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. This
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 including ballet & jazz with Dance Masters of America and memberships in Beyond the Barre, PBT, and Youth Protection Advocates of Dance. She also holds 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
Annalise Peacock
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!
Annalise Peacock
Annalise Peacock
Annalise Peacock
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 as a Property Manager for an apartment complex in Kansas City, but her favorite job is being a dance educator! Annalise instructs a variety of classes at Beatniks and works with our performance team as a coach and choreographer. She also works on special studio events throughout the year and in our community.
She loves karaoke, watching football (Go Chiefs), and most of all dance.
She holds instructor certification with Youth Protection Advocates of Dance and is certified in ballet & jazz with Dance Masters of America.
Annalise says that Beatniks is her happy place and will continue to be her home away from home.
Janet Rawson
Annalise Peacock
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
Annalise Peacock
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
Andrea Docheff
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Andrea is originally from Warrensburg, MO, where she studied under Stephanie Matthews at White Oak Dance Academy. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Music Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. She has 20 years of teaching experience, 11 being in the elementary music classroom. Andrea is a
Dance & Tumble Instructor
Andrea is originally from Warrensburg, MO, where she studied under Stephanie Matthews at White Oak Dance Academy. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Music Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. She has 20 years of teaching experience, 11 being in the elementary music classroom. Andrea is a Color Guard coach and choreographer for high schools in the surrounding area and has also enjoyed teaching dance fitness classes. She loves singing, weightlifting, tennis, and reading. Andrea and her husband are the proud parents of their daughter, Keeley. She is so excited to be a part of the Beatniks Family!
