Laurie Stoianowski - Owner/President, Instructor
Laurie is a veteran dancer and instructor of 56 years. She is a former dancer with Randazzo Dance Studio and the Ypsilanti Area Dancers. At the age of 17, she was recruited by the Southwest Ballet Company in Austin, Texas. She has owned the Tecumseh studio for 29 years and the Saline studio for 19 years. Laurie manages the competition team and enjoys working with the Adv. Ballet & Int/Adv. Pointe classes.
Laurie is a veteran dancer and instructor of 56 years. She is a former dancer with Randazzo Dance Studio and the Ypsilanti Area Dancers. At the age of 17, she was recruited by the Southwest Ballet Company in Austin, Texas. She has owned the Tecumseh studio for 29 years and the Saline studio for 19 years. Laurie manages the competition team and enjoys working with the Adv. Ballet & Int/Adv. Pointe classes.
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Kristen Meadows - Saline and Tecumseh Studio Managers, Instructor
Kristen Meadows began her dance training at the age of 4. She began teaching children at age 16, while still training and performing all across Northern Michigan. She received her B.S. in Dance Studio Management from Eastern Michigan University in 2009. While at EMU, Kristen had the opportunity to perform in many university performances, as well as at the American College Dance Festival and the Michigan Choreographers’ Showcase. In 2011, Kristen became a member of the International Tap Dance Association. She is also an adjunct professor of Tap Dance and Ballet at Eastern Michigan University, and the resident choreographer for Saline Community Education's Youth Theater Program. Kristen is the Studio Manager for both Saline and Tecumseh locations. |
Doris Dowell - Instructor
Doris is a professional dance performer, choreographer, and instructor based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has performed locally, nationally as well as internationally – including London and Singapore – throughout her life. A Cum Laude graduate from Eastern Michigan University, Doris has received her Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance and Choreography. Doris has also had the honor to perform at many performance opportunities including the American College Dance Festival, and the Annual EMU Dance Concert featuring both faculty and guest artist works.
Doris is a professional dance performer, choreographer, and instructor based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has performed locally, nationally as well as internationally – including London and Singapore – throughout her life. A Cum Laude graduate from Eastern Michigan University, Doris has received her Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance and Choreography. Doris has also had the honor to perform at many performance opportunities including the American College Dance Festival, and the Annual EMU Dance Concert featuring both faculty and guest artist works.
Reeves DeVoe - Instructor
Reeves DeVoe studied dance therapy at Eastern Michigan University (2014-19) where he performed in various ballets and dance concerts such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Midsummer Nights Dream and Coppelia. Outside of Eastern, Reeves has danced for Abigayle Cryderman in the Ypsi Dance Swap, Detroit Dance Race, Detroit Dance City Festival, Detroit Dance Exchange, Going Dutch Dance Festival, Koresh Artists Showcase and the DUMBO festival. Along with instructing at Dance Steps, Reeves also teaches adaptive movement classes through Ballet Chelsea's adaptive dance program.
Reeves DeVoe studied dance therapy at Eastern Michigan University (2014-19) where he performed in various ballets and dance concerts such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Midsummer Nights Dream and Coppelia. Outside of Eastern, Reeves has danced for Abigayle Cryderman in the Ypsi Dance Swap, Detroit Dance Race, Detroit Dance City Festival, Detroit Dance Exchange, Going Dutch Dance Festival, Koresh Artists Showcase and the DUMBO festival. Along with instructing at Dance Steps, Reeves also teaches adaptive movement classes through Ballet Chelsea's adaptive dance program.
Abigail Postema - Instructor
Abigail Postema has studied dance for over 16 years. She began her training in Central Michigan, developing a strong background in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. During this time she earned a professional level ballet certification in the Cecchetti method. She also danced competitively throughout the state of Michigan and worked with many guest artists from across the country. She is currently a student at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Public Relations and double-minoring in Dance and Entertainment Management. At EMU she has had the opportunity to perform in multiple university performances, as well as at the American
College Dance Festival and the Detroit Dance Race.
Abigail Postema has studied dance for over 16 years. She began her training in Central Michigan, developing a strong background in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. During this time she earned a professional level ballet certification in the Cecchetti method. She also danced competitively throughout the state of Michigan and worked with many guest artists from across the country. She is currently a student at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Public Relations and double-minoring in Dance and Entertainment Management. At EMU she has had the opportunity to perform in multiple university performances, as well as at the American
College Dance Festival and the Detroit Dance Race.
Grace Morris - Instructor
Grace Morris received a BBA and a second major in Dance – Studio Management from Eastern Michigan University. She has been teaching for 3 years, and has been dancing since age 7. During her college dance career, she had many opportunities to perform annual concerts as well as at the American College Dance Association. Grace was a co-choreographer for a duet which was chosen to perform in the ACDA Informal Concert, in 2018. Grace grew up training in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, and has passed Cecchetti Ballet Levels I-V. Her favorite styles are Contemporary and Jazz, and her goal as a teacher is to encourage dancers to express
themselves through dance.
Grace Morris received a BBA and a second major in Dance – Studio Management from Eastern Michigan University. She has been teaching for 3 years, and has been dancing since age 7. During her college dance career, she had many opportunities to perform annual concerts as well as at the American College Dance Association. Grace was a co-choreographer for a duet which was chosen to perform in the ACDA Informal Concert, in 2018. Grace grew up training in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, and has passed Cecchetti Ballet Levels I-V. Her favorite styles are Contemporary and Jazz, and her goal as a teacher is to encourage dancers to express
themselves through dance.
Marissa Relitz - Instructor
Miss Marissa started dancing at age six in Ann Arbor, She started competing at age ten in Tap and Jazz and eventually competed in Lyrical and Pointe as well. She graduated from Alma college with a BA in dance where she performed in many classical Ballets and Modern pieces, as well as in many Jazz and Tap numbers. She choreographed Tap and Modern pieces for the student choreography shows each year. After college she joined Third Coast Dance Company and has been teaching and dancing professionally around the state of Michigan.
Miss Marissa started dancing at age six in Ann Arbor, She started competing at age ten in Tap and Jazz and eventually competed in Lyrical and Pointe as well. She graduated from Alma college with a BA in dance where she performed in many classical Ballets and Modern pieces, as well as in many Jazz and Tap numbers. She choreographed Tap and Modern pieces for the student choreography shows each year. After college she joined Third Coast Dance Company and has been teaching and dancing professionally around the state of Michigan.
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Anna Manchester - Instructor
Miss Anna started dancing when she was only 3 years old. She fell in love with dance and has loved every second of it for the past 16 years. She moved to Encore Dance studio when she was just in sixth grade and joined the Junior Performance Competition team. She has received many awards and gone to many competitions over the years. Miss Anna has been casted in many parts in the Nutcracker Ballet. Anna graduated from Lumen Christi Catholic High School in 2018 and currently attends Adrian College. While attending Adrian College Anna is also a member of the Adrian College Women's Dance Team. She is majoring in interior design and minoring in graphic design. She is very excited to be teaching and can't wait to meet all of her dancers. |
Kristen Hudecz - Instructor
Miss Kristen has been dancing since the age of three and teaching since the age of sixteen; she is trained in many styles, but mostly in contemporary, modern, Cecchetti ballet, and musical theatre. Kristen first trained recreationally and competitively in her hometown of Gladwin, Michigan, where she was also an active performer and choreographer in local choir and theatre. Kristen later attended Eastern Michigan University, earning two bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Dance Performance in April 2020. Kristen performed in countless works with the EMU Dance Program, including residency works set by choreographers and students from the Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham dance companies, and a total of five works, including her own choreography, at the American College Dance Association East-Central Conference. Kristen shares her passion for dance and movement with students of all ages and backgrounds through musical theatre productions, community dance projects, and primarily at local dance studios. She is so excited to be a new part of the Dance Steps family!
Miss Kristen has been dancing since the age of three and teaching since the age of sixteen; she is trained in many styles, but mostly in contemporary, modern, Cecchetti ballet, and musical theatre. Kristen first trained recreationally and competitively in her hometown of Gladwin, Michigan, where she was also an active performer and choreographer in local choir and theatre. Kristen later attended Eastern Michigan University, earning two bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Dance Performance in April 2020. Kristen performed in countless works with the EMU Dance Program, including residency works set by choreographers and students from the Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham dance companies, and a total of five works, including her own choreography, at the American College Dance Association East-Central Conference. Kristen shares her passion for dance and movement with students of all ages and backgrounds through musical theatre productions, community dance projects, and primarily at local dance studios. She is so excited to be a new part of the Dance Steps family!
Anna Smith - Instructor
Anna Smith has been dancing and competing since she was 4 years old. She has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, and acrobatics. She had danced with Cohesion Dance Company from 2009-2014, attending countless master classes taught by some of the most world renowned choreographers. She had then started at Dance Steps Studio in 2011 and joined the competition team in 2015. Anna is now attending Eastern Michigan University with a major in Secondary Education in Integrated Science. Her love dance and the art of movement inspires her everyday and she is so excited to share that love with all of her students.
Anna Smith has been dancing and competing since she was 4 years old. She has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, and acrobatics. She had danced with Cohesion Dance Company from 2009-2014, attending countless master classes taught by some of the most world renowned choreographers. She had then started at Dance Steps Studio in 2011 and joined the competition team in 2015. Anna is now attending Eastern Michigan University with a major in Secondary Education in Integrated Science. Her love dance and the art of movement inspires her everyday and she is so excited to share that love with all of her students.