Our Team
Meet the team
Get to know our amazing instructors
Taylor Decker- Owner
I started dancing when I was 3 years old in Ankeny, Iowa. I competitively danced until I was 15. I then went on to all star cheer where I competed on multiple teams at the highest level. I went on to cheer at Iowa State University. I am currently the head dance and cheer coach at Northwestern College. I live in Orange City with my husband Tyler, our 5 daughters, and 1 son.
I love that I get to share my love and passion for dance and tumbling to students young and old. This sport is ever changing and it's fun to push your body to new levels.
Jeremiah 29:11
Julia Vander Stelt- Manager
I started dancing when I was 3 years old and started dancing competitively in 7th grade. After graduating from high school, I attended Northwestern College and was on the dance team all four years. I was captain for two of those years and received All-Conference Honorable Mention my junior year.
I love that dance is an art and physical activity! You get to create something beautiful while moving your body. It takes a lot of discipline!
Philippians 4:12-13
Faith Garcia-
Instructor
I started dancing at 4 years old in California and danced competitively in Hip Hop starting in 7th grade.
My favorite thing about dance is being able to have fun and express how you are feeling. I especially love teaching the younger kids who are just beginning their journey of falling in love with dance.
Joshua 1:9
Madison Banwart-
Instructor
I started studio dance when I was 3 and started dancing competitively my junior year of high school. I danced for 4 years for my high school dance team. I taught at a dance studio my senior year of high school as well. I am now on the Northwestern Dance Team.
Dance has been all I have ever known and the best thing about it is the feeling of getting a new skill. It is the best feeling when all your hard work has paid off. I also love teaching it as well because I get to connect with the younger students and help them fall in love with dance like I did.
Psalms 73:26
Angelina Li-
Technique
Studied at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy from 2-14 years old, then switched to contemporary and jazz at Dellos Dance School for two years. Now a part of Northwestern College dance team.
Dance is a connection to one’s soul and I love how it constantly challenges me, especially when learning new styles. It is a form of sport and art that is always changing and surprising me as I discover new ways to express myself everyday.
Phillipians 2:15
Bailey Ahlquist- Instructor
I have been dancing for 17 years now and am so grateful to continue my career on the NWC’s dance team!! For all my life I have been surrounded with dance and I have fallen in love with every part of it!
I was apart of my studio’s competition team for 6 years and also competed with my high school dance team at the varsity level from 7th grade through my senior year of high school. During my senior year I had the amazing opportunity to be chosen as a Minnesota All-State dancer and danced with some of the best athletes in the state!!
I have also spent 7 years teaching at my home studio with classes including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and acro/tumbling.
1 John 4:19
Ava Schmitz-
Instructor
I have been dancing for 17 years (10 years competitively), I was a cheerleader for all 4 years (8 seasons) in high school, and I did gymnastics for 5 years (3 years on the Junior Olympic team), as well as teaching and choreographing both tumbling and dance since 2019.
I taught at Studio R for 2 years, RSD for 3 years, ARC’s liturgical dance group for 5 years, and this is my second year teaching at Elite.
I am also currently on Northwestern’s Competitive Dance Team.
Jaylee Kamerman-
Tumbling assistant
I started dancing when I was 4 years old, and then I started gymnastics when I was 8. I took gymnastics classes for about 3 years and then moved to the competitive team. I did competitive gymnastics for about 6 years throughout middle school and part of high school.
What I love about gymnastics is that it’s a combination of dance, tumbling, and a variety of different things. Both dance and tumbling are an awesome physical activity and it challenged me every day. It helped me be dedicated and committed to the sport and throughout my daily life.
Psalm 139
Hannah Van Maaren- Tumbling Instructor
I grew up doing gymnastics, cheered for football and basketball in high school while continuing to grow in my tumbling, and I am now a member of the NWC Competitive Cheerleading Team and have been an all conference athlete and GPAC champion
2 Chronicles 7:14
Averie Raymon-
Tumbling Instructor
This is my first year teaching at the studio and I love it!
I grew up doing competitive gymnastics and dance! I have been involved in both for 13 years. I was on the competitive cheer and dance teams at my high school where I was captain of both teams.
I also competed with my dance studio in high school. I have now been a part of the Northwestern Dance team for 3 years!
Romans 8:8
