Meet Our Family
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Katie Whorton
Katie Whorton
Katie Whorton
Owner/Director
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Adult Fitness Instructor
Katie Whorton opened Beatniks Dance and Tumble in the summer of 2008, alongside her husband, Jeremy. Katie began her training at the age of 5 at The Dance Arts Center under the direction of Lynn Fankhauser,. She performed with Dance Midwest Touring Company for 5 years. Thi
Owner/Director
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Adult Fitness Instructor
Katie Whorton opened Beatniks Dance and Tumble in the summer of 2008, alongside her husband, Jeremy. Katie began her training at the age of 5 at The Dance Arts Center under the direction of Lynn Fankhauser,. She performed with Dance Midwest Touring Company for 5 years. This production company toured in the United States as well as Europe during this time.
Katie was also very involved in theatre and participated in numerous shows at her local high school and then through college at Baker, University of Kansas, and Missouri Western State University. Katie obtained an Education Degree in Theatre and Dance and has worked with several high school, college, and community theatre programs throughout the Kansas City area.
Katie currently serves as the Studio Company Director and Head Competition Team Coach for Beatniks Dance and Tumble. Her competitive team has received national recognition for technique, performance quality, and creative concepts throughout the Midwest, and Katie has received numerous choreography and studio awards.
Katie serves as a dance adjudicator for national dance competitions as well as high school and college performance teams. Katie holds dance certifications in several content areas and memberships in Beyond the Barre, PBT, and Youth Protection Advocates of Dance. She also hold certification in Group Fitness and LaBlast Ballroom Dance.
Ms Katie prides herself in her studio and the wonderful community that she serves.
Betsy Rieken
Katie Whorton
Katie Whorton
Assistant Director
Dance & Tumble Instructor
When Ms Katie opened BDT in 2008, her sister Betsy Rieken was right there along side her. And she hasn't left since! While she worked behind the scenes with costumes, recitals, events, and marketing since day one, she officially joined the teaching staff in 2013. Betsy danced at the Dance Ar
Assistant Director
Dance & Tumble Instructor
When Ms Katie opened BDT in 2008, her sister Betsy Rieken was right there along side her. And she hasn't left since! While she worked behind the scenes with costumes, recitals, events, and marketing since day one, she officially joined the teaching staff in 2013. Betsy danced at the Dance Arts Center in St. Joseph, and studied under Lynn Fankhauser during her time there. She participated in many choirs, theatre productions, and dance showcases throughout her school and church. Her favorite role was playing Sandy in a showchior production of Grease.
Betsy earned her BSN from Missouri Western State University and worked as a nurse for Mosaic Life Care for 13 years. Betsy also brings over 15 years of childhood education to our team, serving as an early education teacher and summer school lead teacher.
In addition to teaching, Betsy serves as the Assistant Program Director at Beatniks and serves as a Competition and Performance Team Coach. Betsy's choreography was awarded for excellence in emotional execution. She coordinates community events and leads our staff and personnel training throughout the year. Betsy is certified under the Youth Protection Advocates of Dance.
Betsy and her husband Josh are the proud parents of future Beatniks Dancer, Iris.
She feels beyond blessed to be a part of the Beatniks family!
Linda Burgess
Katie Whorton
Danielle Perry
Head Office Manager
Linda Burgess serves as the office manager for both Beatniks Dance and Lone Wolf Martial Arts.. Linda officially joined our team in 2011, after she retired from a long and successful career in education.
Linda is a retired school teacher, and brings 24 years of educational experience to our studio. Linda taught preschoo
Head Office Manager
Linda Burgess serves as the office manager for both Beatniks Dance and Lone Wolf Martial Arts.. Linda officially joined our team in 2011, after she retired from a long and successful career in education.
Linda is a retired school teacher, and brings 24 years of educational experience to our studio. Linda taught preschool for 5 years, and taught in the public schools for 17 years, one year in 3rd grade, the remaining years in Kindergarten.
Ms Linda developed the curriculum for our Music and Movement Class, which is a specially designed class for 2 and 3 year olds. Her background in education and teaching
makes her the perfect fit for our youngest dancers. Linda is certified under the Youth Protection Advocates of Dance.
Ms Linda’s hobby and passion is music. She is a Christian singer and songwriter, has recorded one CD of original contemporary songs, and one original CD of Christmas Songs. Linda shares her music ministry with churches, retirement communities, and youth events. She has performed with several bands in the area and loves to share her gift of song.
She really enjoys working at the studio with her daughters, Ms Katie and Ms Betsy!
Danielle Perry
Shauna Bankowski
Danielle Perry
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Danielle Perry has been teaching for Beatniks Dance and Tumble since 2012. Danielle has been taking dance and tumble classes since she was 2 years old and grew up as a 'studio kid' at her grandma's dance studio.
Danielle was a Varsity Cheerleader at North Kansas City High School and team captain for 2 years. She
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Danielle Perry has been teaching for Beatniks Dance and Tumble since 2012. Danielle has been taking dance and tumble classes since she was 2 years old and grew up as a 'studio kid' at her grandma's dance studio.
Danielle was a Varsity Cheerleader at North Kansas City High School and team captain for 2 years. She went on to become a member of the Northwest Dance Company, Raven Dance Team and taught at the Raven School of Dance at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Danielle is a Customer Service Representative at Spyder Products. She is a proud momma of a very active little man, Brayden, who soccer and football
Danielle serves as the head tumble instructor, at Beatniks and teaches hip hop, jazz pom, and combo classes. She is certified under the Youth Protection Advocates of Dance.
Danielle is so thankful to be able to share her passion for dance and tumble at Beatniks!
Annalise Peacock
Shauna Bankowski
Shauna Bankowski
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Annalise Peacock joined the BDT teaching staff in 2015, after growing up in the studio she now calls home. Annalise danced for 13 years through high school, and competed with BDT for 4 years. During her student career at Beatniks, she served as a choreography intern, team captain, and assistant teacher, and
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Annalise Peacock joined the BDT teaching staff in 2015, after growing up in the studio she now calls home. Annalise danced for 13 years through high school, and competed with BDT for 4 years. During her student career at Beatniks, she served as a choreography intern, team captain, and assistant teacher, and substitute teacher for many years.
She is a Platte County High School Graduate where she was very involved in music and dance. She currently works at an Early Education Center as a Preschool Teacher.
Annalise teaches almost everything at Beatniks from Preschool to Advanced Classes! She is currently teaching preschool and elementary combo classes, hip hop, and tumble. Annalise works with our Performance Team and on special studio events throughout the year and in our community. She holds instructor certification with Youth Protection Advocates of Dance.
Annalise says that Beatniks is her happy place!
Shauna Bankowski
Shauna Bankowski
Shauna Bankowski
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Adult Fitness Instructor
Shauna Bankowski brings to Beatniks a lifelong love and appreciation for all things dance! She started dancing when she was 5 years old and hasn't stopped. She was on her high school and college dance teams, captained her senior year, and choreographed for her college dance team at Northw
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Adult Fitness Instructor
Shauna Bankowski brings to Beatniks a lifelong love and appreciation for all things dance! She started dancing when she was 5 years old and hasn't stopped. She was on her high school and college dance teams, captained her senior year, and choreographed for her college dance team at Northwest Missouri State University! She's no stranger to teaching either. As a high school student she assisted classes at her childhood studio and in college she choreographed for several competitive dance studios as well as Park Hill's dance team for state competitions. She has been teaching adult fitness classes at Beatniks since 2021 and is beyond excited to expand her roll this year and begin teaching kids again! Shauna lives by a simple motto, "Don't let anyone dull your sparkle!" She hopes to bring some extra sparkle to her classes at Beatniks!
Janet Rawson
Andrea Docheff
Janet Rawson
Adult Fitness Instructor
Assistant Office Manager
Janet Rawson was born and raised in Kingman, Kansas. She participated in sports from a young age and excelled in track in high school, lettering all four years. She still holds the school record for the 4x100 relay! Her favorite was softball, which she played long after she had kids. She pa
Adult Fitness Instructor
Assistant Office Manager
Janet Rawson was born and raised in Kingman, Kansas. She participated in sports from a young age and excelled in track in high school, lettering all four years. She still holds the school record for the 4x100 relay! Her favorite was softball, which she played long after she had kids. She participated in STUCO, FBLA, and Teens Today Leaders Tomorrow. Janet attended the University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Science. After college, she attended school and obtained her National Certification for Massage Therapy. Janet worked as an Athletic Trainer at Oak Park High School, where she oversaw the care of student athletes in numerous sports. Janet also enjoyed her time at the Running Store, offering stride analysis and helping people find their perfect training shoe. Janet holds a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification from Yoga Alliance and teaches both at Beatniks and other studios as well. Janet has three active kiddos that keep her very busy. She loves to travel and spend time outdoors, and her interests include nutrition and meal preparation and planning. She currently lifts weights, takes group exercise classes, and practices yoga. Janet says she loves fitness because it isn’t just about physical change, but a whole body and mind transformation.
Sarah Reiser
Andrea Docheff
Janet Rawson
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Sarah Reiser is from Farley, Missouri and is a proud Beatniks Dance Studio Alum, class of 2017. She started her dance journey when she was 3 years old at Dance Studio One until she was 8 years old. After being involved in musical theater for a few years, she returned to her true passion of dance and joined BDT. S
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Sarah Reiser is from Farley, Missouri and is a proud Beatniks Dance Studio Alum, class of 2017. She started her dance journey when she was 3 years old at Dance Studio One until she was 8 years old. After being involved in musical theater for a few years, she returned to her true passion of dance and joined BDT. She was a part of the competition team for three years and was an assistant dance instructor. Sarah graduated from Missouri Western State University with an emphasis in art history and photography. She took dance classes in college and taught summer workshops both at BDT and The Dance Arts Center. To continue her dance career, Sarah decided to post covers of K-pop dances and has been doing so for the past 7 years. During those 7 years, Sarah has hosted yearly summer workshops at BDT and various other studios to encourage students to experience new genres of dance. While Sarah isn't dancing, she is building up her own art business with her mom, where they create handmade goods and is also an Art Gallery Specialist at KCKCC. Sarah has always viewed BDT as her second home and is thankful for all the teachers that have and continue to encourage her dance journey. She looks forward to sharing the same encouragement with her students.
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Andrea Docheff
Andrea Docheff
Ally Testerman
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Andrea is originally from Warrensburg, MO. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in K-12 Music Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Technology. She has 11 years experience teaching elementary music. Andrea has taught dance fitness classes and is currently a Color guard coach for high schools in the surrounding
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Andrea is originally from Warrensburg, MO. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in K-12 Music Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Technology. She has 11 years experience teaching elementary music. Andrea has taught dance fitness classes and is currently a Color guard coach for high schools in the surrounding area. She loves dance, weightlifting, tennis, and singing. Andrea and her husband are proud parents of Keeley. She is excited to be a part of the Beatniks Family!
Ally Testerman
Ally Testerman
Ally Testerman
Student Intern
Ally Testerman is thrilled to be serving as our Student Intern! Ally attended Platte County High School where she was on the yearbook staff and enjoyed learning about photography. She graduated early and is anxious to start the next chapter of her life. Ally plans to attend cosmetology school, earn her cosmetology license, a
Student Intern
Ally Testerman is thrilled to be serving as our Student Intern! Ally attended Platte County High School where she was on the yearbook staff and enjoyed learning about photography. She graduated early and is anxious to start the next chapter of her life. Ally plans to attend cosmetology school, earn her cosmetology license, and hopefully start her own business someday. In the meantime, she plans to work and stay close to home - and that home is Beatniks! Ally has been a student at Beatniks for 9 years - training in tap, jazz, modern, pointe, pom, and hip hop. She is looking forward to her senior year at Beatniks as a student, performance team member, and now Intern too! She is eager to contribute to our studio's mission while continuing to learn and grow in her final year. Beatniks has been an important part of Ally’s life and she cannot wait to share her passion and experience with her students!
