Meet Our Instructors & Staff
Instructors
![Ami Yaro](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ayaro.jpg)
Ami M Yaro
Owner/ Dance Instructor
Year Joined: 2009
Classes Taught: Pro 1 Ballet, Pro 2 Ballet, Pro 3 Ballet, Pro 3 Modern, Pro 3 Pointe, Pro 4 Ballet, Pro 4 Pointe, Pro 4/5 Ballet, Pro 4/5 Modern, Pro 4/5 Pointe, Pro 4/5 Pilates, Pro 5 Ballet, Pro 5 Pointe, Pro 5 Variations, Competition Team.
![](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/DSC_8481.jpg)
Meredith Stroot
Dance Instructor
Year Joined: 2009
Classes Taught: Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, Kindercombo, Lyrical, Wee Dance
![](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/eweber.jpg)
Emily Weber
Dance Instructor
Education: MS in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University, BA in Dance from the University of Iowa
Year Joined: 2012
Classes Taught: Intermediate Ballet, Pro 2 Modern, Pro 2 Ballet, Pro 4 Ballet, Pro 4 Pointe, Progressing Ballet Technique
![](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Danielle2018.jpg)
Danielle Anspach
Dance Instructor
Year Joined: 2015
Classes Taught: Beginning Tap, Intermediate/Advanced Tap
![brett-m-headshot](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brett-m-headshot.jpg)
Brett Machamer
Dance Instructor
Year Joined: 2019
Classes Taught: Kindercombo, Preballet, Creative Movement
![Kate](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Kate.jpg)
Kate Wingert
Dance Instructor
Education: BS in Kinesiology and Health from Iowa State University
Year Joined: 2021
Classes Taught: Pro Level Jazz classes
![Shawna-Headshot Abby Cusick](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Shawna-Headshot.jpg)
Shawna Sampson
Dance Instructor
Education: BS in Kinesiology and Health from Iowa State University
Year Joined: 2022
Classes Taught: Ballet A, Jazz A
![BaileyHeadshot Abby Cusick](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BaileyHeadshot.jpg)
Bailey Thompson
Dance Instructor
Year Joined: 2022
Classes Taught: HipHop A, HipHop B/C, Kindercombo
![BaiYuHeadshot Abby Cusick](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BaiYuHeadshot.jpg)
BaiYu Harrah
Dance Instructor
Year Joined: 2022
Classes Taught: Acro A, Acro B/C
Staff
![IMG_1381_cropped](https://www.iowaballetacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1381_cropped.jpeg)
Steven Nelson
Business Manager
Year Joined: 2009