ABOUT KDS
With a heart dedicated to her students and her craft, Kerri Jo (Richardson) Watts opened the doors to her dance studio in the fall of 1992... and she's been inspiring and educating young dancers from all over western Iowa ever since. Kerri and her staff are dedicated to the dreams and aspirations of each student and are constantly learning alongside the students to improve the program. KDS believes in teaching younger dancers a strong base in terminology, technique and strength training, all while maintaining a fun, energetic learning environment. Older students are challenged by fresh, modern choreography, and are trained to develop their athleticism and expression in dance.
Kerri's Dance Studio houses two convenient studio locations, offers multiple classes six days of the week, and maintains a wide variety of classes available to dancers of any age, at any level.
Just a few things that make KDS special:
Free trial classes for first-time students.
Beautiful and affordable annual dance recitals.
Two convenient locations with multiple dance rooms.
Suitable for all ages, and levels of experience.
A supportive, family-based environment.
Quarter century director/owner experience.
A continuously trained and devoted staff.
A six time national champion competitive team.
A safe place to call home, where creativity and fun is always welcome.
It's never too late to try out Kerri's Dance Studio. Join us today!
With a heart dedicated to her students and her craft, Kerri Jo (Richardson) Watts opened the doors to her dance studio in the fall of 1992... and she's been inspiring and educating young dancers from all over western Iowa ever since. Kerri and her staff are dedicated to the dreams and aspirations of each student and are constantly learning alongside the students to improve the program. KDS believes in teaching younger dancers a strong base in terminology, technique and strength training, all while maintaining a fun, energetic learning environment. Older students are challenged by fresh, modern choreography, and are trained to develop their athleticism and expression in dance.
Kerri's Dance Studio houses two convenient studio locations, offers multiple classes six days of the week, and maintains a wide variety of classes available to dancers of any age, at any level.
Just a few things that make KDS special:
Free trial classes for first-time students.
Beautiful and affordable annual dance recitals.
Two convenient locations with multiple dance rooms.
Suitable for all ages, and levels of experience.
A supportive, family-based environment.
Quarter century director/owner experience.
A continuously trained and devoted staff.
A six time national champion competitive team.
A safe place to call home, where creativity and fun is always welcome.
It's never too late to try out Kerri's Dance Studio. Join us today!
The Staff
Kerri Jo Watts
Owner/Director
Mali ThramerMali is a KDS alumni who is thrilled to be back teaching. Mali studied tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, & poms for 16 years. Mali is a former member of the UNO dance team and holds National titles with both her competitive high school studio team and college dance team. Mali also participated in dance team at Lewis Central high school while attending and has several top 5 placements with that team as well.
Sabrina McKeeverSabrina is a KDS alumni and we are THRILLED to have her back. Sabrina was a long time member of the KDS Take Flight competition team and went on to be a 4 year member of the Iowa State Cyclones dance team. As a team member Sabrina has numerous regional, state, and National titles. Specializing in jazz and lyrical Sabrina is a creative and talented choreographer who LOVES kids!
Rachel NiellRachel has been with KDS for 6 years teaching tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and creative movement. Rachel grew up in Council Bluffs dancing with Kay Nelson. In her teens Rachel often traveled to California to study at the Edge Dance Center and enjoyed attending Tremaine conventions studying with some top choreographers in the industry. Rachel has performed at half time of the Orange bowl and was an NDA All American dancer.
Jamie Bowen
Jamie grew up in the KDS family dancing as a student for 15 years. Jamie was a member of Take Flight competition team and holds a national title in senior small groups. We are very excited to have Jamie now teaching and assisting back at the studio. Jamie is currently attending nursing school at Nebraska Medicine 
Cameron Miller
Cameron Miller is a Kansas City native, and is currently entering his first season with American Midwest Ballet. Cameron started his ballet training at the age of ten, at Classical Ballet School in the Kansas City, Northland. He then moved to the Kansas City Ballet School in 2008, where he continued his training until he graduated high school in 2014. He additionally performed with the Kansas City Youth Ballet Company, where he performed various roles such as Swan Lake Pas De Trois, Les Sylphides, Nutcracker, Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty, Napoli, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and various works from guest choreographers. After his high school graduation, Cameron went on to pursue his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography with a dual emphasis in both ballet and modern dance at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. There he was under the close direction of Paula Weber and David Justin, as well as Gary Abbott, Mary Pat Henry, Deeanna Hiett and Sabrina Madison-Cannon. As a student, he performed their original works as well as works created by George Balanchine, Gregory Dawson, Winston Brown, and Philip Jerry. He has also had the opportunity to perform Sylvia Pas de Duex, White Swan Pas de Duex, as well as a contemporary pas de duex which was selected to be performed at an international choreographers showcase held in various cities spread across Guatemala. |
Kailey FrickeKailey started dancing at KDS at just 3 years old, after 15 years of lessons she is now on staff and we could not be happier. Kailey is a member of the UNO Mavricks dance team. Kailey has performed in the shell on the beach at the NDA collegiate finals and holds 3 National titles in small group jazz.
Natasha GregoryNatasha is a Council Bluffs native who studied at KDS as a child and then went on to advanced ballet studies with the Rose Theatre Dance. She served as prima ballerina with Ballet Nebraska upon its inception and several more years. Natasha is retired from professional ballet but continues to teach ballet with several local studios and companies as well as barre and fitness classes.
Ashley Cavanaugh
Ashley grew up at KDS taking classes for 15 years. She was a 4 year member of the ALHS dance team. Ashley attended Northwest Missouri State college where she was a member of the dance company performing and choreographing several shows. Ashley earned her degree in early childhood education and teaches at Logan Magnolia School. I Gigi Hausman
Gigi Hausman is an Omaha native who grew up studying dance at the Rose Theater. She then attended Baldwin Wallace University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she studied acting and dance. She has recently been seen in Ballet, Inc.’s The Series at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City and in the American Dance Festival at Cleveland Playhouse. Gigi is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Membership Candidate Program. She is thankful for the opportunity to teach at KDS and excited to begin! 
Kelsey Walker
Kelsey might be considered a new teacher at KDS that she has been dancing here for a long time. Kelsey started dancing and competing at KDS at a young age and holds 4 national titles in small group division and 2 in production. After graduation Kelsey went on to dance at Grandview university where she served as captain of the dance team her senior year. Kelsey obtained a bachelors degree in nursing and is currently also working at UNMC. |