Experienced Ballet Faculty in Kalamazoo.
Exceptional training begins with exceptional instructors.
Our faculty brings together professional performance, teaching, coaching, and artistic experience with thoughtful pedagogy and a shared commitment to helping every dancer grow with confidence, artistry, and a strong technical foundation.
Our directors and senior faculty actively teach regular weekly classes at Tye Chua Dance, bringing professional performance, teaching, coaching, and artistic experience directly into the studio and into each dancer’s day-to-day training.
OUR DIRECTORS
AIMEE TYE
Founding Director
Aimee founded Tye Chua Dance in 2017 following a remarkable career spanning more than 25 years as a professional dancer and educator. Her passion for mentorship, artistry, and excellence continues to inspire dancers of all ages.
GENE CHUA
Founding Director
Gene brings decades of experience as a professional dancer, teacher, and leader to Tye Chua Dance. A former Principal Dancer with an extensive classical and contemporary repertoire, he combines rigorous training with a thoughtful, analytical approach that helps dancers build strong technique, artistry, and confidence.
ANGI POLDERMAN
Director
Angi brings a lifetime of classical training, professional performance, and teaching experience to Tye Chua Dance. A former Principal Dancer and Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal recipient, she combines strong technical foundations with an intuitive, individualized approach to helping dancers develop confidence, artistry, and a deeper understanding of movement.
OUR FACULTY
AUGUST TYE
Senior Instructor
August Tye brings decades of experience as a dancer, choreographer, educator, and artistic leader. An award-winning choreographer and longtime Artistic Director of Hyde Park School of Dance, she has also worked extensively with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and is a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance.
AVA POLDERMAN
Faculty Instructor
Ava Polderman brings a strong foundation in classical ballet and a wide range of performance experience to her teaching at Tye Chua Dance. Ava is an energetic and encouraging instructor with a focus on strong technique, confident performance, and a love of dance.
JORDAN DIMMITT
Faculty Instructor
Jordan Dimmitt brings a background in theatre, dance, and musical theatre performance to Tye Chua Dance. Her energetic, encouraging teaching style helps students build confidence, stage presence, and a love of movement.
CHARLOTTE DEIKE
Faculty Instructor
Charlotte Deike joins the Tye Chua Dance faculty with a passion for supporting dancers in their technical and artistic development.
GUEST ARTISTS & INSTRUCTORS
DAVID CURWEN
Guest Faculty Instructor
David Curwen brings decades of professional performance, choreography, and teaching experience to Tye Chua Dance. A former professional dancer and Professor Emeritus at Western Michigan University, he offers students a wealth of knowledge grounded in both classical and contemporary work.
SEYONG KIM
Guest Instructor
Seyong Kim brings extensive international experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator to Tye Chua Dance. An Assistant Professor at Western Michigan University and ABT® Certified Teacher, he combines rigorous classical training with a deeply informed approach to movement and artistry.
KELSEY PASCHICH
Guest Instructor
Kelsey Paschich brings more than 20 years of international performance, teaching, and choreographic experience to Tye Chua Dance. An Associate Professor at Western Michigan University, her work bridges strong dance foundations with contemporary practice, innovation, and emerging technology.
Find Your Place in the Studio.
Experienced teaching. Individual attention. A place to grow.
Whether you are beginning ballet, entering from another school, returning to dance, or looking for serious and pre-professional training, our faculty will help you find the right place to begin and support your growth from there.
