Director
Holly Derville-Teer
Jazz, Lyrical, Company
Holly Derville-Teer has taught dance in the greater Portland area since 1997 where she owned a successful studio for eleven years, earning the Best Studio Award from Thunderstruck Dance Competition. She sold her studio to focus on being a mom, but continued teaching at several studios for the next seven years.
In 2016, she was hit with an overwhelming feeling that it was time to put her director's shoes back on. With zero students and a lot of prayers, she signed a lease, bought supplies, gave out fliers at the Hillsboro Fourth of July Parade, and opened Hillsboro Dance Center! She loves working with the incredible staff and the amazing families at HDC. She finds both teaching and being at the helm of HDC rewarding and fulfilling every single day.
Miss Holly has written 30 articles as a freelance writer for "Dance Studio Life Magazine" and was a speaker at the Dance Life Teacher Conference in 2015 where she gave presentations on Teacher Training and Teaching Methods for Dance Classes. She is certified in mUvmethod (a specialized flexibility program for dancers.) She also has a B.A. in English and Education both of which have been surprisingly applicable to being a dance teacher and running a dance studio.
Before beginning her teaching career, she lived in New York City and later danced professionally for several production companies. She was awarded a Lifetime Scholarship to Steps on Broadway in NYC. She is also a dance mom and her daughter was on the 2018 and 2019 television show, "So You Think You Can Dance."
Miss Holly focuses on building confidence by encouraging her dancers to truly express themselves through movement. She designs enjoyable classes by coming up with methods of teaching techniques that are designed to be fun but effective. Many of her methods have been featured in “Dance Life Magazine.” In addition, she purposefully creates opportunities for dancers to support each other in class, creating a loving and positive environment for her students.
She designs her classes to act as a conduit for personal growth and strives to help every student reach their potential. Above all, she hopes each student will feel cared for and supported in her class. "My favorite thing about HDC is working with such an amazing team of teachers, getting to know such wonderful families, and being a part of her students growing up into confident, capable adults and also being part of our amazing adult program."
Instructors
Kylie Brehmer
Tap/Jazz/Acro, Preballet
Kylie is certified to teach acro through Acrobatic Arts. She loves working with dancers of all ages. She is especially passionate about working with young children. She grew up dancing at HDC and was awarded a dance scholarship to college. She is dancing with Pacific University and also participates in outreach dance programs for dancers with learning differences.
Kylie believes each dancer is unique and brings their own stories and experiences to share through movement. In her time away from the studio, she loves to spend time with her family, go on hikes, watch movies, and bake.
"My favorite thing about HDC is the positive environment in which dancers can learn and grow.”
Kylee Bryant
Tap, Hip Hop
Kylee is a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher and a certified Tap Roots instructor. Kylee enjoys attending conventions, workshops and intensives, including DancePalooza, Jump, Tremaine, NYCDA, Radix, NUVO and 24 Seven. She had the opportunity to take classes at Millenium and Playground LA.
Kylee loves teaching and watching her young students experience the joy of Dance. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, modern and acrobatics. She has been teaching for 8 years.
Kylee is very excited to join the Hillsboro Dance Center family this year! Her favorite thing about HDC so far is the warm welcome she has received from the staff and students!
Maile Crowder
Ballet, Acro, Ballroom
Maile Crowder graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a B.S in Biochemistry and a minor in dance. During her time at Cal Poly, she danced with Orchesis Dance Co. as a company member, intern, director and choreographer.
Maile also began teaching contemporary classes to college students, became a certified barre instructor and diversified her training at ACDA conferences and commercial dance intensives. Maile was given several scholarships and awards during her junior and senior years, most notable of which was the Service to the Arts award given to her by the College of Liberal Arts. After graduating, Maile joined Interweave Dance Theater in Boulder, CO.
Maile has extensive training in many different styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern and hip hop. She has trained with Santa Cruz Ballet Theater, LINES Contemporary Ballet in San Francisco, Ballet West in Salt Lake City, and with Oregon Ballet Theater.
Maile currently competes as ballroom dancer. She is certified to teach acro through Acrobatic Arts.
Her favorite thing about HDC is the students!
Don Flores
Hip Hop
Don Flores is a Hillsboro/Portland-based dance educator, choreographer, and creative director with over 20 years of experience. His dance journey began with breaking and popping in his high school halls, later expanding into Hip-Hop, battling, street performance, choreography, and a deep study of the culture and history surrounding street and club styles.
As the former co-owner and Hip-Hop Director of Element Dance Studio—which served the Hillsboro dance community for 14 years—Don collaborated with Lauren Pinchback to develop a long-term training program. Together, they blended street and club styles, jazz, contemporary, audition prep, and commercial performance training. This collaborative environment helped dancers build the foundation, musicality, versatility, confidence, and professionalism needed for competitive, pre-professional, and commercial industry paths. Students from this program have gone on to secure agency representation in Los Angeles and work on major tours, live events, and Super Bowl halftime shows for artists such as Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Keke Palmer, Rihanna, Bad Bunny, and Kendrick Lamar.
Don’s choreography and direction have earned numerous competitive awards and industry recognition, including a 2015 Industry Dance Awards Hip-Hop nomination. He has served for several years as a judge and instructor for the Rip City Crew (the Portland Trail Blazers’ Hip-Hop dance team) and contributed choreography for Hillsboro artist Lovey James during her run as a Top 24 semifinalist on American Idol.
Beyond performance, Don’s mission has always been to cultivate well-rounded dancers who move with a clear understanding of fundamentals, musicality, and individual voice. Through Element, he consistently supported the local scene by hosting events, educational workshops, and community experiences—including connecting Pacific Northwest dancers with pioneering New York educators like Buddha Stretch (Mop Top/Elite Force Crew) and Litefeet OG E-Solo. Ultimately, his classes emphasize quality of movement, cultural respect, and fostering a healthy, sustainable relationship with dance that extends far beyond competition or career goals.
My favorite thing about HDC is how invested and committed the students are to everything we explore in class. I truly believe that for students to experience true breakthroughs, it takes full conviction in the work.
Sonya Gandee
Preballet, Tap/Jazz/Acro
Sonya is a lifelong dancer who has studied a variety of styles including tap, ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, modern, as well as Spanish, Mexican, and Chinese traditional folk styles. She has had years of experience assisting and teaching classes of all styles and ages. She enjoys teaching and passing on her dance knowledge to younger dancers. She grew up at HDC and is currently a nursing student at the University of Portland.
She is certified to teach Acro through Acrobatic Arts.
Her favorite thing about HDC is getting to know each dancer and watching them grow. Being a part of their lives through dance and seeing them develop over the years is incredibly rewarding!
Courtney Guillmette
Jazz, Company
Courtney has been a dance teacher in the greater Portland area for several years. She attended the 2019 Dance Teacher Summit where she completed the preschool dance track. Courtney was also the Head Dance Coach for Newberg High School’s JV & Varsity dance teams.
Her choreography credits include events such as Mr. Mac High, an event benefiting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. She created and taught the after-school dance program at McMinnville Christian Academy for four years. She has been a chorus member in several musicals at Gallery Theater with her most notable roles being: lead dancer in Oliver, Louisa in The Sound of Music, and Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka. Courtney also served as the Assistant Choreographer for the Gallery Theater’s 2008 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and more recently, choreographed The Addams Family in 2019. She grew up competing at dance competitions, winning numerous awards and scholarships.
In her free time, Courtney loves to travel with her family, and is a lover of all things Disney. Courtney focuses on growing her students into confident youth and empowering them to reach their fullest potential as dancers and people.
Amanda Hoban
Back in 2027!
Amanda is a dynamic performer, educator and community leader with a diverse background in dance and education. She started her teaching career with Holly back in 2005 while she was still in high school and never looked back!
She has taught at multiple studios in Los Angeles and the Portland area teaching styles such as ballet/pointe, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, jazz funk, hip hop, aerial and tap. She has assisted putting on benefit galas, showcases, parades and community events. Amanda believes that there is a place in the studio for everyone. She places a lot of value on making sure all dancers feel safe and comfortable to express themselves.
Amanda had the opportunity to perform with her classmates, setting pieces on fellow classmates and working with stage crew to put on shows in college. In the past few years, Amanda has been in multiple companies in the Portland metro area including: Lyfe Dance company, 11 Dance Company, Grandma's Medicine Cabinet , Nonsense Dance Company (dancer and assistant director), and, most recently, a member of Fresh Vibe dance company.
Amanda's joy for dance is unmatched. She has been perfecting her craft for the last 26 years and still loves it just as much as the first day she stepped foot in the classroom.
Her favorite thing about HDC is the talent she sees!
Amanda is taking the 2026/2027 school year off to spend with her family.
Byraissia Jones
Contemporary, Jazz, Acro, Company
Byraissia Jones began her dance training at the age of three in Phoenix, Arizona, studying a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and acro. She spent 12 years as a competitive dancer, performing solos, duos, trios, and group pieces across all genres. During this time, she discovered her passion for teaching while assisting for younger classes.
After graduating high school, Byraissia pursued a degree in Graphic Design at Arizona State University, where she was a member of the Devilettes Dance Team. As Captain, she choreographed multiple hip hop and jazz routines performed at basketball games, tailgates, Greek Life events, and other university functions. She also led the team through the challenges of the pandemic, implementing virtual auditions and hybrid rehearsals to ensure the program’s success.
Byraissia has choreographed competitive routines, receiving a choreography award for her work. She also holds an advanced certification from Acrobatic Arts.
With over 20 years of dance experience, she values the connection between the mind and body, encouraging her students to push past mental blocks and grow with confidence. She creates a supportive classroom environment through positive reinforcement, constructive feedback, and patience. Byraissia believes in balancing discipline with joy, ensuring her students stay motivated, challenged, and inspired.
Byraissia's favorite aspect of HDC is the inclusivity, positivity and determination of the students and the staff members.
Taylor Kiess
Acro, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Company
Taylor received her dance training at Hillsboro Dance Center. She has gone through HDC's teacher training program, has years of experience working with young children, and has taught all styles and levels of dance.
Known for her loving and effective approach, Miss Taylor is a much loved teacher who has taught almost every dancer in the studio. In addition to teaching half of the studio's ballet classes, she also co-teaches all of Miss Holly's classes.
She is certified to teach Acro by Acrobatic Arts.
"My favorite thing about HDC is the teachers and their dedication to helping each dancer reach their goals."
Ramón Rodriguez
Contemporary
Ramón Rodriguez has performed with Disney’s Broadway caliber productions of "Aladdin," "Frozen" and "Believe." He has also toured Internationally with Rainbow Dance Theatre lead by Directors/Choreographers Valerie Bergman and Darryl Thomas whose productions combine traditional dance movement and body integrated with multi-media. Ramon has had the opportunity to dance for a number of notable choreographers and dance companies over the years, including Directors Dina Castelluccio & Karen Nerkowski of the New England Ballet Academy, and Daniel Shapiro & Joanie Smith, whose Company focuses on breathtaking physicality embedded in story-driven performances.
Ramón holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Western Oregon University where he worked with a host of guest artists such as Lauren Edson of Juilliard and Brian Eno of Chicago. At WOU he developed and strengthened his technical and ballet skills as well as honing a keen eye and mind for choreography.
"My favorite thing about HDC is creating a community connection as well as love for the art of dance."
Natalia Thoben
Adv Ballet, Pointe
Natalia is a dedicated ballet dancer and instructor originally from Argentina. She discovered her passion for ballet at the age of six and went on to train extensively in classical ballet, pointe, and contemporary dance throughout her childhood and teen years. Her education included workshops and summer intensives with renowned artists such as Cecilia Kerche (Ballet Theatre of Rio de Janeiro), Oscar Gacio (Vienna State Opera), and Mario Zaraspe (The Juilliard School).
In 2009, Natalia performed as a soloist in a special hometown production of Giselle, alongside dancers and choreographers from the esteemed Colón Theater. She went on to compete in prestigious dance competitions in Argentina and Brazil, earning 1st place for her solo in the “Odalisques” variation from Le Corsaire in 2011, and 3rd place for her “Dulcinea” variation from Don Quixote in 2012, among other accolades.
Natalia earned her Bachelor's Degree as a Professor of Classical Dance in 2015 from Escuela Municipal de Danzas Norma Fontenla. Since 2011, she has been teaching ballet to students of all ages and skill levels in both Argentina and the United States.
What she loves most about HDC is its warm, inclusive atmosphere and the wide range of dance styles it offers.
Guest Choreographer
Bridget Derville-Teer
Performing Company Choreographer
From Portland to New York City to Los Angeles, Bridget Derville-Teer has devoted her entire life to the Performing Arts. She grew up dancing competitively in Oregon. Midway through her senior year of high school, she was featured on Season 15 of “So You Think You Can Dance,” making it through to the top 40 dancers and performing her own choreography several times. She also returned for Season 16.
Bridget is currently dancing on a scripted television show. She has also been dancing professionally with the contemporary company, “MarInspired; The Storytellers” since 2017, performing Marinda's full length contemporary show "UNbreakable" at Utah’s “Dancing Under The Stars.” Bridget also performed at the “Young Choreographer’s Festival,” “Katie’s Art Project,” “Carnival,” and “Club Jeté” under the direction of Marinda Davis.
Bridget spent two years training with two New York City programs: The Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center and the Intensive Semester at Peridance Capezio Center.
In 2021 she moved to California where she danced and choreographed for several Louis Metric music videos and performed at choreography festivals for Natalya Z, MaryAnn Chavez, Hayden Frederick, and Marinda Davis. She also danced and acted in conceptual videos for Samantha Mandich, Rumer Noel, and Lume Dance Collective. She also performed in Neoni's music video, "Vultures" under the direction of Coco Joelle.
When Bridget is not taking dance classes at Movement Lifestyle and Millennium or in acting classes at Playhouse West or Groudlings, she spends her time teaching at 8 Count Dance Academy and is a regular guest choreographer for competitive studios in the Portland and Los Angeles areas. She is also the Assistant Director for two pre-professional dance programs in LA.
Bridget believes that the artistic integrity within dance training is more important than the tricks. She teaches in a lighthearted way to help dancers feel comfortable. This helps them to unlock their inner artist and venture out of their comfort zone.
Her favorite thing about HDC is the value system and the supportive community within the studio.
She's also really funny.
Office Staff
Jennifer Kiess
Office Manager (Mon-Friday)
Jennifer is a mom of two HDC dancers who have danced at HDC since the doors opened ten years ago.
Jennifer has years of experience working with kids, especially preschool aged children. She has worked in daycare settings and is a former preschool teacher.
She loves spending time with her family and her dogs and watching football!
"HDC is family! It is a positive, safe place where everyone is welcome to come learn, make new friends and be creative in dance!"
Grace Burton
Office Team: Saturdays
Grace grew up at HDC and is now a student at Portland State University in the Honors College studying psychology. She was in the HDC performing company from the first day it started.
When she’s not dancing or studying, she loves music and spending time with friends and family.
Her favorite thing about HDC is how supportive all the teachers and dancers are and being challenged to learn and grow.
Tina Stokes
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Projects, Accounting, Recital
Tina Stokes is passionate about family, learning and life. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Marketing and Statistics.
All of her favorite memories involve children. She is a mom of 4 amazing kids. She entered the dance world when her oldest daughter was 7. Her 3 daughters have all danced at HDC.
Tina has been active in the education community teaching classes ranging from science, history, art and literature. She has directed two full length Shakespeare plays and coached a soccer team. Her favorite thing about dance is the confidence, strength, community and character it helps each dancer develop. Tina currently lives in Arizona and supports the dance studio remotely.
Class Assistants
Lucy
Lucy will be joining our Saturday classes as a class assistant. She has studied dance at HDC for the past nine years and is proficient in ballet, pointe, tap, contemporary, acro, jazz, and lyrical. She is also an HDC company dancer.
"My favorite thing about HDC is the amazing community that always supports and encourages each other. The teachers and classmates create an uplifting and encouraging environment while always pushing you to do your best."
Marissa
Marissa Klein is a dedicated dancer with who is accomplished in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe, and acro. She has been competing at HDC for a number of years. This past year she was awarded a scholarship for her dance ability and was invited to tour with Soul de Soul Dance Convention.
Marissa assists Saturday classes and helps younger dancers grow while building her own skill as a leader. She is passionate about performing, learning, and sharing her love of dance with others.
"My favorite thing about HDC is the welcoming and supportive environment. The teachers and classmates are always there to encourage and lift you up."
Sydney
Sydney has studied dance at Hillsboro Dance Center since the day it opened and has also been in performing company since the first day. She is an accomplished dancer in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe, and acro.
Sydney will be assisting Friday classes.
In addition to dance, she volunteers for Washington County Search and Rescue and loves traveling and watching sports, especially the Seattle Krakens!
"My favorite thing about HDC is that everyone is always trying to help you be the best you can be. They are always supporting you and lifting you up no matter what."
