MEET OUR STAFF
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Meet our Staff
Meet our Staff
Our staff at Cassell Training Center is comprised of highly skilled and qualified dance teachers and gymnastic coaches. Our mission at CTC is to create a loving and positive atmosphere while instilling an appreciation for the art of dance and gymnastics.
We encourage creativity and are continually finding ways to boost our students' self esteem. We truly believe that we are a family here at CTC and we look forward to having you join our family..
Darci Reinink
Darci Reinink
Dance and gymnastics have been part of Darci’s life since she was 4 years old. She has been teaching dance and gymnastics for the past 15 years.
Darci is our efficient and knowledgeable office manager, but don't be surprise to see her filling in sometimes in the gym or the dance rooms.
Anna Alpert
Anna Alpert
Anna started teaching at Cassell more than 40 years ago for her mentor and friend, Miss Flo. With her basic training in classical ballet, she knew that being here is a perfect fit. She is proud to say that she has passed the intermediate teachers’ exam.
As a credentialed history teacher, Anna strives to bring in as much history of dance as she can. She has choreographed for Overbrook Dance Concert, Pop Go the Sailors (for 25 years), Miss Michigan, Miss Muskegon, as well as Muskegon Civic Theater. Moreover, she has produced the Miss Muskegon pageant.
In addition, Anna is on the board of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. She has received the Friends of Hackley Library Humanitarian Award. She is the proud wife of Rabbi Alpert, mother of Gilana, Aleza, and David, and grandmother of Benjamin and Ari. You can always ask her to see their pictures and she will gladly show you.
Patti Winsemius
Patti Winsemius
Patti started dancing at the age of 5 and has been dancing ever since. She attended Miss Chastain’s dance studio in New Jersey, then Ken and Judy Joseph’s ballet school in Michigan City, Indiana.
Trained in both Russian and Cecchetti ballet methods, Patti has been teaching dance for more than 30 yrs. Growing up near NYC, she has a passion for musical theatre and tap dancing.
She has choreographed for dance competitions, community events and local schools, including Mona Shores Pops Concert. Meanwhile, her other “job” is being a mom and a grandmother to a very large family. Her passion for both dance and her family is something she cherishes.
MARIA TETZLAFF
MARIA TETZLAFF
Maria has been dancing since she was 3 and has been teaching for over 10 years. Miss Maria teaches hip hop, lyrical, jazz, ballet and tap. She was a competitive dancer for many years and now she and Miss Trena run the CTC competitive dance program.
Maria was trained in the Cecchetti ballet method and passed her level 4 student exam. She continues to take master classes and attend dance workshops.
She has choreographed for school muscials, cheerleading, and special community events. Maria is married and has 2 active young sons, Brayden and Tate.
Trena Gould
Trena Gould
Trena was a competitive dancer at Cassell Gymnastics and Dance for 12 years and has been on staff for 14 years. She is qualified in teaching all genres and runs the CTC competitive dance program with Miss Maria.
Miss Trena also has a full time job as the HR Support Specialist at the Employers Association of West Michigan. She was married last year to Brody and loves spending her free time in Silver Lake with her family and friends.
Maddy Gleason
Maddy Gleason
Maddy has been dancing since she was 3. She started competitive dancing at 5 till she graduated from MSHS.
She was very involved in Allegros at Mona Shores and choreographed many Pop goes the Sailors numbers. She is a student at GVSU and is pursuing an education degree.
Maddy was an assistant for 6 yrs and is very excited to come back after a 2 year retirement. She will be teaching hip and jazz and will also be one of our competitive teachers. t6
DAVA LAKOTAS
DAVA LAKOTAS
Dava was a competitive dancer and gymnast for more than 12 years.. She grew up loving ballet and passed her grade 5 Checchetti ballet exam. Dava was also a gymnastic coach and dance teacher during her time at Cassell until college.
Now, Dava is a recent graduate of Michigan Technical University and currently works at DLZ as a civil engineer. She is so exited to come back on staff and stay involved with the CTC family.
Heather Greene
Heather Greene
For more than 15 years, Heather coached both competitive and recreational gymnastics at Cassell Gymnastics and Dance. She was also an active member of the ballet program for over a decade.
With her dance, and elementary school educational experience, our students are sure to learn a lot from her.
Currently, Heather is a school teacher at Oakridge Upper Elementary. She enjoys photography and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Maddy Helfrey
Maddy Helfrey
Maddy has been involved with gymnastics for several years. She has assisted with level gymnastics and xena/ninjas. She has strong passion for the sport as well as helping others.
She enjoys working with children and wants to help them reach their potential. In her free time, Maddy loves to spend time with her family, friends and take her dogs for walks.
Logan Thompson
Logan Thompson
Logan is in his 2nd year as one of our ninja coaches.
He has been in gymnastics for 10 years and loves to tumble. He enjoys teaching the ninja class and the kids just love having him for a coach. His enthusaim is contagious.
Kylan Lathewell
Kylan Lathewell
Kylan is one of our Company Dancers. She exudes lots of energy and has a great repore with our younger dancers. Kylan has been dancing for over 5 years and has gymnastics experience. She and her twin sister attend Spring Lake High School. Teaching is her way to share her love of dance!