Your Rapid City Studio!
At Barefoot Dance Studios we have an incredible team of instructors and staff eager to provide the best experience for your family. Our goal is to meet each student where they are on their journey towards their own personal goals. We will assist in a nurturing way by drawing from our own expertise and experiences. Our qualified instructors create positive mentorship in and out of the classroom.
Ashley Reyelts
Studio Owner, Artistic Director
Reyelts holds dance education credentials from Arizona State University and has received training from prestigious institutions, including the American Tap Dance Foundation, Axis Dance Company and the Joffrey Ballet. Her performances include roles such as Clara in "The Nutcracker," Sillibub in "Cats," and appearances in the National Broadway Tour of "The Wizard of Oz.". An award-winning choreographer, she has been commissioned locally by the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills, Black Hills Community Theatre, Flutter Productions and West River Dance Company. Reyelts serves on the board of directors for The Black Hills Dance Theatre and is an active member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). She was recently accepted into the Dance Studio Owners Association (DSOA) and holds certifications as an AcroDance Preschool Certified Instructor through Acrobatic Arts, with ongoing certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT).
MaryAnn Hodnett
Early Childhood, Hip-Hop
Mary Ann Hodnett, a Rapid City, SD native, captained the Cobbler Coeds Dance Team before graduating cum laude in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University. During college, she competed in the Miss America Organization. After earning her degree, she performed with the NBA Denver Nuggets Dance Team and High Performance Dance Theatre in Colorado. Later, while living in New York City for three years, she was a backup dancer for NSYNC and Radiohead (MTV Music Awards) and performed at venues such as Lincoln Center, Roseland Ballroom, Limelight, and Radio City Music Hall. After returning to South Dakota to open Pure Form Dance Studio, where she pioneered hip hop dance education in the Black Hills, she freelanced as a choreographer on the East Coast and created a preschool curriculum called Miss Cupcake’s Yoga Hoop Dance. Now back home, she is eager to share her extensive experience.
Sarah Pettyjohn
Advanced Ballet, Pointe, Conditioning
Miss Sarah Pettyjohn began dancing as a child in New Mexico, studying classical ballet at Ballet de Santa Fe, Dance Arts Los Alamos, and the University of New Mexico, where she also explored modern dance, flamenco, and salsa. After a foot injury in 1997 during college at Montana State University, she shifted her focus to physical therapy, completing a doctorate despite multiple surgeries. Her passion reignited when she enrolled her daughter in dance classes. In 2014, Miss Sarah began teaching at Barefoot Dance Studios, where she now teaches ballet technique, pointe, and injury prevention conditioning. She also owns Sundog Rehab, where she practices physical therapy, balancing her busy life with dance and family.
Katelyn Amirehteshami
Musical Theatre, Hip-Hop
Miss Katelyn grew up in the Black Hills and has been dancing, choreographing, and involved in theatre in the Rapid City community since 2009. She was part of Barefoot’s first competition team and has been teaching dance for 5 years. “My favorite part of teaching is seeing my students grow through the year; doing things they didn’t think they could do and being excited about it!”
Hannah Larson
Early Childhood, Tap, Ballet
Miss Hannah grew up dancing and competing at Barefoot Dance Studios from ages 3 to 18. She discovered her passion for teaching three years ago and has been inspiring students ever since. “When I was young, dance class was my favorite thing. I really enjoy cultivating that same love of dance in others.” Miss Hannah has experience in a wide range of styles but especially adores Tap, Modern, and Ballet. She has performed in many local productions, including with Flutter Productions. She also holds a Dance Teacher University certification through a partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas - an achievement that reflects her commitment to both personal artistry and the craft of teaching.
Rian Vollmer
Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop
Miss Rian has been dancing since the age of seven and has over four years of experience in dance education. She trained at Barefoot Dance Studios until her junior year of high school. While she has experience in ballet, lyrical, hip hop, jazz, and tap, her true passion lies in contemporary and modern dance. Miss Rian loves all forms of dance and is excited to return to Barefoot. She looks forward to helping her students explore emotional expression through the art of movement. Miss Rian recently completed her Dance Teacher University certification through a partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her dedication to continuing her education as an instructor is an honor to have on our wonderful team.
Garrett Amirehteshami
Musical Theatre
Garrett Amirehteshami co-teaches Musical Theater at Barefoot Dance Studio with his wife, Miss Kate. A two-time national champion with Los Alamitos High School’s Show Choir, including a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Garrett also performed with the ensemble in a production of Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Corbin Bleu, John Stamos, and Nick Jonas. He later co-founded Old Gold A Cappella at the University of Iowa and now sings with the choir at First Baptist Church in Rapid City. Outside of music, Garrett is also the founder of Amir Wealth Partners.
Morgan Pettyjohn
Barefoot Dance Team
Morgan Pettyjohn is an accomplished dancer and dedicated apprentice with the South Dakota Ballet, where she continues to refine her craft. With 15 years of experience at Barefoot, she has trained with prestigious institutions such as Colorado Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and South Dakota Ballet, and worked with renowned companies and choreographers like Synthesis Dance and Moraporvida. Morgan holds a Dance Teacher University certification through a partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, highlighting her commitment to both personal artistry and teaching. A lifelong member of the Barefoot Dance team, she has been competing since childhood, showcasing her talent, resilience, and dedication. Her journey reflects a deep passion for dance and an aspiration to inspire others through movement.
Marguerite Reyelts
Office Manager, Costuming
Miss Marguerite LOVES her job at Barefoot!