Faculty
Nicole “Nik” Humes
(Co-Owner/Director)
Born and raised in Hermantown, Nicole has 27 years of dance experience in jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, ballet, pointe, musical theater, and dance team. She has been a lead dance instructor, (both recreational and competitive) for the past 15 years while living in Duluth. Being a Twin Ports native, Nicole’s strong ties to the community provide her extensive knowledge and expertise in the dance field for the area.
Growing up, Nicole trained at a local studio in Duluth, where she won several high-point, overall, and other special awards. She gained additional experience in dance through a collection of influential instructors and choreographers all around the United States. As a student, she traveled across the country numerous times to attend workshops and conventions to learn from lead choreographers, some of whom include those who have choreographed for popular films and television shows: Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Brian Friedman, Laurieann Gibson, Tyce Diorio, Sonya Tayeh, and others. While an instructor, Nicole also traveled to New York to attend a week-long convention solely dedicated to providing education, from the leaders in the dance industry, for dance instructors and studio owners. In addition, she continues to take continuing education classes through both online and in-person workshops.
Her instruction in the art of dance has been extremely influential for the Twin Ports community, and she is well-known as an instructor and choreographer in the area. Nicole has won countless high-point, overall, and choreography awards throughout the years as a competitive instructor/choreographer. Most recently, some of her standout awards include the Industry Dance Awards nomination for her senior jazz routine in 2021 and a Choreography Award for a lyrical piece competed at the Showbiz Competition in Minneapolis, MN (2018). Additionally, Nicole received the “Grand Champion” award for a jazz and lyrical piece on two separate occasions at the Triple S Dance Competition in Duluth, MN (2017, 2019). While her successes are proven by the awards, she has also proven herself to be meaningful, passionate, and motivated when instructing students.
Nicole has also led the dance community in Duluth by being a member of the University of Minnesota Duluth Dance Team (UMDDT) from 2009-2013. While she was a member of the UMDDT, she also was selected as the captain from 2011-2013. Being solely a captain-led Sport Club at UMD, Nicole learned the important tasks needed to be a successful leader. Consequently, she led her team to become National Champions (the first time for UMDDT) in 2013 in Daytona Beach, FL.
Ashley Thompson
(Co-Owner/Director)
Ashley Thompson was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, and has 30+ years of dance experience in Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, Musical Theater, and Ballet. She received the majority of her training from Royal Dance in Minneapolis and has competed at countless dance competitions across the United States and Canada. Ashley also had the privilege of dancing with the University of Wisconsin River Falls dance team during her undergraduate education and the University of New Brunswick Dance Team during her graduate education (with which she was captain of both). In fact, as captain of the University of New Brunswick Dance team, she was responsible for choreographing the routine that led her team to qualify for Dance Worlds in Orlando, FL.
Ashley has also been provided several opportunities to instruct a wide variety of dance classes. Throughout her high school and university education (2003-2007) Ashley was presented with the opportunity to teach for Royal Dance and QC Dance (both located in the Twin Cities). Prior to moving to the Twin Ports area, Ashley spent two years instructing and choreographing for a studio in Appleton, WI (Footworks Dance Company). However, Ashley’s largest accomplishment took place after relocating to Canada to pursue her doctoral degree. During this time (approximately 3 years), Ashley had the privilege of creating and directing the competitive program at Dance Fredericton. As such, annually, she independently choreographed over 40 competitive routines, instructed all 30+ competitive dancers, and supervised faculty.
As a choreographer and instructor, she has won numerous top and high-point awards. Most notably, Ashley was nominated for two Industry Dance Awards in 2021. Ashley is honored to continue working with dancers at 218 Dance Project and looks forward to many more successes for years to come.
REESE NICKLIN
(Principal Faculty/Choreographer/Communications and Social Media Specialist)
Reese joined the 218 Dance Project Faculty in 2020 and has been a major force ever since. She became passionate about dance as a toddler. She would spend countless hours in her living room improving to music from Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. She was enrolled in a dance program in Duluth, MN at age 7 and became a competitive dancer shortly thereafter. As a dancer, Reese has earned various overall high point awards, title, and technique awards. She also received invitations and scholarships to attend summer and college dance programs. One that she attended was AMDA Summer Conservatory Program in Los Angeles, California. She has also accrued numerous experiences serving as a teacher’s assistant and instructor. Through these experiences, she has been able to develop and refine her skills as a choreographer. In fact, she has become well-known for her innovative choreography and has won numerous awards at regional and national competitions. Additionally, Reese teaches intensives and master classes in Duluth and Minneapolis/St.Paul. As well as choreographs routines for studios in the Minneapolis area.
After high school, Reese moved to California and earned a dance certificate at Millenium Dance Complex in Los Angeles while studying commercial dance and hip hop. During her time in California, she was also offered numerous opportunities including dancing/acting roles in the movie The Way Back, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve Show, Dana Alexa’s Dance On, and a music video for HGTV Music. Reese was formerly represented by Wehmann Model and Talent and was a Kelle dance catalog model.
In 2019-2020, Reese accepted an instructor position at a local dance studio in which she taught children of all ages in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, and hip hop. It was through her role as an instructor that her passion for dance was amplified. She has high expectations, works to instill confidence with a growth mindset, focuses on building caring relationships, and loves to have fun with all of her students!
When Reese isn’t teaching or learning she will be hiking, writing, creating, and spending time with family and friends.
AMBER BURNS
(Principal Faculty/Choreographer)
Amber Burns joined the faculty in 2023 and is a multimedia artist and teacher. Growing up in Chanhassen, MN she trained at the Dance Academy in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and contemporary dance. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2011 with BFA and MN K-12 License in Art Education and a minor in dance. Amber has been teaching dance for over 20 years, and teaching classes in the Duluth area since 2008 at organizations such as the MN Ballet, Madill Performing Arts, Dream Dance, UMD, Raise the Barre, Zeitgeist Arts, and the Duluth Playhouse. In 2018 Amber finished a master’s degree in Liberal Studies: Arts Development and Program Management from the University of Denver and developed dance and theater programming as the Artistic Director for the Duluth Playhouse Family Theatre and Education Programming. Currently, she is the Community Impact Specialist at The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation where she manages youth scholarships. Amber has also served as a director and choreographer and has worked with many of the schools in the area on their musical productions. Amber loves to teach all styles of dance, including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and has recently started to learn clogging. She is very passionate about advocating for the arts, youth, and helping the local community.
brayden Guentzel
(Principal Faculty/Choreographer)
Brayden Guentzel is a performer, choreographer, educator, and stage technician in dance. Originally from Wisconsin and a former competitive dancer, Brayden began his journey as a choreographer and dance educator at a young age. He currently instructs for 218 Dance Project in Duluth, MN, and is affiliated with Classic Image Dance, Bricks Dance Studio, and Metro Arts High School in the Phoenix area.
As an alumni from Arizona State University, Brayden holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with aspirations to own dance studios globally. He has been part of many collaborative processes and performances within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at ASU. Brayden has collaborated with ASU faculty and guest artists such as David Olarte, Mary Fitzgerald, Carley Conder, Karen Schupp, Keith Thompson, Carolyn Koch, and Adam McKinney. Brayden's most recent choreographic works have been seen at Tempe Center for the Arts for CONDER/dance's Breaking Ground Festival, Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre, The Galvin Playhouse, and Gammage Auditorium.
Brayden now performs internationally with Princess Cruises fulfilling his love of creativity and curiosity.
Sarah Scrignoli
(Faculty/Choreographer)
Sarah has been an instructor with 218 Dance Project since 2020. Her passion for dance started at the age of 7 at Elite Dance Productions, where she danced recreationally for two years and then joined the competition team at age 9. While competing, Sarah received many top awards, including the 12 & over Superstar award at Celebration Talent, the Steven Boyd Memorial award at Masquerade, and the title of Senior Miss Starz at Midwest Starz in 2014 and 2017. She was also crowned the Triple S National Senior Title winner in 2018.
Along with competitive dance, Sarah danced at the School of the Minnesota Ballet for 4 years and was a part of the Nutcracker for 2 of those years. Sarah has also attended conventions and commercial dance clinics across the US. In fact, while attending the Hollywood Summer Tour in LA, she was a backup dancer in Danielle Cohn’s “Lights Camera Action” music video. After graduating high school, Sarah attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, majoring in social studies education with minors in dance, history, political science, and geography. At school, she was a member of the UMD Dance Team and was voted “Rookie Of The Year” and “Most Valuable Dancer” for their jazz routine.
Sarah is now a Social Studies teacher at Habor City School and a core faculty member at 218 Dance Project. She has won numerous awards for her choreography and brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to all of her classes.
Alayna McGraw
(Faculty/Choreographer)
Alayna has been a faculty member with 218 since 2020. She was born and raised in Duluth, MN and has eighteen years of dance experience and training in jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap, contemporary, and musical theatre. Her studio dance journey began when she was four years old and she started competing at age six. Throughout her twelve years of competitive dance, she received numerous high point, judge’s choice, performance, and standout dancer awards at regional and national competitions. At age sixteen, she was selected to attend the New York All-Star Dance Convention. While in New York, she took several master classes at the Broadway Dance Center and from the Rockettes. In addition to her own training, Alayna was also a student teacher for many years.
Alayna also has experience with high school and collegiate dance team. While in high school, Alayna was a part of the Duluth East Dance Team for three years and was a team captain her junior and senior years. During her first year of college, Alayna was on the University of Minnesota Duluth Dance Team. They competed and placed in the top ten in the jazz and pom categories at the UDA National competition in Florida.
As an instructor/choreographer, Alayna is dedicated to her students and thrives off of their individual successes. She pushes students to rise to every challenge and enjoys connecting with each dancer. She is so excited to continue sharing her knowledge, love, and passion for dance as a part of the 218 Dance Project family!
Miranda Shinn
(Faculty/Choreographer)
Miranda has been a faculty member with 218 since 2020. She started dancing at the age of 2 ½ and began competing at the age of 5. She has received extensive training in the genres of Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap and Musical Theater. Miranda earned multiple High Point, Special, and Overall awards throughout her training (including 2 Grand Championship Titles with her teammates).
Throughout her dance career, Miranda has also enjoyed attending many conventions and workshops. Her favorite classes were taught by Travis Wall, Chloe Arnold, and Chelsie Heightower. She also had the privilege of performing in the 2013 Orange Bowl Halftime Show in Miami (with country singer Jake Owen) and participating in a Hip Hop number during the Halftime Show for the Harlem Globetrotters in 2017. However, her most memorable opportunity was when she danced in the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, with the Spirit of America.
As a Cheer Captain at Denfeld High School, she discovered how much she loved to choreograph/teach dances and cheers. She took pride in watching others grow. This made her realize she had a knack for teaching and a desire to become a dance instructor.
Throughout Miranda’s 15+ years of dance, she has learned many valuable traits, such as confidence, responsibility, dedication, perseverance, and teamwork. She looks forward to passing these traits on to young dancers as an instructor at 218 Dance Project!
Savannah Ernst
(Associate Faculty/Choreographer)
Savannah began studio dance in Duluth at age 2. She danced competitively since age 5 and served as a student teacher since age 8. She finished her studio dance career as a competition dancer with 218 Dance Project in 2022. Her dance awards include Miss Legacy at Legacy Dance Competition, Dancer of the Year at Celebration Talent, Top 5 Finalist at In10sity Nationals, overall high score awards for solo and group routines, and Best of Show at Masquerade for a lyrical trio. Savannah has also participated in many opening/closing numbers at competitions such as In10sity Nationals, Masquerade Nationals, Legacy Nationals, and Radix Minneapolis as a Protégé Finalist. Along with participating in opening/closing numbers, she has traveled to Brea, California to participate in the summer intensive at The Space. In addition to studio dance, she trained with the School of Minnesota Ballet for 4 years. She performed various roles in the Nutcracker, including Young Clara in 2018.
Savannah is currently attending the University of Minnesota Duluth where she is studying psychology. She is also a member of the dance team that competes in both a jazz and pom routine at the UDA National Competition in Orlando, Florida.
During her junior and senior year at 218 Dance Project, she served as a substitute teacher as well as a teaching assistant, which she considers to be the highlight of her time as a competitive studio dancer. She has greatly enjoyed the opportunity to share her love for dance with others. She is thrilled to pursue her passion for dance as an instructor for 218, and she can’t wait to help dancers reach their full potential. Savannah believes that dance teaches many valuable life lessons that can serve students well in their lives beyond the studio, and she looks forward to being a part of the 218 family as an instructor.
Sam Blazevic-Seibert
(Associate Faculty
/Choreographer)
Sam began dancing at the age of 3. He started dancing competitively at the age of 5. His passion for dance includes all of the styles of dance. Early on, he was lucky enough to begin partnering with several different duet partners which only strengthened his dancing skills, especially since he was usually the only male dancer at his studio. To strengthen his technique, he sought out training at the School of the Minnesota Ballet. This allowed him to perform in many professional ballet productions, such as the Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Swan Lake. He was also a member of their Canadian touring production of the Nutcracker. After 4 years with the School of the Minnesota Ballet, Sam continued his ballet training at Raise the Barre Ballet Studio during his senior year of high school. Sam also enjoyed dancing in several musicals while a student at Duluth East, including serving as the Dance Captain for the Freaky Friday musical during his senior year. As a dancer, Sam has won numerous awards and honors at many dance competitions.
Outside of the studio, Sam continues to explore his love of tap dancing. He has attended many tap festivals, workshops, and master classes throughout the state of MN. He joined Keane Sense of Rhythm in St Paul as a student to further his tap knowledge. Sam has been able to train and work with countless legends of tap with his mentorship with Brenda Buffalino, his participation in Sarah Reich's Tap Music Project, and his attendance at master classes taught by Sam Weber, Dianne Walker, Star Dixon, Maud Arnold, and many others.
Sam finished his competitive dance career at 218 Dance Project in 2022. He is pursuing a degree in biology and psychology with a minor in dance at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He is looking forward to continuing to dance at UMD and to continue building his repertoire of dance knowledge. He is excited to be a part of the 218 Dance Project faculty! He can't wait to share his passion for dance with younger dancers.
Emma Grindahl
(Instructor/Choreographer)
Emma began her dancing career at just 18 months old and has been dancing competitively since she was 5. Because of her true passion for dance, she continued to participate in the competitive program at 218 Dance Project after graduating high school. In addition, to attending both Madill Performing Arts Center and 218 Dance Project, Emma extended her technical training at Minnesota Ballet. Her technical training never went unnoticed, as she has received many overall placements and countless distinguished awards at regional and national competitions.
Emma’s love of choreography started when she was able to choreograph her first solo at 14. Ever since, she knew that she wanted to become a dance teacher and choreograph for others. Emma looks forward to seeing her students grow and watching her dancers perform on stage!
Ann Scrignoli
(Office/Administrative Specialist)
Ann was a dance mom for 14 years. Now that she is retired from this position, she still loves spending time at the studio, staying connected to dance and helping all the dance families.