Stacie Woempner
Director
Stacie Woempner grew up in Morgantown, IN where she began dancing at the age of 3, at Stage 1 Dance Academy in Greenwood, IN. She began assist teaching at age 13, to teaching on her own in 2014. She graduated a semester early from high school to go on and further her dance career auditioning in Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh and L.A. Stacie received her Bachelors in Fine Arts Degree from the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne. Training with the Fort Wayne Ballet performing the Nutcracker for four years, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, and was a company dancer with dAnce.Kontemporary. Stacie performed in countless shows and had her debuts in the Theatre program at USF. Stacie use to teach for multiple studios in the area including Greenwood, Whiteland, Indianapolis and Fishers. Stacie danced professionally with Phoenix Rising Dance Company (2018) in Indianapolis where she was privileged to be traveling to NYC to perform with the top 20 innovative dance companies in the world.
Stacie began teaching at Dancers Studio, Inc. since January 2018 teaching Levels IV, VI, VII and choreographing the Nutcracker and Spring Show. Stacie got hired as the Director in January 2020. Stacie is extremely excited and anxious to help Dancers Studio grow and train dancers proper etiquette, technique, and self-confidence, to transform into the dancer they want to become. "My love for dance has touched hundreds of dancers lives over the years. I look forward to being a positive role model and significant impact to each dancer while maintaining the legacy Alma, Kaylin & Kim created to run such a success business. I am truly thankful God has lead me to Dancers Studio Inc. and for my family always pushing me to pursue my dreams!"
KAYLIN HOGAN
Instructor - Ballet/Pointe/Modern
Kaylin Hogan began dancing at age 5 and settled into ballet at Dancers Studio at age 7, when her family moved to Columbus. She studied ballet and modern dance through high school, during which she had the opportunity to spend summers studying at Interlochen Arts Camp, the Louisville Ballet Intensive, and the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program. She chose to continue her training in college by earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University, where she majored in Dance Performance and minored in Technical Theatre-Lighting Design. There, she had the opportunity to study under a wonderful faculty, including Lou Ann Young, Audra Sokol, Christie Zimmerman, Vladimir Stadnik, and Michael Worcel, as well as several guest artists over the years. Kaylin performed for 4 years with Ball State Dance Theatre, which included several world premieres and touring productions. She also performed, choreographed, and designed lights for approximately 14 student productions and showcases during her college career. Since graduation in 2014, Kaylin has been living in Columbus with husband, Nick, and daughter, Lily, and teaching and choreographing for Dancers Studio and several other community organizations. In June of 2018, Kaylin was hired as Artistic Director of Dancers Studio, Inc.
RENEE HODGE
Instructor - Ballet/Pointe
Renee grew up in Metamora, Illinois. She began her dance training at age five from her mother and dance teacher, Betty Smith. At the age of fifteen she became a member of The Peoria Ballet Company in Peoria, Illinois. She performed many soloist and principal roles in both classical and contemporary ballets. She performed with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, The Peoria Civic Opera and The performing Arts Department at Bradley University in Peoria. She performed in original works choreographed by Alfonso Figueroa with The Peoria Ballet Company at the Edinburg Arts Festival in Edinburg Scotland. She danced in the world premiere of "Nosferatu, the Vampire" and in a role created for her in the second movement of "Rodin...A Tribute" by Alfonso Figueroa. In a made for local public television production, Renee performed with The Peoria Ballet Company in "Ballet Like You've Never Seen It." Renee has studied under Alfonso Figueroa, Janet Moran, Mary Price Boday, Jay Kirk, Alexander Bennet, Jo Rowan, and David Howard. Renee earned her Social Services Degree from Bradley University. She lives in Seymour with her husband Dan and her, children, Katie and Michael. Renee has been teaching at Dancers Studio since 2014.
NICOLAS A. OWENS
Instructor - Jazz/Conditioning/Modern
Nicholas is known throughout the Indianapolis area as a dancer, choreographer, photographer, and co-founder and former Artistic Director of Kenyatta Dance Company. He directs his own modern dance company, NODC (Nicholas Owens Dance Company). He began dancing at Kenyatta Dance Studio under the direction of his older sister Vanessa Owens and later joined Iibada Dance Company under the Founding Artistic Direction of Sabra Logan. His training includes modern, classical ballet, jazz, African Dance forms, tap and hip-hop dance. He has attended the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and the African American Dance Company workshop. He has performed both nationally and internationally. He currently teaches modern, jazz and private tap dance lessons at the Indiana Ballet Conservancy, Dancers Studio, Inc. in Columbus and Iibada Dance Company. He also taught jazz as an adjunct professor at Butler University. Nicholas has directed and choreographed for Kenyatta Dance Company, Indiana Civis Theatre, Indiana Ballet Company, Pike High School, Iibada Dace Company, Indianapolis Children's Choir, Sycamore School and Dance Kaleidoscope. Currently he serves as Assistant Artistic Director of Iibada Dance Company. Nicholas has been teaching at Dancers Studio since 2013.
Lauren Haza
Instructor - Ballet/Pointe
Lauren Haza earned her B.S. in Contemporary Dance, with a minor in Excercise Science from Indiana University in 2012. While at IU, she performed works by Martha Graham and David Parsons. Lauren also attended summer intensives with American Ballet Theatre and Martha Graham School. She recently moved back to Indiana from Philadelphia where she was teaching full time at The Conservatory of Music and Dance. Lauren also holds a Sports Performance coaching certification from USA Weightlifting. She coaches and competes in Olympic weightlifting. Lauren is excited to be back at Dancers Studio where her love of dance first began.