Staff

Ms. Andrea Polyak, Owner and Teacher started dancing at 2 years old and at the age of 12, started helping in dance classes here & there at the studio she attended. When she was 17 years old, Andrea was asked to be an Assistant Teacher in a baby comb class for ages 3-5 years old. She learned so much about teaching little ones from Ms. Kacee that year that it inspired her to be a teacher.

Andrea grew up dancing at Bridget McCarter Dance Academy in Gilbert. She competed at state & national levels with Tap, Jazz & Lyrical. She also performed all over the East Valley at community events. Andrea & her younger sister would spend about 15-20 hours a week at the studio dancing for the simple fact they loved dance! Andrea’s favorite type of dance is Tap, performing & teaching it!

Looking over the past 26 years of teaching dance, Andrea really didn’t think this would be her job! Yet, she really doesn’t like to call it a job more just making a positive influence in a young person’s life. Andrea also taught with the Town of Gilbert Park & Recreation in 2000 and you will find that most of the classes that are still running today are the ones that she & her sister started. From the Tiny/Mini tumbling, Fun & Fitness & Fairy Ballet! She spent about 4 years with town teaching before she had her boys. After that Andrea stayed home with her boys since they are close in age and still ran a small dance program at the Las Sendas Community in Mesa one day a week. This program has been on going for the past 22 years!  In addition to her love of dance, Andrea was a volunteer for Girl Scout for 18 years, where she was a busy, hard working Troop Leader, Neighborhood Cookie Manager, Council Cookie Cupboard, Product Advisory Board committee member and a Gold Award board member. 
 
In August 2022, Andrea expanded 8*Count Dance program with East Valley Jewish Children Center in Chandler. 
 
Andrea is married to her supportive husband, Keith and they have a busy family!  They moved to Queen Creek in 2004 from Chandler They have a daughter, Adrianna, 24, who lives in WA with girlfriend, Madison and their cat, Piper and dog, Scarlett. Kyle, 20, he is with Local 469 as Plumbing Apprentice.  Nathan, 19, he is with Local 469 and waiting to get in the Apprentice Program in the Summer of 2023. Of course, you can’t forget the furry family members Hank, who is CGC trained and Duke, who is a big ball of love and loves to eat socks!!! Andrea is adjusting to life with being outnumbered at home with all boys, since Adrianna moved away. 🙂
 

Ms. Anna Compton, Ruby Dance Co.,Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical & Twinkle Star Teacher was born and raised in Orange County, California and began dancing at the age of 3. She received the majority of her training at Pacific Dance in Irvine, CA, where she studied a variety of dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical. She was a member of the award winning Performing Group competition team for nine years competing at both the regional and national level. 

Anna continued to dance throughout high school as a member of the song team at El Toro High School on both the game and competition squads. While in high school, she also began substitute teaching at Pacific Dance at the request of her instructors. She taught all ages and styles for both regular and competition classes. Anna continued her dancing career while attending Northern Arizona University as a member of the Badjacks Dance Club, performing and choreographing for events and club performances. She introduce tap to the club and helped to choreograph one of the first tap routines. 

In addition to teaching at 8*Count, Anna is currently an Assistant Cheer Coach at Combs High School. She is happily married to her wonderful and supportive husband, Daniel; and they welcomed their first baby, Bradly Dean in July 2022 and they have one fur-child: Cammy. Anna is excited to continue to share her passion for dance and help the next generation to grow and explore their own dance artistry. 

 

Coach Hailey Pickett, Acrobatic Arts Coach was born and raised in Arizona and has lived in Queen Creek since 2007. She was a cheerleader for Combs High School since the 8th grade, Co-Captain her senior year in 2016. She’s been coaching gymnastics and tumbling for 7 years now. She loves having the opportunity to bring tumbling and acrobatics to her community and share her passions with her students! When she’s not coaching she’s home raising her baby girl who was born in March 2019!

Ms. Sophie Boisvert teaches hip hop, contemporary, musical theater, Twinkle Stars, adult jazz, and adult hip hop. She began dancing at the age of two and trained in a variety of dance styles. In high school she studied at Main Street School of Performing Arts where she graduated with an honors arts endorsement in Dance. Sophie then went to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota in 2019, where she got her BA in Dance & Media Studies. Sophie has had the privilege of performing in work choreographed by artists including Eko Supriyanto (Indonesia), Chris Schlichting, Michael Kouakou (Ivory Coast), John Mark Creative, and many more. Sophie was selected as part of Eau Claire Music Festival’s resident dance company in 2016. When Sophie isn’t teaching she enjoys creating, choreographing, and performing in music videos for bands and independent artists. This is Sophie’s 8th year working as a dance teacher. She has been recognized at competitions for her choreography and has helped her students win several first place and high point awards. She absolutely loves watching her students grow, no matter their age or ability level.

Ms. Megan Schmidt, Office Assistant, was born and raised here in Arizona. She is Ms. Andrea’s niece and her daughter attends dance here at 8*Count Dance! She took dance from the time she was 2 years old through high school. She currently works as a Pharmacy Technician in addition to being an office assistant. She loves spending time with her family, reading, and of course dancing!