Our instructors

Miss Amanda Hahn
Director, owner, and lead instructor

Amanda’s dance journey began at age three in the Babes class with Miss Jill at BritZa Studios. However, her crying and refusing to join the other students delayed her love of dance… until age four. From then on, dance became more than choreographed steps; it became a joy that sustains and endures, whether life is easy or hard.

Amanda joined BritZa Studios as an instructor in 2006. Today, she serves as director, owner, and lead instructor of what is now BritZa Performing Arts Studio, where she fosters an environment of individuality, encouragement, and excellence.

Through the years, Amanda has been influenced by Project Dance-NYC, Ad Deum Dance Company, Calvin College courses, Broadway Dance Center and STEPS, Dance for Parkinson’s Training, and numerous N-House Productions guest artists and master classes held at BritZa.

“

Dance is more than movement.

For me, the essence of dance is joy: the joy of movement, the joy of expressing emotions, and the joy of creating connections. Watching my students find this joy for themselves gives me the greatest satisfaction as a teacher.

“

Miss Janette Obermueller

Director of theatre

Janette knew she wanted to become an actress from an early age, when she started writing and directing plays in her grandma's basement. Now, she has been working professionally in the arts since age 13, when she got her first paid acting job. After high school and community theatre, Janette received a degree in elementary education with a minor in theatre from Pepperdine University and was later cast as a Disney Princess, a vocalist for Walt Disney Entertainment, and a SAG and Equity actress for various TV shows and national commercials.

After living and working in Orlando, Los Angeles, and New York City, Janette and her husband moved to Sioux Falls so he could run the theatre program at the University of Sioux Falls. Over the last decade, Janette has become a mom of two girls and transitioned from being on stage to a love of teaching, coaching, and directing kids who love the arts. She now serves as director of theatre at BritZa Performing Arts Studio.

“

I see the importance of

character development

— not just the character your child is performing, but also the character they are developing in themselves.

“

Miss Maddi Barness
Asisstant director, lead instructor

Maddi began dancing at BritZa at age three and grew up in the studio, training under Miss Jill and Miss Amanda. After trying many different sports and activities, dance became the thing she loved most. In high school and college, Maddi began assistant teaching classes. She graduated from Augustana University with a degree in communication disorders and a minor in children and youth, and she began teaching full time at BritZa in 2021.

Maddi has been influenced by Progressing Ballet Technique training, Rhythm Works Integrative Dance training, Kansas City Jazz Dance Intensive, artÉmotion Ballet School, Headlights Theater, the Commercial Dance Intensive, and multiple master classes held at BritZa.

“

Dance gives you an incredible opportunity to

tell stories, portray emotions, and perform

all at once. There is so much joy in watching dancers find the same passion for movement that I found when I was three years old. BritZa is a family, and the studio is like a piece of home.

“

Miss Emily Smith
Lead instructor, Discover Dance instructor and vocal instructor

Emily started dancing at age seven and still remembers walking up the 36 steps to Miss Jill’s first studio (then Music in Motion). Over the next 12 years, she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe. While attending South Dakota State University, Emily continued to take dance classes, perform on stage, and even choreograph for musicals. Upon graduating with a degree in music education, Emily moved back to Sioux Falls. After reconnecting with Miss Amanda for BritZa’s 25th recital alumni dance, Emily began teaching a few classes at BritZa in 2011. She has now been teaching full time since 2018.

Emily loves watching her students learn and grow as they discover new ways to express their feelings through movement, build relationships, and gain confidence in who they are. Emily has been influenced by DiscoverDance training, N-House Productions, the Commercial Dance Intensive, Fluid Dance conventions, Showstoppers Dance conventions, Melissa Hauschild-Mork, Loiuse Taitz, and Richard Smith.

“

One of my greatest joys is

watching my students gain confidence.

That confidence leads them to take chances in movement, tell stories through movement, and encourage others to do the same.

“

Other BritZa team members

Miss Necedah Oros

DANCE INSTRUCTOR, DISCOVER DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Necedah's journey with dance began at the age of four. Throughout her life, dance has served as both a creative outlet and a comfort in her life. Her love for dance grew during her High School years when she started assistant teaching classes at BritZa. This ignited a passion for teaching and in 2023, Necedah transitioned into her role as a dance instructor. Inspired by her mentors at BritZa, Necedah strives to encompass the values of empathy and compassion, which define her as both an instructor and an individual. She is dedicated to helping students of all ages reach their full potential and find joy in dance.
Miss Kate Stahl

DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Kate’s journey at BritZa began at age two, kickstarting her passion for the arts. Throughout her time in high school, she was able to perform in and choreograph many shows, including Chicago, The Little Mermaid, Annie, and Beauty and the Beast. She has recently gotten involved in performing in productions with The Premiere Playhouse in Sioux Falls. She is currently attending Augustana University and plans to graduate in the spring of 2025. Her life is centered around the arts, and she is very thankful she gets to pursue her passion at BritZa.