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Amy Barnhart
Amy grew up dancing at DSD. She was a member of the competitive dance lines.
After graduation from Athens High School,
she attended Oakland University to study dance and performing arts. Along with coaching high school dance teams,
Amy has been teaching dance for the last 13 years. She has experience teaching tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, gymnastics and pre-rhythm.
Amy teaches recreational students as well as competitive students here at DSD. She is excited to be a part of a studio that she has
always called home. Top |
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Linda Fournier
Linda began dancing as a young adult and has been teaching teaching jazz, hip
hop, lyrical, ballet and tap, which is her favorite
by far, for many years since. 2006 marks her third year teaching here at DSD, working with both recreational and dance line students. Always ready to be a student herself, Linda feels continued dance education is essential in order to keep bringing fresh, new ideas to
her students. She has studied in Master Classes with Henry LeTang, Robert Reed, Van Porter and Savion Glover among others,
just this year adding some additional study time with Mr. Porter, Germaine Ingram and Marshall Davis. Linda has a professional
background in print advertising and feels very fortunate to have found two jobs that she truly loves. Top |
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Heather Hothem
Heather has been dancing for 18 years. She was a member of the competitive dance line for 10 years at DSD. This is her second year teaching in the Shelby Studio at Deborah's Stage Door. Heather graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Marketing and Communications. And currently works for HOUR Media, along with Deborah’s Stage Door. Top |
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Amanda Knox
Amanda began her professional ballet training at the School of American Ballet in 1996. In the fall of 1997, she was asked to join the New York City Ballet as an apprentice, where she was promoted to the corps de ballet in the spring of 1998. In 2000, Amanda left NYCB and began teaching ballet in 2001. Along with teaching ballet, Amanda also works as an associate editor for Environmental Design & Construction Magazine and she graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from Oakland University last year. Top |
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Vicki Krier
Vicki is looking forward to beginning her second year teaching here at DSD. She
has been teaching ballet, tap and
jazz to children for the past 10 years. She has studied at Schule Des Balletts in Stuttgart, Germany, the Ballet Intensive Moscow
at Northern Illinois University, and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Choreography and Performance Major. Vicki was a member of the UIUC Dance Tour, and performed in the “Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake Variations”and“Sleeping Beauty” while at the Naperville School of the Performing Arts. Top |
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Katey Leslie
Katey Leslie is an alumni dancer from Deborah’s Stage Door. She has been dancing for over 20 years, and began her training here at DSD before she made her big move out to Los Angeles. She attended the apprentice program at the Performing Arts Center under the direction of Joseph Malone. Katey has had the opportunity to dance and study with many famous choreographers. Katey’s credits include voiceovers for the “Dixie Chicks” live television Concert. She has danced in the music videos of pop artist Lynze Robbins, and Ben Marshall. She has made appearances on “Ally McBeal”, and “Visible Panty Lines” with Tracy Ulman. She was a lead dancer in the show “A Tribute to Elvis” and has danced with Wade Robson at Club 17. She has performed at the famed Key Club at many Choreographers’ Carnival showcases. Katey is glad to be back here at DSD where it all started to share her passion and knowledge with her students. Top |
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Susie Newberry
Susie Newberry is excited to be joining the dance faculty of Deborah's Stage Door. She began studying ballet, tap, jazz and pointe at a young age.She was a student at the Visrginia School of the Arts on scholarship and also attended the Cleveland School of Ballet. Susie continued her studies as a dance major at Western Michigan University. In addition to performing with the various companies at Western, Susie had the opportunity to choreograph as well and was awarded the prestigious American College Dance Festival "Excellence in Choreography" award in 1999. Susie has since choreographed for the Detroit Skate Club, the Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers "Dance Forum", Impact at Ford Field and the Trypod Dance Company. She has also served as the program director for the Walled Lake Community Education Fall Dance Showcase. Susie has a true passion for teaching and is looking forward to sharing her love and knowledge of dance with the students of Deborah's Stage Door. Top |
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Jamie Rustowicz
Jamie is a graduate of Central Michigan University. She has danced since she was a small child and has taught classes for several years. Jamie has studied with Master Teachers from both New York and LA. She is currently working as a naturalist at the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks in Clarkston, and revamped our Fairy Tale Camp this past summer. Working with young children is her forte’ and she is thrilled to be back at her Alma mater teaching. Top
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Kim Sable
Kim Sable is excited to be a part of the teaching staff at Deborah's Stage Door. Kim has been dancing for 17 years and was a member of DSD's national championship Repertory Company for several years. Kim has appeared on CBS numerous times on the Showstopper American Dance Championships and was chosen the nation's top senior soloist in 2004. Currently, Kim is a sophomore at the University of Michigan where she is majoring in dance. Kim has been a member of the University of Michigan's dance team. Top
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Rachal Snider
Rachal Snider is joining the staff of DSD and is happy to be a part of her alma mater again. Rachal grew upat DSD and has been dancing for 17 years. She was a member of our national championship Repertory Company or many years. Rachal appeared on CBS many times as part of the Showstopper American Dance Championships. Rachal has been a part of the University of Michigan's dance team for two years and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Rachal's particular love is tap! Extremely enthusiastic, Rachal is proud to be back at DSD! Top
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Jennifer Stimetz
Jennifer Stimetz is returning to DSD for the second year as part of the teaching staff. Jennifer has studied dance for over 15 years and was a part of DSD's national championship Repertory Company. Jennifer has appeared on CBS's Showstopper American Dance Championships. Prior to teaching her own classes, she was an assistant teacher at DSD. Jennifer is a sophomore at Oakland University. She is thrilled to be able to teach again at DSD and share her passion for dance with them. Top
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Molly Stock
This is Molly’s first year teaching at DSD and she’s thrilled to be teaching again! Molly started taking gymnastics at the age of 7 and
continued through High School. Molly was the Assistant coach for the gymnastics squad for two years, and also coached 5-10 year olds.
Molly has experience in cheerleading, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and belly dancing but gymnastics has always been her favorite! Top
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Lauren Terpening
Lauren Terpening is both a dance teacher and an acting teacher here at DSD. She attended Oakland University where she studied Theatre Performance and Dance. While she was there, she performed in many plays, danced in the Oakland Dance Theatre, and directed many projects. Her choreography has been featured in many student concerts and musicals. Lauren was also the assistant choreographer for Urinetown at OU, which was chosen to compete at the American College Theatre Festival. Lauren has also been playing drums for thirteen years and plays for professional theatres in the area. Teaching is a passion of hers and she is excited to be on our staff. Top |
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Melodie Whitworth
Melodie has danced with our competitive dance lines at DSD for 3 years and was honored to perform on the
Showstoppers National Dance Championship TV show in both 2003 and 2004. She was also an assistant teacher for the past 2 years. Melodie is currently attending Oakland University as a full time student to obtain her degree in Elementary Education. She is
beginning her 2nd year as a member of the teaching staff and is thrilled to continue working with the students here at DSD. Top |
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Jill Zmijewski
Jill has been dancing for over 17 years. She began her training at DSD. Upon graduation she briefly attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship. She then took her dance studies to Los Angeles and completed a year in the apprentice program at the Performing Arts enter under direction of Joe Malone. Jill’s credits include dancing on Ally McBeal, “Visible Pantylines” with Tracy Ulman, and music videos with Usher and 8-Ball. She danced at many venues in Los Angeles while dancing with the up and coming rock group Alien Breed. She has performed at the famed Key Club at numerous Choreographer’s Carnival showcases. She rehearsed with Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds and Joan Collins for the TV movie, These Old Broads. Jill has had the opportunity to dance and study with many of the nation’s top teachers and choreographers. She is very excited to be back where it all started and share her love and knowledge of dance with her students. Top |
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Stacy White Cleaveland
Artistic Director
Stacy is beginning her 6th year at Deborah's Stage Door. She received her
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in
Acting from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and has been actively performing and directing here in
the Metro area and around the country.
For the past nine years, Stacy has been teaching various theatre classes and has especially enjoyed working with,
and directing, children of all ages.
Also an accomplished musician, Stacy attended the Oakland University Graduate School of Music and has served
as Musical Director for a number of production companies including Jimmy Launce Productions in Detroit and NYU-TV
for which she also composed the music and lyrics for "Billy", an Afterschool SpecialTop
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Rose Randall-Bengry
Rose Randall-Bengry brings a wealth of performance experience to Deborah's Stage Door. After attending Wayne State University, Rose went on the road with a children's youth theatre performing over 250 shows a year in schools all over Michigan. She continued her work in regional theatre and in area theatre productions. She competed in several state Miss America preliminary pageants and went on to perform in the Miss Ohio and Miss Kentucky pageants. Rose spent several years traveling with a vocal jazz quartet working Atlantic City casinos as well as in various corporate venues. She also spent over a decade singing and recording with a classically based vocal ensemble that concertized throughout the Midwest. Rose continues to be a dedicated church musician having held soloist positions in various churches within the metro Detroit area. With a young daughter at home, Rose has turned her attention to teaching and passing on her love of singing and performing. Top |
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Tara Spring Sievers
Tara is looking forward to her first year here at DSD. She
has a Bachelor of Music degree with a double major in Voice Performance
and Music Education Cum Laude. Tara was the Director of Vocal and Piano
Studies at Suitland Visual & Performing Arts High School for two years, and is an
accomplished Vocal Accompanist. Tara was the Music Director, and Producer for several
productions; “Broadway Review”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Rodger & Hammersteins Cinderella”. Tara was also a Music/Drama Instructor
at the Cranbrook/Kingswood Day Camp for two years. Top
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Beth Johnson
Cheer One Director
Beth loves to work with children of all ages and has participated
multi-dimensionally in sports and dance for over
sixteen years. She is a three time National Championship Award Winning All Star Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and was the
award winning Lake Shore High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Head Cheerleading Coach. In addition, Beth is heavily involved
in strength and weight training for all types of athletes.Top |
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Tammy Varilek
Tammy Varilek is a former club and collegiate competitive all-around gymnast. She trained and competed for nearly ten years with the Saginaw Gym Jesters and Eastern Michigan University. Tammy has experience teaching, choreographing and judging gymnastics. She taught club gymnastics with the Saginaw Gym Jesters and Bay Valley Gymnastics. She taught recreational gymnastics through community school programs. She choreographed high school floor exercise routines and judged beginning and intermediate gymnastics competitions. She also has had a successful career in information technology with the same company for more than 20 years. Three of her children have studied dance at DSD and two have participated on competitive dance lines. She is delighted to be teaching gymnastics again. Top
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Laura Placidi - Assistant Coach
This is Laura's 2nd year as Assistant Coach for Cheer One. Laura started her extensive cheer background in grade school where she cheered competitively and then coached for several years. Laura continued her passion through High School cheering all 4 years and was captain of her Varsity Squad. After graduating High School she coached the Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams for 7 years. Laura also cheered/danced for the "Chicago Bulls" for 2 years.
She absolutely loves working with the girls and boys and looks forward to a great season.
Laura is married and has 2 children. |
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Deborah Agrusa, Owner/Artistic Director
