About Us
Serving the youth of southern Milwaukee County for more than 20 years, Next Step Dance Studio offers a variety of recreational classes for ages 18 months and up and competitive dance classes for ages 7 to 18. Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and acro. Our studio at 3501 W. Ryan Road in Franklin, features three classrooms with mirrored walls and floating dance floors to protect the physical well-being of our students.
Our lobby has observation windows into the classrooms and a boutique offering dance shoes, tights, leotards and other dance apparel. Our teachers have college degrees in dance and/or professional dance experience. Our goals include helping our students to become better dancers and better people.
Thru dance, our students have the opportunity to build self-confidence and time management skills as they learn to work hard to reach their dance goals. We are very proud of the Next Step dancers, who have earned college scholarships based on both their dance skills and their academic achievements. Come dance with us!
Our Staff
Terri
Director
Elizabeth
Office & Social Media Staff
Miss Laura
Miss Rachel
Miss Jess
Miss Olivia
Miss Greta
Miss Courtney
Miss Katie
Miss McKenna
Miss Stephanie
Miss Jacq
Terri
Director
Miss Terri is the director of Next Step Dance Studio. She holds her Master Certification in dance from Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She has served as a Board Member, Treasurer and currently is the Principal (hires Faculty for the organization). She earned her B.F.A. degree in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She has over 30 years of teaching experience. Her passion is teaching children the love of dance.
Miss Laura
Miss Laura grew up in Madison, WI where she began taking dance at a young age. She trained at the Madison Professional Dance Center (MPDC) in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and modern dance for 10 years. Throughout her years there, she was also apart of their company, competing throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. In High School she joined the school’s dance team, performing at football and basketball games, and was captain her Junior and Senior years. At age 18, Miss Laura had the honor of dancing with her MPDC teachers, as well as other local dancers, in a production that was performed at the Overture Performing Arts Center. She then moved to Milwaukee, WI to attend the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, receiving a bachelors in Early Childhood Education. Miss Laura has been teaching kindergarten for Milwaukee Public Schools since 2015 and is going back to school at UWM for her masters. Miss Laura is so excited to join the Next Step Dance family and to help teach the new Twinkle Star dance program for our youngest dancers!
Christina
Mr Andy
Mr Andy started his dance career at age 3 at Next Step Dance Studio where he studied ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. By the age of 8, he entered into the competitive world where he began winning Titles for his outstanding technique and showmanship. Upon graduation of high school, he attended the University of Alabama on a full academic and athletic scholarship where he double majored and received his Bachelor of Arts in dance and exercise science. During this time, he found his passion for teaching and choreography. Mr Andy has set numerous studio pieces throughout the United States, received choreography awards and won national titles for his work. In the spring, he will be seen dancing onboard Royal Caribbean’s “Jewel of the Seas” on their onboard productions throughout Europe and the Caribbean. Mr Andy is excited to continue his passion of dance back in the studio and in the competitive circuit.
Miss Rachel
Miss Rachel graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University, under the direction of Randy Newsom. Her extensive training includes Rockford Dance Company, a summer at the Milwaukee Ballet School, where she performed under Denis Malinkine, and as a work-study at Visceral Dance Center. Rachel’s previous performances include numerous Art for Life Benefits, Giselle, as well as featured roles in Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Pas de Quatre Ballet, Raymonda, and as an aerial silk dancer in L’Histoire du Soldat. Most recently she performed with the Madison Ballet, Ballet Entre Nous, Elements Contemporary Ballet, and has been a guest artist with several local Chicago companies. Miss Rachel has been teaching classical ballet and contemporary styles for 17 years in the Northern Illinois and Chicagoland areas. As a choreographer, Premo has set many competition works for dancers and gymnasts, presented choreography at Freespace, twice in Chicago at Dance Chance, and again at Dance in the Parks, when her choreography was selected to be performed. She has also choreographed for Project Bound, as well as set works on Ardent Dance Company. Miss Rachel is currently in her 5th season with Ardent Dance Company and holds the titles of full Company Member and Rehearsal Director.
Miss Stephanie
Miss Stephanie started dancing at the age of 5 at Encore dance studio in Cudahy, WI under the direction of Lee Burke and Amy Brinkman (Danceworks). She then transitioned to one of Miss Terri’s first high school dancers when she opened in 1997 and completed her training at Next Step!!! She was also a member of the Franklin high school Pom Pom team. She continued her dance training and received a Bachelor or Arts degree in dance from UW Milwaukee and has been teaching dance intermittently to all ages ever since. She is also certified in Pilates, previous Zumba instructor and personal trainer. She has taught many classes at various local gyms and Rec departments and also choreographs musicals for a local high school. She also has a bachelor of science degree in nursing and works intermittently as a registered nurse. She is thrilled to be returning to her home studio and to be able to share her passion of dance with her students!!
Miss Kristine
Kristine Bachicha Hintz grew up dancing and competing in Denver, Colorado before continuing her dance education as a Dance Management Major at Oklahoma City University. While in school, she performed with the American Spirit Dance Company and in choreography showcases. Since graduation she branched off into the Denver theatre community performing in “Bullets over Broadway”, “Tuck Everlasting”, and “The Sunshine Boys” at Vintage Theatre and “Mary Poppins” at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. She was also a member of the tap dance company Rocky Mountain Rhythm. Non-performance credits include the HersheyPark Entertainment Department, touring with Legacy Dance Championships, and choreographing musicals. Kristine is excited to join the dance community in Milwaukee. She loves the ability to share her passion and knowledge for dance through teaching.
Miss Jacq
Miss Jacq started dancing when she was three years old and has loved it ever since! She is originally from Minnesota and is new to the Wisconsin community. She received her BA in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). Miss Jacq has danced in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and spent a summer in New York City attending the Dance Education Laboratory Summer Institute while continuing her training at Broadway Dance Center, Gibney Dance, and Steps on Broadway. She choreographed several pieces for UWSP that were performed in their shows. Miss Jacq is very excited about dancing at Next Step and looks forward to a great year!
Miss Rachel
Rachel grew up in Stevens Point where she started dancing at 6 years old. In December of 2020 she received a BA in Dance and Arts Management at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point (UWSP). At UWSP she performed in many student and faculty choreographed works, her choreography was also featured in many student productions. She is certified in Pilates Mat and is currently finishing her Pilates Reformer training. Rachel is so excited to be working at Next Step this year!
Elizabeth
Chris
Miss Jess
Miss Olivia
Olivia first began her formal training at Premier School of Dance in Thornton, CO under the direction of Alexandra Fields and Karin Gritz. During her time at Premier, performance opportunities mainly consisted of competitive dance routines. Olivia also participated in annual winter and spring performances at her home studio including the Nutcracker where she held numerous soloist roles. In 2018, Olivia was accepted into the University of Utah’s Modern Dance program, where she furthered her training in classical and contemporary styles while pursuing a second degree in Psychology. While in Salt Lake City, Olivia performed in guest works by Mike Tyus and Natosha Washington as well as faculty works by Satu Hummasti, Daniel Clifton, Christine McMillan, and Luc Vanier. She graduated in May of 2022 with a BFA and BS and received the Dee R. Winterton award for exemplifying qualities of creativity, love of the arts, abundance of spirit, and striving for excellence. Post graduation, Olivia relocated to Becket, MA for the position of House Management Intern at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for their 90th anniversary season where she is exploring the administration side of working within the arts. She is very excited to begin teaching at Next Step Dance Studio and sharing her love of dance!
Miss Greta
Greta is so excited to be teaching at Next Step Dance Studio! She’s a dancer, teacher, and personal trainer in the Milwaukee area. She received her BFA in dance performance from Ball State University. She’s trained in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, and clogging. She’s a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise. Greta currently dances with Water Street Dance Milwaukee’s Trainee Program. She also enjoys choreographing for competitions and performances. Greta also teaches a variety of strength & conditioning classes structured to help dancers find strength in their technique. Let’s get dancing and have a great season!
Miss Courtney
Courtney first began her dance training at Allen Conservatory of Dance under the direction of Stefanie M. Best. In 2017, Courtney was accepted into Point Park University’s Conservatory of the Performing Arts, where she furthered her dance training while pursuing a minor in business management. In addition to Point Park University’s faculty, Courtney has studied with 8and1 Dance Company, New Dialect, SoulEscape the Company, and The Pillow Projects. In May of 2021, Courtney received her BFA in dance and minor in business management. Currently, Courtney is a company artist with Nova Linea Contemporary Dance in Milwaukee, WI, where she dances professionally and gets the opportunity to experiment with both her musical side and dancing. She spends her time teaching, making music, and choreographing in hopes to share all that she has learned with the youth. Courtney is looking forward to joining Next Step Dance!
Miss McKenna
McKenna, originally from Eureka, IL, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Performance and Choreography at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Simultaneously, she is working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as an Honors Degree. During the 2021-2022 season, McKenna danced with Water Street Dance Milwaukee as a company trainee. In recent years, she has had the honor to perform contemporary works by Alex Seager, Ashley Tomaszewski, Simone Ferro, Zoe Glise, and Maddie Prokop. McKenna began her dance training at Merilee Studios in 2007. From 2015 to 2019, she trained at Cornerstone Academy for the Performing Arts under the direction of Rebekah von Rathonyi. During her junior and senior years of high school, McKenna had the opportunity to dance as a student trainee with the Central Illinois Ballet, where she performed alongside the professional company. During her time with CIB, she danced multiple soloist and principal roles including Peter Pan in Peter Pan, the English Princess in Cinderella, and Russian in The Nutcracker. In addition to performing, McKenna is interested in spreading her love for dance through choreographing and teaching. Some of her choreographic works include To Love is to be Vulnerable, Evoking Environments, and Grace Upon Grace. McKenna is excited to be a part of Next Step Dance Studio’s Family.
Miss Katie
Katie grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, where she was a competitive cheerleader for ten years. She competed on the JV and Varsity Co-ed cheerleading teams in high school. She also trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Pointe at Dance With Pam for seven years. Katie has been teaching dance for over 6 years at the YMCA in La Crosse, for the city of Middleton Recreation Department, and for Dancercise Kids LLC. She was a KID from Wisconsin Singer/Dancer, and toured the state of Wisconsin for two summers. Katie loves sharing her passion for dance at Next Step and enjoys getting to know her young dancers and watch them develop their talents and confidence!