Susan Frikken, DPT, LMT, Instructor and Co-Founder

“My goal is to incorporate arts and nature into therapeutic practice, helping to change the way of health and wellness care in our country. I love to dance, bicycle, be outside, and play at just about anything, so I try to stay healthy and able in case I’m invited to join in! I am a physical therapist in private practice (Yahara Therapy) in Madison, Wisconsin, a graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013. I’ve been a massage therapist since 1993. Areas of special interest are restoring optimal posture and function, conservative scoliosis management, soft tissue work (massage), and – of course! – balance and falls prevention! I’m honored to have been adjunct faculty and guest lecturer at UW for the DPT program. Also, I’m a certified leader of Stepping On, an evidence-based falls reduction program. Proudly, I am a founding member of the Madison Area Wellness Collective [now Be Well Madison], making health and wellness choices easier through connecting practitioners and community. Originally from metro Detroit, I live in Madison with my wife and animals.”

Krista Spiro, Instructor & Advisory Board Member

“I am a long-time Madisonian who loves music and dance. I learned ballroom dancing as an undergraduate and started the Madison Argentine Tango Society. I enjoy dancing at community events with my family and friends, and try to keep up with my kid’s hip-hop moves. I enjoy travel, camping, biking, learning languages and being outdoors as much as possible. I earned a Master’s of Physical Therapy at UW Madison and work at Unity Point Health Meriter in the area of neurological physical therapy. I am a certified in leader of Stepping On, an evidence-based falls reduction program. I love that dancing can bring joy to exercise and be a means to improve confidence, balance and energy.”

Hannah Johnson, Instructor & Advisory Board Member

“For as long as I can remember, dance has been a part of my life. It began with figure skating at age 3. Since then I’ve enjoyed swing dancing, salsa, Zumba, and Chicago-style steppin with friends. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 2011 with a Biology degree. I met Susan during graduate school at UW-Madison and enjoyed volunteering with Ballroom Basics for Balance classes in its early years. Currently, I am an outpatient physical therapist certified in orthopedics practicing in Spring Green, WI. I’m passionate about helping seniors find ways to incorporate movement into their lives. I can’t think of any activity more fun than dance!”