Our Staff
Our Teaching Philosophy
Our instructors build confidence and a good self-image by teaching through positive reinforcement. We concentrate on teaching correct technique and terms. We want students to achieve their personal best and leave class feeling good about themselves. We encourage our students to reach for the stars and be the best that they can be not only in dance but their everyday lives.
MISS SUSAN
Miss Susan is the owner and director of The Dance Zone & More which opened in October 2003. This is now her 17th year teaching at the studio. Susan studied classical ballet under the direction of Stanley Herbert at the St. Louis Civic Ballet Company, now called Dance St. Louis. She has taken classes in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Pointe. She is an award winning choreographer for her dance team the DZ Dazzlers. Susan’s routines have placed in the Top 10 at regional’s and at the national level during the last 16 years of competition. Susan’s students have gone off to study at Webster University, receive scholarships for dance teams at college and be hired on as a competitive teachers at other studios. Miss Susan is an emotional teacher and loves watching her students. She always says that there is no better joy that she fells then being able to walk into the studio doors every day no matter how rough the day had been, just to know that she can give someone the opportunity to express themselves through dance the way that she did as a young girl. Susan loves what she does and she wants to teach your child how to dance. She is the proud mother of Nicole Ivy and William Buscher. She currently resides with her husband and dogs in St. Clair.
MISS NICOLE
Miss Nicole graduated from the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She currently is a Staff Pharmacist with Walgreens. Nicole has been dancing since the age of 7. She has been a member of the dance team since the studio opened. Nicole has put many awards on the wall of the studio performing in solos, duets, trios, and groups. She also choreographed dances for the dance team while she was there winning several Top 10 placements and also several choreography awards. Miss Nicole teaches our intermediate/advanced gymnastics program along with our intermediate/advanced jazz classes. Miss Nicole is also a Certified Teacher through Acrobatic Arts acro dance program. She also choreographs for the DZ Dazzlers competitive dance team. This is her 21st year with The Dance Zone family and she looks forward to another 20!!!! Miss Nicole is also the Asst. Director. She is also the proud mom to her beautiful baby girls, Ariebella and Paisley!!
MISS CAITLIN
Miss Caitlin is our current beginner gymnastics teacher. She works with our little ones to prepare them to go into the next levels. Miss Caitlin was a previous student at the studio and enjoys being ablet take what she learned and give it back to her students. She is the proud mamma to her beautiful little girl Ember.
MISS KAYLEE
Ms. Kaylee graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in Special Education K-12. She is currently a Special Education teacher at Neuwoehner High School. Kaylee has been dancing since the age of 3. She was a competitive dancer for 15 years. While she was in high school, she danced on her school’s dance team. Miss Kaylee will be teaching our hip hop program along with tap and ballet combo classes and gymnastics. Kaylee is so excited to start teaching here!
SENSEI STOUT
Sensei Stout has been active in Martial Arts for 19 years. He has studied Kali (stick and knife fighting), Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, and Boxing. He has trained with a great number of martial artists who have accomplished everything from State titles to World titles and has been fortunate enough to learn and master some of their specialties that make them great. Sensei Stout is committed to helping every man, woman and child develop their confidence, self-esteem, and respect for themselves, as well as others, through the instruction of martial arts. He is a firm believer that with discipline and hard work, all people can reach the full potential of their greatness. Sensei Stout is an accomplished 4th degree black belt with Bushido Karate. He has over 35 full contact matches under his belt and is the former Missouri State Kickboxing Champion! Sensei Stout also was the 4 time number 1 contender for the Kickboxing State title, as well as the 2 time number 1 contender for the Midwest Regional Kickboxing Title and took home 3rd place champion in the Semi-Contact State Tournament. He has also been bestowed the award for “Outstanding Participation and Good Sportsmanship in Full Contact Competition” from the K.J.C.K Organization. Sensei Stout resides in Sullivan, Missouri, with son, Alexander, and daughter, Kyrsten. This is Jason’s 14th year teaching at the studio.
MISS Chloe
Chloe Willis a dancer, performer and teacher. Chloe comes to us form Petersburg, Indiana, Chloe is going to be a sophomore at Lindenwood University where she will continue to work towards her BFA in Contemporary dance. Chloe received her formal training at Stacy’s Studio of Dance in her hometown. Her home studio brought many opportunities to her. Chloe participated in the competition dance circuit for 15 years and started on the big stage at the age of 3. Chloe was able to attend Talent on Parades summer intensive programs from age 9-19. Her most recent experience allowed her to perform in a show at the Clay Cooper Theater in Branson, MO. Chloe’s professional career started last fall as a cast member in 2023 Six Flas, St. Louis Freight Fest as a dancer in Dead Man’s Party. She participated in Lindenwood University’s Spring concert dancing in 3 numbers. She recently taught a summer intensive at Stacy’s Studio of Dance. Chloe loves to perform but her heart is teaching children that dance can be an outlet for many types of emotions. She hopes to bring a fun and inspiring atmosphere to her classes while trying to achieve the dancer’s fullest potential. Chloe is excited to get to work and inspire the next generation of dancers.
MISS SYDNEY
Miss Sydney is currently a junior assistant in our beginner tap/ballet and gymnastics classes and will be taking on our tiniest dancers this year with her own tiny dancers class. She helps with demonstrations and keeps the students progressing in their skills. She is a current elite dancer on our competitive dance team. We enjoy not only training Sydney to be a great dancer, but we are training her to be a great teacher as well. We look forward to many more years with this young lady. She has truly come so far since the beginning and continues to strive to be better than the day before.
MISS Angie
Angie began her dance career at 5 years old with Maxine Chapman’s Studio of Dance in Vineland, NJ. At the same time, Angie also began her martial arts career, studying the GoJu style under Master John Austino Jr.
In 2006, Angie began studying at Arts of the Dance Centre in Vineland, NJ, under DMA Master Teacher, Adele Harwas and Professional Ballerina, Rucsandra Maniaci. Angie studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Bollywood, and Ballroom; she found her passion for choreography and creating. At this time, Angie had also earned her black belt in Kenpo under the instruction of 6x World Champion Kerry Hallman in Hammonton, NJ.
Upon graduation, continued her dance studies in a collegiate setting. In 2016, Angie founded the Rider University Dance Troupe, a dance company on campus. Angie served as showcase director among a group of other choreographers for 4 years until the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Angie relocated to the Navajo reservation. With a lack of classical dance, Angie found a new love: coaching cheerleading. Angie continued coaching when she relocated again to Missouri, where she earned a 9/10 in the routine composition and choreography.
After having her daughter in February 2024, Angie desired a greater work/life balance and to find her way back to her dance roots. Angie brings with her a passion and desire to create pieces that challenge students and inspire others. Angie hopes to continue her dance education through Dance Masters of America.
Miss Lily is currently a junior assistant in our beginner gymnastics classes. She helps spot and demonstrate for the students. She is a current member of our competitive dance team. We enjoy not only training Lily to be a great dancer but we are working with her to be a great teacher as well. We look forward to many more years with this young lady.
Miss Kaeli
Miss Kaeli is currently studying at Maryville University to pursue a degree in Early and Elementary Education. I have been dancing since the age of 3 and have been in love with it ever since. I love getting to watch my students grow and have the same passion as I did when I was their age. Miss Kaeli will be working with our little dancers teaching tap & ballet.
WE CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE DANCE STUDIO.