Ann Bode - DSD Director

Ann Bode—Desert Star Dance Director

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Ann studied with Dee Dee Arnone of the San Francisco Ballet. She later moved to Los Angeles and received a scholarship to Dupree Dance Academy. She began her professional career traveling with the dance troupe “The Dancin’ Machine”. She toured the US, Europe, and even Africa. After the tour, she moved to Las Vegas to dance in the award winning production show “Splash”.

Splash was the most popular show in Las Vegas in the 80’s and 90’s and played at the Riviera Hotel for over 20 years. Ann was featured in the show for seven years, after which she headlined at the Desert Inn in “Showstopper” as the lead singer/dancer. During this time she also choreographed and danced in several of her own night club acts, and performed in many corporate shows. She also appeared in several television shows, commercials, and movies, but her love was for live theater.

Upon retiring from the stage, Ann went on to become the dance and casting director as well as the costume coordinator for KR Entertainment. She managed and directed over 200 dancers in Reno, Las Vegas, and Japan. She also oversaw the budgeting and administration of millions of dollars worth of costumes and helped bring to life a myriad of incredible designs from the drawing room to the stage.

Ann started Desert Star Dance in December of 2003 running classes out of a local health club. While operating with no studio to call home, DSD began to grow. Eventually, Desert Star Dance found a home in Gilbert at it’s current location. It has grown from 40 students to 250. Ann is thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on her through Desert Star Dance. She knows that the success of Desert Star is due to the group of talented teachers and front desk staff that create the warm friendly atmosphere at the studio. Ann is also thankful for the wonderful students and families that study at the school. She would personally like to thank them for choosing Desert Star!