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Megan Zintek

(Owner/Artistic Director)

In 2008 Megan graduated summa cum laude with her BFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with over 20 years of experience in her field. She has immersed herself in dance pedagogy since the age of 12, continually sharing her artistry and love of movement with children and adults. It has been her dream, from the first dance class she ever had the privilege of teaching, to open her own dance studio. She felt a calling to give others the same opportunity to grow, mature and express themselves with confidence and strength, just as she had been given as a young girl. Bella Via was not a spur of the moment idea… Megan diligently worked to obtain every tool possible that would ensure her dream not only come to fruition, but would be a powerful force in the dance community.

While receiving her undergrad, she had the privilege of working with and performing for André Tyson, Darci Brown Wutz, Li-Chao Ping, and Simone Ferro. She also had the opportunity to dance in works created by guest artists Daniel Gwirtzman, Laura Dean, and Uri Sands. She studied under the tutelage of Ed Burgess, Janet Lilly, Luc Vanier and Fern Caulker-Bronson. Beyond her studies, she has danced with Wildspace Dance Company, as well as the Catey Ott Dance Collective. During the summer of 2008, she traveled to Brazil to study Capoeira and dance with the company, Bale Folclorico. Megan was chosen to choreograph works for Here Comes Trouble and Art to Art in Milwaukee, and had the privilege of being cast in the film Missed Connections, which premiered in the 2011 Milwaukee Film Festival. She has been a company member of Elizabeth Johnson’s Your Mother Dances since 2008, keeping her connected and inspired within the dance community of Milwaukee. In 2012 she was interviewed and featured on Fox6 WakeUp promoting the launch of her fitness program, BellaBarre.

In 2015 and 2016, she was thrilled to return to UW-Milwaukee as a member of the faculty, teaching Jazz at the very university that inspired and motivated her growth as a teacher and artist. She was also privileged to return in the Spring of 2019 as Rehearsal Director for a guest artist Melanie George’s piece in UWM’s faculty show, SpringDances.

Megan was honored to have been nominated onto the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Dance Council, beginning in the fall of 2017. This wonderful organization parallels perfectly with everything Megan believes, and strives to further dance education in our communities. She is a continued member of NDEO, the National Dance Education Organization, and is excited to announce that Bella Via is now a National Honors Society Chapter!

Bella Via was named by Megan’s mother, whom she lost in the summer of 2009. Her mother had been her #1 fan and biggest supporter in attaining her dreams. She instilled in Megan the belief that she could do anything she set her mind to, inspiring Megan to encourage that personal belief in others. In the memory of Susan Zintek, Megan opened the doors of Bella Via in October of 2011. Bella Via, aptly named by her Mother, means “the beautiful way” in Italian. Megan’s hope is that it certainly will be for anyone who walks through the studio door.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” – Anonymous

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Kendra Kramas

Recreational Program Director

Kendra Kramas is a performer and choreographer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She began her artistic journey at Main Street Conservatory of Dance, where she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Modern. In high school, she was involved in her school’s competitive show choir, dance team, and musicals. She went on to receive her BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance and Choreography at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 2014. Additionally, Kendra has since become certified in The Ellove Technique as well as the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance.

Kendra has toured professionally with the KIDS from Wisconsin, and was a performer with Danceworks Performance Company, The Gina Laurenzi Dance Project and SueMo Dance Company. Additional performance credits include Dance MKE, Danceworks “Ignite” Showcase, Milwaukee Fringe Festival, Dance Canvas in Atlanta, and World of Dance Chicago.

In addition to dancing, Kendra has been teaching and choreographing professionally since 2013. Her contemporary work “After the Storm” (a Bella Via original!) was a finalist in Milwaukee’s “Dance MKE” in 2018. She has received numerous choreography awards for her work with Bella Via’s Company, including choreographing the team’s 2019 Triple S National Championship routine “Skinny Love.” Additionally, Kendra still shares her love for show choir and music by choreographing for the Energy City Voices at Gillette College in Wyoming. She also teaches master classes through The Collective Movement dance intensive.

Kendra has been on faculty at Bella Via Dance Studio since 2013, where she has been honing her craft as a teacher, choreographer, shoe tying expert, and high-five connoisseur. She most recently took on the role of Recreational Program Director in 2019. The highlight of Kendra’s day is getting to see all of her students and dance families at Bella Via. She considers Bella Via her second home, and is looking forward to many more amazing years of More Than Just Great Dancing!®

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Alyssa Albers

Assistant Company Director

Alyssa Albers began her dance training at a very young age and continues to pursue and develop her craft to this day. Throughout the years, she was heavily involved in the competitive world, gaining knowledge she now passes on to her students. She graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 2015, where she earned both BA Dance and BS Business Administration degrees. During her time at UWSP, she was fortunate enough to work with several world renowned choreographers, such as Keigwin + Company and Autumn Eckman, as well as build lasting relationships with her professors, Joan Karlen, Michael Estanich and Jeannie Hill, that still hold strong today. Alyssa credits so much of her teaching style and who she is as a performer to her UWSP professors.

As a member of Warped Dance Company, Alyssa was able to experience the professional world of dance and aerial work, collaborating with, and setting work on, Maria Caruso’s Bodiography Contemporary Ballet and Lesole’s Dance Project. She was also highly involved in the rebirth of WDC and was a key performer in the company’s first full length production, combining stage and sky, along with the talents of Ms. Andrea Burkholder. Recently, Alyssa’s latest adventure has been tackling the world of ballroom dance! She was warmly welcomed at the Fred Astaire studios and is working very hard on her Latin flair to get back on the competitive stage.

Alyssa has been leading a classroom for 14+ years, beginning as a teacher’s assistant and working her way to lead instructor. Throughout these years, she has gained a wealth of knowledge that equips her to handle a classroom of any size, any ability and any personality. She believes that as each dancer is uniquely special, so should their experience in the classroom. Don’t let Alyssa’s ‘tough love’ approach fool you! She always has her student’s best interests at heart and “wouldn’t push them if she didn’t think they could do it.”

Alyssa has been on faculty at Bella Via since 2012 and plans to stick around for many more seasons! She loves the atmosphere the studio families create and believes wholeheartedly in what the studio stands for: “Building self-confidence through technique and artistry.” You will often hear Alyssa say how much she deeply loves all of her students, and thinks of them as her ‘kids.’ She truly believes that teachers who take the time to build relationships with their students, don’t have students for just one year; they gain students, that turn to friendships, for life.

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Sydney Kidd

Performance Troupe Director

Miss Sydney is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts with a BFA in Contemporary Dance and Choreography. Prior UWM, Sydney danced with many studios across the country training in ballet, jazz, lyrical,contemporary, hip hop, musical theater, tap, and modern. While at UWM, she focused on contemporary styles, choreography, somatic practices, and teaching pedagogy.

Sydney was an active performer at UWM and was featured in multiple works by Daniel Burkholder, Maria Gillespie, Dani Keupper, Debra Loewen and Sophia Nord, aswell as guest artists Dan Schuchart and D’Sabela Grimes. Her performance in Sophia Nord’s Sixth senther to the American College Dance Association Conference, where she was able to spend a week taking a variety of classes from skilled artists and perform Sixth on behalf of the Peck School of the Arts.

Sydney is passionate about sharing her love of dance with children and her community. Her work at UWM led herto participate in multiple outreaches across Wisconsin, giving her a passion for sharing art on and off the stage. She believes that each person has something special to offer to the dance community, and that we should share that ‘something special’ with others. Sydney has regularly taught as a guest artist throughout the midwest and across the country. Her passion and enthusiasm for teaching is what has driven her entire dance career and training. Creating well-rounded and diverse dancers is important to her, which is why she enjoys teaching multiple ages and styles. She believes dance brings so much joy to our world no matter how you choose to enjoy dance: watching dance, training in dance, or just dancing around the house! She is beyond excited to join the Bella Via team, and bring that joy to the lives of her all her students at Bella Via.

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Joshua Yang

Faculty/Hip Hop Programming

Joshua Yang is one of the many bright, young minds in the professional dance world today. Partaking in multiple choreography opportunities, Joshua seeks to expand his reach. As a teacher, Joshua works hard to spark confidence, passion, and ambition for his students by creating opportunities in which their light may be liberated. His classes have a reputation for combinations that are intricate, challenging, and physically demanding. Joshua has become a leader in the community of young dancers and recently established an open dance company called “Origins”. He has also been invited to choreograph multiple shows across the Midwest, establishing the first hip-hop program at the Milwaukee Ballet Academy, and became a reoccurring faculty member for the Milwaukee Ballet Summer Intensives. Bella Via has a very special place for Joshua, as it’s the first studio he has ever taught at and finds a sense of community and family here. As much as the students enjoy learning from him, Joshua is privileged to teach them!

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Amelia Teare

Faculty

Amelia began dancing when she was 18 months old, and never stopped! Growing up in St. Louis, MO Amelia competed in all genres of dance through her studio, Laurie Stream Dance Studio, as well as performed and choreographed for her high school Varsity Dance Team.

While attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, she competed with their college dance team traveling all the way to Daytona, FL for the NDA Nationals. In 2016 she graduated SIUE cum laude with a B.S. in Chemistry and Secondary Education.

After accepting a position in Wisconsin, Amelia was fortunate enough to have found Bella Via. She now shares her joy and love for teaching with both her students at Bella Via, and at Oak Creek High School where she is the only female physics teacher. Her years of performance, choreography, and study of all varying types of dance, mixed with her college degree, have given her the perfect opportunity to nurture our youth with compassion, patience, and enthusiasm. She is so excited for another season with the wonderful students and families at Bella Via!

We are overjoyed to celebrate our 12th Recital with you…

“When I Grow Up, I Want to BE…”

CURRENT Bella Via Families: please reference your BVTV Recital Hub link for all important and up-to-date recital details including:

  • Rehearsal Videos
  • Music
  • Costumes
  • and so much more!

This year’s 2023 performance date is June 10 & 11th
*Location: Germantown PAC*

It’s Recital Time! Bella Via’s Spring Recital is a rite of passage for hundreds of youngsters, a chance to shine in front of family and friends that is anticipated with nervous excitement. Bella Via’s spring recital offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year of hard work, dedication and progress.

A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem and confidence. Onstage experience can also result in better school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities. Participating in rehearsals helps children develop retention skills, teamwork, and adaptability.

Due to the number of dancers we have at the studio, we schedule a minimum of five recitals throughout one weekend at the end of May/beginning of June. We run tech rehearsals at the school during the week leading up to recital weekend. 

All of our spring recitals are considered family entertainment and are approximately two hours in length with one intermission. Shows will run on Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday.

A Note About Evening Shows and Younger Children

As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of consistent bedtimes, so the evening shows represent a careful balancing act for us. In the past, we have tried to move the Friday night show up earlier, but it caused too many challenges for working families’ schedules who had too little time between finishing work and getting their dancers dressed and to the studio on time. 

We do, however, try to put the littlest ones in the first half of the show. While most dancers and families stay for the grand finale, which we encourage, we also respect a parent’s perspective on what’s best for their little one.

Updates

As the season progresses, recital dates and other information will be published in monthly studio newsletters and additional email communications as needed. We will also continuously update our BVTV site for our current students and parents. This is important information, so please be sure to review it. Producing recitals is a team effort: students, parents, teachers and the directors are key players in the show’s success.

Important dates to remember regarding recital:

October 1st – first half of costume payments are due

November 1st – second half of costume payments are due

The Bella Company

Our award winning Bella Company is an outlet for gifted young artists who demonstrate an accelerated level of skill and commitment in dance. Competitive team members enjoy belonging to a team and building lasting friendships while accelerating their training and performance skills through working with guest artists and master teachers, faster paced classes with a heightened focus on training and additional performance opportunities at competitions and community events! Dancers will build character and gain life skills through teamwork, dedication, resilience, grace, and fun!

We offer a number of different groups and age levels for our Company Program. Each different group, from our Minis to our Seniors, has different class requirements. We want to create the building blocks and foundation for well rounded dancers and performers. Each level has their own unique class requirements, appropriate for their age and development. Beyond this, students and parents must be prepared for extra weekend rehearsals (if needed), and 3-5 weekends of competition in a given season. (Competitions and the dates they are held vary from year to year.)

The Audition 2023

Bella Company ages 10+: Auditions for dancers age 10 and older will be held Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st between 1 and 5pm. Dancers ages 10+ attend both days of auditions, and are asked to keep the entire timeframe open (but will only be required to attend a portion depending on age). Dancers will audition a minimum of 2 days for the full Bella Company: the first day will be class and combos, the second day will be class and performance of the combos from day 1.

Hip Hop Company: Hip Hop is a separate audition that will be held on Friday, May 19th from 4:30-6:45pm.

Tap Audition: Dancers 10+ will audition separately for tap (this style is not included in the main audition). Tap audition will be held on Saturday, May 20th from 5-6pm.

You can register for the audition by clicking HERE

Auditions are open to the general public for anyone above the age of 10! If your dancer is under the age of 10, they will need to have received a faculty recommendation to audition… if you are new to the studio, and your dancer is younger than 10, please email us to inquire about auditioning.

Interested dancers should register online to reserve their audition slot. A registration form and application will be emailed out to everyone to be completed and brought in for the audition.

What Is Expected

BELLA COMPANY SUMMER INTENSIVE: We kick off our season with the Bella Company’s Summer Intensive… a highly challenging, inspiring and nurturing three week dance intensive featuring guest faculty from across the globe! Each week dancers are challenged to grow through a wide variety of technique, choreography and specialty classes. Get ready for the time of your life! This 3 week intensive will run from July 31st – August 18th. We ask that Company hopefuls keep Monday thru Friday of these 3 weeks open and available for classes (both days and evenings).

FALL/SPRING: Bella Company members are expected to participate in a number of competitions throughout the spring (Jan.-May). Dancers must be enrolled in their required technique classes (although the faculty will decide what styles each dancer will perform). Dancers will have the option to audition to perform Hip Hop and Tap. Optional, but highly recommended, classes include Leaps & Turns, and Pre-Pointe or Pointe. Dancers above the age of 10 will also take Ellove, a cross-training conditioning and injury prevention class!

Rehearsals for large group/team dances will be held during the week. Optional small group dances will be rehearsed on the weekends. 

As members of the Company, dancers are held in the highest regard at the studio, and are expected to set an example of how to behave and dress as outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook. RESPECT for faculty, staff, parents, friends and the facility is not an option… it is mandatory and an important part of their training and education at Bella Via.

This is a full year commitment. Training begins in our Summer Intensive, and continues through the Recital Season.

As this is a team activity, dancers and parents will also be required to sign a Company contract at the beginning of the season. This contract lays out expectations of the faculty and Artistic Director with regards to behavior, attendance, and participation throughout the performance season.

A $125 Company Team fee will be due once the dancer is accepted onto the team.

Dancers are required to participate in EVERY competition… no exceptions.

Costumes for each dance vary in price, but can range from $70 – $120.

Dancers are required to purchase a personalized Company warm-up jacket (roughly $65).

Families are responsible for all competition entrance fees, along with food, travel, and lodging for each competition. We will not compete over Spring Break weekends. But we ask that you keep all other weekends in the Spring open and available for competition. 

Register Now

Hip Hop and Tap Company

Is Hip Hop or Tap your dance specialty? Now you can audition for just Hip Hop Company, or Tap Company! All the benefits and life lessons that are such a huge part of being on a team, but with less time commitment than the full Bella Company.

Hip Hop Requirements/Expectations:

  • dancers must be enrolled in the Company hip hop class they are assigned to if they make the team, as well as one Academy Hip Hop class
  • participation begins with the Summer Intensive in August (dancers are welcome to take the full experience)
  • must attend all required competitions
  • must be 7+ years or older to audition

Tap Requirements/Expectations:

  • dancers must be enrolled in the Company tap class they are assigned to if they make the team, as well as an Academy ballet, jazz and tap class
  • participation begins with the Summer Intensive in August (dancers are welcome to take the full experience)
  • must attend all required competitions
  • must be 10+ years or older to audition

Audition Days/Times 2023:

  • Tap Auditions Ages 10+ years: Saturday, May 20th from 5-6PM ($15)
  • Hip Hop Auditions Ages 7-9 years: Friday, 19th from 4:30-5:30PM ($15)
  • Hip Hop Auditions Ages 10+ years: Friday, May 19th from 5:30-6:45PM ($15)

You can register for the audition by clicking HERE

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Via Performance Troupe: THE EXPERIENCE

Via Performance Troupe Team is a fun and exciting opportunity for our dancers who love dance, and love to perform. Troupe dancers learn a number of challenging dances that are performed throughout the season. This is a team where dancers build confidence and technique while making lasting friendships and memories. Team members work and perform together to build community connection, all while having fun, fun, FUN! If your dancer loves to dance, and wants the opportunity to perform more than once a year at recital, then this is the program for you!!!!

Register Now

Troupe Team Requirements and Policies for the 2023/2024 Performance Season

To join our Troupe team, dancers will need to register for Troupe auditions online, and sign up for a ballet, jazz and tap class this summer (as well as for the fall session). Rehearsals throughout the season are complementary when taking all the required classes!

  • Troupe auditions are placement auditions, meaning everyone will make the team but will need to audition for the placement into groups (Bitty, Mini, Junior or Teen Troupe) *Note: dancers ages 10+ will audition with Company auditions… dancers will have the opportunity on their registration form to select if they only want to be considered for Troupe, for Company, and/or for both teams.
  • Troupe dancers begin their training in the summer and MUST BE ENROLLED in ballet, jazz and tap (sign up for summer classes right away so they don’t fill up!)… Dancers will be required to take Ballet, Jazz and Tap in the summer and through the following performance season. They will also be required to attend rehearsal once a week… the rehearsal times vary from 45min. – 1hr.
  • New this Season: TROUPE CHOREOGRAPHY WEEK!!! ($25-$40) August 21-23rd During this mandatory rehearsal week, Troupe dancers will learn their choreography for the competition they will attend in the 2022/2023 season.
  • A Troupe commitment/team fee of $125 is due at the time of registration, and every team member will receive a Troupe Team Shirt to wear at their first performance together and throughout the season! (We will reach out to you for your dancer’s shirt size after registering)

Auditions 2023

  • Age 7-9 years: Wednesday, June 14th from 3:30-4PM ($10)
  • Ages 10-12 years: Saturday, May 20th AND Sunday, May 21st from 1-3pm ($60)
  • Ages 13+ years: Saturday, May 20th AND Sunday, May 21st from 3-5pm ($60)

You can register for the audition by clicking HERE

Other Troupe policies remain in effect: a dancer must be enrolled in ballet, jazz and tap beginning in the summer session in order for rehearsals to be complimentary. If a dancer would like to join Troupe beginning in the fall, Troupe commitment/team fees still apply and rehearsals will not be complimentary (regular tuition rates will apply).

Register Now

Via Troupe Policies

  • Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap throughout the Summer Session and the following Recital Season.
  • Dancers must be 7 years of age or older.
  • There is a $125 commitment fee due at the beginning of each performance season, that includes a team shirt for every dancer!
  • Mandatory Troupe Choreography Week ($25-$40) in August
  • Troupe uses one costume for the entire season. It is the dancer’s responsibility to care for their costume, as it needs to take them through to the end of June.
  • Via Troupe rehearsals are complimentary! Even if extra rehearsals need to be added for a specific performance, this will come at no extra cost!
  • As a team member of the Via Performance Troupe, the dancers will represent Bella Via in the public eye. They are expected and encouraged to look professional and put-together. This means showing up to performances with hair and make-up already in place.
  • The purpose of Troupe is to further the dancer’s personal skill level with regards to technique, ability to pick up and learn choreography, and enhance their performance skills.
  • Dancers must participate in all three styles of dance (ballet, jazz, and tap)
  • Troupe dancers have the privilege of performing in an extra dance which opens or closes the show at the end of the year recital/showcase! (beyond their ballet, jazz and tap dances)
  • Our Troupe Team will perform at 1 local dance competition during season!

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Reviews

“Bella via is a wonderful dance studio with amazing teachers. They not only work towards helping kids become better dancers, but also focus on helping them to become better people. The staff is great and the other parents are warm and friendly. Both of my daughters love dancing here!”

ANNE B.

“This is a superb place with a positive environment for kids and parents. I appreciate Megan’s natural ability to be encouraging to students and recognize their needs as dancers and as individuals. The studio itself is amazing with a café for families and a dressing room for the dancers. In addition, the restrooms have additional space, if needed. The studio is spacious and open, and we were greeted warmly by staff, parents, and dancers! We are so glad to find this place!”

ANONYMOUS

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