IDP Instructors
“I hope to provide my students with training that will teach them the value of being an artist. I want them to learn that when dancing, they are sharing a piece of their soul with the world. I want them to be proud to freely express themselves through movement. I want my students to leave my classes and rehearsals feeling accomplished and unburdened. I hope to provide a place where they don’t have to worry about anything, where they can be themselves with no inhibitions, where they can experiment with movement and artistic integrity, and where they will receive dance training that offers an experience they will never forget.”
SYDNEE REESE
OWNER/ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Sydnee Reese grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and began her dance training at London Dance Academy where she trained and completed R.A.D. and I.S.T.D. examinations in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap with distinctive scoring. Sydnee moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 2006 and began training and teaching ballet, tap, and jazz at Synergy Dance Center. In 2009, Sydnee attended Webster University, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance with an emphasis in ballet in August of 2012. While at Webster University, Sydnee studied as a scholarship recipient with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Mark Morris Dance Group in New York City where she received extensive training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, Horton, Graham, and other modern dance techniques. This past summer Sydnee was certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. She has had the opportunity to work with Iyun harrison, Alicia Graf, Jimena Paz, Beckah Voigt, Homer Bryant, Keith Saunders, Joyce Herring, Endalyn Taylor, Michael Uthoff, Leonard Cruz, Sean Curran, Jennifer Medina, Jessica Lang, Uri Sands, and Tyronne Brooks. She also danced a principal role in the productions of The Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and had an arts administration internship with The Big Muddy Dance Company. Sydnee danced with Common Thread Contemporary Dance Company for two seasons as well as the administrative assistant to the artistic director of the company. Sydnee has also guest taught and choreographed for Webster University’s dance department in recent years as well as performing and choreographing a dinner theatre variety show in downtown Saint Louis. With over 16 years of dance instructing experience, she is currently focused on owning and artistically directing Imagine Dance Project.
COLLEEN BREEN
YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Colleen Breen obtained her BFA in Dance Performance at East Carolina University School of Theatre and Dance. Colleen has had the opportunity to train with dance professionals such as Jennifer Archibald, Jennifer Medina, Galina Panov, John Dixon, Teal Darkenwald, Tommi Galaska, and Nina Galaska. Colleen has 16 years of teaching under her belt, she was a high school dance team coach for five years, and has taught classes at the studio and collegiate levels throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Currently, Colleen is the Youth Program Director at Imagine Dance Project. She specializes in teaching preschool and kindergarten dance classes as well as dance team preparation classes. Her goal is to build the confidence of her dancers, teach them discipline and proper technique, while training in a fun environment!
LILLY HETZ
AERIAL AND ACRO INSTRUCTOR
Lilly has been joyfully dancing since the age of two. She was happy dancing and making new friends. Lilly had so many things to say that her brain worked faster than her mouth could speak the words. This resulted in a stutter. After working with speech therapists, the professionals recommended that Lilly strengthen her hands, arms, neck and facial muscles to improve her speech. Dance played a key role in this therapy.
After moving from suburban Chicago to the St. Louis area, Lilly’s mother enrolled her in her first aerial class at the age of thirteen -- and she fell in love. She loved the challenge and was determined to take her dancing skills from the floor to the air. Lilly has been dancing competitively for eight years in both regional and national competitions. After competing and performing with her dance studio and with her high school varsity dance team, Lilly is continuing her education at Missouri Baptist University.
Lilly is majoring in Marketing, and minoring in both Business Administration, as well as in Dance. Additionally, she is the captain of MBU’s competition dance team, Spartan Line. Lilly has been hired using the stage name Lil-E-Lectric to perform aerial silks at both corporate and public events in the St. Louis area -- such as several Nightchaser events, as well as a Women's Conference. Her favorite aspect of performing aerial arts is interacting with her audience to create magical and truly unique experiences. Lilly was one of the lead instructors at On The Fly Productions (a full service entertainment company known internationally for
specializing in aerial flying effects) where she taught aerial arts to students of all ages. She loves to watch her students improve and grow both as dancers and as individuals. Lilly knows that wherever God leads her, she will be fulfilled.
MAMIE MELCHOR-FENDI
COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER
Mamie has been studying dance and acrobatics since the age of 2 1/2 and has been an instructor and choreographer since 1999. Mamie has competed in many regional and national competitions winning numerous high score awards including a scholorship to attend "Russell Clark and Tony Selznick Productions" in Hollywood, California. Mamie attended St. Charles West High School where she served as Captain of the Dance 'n' Drill, helping her team win several state dance titles. She was also nominated by faculty in her high school to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy. She was an NCA Danz instructor in which she taught high school dance teams in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Texas. Mamie has judged various competitions throughout the region. She has also done choreography for dance and cheerleading teams in Missouri and Illinois. You may have also seen her choreography on the TV show "Junior Stars." Her students, ranging in age from five to eighteen, have competed in many regional and national competitions winning many high score awards along with choreography, entertainment, showmanship, sportsmanship and costume awards.
In addition to teaching at Imagine Dance Project, Mamie is married to her high school sweetheart and have two brave and courageous daughters, a Border Collie and a cat. Mamie attended St. Charles Community College for Nursing. She continues her dance education by attending various teacher-training programs.
Ashley Taylor
HIP HOP INSTRUCTOR
Ashley Genà Taylor, professionally known as Ashley Gena is a powerhouse in the emerging new dance scene of Commercial Hiphop and Jazz Fusion.Native to Saint Louis, Ashley has taught and choreographed around the Missouri region including the Saint Louis Ballet, Yes Honey Studios, Imagine Dance Project, Academy of Creative Arts, and Karah's Academy of Dance and Performing Art. She has performed on live sets, national television, and music videos with artists for the likes of Smino, Ice-T, Kennedy Holmes, and Alpha Wolf. As a creative artist her talents can be seen through collaborations with the viral "Groove Time" App, national haircare brand "Healthy Hair Solution" and retail chain "Golden Gems". Currently Ashley Gena is a college bound scholar attending Washington University in Saint Louis pursuing dual degrees in dance and marketing. She prides herself in being a culture carrier and teaching fundamental technique in all styles of dance to cultivate the next generation of artists to further their passion of movement and higher education in the entertainment industry.
RACHEL RYSANEK
TAP INSTRUCTOR
Rachel Rysanek started dance at age five at Dance Productions Unlimited (DPU Dance) in Arnold, Missouri, where she grew up. She has trained in Tap, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Jazz, and competed in these styles of dance from 2006 to 2017. She graduated from DPU Dance in 2017 and also taught various dance classes at DPU Dance from 2015 to 2020 as a teacher and an assistant. In addition, Rachel taught tap classes at Center of Creative Arts (COCA) from 2017 to 2020.
Rachel was apart of STL Rhythm Collaborative, also known as MoSTLy Tap from 2021-2022, teaching dance camps and performing professionally around the St. Louis area. Rachel has also trained under many talented tap dancers, including Anthony Russo, Lisa Dallas, and Amy Gammon. She has taken classes from Sarah Reich, Charles Renato, Diane Walker, Derick Grant, Star Dixon, Dre Torres, Michelle Dorrance, Elizabeth Burke, Jumaane Taylor, Lisa La Touche, Mark Goodman, Justin Myles, and Christopher Erk.
Rachel is also a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist and works at SLU Hospital in the main laboratory. She graduated from Maryville University of Saint Louis in 2021 with two degrees: Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. She loves caring for patients through her work in the hospital lab!
MARLEE DONIFF
CONTEMPORARY INSTRUCTOR / COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER
Marlee has been dancing for the past two decades. She was trained in St. Charles Missouri, finishing her training here at IDP under the direction of Sydnee Reese. In December of 2023, Marlee graduated with a BA in Dance from Webster University. She is currently dancing professionally at Consuming Kinetics Dance Company. Additionally, she serves as the Festival Company Manager for the American Dance Festival.
Marlee has a true love and passion for dance and continues to grow her knowledge of the art. She is thrilled to pass along her knowledge, talent, and training with all the students at IDP!
LEEANN MELCHOR
JAZZ INSTRUCTOR/ COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER
LeeAnn Melchor has 41 years of dance experience, having had the honor of performing as a principal with the Los Angeles Contemporary Ballet and as a guest artist with various dance companies. She has taught for over 31 years in both Missouri and California, during which time she worked on the sets of TV shows Ally McBeal and Fame LA. LeeAnn was also awarded scholarships to Tremaine Dance Center and Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. LeeAnn founded and operated Synergy Dance Center and her award winning competitive dance team from 2005-2011. Currently, LeeAnn is a Psychiatric Nurse in St. Louis and competition choreographer at Imagine Dance Project.
CAITLIN HOPKINS
MODERN INSTRUCTOR
Caitlin Started her dance training at the age of 12 in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Ballet Arts School of Dance where she took on various styles of jazz, modern, tap as well as participating in their youth ballet company, Ballet Arts Ensemble, where she learned varying types of ballet forms deriving from Vaganova, Balanchine, even testing through level 5 of the Cecchetti Method. After her secondary education she went on to study at Western Michigan University where she furthered her trifocal dance studies while also having the opportunity to perform in faculty pieces, guest artist works, and take master class with guest residencies. After graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance she was given the opportunity to spend her post grad year as a trainee with The Big Muddy Dance company in St Louis, Missouri where she was able to participate in various festivals and shows under the Big Muddy Convergence Trainee name. This is her second year teaching at IDP and can’t wait to get back in the studio with all the dancers!
BRYNN KERSTING
HIP HOP/ACRO INSTRUCTOR
Brynn has been dancing for 11 years and competed with Imagine Dance Project for 5 of those years. She has been trained by various teaching artists at Artist Simply Human and Dupree conventions in addition to taking all styles of dance at Imagine Dance Project. She is also a division 4 state champion for Holt High School dance team in the state of Missouri. Brynn found her love for hip hop later in her dance journey while being trained by Joe Floww at Imagine Dance Project! She is currently attending St. Charles county ambulance district’s EMT program and soon to start the Paramedic program to hopefully work for SCCAD as a full time medic! She is so excited to teach hip hop 1 and assisting classes at IDP this season!
ANNA LIVINGSTONE
BALLET INSTRUCTOR
Anna Livingstone has been dancing since she was two years old and grew up competing in St. Louis and surrounding area. Anna’s senior year of high school was the first year of Imagine Dance Project and she was part of the first class of graduating seniors. In high school, Anna was on a nationally ranked varsity dance team for three years where she attended Elite UDA summer camps and UDA Nationals in Orlando. Anna went to Truman State University and was a member of the Showgirls dance team for four years. Anna is now finishing up medical school and enjoying getting to be back in the studio with people who mean so much to her.
MISSY HAMPTON
ACRO INSTRUCTOR/COMPETITION REHEARSALS
Missy has been in the dance industry for over 45 years spanning all facets of dance, performance, choreography, teaching and judging. She loves teaching all ages and has created many top award-winning pieces. Missy teaches all styles of dance and has taught throughout the Midwest and California. She currently judges at competitions and dance team auditions around the country. Missy is committed to providing the highest level of instruction. She has been a board member of the St. Louis Chapter of Dance Masters of America, certified in tap and jazz as well as having extensive experience in the genre of acro. Artistry, technique, and self-confidence are her number one goals in the studio. She has a well-rounded background in dance and performance combined with an enthusiastic and genuine love of teaching. Along with her two dance teacher daughters, dance for Missy is a family affair. Missy also is a member of the dance industry community previously serving as the Director of Sales for a major costume company and currently the Director of Sales, North America for Ready Set Dance. Her career has taken her all over the world and she brings her passion for dance with her to IDP!
ALAYNAH BINDER
TAP INSTRUCTOR
Alaynah is excited to be joining the Imagine Dance Project faculty as the Tap level 1 and 2 teacher. Alaynah has been dancing for seven years and competing for six years. She has been trained at IDP for the past three years. This upcoming year is her last as she is a Senior. She has received training from ASH, Dupree, and Heat Dance Conventions, while earning scholarships along the way. While attending Dupree Dance Convention in 2021 she received a Tap scholarship. She has had the opportunity to assist Tap levels 1 and 2 last year. Alaynah is planning to attend Webster University in the fall of 2023 to obtain a BFA in Dance. Alaynah is delighted to teach Tap levels 1 and 2, while sharing her knowledge of tap with her students.