Kevin Belanger
Kevin has extensive professional performance experience, teaching experience and is a versatile and accomplished choreographer. He has performed with the Joffrey Ballet, the Minnesota Ballet, Ballet San Jose, the American Repertory Ballet and the Sarasota Opera. His teaching experience is great and is not limited to ballet. Kevin has numerous years of experience teaching beginning to the most advanced levels of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and modern dance. His unique background makes him a true asset to his student as his knowledge of dance and theatre is great. His choreography is sought after throughout the country and ranges from classical ballet to musical productions. Kevin is passionate about teaching and enjoys watching the students grow and progress. Top |
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Erin Bishop
Erin Bishop is a gifted teacher who has been a dance educator for over twelve years. She has extensively studied jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, tumbling and hip hop. Erin especially loves working with the preschoolers.
Erin has studied extensively with Deborah Agrusa, Mia Michaels, Savion Glover, Gregg Russell, Dee Caspary and various other teachers in New York and California. She has performed at Disneyworld, Disneyland, the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, the CBS nationally televised America's Thanksgiving Parade, the CBS nationally televised Showstopper American Dance Championships, Detroit Piston halftime shows and Rochester Art and Apples. Erin was a proud member of the DSD Repertory Company and part of the 1996 and 1998 National Championship Dance groups from DSD. Erin is married to an alumni of DSD, Karl, and is the proud mom of Keira and Justin. Keira is a second generation DSD dancer. Erin is looking forward to a great year and doing something she loves so much - sharing her joy of dance with children.Top |
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Karl Bishop
Karl returns to DSD after a few years off as he and his wife, Erin Bishop, started a family. Karl is the proud father of Keira and Justin who are already following in his footsteps. Karl grew up at DSD and was a part of numerous national championship dance groups while here. Karl is famous for wowing Ben Vereen, host, on the CBS nationally televised Showstopper American Dance Championships for his huge, high side leaps in the Senior Championship dance number "Hot Stuff". Karl has studied jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, tumbling and hip hop extensively. Karl studied and worked in Los Angeles and was a part of numerous television commercials, MTV videos and films. Karl has also performed at Disneyworld, Disneyland, the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, the CBS nationally televised America's Thanksgiving Parade, the CBS nationally televised Showstopper American Dance Championships, Detroit Piston halftime shows and Rocheser Art and Apples. Karl loves children and his passion for kids and dance and tumbling truly shows when he is in a room teaching! Welcome back Karl!Top |
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Otis Brown
Otis is excited to be a part of the Deborah's Stage Door faculty and loves to share his knowledge and passion for tap with the students. Otis has been teaching for over 20 years across the Detroit area including the Detroit
Dance Center, Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy and the well known Center for the Creative Studies. He has performed with Jimmy Slyde and Savion Glover and has been involved with the Detroit Tap Festival. In 2009, one of his students, Bianca Revels, made it to the top 20 on "So You Think You Can Dance". Otis loves to share the old school tap style with an emphasis on the basics. DSD is honored to have Otis sharing his passion and love of tap dance with the dancers. "Mr. Otis" rocks as his students say and "Can he tap!".Top |
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Denise Caston
DSD is excited to have Denise on staff and she is thrilled to share her love of dance with the students.
Denise tapped her way onto the Radio City Music Hall Stage in 1997. As a member of this elite group, famous for their kick lines, Caston was living her dream. Growing up in the metropolitan Detroit area, Caston studied alongside icons such as Linda Haberman, Robert Reed, and Kat Wildish. She also toured nationally with the Tony Award Winning, Crazy for You. Denise is also the founder and producer of the Motor City Tap Fest.Top |
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Lauren Heltsley
Lauren is honored to be joining the staff at Deborah's Stage Door team and is excited for the upcoming year. She has been dancing for 18 years and has trained in ballet, pointe, Cecchetti, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, contemporary, pom gymnastics and lyrical. Her primary focus has been ballet. She received her Bachelors of Arts Degree from Grand Valley State University with a major in Dance and a minor in Business Administration. At GVSU she served as President, Captain, and Member of the nationally ranked GVSU Laker Dance Team, and performed in the GVSU Dance Department Ensemble. She has been teaching and choreographing for 6 years in all dance genres and has studied music and voice for several years. She recently returned from New York City where she studied with the masters at STEPS on Broadway and studied and performed with the Ballet Academy of New York City. She is thrilled to be back in Michigan and sharing her knowledge and love for dance once again. Top |
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| Jarell Gordy (J.G.)has been dancing for 17 years. At the age of 18 he became the head choreographer for the dance group, CORE. Recently he was an audition finalist for "So You Think You Can Dance" and opened for Hip Hop Artist, Lil Wayne, and opened for R & B Artist, Charlie Wilson. As a dancer he strives to conquer any obstacle that he encounters. He wants his students to know that in this business there are going to be up's and down's and as a dancer it is important to stay focused. He encourages his students to push beyond their expectations and to go the extra mile and prove to everyone that you have what it takes. His advice is to never allow anyone to tell you NO! Just believe in yourself. Top |
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Heather Hothem
Heather has been dancing for 21 years. She was a
member of the competitive dance line for 10 years at DSD.
This is her sixth year teaching at the Shelby Studio at Deborah's Stage Door. Heather graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Marketing and Communications. She currently works for HOUR Media, along with Deborah’s Stage Door. Top |
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Stephanie Lafata
Stephanie is an alumni dancer from Deborah’s Stage
Door. She danced at DSD for 10 years on the competitive
line, and assisted teachers with classes up until graduation. Stephanie then attended Central Michigan University
where she earned her degree in Commercial Recreation with a minor in dance and hospitality. While attending college Stephanie danced with Orchesis Dance Theatre, she also instructed various dance college courses. Stephanie started teaching at Deborah’s Stage Door in 2003 for two years before moving out of state. She has since returned and is now beginning her 5th year back at DSD, excited to be teaching more than ever and Stephanie is also enjoying
her duties managing the Shelby studio office.Top |
Sara Porzondek
Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Oakland University. She has extensive teaching and choreography experience. Sara currently coaches the Oakland University Dance Team and is a former dance studio owner. Sara is a teacher's teacher. She has a true passion for sharing her knowledge of dance with children of all ages and adults as well. Sara prides herself in assuring her students have a complete understanding of movements taught in her classes, gain confidence in their execution and then work to develop artistry of movement. Sara strives to instill her excitement for dance in her students as she realizes what a difference the arts can make in a child's life.Top |
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Jennifer Rockwell
Jennifer holds a Bachelor's Degree of Art and Sciences from Ohio University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University. Jennifer is a creative, talented and enthusiastic teacher who loves to work with all ages. With numerous years of teaching experience with all forms of dance, the students in her classes have fun and learn from one of the best.
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Jamie Rustowicz
Jamie is the director and head naturalist at Moose Tree Nature
Preserve, a 35 acre preserve and nature center that is part of the Lake Orion School District. She also works as a guest naturalist at the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks in Clarkston. Jamie has a degree in Recreation, Parks and Leisure
with a focus on Outdoor and Environmental Education and a degree in Earth Science as well. She has danced at DSD since she was 3 and has taught dance to our younger students for the past five years. Jamie has studied dance with Master Teachers from both New York and L.A. and believes that dance should be part of every child's life experiences. Working with young children is her forte' and she is excited to be back at DSD for another year! Top |
Jennifer Stimetz
Jennifer is returning to DSD for the 4th year as part of the
teaching staff. Jennifer has studied dance for over 16 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 her students. Top |
Private Voice/Piano/Guitar
Susan Berg
Susan is excited to be part of the staff of DSD and share her incredible directing and acting experience with her students. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Michigan State University. This very talented actress has performed in numerous musicals and dramas at the Michigan Opera Theatre, Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford Theatre and the Michigan Shakepearean Festival to name a few. Susan has extensive experience directing and is an accomplished playwright. Susan has also directed her own performing arts camps for children for many years. Top |
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Carolyn Priebe
Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Evansville and a Masters of Education in Music from the University of Michigan. She is a certified music teacher and has been a Professor of Music Education at the University of Michigan. Carolyn has extensive and varied experience as a director of musicals and plays, directed summer performing arts camps and has taught private voice, piano, guitar, flute, etc. lessons for many years. Carolyn has also appeared in many plays and musicals and is an accomplished actress. She is also a board certified music therapist. Carolyn is thrilled to be part of the DSD staff. Top |
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Phil Turkington
Phil has been teaching voice and piano at DSD for almost
1 year now. He has been a professional musician for 35 years. Currently performs with one of Michigan’s premier pop bands “2XL” and two 17 piece big bands named “Jump Street Swing Band” and “The Pros”. He also sings in a professional choir
during the Christmas season named “The Festival Singers”.
He also has the ability to produce and orchestrate music of any style. His education is in music theory and composition from Wayne State University. He looks forward to helping students improve their musical ability at Deborah’s Stage Door. Top |
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Justin Vanden Heuvel
Justin has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from Florida Southern College and a Master of Arts in Acting/Theatre from Wayne State University. Justin received the Kanter Annual Award for Theatre from Wayne State University in 2009 and was the recipient of a Wayne State University Assistantship from 2008-1010. Justin has extensive experience working with children in theatre having directed and taught at the Detroit City Summer Camp, North Adams High School and the Lakeland Children's Summer Theatre Camp where he received rave reviews. In addition, Justin has directed at the Hilberry Repertory Theatre and Florida Southern College. Justin is an accomplished actor as well having appeared in many plays, musicals and on film and television.
Justin's passion for theatre is contagious! Top |
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Hannah Waterstone
Hannah has a degree from Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University. She has studied with Boris Maximovich and Yidislav Kowalsky, both concert pianist. Hannah has a long history of working with children from Grades K thru 12 in general music and has been an accompanist for many schools in the area. She has taught private piano lessons for all age groups. She is activity in many civic groups, Ford Motor Chorus, Zamir Chorale, and is looking forward to working with the students at DSD. Top |
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Erica Reed
Graduate: BA from Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU)
Majors: Physical Education, Health, Recreation
Minor: Psychology
Michigan Teaching Certificate to teach K-12
Competitively Cheered- through college (13 years)
MVP - SVSU Cheer Team
Recipient SVSU Coach’s Award
Captain - SVSI Cheer Team
Recipient - SVSI Cheer Team Dedication Award
Certified Personal Trainer
Specializing in sports conditioning, toning and endurance training
Stretch Certified
Gymnastics - trained for 7 years
Stunted at levels 1-6
CPR/First aid/AED certified
Head Cheer Coach - Davis Junior High School
Head Cheer Coach - John Glenn High School Top |
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Jennifer Rockwell:
Cum Laude graduate from Ohio University
Major: History
Minor: Political Science
Currently pursuing Master's in Arts of Teaching from Oakland University
First Aid/CPR Certification
USA Gymnastics Trained- All Levels
Head of Solon Recreation Cheer Clinics
Gymnastics Coach and Instructor- 3 years
Competitive Dance- 10+ years
Competitive Cheer- 4 years
Cheerleader- 6 years- Captain of Varsity Sqaud- 2 years
All-Star Cheerleading Coach, Gymnastics and Dance Instructor! Top
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Holly Hammel
Holly started her gymnastic training at age 5 at Olympia Gymnastic
Academy. In high school she did both competitive and sideline
cheerleading. She has experience coaching a junior high school
cheerleading team. She is currently attending Oakland University and
working towards her bachelor's in History and English to be a
secondary teacher. Holly also loves theater and the arts; she
participated in many plays in both high school and college. She is
very excited to be a part of the DSD team and have to opportunity to
teach cheerleading, gymnastics, and more! |
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Karl Bishop
Karl returns to DSD after a few years off as he and his wife, Erin Bishop, started a family. Karl is the proud father of Keira and Justin who are already following in his footsteps. Karl grew up at DSD and was a part of numerous national championship dance groups while here. Karl is famous for wowing Ben Vereen, host, on the CBS nationally televised Showstopper American Dance Championships for his huge, high side leaps in the Senior Championship dance number "Hot Stuff". Karl has studied jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, tumbling and hip hop extensively. Karl studied and worked in Los Angeles and was a part of numerous television commercials, MTV videos and films. Karl has also performed at Disneyworld, Disneyland, the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, the CBS nationally televised America's Thanksgiving Parade, the CBS nationally televised Showstopper American Dance Championships, Detroit Piston halftime shows and Rocheser Art and Apples. Karl loves children and his passion for kids and dance and tumbling truly shows when he is in a room teaching! Welcome back Karl!Top |
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Pilates / Zumba
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Sharon Wilson - Pilates: After working a number of years at a desk job, Sharon decided to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a fitness instructor. She decided on Pilates because Pilates is anatomically based, it can be customized to accommodate everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes, and it often delivers quicker results than other forms of exercise. Sharon is a Stott Pilates® Certified Instructor and she is certified in CPR. She would be delighted to guide you through the Pilates exercises and help you develop a stronger, leaner and more flexible you! Sharon is married with two 4-legged children. |
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