Staff

	Stephanie Kibler - Owner Stephanie founded Kibler Dance Academy in 2004. She began her dance career at the age of seven and trained at the Susan Powel Dance Center and the Canton Ballet. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Management from Baldwin-Wallace College and has studied in New York City at Broadway Dance Center. Stephanie resides in Charleston, SC with her husband, Kyle, and daughters, Kenna and Kira – both dancers, of course!
	Jennifer Kibler - Studio Director & Dance Instructor Jennifer is the director of Kibler Dance Academy as well as an instructor and artistic designer. She began her dance career at the age of three and studied at the Melissa Popovich Dance Studio, Al’s Gymnastics and Susan Powell Dance Center. Jennifer attended Baldwin-Wallace College and received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Business and Minor in Studio Art. She continued her dance education throughout college where she performed on the dance team and in dance concerts. Jennifer is a competition choreographer at KDA and has earned numerous awards for her dance pieces including the Nexstar Dance Excellence in Choreography nomination for Choreographer of the Year 2020. Jennifer is the co-choreographer of the Hudson High School show choir, Vocal Impact, with Amanda Hahlen. Jennifer combines her love of dance and art to share with the studio, community and beyond. Kibler Dance Academy is Jennifer’s second home and the students are her family. She is excited for another amazing year at KDA!
	Izzy Bielamowicz - Dance Instructor Izzy graduated from Miami University in May 2020 with a degree in Political Science and is currently in her second year of Law School at Case Western Reserve University. Izzy is originally from Naperville, IL and began dancing at three years old. While growing up, Izzy danced with Vaughan Dance Academy in Plainfield, IL, training vigorously in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, tap, and jazz. In addition to competitive dance, Izzy performed with and choreographed for her high school through the Neuqua Valley Orchesis Dance Company. Once in college, Izzy was a member of Miami University Dance Theatre from Fall 2017 to Spring 2020, choreographing three pieces for the company as a student, and returning in Fall 2021 and Spring 2023 as a guest choreographer. Izzy adores working with children and watching their passion for dance blossom. Izzy has loved working with the students at Kibler over the last few years and is looking forward to another successful and rewarding season with the KDA family!
	Ashley Frounfelker - Dance Instructor Ashley Frounfelker has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern, with additional training in pointe and hip hop. Since the age of three and throughout her childhood, she took classes from teacher of 60 years, Wally Dashiell, at her studio in Kent Island, Maryland. She attended several dance festivals, including Dance Masters of America and Maryland Council for Dance, and was a junior member of DMA, Regional Chapter 17. Ashley trained as a member of the children’s cast of the Nutcracker for the Joffrey Ballet. Ashley attended Baldwin Wallace University, where she was a part of the dance program under the direction of Gregory Daniels. She was trained by teachers Sara Whale, Rebecca Leuszler, Gregory Daniels, and Heidi Glynias. She also attended two summer intensives with The Movement Project, directed by Rebecca Leuszler and Megan Gargano. Ashley choreographed and performed in her dance program’s informal show Testing Grounds, as well as in the annual dance concert, fyoo zh en. Ashley graduated from BWU with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in dance. She is now a 3rd grade teacher at Roxbury Elementary School in Solon, Ohio. Ashley has taught dance classes at several studios, varying in styles and levels, throughout Northeast Ohio since 2017.
	Hailey Gelzheiser - Dance Instructor Hailey Gelzheiser is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer in the northeastern Ohio area. She received her B.A. in Dance Management from Youngstown State University, where she received an extensive education in technique, choreography, and pedagogy. She has experience teaching for both recreational and competitive studios, non-profits, and K-12. When she is not teaching, she spends her time choreographing and performing for organizations such as Cleveland Dance Project and The Workshop. She is a member of the National Dance Educator Organization and has obtained certifications through Dance Masters of America, Inc.
	Bella Gibbs - Dance Instructor Bella Gibbs began dancing at the age of three and has been passionate about the art form ever since. She recently graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Dance Studies, where she trained extensively in contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, and hip hop. During her four years at Kent, Bella was also a dedicated member of the Kent State Dance Team, performing at games, community events, and national competitions. Her performance career has taken her beyond Ohio, including dancing abroad in Thailand through Kent State’s East Meets West program, participating in the OhioDance Festival, and performing at the American College Dance Association Conference in Michigan. Outside of the studio, Bella works as a Social Media Specialist for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where she combines her creativity and love for the arts with professional sports. She is excited to bring her passion, energy, and teaching experience to the studio, inspiring dancers to grow in both skill and confidence while enjoying the joy of movement.
	Amanda Hahlen - Dance Instructor Amanda began dancing at the age of three at The School of Canton Ballet and later became a company member. She has attended summer intensives to train with professional ballet companies in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, and Ohio. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University and during her junior year was awarded a scholarship as Outstanding Dance Major. After college graduation, Amanda gained teaching experience at private dance studios, preschools and public schools including Plain Local Schools and Akron Public Schools. For the past six years Amanda has choreographed Summer Stage at Young Actors Studio; “Chicago” being her favorite musical to choreograph to date! She is also the choreographer for the Green High School fall musical and co-choreographs the Hudson High School show choir with Jennifer Kibler. At KDA, Amanda instructs recreation and competition level classes. She enjoys choreographing for the competition team and her dances have won numerous special awards. Amanda loves being a part of the KDA family and sharing her passion for dance with her students!
	Brenna Helton - Dance Instructor Brenna’s journey with dance began at just three years old, and she started competing at five. Growing up, she trained and competed in a variety of styles including Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, and Acro. She also trained in Ballet and Pointe throughout her entire dance journey and studied the Cecchetti Method for a period of time. Brenna is a former D1 collegiate dancer from Kent State University, where she competed nationally and performed on the sidelines at football and basketball games. At Kent State, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Physiology and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of Mount Union. In addition to performing, Brenna has experience teaching and sharing her love of dance with younger students. She has also worked backstage at dance competitions, gaining valuable insight into the production and organizational side of the industry. Brenna is certified in Applied Stretching Theory and Practice and works as a Flexologist at Stretch Lab, bringing a unique and comprehensive perspective on both movement and wellness. She is excited to bring her passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for dance to KDA and is looking forward to an amazing year!
	Megan Lifford - Dance Instructor Megan Lifford is a native from Connecticut, who recently moved to Ohio. She began her dance training with the Anita Deprey Studio of Dance, Man in Motion Dance Company in NYC, and was a part of the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Art Half Day Program where she worked with Kim Stroud, Jeanene Giori, Thomas Giori, Leslie Maietta, Katie Stutter and Lynn Peterson. Megan attended Montclair State University receiving her Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance. During her time at Montclair she performed in pieces created by Camille A. Brown, Kathleen Kelley, Nancy Lushington, Jessica DiMaro Marks, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Stacey Tookie and Abby Zibikowski. She has also traveled to Houston, Texas where she worked with METdance Professional Company where she was a featured dancer in a new piece created by Joe Celej. Megan has her Level 1 Acrobatic Arts Certification and teaches all styles of dance. She is excited to work alongside the staff of KDA for their 22nd season.
	Michael Musarra - Dance Instructor Michael has been invested heavily into the Dance world since the very beginning of his life. Early on, he competed year after year, achieving numerous overall and high score awards during his competitive tenure. Michael holds a handful of Titles, including Jr. Mr. Dance of Ohio 2003, Teen Mr. Dance of Ohio 2005, as well as Mr. Dance of Ohio in 2012. Aside from the competition scene, Michael was highly active in choir and musical theater during his school years, while also landing the lead role of Ren McCormack in Footloose the Musical. In 2015, he went on to audition for the hit TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance", where he advanced past the first round of more than 600 people, into the television round to perform in front of celebrities like Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, and Jason Derulo. He is currently a member of the New Vision Dance Company based in Columbus, Ohio, where different styles and cultures come together to put on amazing shows and workshops throughout the year. Michael is incredibly passionate about his work, and is persistent on making sure that his students not only unleash their full potential, but also have fun learning, and celebrating this incredible art form that we’re all able to experience together.
	Rachael Palermo - Dance Instructor Rachael is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Northfield, Ohio. As a performer and choreographer, she has worked with area dance companies, schools, and theater companies throughout Northeast Ohio. Rachael has taught in private dance studios, non-profits, and higher education, focusing on ballet training for all ages and levels of experience. She previously worked as a dance studio Owner/Director for 10 years and currently specializes in small business consulting. Rachael holds an M.A. in Teaching Dance in Higher Education and the Professions from New York University.
	Alyssa Rightnour - Dance Instructor Alyssa started dancing when she was three years old and was a member of the competitive team for 9 years at Kibler Dance Academy! While at KDA, Alyssa competed in Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop, and Musical Theater. She also was trained in ballet and acrobatics while dancing at KDA. Alyssa continued her dancing career in college at Ohio University where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. At OU she was a member and co-president of OU Vibrations which was a student run dance organization. Alyssa is very excited to be back at KDA and continue to be apart of the amazing dance family!
	Tori Ritzel - Dance Instructor Tori started dancing at the age of three, right here at Kibler Dance Academy! She has been in the KDA family since the very beginning... and has LOVED every moment of it! While at KDA, Tori competed in Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theater, Tap, and Hip Hop. She also trained in Ballet the entirety of her time and has experience in Acrobats. Tori continued her training at the University of Kentucky, where she had two majors; dance and psychology. She deepened her understanding of dance, but primarily focused on Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Improvisation. She participated in numerous performances, but her favorite was “Points of Origin,” by Stephanie Harris. This piece was a collaborative dance work exploring improvisation within the live performance setting. After studying dance as an art form, Tori has begun appreciating every detail and aspect of dance! She really loves understanding and experimenting with the mind and body connection as she continues dancing through life. Tori is so grateful to have this opportunity to help guide young artists on their dance journeys but even more excited to learn from her students. She looks forward to having an amazing year!