Let’s get to know Casey Hostetler, the first feature for our Instructor Spotlight posts of 2016. Casey is an energetic, ambitious college grad who is and has been very involved in the McMinnville and Newberg communities. She also has some big dreams and plans for her future. Casey currently teaches five hip hop classes (all levels) at the Newberg studio. Read on to learn more about this dynamic hip hop instructor.
CVDA: What’s your dance background?
CH: My specialty is hip hop. I did try ballet in preschool ballet class, but got kicked out because I talked too much!
Then I started dancing as a freshman at Mac High. I’d always been an athlete and played softball. I was going to do volleyball but missed the tryouts. A friend suggested the MHS dance team. And I wanted to stay fit and do something, so I tried out. I made varsity right away. I danced on the dance team all 4 years. I started learning hip hop my junior year from a guest teacher that the dance coach hired. About 7 of us started a hip hop crew on the dance team.
CVDA: What’s a great dance memory for you?
CH: The highlight was dancing at the half time show at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida in 2010. We found out the big news in the summer and fundraised all fall to fly there. Kool and the Gang was the featured entertainment and the Orange Bowl choreographers were waiting on them to finalize their number. So we didn’t receive the choreography DVD until winter break! We had only 2 weeks to learn the dance, and practiced everyday for 3-4 hours. It was amazing.
CVDA: Any other dance or choreography experience?
CH: As a sophomore at George Fox University I taught classes at Gallery Ballet and Tap. And in 2013 I choreographed Little Shop of Horrors at Gallery Theater.
Someday I’d love to choreograph a half-time dance for a big event, like the Orange Bowl. Or “So You Think You Can Dance.”
CVDA: What have you been doing since graduating from Mac High in 2010?
CH: I attended George Fox and was on the dance team for 3 years. It was a more hip hop inclined team. Kristen Stoller was starting to help with choreography. We performed at basketball games – timeouts and half times.
I graduated in 2013 with a bachelors degree business management and then earned my Masters in Business Administration in 2014. I’ve worked full-time at Hagan Hamilton as their marketing coordinator since December 2014.
CVDA: What do you like about teaching at CVDA?
CH: So many things. Building relationships with the girls. I look forward to seeing them every class. I’m invested in their lives. I care about things they do beyond dance class.
CVDA: What do you do when you’re not working or teaching?
CH: I’m a member of the Newberg early bird Rotary group. And I’m an ambassador for McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce, so I go to networking events. I also coach GFU dance team.
I spend time with my husband David and our cat named Harley Davidson. We named him Harley because he purrs really loudly. He’s my baby.
CVDA: Where’s your favorite place to travel?
CH: Well, my favorite place in the world is Hume Lake Christian Camp in Central California – up in the mountains. It’s gorgeous. I was a camper for 7 years and on staff for 2 summers. That’s how I missed MHS volleyball tryouts! It’s a huge part of my life. My happy place.
I’ve traveled a bit and my favorite country is Italy. I went on a 20 day study abroad tour at George Fox. Besides Italy we went to Austria, Germany, and France. I can’t wait to go back to Italy.
CVDA: Sounds like you’ve been bitten by the travel bug.
CH: I love to travel. I’ve been on a mission trip to Mexico, and visited China with my George Fox MBA cohort. My husband and I honeymooned in the Dominican Republic.
Right now we’re hoping to go to the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. My brother-in-law threw the javelin in the 2012 Olympics. He might have an angle to score us tickets. It’s a long shot, but we’ll see!
CVDA: What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now?
CH: I’m not sure. One of my dreams is to form a traveling Christian dance group. The group would perform clean, wholesome dances and share about Jesus. I just don’t have time right now, but maybe someday.
CVDA: Starbucks or Dutch Bros.?
CH: Love coffee! I have a favorite coffee drink at every place. “No favorite for coffee but coffee is my favorite.”
CVDA: Favorite food?
CH: I love chocolate and desserts. I love baking. German Apple Pancake is my breakfast speciality. You cut it like a pizza but eat it with a fork. I make puff pastry, too, in muffin tins. Pudding as a filling, strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle on top. Good around Valentine’s Day!
CVDA: Anything else you’d like to add?
CH: Music! The Portland band Hit Machine is the best – I’m such a groupie. I go crazy when they play. The lead singer can sing all octaves. They play covers from 70’s and 80’s hits and often perform at Tunes on Tuesdays in Newberg.