West Liberty High School has announced the hiring of Ella Lemke as the new head coach of the school’s dance team.
A recent graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, Lemke brings a strong background in dance education, choreography, performance, and competitive dance instruction to the position. She is a 2022 graduate of Maquoketa Community High School and also earned her Associate of Arts degree from Eastern Iowa Community College that same year.
Since 2019, Lemke has served as an instructor and choreographer at Tempo Dance Studio, teaching dancers ages 2-18 in a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, acrobatics, and tumbling. She specializes in technique-based movement quality and is passionate about helping students grow both technically and artistically.
“We are excited to welcome Ella to West Liberty High School as the new leader of our dance team program,” said West Liberty High School Activities Director Adam Loria. “Ella brings tremendous energy, creativity, and experience working with students of all ages. Her background in choreography, competitive dance, and dance education will be a great asset to our students and our activities program.”
In addition to teaching, Lemke has spent the past six years as a faculty member of Tempo Dance Studio’s competitive dance team program, earning multiple choreography awards and overall placements at both regional and national competitions for her solos, duos/trios, and group routines. Most recently, she received the Jazz Choreography Award from the Platinum National Dance Competition and the Overall Small Group Choreography Award from the Rainbow Dance Competition during the 2025-2026 competitive dance season.
Lemke also continues to work and choreograph for Tempo Dance Studio while serving as a dance instructor and front desk attendant at Nolte Academy since 2023. In that role, she has gained valuable experience in studio operations, scheduling, organization, and customer relations.
Her collegiate dance education at the University of Iowa further shaped her philosophy as both an educator and choreographer through numerous performances and creative opportunities within the university’s dance department. She has also served as choreographer for multiple junior musical productions at the Ohnward Fine Arts Center, creating productions featuring casts of more than 60 young performers.
A former competitive dancer and varsity dance team member herself, Lemke continues to share her passion for dance through teaching, choreography, and mentorship while inspiring the next generation of dancers.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join West Liberty High School and lead the dance team program,” Lemke said. “I look forward to building strong relationships with the dancers, helping them grow as performers and individuals, and creating a positive and rewarding experience for the entire team. I’m excited and ready to begin this next chapter at West Liberty.”