Madeline Rio Axtell

teaches: tap dance, music and movement, intro to dance

Madeline dances as a journey towards embodiment, a coming home to herself. She invites students into awareness of their physical body - through movement, wonder, and music. Her degree from Penn State in Kinesiology and immersion in rhythm as a lifelong tap dancer, provide a strong foundation for her teaching. She started tap dancing in 8th grade hasn’t really stopped since - honored to have learned from the legends of tap including: Jimmy Slyde, Heather Cornell, Jason Samuels Smith, Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant, Chloe Arnold, Dianne Walker, and so many more brilliant artists. Madeline finished her 200hr yoga teacher training in Montana in spring 2022 and found a new love for sharing movement with adults - leading eventually to the creation of Rio. In her classes you can expect a welcoming of every body, a purposeful playlist, and intentional, creative movement.

When Madeline is not tap dancing, she is likely scrambling on rocks up high or laying low in the dirt making eye contact with wildflowers. Madeline is married to her best friend Keegan and has two mystical and delightful black cats.

Emma Binstein

teaches: tap dance

Emma has been a Whitefish resident since she was 2 years old, which is also when she started dancing. Her first dance studio was Whitefish Dance where she learned jazz, clogging, tumbling, and ballet. When she was 6 years old she began tap dancing through Feat X Feet in Whitefish, where she still performs and lights up the stage as an alumni.

Emma graduated college from Oregon State University in 2022 (Go Beavs!), and found her way back home — she just can’t get enough of this place. She currently works as a freelance graphic designer, substitute teacher at Montessori School in Whitefish, and now a teacher at Rio! When Emma is not skiing or working, she loves to read books (mostly romance or fantasy), listen/sing to great music - her current favorite genre is 60’s music, and taylor swift of course!

Hilary Madler

teaches: line dancing, hip hop, burlesque

Hilary grew up in Whitefish and began her career at Whitefish Dance and Acrobat Studio where she first fell in love with dance and took classes in tap, clogging, jazz, hip hop, lyrical/contemporary, ballet, acrobatics and pom.

After high school, Hilary spent her first year of college dancing at the University of Montana before transferring to Northern Arizona University and joining their competitive dance team. Hilary competed at Nationals in Disney World every year in hip hop and jazz as well as dancing at all of the school’s sporting events. Flagstaff is also where she learned how to country two step!

After graduating she joined the Air Force in Los Angeles where she continued dancing on her own as often as she could. In her movement career, Hilary also became a certified yoga teacher under Selena Garefino’s instruction in Thailand.

When Hilary is not dancing, you’ll most likely find her hanging out with her two fur babies Rambo and Xena.

Kara Minnis

teaches: contemporary, jazz, sexy heels, belly dance

Kara Minnis is a Montana native and a lifelong lover of dance whose journey in the art form began at the age of three. Growing up in Eureka, MT, Kara immersed herself in dance at the Creative Arts Dance Studio, where she honed her skills and developed a deep passion for movement. After graduating, Kara pursued her dance education at the University of Montana, expanding her knowledge and refining her technique.

Through a series of serendipitous events, Kara found her way back to her roots in Eureka and assumed the role of director at the Creative Arts Dance Studio. Under her leadership, the studio has flourished, benefiting from her vision and dedication. Kara is now celebrating her 10th year of teaching and her 8th year as director, a testament to her commitment and love for the dance community.

Looking forward, Kara is excited to contribute to the Flathead Valley dance community at Rio. She eagerly anticipates the opportunities and experiences the future holds, both for her students and her ever-evolving dance education.

Tikwiza Nkowane

teaches: west coast swing

Tikwiza has always had a love and passion for dance. She started at a young age doing Hip Hop and Breakdance while growing up in Switzerland and London. In 2006 she decided to train and focus on Latin and Ballroom with her dance partner in London for over 10 years and competed in many Latin and Ballroom competitions across Europe over the years. When Tikwiza moved to the US in 2016 she unfortunately was not able to find a like minded Latin and Ballroom partner to continue her journey, but found West Coast Swing (WCS) in 2017! WCS has allowed Tikwiza to express her true self and blend all the dances that she knows and loves into it.

Tikwiza has been dancing WCS since 2017 and travels to competitions and dance conventions nationally and internationally. She is passionate about dance, movement and wants to share, teach and build a community of WCS in Montana.

Tikwiza truly believes that there is no age limit to learning a new dance, we are all born with a natural rhythm. If you have the passion to learn, you can dance!

teaches: ballet, jazz

Deanna Masgay is originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada where she began training at the age of 6 in ballet. From there she expanded her training into jazz, lyrical and tap.

At age 18 Deanna became a professional dancer performing in companies in Canada, Japan, South America and the U.S. Deanna graduated from Sonoma State University, California with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in teaching.

In 2004 Deanna founded the Just Dance Academy dance studio in San Rafael, Ca which offers ballet , jazz, contemporary , lyrical , hip hop and a competitive dance program. The Just Dance Academy produces bi- annual dance performances showcasing all disciplines.

Deanna enjoys teaching all ages and levels and emphasizes the joy of movement and music within her dance classes.

Deanna Masgay

Shane Braverman

teaches: belly dancing, partner dancing

Shane has been bellydancing on and off for the past 20 years and has studied and taught various forms of belly dance from Egyptian cabaret to American Fusion Style belly dance. she has also studied Bollywood dancing and is an avid partner dancer when she is not doing shimmies in the grocery store line.

Shane holds a BA in Linguistics, a BA in Spanish, and a MS in Education. she has studied and taught many subjects including Spanish, Italian, Japanese, French, AIkido, Capoeira, ballroom dance, bellydance, leadership, physical education, and more.

Gabby Toro

teaches: hip hop

Gabby began dancing at the age of three in Venezuela, where she trained in a wide variety of styles including flamenco, belly dance, jazz, tap, and hip hop. By her early teens, hip hop became her greatest passion - a way to connect with American culture and even learn the language.

After moving to the U.S. in 2011, Gabriela founded her College's first-ever dance team, leading it to multiple competitions across Massachusetts and to nationals in Florida. She has danced and taught in cities, including in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, leading a variety of classes such as intermediate and advanced hip hop, hip hop cardio, and dance stretch for adults.

Recently settled in Whitefish, her husband’s hometown, Gabby is thrilled to have finally found a place that feels like home, both personally and through dance, after her journey from Venezuela. She brings a unique twist with her Latin energy and movement, which she calls "sazón".

Leigh Meinzer

teaches: intro to dance, line dancing, jazz

Leigh’s dance journey began at just three years old in the mountains of North Carolina, where she first fell in love with movement. She went on to train in virtually every dance style – from classical ballet, tap, and jazz to belly dancing, salsa, and African dance– developing a deep appreciation for all forms of dance.

A dedicated instructor, Leigh has taught ballet to young children, cherishing the opportunity to nurture the next generation of dancers. She also spent over 16 years leading high-energy dance fitness classes, inspiring people of all ages to find joy in movement. Leigh firmly believes that every body is a dancer body, and she infuses her classes with this inclusive philosophy. She values positivity and sees a positive attitude as essential in dance and life, bringing a warm, heartfelt enthusiasm to every class.

Leigh is excited to share her passion and positive energy with the community. She looks forward to inspiring and connecting with dancers of all backgrounds and abilities – one joyful class at a time. When she’s not on the dance floor, you can find Leigh spending time with her three kids and menagerie of animals or adventuring in the great outdoors. She loves snowboarding in the winter, mountain biking in the summer, and simply being out in nature whenever she can.

teaches: irish dance

Claire Gutschenritter began dancing at eight years old after her grandparents brought her to see a Riverdance performance in Chicago. As a youth, she trained and performed in Chicago with the Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance and the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance.

After graduating from Northwestern University, Gutschenritter earned her master's in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in music from the University of Montana. A former dancer with Missoula Irish Dancers, she has been teaching both Irish dance and grade school in Kalispell since 2012.

Claire Gutschenritter

Melissa Hartman

teaches: ballet

Melissa is from the east coast and began taking ballet in Jacksonville, Florida at age 5. Her first teacher was Marta Jackson, a former student of Cuban legend Alicia Alonso, who really cultivated Melissa’s love of and passion for dance.

At age 12 Melissa relocated with her family to New York where she soon had the opportunity to perform in children’s roles with New York City Ballet. Performances included Firebird, Sleeping Beauty and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She also attended training programs at School of American Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

College brought a change in focus and career direction for Melisssa which ultimately lead her to the field of mental health as a therapist. She has continued to keep dance as a part of her life whenever possible and when she moved to Montana in 2008 she discovered the local dance scene through performing with the Whitefish Theater Company. Her hope is to help others discover the joy of dance no matter their age, experience or ability in the way that her very first teacher did for her.

teaches: jazz

Carley Jo is a Flathead Valley native who began her dancing journey at age nine through Whitefish Dance & Acrobat Studio where she received training in Jazz, Clogging, Hip-Hop, Tumbling, and Ballet. During her freshman year of high school, she pursued more training through Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy (D.A.D.A) in Jazz, Classical Ballet, Hip-Hop, Modern, and Dunham.

The mountains eventually called her back home, but never stopped dancing and continued into college through the University of Montana and was on both the Cheer and Dance Team, later becoming a coach for the University’s Dance Team. To push her dance career farther she auditioned with the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Lakers Dance Teams, making it to finals for both. Unfortunately, a car accident put a pause on Carley Jo’s dance career, but she never stopped loving the art and wanting to share it with others.

During her time in Missoula she taught at On Center Performing Arts and has always helped her home studio with Recitals & M.A.T.S. meets since graduating high school. The past few years she has dedicated her time to working as a RN at Kalipsell’s NICU and raising her three boys, and bonus son.

Carley Jo Correa

Kerrigan Edwards

teaches: intro to dance, contemporary

Kerrigan Edwards is a Montana artist passionate about creating holistic and dynamic environments for dancers and channels her passion for dance into teaching, and photography. Kerrigan specializes in contemporary/modern and jazz movement that aims to inspire confidence, self-assurance, and power.

Kerrigan is a University Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Montana, a minor in business administration, and a Dance Wellness Certificate. Kerrigan has received the Outstanding Student of the Year (2025) award from the University of Montana School of Theatre and Dance, the Inclusive Excellence Award (2024) from the University of Montana, and the Arts in Action award (2024) from the Davidson Honors College. Kerrigan has had the pleasure of being closely intertwined with the Montana dance community over the span of her entire life. She has worked closely with Missoula Dance Fest and Grace Seely Dance and has worked photographically with many more Montana dance collectives.

Kerrigan is excited to expand her love of dance to the Flathead community and looks forward to spending lots of time in the Rio studio!