INSTRUCTORS

KARA Cavel

Kara Cavelcompleted her yoga teacher training at Lotus House of Yoga. In March of 2024, she became certified in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCSTY) after completing a 300-hour yoga teacher training through The Center for Trauma and Embodiment. Kara is also certified in I AM Yoga Nidra by the Amrit Yoga Institute.

YOGA w/ KARA

In this class I will provide the opportunity to explore and choose what works best for your body. You can expect a beginner to moderate level flow with opportunities to find balance, strength, ease, and most importantly fun!

THERESA Cassaday-YOGA

Theresa Cassaday

In 1986, Theresa was introduced to sun-salutations by her dear friend and yoga trailblazer, Judy Vann. Several years later, Theresa stepped up her game becoming a dedicated practitioner and a certified yoga instructor. She’s been offering classes in the Omaha community since 2002 and brings a distinctive sense of whimsy and sincerity to her teaching. If you always do yoga, or never do yoga, you will enjoy Theresa’s class experience.

Yoga w/ Theresa

This unique yoga class is led by Theresa Cassaday, who will guide you through sequenced movement and classic postures designed to build strength and improve flexibility. Everyone is welcome in this joyful, hour-long class. Please bring your yoga mat and favorite props.

MICHELLE Novak

Michelle has danced and taught at several area studios along with a year at Summit School of Dance in Breckenridge, CO.

Over the years, she hastaken breaks from dance, and each time the love of teaching, especially tap, has pulled her back to dance.

You might recognize Michelle as a Dundee girl, she not only attended Dundee elementary but has been a teacher there for 20+years.

TAP w/ MICHELLE

Jump into this class whether you are a beginner or looking to dust off your loudest shoes. This class is guaranteed to be a ton of fun and a great workout.

NICOLE Kropatsch -RHYTHM + MOTION

Nicole has a BFA in Dance Performance from Missouri State University and brings over 20 years of experience as a professional dancer and dance educator to her students. She has enhanced her knowledge of anatomy and movement through the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® completing both Level 1 & 2 certifications, and has continued to expand her knowledge through continuing education and development. Because of her passion for sharing the joy and understanding of movement with everyone she works with, and because of her experiences as a dancer, rehearsal director, artistic director, and university adjunct professor, Nicole has the ability to meet her students where they are in order to help them gain

MODERN: this Intermediate Modern Dance Classis designed for experienced dancers and open to adventurous individuals who love to move athletically. Our diverse instructors, drawing from backgrounds rich in modern dance traditions like Graham, Horton, Cunningham, and Limon, will guide you through explorative movements inspired by these pioneers."

PHOEBE Perry-BALLET & PILATES

Phoebe Perry, an Omaha native, grew up dancing at Omaha Academy of Ballet. She then went on to University of Missouri, Kansas City where she graduated with a BFA in ballet and modern. Phoebe then went on to dance professionally with San Diego Ballet for 5 years, and has recently returned to Nebraska to focus on sharing her experiences and knowledge of dance with the community she grew up in. Phoebe currently teaches at Omaha Academy of Ballet, has her own massage practice and recently completed Stott Mat and Reformer Pilates training.

Intermediate Ballet Phoebe will plan this class for adults that already have a ballet background. It is recommended to attend this class with previous ballet experience, as this class will follow the flow of a typical intermediate class. The steps taught in this class may be a little challenging if you have little to no ballet experience. Of course everyone is welcome though!

STEPHANIE Huettner-TGIF DANCE

Stephanie is an Omaha based dancer and choreographer. She has studied and performed various dance styles for over 40 years and is currently the co-director of tbd. dance collective. The creation of the group came out of an organic desire to grow dance in the Omaha community. Since the inception of the collective, Huettnerhas performed and choreographed with the group in a wide variety of styles in many disparate venues. Her favorite collaborations include work with local musicians, filmmaker Nik Fackler, and the Movement Series at the KANEKO art gallery. Huettnerspends her days saving the world as the Assistant General Curator, Curator of Birds, and sustainability coordinator at Omaha’s Henry DoorlyZoo and Aquarium.

As a choreographer, she has set works for the AMB School, Seiche Dance Collective, Ballet INitiative, the inaugural Indy Dance Festival, and Omaha's early music ensemble Cantare!. Recently, she both choreographed and performed in a touring show with pianist Mia Vassilev. As a Certified Yoga Instructor, she also enjoys sharing the joy of movement and dance throughout the Omaha Metro Area in conjunction with AMB’s Outreach programs.

TGIF DANCE/CONTEMPORARY MODERN:

Contemporary Modern for Advanced Beginners through Intermediate Dancers. Start your weekend and unwind with us each Friday at 430P, Stephanie will lead a lighthearted modern class geared toward anyone that has danced before. She creates movement that is a combination of her over 40 years of dance training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theater, and contemporary styles to generate high energy, creative phrases that will appeal to all levels of dancers. This inviting class will include a gentle warm up, contemporary modern technique, floor work, as well as choreography. You are welcome to dance in bare feet, socks, or appropriate shoes. You may also want to bring knee pads, if you have them, for the floor work. Did you grow up with Jazz or Ballet training and just crave moving to music, this is your class!

ERICA Lohman-RHYTHM IN MOTION

Erica Lohman is from Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. She is currently performing with American Midwest Ballet (AMB) in Omaha, Nebraska, where she has danced multiple roles in their ballet productions and was featured in works by guest choreographers Frank Chaves and Monique Haley. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Ensemble and the Regional Solo Program Director for the AMB School. Erica has previously performed with De La Dance Company, Kansas City Ballet, Wylliams Henry Contemporary Dance Company, and Albany Berkshire Ballet, and she has danced at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the American College Dance Festival, and the Kansas Dance Festival.

MODERN: This Intermediate Modern Dance Classis designed for experienced dancers and open to adventurous individuals who love to move athletically. Our diverse instructors, drawing from backgrounds rich in modern dance traditions like Graham, Horton, Cunningham, and Limon, will guide you through explorative movements inspired by these pioneers."

NINA Washington-LATIN DANCE FIT

Nina Washington is a theatre educator, dancer and performer in the local Omaha area. She has performed at various venues including the BlueBarnTheatre, Omaha Community Playhouse, the Slowdown, the Benson Theatre, The Union For Contemporary Art, and the Orpheum. Nina works as a dance teaching artist at the Omaha Community Playhouse, a dance teaching artist with WhyArts, and as an adjudicator for Omaha Performing Arts. Additionally, she has been trained in barre fitness and has been instructing at the Omaha PowerLifestudios

LATIN DANCE FIT

Combine salsa and aerobic movements to ensure that you burn fat away with the fun Latin dance movements of Mambo, Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. Dance fitness will help you burn calories, build stamina and tone your muscles with Cha Cha, Salsa, Samba and Jive dance movements.-

DEBBIE Massey-Schneweis - GUEST TEACHER

DEBBIE MASSEY-SCHNEWEIS is an award winningdancer and choreographer from Omaha. As a young professional she danced and competed from coast to coast and began teaching at the age of 17. Although she started her theater career “late” in life she has more than made up for lost time choreographing countless theatre, high school and pageant productions.

She has worked on numerous award winningshows and has been nominated for many TAG and OEA Awards. Debbie was the TAG Outstanding Choreographer in 2014 for “42nd Street”, OEA Outstanding Choreographer 2021 for “Addams Family The Musical”, worked on “Something Rotten” 2022 OEA Winner for Best Musical and recently won the 2023 OEA Best Choreographer for last summers Spamalot. She been blessed to teach thousands of students and performers… some of whom went on to tv careers, theatre touring companies and the 2018 Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers originally from Papillion. As a performer she has been seen on local stages in some of her favorite shows including A Chorus Line, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Anything Goes, The Drowsy Chaperone and 42nd Street. Debbie currently is resident choreographer for 6 local high schools and most recently choreographed BLT’s back to backmusicals PROM The Musical and White Christmas.
She is married to husband Jason and they are proud parents of adorable (dancing) 4 yr old twins Jackson and Victoria.

BROADWAY: Debbie is a guest teacher for the Broadway series. These classes are lead by a variety of choreographers and busy actors from the Omaha area. If you love Broadway musicals you will love these classes. The 55-minute class will include a warmup followed by a fresh Musical Theatre dance routine weekly.

RITA Otis-Tai Chi

Rita Otis is a spiritual director, Interplay leader and Tai Chi teacher who has led numerous retreats and workshops on contemplative photography, meditation, and sacred energy movement. She has studied Qi Gong Healer training and teacher training with Robert Peng, Bio-spiritual Focus training, Kung Fu with American Academy of Martial Arts. Rita’s work and healing is based on the belief that we all have a body wisdom that wants to be made known.

Tai Chi is about using movement to open to the great source of creative energy that is all around us and within us. This energy is expansive, accessible and healing. Tai Chi movements are put together in a series called a form designed to enhance connection to Vital Energy or Chi. This class will emphasize the body sensation and joy of the movement within the form rather than memorization and correctness. We will play with Chi and each other.

" You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope." THOMAS MERTON

ALYSSA Callahan-JAZZ/MUSICAL THEATER

Alyssa Callaghan is a distinguished dance teacher and elementary educator with over 20 years of experience in the world of dance. Her journey began as a passionate young dancer, and she has since evolved into a versatile artist and educator known for her exceptional skills and dedication. Alyssa's dance career spans both studio training, competitive dance teams and Division 1 college dance, where she honed her craft and developed a deep understanding of various dance styles. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in the numerous awards she has earned for both excellence in choreography and entertainment as well as multiple 1st Place winning routines. Dancing everywhere from Madison Square Garden to in from of the Statue of Liberty, Alyssa Callaghan's impact extends beyond her personal achievements; she is a mentor and role model, shaping the future of dance and education with her expertise and passion.

JAZZ/USICAL THEATER: This Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Jazz /MT class we will explore jazz styles including old school classic jazz to current styles as well as musical theatre.

JAIMEE Orton-SHOWTIME

Jaime Orton is a Lincoln based dancer and choreographer with over 15 years of dance experience. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she performed in productions such as Pippin, Hello, Dolly!, The Prom, and Holiday Inn. While at Wesleyan, Jaime also choreographed two musicals: The Hello Girls and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Currently, Jaime works as a freelance choreographer, traveling across the United States to create routines for show choirs and musicals. Over the past four years, she has worked with more than 500 students of all ages across six states. Jaime is passionate about show choir because it provides a welcoming space for everyone to learn, grow, and connect. Beyond dance, it’s a full-body workout and a source of joy. She is excited to expand the reach of show choir beyond classrooms and into the broader community.

Showtime (Show Choir inspired/Singing Optional!)

Rediscover your show biz dance moves. Relive your Show Choir Dance years and have fun dancing with Jaime! A Second Sunday Event, Showtime class promises to be great fun. All Levels.

PAULA Zabawa-TAP

Paula Zabawa has over 40 years’ experience teaching ballet, jazz and tap. An Omaha native, Paula, began dancing at her mom’s studio, Angie’s Dance Studio, as a toddler. Paula began assistant teaching with her mom at age 14 and continued teaching alongside her mom until 2021, when her mom retired. During her dance career, Paula kept current by attending dozens of dance workshops.

Over the years, Paula has taught dance to thousands of students with Tap being her favorite!

Intermediate Tap: class is designed for people with 5+ years tap experience. It does not matter how long it’s been sense you put on those shoes that muscle memory will return quickly! Class focuses on technique, starts with a warmup followed by intermediate level tap combinations.

All levels Daytime Class Tap: Class will focus on the basics, start with a warmup followed by a fun tap combination. Shoes make the experience complete, but you are welcome to try a class or two in hard soled shoes.

KELLY Hanneman GUEST TEACHER

Kelly Hanneman brings an eclectic mix of modalities to the dance studio in the form of Soul-Centered Movement. She was trained in classical ballet at the Omaha Academy of Ballet, then went on to become a professional modern dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She toured internationally with MOMIX dance company and worked with Pilobolus Dance Theatre, David Parsons Dance Company, Omaha Modern Dance Collective, Creighton Dance Company, and many more.

Kelly strives to create a relaxed and nurturing environment in the studio to support the bridge between the external and internal discipline of dance and guide students towards a deeper and more intimate relationship with and appreciation for themselves and their movement. She embraces dance as both a performing art and a healing art.

She currently teaches modern dance at Creighton University, is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Health and Wellness Coach. She holds a BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts and MS from Creighton University in Integrative Health and Wellness.

Soul-centered movemen: helps you get out of your head and into your body. By fusing modern dance, somatic exercises, breath work, and yoga, it provides an opportunity for self-discovery and expression through your personal mother language of movement. The focus lies in what movement feels like rather than what it looks like. The resulting visual beauty of the movement is a bonus.

This workshop encourages you to liberate yourself by releasing inner roadblocks that inhibit creative flow, strengthen your connection to yourself and others, and give yourself permission to be you. Measure your value by who you are rather than who others expect you to be.