Our People
Meet the dedicated and passionate team behind Sahuarita Dance Center!
Studio Owner & Founder
Michele Igasan began Sahuarita Dance Center in 2006, just a year after moving to Sahuarita. She began by renting out rooms around town to teach small ballet classes for beginners which then quickly grew large enough to require a new location. Built in 2008, Sahuarita Arts Center has now housed classes in ballet, jazz, gymnastics, tap, hip hop, and many more styles of dance. From the beginning, Ms. Michele has been the heart and soul of Sahuarita Dance Center via her teaching, coaching, choreography, and directing. Her goal has been to create a safe community for dancers to learn, grow, and be challenged in their technique. As she is stepping back from leading SDC, her philosophy continues with many of her former students who now teach today.
Director/Instructor/Coach
Ashley Brady has spent 15+ years training at SDC and has experience in ballet, modern, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and acro. She has studied at the UofA, BYU, Ballet Tucson, and Soulescape, and has had performance opportunities with Nova Linea Contemporary Dance and Wasatch Contemporary Dance. Ashley recently earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Live and Immersive Art from the University of Arizona and is taking on the role of Director at Sahuarita Dance Center. Ashley strives to create a safe and welcoming environment for dancers where they can feel excited, invigorated, and challenged to reach their full potential.