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
for “Can You Keep the Rhythm”, 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.

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!”

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. ​

Hello!  My name is Bella and I am a senior at South Medford High School.  I first started dancing when I was 5 years old with experience in ballet, hip hop, and jazz.  Dance has always been a huge part of my life and has always helped me grow creatively and as a person.  I've danced with studios and with the SMHS dance team throughout the years and I can't wait to share my love of dance with others.  I'm very excited to teach at Panache and help young dancers learn how to grow and express themselves through the art of dance.  Dancing brings so much joy into my life and I can't wait to bring that joy to others!

Sierra West