MEET THE FACULTY
Isabelle Cook – Owner & Director
Isabelle Cook brings a 40 year background of training and experience: While in High School, she performed solos, choreographed and was a teacher’s assistant. Upon graduation, she was presented with a certificate of achievement and a scholarship to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. While in college, Isabelle performed in “Peter and the Wolf” with the Dallas Dance Ensemble, “Saul” with the Dallas Symphony/Opera, and as guest performer for the Wichita Falls Ballet. In addition she performed on televised dance programs for PBS. In 1979, Isabelle moved to the Spokane area and took an active roll in many Spokane dance activities including performer, choreographer and instructor for Namaste, Spokane Dance Ensemble, Whitworth College, Gonzaga University, The Dance Center, The Dance Emporium and Ballet Arts. Currently, Isabelle is an active member of the “Inland Northwest Dance Teacher’s Association” and the proprietor of Isabelle’s Dance Time which offers dance classes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Veradale, Post Falls and Rathdrum.
Joesph Hofer – Director
Joe Hofer’s dance style is on-beat, intense, funky, jazzy, old school cool with hints of humor. “To dance with me is to be passionate, spirited and be proud of what you are doing.” Originally a musician, he gravitated towards square and round dancing in the late 1980’s, eventually becoming an apprentice Square Dance Caller. In 1991 he studied Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Ballet, Partnering, and Tap and continued formalizing his Ballet, Modern, & Jazz training with Isabelle Cook and other world class teachers. Joe’s professional dancer background consists of working for “Take Notice Arts and Entertainment Company”, dancing and acting in Industrial Shows, Modeling Shows, and Dinner Theatre productions working with important and famous people such as Duane Hargadone -Entrepreneur & Teri Hatcher -Actress. Joe started writing Dance Time’s shows in 2007 and continues as Co-Artistic Director of Isabelle’s Dance Time.
His commitment to dance in the community has taken him throughout the Spokane area where he taught dance at just about every Community Center around Spokane, and many of the public schools. He is an active member of the Inland Northwest Dance Association and during the day he works as a Special Education 504 Paraeducator with the C.V. School District. Outside the community his work has led him to teach master
classes in Jazz, Partnering, and Hip Hop, choreograph, and dance in the areas of the Pacific Northwest, and Canada, and in 2010 he created the Civic Semi-professional dance company called, “Phase Collaborative Dance Project”. Joe is currently producing a book on his years of study in the area of Partnering. All of this propels his art and keeps him actively producing art wherever life (Dance) will take him, it is his PASSION, his
SPIRIT, and his PRIDE.
My commitment to my students and teaching them the art of dance is
my life’s work, it’s what I do, it’s who I am. It’s my legacy to give back to the art
that created my own life’s legacy. I’m always excited to get to the studio and
dance with you.
Brynn Hofer – Co-Director
Brynn Hofer began training in modern and ballet in Washington State at Isabelle’s Dance Time. She attended Western Washington University under scholarship and received a BFA in Dance and choreography. She graduated with honors and was the recipient of the outstanding graduate of the year award. While in college she danced works by Penny Hutchinson, Susan Haines, Nolan Dennett, Richard Merrell, and Lindsey Matheis (of Northwest Dance project) as well as performing with the Mt. Vernon Opera. Brynn was selected two years in a row, to perform a restaged work by the Liz Geering dance company, from New York City.
In 2015, Brynn joined Polaris Dance Theater as a company member and danced works by Robert Guitron, M’liss Quinley, Briley Neugebauer (Of PDX Contemporary Ballet) and Barbara Lima (of Ella Fala). She then expanded her artistic voice by creating her own professional contemporary dance company, Horizon3, with Melanie Verna and Gerard Regot. Brynn’s choreography, set on Horizon3 Dance members, was selected to be showcased at the Headwaters theater in Portland Oregon, at the RAW Portland Arts event, and throughout Oregon. Brynn has also been invited and selected as a guest teacher and choreographer throughout Alaska, Washington, and Oregon.
As a ballet instructor, she has set original full-length ballets for her students, working to increase their technique, artistry and love for ballet. Her focus as a teacher is to combine the anatomic knowledge of what muscles should be working, with the artistry of dance to create technically strong and mentally aware dancers. She is Pilates certified and on her off time studies anatomy and body awareness for dancers.
Erica Hendon – Teacher
Brynn Hofer began training in modern and ballet in Washington State at Isabelle’s Dance Time. She attended Western Washington University under scholarship and received a BFA in Dance and choreography. She graduated with honors and was the recipient of the outstanding graduate of the year award. While in college she danced works by Penny Hutchinson, Susan Haines, Nolan Dennett, Richard Merrell, and Lindsey Matheis (of Northwest Dance project) as well as performing with the Mt. Vernon Opera. Brynn was selected two years in a row, to perform a restaged work by the Liz Geering dance company, from New York City.
In 2015, Brynn joined Polaris Dance Theater as a company member and danced works by Robert Guitron, M’liss Quinley, Briley Neugebauer (Of PDX Contemporary Ballet) and Barbara Lima (of Ella Fala). She then expanded her artistic voice by creating her own professional contemporary dance company, Horizon3, with Melanie Verna and Gerard Regot. Brynn’s choreography, set on Horizon3 Dance members, was selected to be showcased at the Headwaters theater in Portland Oregon, at the RAW Portland Arts event, and throughout Oregon. Brynn has also been invited and selected as a guest teacher and choreographer throughout Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. She was a masterclass teacher at Harvard University and currently does the choreography for the University High School Drama department.
As a ballet instructor, she has set original full-length ballets for her students,
working to increase their technique, artistry and love for ballet.
My purpose as an instructor is to create a welcoming classroom where all can belong
and be vulnerable. Not only to delve into the historical art form that is ballet, but also to
create and explore within themselves. I strive to show my students the beauty and
freedom that dance can offer.
Erica
Alison
Brittany