Profile for Ashley Dobrogosz
Contact me
Ashley Dobrogosz Pronounce my name
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Assistant Professor
Theatre & Dance
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Specialty area(s)
Dance, Choreography
Brief biography
Ashley is a dancer, educator, and choreographer. She is the Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse in the Department of Theatre and Dance. She received her MFA in Dance from the University of Arizona, studying under Sam Watson, Michael Williams, Autumn Eckman, and Tammy Dyke-Compton. She received her BFA in Dance from Radford University, studying under Amy VanKirk, Bob Boross, and danah bella. Professionally, Ashley has performed with Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company, Dance Art Theater, and Exhale Dance Tribe. Currently, Ashley advises dance minors throughout their UWL dance experience and teaches a wide variety of courses in the program. She accompanies students to regional festivals and conferences including the Wisconsin Dance Council’s annual festival and the American College Dance Association conference. Ashley is the resident choreographer for UWL musical theatre productions such as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Cinderella, James and the Giant Peach, A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, and Cabaret. She is the director and lead choreographer for the department’s biennial dance concert, Art in Motion. Trained by The Ailey School, Ashley is a certified Ailey Horton Technique teacher.
Current courses at UWL
Fall '26: Foundations of Dance (THA 223), Musical Theatre 1 (THA 229), Tap 2 (THA 326)
Education
MFA in Dance- University of Arizona
BFA in Dance- Radford University
Certifications: Ailey Horton Technique
Career
Teaching history
At UWL, Ashley teaches a wide variety of dance courses in the minor that include multiple levels of jazz, modern, musical theatre and tap. Additional teaching credits include Foundations of Dance, Improvisation, Dance History, and Composition of Dance. She advises student choreographers in productions such as the Composition of Dance student choreography showcase.
At the University of Arizona, Ashley was the instructor of record for courses such as Jazz 1 (DNC 144A), Jazz 2 (DNC 144B), Jazz 3 (DNC 144C), Tap 1 (DNC 176A), Tap 2 (DNC 176B), Modern 1 (DNC 152A), Modern 2 (DNC 152B), and Improvisation (DNC 143). Prior to her time at U of A, Ashley taught various dance styles and ages at multiple dance studios in the DC area and in Cincinnati, OH.
While her work spans between the classroom and onstage, from dance to musical theatre, Ashley always aims to model integrity, empathy, professionalism, and lifelong learning. Her teaching philosophy is centered around breaking the toxic and competitive stigma that exists in dance. In all settings, dance can be a joyful experience without minimizing hard work and dedication. Dancers can expect to leave her class with stronger technical skills, more confidence in their abilities, and a deeper respect for the artform of dance.
Professional history
Ashley has performed professionally in NYC, Cincinnati, OH, and around the DC area. She held company positions with Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company, Dance Art Theater, and Exhale Dance Tribe. She performed in festivals such as the Choreographers Canvas, Jazz and Tap Festival, and the DC Fringe Festival. She worked with choreographers such as Jon Lehrer, Tiffanie Carson, Marilyn York, Missy Lay-Zimmer Hubbard, and Andrew Hubbard. Ashley has worked on regional musicals, choreographing for shows such as James and the Giant Peach (OH), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (OH), and Chicago (OH).
Locally, Ashley’s choreography has been performed in a variety of shows produced by I&E Dance Studio. Regionally, her choreography, Check., was selected to perform in the 2024 Wisconsin Dance Council DC Mini Dance Festival.
Memberships: Wisconsin Dance Council (West Central Director), National Dance Education Organization (member).
Kudos
presented
elected
presented
directed
presented