Wendy Gardiner
Owner, Instructor, and Choreographer
Dance is what I love. I love the freedom of movement and expression, the emotion it can create, and the joy of performing. But more than that, I love teaching. I started dancing at a very early age and over the years, those once a week lessons turned into three, then five, then more classes, workshops, and conventions, on top of classes that I was asked to teach. I was a very happy young dancer—my parents often joked that they should move my bed to the studio, because that’s where I spent the most time.
I danced my way through school earning many titles, awards, and honors along the way. I served as captain and choreographer of my high school team, as a member of the Utah All State dance team, I won several state solo titles, and was a top ten ranked national soloist, all while still competing with and teaching at my local dance studio.
After high school, dancing took a different turn for me. I still loved performing and competing, but I was finding more and more joy in teaching. Not just teaching, but seeing these little people grow and change right before me, because of me, and I was officially hooked. I knew right there that I wanted to teach for the rest of my life. I have been blessed to be able to do just that.
I have had the privilege of teaching at several amazing studios in many different states as I have moved with my own family, I was an 8 yr member of the United Spirit Assn.– a national touring company that produces dance and cheer camps for jr and high school dance/cheer teams. I have taken classes and taught with choreographers that are common place on today’s dance TV shows. I have been on judging panels that tour the country, and a national touring master class instructor. My choreography has been performed by studio dancers, high school and college teams across the country, I have taken dancers across the Atlantic to perform in Paris, France, and I have taught the sweetest little tumblers right out of my home. I have indeed had so many opportunities to learn and grow and share what I love. And now, I have another one, my own studio!
As a dancer and teacher, I am so excited to be able to offer a dance and tumbling program that offers multiple styles and classes in one location to the families in the Battle Ground area. As a mother of 6 girls, I am thrilled to know that the classes they will be attending will be wholesome, age appropriate, and uplifting. My goal is to build strong, happy, and confident athletes, not just talented dancers and tumblers. I look forward to meeting and working with each of your families, and am so excited to welcome you to The Studio.
Sara Epling
Instructor, Choreographer
Sara fell in love with music and movement when she joined her high school marching band color guard in 7th grade. They were going to Disney Land and performing at the Rose bowl and parade and needed more color guard. Enough to reach out to the middle school. Two years later she moved to Idaho and discovered that the color guard was tied to the dance team and in order to join one, she had to join both. She had never danced on a team before. Luckily, she made the high school team, because she soon discovered that dancing made her heart full. She worked hard and learned the difference between a chasse and chaine pretty quickly. Her hard work paid off beyond what she could hope for when she was chosen for the small competition squad her sophomore year.
After a hard decision and two years of the greatest teammates, Sara tried a new adventure her senior year and joined a performing ballroom team. Just as quickly as she fell in love with color guard and dance team, ballroom won a place in her heart. She went on to college and enrolled in every dance class she could. Every elective was either jazz, one form or another of ballroom, country western, or some other dance class. Her favorite was the ballet class. Her teacher showed her how wonderful the intricate knowledge of the moves and muscles come together to form the greatest of skills. Eventually, Sara figured she should just change her major to dance education. But before she could continue with that thought she met her husband who carted her away to a military lifestyle of many moves and deployments and the adventures that brings.
Sara started taking classes and teaching at the local studios and private schools. She moved almost 15 times in one year and lived on the East coast, the pacific islands and now the west coast. She has four children and once her girls were old enough, she started teaching dance again in her home. In 2015, her many moves brought her to Battle Ground where she enrolled her youngest at The Studio and loved the encouraging environment. In 2018, she joined the staff and she feels lucky to have once again joined a team that fosters a love of dance, honors hard work and encourages joy in movement. She believes that every body can dance no matter the age, body type or abilities. Her biggest regret was letting a pregnant belly stop her from learning to hula. Her greatest joy is seeing a dancer finally ‘get’ that move they worked so hard on!
Ashli Hendricks
Instructor, Choreographer
Bio Coming Soon!
Halli Gardiner
Instructor, Choreographer
Bio Coming Soon!