Anneliese Troxell
Anneliese Troxell is the Director of Tiptoz Dance Company and has 21 years of dance teaching experience. A former Jill Fitzgerald dancer and instructor, Anneliese has always held a strong connection to her hometown studio, where Tiptoz began. She studied dance at Kansas State University and graduated with a Master's Degree in Interior Architecture and Product Design in 2010, with an emphasis of study in Dance and Spanish. Anneliese is proficient in ballet, jazz, musical theater, modern, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop and tap dance styles. Recently Anneliese’s focus has primarily revolved around classical ballet under the artistic advisory of Joyce Yagerline, Emeritus Professor of Dance at Kansas State University. Anneliese's choreography has been showcased in numerous events and celebrations to include: Kansas State Spring Dance, Wildcat Student Spotlight, Drums Alive, African American Heritage Celebration (Germany), and Month of the Military Child (Germany) as well as 21 program recitals world wide. She was selected as a UDA Allstar Dancer from the United Dance Association in 2004. Anneliese has studied dance anatomy and yoga in Europe, Mexico and the US which has helped her to better understand how to protect the dancer's body while also making it stronger. Anneliese's contemporary & jazz choreography has been invited to the Star Alliance World Championships on five occasions. She regularly attends dance conventions and competitions to further her knowledge of dance technique and industry trends. Anneliese developed the SKIES Unlimited and KMC Dance program in Kaiserslautern, Germany for 3 years while living abroad. She studied dance simultaneously in London and throughout Germany as well at numerous conventions in the US. Conventions include: NUVO, Dance Direct, Move It, Dance Teacher Summit Long Beach and UDMA Chicago. Anneliese helped re-instate the Emporia State University dance team, and is heading into her third year as head coach with the ESU Stingers. Anneliese travels to choreograph for high school and college dance teams in Kansas. Anneliese leads the 3 Tiptoz dance programs and their competition teams.
Emma Ayre
Emma Ayre is the Assistant Director for Tiptoz Dance Company and has taught with Tiptoz for 4 years. Emma was the Assistant Coach for the 2019-2020 Emporia State University Stinger Dance team. She started her dance career at the age of 3. She went to Kansas State University and was majoring in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice while minoring in Dance. She grew up in Pawnee Rock while dancing in Great Bend, Kansas. She was on Euphoria Dance Centre’s Competition Team for 5 years and was a competitive soloist next to her teammates. She went with her team to nationals all 5 years and competed multiple solos along with group routines. She also taught classes at EDC for 4 years. She has studied Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop, Modern, and Cheer/Pom. Emma was a member of the Larned High School Cheer Squad for 4 years. She then attended Barton CCC after graduating high school early and took classes to become a certified yogi. Emma participated in Kansas State’s Winter and Spring Dance performances at McCain Auditorium. Emma also traveled abroad to Rio De Janerio with Movement Exchange for the Brazil International Dance Exchange in 2018. She took dance classes in a variety of Brazilian forms including Forro, Samba, Maracatu, Capoeira, and dances of the Orixas. Emma also taught Hip Hop and Jazz classes to youth at Dom Cipriano Chagas; A non-profit school for low income communities. While in Rio de Janerio she also took classes at the University of Angel Viana.
Currently, Miss Emma travels to all three Tiptoz locations and is the head coach for the Tiptoz Marion Shine competition dance team and program manager in Marion. Miss Emma travels with the Tiptoz Staff for annual trainings and continued education at regional and national dance conventions with world renown choreographers.
Mary Yoder
Mrs. Mary has studied dance she was 3 years old. She is proficient in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical and contemporary. She has attended numerous teacher workshops and trainings across the Midwest and has participated in dance shows at Kansas State University, Cottey College in Nevada Missouri, and at the Kansas Dance Festival in Wichita, KS. Mrs. Mary has won numerous awards for her choreography, including invitations to the World Dance Championships.
Mrs. Mary is a Senior Instructor at Tiptoz CG, and she choreographs for our Council Grove and Wamego Shine teams!
Jill Fitzgerald
Jill Fitzgerald has been a great supporter of the arts, especially dance, in Council Grove for decades. Jill Fitzgerald owned and operated her own studio for over 30 years, and has now retired. Jill studed dance at Emporia State University, and was the lead twirler for the marching band while she attended ESU. Jill judged numerous pageants across the united states, and took her dancers across the state of Kansas to perform. Jill now volunteers with the dance program in Council Grove. Jill is also a mentor for dancers and teachers and teaches some private classes and specialty camps. Jill Fitzgerald is the originator of the "Big Tap Series", a company legacy. Jill's expertise and talent have touched the lives of many!
Currently Miss Jill volunteers daily at the the Tiptoz CG location. She enjoys the atmosphere at the studio, and she loves to contribute her expertise to the students, as well as the team of Tiptoz Instructors. Miss Jill, or "Jill Fitzgerald", has become a legend in the Flint Hills. Her dancers have had notable successes and they always give testimony of the gratitude they earned under her instruction.
Emma Bigham
Emma has studied dance throughout her life in Manhattan, Salina, Council Grove and Herington. Growing up she participated in many dance clinics and performances, such as K-State Classy Cats Clinics and Wichita Thunder ice hockey games. Emma danced competitively for three years and attended the Tremaine Dance Conference during these competitive seasons. She began teaching as a junior instructor when she was twelve years old, and began choreographing at fourteen. Emma has been a Tiptoz Senior Instructor for 3 years! She has choreographed routines for several high school dance teams, to include the new Marion Warriorettes! Her favorite styles of dance are lyrical, contemporary, and ballet. Emma has studied gymnastics and acrobatic dance as well, and enjoys incorporating these elements into her routines. Miss Emma loves working with all ages, but the pre-level classes are her favorite! Aside from dance, Miss Emma has received numerous academic and extra curricular honors and awards, and has traveled the nation with the many organizations that she held leadership positions in. Currently Miss Emma is enrolled at Wichita State University where she plans to continue her dance education.
Makenzie Ochoa
Makenzie Ochoa is a Tiptoz alumni dancer and former member of the Tiptoz Shine competition team. She was a junior instructor for 4 years and named Dancer of the Year her senior year. Growing up she was involved in numerous musicals through the Community Arts Council and assisted with choreography. During high school Makenzie was co-captain of the CGHS Bravettes Dance Team. After high school she received a full ride vocal scholarship to Butler County Community College. She continued her dance career at Butler as a member of the all girls show choir, The Butler Ladies. She was the dance captain and choreographer for the choir. Makenzie preformed in seasonal dance showcases while at Butler as well as a special performance with the Wichita Symphony. Makenzie studied tap technique through the dance department at Butler. Makenzie is currently attending Emporia State University majoring in Elementary Education. • Makenzie loves Tiptoz, and is excited to get back into teaching this year! We are so happy to have her back!
Hannah Yoeman
Hannah is a Senior at Kansas State University. She grew up in Mission Hills, Kansas and started dancing at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice at the age of five. She studied Classical Ballet, Lyrical Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Broadway Jazz, Musical Theater, Leaps & Turns, Contemporary, and Modern Dance. She also danced with Performance Companies Showbiz Performers, The Entertainers, and The Competition Team. Hannah was also honored to be a Disney World Troupe Traveling Member. She is currently majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation with an emphasis in Biodiversity & Conservation and is minoring in Dance. She is also a member of the Kansas State Tap Ensemble and the Vice President of the student organization, KanDance. Hannah has created award winning choreography at 2017 Starpower Dance Competition in Wichita, KS.
While her training is thorough in all areas of dance, Hannah's tap has been a huge gift to the tapping community in Council Grove. Miss Hannah currently choreographs tap, jazz and contemporary pieces for the Shine Gold teams, as well as provide technique training for all levels.
Grace Harms
Grace Harms a Junior at K-State majoring in Social Work with a minor in Leadership. She has completed her minor & teaching certificate in Dance. Her Senior project involved developing a mental health movement program. She worked as an apprentice at her home dance studio in Hutchinson for 5 years before going on to teach recreational dance classes at Manhattan Recreation for 2 years.
Grace has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop, pom, soft shoe, and African. Grace's specialties are lyrical, ballet, tap, jazz & modern. Grace is a 2 year member of the K-State Tap dance Ensemble & K-state Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Grace currently holds the position of Vice President for the KanDance student organization. Grace enjoys choreographing her own work, and has danced for many renown choreographers such as Colleen Craig, Albert Blaise Cattafi, 10 Hairy Legs, and the Anna Sokolow Dance Ensemble. Grace danced competitively for 9 years at regional and national events. During highschool, Grace was captain of the dance team, UDA All-American, and trained as a member of the Colorguard. At K-State, she was a 2 year member of the color guard for the Pride of Wildcatland. Grace holds a 200 hr. certificate for yoga, and regularly teaches classes in Manhattan, KS. In her free time, Grace enjoys spending time with her fiance', her family, friends and her 2 dogs.
Christine Carter
Christine is a junior at Kansas State University where she is dual majoring in Criminology and Psychology. She grew up in Overland Park, Kansas where she trained at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice. She studied many styles of dance including: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Broadway Jazz, and Leaps and Turns. Throughout the 15 years of training at Miller Marley she was a part of Tinitainers, Minitainers, Junior Competition Team, and the Entertainers. She had the opportunity to perform at Disney World four times with the Performance Troupes. Christine also was a part of the Shawnee Mission South Dance Team, where she held an officer position her senior year. She choreographed many of the dances for their performances. Christine attended the Broadway Bound Dance Camp at Oklahoma City University led by Jo Rowan in 2016. In college she has been a member of the Kansas State Tap Ensemble for two years along with serving as the Treasurer for KanDance this past year.
Keeley Honas
Keeley is joining us at Tiptoz Wamego this year as our newest Senior Instructor! Miss Keeley will be attending KSU and studying business. Keeley teaches jazz, lyrical, hip hop and ballet and is an outstanding choreographer. Keeley was the captain of her high school dance team, was announced as a UDA Allstar Dancer, and received numerous awards for dance at competitions. We love her to the moon and back and we know you will too! Please help us give Miss Keeley a warm welcome!
Audrey Henton
Miss Audrey is from Kansas City, Missouri and is currently in her 2nd year at K-State majoring in dietetics with a minor in both Kinesiology and Dance. At K-State, she is part of the dance program, where she performs in both the winter and spring shows as well as being a part of the WellCAT ambassador's organization. Audrey studied at Miss Dianna’s School of Dance since the age of 4 and competed since the age of 7. She also taught dance at Miss Dianna’s in various styles including jazz, ballet, tap, and acrobats for boys and girls ages 3-14. Audrey was also a member of the nationally ranked Staley High School dance team for 4 years, where she was named NDA All- American. Miss Audrey loves all styles of dance, but her favorites are Pom and lyrical/contemporary.
Casey Cowdin
Casey began dancing at age 3 at Jill Fitzgerald Dance studio and trained in various styles including jazz, tap, ballet, gymnastics, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. She was part of the Council Grove Bravettes Drill Team for 4 years, attended Summer UDA camps, was a two consecutive year All Star, and performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and New Years Parade in London, England. After high school, she danced with Barton Community College. Casey then transferred to Kansas State University to further her education in Kinesiology and Pre-Physician Assistance. While at KSU, she continued training in modern dance under David Ollington. While a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, she performed at WRL for homecoming week. She began teaching for Tiptoz Dance Company in 2014. She has taken classes with Emmy winning choreographers Travis Wall and Stacey Tookey. In 2019, she obtained her Masters of Physician Assistant. Dance has always been an outlet for Casey. She finds it to be her favorite form of physical activity; inspiring creativity, mental health, and growth. Casey seeks to empower and encourage young dancers to become their best selves and to create a safe place for expression and emotion through movement.
Aaron Case
Aaron has been dancing since he could move but started training at age 8, taking his first classes at Charlotte Dance Alliance in North Carolina and doing gymnastics fifteen hours a week at a local gym called Skywalkers.
Aaron took a break from dance and continued training at age 15 and started retaking classes at Movement and Authority after his drama teacher convinced him to audition for a local play. This reignited his passion for being on stage. Aaron started auditioning and landing principal dance roles on the Wichita music theater stage and doing shows like 42nd Street, Little shop of horror’s, and even performing at the 2008 thespian awards in Wichita, Kansas.
Aaron also cheered and competed with Cheer Eclipse from 2006-2008, where he had the opportunity to compete on the world's stage. And be coached by the legendary Sue Brummer
Aaron also had a talent contract with DDO artistry from 2007-2010, which didn’t land him any prominent roles because his parents wouldn’t let him travel during school but gave him insight into the professional world.
Aaron continued to train and dance and found finesse and a heightened passion and inclination in Hip hop, Contemporary and Lyrical. Winning awards for his Hip Hop pieces in competitions, Aaron is the recipient of awards like Entertainment Awards, Choreographer Achievement award, and dancers placing in the overalls with hip hop pieces while teaching at Tip Toz Dance Company. Three years ago, he took a break from teaching to pursue his career. You can catch Aaron boot scoot and boogieing five nights a week at Texas Roadhouse in Manhattan, where he is the operating Service Manager and leads a staff of 108 people. And the dance champions of their market.
Aaron has also done shows with Diavolo, featured on America's Got Talent—taken classes with Emmy award-winning choreographers Travis Wall and Stacy Tookey. Phil Wright who has choreographed for artists such as Lil Nas X, Cardi B and producer of the Parent Jam on Disney. Ray Leeper, Denise Wall, Kristen Gorski who played Elphaba in Wicked, Martha Nichols who played the golden woman in The Greatest Showman.
Aaron strives to empower young movers to be unabashedly themselves and creates a fun energetic environment where dancers are excited to learn. Correcting the negative narrative of comparing yourself to others and guiding and coaching each dancer on their own individual journey they are having. And ultimately sharing space and his love and passion for dance with the future of our art form.
“I am so grateful to be apart of 2022-2023 year 10 of Tip Toz!! It’s truly going to be a phenomenal year can’t wait to make some memories”
Chloe Hageman
Chloe Hageman is from Iola Kansas. She is currently attending Emporia State University and majoring in Psychology and is a member of the Emporia State Stingers Dance Team! Chloe danced competitively for 8 years and has taught classes of all styles for 5 years at her home studio, Supernova Dance Authority.
Before coming to ESU she was also a member of the dance team at Allen Community College. Chloe is excited to be able to get back into a studio working with students again and is looking forward to an amazing year of dance and meeting all of her new students and dance families!
Payton Cunningham
Payton has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She started her career in Council Grove dancing for Jill Fitzgerald. Payton attended Tiptoz Dance Company until she was eighteen years old. During her time there, she was a member of the competition dance team and she was an assistant dance teacher.
Payton was also a member of the Bravettes dance team all four years of high school until she graduated in 2018. In 2019, Payton was attending college when she started teaching at Tiptoz Dance Company in Wamego.
Payton is currently attending Washburn University and is planning on joining the Tiptoz team in Council Grove this upcoming dance season. Dance has always played an important role in Payton’s life and it is something that she is extremely passionate about. Her favorite part about teaching dance is seeing the kids improve and grow into themselves as dancers. She is extremely excited to be at Tiptoz this upcoming season and to share her knowledge and passionate with other young dancers!