Duet Dance Academy

Get to know one of our owners Ms. Taylor!

· What is your name, and what do you teach at Duet?
My name is Taylor Kokenes and I teach Pre-K Classes, Jazz/Turns and Leaps, and A Chance to Dance.

· How long have you been dancing, teaching, or working in the dance world?
I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and teaching dance since I was a senior in high school.

· What is your favorite style of dance to teach or perform?
I love teaching jazz technique but I love performing and choreographing contemporary.

· What is your favorite part about teaching at Duet?
The way such a strong community has organically formed between dancers, parents and our staff.

· What is one thing your students might be surprised to learn about you?
I love being scared! I’m a huge fan of horror movies and haunted houses.

· Rapid Fire!
Coffee or tea? COFFEE
Sweet or salty? SWEET
Morning person or night owl? MORNING
Favorite color? RED
Favorite movie? OTHER THAN HORROR MOVIES, LITTLE WOMEN
Dream vacation destination? IRELAND

· Finish the sentence: “You know you’re a dance teacher when…”
You’ll do anything to keep the vibes alive in class; even if it means breaking out the water guns during cleaning rehearsals.

· What is one piece of advice you would give your dancers?
Your love for dance is valid and means something – whether you decide to turn it into a career or not.

· Describe yourself in three words!
Unique, sarcastic, determined.

· What are you most excited about for Season 9 at Duet? 💙
The overall energy just feels amazing this season! I’m also excited to attend Nationals summer 2027!

✨ A Chance to Dance is bigger than ever! ✨

We’re only two weeks into our new season, and our hearts are already SO full. 💙 Our A Chance to Dance program is celebrating its largest class yet, with around 20 incredible dancers joining us each week! 🥹

These first two weeks have been filled with movement, music, new friendships, lots of smiles, and so many special moments between our dancers and their buddies. Watching this program continue to grow—and seeing more dancers find a place where they can move, connect, express themselves, and simply have FUN—is incredibly special to us.

We are so thankful for every dancer, family, buddy, and instructor who makes this class what it is. Here’s to a wonderful season ahead! 🌟

At Duet, we truly believe that DANCE is for everyone. 💙✨

Get to know our amazing instructor Emily Barton! 🔥✨

• What is your name, and what do you teach at Duet?
My name is Emily Barton and I teach jazz, contemporary, and ACTD.

• How long have you been dancing, teaching, or working in the dance world?
I have been dancing for 21 years and teaching for 7 years.

• What is your favorite style of dance to teach or perform?
Contemporary is my favorite to teach and to perform.

• What is your favorite part about teaching at Duet?
I love the personal connection I get to make with all of my students.

• What is one thing your students might be surprised to learn about you?
I grew up wanting to be a Rockette!

• Rapid Fire!
Coffee or tea? COFFEE
Sweet or salty? SWEET
Morning person or night owl? NIGHT OWL
Favorite color? PINK
Favorite movie? THE BREAKFAST CLUB
Dream vacation destination? AMSTERDAM

• Finish the sentence: “You know you’re a dance teacher when…”
Loose your voice from screaming “YASSSS!”

• What is one piece of advice you would give your dancers?
Never aim for perfection and give yourself grace when you make a mistake.

• Describe yourself in three words!
Bubbly, goofy, compassionate.

• What are you most excited about for Season 9 at Duet? 💙
To watch the seniors experience every “last” moment throughout the year.

✨ NEW 8-WEEK SESSION: Elementary Contemporary! ✨

Looking for a fun way for your dancer to try something new without committing to a full dance year? Our Elementary Contemporary 8-Week Session is the perfect opportunity! 💙

🗓 Thursdays | 4:00–5:00 PM
📅 September 3 – October 29
✨ Short session + low commitment
✨ No recital or costume fees
✨ No prior experience needed!

Dancers will explore expressive floorwork, athletic movement, and creative storytelling in a fun, supportive environment while discovering all that contemporary dance has to offer!

Whether your dancer is brand new to dance or simply wants to add another style to their week, this session is a great way to move, create, and try something new! 🫶

Come dance with us for 8 weeks—no year-long commitment, no recital, just DANCE! ✨

🕺✨ ADULTS, IT’S YOUR TURN! ✨💃

We’re bringing TWO Adult Drop-In Classes to Duet this season, taught by the one and only Xavier Lewis! Whether you’ve danced for years or have never stepped foot in a dance class, you’re invited. 🤍

🔥 ADULT HIP HOP
📅 Friday, September 11th
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM

💃 ADULT SALSA
📅 Friday, December 4th
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM

✨ $20 per participant, per class
✨ One-hour drop-in classes
✨ NO experience necessary!

Our goal? Move, laugh, meet new people, and build community! Grab a friend, come as you are, and spend an hour dancing with us. No pressure, no experience required—just FUN!

💻 Ready to join us? Register here:
https://www.duetdancega.com/events

Who are you bringing with you?! 👯‍♀️🪩

Get to know the amazing Dani Mullan💓

· What is your name, and what do you teach at Duet?
Dani Mullan and I teach Contemporary, Company Prep, and Turns and Leaps.

· How long have you been dancing, teaching, or working in the dance world?
I have been dancing since I was 2 years old.

· What is your favorite style of dance to teach or perform?
Contemporary for both.

· What is your favorite part about teaching at Duet?
The connections made between our entire community.

· What is one thing your students might be surprised to learn about you?
I have a black belt in tae kwon do.

· Rapid Fire!
Coffee or tea? COFFEE
Sweet or salty? SWEET
Morning person or night owl? MORNING
Favorite color? GREEN
Favorite movie? ANASTASIA
Dream vacation destination? SCOTLAND

· Finish the sentence: “You know you’re a dance teacher when…”
You count with sound effects and gibberish.

· What is one piece of advice you would give your dancers?
Stay genuine to who you are.

· Describe yourself in three words!
Overstimulated, empathetic, grounded.

· What are you most excited about for Season 9 at Duet? 💙
I’m excited to see the dancers grow and achieve their next goals!

To dance. To grow. To find your people. To belong.

You’re invited to discover a place where dance is about so much more than steps and technique. It’s where confidence grows, friendships begin, memories are made, and dancers get to be part of something that feels like home.

Whether it’s your very first dance class or you’ve been dancing for years, there’s a place for you here. Come move with us, laugh with us, learn with us, and find the community that makes Duet so special.

Your invitation is waiting. 💌

Get to know our incredible instructor Xavier Lewis 🔥

· What is your name, and what do you teach at Duet?
My name is Xavier Lewis and I teach Hip Hop, Turns and Leaps and Conditioning.

· How long have you been dancing, teaching, or working in the dance world?
I have been dancing since 2010.

· What is your favorite style of dance to teach or perform?
Teaching – Jazz. Performing – Hip Hop.

· What is your favorite part about teaching at Duet?
The camaraderie.

· What is one thing your students might be surprised to learn about you?
I didn’t grow up dancing in a studio setting.

· Rapid Fire!
Coffee or tea? TEA
Sweet or salty? SWEET
Morning person or night owl? NIGHT
Favorite color? BLUE
Favorite movie? LIAR LIAR
Dream vacation destination? JAPAN

· Finish the sentence: “You know you’re a dance teacher when…”
You say “one last time” but it’s not the last time.

· What is one piece of advice you would give your dancers?
Learn to count CORRECTLY.

· Describe yourself in three words!
Whimsical, inquisitive, dynamic.

· What are you most excited about for Season 9 at Duet? 💙
Being more involved weekly at the studio!