Meet the Owner

Cordelia grew up in Glenwood, Iowa and began her studio dance career at Brandee’s Dance Studio in Glenwood when she was in fourth grade. Even though she started later than some she found that dance was where she belonged. By sixth grade she knew she wanted to do more and wanted to start competing but the studio she was at didn’t offer it. This was not a deterrent for her as she figured out how to compete independently and at the age of 12 choreographed two different solos to compete at two different competitions. 

Cordelia would compete independently in one more competition right before high school and before changing studios to Yume Dance studio so she could compete with a competition team. She spent the next four years at Yume competing in solos, a duet, small groups and a large production number. During her nine years of studio dance she studied jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet and pointe. After high school Cordelia took advantage of being able to compete one more year independently and choreographed three different solos that she took to four different competitions. 

Cordelia participated on her high school dance team for two of her four years in conjunction with cheerleading. In Cordelia's senior year she choreographed and taught a couple group routines for the dance team. She also choreographed and taught two solos for a couple fellow seniors to compete at the Iowa High School State competition in addition to her own. She participated in cheerleading for three years in high school and for one year at Iowa Western Community College.

Outside of school and studio Cordelia played some supporting roles in two musicals put on by the Mills Masquers Theater. She was in Matilda summer of 2022 and We Will Rock You summer of 2021. These experiences allowed her to use her dance skills in a new and fun way.

Cordelia taught at Joy Collective for the 2023-2024 dance season and through this experience gained the opportunity to take over the studio from Joy Collective and turned it into Mana Dance Academy.  The first year, 2024-2025 dance season, as a new studio owner has been exciting, challenging, fun and she is so proud of how hard all of the dancers worked to present an amazing recital this past May. She is looking forward to this next season and to continue to share that love of dance with her entire dance family.