Meet Our Dancers
LINDSEY AUGE
Lindsey is a freshman here at Michigan State University studying Journalism with minors in dance and entrepreneurship & innovation. She is from Laingsburg, Michigan where she danced competitively at Spirit Expressions for 12 years. Lindsey's favorite style is jazz. Outside of being a first year member of Showstoppers, she enjoys teaching dance at her previous studio.
SARAH BARINGER
Sarah is a junior here at Michigan State University majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in dance. She is from Winston Salem, North Carolina and danced at Extravadance and Tumble since she was two years old and started competing at the age of six. Her studio was the opening number for Kidz Bop! This is Sarah's second year on the team and her first year on the executive board as our Secretary! Her favorite style of dance is tap. A fun fact about her is that she has been nominated for multiple Industry Dance Awards.
RYLEE BERNHAUSER
Rylee is a sophomore at Michigan State University majoring in Kinesiology with minors in Health Promotion and Dance. She is from Souderton, Pennsylvania. This is Rylee's first year on the team! She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and danced competitively for Denise Gucwa's School of Dance for 5 years. Her favorite style is hip hop.
Outside of Showstoppers, Rylee is a group exercise instructor and personal trainer and, additionally, holds an executive position in her fraternity, Phi Epsilon Kappa. A fun fact about Rylee is she loves listening to music and her favorite artist is Fleetwood Mac.
Outside of Showstoppers, Rylee is a group exercise instructor and personal trainer and, additionally, holds an executive position in her fraternity, Phi Epsilon Kappa. A fun fact about Rylee is she loves listening to music and her favorite artist is Fleetwood Mac.
SIERRA BONSER
Sierra is a junior here at Michigan State University and is originally from Clarkston, Michigan. She is majoring in Horticulture with minors in dance and the Spanish language. Sierra trained as a dancer at the studio, The Dance Shoppe, for 12 years. This is Sierra's third year as a Showstopper and she previously served on the executive board as the Secretary of the team. She is a performing artist at heart, enjoying multiple dance styles particularly Latin jazz.
Additionally, Sierra enjoys hanging outside, painting, and working as an undergrad researcher in the potato breeding and genetics program.
Additionally, Sierra enjoys hanging outside, painting, and working as an undergrad researcher in the potato breeding and genetics program.
ERICA BROWN
Erica is a sophomore here at Michigan State University from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. Erica danced at Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio, Mt. Pleasant School of Dance, and on the Mt. Pleasant High School Dance Team! This is her second year on the team and her favorite style of dance is jazz. A fun fact about Erica is that she had open heart surgery.
NICOLE FUERST
Nicole is a freshman here at Michigan State University from Howell, Michigan. Nicole is majoring in Human Biology/Pre-med. She has been dancing since she was two years old and danced competitively at Academy of Dance for 12 years. This is her first year on Showstoppers! Nicole's favorite style is contemporary, but she also really loves ballet. A fun fact about Nicole is that she loves to visit the ocean. Additionally, she will be returning to her old studio over winter break to perform in the dance called Snow in the ballet The Nutcracker as an alumni!
MAGGIE GEORGE
Maggie is a journalism senior here at Michigan State University with minors in history. She's been dancing for 13 years and this is her third year with the Showstoppers where she is serving as the Social Activities Director. Maggie is from a suburb of Grand Rapids, MI called Caledonia and previously danced with Dorr Dance Academy's competition team. After having the opportunity to take a tap class as part of her coursework and when she taught hip hop at Opera Block Performing Arts Center in Portland, MI, Maggie realized she cannot pick a favorite between tap, contemporary, and hip hop.
Alongside her constant dancing, Maggie is a political reporting intern at MIRS news service covering Capitol politics and has worked at The State News covering public and mental health.
Alongside her constant dancing, Maggie is a political reporting intern at MIRS news service covering Capitol politics and has worked at The State News covering public and mental health.
ISABELLA HANIKA
Isabella is a sophomore here at Michigan State University from Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She is majoring in Human Biology on the Pre-med track with a minor in dance with hopes of being a pediatrician. This is Isabella's second year as a Showstopper where she serve as the Social Media Director! She danced for 15 years at Casali School of Dance in St. Clair Shores. Additionally, she was on a dance team in the winter for eight years that danced at nursing homes as volunteer work, which Isabella says "was easily some of the most fulfilling times in my dance career". Isabella's favorite styles of dance are jazz and ballet. Along with being a member of Showstoppers, she belongs to a medical fraternity called Phi Delta Epsilon. A fun fact about her is that she loves Diet Coke especially from McDonalds.
She is so excited and proud to be on the team! She loves to dance and would like to continue to dance for her entire life!
She is so excited and proud to be on the team! She loves to dance and would like to continue to dance for her entire life!
HAYLEY HEINRICH
Hayley is a freshman studying Engineering here at Michigan State University. This is her first year on Showstoppers! She grew up in Zeeland, Michigan, and enjoys all styles of dance, but hip hop and contemporary hold a special place in her heart. Hayley has been competing for 10 years and dancing for 12 years. She started at Belle Etolie Studio of Dance for 8 years and ended her last 2 years at Body Language Dance Company. Some of her additional experience comes from being a member of her high school dance team for 4 years, middle school dance team for 2 years, and doing gymnastics for 6 years. Not only has Hayley been a dancer for most of her life, but she was also a runner who competed in both Cross Country and Track and Field.
JENNA HEMMES
Jenna is a junior here at Michigan State University majoring in Marketing with minors in Dance, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Arts & Cultural Management. This is Jenna's third year on the team and she currently serves as the Vice President! She is from Grand Rapids and grew up dancing at the studio, Dance Dimensions, for 15 years! For her senior year, she was a part of Dance Dimensions’ Novice competition team as well. Jenna’s favorite style of dance is tap!
Along with being a member of the Showstoppers, she is involved in other organizations on campus including Broad Student Senate (Vice President of Operations) and the Wharton Center Student Marketing Organization (Secretary). Jenna, also, works at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts as the Broadway Marketing and Communications intern and a Marketing and Fan Engagement intern for MSU Athletics.
Along with being a member of the Showstoppers, she is involved in other organizations on campus including Broad Student Senate (Vice President of Operations) and the Wharton Center Student Marketing Organization (Secretary). Jenna, also, works at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts as the Broadway Marketing and Communications intern and a Marketing and Fan Engagement intern for MSU Athletics.
CHRISTINE KIM
Christine is a junior at Michigan State University from West Bloomfield, Michigan. She is majoring in Nutritional Science (Biomedical and Molecular) with a minor in bioethics where she hopes to one day be a dentist! Christine danced at Dance Dynamics since she was four years old and was captain of the varsity dance team at Detroit Country Day High School.
This is Christine's first year as a Showstopper and her favorite style of dance is ballet. Christine's fun fact is that her favorite movie is Finding Nemo and her favorite dinosaur is a brachiosaurus.
This is Christine's first year as a Showstopper and her favorite style of dance is ballet. Christine's fun fact is that her favorite movie is Finding Nemo and her favorite dinosaur is a brachiosaurus.
VALENCIA MORRIS
Valencia is a sophomore at Michigan State University from Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring in Kinesiology. She has been dancing competitively for about 11 years, but started when she was 2 years old. This is Valencia's first year on the Showstoppers! Her favorite styles of dance are pom, jazz, and contemporary. A fun fact about Valencia is that she grew up doing ballet and loves being on pointe.
JORDAN MOUNTAIN
Jordan is from Clarkston, Michigan, and is a senior here at Michigan State University! She is studying International Relations, within the James Madison College, with a minor in History. This is Jordan's third year on the team! She grew up dancing competitively at Roxana’s Dance Expressions for 9 years and she was on Clarkston’s Varsity Dance Team for 3 years with fellow Showstopper Riley. Jordan's favorite style of dance is jazz.
A fun fact about Jordan is that she loves to listen to rock, especially Ozzy Osbourne, Great Van Fleet, and Motley Crue. When Jordan isn't dancing, you can find her reading, shopping for hours at Costco, or hanging out with other Showstoppers!
A fun fact about Jordan is that she loves to listen to rock, especially Ozzy Osbourne, Great Van Fleet, and Motley Crue. When Jordan isn't dancing, you can find her reading, shopping for hours at Costco, or hanging out with other Showstoppers!
REID MURPHY
Reid is a freshman here at Michigan State University in the Honors College. Reid is from Crofton, Maryland, majoring in Chinese with minors in Musical Theater and TESOL. He has been dancing since middle school with Stageworkz Theater Arts Project. This is his first year as a Showstopper! Reid's favorite styles are tap and musical theater. A fun fact about Reid is that he is a Swiftie and an undergraduate representative for the College of Arts and Letters DAC.
RILEY PATTERSON
Riley is a senior here at Michigan State University and is originally from Clarkston, MI. She is majoring in mathematics with a minor in dance and is in the honors college! Additionally, she is a part of the secondary education program and the urban education cohort program through the college of education. Her future goal is to become a high school math teacher during the day and then coach the school’s dance team. This is Riley's third year on the team and second year as President. A fun fact about her is that she was adopted from Mission, Texas! Riley has been dancing since she was two and danced competitively for ten years! Riley trained on her high school’s varsity dance team for three years and was captain of the team for her senior year. Her favorite style of dance is jazz and hip hop.
HANNAH SAALE
Hannah is a senior here at Michigan State University studying zoology with a minor in sociology. Her career dream is to work with elephants in the San Diego Zoo or in Africa for a conservation or research work! Hannah is originally from Las Vegas, NV, where she was dance captain for multiple high school musical theater productions. This is her fourth year on our team and third year on the executive board. She was previously the team's Vice President, but now serves as Treasurer for the second time! Hannah’s favorite styles of dance include pom and hip hop.
Before picking up dance four years ago when she joined the team, Hannah played volleyball. A fun fact about her is that she has 12 cats!
Before picking up dance four years ago when she joined the team, Hannah played volleyball. A fun fact about her is that she has 12 cats!
BREANNE SANDSTROM
Breanne (Bre) is a junior here at Michigan State University. This is her third year on our team! She is majoring in Social Work with minors in Women's and Gender Studies and Youth and Society while completing her certificate for Child Welfare. Bre's future career goal is to become a social worker and be able to help others. She is from Marquette, Michigan in the UP where she trained at the studio, Superior Dance Academy, for 15 years. Her favorite style of dance is jazz!
Besides being on Showstoppers, Bre is a part of the Special Olympics club on campus. Bre's fun facts are that she loves to travel and that she has been to ten countries (not including the US)!
Besides being on Showstoppers, Bre is a part of the Special Olympics club on campus. Bre's fun facts are that she loves to travel and that she has been to ten countries (not including the US)!
ISABELLA TAYLOR
Bella is a second year, honors college student at Michigan State University majoring in both Criminal Justice and Psychology with a minor in Youth and Society. This is Bella's first year on the Showstoppers. She is from Harbor Springs, Michigan and grew up dancing at Studio 45 for 10 years and Beautiful Feet Dance Studio for 5 years. Bella's favorite style of dance is contemporary. A fun fact about her is growing she participated in 8 different sports, but ultimately committed to dance!
ALLISON TENBRINK
Alli is a junior here at Michigan State University from Whitehall, Michigan. She is majoring in Integrative Biology with minors in cognitive sciences! She has been dancing for 15 years and trained at the dance studio, Releve, for twelve years. This is Alli’s third year on the team and her favorite style of dance is contemporary. Some fun facts about Alli are that she has a twin brother and a little sister who go to Grand Valley State University, and a kitty cat named Milo!
JAYCELEEN THRASHER
Jayceleen is a freshman here at Michigan State University majoring in Accounting with a minor in Chinese. She has been dancing since she was four years old and danced competitively for five years. This is her first year on Showstoppers! Jayceleen's favorite style of dance is hip hop, but she loves to tap or clog when she can. Her hobbies include baking and crocheting. A fun fact about Jayceleen is that she also enjoys spending time listening to movie soundtracks and dissecting them lyric by lyric.
Future ShowStoppers...
we can't wait to meet you!
Pictures by: Jenna DiClemente