MaKaeyla Pool
MaKaeyla began dancing at Studio One Dance Academy in 1997 and later returned to begin her teaching career. MaKaeyla was part of a pre-professional contemporary company Extreme ,which later turned into, Pivot with Artistic Director Maria Albaugh. She has also had the opportunity to be in several Tap companies Beat Bangerz a local tap company, and Maud and Chloe Arnold's No Filter sole talk youth company based out of LA. MaKaeyla continues to train and take classes whenever possible. She was a part of “Wish Heart” in 2018 MaKaeyla enjoys any opportunity to get back on stage.
When not teaching at the studio MaKaeyla works as a Behavioral Therapist for kids with special needs and is working towards applying to nursing school.
Megan Heick
Megan Heick was a company member at 11: Dance Company while co-coaching at David Douglas H.S. Her studies took her to Western Oregon University where she received her dance degree. Megan doesn't fall far from the family tree: her parents are the creators of Ballet Folklórico (A Mexican Folk Dance Company). Performing in Wish Heart 2018 brought her back to the stage, where she belongs.
Patricia Little
For Patricia Little, dancing is in her blood, both her partents directed and performed in the own dance company, “Ballet Folklorico Xochitl.” She grew up training at Judy Marsh, at Xreme Dance, and Dance Vision studios. She has since returned to her old high school to be an assistant choreographer for the dance team and co-choreograph David Douglas H.S. Alumni performances. Patricia graduated Concordia University and is currently in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at MHCC.
Amanda Wilcox
Amanda Wilcox’s training began on her high school dance team. Since then she has coached high school dance team at Oregon City, West Linn H.S., and continues to coach at Rex Putnum H.S. Amanda was recognized in 2012 by the Dance and Drill Coaches Associated as the “Coach of the Year” award recipient. Wish Heart brought her back to the performance side of dancing.
Brittany Newton
Brittany has almost 20 years of experience in dance, theatre, and pageants. Her training began at Encore dance studio and continued at Portland State University. She currently works full time for Bollywood Dreams Entertainment, traveling the country performing and teaching vibrant dances from India. She performed in Wish Heart in 2018.
Mackenzie Johnson
Mackenzie grew up dancing in her hometown studio, Tualatin Dance Center. When high school came around dance team became her life. She was coached by Geoff and fellow cast member, Amanda at West Linn. At Oregon State for college, she began coaching Corvallis and is now on her third year of coaching at Rex Putnam. When Mackenzie isn’t dancing through life, she spends her days working at Forward Stride, a center for therapeutic riding.
Jordan Daniels
Jordan started her dancing career at Innovative Dance at just 4 years old, which lead to her involvement in the performing company from 2001-2008. In high school, Jordan was a member of the Wilsonville Pride Varsity Dance Team, her junior year she joined Varsity Cheer and became captain. After high school Jordan enrolled at Portland State University, during that time she coached for the Synergy Middle School Dance Team. Jordan then transferred to Western Oregon University to pursue a degree in dance. Jordan currently coaches the Tigard Protégé JV Dance Team.
Melissa Hanson
Melissa Hanson was a company member of Pivot Dance Company, later working with a similar group for Oh La La: The New Burlesque. She went on to star in several shows with A Touch Too Much Productions, including Showgirls the Musical, Masters of the Musical Universe, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? She enjoys costume design and dabbles in cosplay creation. She performed in Wish Heart in 2018.
Assistant Choreographer Gail Lockard
Gail Lockard started taking dance classes when she was seven years old. After several years, she moved to gymnastics and competed until an elbow injury removed her from from sport. She found her love of dance again by joining her high school dance team. In 1996 she began her high school dance team coaching career which has spanned the last 23 years. In addition, Gail has worked for Dance Vision studio for almost 15 years, directing several teen competitive groups and teaching various classes. Currently Gail is the director of the Vision Dancers, which is a Dance Vision middle school club team. Gail choreographs for a variety of individuals and groups and is excited to join this amazing and artistic group of performers with Wish Heart Productions.