Shari Rarick Gysel

Shari Rarick Gysel began dancing as a very young child and has operated a Dance Studio in Battle Creek, Michigan for over 40 years. She has performed and taught sacred liturgical dance through her dance ministry as a member of the United Methodist Church and the spouse of a United Methodist pastor.

More about Shari.

David Smith

A member of the dance faculty at Western Michigan University where he teaches tap, Mr. Smith has been trained in both the Royal Academy of Dancing and Cecchetti ballet methods. He has furthered his dance education at Banff (Canada) School of Fine Arts and Butler University.

Mr. Smith was elected National Second Vice President of Dance Masters of America in 2006. A member of DMA Chapter #4, Dance Masters of Michigan, Mr. Smith has served in nearly all leadership positions in the chapter including two years as President. He currently is Treasurer of Dance Masters of Michigan.

He has served as an adjudicator for performing arts and solo competitions for various organizations including several Dance Masters of America Chapters, Dance Educators of America activities, and Headliners.

A former member of the honor regional ballet company, Detroit City Ballet, Mr. Smith has served as Resident Choreographer for several Ballet, Theater and Opera Companies in Ohio and Michigan, creating works for ballet, musical theater, and light and grand opera. He performed in regional theatre productions of “Music Man,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “The Miracle Worker,” and “Gypsy.” Several of his former students have appeared in Broadway and Regional theater productions.

Mr. Smith holds a Master of Business Administration degree and has been listed in “Who’s Who in America.”

Colleen Thome

Mrs. Colleen Thome has been teaching all age groups and levels of dance for 18 years. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, and a minor in Psychology.

Mrs. Thome has also graduated from Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School at Kent State University, and continues as a Post Graduate at the University of Buffalo in New York.

She is also a member of Dance Masters of Michigan, chapter 4, and of Dance Masters of America. While at WMU, she performed in Donald McKayle’s 1950’s piece, Rainbow Round My Shoulder, representing the life and feelings of a chain gang. Colleen grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan where she began her dance training at a young age at Shari Rarick School of Dance, and continued there until she moved to Pittsburgh, PA from 2001-2004. While in Pittsburgh, she taught at Dance Etc. Performing Arts School in Pittsburgh, PA and Siri’s School of the Performing Arts in Harmony, PA. In Battle Creek, she choreographed Oliver for Kellogg Community College, 42nd Street for Marshall Civic Theatre, Freakout on Eucalyptus Blvd. for Battle Creek Discovery Theatre, Dancing Days for Battle Creek Girls Chorus, and the Athens Area Follies for five years. Colleen has also taught the course “Dance for Elementary Educators” at Kellogg Community College in 2005. She was also the Creative Director for the Literacy Dance Project at Altrusa Nursery School, as well as taught dance for the L.A.S.E.R. program in the Battle Creek Public Schools and the Shazam summer program at Kellogg Community College. In 2010, Colleen also choreographed “Thoroughly Modern Millie” for Kellogg Community College’s Annual Musical and Battle Creek’s first “Flash Mob” for the American Red Cross, presented at the World’s longest breakfast table.   When she’s not teaching, she attends conventions and workshops to continue her dance education. When she’s not at the dance studio she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children (who have also begun their dance education).

Kim Iliff

Kim Iliff has been teaching at Shari Rarick School of Dance for over 10 years. Currently, she is teaching all age groups and experience levels in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, and Lyrical.

She is a 2004 Graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance.

Kim is certified to teach through Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School in Buffalo, NY and is a member of Dance Masters of Michigan, Chapter 4 and Dance Masters of America. She was also a member of the nationally known Showchoir “Spartanaires” (1997 – 1999).

Kim began dancing as a young girl in Battle Creek and has supported this community by teaching programs such as: Take-A-Tumble at Kellogg Community College, Literacy Dance Project at Altrusa Nursery School, S.E.A.K., L.A.S.E.R., and Steppers at local schools. She was the Assistant Director for The Moscow Ballet’s “The Great Russian Nutcracker” in Battle Creek for 2002 & 2003. In 2005, she also taught a class for the scholarship portion of the Dance Masters of Michigan Fall Convention.

Kim has choreographed 42nd Street for Marshall Civic Theatre, Rock & Roll for Pennfield High School, and Dancing Days for the Battle Creek Girls Chorus. While at WMU, she performed in The Fall Dance Concert, Orchesis, Wellspring Dance Forum, and Graduating Presentations. Kim continues her dance education by attending conventions and Master classes annually. When Kim is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband as a newlywed.

Tamara Mackey -

“Miss Tammy”

My name is Tamara Mackey. I am a proud mother of two beautiful children. I am a graduate of Aquinas College where I received my Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education and currently working toward my Master's. While at Aquinas I was a member of the Saints' Dance team. I am teacher at Coburn Elementary for Battle Creek Public Schools. This is my eighth year with the district.

I started dancing at Shari Rarick School of Dance when I was four years old. I am so proud and excited to be back this year as one of Shari's lead teachers. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing dance family. I am excited to see your children starting where I once did.

I have also competed in several pageants for the Miss America Organization. I was Miss Battle Creek/Cereal City 1999 and I was a contestant in the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant in 2000. My talent was obviously dance. My winning dance was taught right here at Shari's dance studio from one of the best teachers around!

I look forward to becoming a part of your child's dance education.

Jodi Jones

Jodi Jones is entering her ninth year of teaching various styles and levels of dance.  She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2006 earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  She is a five year member of Dance Masters of America and Dance Masters of Michigan, Chapter 4, and is certified by test to teach Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Acrobatics through Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School in Buffalo, NY.  Jodi is currently working toward a Dance Education Endorsement through Hope College, and will be teaching middle school and high school dance for Battle Creek Public Schools.

Lindsay Burnett

Lindsay Burnett has been a dancer at Shari Rarick School of Dance since the age of 3, a graduate of Harper Creek High School, and graduate of Douglas J. Lindsay’s older sister, Dulcie Ball, was a teacher and dancer at Shari’s where there is a dance scholarship in her name.  Dulcie not only inspired Lindsay to dance and teach, but is the namesake for Lindsay’s daughter. Lindsay has taught and assisted with many different age levels throughout all variations of dance.

When Lindsay is not dancing or teaching, she is enjoying time with her husband and daughter.

Rebekah Gysel

Rebekah Gysel has been receiving her dance education at Shari Rarick School of Dance since the age of 3. Besides her own dancing, Bekah began helping in the classroom to gain more teaching experience. Soon, Bekah was spending most of her time at the studio and became a substitute teacher along with assistant teaching. She’s attended multiple Dance Masters of Michigan conventions and participated in the 2007 Dance Masters of Michigan Performing Arts Challenge where the tap group took silver and again in 2009 where the jazz group won gold.  This is her second year as lead teacher.

Laura Keller

Laura Keller has been dancing at Shari Rarick’s School of Dance since she was 4 years old and at the age of 13 she became a helping teacher. Laura has attended Dance Masters of Michigan conventions and also had the opportunity to be in a Performing Arts Challenge in 2007, where the tap group won silver, and one in 2009 where the jazz group won gold. Laura also participated in the American Red Cross Flash Mob, which was held this past summer at the Cereal Festival. Laura currently attends Lakeview High School and is very excited to be a Lead Teacher again this year.

Brittany (Tuinier) VanDyke

Brittany (Tuinier) VanDyke has been dancing at Shari’s since she was 5-years-old and has been a helping teacher, of a variety of ages, since she was 13. She is a graduate of Hope College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, and a minor in Accounting.  She also had the privilege to take multiple dance classes while at Hope College.

Brittany has participated in the Dance Masters of Michigan Performing Arts Competition in YEAR and 2007. Brittany also took part in the Moscow Ballet’s “The Great Russian Nutcracker” in 2002. She also participated in the American Red Cross Flash Mob, which was held at the 2010 Cereal Festival. Brittany continues her dance education by attending conventions and workshops.

Outside of dance Brittany works at her family’s company, Post Gardens, here in Battle Creek, and lives in Kalamazoo with her husband.

Bethany Lakies

Bethany Lakies has been dancing at Shari Rarick School of Dance since she was 6.  She loved dancing so much and the confidence that she gained with it that she began helping in the classrooms when she was 13 years old as a student teacher.  In 1999 she attended her first year of Dance Masters of America Teacher's Training School at New York State University in Buffalo, NY.  At the age of 17 she became a lead teacher and in 2001 became certified to teach by Dance Masters of America.  Bethany has taught a variety of levels in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Combinations and Mom and Me.  Bethany continues her dance education by taking classes at Shari Rarick School of Dance and enjoys going to dance conventions and workshops.  

When Bethany is not at the dance school, she loves spending time with her husband and son.