Studio M Staff – Season 4
Meagen Hensley-Shapiro
Owner/DirectorMeagen Hensley-Shapiro is a native Montanan who retired from a professional performance career to return to her roots & share her love of dance. Her diverse professional career consisted of productions including, 'The Seigfried and Roy Show', 'Sirens of TI', & 'Show in the Sky'. She was the lead aerialist at Studio 54 & in 3 performances on Broadway. Her modeling experience consists of print campaigns for The Orleans, Treasure Island & Sports Illustrated. She appeared on Hawaii 5-O as Jaycee & has performed in numerous industrials across the country. Meagen was the Entertainment Director for a theater and nightclub in Honolulu, HI. She choreographed and directed 'Burn'n Love' at the Lahaina Theater on Maui, and she was the assistant director & choreographer for multiple fashion shows. She is an alumna of the University of Montana where she was a Griz Cheerleader and the dance team coach and is currently an adjunct professor teaching tap in the dance department. Meagen is currently a Corporate Stage Manager & Producer. She works with companies like Microsoft and Amazon on their conventions & events. Meagen began her teaching career at the age of 15 & has taught in numerous studios throughout the country. She was an instructor as well as the director of On Center Performing Arts for 5 years before branching out and opening Studio M. Studio M is Meagen’s heart & soul. She loves teaching her students, creating relationships with their families and partnering with the best instructors in the state. Here’s to another amazing season!!
Tavja Zevkovich
Studio ManagerTavja Zevkovich was born and raised in Butte, MT where she started dance at the age of three under the instruction of Dixie Harrington of Dixies School of Dance and also where she met Meagen Hensley. Aside from taking Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Tumbling she was also a part of the Competition Team for 2 years. After graduating from Butte High School, Tavja moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana, graduating with a Business Degree in Sales and Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Tavja has always had a huge love for children, so much that she worked at Honeybear Daycare while attending College and then moved to Wisconsin to become a nanny for a family she met while working at Honeybear. Two years later, Tavja decided it was time to move back to Montana to be closer to family. Fast forward a few years, Tavja was reconnected with Meagen through a mutual friend and since then has been part of the Missoula dance community as a team for the past 8 years. Not only does Tavja manage Studio M, she also works full time as a regional manger/buyer for resort gift stores.
Tara McFarland
Ballet 1-4, Pre-Pointe, Pointe 3/4, Contemporary 2, 4Originally from Idaho, Tara has a BSc Dance from the University of Idaho, & an MSc Dance Science from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance (City University of London). She has danced for Bare Bait Dance, Garden City Ballet, Relay Dance Collective, Evolving Doors Dance, Louder than Words Dance Theatre, UI Dance Theatre, ASU Dancing Devils Dance Team, Just for Kix National Dance Team, captained the Moscow Bears Dance Team, & guested with 3rd Law Dance/Theatre. Her choreographic work has been featured in BBD’s Springboard (2018, 2021), GCB’s Nutcracker (2018), UM’s Dance in Concert (2023), & Cohesion Dance Project (2024). She has taught dance for more than 20 years, teaching ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, & hip hop to all ages. She has taught master classes for Cohesion Dance Project, Garden City Ballet, Dance The Divide, MT Dance Arts Association, Challis High School Cheer Team & Dance Team, US Navy Rugby Team, & spent five years as a Teaching Artist in BBD's MoDE Program teaching dance in Missoula’s high schools. As a dance researcher & member of the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science, she is excited to co-present UM research at this year’s IADMS conference in Italy. She is currently on dance faculty at University of Montana, Roots, Ballet Arts Academy, & has proudly been with Studio M since the beginning 6 amazing years ago!
Lindsey Schwickert
TA Program Director, Ballet 1,2,4, LittlesMs. Schwickert began her training in Whitefish, Montana at the age of four. Soon traveling to Kalispell, MT, she became a passionate member of the Northwest Ballet Company. She performed in several Nutcracker productions, Spring Showcases, and was also a guest artist for Azure Vision Dance Company. Her desire to constantly dance landed her at the University of Montana where she earned a BA in Dance, a BA in Communicative Sciences & Disorders and a Certificate in Entertainment Management. Two years later she completed her Masters of Business Administration. Ms. Schwickert has danced with Headwaters Dance Co. and Bare Bait Dance in Missoula. Lindsey is an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She has also trained with the Paris Opera Ballet through the Cross Threads Program. This program taught musicians and dance instructors from around the world. In her free time she loves spending time in the outdoors with her husband and brand new baby girl, Charlotte.
Jaycee Hamlin
Assistant Director (Company), Hip Hop 1-4, Sparklers 3, Contemporary 3, Acro, PCO, CCOJaycee Hamlin is a Montana based dancer originally from Helena. With dance running in her family, she has always loved training and performing in jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and break dance for over 18 years. She has danced in many places, such as Queen City Ballet, Big Sky Dance Works, and Peter Sklar’s Beginnings Workshop. Now, she dances along side her friends with Toor Dance Company. Jaycee’s teaching journey began 6 years ago at Image Dancing, and she has loved teaching at Studio M for the past 3 seasons. She can’t wait for season 6!
Caroline McCauley
Assistant Director (Company), Jazz 3, Jazz 4, CCOCaroline has been a lover of dance for 37 years. Originally from Oklahoma, dance and yoga has taken Caroline all over from Los Angeles, to Colorado, Seattle, Thailand, and Luxembourg, Europe. Caroline is passionate about teaching and inspiring young people to work hard, learn, and experience the beauty and gift of dance.
Abigail Gilbert
Triple Threat, Medley, Private Voice & PianoAbigail Gilbert was born and raised in Duluth, MN, where she has had a passion for theatre and music since she was a young child. She graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. As a professional teaching artist and director, she has worked in Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Florida, and she loves sharing her love of the arts to young people! As a performer, some of her favorite roles include Jo in Little Women: The Musical, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, and Junie B. Jones in Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. She moved to Missoula after touring with the Missoula Children’s Theatre and now works as the Tour Logistics Associate and Social Media Specialist. She is the proud co-founder of her theatre company, rooted theatre co. She is thrilled for her fifth season at Studio M!
Kelsey Lau Elkins
Jazz 1, Ballet 2, Ballet 3, Pointe 1/2Kelsey Lau Elkins grew up in Anchorage Alaska and started dancing at a young age. She joined Alaska Dance Theatre’s Company at age 14 where she was able to participate in many wonderful opportunities including performing the Nutcracker with Ballet West, Cincinnati Ballet Company, and Eugene Ballet. Kelsey has also worked with several choreographers including Maureen Whiting, Min Tran Dance Company, and Patricia Barker, among others. After high school, Kelsey moved to Montana and obtained her BSN in Nursing in 2011. Kelsey danced four seasons with Montana Ballet Company performing various roles such as Spanish and Arabian in the Nutcracker, Sun Fairy in Cinderella, and Cuckoo in Carnival of the Animals as well as many contemporary works with various choreographers including Amy Stoddart. Kelsey Graduated with her master’s degree in nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Maryville University in 2017. Kelsey joined Raison De’tre Dance Project both as a Company Dancer and Choreographer. Through her dance career Kelsey has also been able to teach across the state of Montana. Kelsey has two daughters both whom dance with studio M, and a wonderful husband who is always up for helping with props (including a life size puzzle and operation board).
Katie Joyce
Jazz 2, Tap 3, ComboKatie basically spent all of her time as a young girl dancing at the Dynamic Dance Academy in Butte, MT, training in jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop. She also spent a lot of time traveling the country on the convention & competition circuit from the time she was 10. After teaching dance in Butte for a few years, she’s happy to be back for my second season at Studio M!
Kendall Hanson
PomKendall Hanson is from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho! She is a sophomore at the University of Montana studying nursing. She is also a part of the University of Montana Dance Team and is currently the competition captain. She is so excited to be teaching the first ever pom class at Studio M! She plans on exploring a variety of different pom styles as well as focusing on pom technique. Come join now and learn from her!
Alissa Tucker
Contemporary 3, Jazz 4Alissa is a professional dancer, actor and singer originally from Missoula, Montana. At eighteen Alissa moved to New York City to intern and train at Broadway Dance Center with some of the biggest names in the industry. While living in New York Alissa had the privilege of performing in NYC Fashion Week, Off Broadway with Coco and the Vanity Vixens and in several regional theatre productions. Some favorites include West Side Story (Graziella), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), Cats (Silabub), 42nd Street, Singin in the Rain, Disney’s Tarzan and the regional premier of Saturday Night Fever. With over ten years of professional experience spanning from coast to coast Alissa has done everything from musical theater to music videos, film, commercials and cruise ships. Alissa is the founder and creator of The Dance Class with Alissa. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Yoga Teacher. Alissa has trained celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Hilary Duff, Nicole Scherzinger, Dakota Fanning and Shiri Appleby. Alissa also has a passion for teaching dance and sharing her knowledge and experience with next generations of artists. She spent two semesters teaching Jazz for the Ballet Department at The University of Utah with Tamara Squires. She has also had the joy of teaching all over the country as a master teacher and choreographing multiple award winning competition numbers. During her time in Los Angeles Alissa performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with SYTYCD choreographer Dave Scott, and in La Mirada’s production of South Pacific with director Glenn Casale. Alissa appeared in the Netflix movie musical, Christmas on the Square with Dolly Parton, directed and choreographed by the legendary Debbie Allen. Alissa is so grateful to do what she loves for a living and to have the opportunity to share her passion with others through performing and teaching.
Keely Larson
TotsKeely has been dancing her whole life in styles including hip hop, breaking, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and ballet. Before moving to Missoula, she taught for 10 years in Helena and Bozeman in recreational and competition studios for ages and styles across the board. She's excited to get back into teaching and to develop another dance family in Missoula. Keely is a member of Toor Dance Company in Missoula and was an inaugural member of Raison D'être Dance Project in Bozeman. She takes advantage of any and every opportunity to continue fostering her professional development and love for the art of dance.
Hallie Lopuch
Start Shop, Company Travel Maven, Booster Club PresidentHallie is the mom of two Studio M dancers who’ve loved dance and music ever since they could move. She is passionate about kids, dance and Studio M! She has a BA in Organizational Communications from UM and a diverse background in business from phase one of her career, and has been busy keeping up with kids during phase two of her career. Hallie loves organizing and planning, so finds herself arranging travel and fundraisers for Company for fun! She also loves to help, and answer questions - you can find her in the Studio Star Shop Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays!
Kylie Lopuch
Assistanct Company Director, Tots, Littles, Tap 1, 2, 4, Triple Threat 3/4, Privates, PCO, CCOKylie Lopuch began her dance training at the age of 4. Since then she has trained in tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre, ballet and pointe. She graduated from Studio M’s Performance and Competition Companies, as well as Studio M’s Teacher Assistant Program, in 2023. She is now the Head Coach of Hellgate Dance Team while attending the University of Montana studying Business Management and Dance. Kylie has performed around Missoula with Studio M, UM, and Toor Dance Company, as well as travelled the country for competitions and workshops. Most recently she travelled to the Orange County Tap Festival in California. She is so excited to continue teaching dance at Studio M this season!
Scout Wenzel
Star Shop, Jazz 2, Hip Hop 1, Contemporary 1Scout Wenzel has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She has trained in jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, and hip hop. Scout spent 4 years before high school on a dance company and traveled to various dance competitions in the country. She then moved to Studio M when they opened, and spent her high school years continuing her training in jazz and hip hop. Scout graduated in 2023 and she participated in two shows at the University of Montana last year while studying for a degree in Elementary Education. She is incredibly excited to start another year of teaching under the people she had the privilege of learning from!
Mylan Marcum
Hip Hop 2, Contemporary 1Mylan Marcum was born in Romeoville, Illinois and moved to Missoula when she was 7, which is when she started dancing. She was a member of On Center Performing Arts’ performance company for two years and Studio M’s performance company for two, competition for one. She graduated from Big Sky High School in 2022 where she was an initiated thespian and lettered in choir. During her first year of college, she was an apprentice for Bare Bait Dance Company where she was able to study from professional dancers and dance alongside them. She’s going on to her third year at the University of Montana and will continue her involvement with the school’s dance program. She will also continue studying business management and entertainment management. She’s so excited to start this next year and can’t wait to meet her new students!
Anaiya Tupeck
Student Teacher: Littles, Combo, Triple Threat 1 and 2Anaiya was born in New Knoxville, Ohio, but has lived in Missoula for most of her life. She started her dance training at just 2 years old at On Center Performing Arts and was a part of their Performance Company and Competition Team for multiple years. She has been dancing at Studio M since its start in 2019 and is currently a co-student director of their Performance Company. She loves learning all styles of dance and theatre, including but not limited to, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Voice, Acting, and especially Musical Theatre. Anaiya has performed around Missoula as well as traveled to Billings, Butte, Helena, Great Falls, Couer d’Alene, Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Provo for MDAA and various dance competitions. She loves being a Teacher Assistant, has a soft spot for young children, and is so excited to teach this year!
Reagan Hudiburgh
Student Teacher: Ballet 1 and 2, Littles, Sparklers 2Reagan began her dance training at the age of 7. As a current member of Studio M's performance and competition team, she has travelled around the country to compete and train. She most recently attended a program at Chapman University to train with professional dance company, Backhaus Dance. When not dancing at the studio, you can find her as Captain of Big Sky High School Dance Team. Trained in various styles, she is so excited to share her love of dance with others!
Ellie Lopuch
Co-Teacher: Pointe 1/2Ellie Lopuch is a Sophomore at Hellgate High School and has always loved the performing arts! Ellie started her love of performing at age 4. She took dance classes at On Center and took gymnastics classes at Roots. She also loved participating in MCT plays at Missoula’s local theater. Ellie performed around Missoula as much as she could! At age 9, she joined Roots Acro Performance Team, training in a mix of gymnastics and dance for 2 years. At age 11, Ellie decided to focus more on dance, and joined the Performance Company at Studio M. The following year, she made it onto Studio M’s Competition Company, and has been traveling and competing around the country ever since. Now, at age 15, Ellie is on Hellgate Dance Team for her second year and is a part of the Hellgate theater program. She also takes a wide variety of classes at Studio M including ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, jazz, hiphop, and musical theater! She is still on Studio M’s Performance and Competition team and is a part of the Teacher Assistant program. She’s been a Teacher Assistant for 5 years, and is now on her second year as Co-Teacher at Studio M!
Maia Haney
Co-Teacher: Ballet 1Maia was born in Missoula, Montana and is 15 years old. She started dance when she was 4 at On Center Performing Arts. She started dancing at Studio M in 2019 and is a member of the performance team and competition team. She takes jazz, pointe, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary. She also does the Nutcracker and has done it since she was 8. This is her fifth year teacher assisting and her second year being a Co-teacher!
Lucia Cherubini
Co-Teacher: Ballet 2Lucia started dancing at 4 years old at On Center and Missoula Irish Dancers, until the age of 10 when she started taking classes at Studio M. She has been on the Studio M company for 4 years and also on their competition company. She has been a part of the teacher assistant program for the last 4 years. She has also been on the Hellgate dance team for the past two years and does choir at Hellgate!