English
Belarusian
French
German
Hmong
Italian
Maori
Russian
SpanishDancing with Arts Missoula Stars
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANOTHER INCREDIBLE EVENT!
Congratulations ot this year’s winners, Team Levi and Christine!
Team Levi and Christine brought home the Mirror Ball Trophy and their dance to “Raspberry Beret” by Prince brought down the house!
And to make the win even sweeter, Levi and Christine set a new team record by raising $11,098 for Arts Missoula!
We cannot be more grateful to everyone who supported this event. To everyone who donated, sponsored, attended, and cheered on our teams! To all our dancers, to our our band, our staff and board, our volunteers, and our friends at The Wilma, THANK YOU!
Want to dance on stage next year as a star or pro? We’re looking for dancers for 2027!
If you missed the event but still want to support, the donation platform is still open! This won’t change the team totals, but we still need to reach our goal!
Donate to Arts Missoula below:
We're Looking for Dancers for 2027
Want to be a part of the show? Apply to be a Pro Dancer or Celebrity for Dancing with Arts Missoula Stars 2027!
THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE BAND!
Our crazy talented live band added an exciting new element this year, and we couldn’t be more proud of them!
Band Leader: Simon Hickey
Band Members: Josh Farmer, Jacob Logan, Cade Chastain, Evan Nesbit, Markus Van Tassell, and Lucy Taylor.
Want to hire one or more of these musicians? Reach out to info@artsmissoula.org for more information!
Full Photo Gallery Coming Soon!
thank you TO THIS YEAR'S TEAM SPONSORS!
thank you to our event sponsors!
meet the 2026 teams!
Amelia Regalado and Katie Thompson
Sponsored by rockin rudy’s
Amelia (Star): As a Montana native, Amelia is thankful to have had the opportunity to come back to Missoula, thanks to Rockin Rudy’s. Amelia relocated back to Missoula in 2018 after living in Ashland and Portland, OR for undergrad and graduate studies as well as a career in education. During her time in Portland, she danced latin based dances with local individuals and troupes for a total of 15 plus years. She is excited to be back in such a special place and supporting Arts Missoula through such a fun event as Dancing with the Arts Missoula Stars
Katie (Pro): Originally from Midcoast Maine. Katie has been involved in the dance community for over 35 years. This is her third year as an adjunct teacher in the dance department at the University of Montana and has worked as a guest artist for Dance in Concert. Katie is the founder and director of Toor Dance Company, a Missoula based company. Before finding her way to Montana, Katie performed, choreographed and trained in Seattle, LA, NYC and Maine where she grew up dancing and fostering her deep passion for dance, performance and movement education. Katie has dedicated her professional life to the education and development of movement artists. She has been inspired to explore the ways we, as humans, develop into ourselves through movement and expression. How dance can be an integral part of how we can better understand ourselves and move about the world more authentically.
doug smith AND Toree wilson
Sponsored by summit beverage and biga pizza
Doug (Star): Doug Smith was a Culinary graduate from U of M in 1996 and worked around Missoula at several restaurants. Spent 8 years at the Good Food Store as the wine buyer and the last 17 years as a Wine rep for a local wine and beer Distributor. During many of his years in Missoula Doug has played in rock bands notably Volumen. Doug has a wife Kia Liszak and 19yr old son Silas.
Torree (Pro): Toree Wilson (she/her) was raised in Iowa where she grew up at her mothers dance studio. She then moved to Chicago, IL and completed her BFA in Dance at Columbia College Chicago in 2020. During her time there she studied performance, pedagogue, and choreography. She is currently a second year company member with Bare Bait Dance. You can also find Toree teaching across Montana from Butte to Missoula. She is so thrilled to be living in Missoula and absorbing all it has to offer with her husband and their two pups!
Levi Janacaro AND CHRISTINE KOWALCHIK
Sponsored by glidewell and show tyme academy
Levi (Star): Hi, I’m Levi. I am married to my beautiful wife, MJ, and we have two little dogs, Zion and Moose. I have lived in Missoula my whole life and love this town and Montana more than I can express. During college, I was lucky enough to stay in my hometown and play football for the University of Montana where I made lifelong relationships and had amazing experiences. I love hiking and skiing, which is pretty standard for anyone in Missoula, but I do really love them… the outdoors in Montana is near impossible to beat, it is where I feel God the strongest. I am fired up to DANCE!
Christine (Pro): Award-winning choreographer and founder/artistic director of Show Tyme Academy, Christine Kowalchik is a New Englander at heart, but set roots here in Missoula 13 years ago. Christine classically trained at Maine State Ballet in her formative years. Locally Christine has choreographed over two dozen MCT’s productions, most recently co-directing MCT’s 2025 production of Waitress, and spent three seasons working as a choreographer for BigFork Summer Playhouse. When you do find her not running her studio, teaching classes, or choreographing, you will find her at home playing football, soccer, or having the most extreme dance parties with her two most favorite humans in the entire world; her husband Alex and their 5 year old son, Zander.
Renee Somerset- Mucha AND Tiki Preston sponsored by
title services, inc
Renee (Star): In her real life, Renee Somerset-Mucha, is the General Manager of 1889, mom to one mountain biker and one theatre kid, and wife to a former theatre kid. She is also a proud former band and choir geek. Renee is thrilled to be dancing this year in support of a great local non-profit.
Tiki (Pro): Tiki Preston is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Missoula, Montana. Originally from the Black Hills of South Dakota, she earned her BFA in Dance: Choreography and Performance from the University of Montana, where she received the Award of Excellence and the Talent Scholarship. Now in her sixth season with Bare Bait Dance, Tiki performs and teaches across Contemporary, Ballroom, Commercial, and Acrobatic styles. She is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor, creator of the movement class Yielding to Effort, and has appeared in Please Baby Please (dir. Amanda Kramer, 2022). Tiki is the founder of Tiki Preston Wedding Choreography, where she creates personalized first dances for couples. Whether guiding couples through Country Swing, Waltz, Latin styles, or simply learning to move with ease and connection, her approach emphasizes confidence, presence, and shared experience
Kal grims and seely garrett
SPONSORED BY BIG SKY BOX PORTABLE STORAGE
Kal (Star): Kal is the Assistant Manager and bartender at the Union Club in Missoula! She is a novice dancer excited to contribute, however clumsily, to this fantastic organization with two left feet and a happy heart.
Seely (Pro): Seely Garrett graduated from the University of Montana in Spring 2024 with degrees in Psychology and Pre-Dance Therapy and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Montana, where she teaches Children’s Dance. With over 20 years of training in modern, ballet, and jazz, Seely is based in Missoula, Montana, and focuses on modern contemporary movement, choreographic process, and creative movement education for toddlers through college students. Her recent performance credits include 3…2…1…! in Seattle, Washington (Fall 2025), produced by Salt Shake, and Evening of Creatures in Brooklyn, New York (Fall 2025), produced by Hannah Owens with choreography by Grace Garrett. She previously served as a Guest Artist and premiered Telescope for Dance on Location 2024; the film adaptation, which she choreographed, directed, and edited, was featured in the University of Montana’s 2025 ACDA Benefit Concert. In Spring 2023 and 2024, Seely co-produced The Magic of Making Dance, a SPARK! production introducing Missoula third graders to dance-making, and most recently founded Grace Seely Dance, debuting Tiny Dances in Winter 2026, which she produced, choreographed, and performed in.
Michelle Weaver Knowles AND Jennifer Corbin
Sponsored by Ava health
Michelle (Star): In my day job, I’m a Hereditary Cancer Nurse Practitioner. I’m a 27 year survivor of Breast Cancer and have a BRCA1 hereditary cancer mutation. Prior to that I was a Labor and Delivery Nurse and Breast Health Navigator. It is surreal to me that I have taken care of young adults who I helped deliver as a Labor Nurse! My hobbies are fiber arts, Run/Walk and genetics! I’m excited, yet terrified of being on stage as a dancer, but it’s for a good cause and I love our Missoula community!
Jennifer (Pro): Jennifer Corbin is a professional dancer, teaching artist, and community arts leader with nearly 30 years of experience specializing in Flamenco and Latin dance. She has been a vibrant part of the Missoula dance community through her work with the University of Montana, local studios, and cultural organizations. As a SPARK! Teaching Artist, Jennifer brings dance and cultural storytelling into K–5 classrooms across Montana, inspiring young learners through movement and music. She is also the Arts Coordinator for Viva Montana! Latin Heritage Festival and the founder of Montana Gypsy, where she continues to create inclusive spaces that celebrate Latin dance, culture, and community.
Daniel crary AND Mica Clarkson
Daniel (Star): Daniel is an actor, a writer, and a publishing professional living in Missoula for the second time. After attending college at the University of Montana from 2008-2012, this Billings Native moved to New York City, and spent the next 8 years in Brooklyn. After a career in corporate events, and changing family health, Daniel returned to Missoula in 2020. Since moving back, he has served on the Arts Missoula Board, the Symphony Board, Volunteered with several theater organizations, and performed on any stage that will have him. He is thrilled to be joining the other stars and can’t wait to see what everyone brings to the final showcase!
Mica (Pro): Mica brings over 20 years of professional dance, performance, and choreography experience to her third appearance in Dancing with Arts Missoula Stars. A versatile artist with a background spanning hip hop, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary styles, Mica most recently lent her creative vision to Missoula Community Theatre as the choreographer for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Her extensive performance history includes five years with The Rocky Horror Show at the Wilma and several seasons with the University of Montana Dance Team. Beyond the stage, she has shared her expertise as an instructor for studios like Studio M and the Downtown Dance Collective, and she currently serves the community as the Executive Director for the non-profit Missoula Community School. Mica is deeply honored to hit the dance floor once again to raise funds for Arts Missoula, supporting their vital mission to enrich our local culture through arts advocacy and education.
Andrea Harsell AND Rob Gallimore
Andrea (Star): Andrea Harsell is a Missoula-born American roots singer-songwriter, independent recording artist, and performer with more than two decades of experience bringing her original music to stages across Montana and beyond. Her powerful voice and soulful songwriting have made her a lasting presence in the region’s music community. New to tango, Andrea brings the same heart and expressive spirit to the dance floor that she brings to the stage. She is honored to represent her hometown arts community and proud to take the stage at The Wilma in support of Arts Missoula.
Rob (Pro): Rob Montango began his journey in movement as a career martial artist for over 30 years before discovering Argentine tango in 2006. What began as curiosity became devotion — he shifted his entire life toward the study of the dance, immersing himself in its music, history, and culture with the discipline of a lifelong athlete. Rob has danced tango in 19 different countries and performed in cities all over the world. Rob Owns Moonlight Studios in Missoula and runs a tango Academy.
Dancing with Arts Missoula Stars is the ultimate dance showdown, where eight Missoula Celebs team up with eight Pro Dancers to light up the floor and support Arts Missoula. Don’t miss the excitement as they bring their best moves to highlight our vibrant dance community. Donate for your favorite team to help them grasp the mirror ball trophy.
This year, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible outpouring of support at Dancing with the Arts Missoula Stars! The energy, enthusiasm, and generosity of our community made this event truly unforgettable. From our amazing dancers and sponsors to every guest who cheered, donated, and celebrated with us—thank you for championing the arts in Missoula.
A Benefit for Arts Missoula
What's the Scuttlebutt?
“Fantastic job on the event!!!!! That was my first time going and had a complete blast. Can’t wait to support again next year” – Sara
“Thank you again for a fantastic night! It’s always a pleasure working with you and hosting local arts in The Wilma. Looking forward to the next one!” – Kristin
“That was the most fun fundraiser I’ve ever been to!” – Salsa dancer in the audience
“Congratulations on surpassing your goal tonight! Great Show” – Mark
We're Looking for Dancers for 2027
Want to be a part of the show? Apply to be a Pro Dancer or Celebrity for Dancing with Arts Missoula Stars 2027!
Volunteer for Dancing With Arts Missoula Stars
Want to be a part of the show? Apply to be a Pro Dancer or Celebrity for Dancing with Arts Missoula Stars 2026!
DONATE TO Dancing With Arts Missoula Stars
Want to be a part of the show? Apply to be a Pro Dancer or Celebrity for Dancing with Arts Missoula Stars 2026!
our 2025 sponsors
