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Hoose82

April Garner-Hoose, BFA, Artistic Director (Jazz, Leaps & Turns, Tumbling, Lyrical, Ballet)

April Garner-Hoose (BFA) is the driving force behind Dance Force-1. Her passion for dance is visible through her innovative teaching styles and motivating classroom atmosphere. In addition, her high-energy classes incorporate theatrical elements to teach the importance of emotion in dance and stage presence.

April began dancing at the age of 5 in Connecticut. She was accepted in to the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Art High School where she studied Jazz, Ballet, Tap, African and West Indian dance. While in high school, April was invited twice to perform for the Lord Mayor of Westminster in England. She furthered her dance education at Grossmont College and the University of Arizona receiving a BFA cum laude in Dance. Her comprehensive dance background includes working for Disney, Six Flags, and USA's television show Silk Stalkings. She has had the opportunity to train with renowned choreographers: Frank Hatchett, Luigi, Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, Laura Fremont, Mia Michaels and Mandy Moore, just to name a few.

April's true love is teaching children. She has been teaching the art of dance for almost 20 years throughout Connecticut, San Diego, and Tucson. Her students and choreography have won numerous national dance awards, including Overall Top Studio, Top Group, Top Duo/Trio, Top Soloist. She has also received awards for Overall Excellence in Jazz choreography and recently received the prestigious Teacher of the Year award. In addition to teaching, April enjoys taking classes at the EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, California. She believes it is important to keep up with the latest trends and dance styles. Dance Force-1 is a lifelong dream come true for April and she looks forward to developing the potential of each dancer and their love for dance, but most importantly, adding smiles to faces and passion to hearts.


Natalie Finley

Natalie Finley, (Jazz, Lyrical)

Natalie was born in Tucson Arizona and is 22 years old. She began dancing at the age of 5, and started dancing at Dance force-1 at age 13. She has studied under the direction of names like Mandy Moore, Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Denise Wall, and Stacey Tookey. Natalie's choreography has won many regional titles, special judges awards, and a national title. This is Natalie’s 6th Season teaching for DF-1. Natalie is a student at the U of A She likes to hang out with her 2 dogs in her free time. Natalie loves working with children and sharing her passion for dance!


Lauren Johnston

Lauren Johnston

Lauren Johnston is from Tucson, AZ where she began to study dance. Lauren’s dance training began at three years old in classical ballet, tap, and jazz, later expanding her training in pointe, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater. While being a member of Creative Dance Arts’ performing company, Lauren received numerous awards at competitions for both solo and group work in conventions such as New York City Dance Alliance, L.A. Dance Force, Showstoppers, Spotlight, L.A. Dance Magic, West Coast Dance Explosion, and more. Lauren has spent time studying dance throughout all of Arizona as well as in Michigan; performing in numerous showcases, benefits, and concerts along the way. She also served as the head of Pusch Christian Academy’s Dance department in 2007 and 2008. She was Creative Dance Arts’ award winning instructor and choreographer, teaching all styles of dance to all ages, specializing in jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. Lauren has a great love for dance and enjoys sharing her passion with others. Lauren is certified and currently teaching Pure Barre when she isn’t busy with her Dance family and Dance Force-1 where she continues to teach and inspire kids daily!


Cici

Ceci Cruz (Hip Hop)

Ceci Cruz started dancing at the age of 2 and trained on dance crews and in studio settings. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2019 with degrees in B.A. in Relgious Studies & B.S. in Physiology. While attending, she was Choreographer Coordinator & worked on Public Relations for the U of A’s Black N’ Blue Crew. Since 2015, Ceci has been teaching all ages and levels in Hip Hop. Her main goal in teaching is to encourage growth & confidence. She is excited to share her love for hip hop with the students at DF-1.


Casey Johnson, (Ballet, Pointe)

Casey Johnson began his training at the School of Nashville Ballet as a full scholarship student. After graduating he went on to dance with Dance Theatre of Tennessee for five seasons. There he got to dance works by Christopher Mohnani, Ron de Jesus, Tom Pazik, Darrell Grand Moultrie, and Ma Cong. He then spent six seasons dancing with Lexington Ballet where he danced numerous principal roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cinderella, Giselle, Snow White, and The Rite of Spring amongst many others. He has been a principal guest artist for various other companies including Ballet Fantastique, Ohio Dance Theatre, and New York State Ballet. Casey has been on faculty at several pre-professional schools, as well as choreographing numerous successful competitive routines and professional works. She enjoys sharing her passion for ballet with the students at Dance Force-1.


Elisabeth Hekman

Elisabeth Heckman (Ballet, Pointe)

Elisabeth Hekman is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she trained under the direction of Marlene Kenneway at Ada Dance Academy located in Ada, Michigan. She also received further training from Amanda Smith-Heynen. Elisabeth spent a year studying at the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago, Illinois before joining American Repertory Ballet in New Jersey as a trainee. During her time with American Repertory Ballet, she danced the role of Emily in Philip Jerry's Our Town and danced in numerous company productions including Douglas Martin's Rite of Spring. Elisabeth joined Ballet Tucson in 2014 and has since had the opportunity to dance in a wide variety of wonderful pieces. Favorite roles include one of the Russian Demi-Soloists in George Balanchine's Serenade, the Spanish Couple in The Nutcracker, Little Swans in Swan Lake, and Daniel Precup's pas de deux Ne Me Quitte Pas. Elisabeth loves passing on her passion for dance to the next generation, and looks forward to continuing to inspire students to express themselves through movement while guiding them to build the strength and confidence that dance will give them.


Arianna Holman

Arianna Holman (Lyrical, Hip Hop, Stretch, Leaps, Turns)

Arianna Holman BIO Coming Soon.


Courtney Brett

Courtney Brett (Jazz, Pom, Acro)

Courtney Brett Bio Coming Soon!

Kalia Hoose

Kalia Hoose (Jazz, Pom, Tap, Leaps, Turns)

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Kalia Hoose discovered her love for dance at just 3 years old. She grew up training at DanceForce 1. Kalia’s passion for leadership and movement was further solidified as the captain of the Catalina Foothills Pomline during high school.

Now in her second year as a pre-vet major at the University of Arizona, Kalia continues to balance her academic pursuits with her creative ones. As the head choreographer for her sorority, Chi Omega, she combines her technical expertise with her knack for storytelling.

With three years of teaching experience under her belt, Kalia shares her love for dance through a variety of styles, including jazz, acro, contemporary, lyrical, leaps and turns, pom, tap, and hip-hop. Her classes are built around the same values that made her fall in love with dance: creating a safe and positive environment where students feel empowered to express themselves and grow.

For Kalia, teaching is about more than movement—it's about cultivating confidence, creativity, and connection in every student she teaches.

Abby Warkenti

Abby Warkentin (Youth Hip-Hop)

Abby Warkenti began dancing at age 5 and started competing at 12. Originally from Chandler, Arizona, Abby was a member of the Hamilton High School dance team, where she helped her team secure a top 10 placement at UDA Nationals her senior year.

Now a junior at the University of Arizona majoring in elementary education, Abby brings her passion for dance and teaching together. This is her second year with DanceForce-1, where she has loved being part of such a supportive and inspiring community.

Specializing in hip-hop, Abby strives to create fun, inclusive classes that build confidence and foster growth. A proud dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., Abby enjoys traveling to Canada every year to visit family and stay connected to her roots.

Brendalyn Knight

Brendalyn Knight (Office Admin, Jazz, Tap, Leaps, Turns)

Born and raised in San Diego, Brendalyn began training in all styles at the age of three and began competing when she was four. Brendalyn continued dancing until graduating at Georgia’s School of Dance in Escondido, California, under Amari Russell and Sue Gilson. With a continued passion for dance, Brendalyn returned to Georgia’s and taught turns and leaps, along with subbing all throughout San Diego. Due to her previous experience in music and high school marching band, she began teaching as a visual instructor at Mira Mesa High School introducing ballet basics, as well as choreographing for their field show. When she turned 21, Brendalyn was invited to teach the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps where she traveled the country for two summers competing against other corps. She worked closely with the Creative Designer as a choreographer, and an instructor of ballet, jazz, and hip-hop technique. Brendalyn spent two years studying dance at San Diego Mesa College, then went on to study Kinesiology at San Diego State University. With her background in music, physiology, and lifetime of dancing, she is excited to join the Dance Force-1 family to contribute to the growth of the next generation of dancers.

Camryn Conforti

Camryn Conforti

Camryn Conforti was born and raised in Orange County California where she danced at Dance Precisions, Just Plain Dancin, and Mather Dance Company. Camryn has won multiple regional and national dance titles. Camryn was awarded Dancer of the Year in 2008 where she traveled to Australia to represent the United States in the Battle of the Countries Competition and won! She was also a member of the 2012 Team USA Pom and Jazz team and was awarded two gold medals. After graduating high school Camryn moved to Tucson to pursue her degree at the University of Arizona. During her time at the University of Arizona she was a member of the Arizona Pomline and in May of 2016 graduated with a Bachelor in Science in Psychology and minor in Public Health. Camryn was captain for the semi-pro Indoor Football League (IFL) dance team, The Tucson Sugar Dolls and has choreographed halftime routines. She is currently the head coach of the Catalina Foothills pomline.

Bo Brinton

Bo Brinton

Bo Brinton, born in Honolulu and raised in Tucson, began his dance training at Arizona Ballet Theatre with Cecily Bressel and Norman Walker. He was awarded scholarships to summer programs at American Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, later earning his BFA in dance from the University of Arizona. Bo’s professional career includes performing with Artifact Dance Project, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, San Diego Ballet, BodyVox, and Dance Kaleidoscope. He has danced classical roles such as Hilarion in Giselle and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and performed contemporary works by a range of choreographers, including Greg Bielemeier, David Hochoy, Janice Rosario, Joshua Blake Carter and Emmy winners Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland. He has set choreographic works on the BodyVox dance company and Dance Kaleidoscope, and has taught at Arizona Ballet Theatre and the BodyVox Dance Center. Bo is currently based in Tucson, where he lives with his fiancé Richie, and is pursuing his MFA in Dance at the University of Arizona.

Austin Twaits

Austin Twaits

Born in Tucson, AZ, Austin Twaits is an accomplished dancer and choreographer with expertise in styles like ballet, tap, and hip hop. His journey began at Danswest Dance Company, and by 13, he performed in The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet. Austin’s early highlights include performing at National Tap Day, the U of A Jazz Showcase, and freestyle battles like Vendetta with The Human Project.

After graduating from Danswest in 2010, Austin joined Fluxx Dance, performing and choreographing for Tucson venues like Hotel Congress. He has danced backup for artists like Chezale and Anton Smith, and his award-winning choreography has been showcased at halftime shows for the Phoenix Suns and U of A Men’s Basketball.

As an instructor since 2012, Austin has taught at local studios and schools, including Salpointe Catholic High School, and led masterclasses at El Rio Health. Currently a member of DNAA Productions, he continues to enrich Tucson’s arts scene. Austin creates a fun, dynamic atmosphere where students learn technique, execution, and performance skills, fostering their love for storytelling through hip hop.