meet our staff

Jenny Heiman Zimmerman - Owner/Director & Dance
Ms. Jenny earned a B.A. in Business Management with a Minor in Dance from the University of Northern Iowa. During her time there, she was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company, an auditioned company focusing on the fine arts of dance, and Young Peoples’ Dance Theatre, which brought dance education programs to local schools. Ms. Jenny has twice attended the American College Dance Festival, and was honored to have her choreography chosen to represent UNI at the Regional Competition in Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Jenny is a certified Pilates Instructor and has her State of Iowa Coaching Certification. Ms. Jenny is an avid learner when it comes to dance and education; she is continually attending workshops and master classes to further her expertise.

Alyssa Buric - Office Manager and Dance
Alyssa started dancing at the age of three. While performing solo and group routines she won many awards at local and national dance competitions. Alyssa was also captain of her high school dance team, performed at State and was a member of the Iowa State Dance Team Association All-Iowa squad. She has had the pleasure of performing at Walt Disney World and Las Vegas. Alyssa taught dance classes in Knoxville, at her hometown studio, for a few years. Alyssa has recently accepted the position as the Grimes Superstars Office Manager! She is still a part time Dental Assistant and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs! Ms. Alyssa is a certified Zumba Fitness® Instructor and has a blast teaching the Adult classes! She is always happy to help with any of your questions and concerns!
 

Jamie Miller - Tumbling & Cheer
Ms. Jamie has been dancing, cheering and tumbling since age three. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Art from the University of Northern Iowa and is a graphic designer for Better Homes & Gardens® Creative Collection (Craft) Magazines. As a competition cheerleader, Ms. Jamie was a co-captain, UCA All-Star, performed in the London New Years Day Parade and was invited to perform in the Citrus Bowl half-time show. She has taught multiple clinics and camps for youth cheerleading, along with tumbling lessons. She teaches recreational cheer and tumbling classes. Ms. Jamie lives in Grimes with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
 

Kate Safris: Cheer
Ms. Kate grew up in Des Moines where she began dancing and tumbling at age three at Becky Nalevanko’s Dance Studio. She cheered at the high school and college levels, serving as as captain of her Augustana College squad. Upon graduating from college Kate began her cheer coaching career, coaching at both the middle school and high school levels and, most recently, for Dragon Spirit Cheerleading in Johnston. Kate graduated with a B.A. in English from Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Drake University. Kate served as the Talented and Gifted Coordinator at Urbandale Middle School from 1998-2008 before becoming a full-time mom to her three children, Luke, Ali, and Will. Kate is a founding partner of Healthy Birth Day, a nonprofit organization she co-founded in memory of her daughter, Emma, and a small business owner of Emma Kate Creations. She lives in Johnston with her husband, Steve, and three children. Kate is thrilled to combine her passion for education, children, and cheer as the Competition Cheer Coach at the Grimes Superstars.
 

Julia Seaton - Baton
Ms. Julia graduated from William Penn University with a B.A. in Business Management and a minor in Human Resources. She is now Vice President of Seaton Consulting Services, Inc., an ERP software consulting firm, and volunteers with the Miss America Organization both judging local preliminaries and state finals. She also conducts judge’s colleges across the Midwest, training new Miss America judges and recertifying active judges. Ms. Julia started twirling at five years old. She competed for several years in solo and strut, and performed with a competition group. Ms. Julia won several local, state and regional championship titles and was the feature twirler at her high school. After graduation, she started teaching baton and had a troupe of fifteen girls that traveled the county performing in parades and at special events. Ms. Julia is excited to continually improve the baton program. She lives in Urbandale, with her husband, Mark, and their two children, Kaleb and Ashlee.
 

Aimee Spray - Tumbling & Cheer
Ms. Aimee grew up in Dallas Center, where she started tumbling at age nine, and tumbled competitively for five years. She also competed in trampoline and double-mini trampoline. Ms. Aimee won many state titles as well as a national title. Ms. Aimee is a tumbling, cheer & hip hop teacher, assistant coach for the Competition Cheer teams and runs Open Gym.
 

Amanda Svoboda: Dance
Ms. Amanda started dancing at the age of three. Through-out her life, she grew a deep passion for dance. Growing up, Amanda competed solo and in group routines at local and national dance competitions winning many awards. She was the captain on her high school dance team, a member of the Iowa State Dance Team Association All Iowa Squad, 4th at Iowa State Individuals, a member of the All American Halftime Cast for the Capitol One Bowl, and had the honor starring and dancing in Branson, MO at a local show. She strives to teach and share her passion of dance with others to help them grow. Amanda attended college in Minneapolis, MN for Biblical Studies and now lives in Pleasant Hill with her husband, Zach and newborn son, Malachai.
 

Julie Swift: Tumbling
Ms. Julie has been tumbling since she was three years old. She competed in gymnastics at Gymnastics Spectrum in Davenport, Iowa. Julie graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a double major in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education with a certificate in Special Education. She completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education at Western Illinois University, and now teaches kindergarten in Johnston. Ms. Julie is our tumbling teacher. Julie lives in Waukee with her husband Nick, sons Grant and Dalton, and her two cats, Max and Mia.
 

Lacey Van Horn: Dance
Ms. Lacey started dancing at the age of five. While performing solo and group routines, she won many awards at local dance competitions including Miss Premier 2001. Lacey was also a member of her High School Dance Team and captain her senior year. Lacey has had the pleasure of dancing with the Iowa Stars dance team, she was also a High Voltage Dancer for the Iowa Energy, and a Stormchaser for the Iowa Barnstormers for numerous years. Ms. Lacey was selected to the AFL Dream Team and traveled to Las Vegas to perform with other girls around the U.S. at the AFL Arena Cup. Ms. Lacey works full time as a Bookkeeper and lives in Des Moines with her husband and two labs Hank and Cooper. Lacey is very excited to join the Superstars and coach the Competition Dance Teams.
 

Leah Wake: Dance
Ms. Leah grew up competing in dance, tumbling and gymnastic. Leah was the captain of the Maplette Dance Team and a UDA All-Star. She performed in the London New Year's Day Parade and was invited to dance in the Hollywood Parade and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Leah has taught cheerleading for 5 years with Upward Cheerleading, a recreational league through her church. As a gymnast, Leah won many meets in the All-Around competition as well as individual events. She also won awards for Best All-Around Gymnast, Most Valuable Gymnast and Best on Beam. In tumbling Leah won many titles at the state and national levels, including gold and bronze medals at the AAU Junior Olympics. Since competing and performing, Leah has taught dance, tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading. She also does freelance choreography for local cheerleading squads and events. Leah graduated from Drake University with a B.A. in Advertising-Management and a B.S.B.A. in Marketing.