Our Story
More Than Just Dance
Providing excellence in dance instruction while building Christian character to reach the community for Christ.
HIS Dance Academy was founded by Beth Huegli and Leslie Glendening, sharing a vision to provide excellent dance instruction in an environment rooted in faith. Since opening our doors, we’ve remained committed to helping students of all ages grow in skill, confidence, and their understanding of God’s love.​
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At the heart of our instruction is a Vaganova-based ballet curriculum, enhanced with Bible verses and spiritual applications that connect faith to movement. Whether your child is trying a new activity or pursuing serious training, HIS Dance offers a nurturing place to thrive.
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Our Recreational Division welcomes dancers from 3 months to adults. Beginning at age 8, students may continue in the Recreational track or transition into our Graded Technique Division, starting with Apprentice 1. Dancers progress at their own pace, often spending 2–3 years in a level. Pointe work may begin at the Junior 1 level, determined by the instructor, with families included in the decision due to the increased commitment required.
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Our dance season runs from September through May, with additional Maintenance, Master, and Summer Classes which are offered from June through August. Registration opens in March for the Summer programs and on June 1st for Fall enrollment.
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Community Outreach
In support of our mission—providing excellence in dance instruction while building Christian character to reach the community for Christ—HIS Dance Academy is dedicated to serving our local community through outreach and education.
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We offer lecture demonstrations in area schools, introducing students to the art of dance while encouraging creativity, discipline, and confidence. In addition, HIS Dance Academy partners with Coit Creative Arts Academy to provide an outreach program for public school students. Through this partnership, we share our facility for dance training, creating a nurturing environment where young learners can grow artistically and personally.
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HIS Dance Academy also reaches the community through original ensemble productions and our annual all-school performance. These presentations showcase students’ training while sharing meaningful stories and themes rooted in faith. Through excellence in the performing arts, these productions provide an opportunity to share the message of Jesus and invite the community to experience truth, hope, and beauty through dance.
Meet The Team
Sarah Walters
HIS Curriculum Director, HIS Ensemble Co-Artistic Director & Ballet
Olga Smelik
Ballet
Charlotte Davis
Ballet
Olivia Walters
Ballet, Modern
Jennifer Berryhill
Pre Ballet
Administrative Assistant
Evan Hsu
Hip Hop
Tassia Johnson
HIS Ensemble Artistic Director,
Ballet
Sarah Bethel
Ballet & Tap
Bethany Love
Hip Hop
Sophia Lee
Ballet & "God's Girls"
Jessica Bradt
Jazz
Ezra Lee
AP Boys
Our Board of Directors
Barbie Koets, President Info coming soon!
Dan Lupo, Treasurer, brings extensive financial leadership and a heart for community service to the board. He joined NPF in 2012 and previously served as an Investment Analyst at RDV Corporation, Associate Financial Architect at KPMG (Equaterra), and Commercial Credit Analyst at Mercantile Bank. Dan is both a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He earned a BBA with Honors in Finance and Accounting from Grand Valley State University.
Dan has faithfully served numerous nonprofit organizations, including six years on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities West Michigan, with his final two years as Board Chair. He currently serves on the Finance Committee of St. Cecilia Music Center and as Chair of its Endowment Investment Committee.
Dan and his family are deeply invested in the mission of HIS Dance Academy, with four of their six children actively participating in the program.
Amanda Wilhelm, Secretary, a graduate of Miami University and Xavier University, is a faith-driven leader with a professional background in marketing, early childhood education, Montessori learning, and child intervention services. Her work bridges business and education, with a focus on family engagement, program leadership, staff development, and creating environments where children thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. Deeply involved in ministry through church leadership, volunteer development, and nonprofit service, Amanda is passionate about helping families feel seen, supported, and connected to their faith and community. Her connection to HIS Dance Academy is personal—her oldest daughter began dancing in 2022, and witnessing her growth in confidence, joy, and faith has affirmed Amanda’s belief in the ministry’s impact. Amanda values servant leadership and is honored to support an organization dedicated to investing in children, families, and faith.
Tom Glendening, Founding Member, is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he studied Purchasing and Production Management, and currently serves in purchasing at Our Daily Bread Ministries. As a former collegiate athlete and the father of collegiate and professional athletes, he understands that talent is God-given and that disciplined, Christ-centered training is invaluable in helping young people develop their gifts with excellence, character, and purpose. Tom believes every achievement is ultimately an opportunity to reflect God’s faithfulness and give Him glory. HIS Dance Academy was founded by his wife, Leslie, alongside Beth Huegli when Tom’s daughter was eight years old. As a founding member, Tom has been a faithful spiritual mentor and prayer warrior, offering wisdom, encouragement, and steadfast support to the leadership and community. He is deeply passionate about equipping the next generation to grow in their faith and use their God-given talents to share the message of the Gospel.
Laura Kaleefey is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Accountancy. A Certified Public Accountant, she currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Pregnancy Resource Center, where she has provided financial leadership since 2022. Previously, Laura held various leadership roles with National Heritage Academies, bringing extensive experience in finance, operations, and organizational management. Laura was introduced to HIS Dance Academy through a friend during Bring a Friend Week in 2018, and her daughters began dancing at HIS in 2022. Laura is honored to serve HIS Dance Academy because it encourages every dancer to find their identity in Christ and empowers them to live out their faith on and off the stage.
Katie Oostema is a Grand Rapids native and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian Schools and Calvin University. She has been married to her husband, Tom, for 45 years and is a proud mother of three and grandmother of five. A faithful supporter of HIS Dance Academy since its inception, Katie brings over 20 years of experience in children’s ministry and is passionate about planting God’s Word in the hearts of children, equipping them for life and their walk with Jesus. Her heart aligns deeply with the studio’s mission of integrating Scripture into dance, helping students carry truth with them wherever life leads. Katie serves the studio through behind-the-scenes support for staff and by thoughtfully decorating for events and seasonal celebrations, helping create a warm, welcoming environment for the entire HIS Dance community.
Suzanne Grasman is a graduate of Calvin College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989. She has served in marketing, communications, and worship ministries across several churches, faithfully using her gifts to serve others.
Suzanne is also the owner of Nest4Joy at Changing Thymes, where she curates vintage home décor and creates original handcrafted pieces. As an artist, she shares, “I love nature and God’s artistry. To be able to find new creative techniques and help others be creative is important to me.” For more than 20 years, Suzanne has been actively involved in the local arts community, participating in events such as ArtPrize on multiple occasions.
For over 15 years, Suzanne has been a valued part of the HIS Dance Academy community, serving in marketing, front desk support, backstage management, stage production, costume design and creation, props, and set design management. She is also a proud HIS parent of two daughters who participated in the program, with her oldest going on to dance professionally.