Biographies
Georgia Walker
Georgia is the owner and head instructor at IDP. She previously owned Georgia’s Dance Elements (GDE) in Windom, MN and Mountain Lake, MN; before moving to Sheldon in 2018. Georgia began dancing at the age of 5, and has 25 years of experience. She competed numerous routines in the styles of jazz, tap, clogging, and lyrical with her studio; along with participating on her high school dance team all four years. After high school, Georgia attended Morningside College and earned a BS in Business with an Accounting emphasis and a Dance Minor. She also competed on Morningside College Dance Team, which earned a national championship her senior year. During college she began teaching jazz and tap classes at Socorra’s Performing Arts Studio in Sioux City, IA. Georgia taught at SPAS for 3 years before moving to MN with her husband. Georgia and her husband spent 2 years in MN before bring their daughter, Quinn, into the world. Shortly after Quinn was born, we were called to move back to Iowa. What a great blessing that turned out to be! Georgia reached out to Sheldon Dance Studio for an open teaching position right away. She is very thankful for the opportunity Danielle gave her and excited to see where this new journey will take her family and the dancers.
Tonja Howard
Tonja is our head tumbling instructor. She has been teaching at the studio for about 5 years. She enjoys watching her daughter, Brooke, dance and her son, Jonathan wrestle. Both of her kids show dairy cattle throughout the summer too. Tonja works at the animal clinic in Hartley during the day. In her free time she is riding her horse, spending with with family, and cheering on the Hawkeyes.
Maggie McGuire
Maggie danced for 13 years. Her favorite style is jazz because she likes the upbeat energy and sassy expressions. Maggie is most excited to be around people with the same passion for dance at IDP this season. Outside of dance, Maggie is a student at Northwestern College. She studies political science. She enjoys spending time with friend and family, especially her sisters and niece. She loves to cook and considered going to culinary school. Maggie is also a barista at Brad’s Bakery in Orange City.
Maggie has been on a state champion dance team, consistently scoring high at the state competition throughout high school.
Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 because it reminds us that God’s plan is more important than our own.
Maggie’s advice to young dancers is “Dance is about self expression and connecting with the music. You will make some of your favorite memories dancing and some of your best friends too.”
Alissa Van Beek
ALISSA HAS BEEN DANCING FOR 15 YEARS. HER FAVORITE STYLE IS LYRICAL BECAUSE SHE CAN EXPRESS HER EMOTIONS THROUGH IT AND TELL A STORY TO THE AUDIENCE. SHE’S MOST EXCITED TO GROW CONNECTIONS WITH HER STUDENTS AND TEACH THEM HOW TO DO THE THING THAT SHE LOVES THE MOST. SHE ALSO ATTENDED A YEAR AT DORDT UNIVERSITY AND DANCED ON THE DANCE TEAM AND DID COMPETITIONS WITH THE TEAM. SOME OF HER DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE PLACING 5TH IN HIP HOP AND 3RD IN POM IN 2020, PLACING 2ND IN POM AND PLACING 6TH IN HIP HOP, AND PLACING 16 WITH HER SOLO IN 2022 WITH HER HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM AT STATE. ALISSA WAS ALSO SELECTED FOR THE ALL IOWA HONOR DANCE TEAM IN 2023. ALISSA COMPETED WITH THE DORDT DANCE TEAM, THEY PLACED 5TH IN HIP HOP AND 4TH IN POM FOR 2023 AND WERE RANKED HIGH IN ALL THE COMPETITIONS THEY WENT TO DURING THEIR 2024 SEASON. OUTSIDE OF DANCE, ALISSA IS NOW ATTENDING NORTHWEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO COMPLETE HER ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING, ALISSA’S HOBBIES ARE COOKING, BAKING, AND LISTENING TO PODCASTS, SHE ALSO WORKS AS A BARISTA AT THE SCOOTERS IN SHELDON.
ALISSA’S FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE IS EXODUS 15:2 BECAUSE IT REMINDS HER HOW THE LORD GIVES HER STRENGTH EVEN WHEN SHE THINKS SHE DOESN’T HAVE ANY LEFT.
ALISSA BELIEVES IT’S IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG DANCERS TO KNOW HOW MUCH DEDICATION IT TAKES TO STAY WITH DANCE, IT MAY MEAN SAYING NO TO HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS OR NOT GOING TO A FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL GAME. BUT IT’S WORTH IT BECAUSE YOU GET TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE!
Mallorie Van Meeteren
Mallorie has been dancing for 10 years. Her favorite style is jazz because she likes showing off her fun personality. She’s excited to grow connections with the student and helping them grow. Outside of dance, Mallorie enjoys attending youth group and she participates in high school dance team. Besides working at the studio, Mallorie is also a babysitter.
Mallorie was chosen for All-Iowa Honor Dance Team and ranked 14th at the state solo competition.
Her favorite motivational quote is “Dreams don’t work unless you do”.
Mallorie believes it’s important for young dancers to always try their best and push themselves above and beyond.
Bella Michels
Bella has been dancing for 12 years. Her favorite style is jazz. She is excited to help students grow a passion for dance and build connections with each other. Besides dance Bella is involved in golf and dance team. She also works at Breu Haus and Sheldon Vision Care. A couple of Bella’s dance achievements include placing 2nd in pom at state in 2023 and ranking 21st at the state solo competition.
Bella’s favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Bella’s advice to younger dancers is to focus on what is in front of you so you don’t miss the good things that God will give you today.
Aftyn Dietrick
Aftyn has been dancing for 10 years. Her favorite style of dance is ballet. Outside of dance she enjoys choir, dance team, theater, SLT, and speech.
her favorite bible verse is pslam 30:5 - “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” it reminds her that each day is a new start and you can choose your happiness and attitude.
aftyn’s advice to other dancers is, ”it’s okay to not get things righta way. sometimes the easiest moves for someone else will be your hardest, but that’s what makes every dancer unique!”
Natilie schmith
Natilie has been dancing for 12 years, starting when she was 3. she doesn’t have a favorite style of dance but enjoys lyrical and jazz. she is so excited to be such a great leader to the little kids she teaches, knowing the impact the older kids had on her. besides dance, natilie loves dance team, choir, band, color gaurd, theater, softball, and cheerleading. some of natilie’s great acheivements are making dance team and earning platinum with her solo.
natilie’s favorite bible verse is ephesians 6:11 because it reminds her that God will always be there to protect her.
natilie wants everyone to remember people don’t remember other people from their mistakes, they remember their ACCOMPLISHMENTS. so make a million mistakes if that’s what it takes! always believe in yourself and never give up!