Marianne started dancing at age 6 and won her first national competition as a soloist at age 12. In her youth she had the opportunity to dance with celebrities and travel throughout the Western United States to compete. At age 16 she was able to travel to Japan to compete in an international competition and while there was chosen as a youth choreographer to represent her company. She continued her dance training through high school and also competed with her high school drill team where she was elected as a drill mistress. During those years she, along with the other drill mistresses , were in charge of choreographing and cleaning routines. Marianne had the opportunity to begin teaching a three year old class at the age of 15 and hasn’t stopped teaching since. After 30 yrs she continues to run a studio, as well as help choreograph and clean routines for high school drill teams. Many of her choreographed routine have won national honors. To round out her dance experience she gained a minor in dance at Utah State University and began judging at age 20. Marianne has traveled to Idaho, Utah, Nevada and California to judge at competitions including various National competitions. Recently, she was asked to judge the Miss Idaho Pageant, and thoroughly enjoyed the new judging opportunity.  Although she loves dancing ~ she loves her family even more and enjoys being a wife and mom to four boys, one girl and one newly acquired daughter-in-law. She currently co-owns R&M Dance Studios and teaches speech and language to the kids in public schools and had recently returned to graduate school where she is working to gain her masters degree. 

 

As a studio owner, Marianne believes that by participating in a dance group, a child is able to develop their creativity,  increase their physical fitness, enhance their mental well-being, and foster team/social skills. Dance develops valuable life skills like discipline, perseverance, and respect for others. It’s not just a form of art and exercise but a comprehensive developmental experience that supports their overall growth and happiness.  She also believes that this can be done in a family friendly, modest, age appropriate atmosphere.  Her enthusiasm for what dance can offer the youth is the reason she continues to provide dance lessons in Cache Valley.