Our Staff
Becky Hankins (Owner, Tap, Jazz, Ballet) began her dance training at age 2 1/2. As a child, Becky was extremely shy, and dance was integral in the development of her self-confidence and self-esteem. She is very thrilled to have the chance to pass the same sense of accomplishment and self-worth on to her students. She has extensively studied tap, jazz, and ballet and brings with her over 15 years of teaching experience. Her students have been recognized and received many top honors and awards both regionally and nationally, and she herself has also been recognized both regionally and nationally for her choreography. Becky received her B.S. in business from Warner Pacific College.
Wendi (Cheer, Tumbling) is OSAA safety trained (Oregon School Activities Association) NFHS certified (National Federation of High School Coaches Association – in the process of continuing education.) And NYSCA certified (National youth sports Coaches Association). Wendi had been the Club cheer coach at Grande Finale for the last 2 years and will continue leading the program this upcoming year. She has had over fifteen years of experience in the field of: dance, performing arts and theater (Tapestry Theater Company). She coached the Tigeretts cheer program and had been the cheer coach adviser through Clackamas parks and recreation for the last three years, Jr. church director for 11 years and teaches guitar to youth and adults. She was a part of the local singer songwriter scene in the Portland area for over 6 years. Currently she leads a worship band, is the Christian Education Director and assists her Husband, Pastor Dan, in working with Jr. and Sr. High Youth at Thompson Read Bible Fellowship.
Candalee Wrede (Ballet) began her dance training at age four with Marcelle Renoux, founder of the oldest dance studio in Portland. Her training included both RAD and Cechetti methods plus many techniques Miss Renoux learned from studying Balanchine every summer in New York. Candalee’s dance studies were primarily in ballet and extensively in pointe and pas de deux. She also studied jazz, modern, folk and theatrical dance. At age fourteen, Candalee was accepted as the youngest lead soloist for Renoux’s performing company which allowed her to learn and perform many classical roles as well as to learn of the art of developing complete original story ballets. She was a dance major at the University of Oregon and she continues an ongoing pursuit of the study of dance with all its different forms, methods, theories and all the aspects of physical training as well as participating in various kinds of classes.
Candalee began teaching in 1972 as the Balletmistress for the National Academy of Gymnastics, training both former and future Olympians. In her early career, she focused on sports choreography, developing ballet training programs and choreographing competitive routines for gymnasts, ice-skaters, freestyle skiers (ballet skiers) and body-builders, working with many World Champion and Olympic athletes.
Candalee owned and operated her own dance studio housed in Cascade Athletic Club from 1981 to 1991. She established a Junior Ballet Company as part of the studio and the members performed original ballets such as "Pippi Longstockings" and "The Last Unicorn". While at CAC, she also became certified in the work-out programs offered there .
Candalee has also enjoyed the opportunity to work for many of the studios in the Northwest including Maddox School of Dance, Sally Mack’s, Joy of Praise, Studio One, Body and Soul, Empyrean Movement, MVP Dance Elite, Classical Ballet Academy and Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center. She was granted an honorary teaching certificate from the State of Oregon when she designed and implemented a full dance and dance history program for Sam Barlow High School which she taught for two years.
Presently, Candalee is teaching for both Classical Ballet Academy and Grande Finale Dance Studio.
Sabrina Hart (Tap, Jazz, & Pre Ballet) Bio coming soon
Hun Kim (Bboy) Hun is Cambodian and currently a senior at Portland State University. Hun started breakdancing at Aloha High School as a freshman. A year latte Hun was leading and teaching the breakdance club where he continued to do so until he graduated in 2006. In 2006 Hun enrolled in his first formal dance class, ballroom. In 2007 Hun started formally teaching breakdanceing in a studio setting. When Hun was 10 years old he learned to do handsprings and backflips after years of jumping on his parent's mattress which is what lead him into breakdancing. What lead Hun into performing his dance was the Cambodian cultural dancing. Hun started Cambodian cultural dancing the year before he began breakdancing. Hun feels that both of these styles of dance have helped him develop self-confidence and the love of dance. Hun's goal in teaching is to promote what dance has done for him and pass those skills on to others.
Sara Solly(bio and picture coming soon)-Contemporary and Ballet
Vilay Fortner(bio and picture coming soon)-Hip Hop
Alfred Trinidad(bio and picture coming soon)-Hip Hop
McKenzie McAvoy(bio and picture coming soon)-Ballet