Meet Our Instructors & Staff
Alex Hess
Owner, Director & Instructor
Ovation Dance Academy has been a dream of Miss Alex’s all of her life, and she loves sharing her talent and passion with all of her student.
Alex began her dance training as most dancers do, in a pink tutu at four years old. She quickly became passionate about all styles of dance and was no stranger to the stage. Alex loved any opportunity to perform whether it was in dance competition, community event, or a musical!
Kate Darst
Tumbling Director & Instructor
Kate has been dancing and tumbling since the age of three. In addition to being a competitive dancer, she was also a competitive tumbler.
Kate competed in M.A.T.S. tumbling meets before eventually becoming a judge. She is a graduate of Shawnee Mission South High School where she danced on the dance team, the Pacesetters for four years. She was also a four-year member of the Varsity Gymnastics Team and a captain.
Instructors
Lisa Caldwell
Instructor
Sophie Lawrence
Instructor
Michaela Middleton
Instructor
Savannah Rudy
Instructor
Andrea Stainback
Instructor
Jill Hagemeier
Instructor
Piper Noblit
Instructor
Candace Starr
Instructor
Lauren Thompson
Instructor
Caleb Hayden
Instructor
Debbie Maher
Instructor
Kati Oddo
Instructor
Alora Spencer
Instructor
Kristi Swob
Instructor
Staff Members
Leigh Allison
Office Staff
Katie Schwenk
Office Staff
Joyce Hess
Chief Financial Officer
Lavender
Happiness Officer in Training
Tilly
Chief Happiness Officer
Meghan Gawlick
Office Staff
Amanda Connell
Office Staff
