Deborah Bean had diverse dance training that included leading teachers Natasha Grishin of Ballet Arts, Michael Simms of Stephens College, Harriette Ann Gray, formerly of Humphrey Weidman, and Bella Lewitsky. Ms. Bean danced professionally with the Harriette Ann Gray Dance Company and Ballet Oregon. After retiring, Ms. Bean became known for her teaching skills at programs including Reed College Dance Workshop, School of Ballet Omaha, Minnesota Dance Theatre School, the Academy of Professional Ballet in Portland, and she is frequently invited to guest teach. After moving to Idaho Falls, Ms. Bean founded Idaho Falls School of Ballet, which has a record of producing dancers receiving college dance scholarships and positions in preeminent summer intensive programs. A recent graduate of the school now dances with the prestigious Houston Ballet. Ms. Bean’s credentials also include a BFA in Dance.

Mariko Downs a south east Idaho native has been dancing since the age of five, training primarily in advanced gymnastics and ballet.  She studied under Janice James of the Ballet Society for three years and then moved to Boise to pursue an education and dance career.  In Boise she studied ballet with Marla Hansen the Co-Artistic Director of Idaho Dance Theatre. She later joined the company and performed contemporary ballet for three years in the Boise valley and on tour.  She has been featured as a soloist in many of Idaho Dance Theatre's orginal works and also worked with young kids in the Leaps and Bounds Educational Outreach program.  While dancing with the company she did receive a BA in Communication and hopes to continue on to a Master's Degree in Dance.  She is teaching contemporary at the Idaho Falls School of Ballet.