At Hampden Dance, we know dance is one of the most joyous parts of the human experience. We strive to provide classes that celebrate this by providing the knowledge and foundations necessary for each class genre while keeping our classes upbeat and engaging through our staff’s joy for teaching.
Jenn Howells, Owner/Director, Teacher- Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern/Jazz, Little Feet, Tap
I am an experienced teacher and studio manager who has been in the industry for over 20 years. From two decades of experience teaching and working in the dance industry, I have developed a unique style of teaching emphasizing the technical base of each genre being taught and the discipline necessary to advance in dance while keeping classes relatable and fun for all students. Before opening Hampden Dance Arts, I worked as a full-time dance teacher and studio manager in the Philadelphia area, teaching jazz, modern, ballet, pointe, and pre-dance. Particularly, I created a successful ballet and pointe program for children and adults and a youth ballet ensemble that performed at Walt Disney World in Orlando and throughout the Philadelphia region. As part of the ContempraDance Theatre Company, I danced in numerous performances in Philadelphia theaters including The Wilma, Suzanne Roberts, and Painted Bride Art Center. Beyond dancing and teaching, I love sewing and have designed and made dance costumes, of which I am sure I’ve easily made over 1000 costumes presented at annual recitals and for professional performances. I am a graduate of PACE Institute in Reading, PA with an Associate Degree in Business, summa cum laude. I further graduated with a BA, summa cum laude, with honors and with department distinction from Albright College in Reading, PA.
In 2018, I discovered the Baltimore area and fell in love with the people and culture here. I had been planning to open a studio of my own for some time and was captivated by the charm of Hampden. I knew this special place is where I would start my studio. I hope to see you soon!
Casey Hampshire, Teacher- Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro, Little Feet
Casey began dancing at Dance X-Treme at the age of 3 studying ballet and later jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. In high school, she began dancing competitively with Parkville Dance Power where not only did she acquire an immense amount of performance experience and an advancement in technique, but the sense of comradery that follows from working with a team. Casey was inspired by her training and performance opportunities and continued to dance in college with InMotion Dance Ensemble at Temple University. Here she found her passion for choreography and continued to fall in love with the magic that is dance. Prior to teaching at Hampden Dance Arts she taught hip hop, contemporary, acro, jazz, musical theatre, and modern for competition students.
While Casey has had many successes in school, performance, and competition, she believes her greatest success is in providing dance classes that teach the value of challenging oneself while working as part of a group. She believes- “In the competitive world, you’re only as strong as your weakest link, but in the real world your weakest link is your biggest opportunity!” The 2024-25 season is Ms. Casey’s 6th season teaching at Hampden Dance Arts.
Isabella Capps, Teacher- Little Feet, Ballet
After begging her mom at the age of 3 to be put in dance classes, Isabella started her dance journey at Pacific Dance in Southern California and Montage Studio. She quickly became enamored with dance, dancing every day and every style imaginable — ballet, tap, acrobatic jazz — and through immersion in many genres and classes she progressed rapidly. By elementary school, Isabella was performing in musical theatre productions as a dancer, singer and actor and a dancer in ballet productions. In middle and high school, through Lovett Dance Center, Isabella competed in ballet, contemporary and lyrical dance. She has earned numerous awards for her talent in ballet technique among other competitive achievements.
Isabella currently is a pre-med student at Johns Hopkins. This is her first season teaching with Hampden Dance Arts. While very busy with school, she finds time for teaching through her desire to continue to explore the arts. “I felt a piece of me was missing. I longed to move and interact with other dancers. That’s why I decided to share my love for movement and creativity by pursuing teaching.” This is Isabella’s 3rd season with Hampden Dance.
Elizabeth Chaillé, Teacher, Ballet, Little Feet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern
Elizabeth began dancing at a young age and continued through high school at Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, graduating with a dance emphasis. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins Peobody Conservatory with a BFA dance degree in 2022 as a part of their inaugural class of BFA dancers. At Peabody, Elizabeth trained rigorously in contemporary, ballet, jazz, west African, hip-hop and somatic practices. Upon graduating Elizabeth moved back to her home state, Utah where she danced professionally with Wasatch Contemporary, Fem Dance, Altitude Dance, & Allure Creative. Now back in Baltimore, Elizabeth’s goal is to contribute to and elevate the dance scene in Baltimore through teaching, performing & eventually founding a professional dance company. She believes that art is a way to heal and connect with others. This is her first season with Hampden Dance Arts. Beyond teaching, Elizabeth is a professional contemporary/modern dancer, choreographer, teacher, filmmaker & founder and creator of EC Moves, an online fitness studio. 2024-25 is Elizabeth’s first season with Hampden Dance.
Brittany Colgan, Teacher, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Little Feet
Brittany began dancing at Arts’N’Motion Dance Studio at the age of 5 years old. Early on, Brittany fell in love with Ballet. She mainly studied Cecchetti Ballet and earned her first pair of pointe shoes at 12 years old. In 2008, she started competing solo and group pieces at Regional and National Competitions in various styles of dance. Once in High School, Brittany transitioned to Spotlight Studio of Dance where she continued performing and competing in Jazz, Contemporary, and Lyrical. Brittany has won various dance scholarships and awards for her technique in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Contemporary. In 2015, Brittany won the title Teen Ms. Dance of Baltimore while competing at a competition in the area! Later down the road, Brittany obtained her Bachelors in Psychology and a Minor in Dance from Salisbury University (SU). During her four years at SU, she performed with the Salisbury University Poms Dance Team and choreographed many Contemporary and Lyrical pieces for their Winter and Spring Showcases. Currently, Brittany is working towards her Masters in Clinical Professional Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. This is her first season with Hampden Dance Arts. She states that she is “excited to start this new chapter” and is looking forward to sharing her love for the art of dance. 2024-25 is Brittany’s first season with Hampden Dance.