Meet Our Staff
The Danz Kraze staff is committed to making connections and bringing out the fullest potential in each of our students. Our staff is trained, supportive and professional. Get to know the staff that helps create the joy of dance at Danz Kraze each day.
Sara Kulig
Owner/Director/Coach
Sara graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. She herself was a four year member of her award-winning high school dance team, earning many awards and contributing to her team as a captain and choreographer. She taught at Danz Kraze for four year before becoming owner in 2013. She has been the Varsity coach at Eau Claire North High School since 2011. While coaching at North the team has won several Midwest Grand Championships, Conference Championships, Regional Championships and placed top five in the State many times. In 2015 Sara was inducted into the Badgerette Pom Pon Hall of Fame. She is Acrobatic Arts Certified. Sara continues to coach at Eau Claire North and resides in the area with her husband and two young boys. Sara believes that being part of a dance team has taught her many life lessons. She is passionate for what she does and believes that coaching dance is one of the most rewarding things she will ever do!
Larissa Frank
Assistant Director/Coach
Larissa is a member lending specialist at Royal Credit Union. She has been teaching at Danz Kraze for nine years. Larissa was a student at Danz Kraze before she became a four year member of her high school dance team. She received many honors during her high school years including, two year team captain and being voted by her team as most dedicated member three years in a row. She was named second team All-Conference three years. Larissa performed with the Badgerette Disney All Star Talent Tour for two years and was also named a Badgerette Danz Star, and summer camp All Star. After high school she coached the Fall Creek dance team who earned second place in Pom at the WACPC State dance competition. Larissa was a staff member of the Badgerette Pom Pon company during the summer of 2014.
Emily Smith
Coach
Emily is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire majoring in Spanish, French and Business Communications. She has been teaching at Danz Kraze for five years. Emily was a student at Danz Kraze before she became a four year member of her high school dance team. In high school she received many honors including, team captain for two years and being named most dedicated by her teammates three years in a row. She was a member of the first team All-Conference team. Emily performed with the Badgerette Disney All Star Talent Tour all four years of high school, was named a Badgerette Danz Star, and a Badgerette Camp All Star twice. She was also named to the WACPC All-State dance team for three of four high school seasons.
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Kristen Hartzel
Coach
Kristen began dancing at the age of five in the styles of ballet, tap, and jazz. She was a four-year member of an award-winning high school dance team and a one-year member of the UW-Stevens Point dance team. While continuing dance in college, she gained further experience in modern, musical theatre, and contemporary. Upon returning to Eau Claire, Kristen coached area high school dance teams for 9 years and has taught at Danz Kraze on and off for 15 years. She is Acrobatic Arts certified and has also received training as a WACPC tech judge. Kristen lives in Eau Claire with her husband and two children and works in Marketing at Royal Credit Union.
Olivia Pieper
Coach
Olivia is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire studying Education. She has been coaching at Danz Kraze for four years. She has been dancing since the age of Three and has been trained in Pom, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Kick. In high school Olivia was a three year captain and four year member of her schools varsity dance team. She received many honors during her high school years including 1st runner-up Miss Badgerette of the Midwest, one Second Team All Conference honor, three First Team All Conference honors, and was named to the WACPC All-State dance team for two years. She was also voted most dedicated two years in a row by her teammates. Olivia performed with the Disney All Star Talent Tour all four years of high school and was also named a Badgerette Camp All Star and Danz Star.
Rylee Paine
Coach
Rylee is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire studying Biology. She has been dancing since the age of three and has been trained in Pom, Hip Hop, Kick, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Modern. In high school Rylee was a two year captain and four year member of her schools varsity dance team. Rylee was named most dedicated and most valuable by her teammates. She earned second team all conference honors for two years. Rylee performed with the Badgerette Disney All Star Talent Tour all four years of high school and was also named a Badgerette Camp All Star and Danz Star. Rylee is excited to start her second full year coaching at Danz Kraze.
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Taryn Alexander
Coach
Taryn is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire studying History. She is a member and captain of their nationally-ranked Dance Team. Taryn started dancing at Danz Kraze in 2nd grade and continued through high school, performing solos and as a member of the Elite Competition team. She has been trained in Pom, Hip Hop, Kick, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary, and Acro. Taryn had the honor of performing in the Badgerette Disney All Star Talent tour and was named a Badgerette Dance Star and an Outstanding Performer. Taryn is excited to teach at Danz Kraze and share her passion for dance!
Makyah Lokken
Coach
Makyah grew up dancing at Danz Kraze. She is a student at the University of Minnesota where she is studying nursing. She was a four year member of her varsity dance team and two year captain. She was a class valedictorian and recipient of the Badgerette Pom and Dance Scholarship. She was named to the Big Rivers second-team all conference team both her sophomore and junior year. Makyah was voted by her teammates as most dedicated. She performed with the Disney All Star Talent Tour three years of high school and was also named a Badgerette Camp All Star twice and a Danz Star.
Morgan Waters
Coach
Morgan grew up dancing at Danz Kraze. She is a student at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Morgan was a four year member, two year capain our the studio High Scool Elite team. She was also a four year member, three year captain of her high school dance team. She was her class salutatorian. She was named to the Badgerette All State team her Freshman and Senior year and the WACPC all state team her Sophomore and Senoir year. She performed with the Disney All Star Talent Tour two years of high school and was also named a Badgerette Camp All Star twice and a Danz Star.
