Faculty

Heidi Christensen Owner & Director

Heidi Christensen is the owner of Fusion Dance in Omaha, Nebraska. Born and raised in Carroll, Iowa, Heidi has been dancing from the time she could walk – even her mother ran a dance studio for more then 40 years!

She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, where she was also a member/captain of the Iowa Dance Team. She then moved to Denver to pursue her love of teaching and performed for the NBA Denver Nugget Dancers. She currently is an active member of Dance Masters of America where she continues to gain knowledge in her dance profession. Heidi enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband Nick and their two girls Tatum and Emery! Heidi’s true passion is spreading the appreciation of dance to the next generation.

Timaree Craft Dance Instructor & Competition Director

Timaree grew up dancing in Norfolk, Nebraska. As a part of her competitive team, she was given the opportunity to become a teacher's assistant and her love of teaching was born. Timaree attended Creighton University, was a 4 year member of the dance team, and graduated with her degree in Exercise Science. She has been a part of Fusion since 2005 and is currently the director of the competition team. Timaree's favorite part of teaching is watching her student's love for dance grow. When not teaching at Fusion, she can be found choreographing for studios and dance teams around the Midwest, judging for national dance competitions, and working her most important job.....being a mom to daughter Iyla.

Hannah Nelson Dance Instructor

Hannah began dance classes at the age of 3 and her love of dance and passion for the stage has carried her through life. She trained at competitive studios in Omaha, NE and was a member of the Millard North Dance Team where she competed nationally and contributed to four Class A Nebraska state dance titles. She continued her education at University of Nebraska Omaha and holds a bachelors degree in Communication. During her college years she was a member of the UNO Dance Team where she lead the team as a captain for two years, competing nationally and performing at the local Mavs sporting events. Hannah has been teaching at Fusion Dance since 2011 and enjoys working with kids of all ages and in all styles of dance! When she walks into the studio each day to teach she feels at home. Helping the students find their place in the world and watching them achieve their goals is her dream job. When she is not teaching she enjoys trying new restaurants around town, dreaming up Disney World vacations with her fiancé and keeping her puppy away from their shoes and everything else in the house.

Rebecca Brenner Dance Instructor

Becca started her ballet training in Columbus, Ohio at age 5 with Columbus City Ballet School (formerly known as Columbus Youth Ballet.) While under the direction of Shir Lee Wu, 3 time recipient of the Outstanding Teacher award from YAGP Competition, Becca trained, performed and competed throughout the midwest and NYC. During summers she received merit scholarships to study with the American Ballet Theater in NY, Orlando Ballet School and Brianksy Ballet. She attended the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and received a BFA in dance upon graduation in 2012. Since then, Becca has danced professionally with Rochester City Ballet, Ballet Vero Beach and currently performs with American Midwest Ballet (formerly Ballet Nebraska). She has taught and substitute taught at many studios in the Rochester area and the greater Omaha area. Becca teaches ballet and pointe at Fusion. Now in her 5th year at Fusion, Becca enjoys every day she gets to work with the talented and dedicated students.

Kayleigh Hascall Dance Instructor

Kayleigh started her dance career at age 5 at her home studio The Dance Works in Kearney Nebraska. During her time at TDW she took a variety of classes and competed on their company team. She began assisting classes in high school and worked for Kearney Parks and Recreation teaching camps and classes that incorporated introductions to dance and tumbling. Her senior year she was a safety coach for the Jol-Ran Jets tumbling and trampoline team. Outside of the studio Kayleigh was also on her high school's dance team. In her junior year of high school she had the opportunity to dance with the Moscow ballet in the Nutcracker. That year she also danced the lead in her studio's ballet production of the Hunger Games. Kayleigh moved to Omaha and Joined the Fusion Dance family in 2015. She graduated from University of Nebraska at Omaha where she was a Mavericks Cheerleader. She is currently the Marian High School's Sideline Cheer Coach. Her favorite styles are pom and ballet. When she is not teaching dance she enjoys trying new restaurants and being with her friends. Kayleigh is very excited to share her love of dance with her students!

Ellen Sonnleitner Dance Instructor

Ellen began dancing at age 5. By middle school she was competing at a studio in Bellevue. She began choreographing for her high school team and thats where her love of dance blossomed. Ellen became a UDA instructor after high school. She went on to be a 4 year member and captain of the University of Iowa Dance Team, where she competed at UDA Nationals. Ellen began working at Fusion in 2008 and took a short hiatus when she began her family. Ellen is back again and excited to spread the dance love! When not at dance, she is a stay at home mom. Ellen has 4 daughters and they are a dancing family. Ellen is thrilled to be back at Fusion and spending time with students again! 

Anna Swenson Dance Instructor

Anna began dancing at the age of six with Ballet Arts Academy in Spokane, Washington under Peggy Goodner-Tan and Dodie Askegard. After graduating from high school she continued training with School of Alberta Ballet in Calgary, Alberta in their pre-professional program. Performing with Alberta Ballet in Balanchine’s Four Temperaments. She is currently dancing professionally with American Midwest Ballet and has performed in various Ballet’s such as Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Big Swan in Swan Lake, Paquita, Giselle, Cobweb in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Emerald Queen in Wizard of Oz. She teaches to share her love of ballet in hopes that her students come to find that same passion.

Alexis Christensen Dance Instructor

Alexis grew up in Council Bluffs Iowa where she started taking dance at age 5. After her first class she was hooked! All through childhood and into high school she studied many different styles of dance. As a member of her high school’s Dance Team she continued to compete and choreograph. After graduating from Lewis Central High School, Alexis attended the University of Iowa and continued her education in Dance. At Iowa she double majored and received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Dance and Communication Studies. Throughout her time at the University of Iowa she continued to perform, choreograph and teach students at a local studio. Alexis has been teaching at Fusion Dance since 2016. She loves seeing her students improve and find their own joy in dance. In addition to teaching dance, Alexis has worked in Medical Sale since 2005. She and her husband have three children. They love to spend time together as a family and enjoy many weekends during the summer at the Lake.

Rachel Jamison Dance Instructor

Rachel Jamison grew up all over the midwest, and did not start dancing until she was 14. After just one dance class she knew that she had found her passion. She worked hard every day to prove that you don't have to start dancing at age 3 to be a great dancer. After graduating high school, Rachel attended Oklahoma City University where she earned her 4 year bachelor of Science in American Dance Teaching. Rachel has been a part of the Fusion family since 2015. She loves watching her students grow in their love of dance. Her favorite part is when a student masters a skill that has consistently been a struggle for them; and the joy on their faces when they realize they can do it. She and her husband have had the joy of welcoming their first baby boy in late 2018. He is already trying to get up and dance too.

Kristen Horn Dance Instructor

Born and raised in Norfolk, NE, Kristen has been dancing since the age of 4. She spent many years assisting classes throughout Junior High and High school. Kristen began to teach at Fusion Dance her sophomore year of college to continue being involved in dance after high school. Kristen graduated from the University of Nebraska - Omaha with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking, and Investments. She works for a public accounting firm, but thoroughly enjoys her nights at the studio after work. Kristen enjoys being involved in the community through various activities in Omaha, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She is extremely happy to still be involved in dance for so many years and loves being a part of Fusion.