Hello!  My name is Sydney Smedley and I am the owner of Panache Dance Co.!   I'm proud to be part of a community where dancers prove that lifting each other and working hard creates incredible dancers.  I believe that everyone should be able to enjoy and love dance as much as I do and I hope to share that love.

I studied mostly jazz and some ballroom while growing up in the Rogue Valley.  I then, continued to study dance at BYU-Idaho where I became confident in teaching jazz, hip hop, ballroom, clogging, and contemporary.  Some of my biggest accomplishments in dance are becoming the Collegiate Contemporary Team Director, competing at Stanford University with the Idaho Ballroom Academy, and creating Panache!

Simply put... I LOVE to dance.
Hello everyone!  My name is Meghan Brandow and I love teaching at Panache Dance Co.!  I started dancing at age 8 and have been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, and hip hop.  I was on Southridge High School's dance team for 4 years, team captain my senior year, choreographer for Southern Oregon University's Dance Team, and danced for Portland State University.  I began teaching in studios when I was in 8th grade. I have coached a competitive performing team, choreographed for various events such as Dancing With The Rogue Valley Stars, and am the dance coach for South Medford High School.  

There is nothing more rewarding than to see kids have a sparkle in their eye and to be able to help them achieve their goals and dreams.  My biggest hope as a teacher is not only to put the love of dance into my students hearts, but that they walk away from each class feeling like a better person.
Brittany Bockhorn is a former student at The King Centre for The Performing Arts in Wanaque, NJ and alumni of the American Youth Dance Company. She performed in the 2011 New Year’s Day Parade in London with the Universal Cheering Association while attending Lakeland Regional High School. She was Mouse Queen, Chinese Lead, Clowns Lead, and Russian lead in the AYDC’s rendition of The Nutcracker. She also performed at Madison Square Garden in “Can You Keep the Rhythm”, for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for “Dance Jam”, at County College of Morris, and was invited to perform at ACDFA. She looks forward to working with the students at Panache Dance Co. and has a passion for learning new skills and styles of dance.
Emmaly Shipley is from Meridian, Idaho and discovered her love for dance and movement at the age of 3 when she began taking jazz, tap, and ballet lessons. Although she enjoyed dance of any kind, she realized at a very young age that her true passion was for ballet. Emmaly continued to dance throughout her youth and was even able to perform the Nutcracker with the Eugene Ballet, Russian Moscow Ballet, and Ballet Idaho. Emmaly remained dedicated to dance and when she arrived at BYU-Idaho, she knew that she wanted to be a dance major. Her appreciation and interest in dance soon grew to include modern dance. During her time there she had the opportunity to perform with Collegiate Dancers, tour with Dance Alliance to Costa Rica and Panama, participate in numerous senior capstones and advanced choreography pieces, choreograph for Collegiate Dancers, as well as many other experiences that have expanded her love and knowledge of dance. Since graduating with her BA in dance performance and choreographing, Emmaly has been a member of The Dancer's project and Explore Dance Company. She is excited to be part of the Panache Dance family and can't wait to share her love of dance with you. ​
Hey dancers! My name is Sierra West and I am beyond excited to share my love for dance with you all! I have grown up in the Rogue Valley and been dancing here since I was 3 years old. Ballet was my first love at a young age and has been the foundation for my growth in all other styles. I have trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Acrobatics and I love the diversity of styles that dance offers. Some of my most memorable dance experiences include: halftime shows for college basketball games, winning 2nd place with South Medford High school dance team, competing at the New York City Dance Alliance, and taking master classes with the Northwest Dance Project. 


I am so passionate about dance because it perfectly combines artistry and athleticism to create something beautiful. The ability to tell a story through movement is such a freeing and powerful experience and makes me so happy! I  can not wait to share this feeling with my students and have lots of fun along the way!
Hi y’all!  My name is Lauren Roquemore, and I am from Asheville, NC. I recently moved to the Medford area, and I am thrilled to be teaching at Panache Dance Co. this year! I have been dancing since I was four years old, and it has always been an important part of my life. I am trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and modern dance. 


I continued to dance in college while I pursued a fine arts degree - I’m a painter, too! As an artist, finding channels for my creativity has always been important, and dancing is one of my favorite outlets. I began teaching at a studio when I was in 8th grade, and I returned to my hometown studio as a part-time instructor following my college graduation. 


Throughout my life, dance has been an anchor for me. I love to share this passion for dance with my students. Dance is for everyone! My dancers will walk away with new techniques and skills, but my goal is always to ensure students build their confidence and have fun together!
Javier De La Mora – Latin Dance Instructor
 
Javier began dancing three and a half years ago as a committed student of Latin dancing.  He started his journey with tango, salsa and chachachá and eventually focused on salsa and international bachata, modern, and traditional at multiple studios. Within these years, Javier was accepted to attend a master class and workshops with world champs Alex and Romi of Alex Pro Dance Studio Miami, Sergio and Bianca from Jasso Academy Tijuana Mexico, and the highly influential pioneer of traditional bachata Rodney Aquinos among others. 


He is excited to share with you his passion of two of the world’s most popular Latin dances, Salsa and Bachata. Look out for this instructor, emerging artist and performer. He is eager to pass on his expertise and experiences to grow the Latin dance community.


“I just want to add spice to people’s life. Show them what it’s about so they can discover for themselves the zesty appeal of Latin dancing!”