Meet the owners and coaches!!
About Coach Ashley Mesker
Ashley was born and raised here in Tioga. She started dancing in grade school with Just for Kix. She continued dancing through high school while also Cheerleading for THS. She also was avid in Musical Theatre and speech performances and competitions. She was accepted into the Missoula Children’s theatre performing arts camp in 8th grade. She performed with them for the next 5 summers until she graduated. after high school she was accepted into the Los Angeles theatre academy in Hollywood, CA. She them moved back to Tioga and has lived here since with Her husband and two kids. She still loves to perform and dance any chance she gets. In 2023 she played Heir Drosselmeyer and Mother Ginger in the production of The Nutcracker. She started coaching Competition team in 2022 and also became a teacher at Black Gold Dance in 2023. Ashley is our tiny dancer and Musical Theater expert!
About Coach Amanda Hynek
Amanda was born and raised in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. Amanda started dancing at the age of 5 in a studio where she danced for over 10 years. She also danced in her Middle School dance team. She competed and danced for 15 years in studio and on teams. After graduating from Andover High school in 2005, she moved to Fargo, ND. Where she attended college for a couple years. Amanda moved to Medora, ND. And worked at the riding stables, riding and training horses for 3 years.
She then moved to Stanley, ND in 2009 where she met her husband, Joe. Amanda and Joe got married in 2010. Has been living on their ranch since September 2010 where they are raising 3 Kids, cattle, horses and show cattle.
Her middle daughter Tessa joined the Black Gold studio in summer 2021. Tessa joined the competition team in 2023. Amanda was asked to join the Black Gold Dance crew as a technical coach for the competition team in 2024 and will be teaching classes in 2025.



Our Story.
Some of you may know how The Dance District came about. But for those that don’t! We used to be Black Gold Dance. The owners of that studio decided to follow their heart and took on a new adventure as they headed south to Texas. We knew the studio had to stay open and a part of the Tioga community. We were told many times how much this little place impacted their child’s life including our own. After lots of conversations with each other and our families we decided to keep going! So, we took over the studio! With new ownership comes a new image! We created the Dance District Studio. We are very excited to see what the future brings and we appreciate all the amazing support.
Studio Policies
Dress Code
Dance Shoes are only to be worn in the studio or on appropriate dance floors, and not on pavement or concrete. This is to preserve both the life of your dancer’s shoes as well as the dance surfaces, as debris from the street can cause untimely erosion. This is also a hazard as dancers may come in contact with the loose debris while dancing, leading to possible injury.
Appropriate attire
Tiny tots- Pink ballet shoes, Any leotard, pink or black tights, hair in high bun (wrap skirt optional)
Ballet- Pink ballet shoes, Plain Colored Leotard , Pink or Nude tights, Hair in high bun (wrap skirt optional)
Contemporary/Modern- Dance paws (lyrical half-sole shoes), shots or pants and Dance top. Hair in high bun or high pony tail.
Hip Hop- Sweat pants, yoga pants, or athletic shorts, Black street shoes or hip-hop sneakers, comfortable shirt, Hair in pony tail
Jazz- black dance pants or shorts, Dance shirt or Leotard, black jazz shoes
Performance Team- Appropriate dance shorts or pants, Sports bra and dance top. Jazz shoes, hiphop sneakers, and dance paws. All 3 shoes are needed.
The Appropriate attire is required for each dance class as outlined above. All hair always needs to be out of face. And proper shoes need to be worn. If unsure if you have the correct shoe, please contact me. Please Remind your dancer that the proper dance clothes have to be worn.
Performance team will have auditions May 15th 10am to 1230pm. Results of the auditions will be posted same day. The team will consist of up to 10 dancers. Auditions will consist of a Contemporary combo, Jazz combo, and Hip hop combo, as well as leaps and turn evaluation. Performance team age limit will be 10 -18 year old. Performance team will do parade performances, Charity events, sporting events, local events, advertising events etc. Cost for Performance team includes a monthly fee as well as a one time purchase of team costume and team jacket.
Health Guidelines I understand that Black Gold Dance has to follow guidlines put out by the CDC due to illnesses( ie. covid 19). I understand that if a shut down is needed or reqired, that tuition will not be refunded or discounted
Payment Policy
I understand that tuition payment is nonrefundable
Payments accepted: Cash, Check, Invoice
Tuition is due: the 1st of the month
There will be a Late fee of $50 if tuition is not paid by the 7th of the month. With and additional fee of $50 for every week it is late.
Any returned Check will be charged a NSF/Bank Fee of $25
I understand that if Tuition payment is not received for the previous month, my student account will be marked as problem and put as inactive until all fees are paid. Student will not be allowed back to dance until all fees are pay including late fees. If payment is not received this will affect student and family from re registering for future seasons.
I understand that Black Gold Dance has to follow guidelines put out by the CDC due to illnesses( ie. covid 19). I understand that if a shut down is needed or reqired, that tuition will not be refunded or discounted
Absences are sometimes unavoidable. We understand busy schedules and unexpected illnesses. Please notify the studio if/when your dancer(s) cannot attend class. We appreciate your communication and do look forward to having your dancer in class each week.
Dancer conduct All students are expected to be respectful and disciplined in class to create a positive and professional dance experience for all students. Foul language and inappropriate clothing is not permitted. Bullying is unacceptable! If caught bullying dancer(s) will be asked to sit out of class and there will be a sit down with parents. If caught again Dancer(s) will be removed from class. We ask that Parents/Gradians of our dancers follow the same standards as our students. We ask that your Dancer shows up on time as to not interrupt the other students and be able to enjoy the full class experience. We are here to have fun and learn but Respect for the instructor and property are required. Any deliberate damage to the dance studio will be paid for by the offending party.
Tuition is due the beginning of every month no later than the 7th of the month. If paid after the 7th a late fee of $25 will be applied. Then an additional $25 for every week after not paid.
Soloist One class a month can be missed and absences after required a make up class.
Performances. There are two performances during the dance season. Our winter Recital is the week before Christmas. Our spring recital is the end of April. The dates of the recitals are on your registration page. Please make plans now so your dancer(s) will be there for the performances
Recital and Performances
I understand that Recital 2021-2022 I Recital Date: Saturday December 18th 2021 and Saturday, April 23th 2022 at Tioga Movie Theater or community center.
Rehearsal will be held on Friday December 17th 2021 at 530pm and Friday April 22nd 2022 at 5:30pm
These are Mandatory Rehearsals unless excused
*Costume Information: BGD makes every effort to select costumes of both the highest quality and value.
NO EXCEPTIONS! A costume will not be ordered for your dancer, if a payment has not been received! A $50 late fee per Costume will be added if paid for after due date.
Costumes are non refundable.
Balances due Feb 15th 2021. Late fee of $50 per Costume will be added after Jan 16th 2021
style shoes and/or colors, information will be given at time costume is administered to dancer. Costumes and sizes are carefully selected according to companies' size charts. Costumes are not custom fit and may require slight alterations (hemming, stretching and/or taking in)
*Attendance Requirements:
Beginning January 1, 2021 : Dancer's may not miss 3 classes in a row OR 6 classes of a given discipline in order to perform in the recital. If sick or Emergency please see me to discuss the absence. There are No refunds for tuition or costumes.
*Dancer and Family Agreement:
-All accounts must be in good standing to perform. Students must also attend the dress rehearsals Dancers must remain backstage in their dressing room areas for the ENTIRE Recital. -Dancers are not allowed to leave during the show-No Exceptions! Parent's are not allowed in dressing rooms without prior permission.
All dancers must respect and listen to their room chaperones and keep
their area picked up -Cheer each other on and build each other up! -Have Fun and Smile!
I understand If I Choose to pull my student from the recitals I understand that Ticket and costume purchase will NOT be refunded.
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