Dance Team

Michaela Patterson of Council Bluffs begins her third season as Head Dance Coach for the 2023-24 season.  Patterson oversaw the revitalization of competitive dance at Iowa Western Community College in 2020-21.

Last season, Patterson and her squad competed at the DTU National Championships in Orlando, FL.  The team finished as national champions in Open Pom with a score of 87.98, just 1.2 points ahead of Trinity Valley.  The Reivers also finished second in Open Hip Hop and third in Open Jazz.

Patterson brings a wealth of experience to the new Reiver Dance Team. A native of Council Bluffs, Patterson is a veteran dance instructor who has earned countless choreography awards for her studio work with Miss Tammy’s School of Dance in Neola, Iowa and Miss Tammy’s Absolute Dance competitive dance team. She has instructed and choreographed various dance styles since signing on with Miss Tammy’s in September 2010 and has taught dancers from age 3 to 18. When dance studio owner Tammy Leehy announced a new venture called “Absolute Dance Academy” in the Spring 2021, Patterson was promoted to a new role as Outreach Director. In addition to her teaching duties, she will coordinate outreach for the studio and provide a prep program for students interested in pursuing high school and collegiate dance opportunities.

Patterson has served since 2014 as the Head Dance Team Coach and choreographer at Thomas Jefferson High School, where she built an award-winning program in her short time there. She rebuilt the program from nine dancers to 28 in 2020, providing training in creative dance, technique and strength skills to the team. In addition to her dance role, Patterson served as Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director at Thomas Jefferson, aiding the department in everything from managing activity funds and accounts, to the coordination of facilities and the promotion of school and community activities.

Patterson has two children, Jace and Kira.