Who We Are

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Smiling woman with dark hair and a tattoo on her arm sitting at a wooden table in a cozy room with a brick wall and shelves with plants and decorative items in the background.
A woman in a flowing white dress dancing on a wooden floor in a dimly lit room, with a large window with multiple panes in the background.
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At Sage & Tansy Studio, every dancer is seen, supported, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. We blend structured, high-quality training with a warm and welcoming environment, creating a space where children build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop a lasting love for dance.

Founded in 2020, the Sage & Tansy Dance Program was created during a time when many were seeking connection, normalcy, and creative outlets. From the beginning, our vision has been to offer a program that is both intentional and professional, while remaining simple, lighthearted, inclusive, and fun. We emphasize strong dance technique in a way that allows each dancer’s individuality to shine.

Our goal is for every student to feel excited to come to class—and to leave with greater confidence, knowledge, friendships, and joyful memories. Everyone is welcome here.

Meet Our Instructors Below

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Molly Upchurch

Director & Lead Instructor

Molly has been dancing her way through life for as long as she can remember. She began her dance journey as a preschooler at Tricks Gym in Folsom and later performed with Sue Brumet as part of the Kids on Stage Performing Arts Group in Amador County. Her training continued in Ballet and Jazz at The Studio Performing Technique Dance School in Sutter Creek under the direction of Cara Agustin. Along the way, Molly also spent many years in sideline and competitive cheerleading and eventually shared that passion by coaching youth cheerleading. Molly has been the Director & Lead Instructor of the Sage & Tansy Dance Program for 5 years. Her greatest joy comes from helping students of all ages build confidence, spark creativity, and develop a lifelong love of dance and movement. Molly holds certifications in Zumba, Buti Yoga, and Mat Pilates, and also teaches many adult classes at the studio. Outside the studio, Molly keeps the creativity flowing through Molly Jane Photography (Molly Jane Photography) and spends her free time loving on her furbabies, dreaming up her next Disney adventure, enjoying great food, and getting happily lost in a good book. 

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Studio Owner, First Steps to Dance & Creative Movement Instructor

Jenny Upchurch

Jenny was a shy, quiet and insecure child who found confidence, creativity and community with dance and movement arts later in life. She was a cheerleader in high school and college, and enjoyed coaching sideline and competitive cheerleading for many years. She discovered belly dance as an adult and trained in American Tribal Style and Fusion with Carolena Nericcio and Tracy Carlton, and performed for years with Kundalini Belly Dance Tribe. Jenny believes that performing arts can greatly enrich our human experience, and she loves doing everything she can to support the dance program at Sage & Tansy. Jenny also teaches yoga, strength training, Pilates, and wellness classes at the studio. Outside of the studio, she works as a pediatric speech pathologist.

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Acro 2, Yoga Sculpt, & Mat Pilates Instructor

Kasey Guevara

Kasey started her gymnastics journey at just four years old. She was a competitive gymnast throughout her childhood and taught a variety of gymnastics classes during her first two years of college. Kasey completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher certification in 2023 and her Mat Pilates certification in 2026. Kasey feels so grateful that she can share something that has given her so much, and encourage others to pursue their own unique journeys within it.

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Ballet dancer in pink tutu practicing at the ballet studio.

Guest Ballet & Contemporary Instructor

Macy Almendariz

Macy started dancing when she was 3 years old. She had a very active childhood doing competitive soccer, singing, and dancing. As she got older, she decided to focus on dance, and trained in various styles, including ballet, tap, contemporary, and character. She had wonderful mentors at her childhood studio, Deane Dance Center. Macy joined the Sacramento Ballet when she was 18 years old and danced under Ron Cunningham and his wife Carinne Binda during their last few years of directing. She had the privilege to perform in productions of Carmina Burana, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby, and several George Balanchine pieces, such as Donizetti, Serenade, and The Four Temperaments. She also performed with the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra for several years. Macy is now enjoying motherhood, and keeping up with her training so she can be a guest artist wherever she may be needed.

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Maddy Carges

Tap 2 Instructor

Maddy has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She began assisting classes at age 11, and teaching her own classes by age 16. She has trained in many styles, including tap, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet, modern, and acrobatics, with jumps and tricks being some of her favorite challenges. She has choreographed for dance competitions and her Tap routines won first place overall twice. Maddy is passionate about sharing her love for dance and watching young dancers grow in both skill and enthusiasm. She strives to make her classes fun and inspiring spaces where students feel encouraged to try new things and push their limits.

About Sage & Tansy

The S&T Dance Program operates out of Sage & Tansy Wellness Studio—a small town holistic health center offering a wide variety of classes and services to support physical and mental well-being. At Sage & Tansy, you will find yoga and fitness classes 7 days a week, as well as massage therapy, infrared sauna, natural health workshops, community events, sound healing, light therapy, and more, in a casual, friendly, and inclusive setting.

Learn More About How Sage & Tansy Wellness Studio Can Help You Feel Better

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