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Anna Ellis

Anna joined Dove Dance during it's first summer in 1994. During this time, she has enjoyed performing, competing, and instructing. Anna holds her BA in Human Services Counseling, a Minor in Sociology, and her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. Anna was a member of her pom squad in junior high, high school, and college. In addition, she is certified by Dance Masters of America in Jazz. Anna has been married to her wonderful husband, Jerimy, since 1992 who is a Real Estate Broker. They enjoy their fantastic son, Benjamin.

Along with furthering technique and performance ability, Anna's goals for each of her classes include each student developing a deeper understanding of the love of Christ, a respect for their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and a heart for ministry to the Glory of God.

Her favorite scriptures are:
 
Isaiah 40:30-31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
 
Ephesians 3:16-21, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

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Ben Lanham

Ben Lanham is a Dance Performance major at Oklahoma City University from Cincinnati, Ohio. He performs regularly at OCU as a member of the American Spirit Dance Company. Ben was both Teen Mr. and Mr. Dance of Ohio with Ch. 16 of Dance Masters of America. He was awarded 2nd runner up for both of the national competitions as well as winning the tap award among others both times competiting. Ben trained at Starstruck A.D.A. and competed regularly with them prior to college. He also furthered his training at numerous conventions as well as regularly attending the Chicago Human Rhythm Project directed by Lane Alexander. Ben has been lucky enough to study privately with Lane Alexander as well as perform multiple pieces of his choreography. Ben currently studies ballet, tap, jazz, as well as theatre and voice at OCU. He aspires to be on Broadway after he graduates.

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DeeAnn Moren

Dee Ann began teaching at Dove in 2002 and oversees our 3 through 6 year old classes. She has training in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe and acrobatics. She was also       involved in twirling, cheerleading and was flag corps captain and chaplain for Enid High School Band.  As an adult, Dee Ann has performed, choreographed and taught for many churches. She was the dance leader under well-known worship leader and song writer, Dennis Jernigan, at Western Hills Church in Oklahoma City. For seven years, she was the flag corps instructor for Comanche High School Band. Dee Ann has been married to her husband, Billy, for 26 years.  Dee Ann is the mother of 3 children and is a part of the children’s leadership at Heritage Baptist Church. 

“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:4

“I feel so blessed to teach at a studio where using dance to worship the Lord and to share God’s love with others is a priority!”

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Rachel Knudsen

Rachel has been studying dance since the age of four. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, and Lyrical. She graduated from Putnam City North High School where she was Show Choir dance captain. Rachel has been blessed to be a part of many ministry opportunities such as promoting the YES program for underprivileged children with OJ Rhone, former player for the Kansas City Royals, performing  with the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem for several years, and dancing at many churches and other events as well. She has had the opportunity to take master classes with Kathy Thibodeaux, Jo Rowan, and others. Rachel has been a part of Dove Dance Soar Company for 8 years.  She has won many state and national awards with dances such as “It Is Finished-The Passion”, ”Oklahoma!”, “Freedom to Dance”, “A Place for Rosa Parks”, and others. 

Rachel is a sophomore at University of Central Oklahoma and is studying to obtain a degree in dental hygiene. This is Rachel’s 2nd year teaching at Dove Dance and she is very excited. Her favorite scripture is   “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.“ Matthew 5:5,6,8

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Savannah Tardibono

Savannah has been dancing for 17 years at Dove Dance. She is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, pointe, and acrobatics. Savannah is in the process of obtaining her DMA certification. Her heart is with Dove Dance’s vision of spreading the love of Christ to the nations, teaching girls on a weekly basis, mainstream dance arenas, and various dance outreaches and ministries. She has been involved in dance performances with the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem since 2002, and has been on dance mission trips. One of her highlights was being a part of the Dove Dance China Team that was invited to dance in the 2008 Olympic Festivals in Beijing.

Savannah has been graced with numerous regional and national awards in groups, trios, and solo competition. Savannah was the 2009 Miss Dance of Oklahoma and the 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Oklahoma.  At the Teen Miss Dance of America in 2007 in New York City, she placed 3rd in the tap audition and tied for the high interview score. She was also a member of the pre-professional tap team, The St. Louis Hoofers Club under the direction of Robert Reed II. She has been the Jr. Member President for DMA Oklahoma Chapter 27 for two consecutive terms. She has co-choreographed routines which have won state choreography awards.  In 2010, Savannah choreographed for Dove Dance’s SOAR Kids and Pre-Company which won the Petite Large Line State Championship at DMA. Savannah has enjoyed master classes with Jimmy Slyde, Nick Lazzarini, Patty Obey, Tyce D’Orio, Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Kathy Thibodeaux, and Dave Scott to name a few. She is an active member of Church of the Harvest, and enjoys ministering with her dance at church conferences and services. She is attending Southwestern Christian University to obtain her bachelor degree in Biblical Studies. 

Colossians 3:23 is her favorite verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.