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.
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!)
Kelly Bahr
Contemporary and Jazz.
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!
Monkey.
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.
Tomoko Chun
My favorite style of dance is, of course, ballet!
I was 3 when I started ballet.
I like cooking.
My favorite foods are dumplings and ice cream.
My favorite animal is a dog.
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.
Ainsley Ercanbrack
My favorite style of dance is a close tie between contemporary and jazz.
I started dancing at the age of 3.
I enjoy working out and lifting and I especially love when I get to gym with my family and boyfriend.
My favorite food is Mediterranean chicken bowls and a crispy Diet Coke.
My favorite animal is either a bird or a dog.
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.
Alyssa Lunardi
My favorite style to dance is Jazz.
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!
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.
Ice cream
My favorite animal is my texas heeler, Shep. Also, mountain goats.
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, kal-guksu, udon).
I adore all animals! Especially cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, seals, otters, and foxes.
Adri Polyak
Absolutely tap!
I enjoy anything that involves being outside: riding bikes, paddle boarding, camping, reading.
My favorite food would be a Mediterranean salad or bowl.
Jenae Plaisance
My favorite style of dance is Ballet.
Bailey Roberts
Kellsie Steele
Rebecca Wildner
My favorite style of dance to dance is contemporary.