Mary Evans-Simler Owner/Director of Dance, Youth Programs, and Special Events
"We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams."
My favorite part of the day is when my student gets a step they have been working on, or masters a new technique. It is what brought me into this business and what keeps me here. I began learning dance 26 years ago (yes when I was a little girl) and have never lost my interest in dance. I love all dancing and am always on an adventure to learn more. I began with the traditional Ballet, Tap and Jazz, but later moved to school dance team and hip hop. It wasn’t too long after that when my very good friend introduced me to country dancing.
I had my hold ups with knee problems, but nothing really ever steered me away from dance for long. In 1995 I was hired to teach Ballroom dancing and I have been doing that ever since. My favorite part about dance has to be the choreography and creation that comes with our shows. I have a wonderful teaching staff here at U&Me who help to make every show a grand success.
Toni Simler Owner/Executive Director
My real social life started when I began taking dance lessons in April 1995. That’s when I began buying fun dancing clothes, lots of fancy shoes and going out with people who enjoyed having fun! I was a student of dance for 4 years so I know what it’s like to be a student in a dance studio.
I retired from Lucent Technologies after working for 30 years! I had several jobs during that time from Operator to Business Manager when I retired. It was exciting but also very demanding work and retirement brought a mixture of both relaxation and worry. I wasn’t really ready to retire but couldn’t pass up Lucent’s early retirement offer.
Azita Simler Owner/Director of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service
Being involved in a dance studio was never something I pictured as a career. I graduated from Western Washington University in 2003 with degrees in Music and English, and in that year I met my husband, Nathan, and was introduced into the world of dance. I had no prior dance experience, and was afraid to learn how, since my in-laws are all marvelous dancers. I started out slowly, learning just the Cha Cha, and quickly realized how addictive dancing can be. I am continually working on my dancing, and have performed in Showcases. Look to see me dancing with Nathan at the next Showcase!
U&Me Dance is a continually growing business, and a family business at that. It became apparent that my aptitude for organization, customer relations, and sales was needed, so I came on as Sales Manager in 2005. Nathan and I became owners in 2006, and the rest is history.
Nathan Simler Owner/Staff Director
Dancing is a powerful form of freedom from outside pressures as well as inner tensions. It is a privilege and joy to teach this wonderful art form to anyone willing to learn. I believe that dance is possible for everyone who has patience and a willingness to practice. I seek to bring technical excellence to both the student as well as my own dancing with every lesson. A truly rewarding experience is when I can help a student understand some aspect of dance in a new light.
I was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1979, the youngest of three kids and the only boy (lucky me!). I watched my oldest sister in gymnastics and my slightly older sister in jazz, tap, and ballet. It never occurred to me to try it myself as I was more interested in attempting sports or being with the boys. Dance, to me, was for girls. In early 2002, after 6 years training in classical music at Western Washington University, my slightly older sister informed me of her plans to start a dance studio in Bellingham and invited me to be an instructor. At this point I had minimal dance experience and so had natural hesitancies toward the profession but with some persuasive skills on my sister’s part I was convinced to try.
Lecie McNees Instructor
Lecie comes to us from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She holds an American Style Associate level certification in Rhythm and Smooth through the DVIDA syllabus, as well as a BFA in Dance from NMSU, an Associates degree in performing arts from Santa Fe Community College, and she is Pilates certified.
She brings with her a wealth of experience in International Style Standard and Latin, American Style Rhythm and Smooth, as well as Jazz, Ballet, Flamenco, and Pilates. Choreography is one of her specialties. Lecie also has toured Europe performing with her old partner, and worked on upscale Cruise ships as the ballroom entertainment.
Asta Johansen Instructor
