We believe the success of our academy is deeply rooted in its positive culture and the dedicated individuals who help shape it. The progress we’ve made is thanks to the leadership, passion, and talent of those who guide our students every day. Meet our instructors below and explore the professional experience they bring to Center Stage.
Jenell Krites
Founder of Center Stage
Jenell Krites has been dancing since the age of eight, taking instruction in ballet, tap, jazz and pointe. At the age of 22, she opened Jenell’s School of Dance in St, Mary’s Ohio and in three years grew the studio to 200 students. In the summer of 1989, Jenell sold the business and moved to Nurnberg, Germany where she continued teaching and taking instruction. While in Germany, Jenell also became a certified fitness instructor. Upon returning to the states, Jenell became an instructor at M Dance Centre in Wapakoneta, Ohio until she moved to Troy, Ohio in 1993. In 1997, Jenell opened Center Stage Dance Company with 75 students and has grown the studio to 300 students, ages three though adult. Throughout the years, she has studied under such dance greats as Doug Caldwell, Joe Tremaine, Desiree Robbins and Marty Dew…just to name a few. Ms. Jenell also enjoys assisting in local school productions. Past achievements include, 42nd Street, spring productions for Cookson and Heywood Elementary Schools and also Troy High School Show Choir. In addition, Ms. Jenell also served for three years as the Western Ohio Regional Director for National Dance Week.
Aliya Alspaugh
Studio Owner
Ms. Aliya danced as a student at Center Stage Academy of Dance ("CSA") for 14 years and has been a dedicated instructor since 2015. During high school, she also trained at the Dayton Ballet, focusing on Ballet and Pointe technique. Her passion for choreography led her to create a competitive routine for an acrobatic duo, which was performed at the Acrobatics Nationals in 2018. Over the years, Ms. Aliya has taught a wide range of styles including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop for various ages. She has played an active role in the behind-the-scenes operations of CSA, serving under the mentorship of Ms. Jenell, founder of Center Stage Academy of Dance, and gaining invaluable experience in studio leadership and management. Now, as the new owner of Center Stage Academy of Dance, Ms. Aliya is honored to follow in Ms. Jenell's footsteps. She is passionate about upholding the legacy of excellence CSA is known for while continuing to inspire the next generation of dancers. Ms. Aliya resides in Tipp City with her husband, Nick, their daughter, Willow, and their son, Oliver.
Danny Choi
Instructor
Danial "Danny" has been with Center Stage for eight years. He has self taught himself how to breakdance with other fellow breakdancers, and has been dancing on and off for 13 plus years, training at his church and throughout college.
Lora Current
Instructor
Ms. Lora started dancing at CSA when she was three years old. Growing up through the studio, she took Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, and Lyrical. Lora has used the skills she gained at CSA to win the title of Miss Ohio 2021 with a tap routine. She then performed on the national stage of Miss America with a Jazz number. Now, working for The Heritage Foundation as a conservative political strategist, she has returned home to CSA to teach in the dance styles she loves so much
Sydney Gerdeman
Instructor
Ms. Sydney has been dancing since she was in kindergarten. She began dancing at The Dance Center in Ottawa, Ohio. She continued to dance throughout high school, studying ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe. While there, she also taught several classes. In college, Ms. Sydney was a four-year member of the Adrian College Dance Team (ACDT), which performed at football and basketball games, as well as competitions. ACDT performed a variety of jazz, hip hop, pom, sideline, and team routines. Sydney was a three-year captain of ACDT, and continued her involvement as a student assistant during her final semester of school. This is her eighth year teaching at Center Stage. She currently resides in the Tipp City area and teaches high school math.
Mindy Hampshire
Instructor
Ms. Mindy has been dancing since she was three years old. She grew up near Toledo, Ohio where she began dancing and then teaching at her mother's dance studio. While attending BGSU, she was a member of the University Dance Alliance, which held performances each semester. Ms. Mindy is a 5th grade teacher at Piqua Central Intermediate School. She has two sons and a daughter. She has been teaching at Center Stage for 16 years and loves being a part of the CSA family!
Chloe Howell
Instructor
Ms. Chloe danced at Center Stage for 15 years this is her 4th year teaching and has assisted for 2 years as well. Chloe goes to Sinclair for their PTA program! Her favorite type of dance is contemporary! She loves teaching these girls and having them in her class is such a blessing to her. She is so proud of them and is excited to watch them grow into the most
Alaina Imboden
Instructor
Ms. Alaina danced at CSA for 15 years studying tap, ballet, modern, and jazz. This is her first year teaching at CSA. She graduated from Sinclair with an Associate of Arts in Sociology and is attending the University of Dayton studying for her Bachelors in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies. During her first year in college, she was a part of the University of Dayton Dance Ensemble before returning to CSA to teach. She choreographed for The Pride of Bethel’s Marching Band’s Color Guard, Bethel High School’s musicals, and for Troy High School’s plays.
Kim Kovacevich
Instructor
Ms. Kim is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and instructor originally from the Chicago area. Originally a competitive figure skater, Kim completed her early training at Chicago City Ballet under the direction of prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief, and continued her training as a teacher with former New York City Ballet principal, Jillana. Her mastery of Balanchine technique enabled her to give memorable performances as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, as well as in the ballets Stars and Stripes and Paquita. Her choreography has been featured in dance team productions, musical theater, and contemporary dance performances. Among her achievements, Kim is most passionate about teaching. She earned an M.A. from Ohio State and completed additional graduate hours towards a Master of Arts in Teaching. Combining a solid classical foundation in dance technique with her academic training in curriculum design and instruction, Kim believes that there is an inherent joy in movement that she models in each class. She especially looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for dance with ballet students at Center Stage Academy!
Maddie Long
Instructor
Ms. Maddie danced at Center Stage for 13 years, where she participated in Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, assisted for 4 years, and helped with Joy in Motion. She attended the University of Cincinnati where she obtained her bachelors and master’s degree in social work and continued her dance career. She is currently a school-based therapist at two Cincinnati Public Schools. This is her 1st year returning to CSA, she is so excited to be back! She teaches Kinder Combo.
Ryen Marsh
Instructor
Ms. Ryen is an alumni of CSA and danced at the studio for five years. She studied jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern. She currently is taking dance classes herself to continue growing as a dancer and teacher and has loved using what she’s learned to teach her students. She loves getting to teach her students dance every week and watch them improve over the year. She currently teaches Youth Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, and Hip-Hop.
Natasha Morrow
Instructor
Ms. Natasha is a Center Stage Alumni and came back to teach in 2021. She is very passionate about hip hop and contemporary. She held a dance club for school age children in a Before and After school program for 2 years while she resided in Virginia. Natasha just graduated from Sinclair Community College as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
LeeAnn Sherwood
Instructor
Ms. LeeAnn began her dancing career at the age of 6 here at Center Stage. After dancing all the way to her senior year, she went off to the University of Dayton where she took various dance classes while receiving her teaching degree. She has choreographed different school musicals as well as participating in dance exhibitions in Dayton through Sinclair Community College. She currently teaches engineering and robotics at Milton-Union High School.
Sadie Swank
Instructor
Ms. Sadie started dancing at Center Stage Academy at 3 years old to 18 years old. She took a bit of a break during middle school but then realized it was what she was passionate about. After high school Ms. Sadie decided to start teaching at CSA to continue what she loves!
Lotte Welbaum
Instructor
Ms. Lotte began dancing at Center Stage at the age of four until she was 18 years old. After high school, she attended Kent State University and studied as a part of their modern dance program. While there, she participated in several performances. She resides in Piqua with her husband and her sons. This is her 10th year on staff at CSA.
Adrianne Werling
Instructor
Ms. Adrianne grew up dancing at Center Stage Academy. She started dancing at the age of three and studied tap, jazz, and lyrical for 15 years. Ms. Adrianne attended Wittenberg University where she continued taking dance classes while earning her teaching degree. Ms. Adrianne currently teaches math at Tecumseh High School. This is her seventh year on staff at Center Stage. She teaches our Junior level Jazz, and Lyrical.