Who We Are

Meet the Team

Our faculty are professional performers and dedicated teachers — the people who make serious training feel like home.

Jess Cigelske, Owner/Director

Dance has been a part of Jess Cigelske's life for over 40 years as a performer, teacher, choreographer and studio owner. Her parents recognized her love of dance at an early age, enrolling her in classes at the age of 3. She began her competitive dance career at the age of 6, winning regional and national awards. She gained extensive training in all dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical and hip hop. Jess choreographed and performed in dance productions while at Marquette University and continued teaching and dancing throughout the years while raising two dancers of her own. In 2021, Jess opened Fresh Coast Dance with the goal of providing exceptional dance technique in a positive, supportive environment.

Taylor Maris

Taylor Tuttle Maris, Assistant Director at Fresh Coast Dance, brings more than two decades of performance, choreography and teaching experience to the studio. Her professional dance career includes roles as dance captain and lead dancer in over 25 productions with Celebrity Cruise Lines and Tokyo Disney. She has a background in instructing both kids and adults, choreographing musicals and leading barre and fitness classes. She is also mom to two Fresh Coast Dance company dancers, Lillian and Mia.

Jennifer Hackbarth

Jennifer Hackbarth trained at the Milwaukee Ballet School, John Cranko Schule, and the School of American Ballet. Currently, she is a Leading Artist with the Milwaukee Ballet. She previously danced with New York City Ballet, Dresden Semperoper Ballet, and The Sarasota Ballet. She also performed as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet in their program, “Ashton Celebrated.” Her Principal roles include Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle in Giselle, Marie in The Nutcracker, along with Balanchine's Rubies, Emeralds, Theme and Variations, The Four Temperaments, Who Cares, and various works from choreographers such as Sir Frederick Ashton, William Forsythe, David Dawson, Gemma Bond, Jessica Lang, Christopher Wheeldon, Johann Kobborg, and Edward Liang.

Sarah Wahlstrom Helgren

With over five years of teaching experience, Sarah Wahlstrom Helgren excels in guiding beginning dancers of all ages. Sarah's passion for dance was ignited at the age of two, and she honed her skills in ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics. A pivotal moment occurred on her first day of dance class, when her teacher told her a mantra that she lives by today: “The beat is in your feet, but the art is in your heart.” Beyond her dedication to the dance community, Sarah holds a PhD in Neural Engineering and spearheads a Scientific Communications team for a professional association of neurologists.

Lily McClutchy

Lily trained extensively at Accent on Dance Studios in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theater and hip hop. She honed her competitive edge at conventions such as Hollywood Vibe, Hollywood Connection and Dupree Dance. She continued her education at UW-Milwaukee, completing a dance minor and earning a certificate in Dance Performance. She also holds certificates in Intro to Preschool Dance and Strength Training and Injury Prevention from CLI Studios. She currently teaches ballet/tap combo classes and younger hip hop as well as contemporary and jazz.

Lexie Westreich

Lexie Westreich has more than a decade of training and competitive experience with dance styles including Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary. Lexie has received numerous choreography awards and accolades for her performances, including 10 years on a high-performing competition team. She has participated in prestigious dance intensives and conventions, including intensives at Broadway Dance Center, the UWM Dance Program, The Collective Movement, KAOS Dance Convention and Artist Simply Human.

Kerri Guse

Kerri Guse trained at an Illinois studio for 17 years in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and pointe, competing nationally for 5 years. She continued her passion by performing and competing for 5 years at the University of Illinois while completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her job relocated her to Cincinnati, where she danced professionally for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. When her career relocated her once more to Milwaukee to work for MillerCoors, she danced, choreographed and coached for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks Dancers and Grand Dancers. She now teaches Adult Dance Cardio at Fresh Coast Dance.

Abby Hageman

Abby Hageman began her dance journey at Colorado Conservatory of Dance at the age of five, quickly developing a deep passion for the art form. Over the years, she has trained in various styles, such as ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. In addition to her training, Abby danced competitively for several years, gaining valuable performance experience and further strengthening her versatility as a dancer. Dedicated to refining her technique, she has spent her summers at various intensives including Ballet West, Next Generation Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, and BalletMet. This year, she is continuing her training in Milwaukee Ballet's Pre-Professional Program.

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