Keli Lesker

Owner

Keli Lesker is originally from Los Angles, California, and has been a renowned choreographer and dance instructor for over 20 years. She has studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, lyrical, ballroom, and hip hop from various studios in Southern California. Keli has trained with top choreographers and teachers including Joe Tremaine, Tina and Dee Caspary, Bob Woodard, Jason Beitel, Rob Schultz, Richard Kauzmtch, Preston Lee, Nancy Paradis, Stacy and Fransisco Martinez, and more. Keli was the owner and Company Director of Dance House, California locations, for 13 years. She has choreographed for the Special Olympics, Euro Disney Opening Ceremonies, as well as the LA Clippers Halftime, Team Rave LA, Debbie Reynolds Showcase, Cirque Des Fleurs at The Music Box (Hollywood), award-winning DH Company, nationally recognized competition teams, numerous community events, and fundraisers, just to name a few. Many of her students have gone on to pursue careers as professional dancers in the industry; i.e. Cirque du Soliel, Alvin Ailey Dance Co., Executive Director of IHollywood, "Wicked", "Hairspray", So You Think You Can Dance contestants, Star Search contestants, Disney (Anaheim) Stage shows and parades, So You Think You Can Dance (Europe) winner, Artistic Director, and Choreographer at Knockturnallheads, owner of Sharp International, Julliard, and numerous college dance teams. She has also trained and choreographed for many Songleading, Cheer, and Dance Teams. Keli has judged for Dance Rave Talent Competition as well as the Culver City Figure Skating Championships (Artistic Judge). She is also a recipient of the Capezio Choreography Award for jazz. 

Lacie Lovitt

Lacie Lovitt is a life-long dancer from La Canada  California, where her family owned the Dance House Academy of Performing Arts. She became a teacher and choreographer at the age of 13 while continuing her dream in becoming a national title winner. Her titles include; Miss Starpower, Miss Dance Rave, Miss StarSystems, Hall of Fame Dance Challenge inductee and Showstoppers National video winner with the highest scoring solo over all ages in jazz. Lacie is thankful for her training with the top teachers in Los Angeles; Debbie Reynolds, Joe Tremaine, Bob Woodard, Wade Robson, Dee Caspary, Ray Leeper, Preston Lee and her sister Keli Lesker. She has appeared in a variety of productions ranging from classical and contemporary ballets, musical theater productions, and industrials. Some of her credits include; Debbie Reynolds Showcase/dancer, Star Search semi-finalist/choreographer, Good Morning America/choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance/pilot dancer,  Zombie Cheerleader Movie/cheerleader, The Magic Castle Hollywood/dancer, Team Rave LA, San Francisco and New York dance company/dancer and choreographer and a Sharp International/judge. Lacie is blessed with the gift of being able to connect with all ages and skill levels.

Tiffiny Wayland

Beauchamp

Tiffiny Wayland, a California native, has been dancing, performing, and teaching, for over 15 years. She is an award-winning choreographer! Tiffiny grew up and trained in the Dance House family and soon became an outstanding teacher and choreographer. Her training includes ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, salsa, and hip hop. Over the past two decades, she has competed at the highest levels, winning awards in jazz and lyrical solo performances. She has also performed in the 1998 Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, Team Rave LA, Dance House Company, LA Clippers Halftime, Sharp International Entertainers, and numerous community events and fundraisers. Tiffiny has choreographed for Team Rave LA (San Fransisco), Dance House competition teams, and performances; Nightmare on Rosemead, The Little Mermaid, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Frozen, and Peter Pan. In addition, she has been an instructor and choreographer for several Southern California high school song leading, Cheer, and Dance teams.

Trisha Turns

Trisha Turns has grown up dancing around the St. Louis area. She has been dancing since the age of four and competing since the age of five. Although trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, her favorite style of dance is tap. Trisha has won scholarships to California and New York for her tap solos as well as competed all over the United States. Trisha has been invited to travel with tap companies in New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles! Trisha most enjoys sharing her love for dance with many young aspiring dancers!

Brian Morris

Brian Morris grew up training in local dance studios and competed in all large circuits, Brian has won many titles like Mr.Starquest, Mr.Legacy, Mr.Spotlight, and more! Brian has a huge passion for lyrical and jazz, he also loves to clean routines and get them stage-ready! Brian was also apart of his award-winning high school dance team! While dancing for Civic Memorial High School, Brian won 4 State Titles, 4 Grand Championships, All-American Dancer, Top Gun Turns, and more! Brian is also a dance judge for studio and drill team dance competitions all over America. Brian began his dance adjudication career with a passion to provide more than just a score, but critiques to truly help the teams/person grow. Brian strives to provide the most effective feedback for dance teams, studios, and dancers across the United States. Brian judges for many associations like IDTA (Illinois Drill Team Association) certified general effect judge, IHSA (Illinois High School Association) certified official, IHSDTA (Indiana High School Dance Team Association) advanced judge, DTU (Dance Team Union), NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), TeamDance National Chamionship (Studio Competition). Brian also has received a certification from NDCA as an advanced dance judge.

Garrick Johnson

Garrick Johnson, II (G2) is a native of Saint Louis MO, and is currently a Hip Hop dance instructor and coach at Studio L.  At 12 years old, he pursued hip hop dance with the Anointed Feet Christian Dance Academy of the Arts, and has never stopped.  Over the years, he’s founded a youth dance, mentoring program called the Multicultural Family Center Hip Hop Kidz in Dubuque, IA, became a member of Dreaming Allegiance Dance Crew, taught hip hop dance as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Dubuque, choreographed the Madagascar Jr stage play at Dubuque’s Grand Opera House, and opened up for various artists and dance companies — including, but not limited to, Chicago Dance Crash and Las Vegas’s Michael Jackson LIVE.  Garrick returned to Saint Louis at the end 2018, and continues to share his passion for the fine and performing arts with studios and artists throughout the Missouri and Illinois regions. 

Ally Poe

My name is Ally and I have been dancing for almost ten years. I have attended Studio L for my entire dance career and have been a member of the SLDC crew since the very first show. I was a part of the competition team for four nonconsecutive years, but danced recreationally for the other six. Currently, I head up the Pre-Dance class for dancers ages 2-3. I am also the director of our Musical Theatre program, and teach beginning turns and tumbling as well.

Katie Kiernan

Katie has danced in the St. Louis area since the age of 3 and has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and acro. She has been a part of studio teams (including Studio L), as well as, Belleville East High School dance team and McKendree University Competitive dance team. While competing with Belleville East and McKendree, Katie’s teams have received state awards and placed in the top ten for NDA Collegiate Nationals. She is also a representative within the American College Dance Association, which has given her the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers and dancers from all over the country. Katie currently teaches Mini classes at Studio L. The passion for dance that begins to build in the little ones is something that she loves to see and is grateful to be a part of.

Tabby Prokopf

Tabby has been dancing since she was 6 and started competing right away. She has danced with different teams but ended up finding her forever dance home at Studio L when she was 15. Tabby is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Acro/Tumbling. She currently teaches a tumbling class, but has also taught tap classes. Tabby is currently going to school at SIUE to be a pediatric nurse. Growing up in a dance studio and teaching has made her have a soft spot for kids.

Mckenzie Grzina

McKenzie is a student at Webster University currently pursuing a BFA in dance with an emphasis in modern. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and has been trained in Ballet, Modern, Aerial, and Musical Theatre styles. McKenzie has even danced with Belleville East Marching Lancers and their indoor drumline in high school. McKenzie has also achieved up to Grade 5 in the Cecchetti curriculum. She has worked with Maggi Dueker, Jennifer Riley, Gregory Dawson, Ashley McQueen, and Lara Teeter both in classes and performances. McKenzie enjoys teaching and is so happy to be a part of the staff at Studio L.

Journee Brownridge

Journee is currently a high school student at O’Fallon Township High School. She has been dancing and competing for five years, all of which spent at Studio L. She is trained in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Acro, Hip Hop, and Tap. Her titles include Miss Teen Starquest and two consecutive Miss Headliners wins. Though she has not been dancing for long, she quickly found a passion and love for dance and teaching. She currently teaches Ballet 1, Petite Tap, Tiny Tappers, Hip Hop, Jr Jazz 1, and Jazz 1. She loves teaching all ages and aspires to become a dancer/choreographer out of high school.

Bailey Mrsich

Bailey Mrsich began gymnastics class as a toddler and was placed on the competition team at age 4.  She began competing Level 4 at age 6 and worked her way through the USAG levels, reaching Level 10 in 7th Grade.  During her gymnastics career, Bailey earned 2 overall First Place State titles, 12 individual event First Place State Placements, and dozens of top titles during the regular competition seasons.  She competed for Midwest Twisters Gymnastics in Shiloh and World Class Gymnastics in Belleville.  After retiring from competitive gymnastics due to injury, she joined the competitive Tumbling and Trampoline program at Pride in Collinsville.  Bailey began coaching as a junior coach while still in high school.  After graduating, she has continued  coaching for a competition gymnastics team. Bailey is excited to share her love of gymnastics with everyone!