Welcome to UDA. We are very excited to meet you and look forward to dancing with you this year. The goal of our dance staff is to provide dance instruction with professionalism, care and passion.
Laura Tollefson, Recreation Coordinator
I am honored and excited to be the recreation coordinator for Unity Dance Academy, and the Apple Tots program. I have over 15 years of experience and knowledge in dance, as well as an associates degree from FVTC in Marketing. Growing up in Appleton, I danced with the Appleton Parks and Recreation dance program since the age of four and received a scholarship at the age of 8 to dance at Makaroff's School of Ballet. I began teaching dance in 2007 and have gained experience in judging dance competitions, coaching high school dance teams, and choreographing for local theater companies. I'm extremely blessed to be the recreation coordinator of such a wonderful program where I can share my passion for dance with children and the community. In her free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and four children.
Katie Raether
This is my 14th year teaching at UDA! I also took lessons through the Park and Rec when I was 5 years old. I love to watch my students grow and accomplish their goals. I get excited when they master a trick or routine they've been working hard on. My husband and I have three amazing children and a dog named Bella. I enjoy the outdoors and fitness.
Danielle Braun
This will be my 4th year teaching at UDA. I went through the UDA program when growing up so it’s great to be back as an instructor! I started my dance journey taking tap, and then extending to ballet/jazz/lyrical/ and hip hop. I’ve danced competitively as well as continuing dance during my collegiate career. I have choreographed several musical productions including, Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, and Cinderella. When I'm not dancing, I am teaching choir at Einstein Middle School here in Appleton. Let’s dance it out this season together at UDA!
Hannah Ceccon
This is my 8th year teaching with UDA! I grew up dancing at Unity Dance and Acrobatics taking ballet, jazz, lyrical and pointe. I am very excited to see what this year brings in our new location! Outside of dance I work for the Appleton Area School District as a paraprofessional. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, Ashka, as well as listening to live music.
Megan Gundrum
I am excited to be a part of the UDA family. This is my second year instructing classes. I have been dancing since the age of three and found it to be one of my greatest passions. I have experience in the styles of jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, waltz, and even was the dance director in two junior musicals. Outside of dance, I perform in community theater, spend time crafting, and have more than ten years of percussion experience. Brooklyn looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the participants!
Brooklyn Billington
Brooklyn is very excited to join the UDA family in her first year of being an instructor. She has been dancing since the age of three and found it to be one of her greatest passions. Brooklyn has experience in the styles of jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, waltz, and even was the dance director in two junior musicals. Outside of dance, she is currently pursuing a degree at FVTC for Dental Hygiene, performs in community theater, and has ten years of percussion experience. Brooklyn looks forward to sharing her love of dance!
Theresa Gagnon
Hello I'm Miss Theresa. I am very excited to be teaching Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Acro, and Modern this year! I have been dancing with UDA since I was little and have assisted for about 4 years. Outside of teaching dance, I also teach mathematics at Ashwaubenon High School and am planning my wedding in May!
Ava Haak
This is my 2nd-year assistant teaching at Unity Dance Academy. I have been dancing with UDA since I was 5. I have taken all styles at UDA. I love being a part of UDA it is home to me and has allowed me to truly fall in love with dance so much that I hope to study some dance in college. I am very excited to enter my senior year dancing and teaching here!
Alyssa Brown
This is my second year being an assistant dance teacher at UDA! I have been dancing since the age of three and started at Unity when I was five. I am currently taking jazz, hip hop, modern, and acrobatic classes. Outside of dance I’m a junior at Freedom High School. I am looking forward to spreading my passion for dance this year!
Meghan Pues
My name is Meghan, this is my second year being an instructor at Unity Dance & Acrobatics! I have been dancing with Unity since the age of 5. I have taken many different genres of dance including, jazz, tap, lyrical and ballet, but hip-hop holds a special spot in my heart! I love watching the students grow and learn throughout the year! I am excited to share my love of dance with my students this year!