Faculty
Annette Pettigrew, Director & Instructor
Annette Pettigrew has over 30 years of teaching experience and has a B.S. in Ballet from Indiana University. She began dancing at the age of four and studied with Myrl Laurence and Phyllis DeWeese in Cincinnati, Stone Camryn in Chicago, and Margaret Saul in Indianapolis. She has attended the teacher training course at the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto over ten times. She has taken classes in NYC and London at the Royal Academy of Dance. Annette has worked with the gifted and talented programs thru the Indiana Department of Education. She has been a visiting artist at various schools throughout greater Indianapolis. She was previously involved with the Indiana Dance Alliance. Annette has attended dance medicine symposiums, creative movement workshops, ballet technique workshops, and more. She began the dance magnet program at Shortridge Junior High School and taught ballet to students. Annette has choreographed for high school show choirs along with musicals for area high schools and colleges. She is dedicated to education, training, and personal development of all of the students at the Village Dance Studio.
Betsy Edmondson, Instructor
Betsy Edmondson is entering her 10th year the Village Dance Studio. She specializes in Ballet technique, but also teaches Modern, Jazz, and beginning Tap. Betsy has a degree in Religious Studies and a minor in Dance & Pedagogy from IUPUI. She has trained with Sue Van Voorhies and the Jordan Academy of Dance, ran her own dance studio and worked as manager at Kinney Dancewear. She has been teaching dance in Indianapolis area studios, schools and workshops for seventeen years. Her favorite performing/ choreography challenge is to expand peoples' concept of worship by adding dance to traditional church services. Choreography credits include liturgical pieces for local churches and The Pajama Game, The Music Man, and Fiddler on the Roof, at Park Tudor School where she is a Guest Teacher and consultant. Betsy has been married to her husband David for 13 years and has 2 beautiful sons, ages 7 & 4.
Marissa Castillo, Instructor
Marissa Castillo is a 2009 graduate from Ball State University with her degree in Dance Performance. Marissa started her dancing career at the age of two and a half at Playhouse Studio of Dance in Marion, Indiana, where she studied a variety of disciplines including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. After realizing her passion for the world of dance, she decided to continue her dance education at Ball State University where she had the opportunity to study under Lou Ann Young, Audra Sokol, Sarah Mangelsdorf, Michael Worcel, Jennifer Medina, Alan Sener, Mary Cosaro, and Bill Evans. In 2006, she auditioned for and joined Ball State Dance Theatre, the university's pre-professional performance company, and performed in six mainstage dance concerts. She could also be seen performing in many student productions and displaying her own choreography in such showcases. Marissa also has taken ballet and modern classes in Seattle, Washington, at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Marissa joined the Village Dance Studio faculty in June of 2009 and teaches many styles of dance. She has recently become the Village Dance Ensemble coordinator, and her enthusiasm and love of dance emulates through the varied dance classes she teaches.
Megan Fisher, Instructor
Megan Fisher graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance from Ball State University. While at Ball State she was a member of the Ball State Dance theatre where she performed many leading roles in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, clogging and folk dance. Megan formerly studied at the Village Dance Studio for over ten years and has been on the staff for over 10 years. She has choreographed many outstanding dances, including Masquerade in the past recital. She is a devoted mother, wife, and huge asset to the studio.
Jaclyn Virgin, Instructor
Jaclyn Virgin is an Indianapolis native. She began her dance training at age seven. Upon graduating from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance in 2003, she became a member of Dance Kaleidoscope - Professional Modern Dance Company in Indianapolis. In 2006 she began to blossom her teaching/choreography career. She has been teaching classical modern, ballet, jazz, and yoga as well as choreographing around the city for companies such as Dance Kaleidoscope, Motus Dance Theatre, and Kenyetta Dance Company. She was currently on faculty at Jordan Academy of Dance where she taught Modern and Jazz and was Associate Director to the Jordan Dance Ensemble. In 2008 she founded the (RE)Collective Company that involves live music and dance. Jaclyn has also choreographed and assisted with local Color Guards at Carmel, HS, Lawrence Central HS and Greenwood HS. Jaclyn is very excited to rejoin the faculty at Village Dance Studio and looks forward to sharing her passion of dance with her students.
Traci Pettigrew, Instructor & Office Staff
Traci Pettigrew graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Arts Management and a concentration in dance. She has choreographed high school show choirs and college musicals. She was the assistant director of performing arts with the Indiana Memorial Union Board. While assistant director she produced a musical at IU and organized a dance competition/fundraiser for the IU/Kenya program. She received numerous awards and scholarships throughout high school and college. She previously has worked for the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program and the YMCA teen & leaders-in-training camp. She has choreographed and taught for the last recital and has also lead Ensemble team building activities. She has a passion for working with youth, the arts, and business.
Julianne VanKley, Instructor
Julianne has been dancing for 16 years. She took many years at the Village Dance Studio before receiving her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a full time teacher to 1-3 year olds at a local childcare center. She is currently teaching dance to 3-5 year olds in the Creative Movement classes as well as the Music & Movement class. She has been teaching Ballet and Folk dance at the Village Dance Studio for five years. She completed training and was certified in Highscope method of teaching folk dance under Phyllis Weikart in 2007. She has also taught the two’s and three’s class at New Hope Christian Church for 4 years and has been a part of the nursery ministry for the past five years. She helps out with her church’s annual Vacation Bible School program each summer and with other events throughout the year. In her spare time she enjoys reading books, crocheting, painting, writing in calligraphy, attending various concerts and Ballets, and spending time with her family and friends.
Maureen Hiner, Instructor
Maureen has been teaching for over 20 years. She received her training from Betty Stephens, Annette Pettigrew, Patricia Johnston (Indpls Ballet Theatre), Sandra Reiberg, Craig Callaway (Dance Kaleidoscope) Therese Chatelaine, Sue Tolle, Rebecca Rutt, Jack Copeland, Mimi Priest, Sherry Gilpin, Michael King (IBT) Dale Shields (IBT). She attended Jordan College of Fine Arts, Blue Lake Fine Arts School. She was honored to receive the Myrl Lawrence Scholarship to attend the National Ballet School of Canada’s teacher training. Maureen has studied Scottish Highland dance from Katherine Cornelius, and attended Oberlin College Scottish Arts School. She is a certified teacher with the British Association of Teachers of Dancers. She has achieved Premier category as a Highland Dancer, winning many medals and trophies in the Midwest. She studied Irish dance from Maureen McGovern, Celtic Motion, and the Richens (Timm Academy). She has attended dance workshops with the Hubbard Street Dance Company in Chicago, IL and at Indiana University. Maureen has been a dancer with the Midwest Dance Theatre and the Indy Highland Dancers. Some of her previous students have gone on to dance with Butler Ballet and Peter Sparling Dance Co. Her Scottish Highland students continue to win many medals and trophies throughout the United States and Canada. Her love of dance is seen in her recent performances with the band Highland Fling and at local Renaissance Faires. She has performed at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis International Festival, Indy Irish Fest, Columbus Scottish Festival, apple works Highlander Festival. She has choreographed many original dances.
Katherine Benson, Instructor
Katherine was born in Oregon. She discovered her love for dance at the age of 5 when taking a movement class in her new hometown of Davis, CA. Soon she was heading into Sacramento each day to train with Sacramento Ballet under the guidance of Barbara Crockett, who is internationally recognized as a premier ballet mistress. Her summers were spent training with The San Francisco Ballet Company and The School of the American Ballet in NYC, training under Suki Schorer and Alexandra Danilova. When she was 13 she moved to Maryland and left school at noon each day to study with The Washington Ballet Co, and Mary Day. Katherine decided to pursue an Elementary Education degree at The College of William and Mary in Virginia. While there, she was a member of and choreographer for Orchesis – a modern dance company and studied several other dance styles including jazz and character dance. Upon graduation, she taught elementary school for several years in MD, IN and CA yet she always managed to be involved with dance, teaching ballet, jazz and developmental dance programs in each state. Katherine is a caring and devoted mother and teacher, guided by her love for the arts and a desire to inspire in her students ~ the joy of dance.
Tracy Coussens, Office Manager
Tracy has been a part of the studio for twelve years and now has four children, including three girls ages 5-13 who take a variety of classes at the studio. Tracy received her Journalism degree from the University of Evansville and has worked for different newspapers and magazines, as well as retail. She is excited to join and help Village Dance Studio stay organized and take care of any questions you may have.
Annette Pettigrew, Director & Instructor
Annette Pettigrew has over 30 years of teaching experience and has a B.S. in Ballet from Indiana University. She began dancing at the age of four and studied with Myrl Laurence and Phyllis DeWeese in Cincinnati, Stone Camryn in Chicago, and Margaret Saul in Indianapolis. She has attended the teacher training course at the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto over ten times. She has taken classes in NYC and London at the Royal Academy of Dance. Annette has worked with the gifted and talented programs thru the Indiana Department of Education. She has been a visiting artist at various schools throughout greater Indianapolis. She was previously involved with the Indiana Dance Alliance. Annette has attended dance medicine symposiums, creative movement workshops, ballet technique workshops, and more. She began the dance magnet program at Shortridge Junior High School and taught ballet to students. Annette has choreographed for high school show choirs along with musicals for area high schools and colleges. She is dedicated to education, training, and personal development of all of the students at the Village Dance Studio.
Betsy Edmondson, Instructor
Betsy Edmondson is entering her 10th year the Village Dance Studio. She specializes in Ballet technique, but also teaches Modern, Jazz, and beginning Tap. Betsy has a degree in Religious Studies and a minor in Dance & Pedagogy from IUPUI. She has trained with Sue Van Voorhies and the Jordan Academy of Dance, ran her own dance studio and worked as manager at Kinney Dancewear. She has been teaching dance in Indianapolis area studios, schools and workshops for seventeen years. Her favorite performing/ choreography challenge is to expand peoples' concept of worship by adding dance to traditional church services. Choreography credits include liturgical pieces for local churches and The Pajama Game, The Music Man, and Fiddler on the Roof, at Park Tudor School where she is a Guest Teacher and consultant. Betsy has been married to her husband David for 13 years and has 2 beautiful sons, ages 7 & 4.
Marissa Castillo, Instructor
Marissa Castillo is a 2009 graduate from Ball State University with her degree in Dance Performance. Marissa started her dancing career at the age of two and a half at Playhouse Studio of Dance in Marion, Indiana, where she studied a variety of disciplines including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. After realizing her passion for the world of dance, she decided to continue her dance education at Ball State University where she had the opportunity to study under Lou Ann Young, Audra Sokol, Sarah Mangelsdorf, Michael Worcel, Jennifer Medina, Alan Sener, Mary Cosaro, and Bill Evans. In 2006, she auditioned for and joined Ball State Dance Theatre, the university's pre-professional performance company, and performed in six mainstage dance concerts. She could also be seen performing in many student productions and displaying her own choreography in such showcases. Marissa also has taken ballet and modern classes in Seattle, Washington, at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Marissa joined the Village Dance Studio faculty in June of 2009 and teaches many styles of dance. She has recently become the Village Dance Ensemble coordinator, and her enthusiasm and love of dance emulates through the varied dance classes she teaches.
Megan Fisher, Instructor
Megan Fisher graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance from Ball State University. While at Ball State she was a member of the Ball State Dance theatre where she performed many leading roles in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, clogging and folk dance. Megan formerly studied at the Village Dance Studio for over ten years and has been on the staff for over 10 years. She has choreographed many outstanding dances, including Masquerade in the past recital. She is a devoted mother, wife, and huge asset to the studio.
Jaclyn Virgin, Instructor
Jaclyn Virgin is an Indianapolis native. She began her dance training at age seven. Upon graduating from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance in 2003, she became a member of Dance Kaleidoscope - Professional Modern Dance Company in Indianapolis. In 2006 she began to blossom her teaching/choreography career. She has been teaching classical modern, ballet, jazz, and yoga as well as choreographing around the city for companies such as Dance Kaleidoscope, Motus Dance Theatre, and Kenyetta Dance Company. She was currently on faculty at Jordan Academy of Dance where she taught Modern and Jazz and was Associate Director to the Jordan Dance Ensemble. In 2008 she founded the (RE)Collective Company that involves live music and dance. Jaclyn has also choreographed and assisted with local Color Guards at Carmel, HS, Lawrence Central HS and Greenwood HS. Jaclyn is very excited to rejoin the faculty at Village Dance Studio and looks forward to sharing her passion of dance with her students.
Traci Pettigrew, Instructor & Office Staff
Traci Pettigrew graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Arts Management and a concentration in dance. She has choreographed high school show choirs and college musicals. She was the assistant director of performing arts with the Indiana Memorial Union Board. While assistant director she produced a musical at IU and organized a dance competition/fundraiser for the IU/Kenya program. She received numerous awards and scholarships throughout high school and college. She previously has worked for the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program and the YMCA teen & leaders-in-training camp. She has choreographed and taught for the last recital and has also lead Ensemble team building activities. She has a passion for working with youth, the arts, and business.
Julianne VanKley, Instructor
Julianne has been dancing for 16 years. She took many years at the Village Dance Studio before receiving her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a full time teacher to 1-3 year olds at a local childcare center. She is currently teaching dance to 3-5 year olds in the Creative Movement classes as well as the Music & Movement class. She has been teaching Ballet and Folk dance at the Village Dance Studio for five years. She completed training and was certified in Highscope method of teaching folk dance under Phyllis Weikart in 2007. She has also taught the two’s and three’s class at New Hope Christian Church for 4 years and has been a part of the nursery ministry for the past five years. She helps out with her church’s annual Vacation Bible School program each summer and with other events throughout the year. In her spare time she enjoys reading books, crocheting, painting, writing in calligraphy, attending various concerts and Ballets, and spending time with her family and friends.
Maureen Hiner, Instructor
Maureen has been teaching for over 20 years. She received her training from Betty Stephens, Annette Pettigrew, Patricia Johnston (Indpls Ballet Theatre), Sandra Reiberg, Craig Callaway (Dance Kaleidoscope) Therese Chatelaine, Sue Tolle, Rebecca Rutt, Jack Copeland, Mimi Priest, Sherry Gilpin, Michael King (IBT) Dale Shields (IBT). She attended Jordan College of Fine Arts, Blue Lake Fine Arts School. She was honored to receive the Myrl Lawrence Scholarship to attend the National Ballet School of Canada’s teacher training. Maureen has studied Scottish Highland dance from Katherine Cornelius, and attended Oberlin College Scottish Arts School. She is a certified teacher with the British Association of Teachers of Dancers. She has achieved Premier category as a Highland Dancer, winning many medals and trophies in the Midwest. She studied Irish dance from Maureen McGovern, Celtic Motion, and the Richens (Timm Academy). She has attended dance workshops with the Hubbard Street Dance Company in Chicago, IL and at Indiana University. Maureen has been a dancer with the Midwest Dance Theatre and the Indy Highland Dancers. Some of her previous students have gone on to dance with Butler Ballet and Peter Sparling Dance Co. Her Scottish Highland students continue to win many medals and trophies throughout the United States and Canada. Her love of dance is seen in her recent performances with the band Highland Fling and at local Renaissance Faires. She has performed at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis International Festival, Indy Irish Fest, Columbus Scottish Festival, apple works Highlander Festival. She has choreographed many original dances.
Katherine Benson, Instructor
Katherine was born in Oregon. She discovered her love for dance at the age of 5 when taking a movement class in her new hometown of Davis, CA. Soon she was heading into Sacramento each day to train with Sacramento Ballet under the guidance of Barbara Crockett, who is internationally recognized as a premier ballet mistress. Her summers were spent training with The San Francisco Ballet Company and The School of the American Ballet in NYC, training under Suki Schorer and Alexandra Danilova. When she was 13 she moved to Maryland and left school at noon each day to study with The Washington Ballet Co, and Mary Day. Katherine decided to pursue an Elementary Education degree at The College of William and Mary in Virginia. While there, she was a member of and choreographer for Orchesis – a modern dance company and studied several other dance styles including jazz and character dance. Upon graduation, she taught elementary school for several years in MD, IN and CA yet she always managed to be involved with dance, teaching ballet, jazz and developmental dance programs in each state. Katherine is a caring and devoted mother and teacher, guided by her love for the arts and a desire to inspire in her students ~ the joy of dance.
Tracy Coussens, Office Manager
Tracy has been a part of the studio for twelve years and now has four children, including three girls ages 5-13 who take a variety of classes at the studio. Tracy received her Journalism degree from the University of Evansville and has worked for different newspapers and magazines, as well as retail. She is excited to join and help Village Dance Studio stay organized and take care of any questions you may have.
