INNOVATIVE DANCE - Key Persons

A lifelong teacher and dancer as well as independent writer and guest teaching artist, Casey C. Davenport has been directing and teaching the ballet arts in the Portland Metro area for over 18 years. He takes pride in his students as athletic, articulate and artistic dancers training them by passing on responsibility, independent thinking, accountability, and discipline. Recently, he was certified in teaching Progressing Ballet Technique as well as attendee of Oregon Ballet Theatre School Teachers Seminar, having spent time also studying teaching under Rhee Gold's programs, Pacific Northwest Ballet and many others. Mister Casey teaches at 5 locations including Northwest Dance Project and often is asked to guest teach in various workshops. His teaching goals center around independent, conceptual thinking, active critical thinking skills and interactive learning. Pre-professional and career minded dancers, as well as his recreational and college bound students flourish in this model while allowing them the freedom to study ballet at a high level, but also enjoy time outside the studio pursuing other avenues. Dance skills are life skills and this remains a cornerstone of Mister Casey's ballet classes and training philosophy. Mister Casey has been teaching for Innovative Dance since 2002.

Jenny Spencer is honored to be on the staff of Innovative Dance. Jenny was raised in Mill City, Oregon but spent every weekend in Portland studying under Sally Mack, Julian Stites, and at 12 she was invited to train under the Oregon Ballet Company. She attended Oregon State University where her late Great Aunt Betty founded the Dance Program at OSU, sending her into company work with The Jefferson Dance Company for one year. From there she took off for NY to pursue her dream to dance professionally. Little did she know the late Anne Reinking would take notice of her strong classical ballet technique combined with her versatile training in all forms of dance. It was Anne Reinking who put her in her first Tony Award Winning Broadway Show "CHICAGO!" Her career soared from there, landing her over 10 Broadway Shows and starring in ALL of them! Her impressive long standing career stems from 20 years as a Dance Educator, Off Broadway Choreographer and Iconic Triple Threat Performer in Tony Award Winning Shows such as The Producers, Fosse, Chicago and many other Blockbuster Original Broadway Musicals.

Jordan started her dancing career at Innovative Dance at just 4 years old. She then spent 8 years competing in Performing Company from 2001-2008. Upon entering high school, Jordan was a member of the Wilsonville Pride Varsity Dance Team for 3 years. During her junior year, she joined Varsity Cheer and became captain during her senior year. After graduating Wilsonville High School in 2012, Jordan enrolled at Portland State University to further her education. During her second year of college she was a volunteer dance coach for the Synergy Middle School Dance Team in the Tigard-Tualatin area. After her sophomore year at Portland State, Jordan transferred to Western Oregon University to pursue a degree in dance. Summer of 2014, Jordan began coaching the Tigard Protégé JV Dance Team at Tigard High School, where she still currently coaches. After completing her third and final year at Western Oregon University, Jordan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a Minor in Sports Leadership in June 2017.

Megan began dancing at Innovative Dance at the age of 6. She was one of the original members of performing company and took tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop classes. In 2004 Megan was awarded the Dancer of the year award at Innovative Dance. She attended Wilsonville High School where she was on the varsity dance team for 4 years and one of the captains her senior year. She was a member of the 2008 OSAA All-state dance team. Megan was also on the varsity cheerleading team for 2 years at Wilsonville. Megan graduated from Oregon State University where she received a double major in Human Development and Family Sciences and Education. She is also earned an endorsement in English Speakers of a second language. Megan was a member of the Oregon State dance team for 4 years and a captain for 2 years. Dance team has given her the opportunity to dance for a huge crowd in many different dance styles. Megan continues to enhance her own dance skills and teaching techniques by completing Karida Griffith's Tap Teacher Training and attending the Dance Life Retreat Center workshops and conventions throughout the year. Outside of dance Megan lives in Wilsonville with her husband and two kids and enjoys all the town has to offer.

Tonja decided to try out dance when she was 9 years old and didn't look back. She instantly wanted to try all styles of dance and fell especially in love with acrobatics. To gain more experience, she became a teacher's assistant for younger acro classes throughout her dancing career. Some would say it was in her blood as her mother danced, taught, and owned a dance studio for many years. Tonja was in performing company during her time with the Innovative Dance family. This exposed her to conventions, competitions, and community shows of all kinds. She also assisted in classes, substituted, and helped in the front office. Although, the highlight was the privilege of being awarded Dancer of the Year in 2012. Upon high school graduation, she moved to Arizona where she graduated from GCU with Bachelor of Athletic Training. She furthered her education with a Master of Post-Secondary Higher Education from ASU. While at ASU, she worked for various teams as an athletic trainer. She is excited to be able to integrate her in-depth knowledge of the body to her teaching toolbelt. She has since moved back home to set down roots with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Vanessa's love of dance began in the 2nd grade when she took her first Jazz. She can still picture the bright yellow overalls and high pigtails. After that first year she expanded her knowledge of the styles of dance by being asked to join the performing company at the studio she attended. The styles included Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Hip-Hop. In middle school Vanessa moved to Wilsonville and began attending Innovative Dance where she joined the performing company and also began learning the art of lyrical dance. The studio gave her a place to hone her performing skills by not only competing in group routines, but solos and duos as well. Later in 2005 Vanessa gained the true honor of Dancer of the Year. During High School she joined the Pride Dance Team at Wilsonville High School for her Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and the end of her Senior year, where during her Junior year she was a captain. In later years, she danced professionally on Pure Dance Company and gained knowledge of contemporary dance. Vanessa continues her knowledge of dance by attending conventions and taking the Tap Teacher Training Intensive led by the incredibly talented Karida Griffith Walker. Over the years there have been incredible instructors who have influenced Vanessa and nurtured her passion for dance. Dance gave her the ability to make friends, feel confident, learn discipline, create healthy habits, express herself and learn what it means to be passionate while graceful. Her hope is to help others learn technique while being able to express themselves through motion and performance.