Backstage Staff

Teaching Staff

For over 40 years, Backstage Dance Studio has built confidence, character, and community through the art of dance and our staff is at the heart of that mission. We are a team of passionate, experienced instructors dedicated to creating a warm, encouraging environment where students can thrive. With a focus on building self-esteem, discipline, teamwork, and creativity, our teachers guide dancers to reach their full potential through patience, support, and inspiration. We offer expert instruction in a wide variety of styles, including acro, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pointe, contemporary, creative movement, pre-ballet, pre-hip hop, and musical theater.

All of our staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid, ensuring a safe environment for every student! Additionally, our acro class instructors are certified through Acrobatic Arts, a training program designed to equip dance educators with the skills to teach acrobatics with proper technique and care.

Dance teacher and studio owner Marty

Marty Roberts

I don’t have a favorite. I love dance, children and music, so here I am! But, if I had to choose I would currently say tap is my favorite. I love the interesting rhythms and footwork, and the challenge of making it visually entertaining too.

Age 7, and I quote my mother’s words “so you won’t be klutzy.”

Not a lot of hobbies right now… I’m 100% in this business and loving it! BUT, when I have time, I love to travel, and when I retire/cut back I will take piano lessons, learn French and Italian, and possibly learn how to cook, maybe.

I’ve never met a bad chocolate chip cookie 🙂

I’d be interested in a pet orangutan, if there was a way to do that! (As long as my husband wouldn’t divorce me, but I’m pretty sure he would!)

Staff member Kelly

Kelly Bahr

I started when I was 5, but then I quit for a year and started again when I was 7 because my cousin got really cool costumes the year I didn’t dance.

Anything artsy… painting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, crafting, etc. My degree is in graphic design. 

Pizza and Ice Cream!

Staff member Lauren

Lauren Chenoweth

Tap holds a special place in my heart. I love the musicality and the brain power it utilizes.

I started dancing at age 6.

I love to read! My book collection grows a little every day.

It changes by the day. A couple staples would be poke, fried chicken, and pretty much any kind of brunch food.

I go back and forth between owls and cats.

Madison Duffy

My favorite style to dance is ballet.

I started dancing when I was three years old. 

When I’m not dancing my favorite thing to do is run.

My favorite food is Oreo cookies.

My favorite animal is an orca whale.

Tomoko Chun

My favorite style of dance is, of course, ballet!

I was 3 when I started ballet. 

My favorite foods are dumplings and ice cream.

My favorite animal is a dog.

Dance teacher Leta

Leta Frisch

I grew up dancing ballet, but as a young adult I got involved in Musical Theater and added Jazz to the style of dance I enjoyed dancing.

I started dancing at age 6.

Other hobbies I have are singing, reading, movies, sewing, walking my dog, and spending time with family.

I LOVE food!!! Mexican, Asian, and BBQ are my favorites.

I have more than one favorite…dogs (Boston Terrier = dog for me), horses (we had two while I was growing up), bunnies, and birds.

Staff member Rhonda

Rhonda George

Depending on what mood I am in, I would say, I enjoy dancing lyrical/contemporary; however, a sassy jazz is always fun!!

I was 8 years old when I started taking ballet classes.

Being a mom to my two children has been my hobby, but spending time with friends and family, scrap booking, traveling for competitions, and cuddling my dog.

I suppose I should say kale or something green, but honestly, it’s probably mashed potatoes and artichokes.

I find most animals to be majestic, especially in the cat family, lions, cheetahs, panthers, etc. and of course any puppy.

Shandie Hensley

My favorite style to dance to would have to be jazz. Such a hard question!
 
I started dancing at about age 11.

I enjoy camping, swimming, anything outdoors!

My favorite animal is a wolf.

Staff member Alyssa

Alyssa Lunardi

My favorite style to dance is Jazz.

 
I started dancing at 2 years old.

I love to read, go to the beach, and spend time with my family!

Italian is my favorite type of food.

Cats are my favorite animal!

Chisako Maeda

I love all styles, but I have always loved hip hop.

I started dancing when I was 4 years old.

Outside of dance I like to camp.

My favorite food is any type of pasta! 

My favorite animal is a cat or jellyfish!

Isabelle Mazza

My favorite dance style is contemporary, but I love all!

I started dancing at age 5.

I LOVE sleeping! I also enjoy relaxing and doing crafts.

Pasta! I love spaghetti but really any kind. I also love pasta salad.

I love bears, but my favorite is my dog, Goob!

Dance teacher Elise

Elise Meiners

Ballet has always been my love but my second is Gaga, which is a dance language from Israel.

I started at age 3 — my mom was my teacher!

Music, art, any outdoor activity or sport.

My favorite animal is my texas heeler, Shep. Also, mountain goats.

Staff member Tani

Tani Ohashi

The style with endless possibilities – MODERN.

I officially started dancing at age six. I tried when I was younger, but was too shy!

There are so many (my Venus is in Gemini)! All forms of design, fashion, arts and crafts, baking, astrology, and most importantly traveling.

Hands down, noodle soup (i.e. ramen, phở, wonton, yen ta fo, naengmyoen, udon).

I adore all animals! Especially cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, seals, otters, and foxes. 

Jenae Plaisance

My favorite style of dance is Ballet.

 
I started dancing at age 6.
I like to knit, crochet and travel with my family. 
My favorite food is Thai food. Fun fact, I lived in Thailand for 1 year. 
My favorite animal is the platypus. Did you know a baby platypus is called a Puggle.
Staff member Bailey

Bailey Roberts

In utero (the life of a studio owner’s kid).
Woodworking, gardening and building things.
 
Mashed potatoes.
Boring normal animal = cat, exotic animal = sloth.
 

Kellsie Steele

I began dancing at age 3. 
I like to play tennis, snowboard, and travel.
 
My mom’s enchiladas! 
My cat named Louie.
 

Rebecca Wildner

My favorite style of dance to dance is contemporary.

I started dancing as a young child at 3 years old, and started my pre-professional training at 7 years old.
Other than dancing, I enjoy hiking, camping, hosting events, making art and cooking!
 
My favorite food is cheese.
My favorite animal is a giraffe.

Customer Care Staff

Bailey Roberts

Team Manager

Tara Waller

Office Manager

Katelin Ovsak

Office Team Member

Ann Skelley

Office Team Member
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