Owner/Director

Makenzi (Gangwish) Schnase

Makenzi Schnase, previously Makenzi Gangwish, is the owner and director of Next Gen Dance Company. Makenzi was born and raised in Hastings. While attending Adams Central High School, Makenzi was a member of the Stars Dance Team and trained at T’Dance School of Performing Arts under previous ownership. She took numerous classes including, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Clogging, Modern, Lyrical/Contemporary, Pointe, and Bellydancing. Makenzi was an instructor while at T'Dance and was a member of the T’Dance Elite Competition Team. During her time in high school, Makenzi attended the Wyoming Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival, OCU Broadway Bound Dance Camp, and took classes at Broadway Dance Center. Following her graduation from Adams Central, Makenzi attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she obtained her Bachelors of Art Degree in Legal Studies and Dance Minor. While obtaining her Dance Minor, Makenzi was selected to be a teacher’s assistant in the Advanced Ballet, Advanced Tap, and Advanced Jazz classes. Makenzi was also a part of the RUKUS entertainment group during her time at UCF. Makenzi proceeded on to law school at Barry University School of Law and is presently practicing law in South Central Nebraska.  Since her time back in Hastings, Makenzi has continued to be involved in the dance community. Makenzi has provided Summer Technique Camps to local highschool level teams and choreographed top placing routines for local highschool dance team state competitions. She was previously an assistant coach to the Hastings College Dance Team. While being involved with local dance teams, Makenzi also teaches various styles of dance classes including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Clogging, Lyrical/Contemporary, Acrobatics, Modern, Pointe, Strength and Technique, and Pom.

Instructor

Alaina Kuhns

Alaina Kuhns is an instructor with Next Gen Dance Company. Alaina was born and raised in Sidney, Nebraska. During high school, Alaina was part of the Sidney High School Dance Team. She was awarded two Nebraska State Dance Runner-Up awards in the Class B Kick and Class B Hip Hop categories.  Alaina continued to further her education and dance technical training at Hastings College where she studied finance and communications. She was also a 3-year member of the Hastings College Dance Team. While she was a member of the Hastings College Dance Team, Alaina danced competitively through the NAIA Collegiate Division and participated in weekly performances in support of various Hastings College sporting events. Alaina had the opportunity to further her dance knowledge from instructors from various entities, such as TRIBE99, with Hastings College. Following her graduation from Hastings College, Alaina went on to work at Five Points Bank in Hastings as a Personal Banker and Consumer Loan Officer.  She also has previously been employed as the Hastings College Dance Team Head Coach! Alaina has years of experience working with high school dance teams and providing technique camps and competition choreography. Most notably, Alaina has choreographed for the Silver Lake High School Dance Team leading them to back-to-back championships at the Nebraska State Dance Competition in the Class D Jazz category in 2022 and 2023. In addition to her work with high school dance teams, Alaina has experience teaching acrobatics, lyrical, jazz, and hip hop. 

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Instructor

Emily Struss

Emily Struss is an instructor with Next Gen Dance Company. Emily was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska. Emily advanced her dance training at T'Dance School of Performing Arts under previous ownership. Emily received training in various styles of dance including; Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Clogging, Lyrical, Pointe, and Modern. During high school, Emily was part of the Hastings High School Tigerettes. She was captain her senior year.  Emily continued to further her education and dance technical training at Hastings College where she studied Elementary Education. She was also a 4-year member of the Hastings College Dance Team. While she was a member of the Hastings College Dance Team, Emily danced competitively through the NAIA Collegiate Division and participated in weekly performances in support of various Hastings College sporting events. She also holds 2 First-Team All American honors and 2 All Conference honors from her time on the Hastings College Dance Team. Emily had the opportunity to further her dance knowledge from instructors from various entities, such as TRIBE99, with Hastings College. Following her graduation from Hastings College, Emily will be working at Hawthorne Elementary School in Hastings as a first grade teacher.  She has been the previous head coach for the Hastings High Tigerettes. Emily has years of experience working with high school dance teams and providing technique camps and competition choreography. In addition to her work with high school dance teams, Emily has taught jazz, lyrical, pom, hip-hop and strength and technique classes. 

Instructor

Josi Sharp

Josi Sharp is an instructor with Next Gen Dance Company. Josi was born and raised in Bladen, Nebraska. While Josie attended Silver Lake High School, she was a member of the dance team where she was a captain for three consecutive years and led to the team to win back-to-back Nebraska State Dance Jazz Championship titles. Josi advanced her dance training at T'Dance School of Performing Arts under previous ownership. Josi received training in various styles of dance including; Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Clogging, Lyrical, Pointe, Modern, and Pom.  Josi has had the opportunity provided to her in high school to visit New York City where she participated in various classes at The Broadway Dance Center. After graduating from Silver Laker High School in 2023, Josi continued her education and dancing career right here in Hastings at Hastings College where she is also part of the Hastings College Dance Team. Josi will be a sophomore at Hastings college this year as she participates in her second year on the Hastings College Dance Team. Josi continues to work towards her dream of becoming a radiologic technician. During her freshman season, Josi earned a spot on the Game Day Team and Competition Team. She also received the All American American Title. Josi is excited to share her love of dance with the dancers at the Next Gen Dance Company!

Instructor

Alivia Gerloff

Alivia has been dancing for 12 years, training in a wide variety of styles including tap, jazz, ballet, clogging, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop, and lyrical. She was a member of the Adams Central Stars Dance Team for two years and also cheered with the Adams Central Cheer Team, where she was recognized as an All-American of 2025.

During her senior year, Alivia danced at NGDC while also teaching classes, which is where she discovered her passion for working with young dancers and helping them grow both in skill and confidence.

She is currently attending the College of Hair Design in Lincoln, pursuing her education while staying deeply connected to the world of dance. Alivia is so excited to return to NGDC as an instructor, bringing her years of training, performance experience, and love for dance to inspire the next generation

Instructor

Katie Carver

Katie Carver is an instructor at Next Gen Dance Company. Katie was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska. She attended Adams Central High School where she was a four year member of the dance team and was selected to serve as captain for two years. Katie trained at T’Dance School of Performing Arts under previous ownership from the age of three till she graduated high school. She has experience in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Modern, and Acrobatics.

Katie was an instructor during her high school career where she taught pom and hip hop. Katie attended various camps in high school to strengthen her abilities where she learned from the instructors of Tribe 99, The Husker Scarlets, The Omaha Mavs, and also many instructors at Broadway Dance Center. Following her time in high school, Katie enrolled at College Of Hair Design to obtain her Cosmetology license.  She loves all things hair. Katie is working to find her salon home and work as a hairstylist during the day starting in the middle of September post graduation. Katie is so excited to be a part of the Next Gen Dance Company family and work with Makenzi and her amazing team! She has always had a passion for working with kids and is thrilled to be teaching something she has always loved. 

Instructor

Kara Perry

Kara Perry is an instructor at Next Gen Dance Company. She  was born and raised in Urbana, Iowa. She danced at a studio for 15 years and was a member of her high school dance team. Kara is trained in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, pom, and contemporary! She went on to dance at Iowa Central Community College. She competed at NDA nationals in the Pom and Hip Hop categories. While at Iowa Central they competed at state dance and placed first in pom, jazz, and hip hop. During her second year, they placed first in pom and hip hop, and got second in jazz! Her favorite style is Hip Hop! Kara is currently studying Cardiovascular Somography through Nebraska Methodist College and will be a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer and Registered Vascular Technologist in May of 2026! 

Instructor

Jenna Sterling

Jenna Sterling is an instructor at Next Gen Dance Company. Originally from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Jenna moved to Hastings to pursue her education at Hastings College. Currently she is a senior at Hastings College, graduating in May with a degree in biology. Jenna intends to head to dental school next fall! Jenna is still trying to figure out how she can be a dancing dentist so if you have any ideas, let her know! Jenna has been dancing since she was young and is a current member of the Crimson Spirit Dance Team. She brings years of experience in studio dance, drill team, and dance team, as well as a huge passion for sharing the joy of dance in a fun, safe, and uplifting environment. Outside of dance, Jenna enjoys listening to music, lifting weights, and drinking lots of coffee! 

Substitute Teacher

Mya Engal

Mya Engal is a substitute teacher for Next Gen Dance Company. Mya is also the assistant coach for the Adams Central Cheerleaders.