, social and physiological underpinnings surrounding the WORLD of DANCE! Students will be able to experience training in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Improvisation/Composition and Modern/Contemporary dance. Students will also gain insight into Dance History and Dance Media/technology. Ms. Thomas and Ms. Budge strive to bring the most current and relevant practices and techniques to their students. Ms. Thomas and Ms. Budge are motivated to foster the individual growth of each student and determined to help each and every student reach their dance performance and educational goals!
Kelsie Thomas
(BS Dance Education, Utah Valley University). Ms. Thomas has been teaching dance in various capacities for nine years. She has experience working with students in studio, school, rehearsal, and performance environments. Kelsie recently graduated from Utah Valley University in December of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education. While studying at UVU, she had the opportunity to continuously teach in elementary, middle, and high schools; teaching students K-12th grade Creative Dance and Movement. At the University, she maintained a choreographic and performance scholarship as a four-year member and choreographer of their Performing Modern Dance Company, Synergy. Ms. Thomas has choreographed five complete works for UVU and has presented her choreographies as research in the ACDA 2016 and UCUR 2017 conferences. For the last eight years, Kelsie's choreography on local High Schools and Middle Schools has been awarded high placements at the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Ms. Thomas currently works as a full-time teacher at Westlake High School where she teaches dance classes, assistant directs the Dance Company, and is the Director of Alliance Dance Company.
(BS Dance Education, Utah Valley University). Ms. Thomas has been teaching dance in various capacities for nine years. She has experience working with students in studio, school, rehearsal, and performance environments. Kelsie recently graduated from Utah Valley University in December of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education. While studying at UVU, she had the opportunity to continuously teach in elementary, middle, and high schools; teaching students K-12th grade Creative Dance and Movement. At the University, she maintained a choreographic and performance scholarship as a four-year member and choreographer of their Performing Modern Dance Company, Synergy. Ms. Thomas has choreographed five complete works for UVU and has presented her choreographies as research in the ACDA 2016 and UCUR 2017 conferences. For the last eight years, Kelsie's choreography on local High Schools and Middle Schools has been awarded high placements at the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Ms. Thomas currently works as a full-time teacher at Westlake High School where she teaches dance classes, assistant directs the Dance Company, and is the Director of Alliance Dance Company.
Chelsea Budge
(MFA, University of Utah; BS, Southern Utah University; Secondary Education Licensure, Utah Valley University) has taught extensively in Secondary and Higher Education. Ms. Budge has extensive performing experience such as performing at The Cunningham Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, The Joyce Soho, The Slipper Room and the Abingdon Arts Complex in NYC. Ms. Budge has also choreographed for the Utah Regional Ballet, Snow College Badgerettes, Utah Flash Dancers, Youth American Grand Prix (top 12 solo), Utah Flash Dance Team, Mudson Performance Series, Audience Awards Artists, Utah Valley University's Contemporary Dance Ensemble and Synergy Dance Companies and many High School Dance Companies and Drill Teams. Ms. Budge has also choreographed and performed at many festivals, fashion shows, and other special events nationally and internationally such as The Fresh Fruit Festival NYC (Outstanding Performer of the Year Award), The International Dance Festival in NYC and the Centre de Danza in Madrid, Spain. Chelsea has presented at the 'Art of Gender in Everyday Life Conference' and the 'Arts in Education Conference'. Currently, Chelsea is the Dance Company Director and dance instructor at Westlake High School and is a guest teacher/choreographer for many studios and High Schools throughout Utah.
