Courtney Lakey, Artistic Director

A lifelong member of the Pacific School of Dance family, Courtney Lakey has grown up immersed in the South Coast dance community. She began her training at three years old under the guidance of her mother, a longtime jazz instructor, and has since developed into a passionate teacher, performer, and leader.

At age eleven, Courtney was invited to join DUSCO’s pre-professional group—then called Ballet Pacific and now known as Pacific Dance Company. After her freshman year of high school, she expanded her training into the competitive dance world. As the only student at her studio competing at the time, she began performing solos across Oregon before joining a larger group of dancers to compete in additional categories.

Courtney joined the Pacific School of Dance faculty in 2024, where she teaches Pre-Ballet and Beginning Ballet and supports operations. Her experience as both a longtime student and instructor gives her a unique appreciation for balance—between structure and creativity, discipline and joy.

Her dance education includes participation in dance conventions such as Jump (2022, 2023) and Radix (2024), where she earned a Ballet Scholarship to study in Los Angeles. She has also competed with distinction at Turn It Up and Spotlight Dance Competitions, earning multiple awards for solo, duet, and group performances.

As Artistic Director for Pacific Dance Company, Courtney’s vision is to foster an environment that is both nurturing and focused—one that empowers young dancers to build confidence, discipline, and artistry. She is deeply committed to expanding opportunities for students to connect with the broader dance world through performance, education, and community engagement.

“Dance has always been my language,” Courtney says. “It’s how we express who we are through movement and character. My goal is to help our dancers bring that spirit back into the community—every time they step on stage.”

Lindsey Gumaskas, Former Artistic Director

Lindsay began dancing at age 3 in Anaheim, California. Growing up in Southern California, she was a competitive dancer starting at the age of 12. She competed locally and nationally in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, and Hip Hop. Lindsay earned top awards for choreography and performance, including dancing in London with the United Spirit Association. She started choreographing for her high school dance team and setting pieces for annual showcases. While in high school, Lindsay was co-captain of her high school dance team, where her choreography earned first and second place trophies in the Small Jazz category. She also continued competitive dance with her home studio, Stage One, in Fullerton, California, where she studied Jazz, Tap, Ballet/Pointe, Lyrical and Hip Hop.

Christine Rader, Former Artistic Director

Christine Rader began her early training at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet at age 9 and joined the Utah Youth Ballet in Linden, Utah at age 13. She then studied with Willam Christensen for 5 years at The Christensen Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ms. Rader was a guest artist dancing for the Utah Opera Company performing in Die Fledermaus and Aida. Christine attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Summer Intensive Program for 2 consecutive years. Ms. Rader was awarded a full tuition Scholarship for the University Of Utah Department of Ballet where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Christine danced with Ballet West for 3 seasons 1984-1986, including special roles in Vespri, La Sylphide, Western Symphony, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Abdullah, and Swan Lake. While in Salt Lake City, Utah Ms. Rader was an instructor at the Ballet Centre in 1990. She continued her education of ballet at Ruth Page Center for the Performing Arts in Chicago, IL. Christine has been an instructor with Pacific School of Dance since 2006 teaching ballet technique, pointe, variations, and pas de deux. In 2010 she was named Co- Artistic Director of Ballet Pacific on the Southern Oregon Coast. She resides in Coos Bay, OR with her husband and daughter.

Connie Hogge, Founding Artistic Director

Connie Hogge trained with Ballet Master Robert Irwin from 1960-1970. She performed principle roles in both classic and original ballets. Connie went on to study and perform ballet, modern dance, folk dance, and pre-classic dance as part of the University of Oregon Dance Department. Connie has continued training with classes and teaching seminars throughout the United States including the Zena Rommett Floor Barre Technique™ Certification 2008. Connie has been an instructor of classical ballet and pointe since 1972. She was Dance Program Director for Crossroads Creative and Performing Arts Center from 1973-1986, Program Director for Pacific Dance Spectrum 1991-1995, Program/Curriculum Director for Pacific School of Dance 1995-current. Connie has Choreographed several one act ballets and has worked as choreographer for musical theater. Connie was Artistic Director and Choreographer for Dance Umbrella Repertory Company from 1993-2009 and Co-Artistic Director of Ballet Pacific from 2009-2013.