Staff

Staff members

Directors & Instructors

John Morton - Director/Intermediate Instructor: John started learning clogging at age ten when he joined the Dance Ranch Cloggers under the instruction of his mother, Rhoda. He danced with the group for about twelve years, playing the role of teen instructor/choreographer. At the end of 2004, Rhoda handed the reigns of the group over to him and in 2005, the group was renamed Wild Country Cloggers. After four years of operation, in 2009, John decided to take his club one step further and formed Wild Country Dance Studio, Inc.; with a new focus in mind of one day offering other forms of dance along with clogging.

Shannon Morton - Advanced Instructor: Shannon has been with WCC since 2005, she signed on as just a dancer. After nearly 15 years with the Hill Country Cloggers of Upstate New York, she moved to the Bennington area and joined to merely save on gas. Since her inital entry, she has given so much to the members of our company and now handles most of our competition directorial duties.

Sarah Matteson - Beginner Instructor: Sarah got her start in clogging with the Hill Country Cloggers of Upstate New York along with her niece, Shannon. Sarah officially joined WCC in the fall of 2008 but was active in some of our functions previously. Merely volunteering at some of our gatherings or fundraisers, Sara loved the feeling of family and unity she felt within our organization. Sara now works with our beginner and intermediate students, she is the one helping to build the foundation of what might be, our future star performers.

Rhoda Morton - Adult Instructor: Rhoda is considered one of the "pioneers" of clogging here in the Bennington area. She started it all for us back in 1991! Wild Country was originally formed as a club under the name, "Dance Ranch Cloggers" and operated for 14 years with that moniker. She handed owership over to her son, John at the end of 2004 after announcing her retirement. She returned to performing in 2006 and has remained active within WCC as the instructor for the Adult/Mature class. She is also the director of our satellite studio that offers lessons for students who may need weeknight classes.

Misc. positions

Linda Corey - Videographer/Photographer

Neal Hawver - Audio and Sound Coordinator

Shane Squires - Sponsorship and Fundraising Manager

Jessica Hayes - Videographer/Photographer