Kayla took her first dance class at the young age of six years old, since then she hasn’t stopped dancing. She first started out at France School of Dance located in Keizer, OR, there she took tap and jazz. She then auditioned for the Salem Ballet Nutcracker, and met Zoe Lisa Banton (Owner of City Dance Theatre), the ballet mistress for the Nutcracker. That’s when she began her dance career at City Dance Theatre, studying Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Musical Theatre, lyrical, hip-hop, and performing company. Kayla was a student of CDT from age 7 to when she graduated high school. Within CDT she was a CDT company member who competed and performed all around the Willamette Valley. At CDT, she had the opportunity to perform The Nutcracker with the Russian Festival Ballet for 3 years in a row. As a competitive company member, she earned national ranks, and many Judge’s choice awards. CDT Performing company also traveled to Disneyland, and performed their summer show, as well as participated in classes given by the Disneyland cast members. While in high school Kayla was Dance Team captain for McNary High School’s dance team competing at the state level. Kayla was also in all four annual musicals at McNary Highschool, she was appointed as Dance Captain all four shows. She competed in the Keizer’s Jr Miss program, and where she was awarded with the Talent, and Fitness scholarship. From high school, Kayla went onto study dance at University of Oregon, GO DUCKS. While at U of O, Kayla taught dance at a studio called Happy Feet, teaching classes to kids under 7 years old. Kayla then transferred colleges to Portland State University and graduated with a Bachelors in Arts. She continued to teach dance at various studios, such as Let’s Make Music and Dance, Precision Elite Gymnastics and Dance, and Chehalem Valley Dance Academy. Kayla moved to Tillamook in 2013, sought out Dance Zone and has been there since. In 2019, Dance Zone was transferred into NorthWest Dance Academy, and is happy to continue to inspire dancers in Tillamook County.
Kayla is happily married and a mother of three, Landon, Maeve & Weston.
Angel started dancing at the age of nine when she was enrolled in one jazz class at Oregon Coast Dance Center. The next year she took jazz and tap. The year after that it was jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop. Then it was any class they'd let her enroll in and the OCDC performance group. While in high school she was a student teacher and assistant. She also competed in dance for seven years, performed at numerous community events, and choreographed for the spring musical her senior year at Tillamook High School.
In 2009, Angel followed her passion to Western Oregon University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. In the dance program at WOU she studied dance pedagogy, composition, kinesiology, modern dance history, film dance history, wellness for dancers, drumming for dancers, rhythmic awareness, stage production, music editing, improv, and partnering while also training in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, hula, and African dance styles. Angel performed in and choreographed for WOU’s annual Spring Dance Concert and was selected twice to present for the Western Oregon University's Academic Day of Excellence in the dance department. She participated in student leadership for the dance department for two years and was president her senior year.
Angel moved back to Tillamook in 2014 and began teaching at Dance Zone. She then transitioned to North West Dance Academy with Kayla Jenck in 2019. Her competitive numbers have received many special awards for stage presence, concept, and choreography. She has done guest choreography for Tillamook High School Cheer and TAPA. Angel’s classes focus on technique and artistry in an environment that is fun, positive, and safe. Angel’s favorite thing about being a dance instructor is watching young dancers explore their creativity and become artists.
Jamie started dancing when she was nine years old training in ballet and jazz. After a year she was offered to audition for Oregon Coast Dance Centers competition team. A few years later she transitioned to Dance Zone. Jamie began dancing more, and added on new genres that included ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical, contemporary and pointe. She competed on Dance Zone’s Competition Team for six years at a national level within the region of Oregon and went on to win several high scoring routines & judges choice awards with the help of Miss Angel, Sarah, and Kayla's training & choreography. She had two opportunities dancing with the Trail Blazers dancers doing half time shows and even performed twice in the Holiday Bowl. There she took master classes and trained with many great choreographers, including Mandy Moore and a dancer from Beyonce's "single ladies" music video Jaquel Knight. While dancing at Dance Zone Jamie took on the role of assisting younger age classes and encouraged them through their very first stage experiences. After graduating from Tillamook High School, she moved to Portland to study phlebotomy, and worked in that field through the pandemic. While out in the greater Portland area, she trained at Vega Dance Lab for fun to keep her dance spirit alive. She now lives back in Tillamook working toward a career in Pharmacy. Dance is still her passion, and she wants to continue to work with dancers and give them an experience as she was given. Jamie is honored to be part of the NWDA family. Life is truly better when you’re dancing.
Jayci has a background in gynamstics. She has worked with kids for many years, earning both an education in child programs, and working with youth programs. This is her first year as a staff member & we cannot wait to see how her gymnastics adds to our program.
Jayci is a mom of three: Ryan, Brooke, and Lauren. She's excited to join the NWDA Team!
