ABOUT
Studio Bea Dance offers a variety of classes in group, private, and semi-private settings to dancers of all ages and skill levels. We offer recreational and competitive classes to accommodate all your needs. Here at Studio Bea we not only focus on dance training but are also committed to developing character and life skills that can be applied in and out of the studio. We offer a welcoming environment where everyone is family.
TEAM
Holly Bea Richards
Owner/Instructor
Holly grew up in Boone, IA where she started dancing at the age of 3. She trained at Carol Renae Dance and Tumbling Studio in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, and stretch/leaps/turns. Holly was also a member of the competitive dance team where she was part of numerous high point and judges choice awards both in group and solo routines. In high school Holly was an active member of the varsity cheer and dance team, after graduation she attended Luther College where she received majors in both dance and business management. While attending Luther College Holly was involved in the Eklipse Hip Hop Dance Team, Luther College Dance Team, and was given the opportunity to research the Movement Fundamentals Curriculum through a research grant. Over the past 15 years Holly has instructed dance and tumbling classes at a number of dance and fitness studios in Iowa, she has also worked with city parks and recreation teams in both Minnesota and Iowa. Holly has also choreographed state cheer and dance routines as well as high school musical and speech teams. Holly continues her training by attending yearly conventions, and currently maintains certification in PBT, Alixa Flexibility, and Preschool Acro Dance. She is also an active member of Danscend an organization that brings mental health and wellness to the forefront of the dance industry. Holly has a passion for dance and a love for teaching and is excited to pair the two together to fulfill her lifelong dream of spreading the joy of dance.
Sam Slater
Instructor
Samantha “Sam” Slater was born in Winfield, KS and raised in Topeka, KS. As a first generation Asian-American in a single parent home, Sam found solace in dance, theatre, and cheer throughout her childhood. She began dancing at age 3, joined Ballet Midwest Dance Company at age 12 and performed in well known classical ballet productions such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Cinderella, and La Boutique Fantasque up until she graduated high school. During that same era she was very active in her local theatre community performing various shows such as Peter Pan, Cinderella, Mama Mia, and Little Shop of Horrors. She also cheered for her high school and competed as well. After graduating high school in 2007, Sam received a dance scholarship at Barton County where she competed nationally at the National Dance Association in Daytona, FL and placed top 10 out of many other Division II dance teams. During her time in college she started teaching at a local dance studio which jump started her career as a dance teacher. In 2012 she danced and assisted with the choreography for the Kansas Koyotes (a professional arena football team) as well as assisting with local theatre in SC and GA. This will be Sam's 15th year as a teacher. She has experience in teaching Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Acro, and competition coaching. In her spare time she loves spending quality time with her family, especially her daughter Luna.