Instructors

NANCY WELLS : FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Nancy Wells began dance classes at age six in Wenatchee, WA with Arlene Watkins for tap, jazz, gymnastics and later ballet with Joan Shelton.

After a teen hiatus Nancy resumed her passion for dance by taking classes at Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) when it had a thriving dance program directed by Linda Anderson. She received a full two year scholarship and was soon interning for Ms Anderson at The WW Dance Foundation and at WWCC.

In 1983 she choreographed her first performance piece and in 1984 she was a regular teacher for the young dancers at the WW Dance Foundation. In 1986 she was hired to teach at WWCC. During these years Ms Wells went to Seattle on a regular basis to take classes from the brilliant members of the Bill Evans Dance Company. This company and and members have been instrumental in the modern and jazz world throughout the country.

In 1985 Nancy was recruited by Joanne Rasmussen and Jack Frieman to choreograph the outdoor summer musical The Sound of Music. These two wonderfully talented directors were great mentors and along with Paul Wickline sparked a great collaboration for future shows. Nancy choreographed Fiddler on the Roof, Mame,The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, Music Man, and Bye Bye Birdie. She also choreographed many of the Children’s Theatre productions.

Miss Nancy became head of the WWCC Dance department and directed, produced, and choreographed many shows there. She also started The Walla Walla Moving Co. for the area’s advanced young dancers. The company performed locally and successfully competed through out the NW and Canada. The tradition of attending and competing at nationally recognized conventions continues. Dancers and teachers have attended LA DanceForce out of The Edge in L.A., Tremaine, NUVO, Jump, and 24/7 to name a few.

Nancy continues to teach, mentor, choreograph, direct, and produce large scale productions. She takes great pride in the quality of instructors and the training at The Walla Walla Dance Company. Our teachers and dancers share the passion, artistry and joy of dance!

JUSTINE CLARK : CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Justine danced professionally in Los Angeles’s acclaimed contemporary dance company, Hysterica, created and directed by Kitty McNamee + assistant director / dancer Ryan Heffington, performing original and amazing works by the aforementioned as well as company dancers Nina McNeely, Mecca Vazie Andrews, Marlon Pelayo, Scott Hislop and Bubba Carr. With Hysterica and friends, Justine had the pleasure of performing at the Ford Amphitheater / Hollywood Bowl, L A C M A, El Portal, N Y Fashion Week, White Wave Festival / N Y, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / L A Opera, Disney Concert Hall / L A Philharmonic, M O C A, The Brand Library, The Orpheum Theater, Open Fist, The Unknown Theater, The historic Alexandria Hotel and many other galleries and venues throughout Los Angeles, including film / television. She toured to the U K with the avant garde hybrid performance art company WIFE and performed their work throughout L A and at SummerScape (Opera) in New York.

Before joining Hysterica, Justine was in Seattle - on the teaching faculty of Westlake Dance Center, Gotta Dance, Turning Pointe Dance Centre, the School of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and guest teaching at schools throughout the Northwest after completing a year long training intensive on scholarship at Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, directed by Randy Allaire. On scholarship, she was able to train extensively with leading professionals in the industry : Mandy Moore, Christina Woodard, Terry Beeman, Doug Caldwell, Nicole Harlan, Josie Walsh, Natsuo, Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo and more. Her teachers impacted her greatly and in the season finale she performed pieces by J T Horenstein, Denise Leitner, Cindera Che, Karen Martin + Ryan Heffington, Phi Nyugen, and Scott Hislop.

Justine began her training in Walla Walla with Nancy Wells, Idalee Hutson - Fish, Teri Rowe and guests. She trained at Summer Dance Lab / Whitman College during the summers and joined the teaching faculty later on. Justine also taught at W W C C while she was a student, captain of the dance team and assistant to coach Teri Rowe. She taught briefly for Universal Dance Association before returning to concert dance via Westlake Dance Center / Seattle.

At Westlake, Justine had the opportunity to train, dance, and perform with Kirsten Barron - Kinney, Kim Gockel, Sheri Lewis, Kari Lee - Florentine / IN - Effect, Daniel Cruz / Cruz Control, and Kirsten Cooper / W D C Performance Group. She was honored to be on the teaching faculty with her valued and beloved teachers and has continued assisting / teaching there through the years! She has also taught classes at Cornish Preparatory / College of the Arts, Idaho Falls School of Ballet, throughout the Pacific Northwest and at The Sweat Spot, Heartbeat House and Pilates & Arts in Los Angeles.

After many years as a guest / visiting artist, it is quite wonderful to be teaching and directing with Nancy (mom) and Jennifer (sister) at the studio full time. The Walla Walla Dance Company has impacted many through the years and it is our passion to continue developing our program as we dance within these walls and beyond.

We are very happy to offer the upcoming season with our great faculty including Nancy Wells, Jennifer Clark, Grace Podolski, Finley Reed and myself. Thank you for being a part of our company!

JENNIFER CLARK : CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Jennifer Clark began dancing in Walla Walla as a student of Nancy Wells and Idalee Hutson-Fish, with her teachers at Summer Dance Lab and various master teachers. She performed with the Walla Walla Moving Company, directed by Nancy Wells and The Performing Company, directed by Idalee Hutson-Fish and eventually with Walla Walla Community College’s award winning Pom Squad coached by Teri Rowe. 

After completing her years as a student and teacher at WWCC, Jennifer moved to Seattle to continue her dance career at Westlake Dance Center, joining Daniel Cruz’s Company, Cruz Control and performing in WDC’s Sign of the Times for Kirsten Cooper, Kirsten Barron, Kim Gockel, and Sheri Lewis. 

While in Seattle, she taught at Westlake Dance Center, Gotta Dance, Turning Pointe Dance Centre, and The School of Pacific Northwest Ballet, including PNB outreach programs, Dance This, Reach, and Dance Chance. 

She spent a summer as a student at Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and performed with the amazing Nina McNeely. 

Jennifer continues to train as a student and has been developing the advanced program at the WWDCo for the past 15+ years. She is continually inspired by and honored to teach her students here.