Washington Dance Studio’s Dedicated and Experienced Staff

The WDS Staff considers teaching the youth of our community an honor. We value the opportunity to motivate, captivate, and inspire as we challenge and encourage our students. We all continue to further our own dance education through regional and national dance conventions and master classes. Our staff also enjoys learning from and inspiring one another!

Sharron WashingtonSharron Washington

  • Owner/ Instructor of Washington Dance Studio since 1970
  • Instructs Pre-Dance, Ballet, and Jazz
  • Director / Instructor of Summer Dance Camps
  • Choreographer for MHS musicals(1964–1978), Civic Theatre, Children’s Theatre, Arts In the Park, MCC Celebration Singers, Clay Center Tiger Chorale, Chapman Class Night, Pop’s Choir, Sugar & Spice Singers, 40 years with K-State Singers
  • Show Choir Clinician for Kansas State, Emporia State, KMEA conferences
  • 1997 recipient of the KSU Roni Mahler Award for teaching excellence in the community

Jennie Stout (Washington)Jennifer "Jennie" Stout (Washington)

  • Co-Owner / Director of Washington Dance Studio
  • 1997 Graduate of Kansas State University in Dance and Business
  • Instructs Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, and Ballroom
  • Director / Instructor of WDS Senior Company as well as our Intermediate, Junior and Senior Summer Dance Intensives
  • 22 years of teaching experience at all levels (beginning to advanced) and with all ages (preschool to adult) in studio, public school, university and master class settings
  • Performance experience with Kansas State University Dance Department Winter and Spring Dance Concerts (student choreographer, soloist and group participant) and K-State Singers
  • Wide range of choreography experience from competitive-level Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Lyrical pieces, to K-State Singers, high school show choirs, a variety of musicals, as well as community events
  • 2008 recipient of the KSU Roni Mahler Award for teaching excellence in the community

Alison GerthAlison Gerth (Fortney)

  • Director / Instructor of the WDS Junior Company
  • 2006 Graduate of Kansas State University in Family Studies and Human Services with an emphasis in Education and Youth Ministry
  • Instructs Creative Movement, Pre-Dance, Ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical
  • Four years as Head Start Preschool Lead Teacher
  • Designed and Directed Creative Movement Class and Summer Camp Curriculum
  • Creator of “Mommy & Me” Aerobics Class with Baby Yoga emphasis
  • Instructor of Summer Camps and Intensives
  • Senior and Junior Company Production Piece Choreographer
  • 11 years of teaching experience at WDS as well as USD 383 public school district, Arts in the Park, local social events, and church performances with all ages and levels in above styles as well as Cheerleading, Hula, and Salsa
  • Offers private lessons to improve dancer’s technique and performance skills
  • Former WDS student and Senior Company member (and captain) 

Jenna BoomerJenna Gourlay (Boomer)

  • Co-Director / Instructor of WDS Junior Company
  • 2010 Graduate of Kansas State University in Finance
  • Instructs Ballet, Jazz and Lyrical
  • 8 years of teaching experience
  • Creative Movement Class and Camp Assistant
  • Instructor of Summer Intensives
  • Senior and Junior Company Production Piece Choreographer
  • WDS Office Manager
  • Offers private lessons to improve dancer’s technique and performance skills
  • Former WDS student and co-captain of the WDS Senior Company
  • Studied Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern

Laura PrestonLaura Preston

  • Senior at Kansas State University in Elementary Education
  • Instructs Ballet, Tap and Jazz to four-year-olds through middle school students 
  • Summer Instructor for Intermediate Intensive
  • Former WDS student and co-captain of the WDS Senior Company
  • Studied Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Tap and Jazz

Susie ParksSusie Schlup (Parks)

  • Senior at Kansas State University in Nutrition and Exercise Science
  • Graduate student in Kinesiology
  • Instructs Tap, Ballet and Jazz to elementary through middle school students
  • Summer Instructor for Intermediate Intensive
  • Former student of WDS and co-captain of the WDS Senior Company
  • Studied Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz and Tap
  • Choreographed selections for the Manhattan High School Sugar & Spice and Pops Choir
  • Dance Captain for the MHS Musical, “Anything Goes”

Kelly LawKelly Law

  • 2001 graduate of Kansas State University in Business Administration - Marketing and International Business 
  • Instructs Tap and Jazz
  • 19 years of teaching experience in Tap and Jazz
  • Director of Membership and Marketing for the K-State Alumni Association
  • K-State Classy Cat from 1996-1998
  • Instructed and choreographed for American Dance and Drill Team from 1996–2004
  • Senior and Junior Company Production Piece Choreographer
  • Instructor of Summer Intensives

Pictures by Tom Hawk Photography