Faculty | Premiere Dance

Elena & Vadim Serykh (Owners)

Vadim & Elena Serykh are an award-winning husband and wife acrobatic adagio dance couple. Together they have received numerous awards and honors as stars in their field in the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. In 1997 the Couple received a Presidental Award for their outstanding contributions to the Russian Culture. Together they have performed many times for the President of Russia, including official functions at the Kremlin, and have also received an award from President Bush. Vadim's excellence in sports acrobats & tumbling earned him the distinction of Master of Sport of the Soviet Union in 1978. He was Champion of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union and received 1st place in the Soviet Competition. Elena began performing at the age of 6 with her Professional Dance Academy School Troupe. Her training continued at the prestigious Russian Academy of Art, Theatre, and Dance. After a 25 year professional career in both teaching and performing, Elena is incredibly proud to be the owner of Premiere Dance Academy, teaching Russian technique ballet, ballroom, folk dance, contemporary and modern dance, and acrobatic Rock & Roll. Elena Serykh and her late husband, Vadim, are both professionally trained in their respective disciplines. They have performed worldwide and have received several of the highest honors available in their native country, Russia, as well as the USA. Before taking over the ownership of the studio, Elena and Vadim were the star attraction on the Branson Showboat as the acrobatic adagio dance couple for 10 years. Elena maintains a standard of excellence for the level of teaching at the studio; all of the faculty have had extensive performance and education and teaching experience and training. Elena has recently had the honor of choreographing for the Warner Brothers' Polar Express, Kenny Rogers' Toy Shoppe, and Silver Dollar City WorldFest.

Ami

Bremer

(Preschool & Combo)

Ami Bremer is the founding partner of Premiere Dance Academy, which opened in 1993. She graduated from SMSU with a BFA in Dance and danced professionally throughout the Midwest from the age of 15. Ami has been teaching dance for over 25 years in a studio setting, in National Workshops as well as at the college level. Highlights of Ami's career include professional lead roles in productions of A Chorus Line and 42nd Street as well as others. Ami enjoyed her long-running career in Branson as a Saloon Girl in Silver Dollar City and several productions on the "76 Strip". She is a Nationally Certified Clogging Instructor (C.C.I.).

Gwen
Bliss
(Studio Director &
Preschool, Combo& Level 1&2)

Gwen is excited to take the role of Studio director. Responsibilities will include the class schedule, dance curriculum for recreation classes, the competition team, costume coordinator, recital coordinators and much more. Don’t worry, she will also continue to teach as well.

Gwen Bliss starts this position with a world of dance knowledge. She was in the Fort Smith Oklahoma ballet company until age 18 and then went on to graduate from Oklahoma City University with a bachelors in Dance Performance. Throughout the years Gwen has performed nationally as well as internationally. During this time she has held positions of dance manager and tour director. Gwen has been co-Director of multiple shows in Branson. When she isn’t teaching you will find her enjoying life with her 3 kids; Sophia, Blake and Nora!

Mesa
Knife-Chef
(Musical Theatre)

Mesa will be leading and teaching our new Musical Theatre program. Mesa began her professional theatre career in 2002 when she joined the team at Paramount Productions for their children's tour. For the past five seasons Mesa has been a vocalist for several of the fantastic productions for Dublin Worldwide Entertainment and Spirit Productions at Kings Castle Theatre in Branson, MO.

A few theatrical highlights include Shrek the Musical at Welk Resorts, Silver Dollar City’s an Old Time Christmas, Anthems of Rock and Cirque Electric Dreams. Additionally, Mesa enjoys jumping in the studio and has voiced campaigns for Sunshine Foods, HuHot Mongolian Grill, the City of Independence and market research companies across the world.

With a BA in Education from Missouri State University and as a former classroom teacher, Mesa continues to be passionate about children’s education and empowering young adults. As a recent graduate of the Musical Theatre Immersion at Stella Adler School of Acting in New York City, she continues to seek out training opportunities for herself and her students. In addition to directing the all new STAGE IT Theatre company at Premiere Dance Academy, Mesa also coaches young thespians on the art of voice, acting and natural movement.

“Theatre changes people, always for good. To be a small part of passing on the love of something so treasured to myself and my family is the real gift of teaching.”

Claudine

Huenergardt

(Tumbling)

Claudine grew up in Rock Island, Illinois where she began gymnastics at the age of 5. She advanced to competitive gymnastics at the age of 8 where she trained at Moline Turners in Moline, Illinois. including training with the Arizona Twisters in Phoenix, AZ where she learned Nadia Comaneci dismounts along with intensive training for Junior Olympics. Claudine competed in State competitions, and at the age of 13 placed 5th all-around in the Junior Olympics. She has almost 20 years of experience teaching gymnastics and tumbling as well as numerous experience with many events in the local area with her gymnasts. Her students have opened for theaters, half time shows for NAIA basketball tournaments, pre-show for Acrobats of China, and local competitions. Claudine has always loved the sport of gymnastics and always will.

Dasha
Ruden
(Jazz and Hip Hop)

Dasha began her career at the age 6 when she was accepted into The Russian Ballet Youth Academy. When she turned 16, Dasha started dancing professionally with the Russian Traditional Ballet Company. Her amazing talent took her all around the world, getting jobs with major dance companies in China, Italy, and many other parts of Europe. In 2010, she got hired to perform on Princess Cruise lines, which brought her to the United States for the first time. Dasha is proud to call the United States home and has been performing nationwide ever since. Locally, here in Branson, she has performed in several production shows like “The Kirby Van Birch Show” and “The Magic of Rick Thomas.” She was the lead dancer in many shows at the Kings Castle Theatre and currently can be seen at “Legends In Concert.” It’s always been her passion to teach the youth of America and is happy to do so with Premiere Dance Academy