Bengal Dancer Biographies
Chelsie Ayre
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho
Major: Radiographic Science
Year in School: Senior
Year on Bengal Dancers: 4th
Prior to Bengal Dancers Chelsie danced with Dana Smith Dance Studio. She was a member of the Highland Lassies Dance Team for 2 years. She is on the ISU Dean’s list and is a member of the radiology program.
Kayla Campbell
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho
Major: Pharmacy
Year in School: Sophomore
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Kayla trained at Brindusa Moore Ballet Academy, Marius Zirra School of Ballet, and Sunrise Dance Academy. She was a member of the Century Diamond Dancers for 2 ½ years. Kayla has attended numerous Tremaine Dance Conventions. She has also danced at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey, and Joffrey Ballet.
Lacey Duffin
Hometown: Aberdeen, Idaho
Major: Dietetics
Year in School: Junior
Year on Bengal Dancers: 3rd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Lacey danced at Cope’s Dance and Fitness. She was a cheerleader at Aberdeen High School for four years and was the varsity captain for three of those years. Lacey was very active in rodeo throughout her high school years. She was Aberdeen Junior Miss in 2005. Lacey was Bengal Dancer Newcomer of the Year in 2006-2007.
Stephanie Elkin
Hometown: Corona, CA
Major: Undecided
Year in School: Freshman
Year on Bengal Dancers: 1st
This is Stephanie's first year on the Bengal Dancers. Stephanie competed with Santiago High School in California throughout high school. Santiago finished 4th at UDA High School Nationals in the small open dance division. She trained at Just Plain Dancin' in Calfifornia.
Britney Giovanini
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Major: Dental Hygiene
Year in School: Sophomore
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Britney danced at the Dance Depot, Ballet Society, Idaho Falls School of Ballet, and the Blackfoot Idaho Stars. She was a member of Hillcrest Nightline for two years and was an officer for one year. Britney was in High School Musical II! She has appeared in the Yipes Cheer and Dance catalog for the past six years. Britney has been on scholarship with DDO Artist Agency (2007-2008) and Hollywood Connection Convention.
Kelsi Goodfellow
Hometown: Burley, Idaho
Major: Pharmacy
Year in School: Junior
Year on Bengal Dancers: 3rd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Kelsi danced at Julie’s Danceworks under the direction of her mother, Julie Goodfellow. Kelsi has won numerous awards at dance competitions. She was Mini Cassia Junior Miss in 2005 and made the top 10 at state Junior Miss.
Tiffany Hatley
Hometown: Arimo, Idaho
Major: Elementary Education
Year in School: Sophomore
Year on Bengal Dancers: 1st
Prior to Bengal Dancers Tiffany danced with Dana Smith Dance Studio. She was a member of the Meridian High School Warriorettes Dance Team for one year. Tiffany was a 2006 Leadership Boise Academy graduate and a 2006 Idaho Top Scholar. She is on the ISU Dean’s list and is on an academic scholarship as well as a leadership and talent scholarship.
Chelsea Kaminska
Hometown: Honeyville, Utah
Major: Psychology and Sports Management
Year in School: Junior
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Chelsea danced at the Tueller School of Dance. She was a member of the Hawaii Pacific University dance team for one year and competed on the squad when they won the 2006 National Dance Association Championship in Division II. She participated in her high school drill team for three years and was also drill leader. Chelsea has attended intensive summer workshops with the Joffrey Ballet and has toured the country assisting professional dancers at conventions.
Jacquelyn Kupferer
Hometown: Alta Loma, California
Major: Sports Management, Business
Year in School: Junior
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Jacquelyn was a member of the Fullerton College Dance Team. She has been on scholarship with Millenium in Los Angeles. Jacquelyn was a member of the Alta Loma High School Dance Team and served as team captain. She was an ESPN game daygirl.
Sara Neibaur
Hometown: American Falls, Idaho
Major: Elementary Education
Year in School: Freshman
Year on Bengal Dancers: 1st
Prior to Bengal Dancers Sara danced at Cope’s Dance and Fitness. She was a four-year member of the American Falls (AF) High School Cheer and Drill Team. She was a two-time Captain of the AF Cheer team and won three State Championships in High School. Sara has attended the Idaho Dance Arts Alliance Summer Camp in Twin Falls for six years.
Brittney Owen
Hometown: Pocatello, ID
Major: Dietetics/Pre-dental
Year in School: Sophomore
Year on Bengal Dancers: 1st
Prior to Bengal Dancers Brittney danced at Dana Smith Dance Studio. She has attended numerous dance conventions including Dance Caravan and Tam Jams. At Century High School Britney was a Diamond Dancer for one year, a Cheerleader for three years, and also served as Captain her senior year. Her family also owns the Pointe Shoppe, a local dancewear store, in Pocatello.
Ashton PeCoy
Hometown: Corona, California
Major: Finance
Year in School: Junior
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Ashton trained at Inspirations Performing Arts Center, Talent Factory, Southcoast Performing Arts, and with Julie Julie Rhoton and Keri LaGrand. Prior to her dancing Ashton trained as a competitive gymnast. Ashton was a four-year member of the Santigo High School Dance Team and served as Co-Captain her junior year and Captain her senior year. She went on to coach the Santiago HS Dance Team for three years before coming to Idaho. Ashton was a trainee at the Joffrey Ballet at the age of 14. She has toured with Tremaine Dance Convention serving as Keri LaGrand's assistant and was also a demonstrator in a progressions dance video for Jackie Sleight (owner of L.A. Dance Magic). Ashton has been a member of the Universal Dance Association (UDA) staff. She has danced for a professional modern dance company, Rhetoracle, in Long Beach, California. Ashton has won numerous dance awards including; Magic Performer of the Weekend and Excellent Technique Award at the L.A. Dance Magic Convention, a Millenium Dance Complex Scholarship at iHollywood Dance Convention, the Such Style Award at Starpower Dance Competition, and was named a Collegiate All-American and Top Gun Leaps and Jumps award winner with the National Dance Alliance (NDA).
Savana Schiess
Hometown: Pocatello, ID
Major: Nutrition
Year in School: Sophomore
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Savana danced at Dana Smith Dance Studio (DSDS). She has attended numerous dance conventions and camps. Savana has taught at DSDS for the past five years.
Randi Sundquist
Hometown: Elko, Nevada
Major: Undecided
Year in School: Freshman
Year on Bengal Dancers: 1st
Randi has trained in various styles of dance for the past eight years. He has attended the Idaho Dance Arts Alliance (IDAA) Summer Camp in Twin Falls for a number of years. While attending the IDAA camp Randi has earned several awards including Best All-Around Dancer in 2005 and Best Ballet Student in 2006. She has enjoyed teaching at local studios in Elko, Nevada. Randi has danced in the Great Basin College musical productions of Oklahoma, West Side Story, and Guys and Dolls.
Brittney Udy
Hometown: American Falls, ID
Major: Undecided
Year in School: Freshman
Year on Bengal Dancers: 1st
Prior to Bengal Dancers Brittney danced with Cope’s Dance and Fitness. She was a four-year member of the American Falls (AF) High School Cheer and Drill Team. Sara has attended the Idaho Dance Arts Alliance Summer Camp in Twin Falls for six years.
Kasja Watt
Hometown: Blackfoot, ID
Major: Occupational/Physical Therapy
Year in School: Sophomore
Year on Bengal Dancers: 2nd
Prior to Bengal Dancers Kasja danced at Cope’s Dance and Fitness. She was a member of the Blackfoot High School Broncadettes. Kasja has taking class in Los Angeles at Millenium and the Edge. She has enjoyed choreographing for Cope’s Dance, the Blackfoot High School Broncadettes, and Junior Miss. Kasja has attended Idaho Dance Arts Alliance Summer Camp in Twin Falls numerous times.
Hilary Johnson is in her ninth year of Head Coach of the two- time National Champion Idaho State University Bengal Dancers. She received a BFA in Dance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she was also a four-year member and captain of the Scarlets Dance Team. Hilary received her training from Ballet Omaha, Alabama School of Fine and Performing Arts, Midwest Ballet, and Dancerschool. She attended intensive summer dance workshops at Boston Ballet, Ballet West, State Ballet of Missouri, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Alabama Ballet, and Midwest Ballet. Prior to attending college Hilary attended the Alabama School of Fine and Performing Arts High School. She has danced professionally with Ballet Omaha, Charleston Ballet Theatre, and Mannheim Steamroller. She has judged numerous regional dance competitions as well as UDA High School and All-Star Nationals.
Lindsay Tucker is in her fourth year as assistant coach of the Nationally ranked Idaho State University Bengal Dancers. Prior to coaching the squad Lindsay was a four-year member and two-time Captain of the Bengal Dancers. She is currently a student in the doctoral program for Audiology at Idaho State University.