Summer 2025
Join us at The University of Portland
Session One - July 6th -9th
Session Two - July 10th-13th
Fees:
Full Fees include 3 nights room and board
Day Fees include lunch & dinner
Full Camper Fee: $350.00
Full Coaches Fee: $275.00
Day Campers Fee: $250.00
Day Coaches: $175.00
michelle burch
Michelle with one of her favorite colleagues!
With a lifelong passion for dance and an impressive career in both performance and leadership, Michelle has dedicated years to shaping the dance community at the highest levels. Currently serving as Senior Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers, Michelle oversees the renowned BlazerDancers, as well as managing the Blazers Stunt Team and Rip City Crew.
A seasoned coach and mentor, Michelle previously led high school dance teams at Mt. View (Vancouver) and Banks High School, inspiring young dancers to excel both on and off the floor. Her extensive teaching experience spans Jefferson High School, Central Catholic High School, Ultimate Dance Experience (Connecticut), CMC Dance Studio/Company (New York), and Oregon Ballet Theater, showcasing a deep commitment to education and artistic development.
As a performer, Michelle spent six seasons as a BlazerDancer, captivating audiences with her talent and energy. She also served as the Principal Dancer and Assistant Director for the NW Afrikan American Ballet for two decades, leaving a lasting impact on the company and its mission. Her performance credits extend internationally, including appearances at The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, and The African Experience in Johannesburg, South Africa.
With a career spanning performance, coaching, and management, Michelle continues to be a driving force in the dance industry, bringing expertise, leadership, and passion to every stage she touches.
BJ Cerny
BJ is passing out end of camp gift 2024!
BJ has dedicated her life to dance, with a career spanning coaching, choreography, and performance. She began her journey in high school as a member of the West Linn dance team, where she served as captain and choreographer, leading the team to its first State Championship. Her passion for dance never faded, leading her to coach and choreograph for high school dance and cheer teams for over a decade, teach in studios for 16 years, and perform professionally both locally and internationally.
A key part of BJ’s legacy is her 40-year tenure with Thunderbird Dance Camps, where she has influenced generations of dancers. Through her work with Thunderbird, she has helped shape young dancers, instilling technique, discipline, and a love for the art. Her leadership also extends to the Oregon All-State Team auditions, where she choreographed for 19 years, and to the State Competition Grand Finale, which she has directed for 35 years.
BJ’s professional dance experience includes performing with the NBA’s Blazer Dancers, Arena Football’s Forestdragons, and the WNBA’s Fire, as well as two productions in Japan. Even after decades in the industry, she continues to dance, performing annually with the One More Time Around Again Marching Band at the Rose Festival and in various production companies.
Her unwavering commitment to dance is evident in her lifelong involvement, and she has no plans to stop anytime soon. Thunderbird Dance Camps remains a major part of her legacy, ensuring her impact on the dance community continues for years to come.
beth schlegel
Beth doing what she loves most, visiting the ocean.
Beth Schlegel has been an integral part of Thunderbird Dance Camp for as long as she can remember. Having grown up immersed in the camp’s energy, traditions, and community, she has dedicated her life to helping it thrive. For the past 15 years, Beth has played a vital role in ensuring a seamless experience for campers, managing registration, rooming assignments, and overseeing the camp store with efficiency and care. Now, as she steps into a leadership role alongside two of the best in the Pacific Northwest, she is eager to carry on the legacy of this family-run business.
Beyond her work with Thunderbird, Beth is a dedicated educator, serving as both a teacher and administrator. Her passion for shaping young minds extends beyond the classroom, as she spent six years coaching the Wilsonville High School dance team, helping athletes grow in skill and confidence. As a mom and an avid reader, she balances her many responsibilities with grace, bringing her strong organizational skills and calm demeanor to every aspect of her work.
Beth’s commitment to excellence and her deep connection to the Thunderbird community make her a natural fit to lead the camp into its next chapter. With her experience, leadership, and unwavering dedication, she is ready to continue fostering the welcoming and dynamic environment that has made Thunderbird Dance Camp a beloved tradition for generations.
What We Do:
Thunderbird Dance Camp is a story of identifying and advancing the positive in each other. This is the philosophy we embrace and the legacy we continue to impart to the dancers who attend each of our camps.
Yes. Thunderbird Dance Camp is about dancing.
Thunderbird is also about heart. Who we are, as a community, contributes significantly to our rich history. Staff, teachers, dancers and coaches join together every year and, we make each other better.
Under the leadership of director’s Peggy Schlegel and Betsy Schott, dancers hone their skills, dripping sweat as they move from one class to the next. Tucked among the pliés and grand jetés, Thunderbird Dance Camp weaves in big picture themes and nourishment for the soul.
Put Your Heart In It
Kindness...
Coupé It Forward
Take a Chance on Dance
Have Fun Gettin’ It Done
All Together Now
Make Every Moment Count
These messages hold lessons for all of us about dancing and life.
Invariably, at some point during a Thunderbird Dance Camp, you will see another of our traditions that is part of our story. It isn’t printed on the schedule. It just happens. Peggy and Betsy play Tina Turner’s 1989 hit song, “Simply the Best.” Staff and teachers jump and dance. They clap, hands in the air. They hug each other, swaying and singing along with Tina as loud as they can.
Through the years, Thunderbird has become a community, created with pieces of us and all of you.
Thunderbird Dance Camp is “Simply the Best!”
Our Mission
We believe in coaching the whole dancer. We train and prepare physically, mentally and emotionally. Our choreography is challenging to the performer and entertaining to the audience. We strive to help each student develop healthy self-esteem. We work to instill self-worth and to inspire each dancer. We create experiences that encourage collaboration. We motivate one another to participate and contribute to our teams and community, making full use of our talents, capabilities and potential. Most of all, we embrace a continuing love of dance.
“I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”