Adrienne Atkins (Dance) Adrienne Atkins is a graduate of The Clara R. Noyes Academy of Ballet Internationale Indianapolis where she studied the Vaganova method of ballet for ten years under the direction of Irina Kolpakova, Vladilen Semenov, and Eldar Aliev. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, she has performed nationally and internationally with Ballet Internationale. Miss Atkins was a member of a winning ensemble at the Youth America Grand Prix International Ballet Competition and was invited to perform in the Youth America Grand Prix “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala held at the New York City Center. Additionally, Miss Atkins regularly performs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the annual Yuletide Celebration and was an original cast member for the premiere of “Pops Goes Vegas”. Miss Atkins has been teaching for Performer’s Edge Dance Theatre since January, 2007 and is looking forward to the upcoming school year!

Anne Beck (Dance) is a Master Teacher, performer, choreographer, director and theatrical dance coach all over the country as well as internationally. She teaches for Dance Masters of America and heads their musical theatre department for SHIP (Student
Honors Intensive Program) every summer. As a performer she has portrayed roles in musicals such as Finian’s Rainbow, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Hair, The Who’s Tommy, Me and My Girl, Grease!, Carousel, Jesus Christ Superstar, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (with Barbara Eden) and was an original cast member of Saturday Night Fever on Broadway. She has worked on countless productions as a choreographer and for the past four years has helped develope a new Broadway show which is currently in workshop in Japan. Most recently she was seen in this years Yuletide Celebration performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and will return for Sandi Patti’s Broadway Concert in March .

Lorenda Carr (Dance) Lorenda Carr has been dancing for more than 30 years, 18 of which she has been an instructor and choreographer. Not only was she a founding partner for Curtain Call Dance Academy, but she has also taught for studios such as LA Dance Indy, Carmel Performing Arts Center (tap director), Cole Academy, Jordan Academy of Dance and most recently, of course, Performers Edge. Lorenda teaches competitive and non-competitive classes to all ages, levels and styles with a particular love for tap. This past year she was the instructor for the Performer’s Edge mini competitive dance team. She has also judged numerous competitions. As for higher education, she was a dance major at Ball State University where her achievements included Choreographer of the year, President of Ball State Dance Theatre, and multiple dance scholarship awards. Not only has Lorenda taught dance, but she has performed as well. Some of her experiences include “Anything Goes” at Footlight Musicals, dancer for Zymic Tanzen modern dance troupe, stage manager/performer for Indianapolis Dance Company, “Sound of Music”, Phantom of the Opera”, and “Camelot”. Choreography experience includes “Grease” at Roncalli HS, “Damn Yankees” at Ben Davis HS, and choreography for various high school show choirs. Lorenda continues her education by taking classes in New York whenever possible.

Diane Cassidy (Piano) has been teaching piano lessons in both private and group setting for twenty-two years to all levels of students. She has created and operated a home based piano studio where she has taught up to forty-five students per week. She has taught both private and group piano lab students at prestigious music schools in Toronto where she had over one hundred students and also in Pennsylvania before having children. Mrs. Cassidy is recognized as an outstanding communicator, motivator of talent and a person who can multi task with ease. Known for her abundant curriculum to create “a well rounded musician”, Mrs. Cassidy along with many of her students have received various awards and high honor rankings in various music festivals and also through the Royal Conservatory of Music examination system where she received her training.

Michael Casey Clark (Dance) is originally from Fishers, Indiana. Casey started dancing at the age of 19. He attended Ball State University graduating with a BS in Dance Performance with a minor in Theatre. While at Ball State, he was encouraged to attend dance classes and audition for the Ball State Performing Dance Company where he was accepted as an Apprentice. A year later he became a company member. While studying at Ball State, he also performed with the Anderson Young Ballet Theatre, directed by Lou Ann Young. He received many scholarships and was the first to receive the Lynette Jordan Schisla Scholarship. At Ball State, Casey developed his choreography skills. He was one of several students to have their works adjudicated and performed at the American College Dance Festival, representing Ball State. Casey also choreographed many musicals at Ball State. “Dancing at Laughnasa” was adjudicated and presented at the American College Theatre Festival. He was also voted Best Student Choreographer. Casey is now Assistant to the Director of Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. He has choreographed extensively for them presenting works at the Regional Dance America festival as well as choreographing for The Performer’s Edge Competition team and has received top scores and awards for choreography.

Suzann DeLay (Dance - Artistic Director of The Central Indiana Dance Ensemble) Mrs. Delay is a native of California. She started her dance career at a very young age with Deane and Barbara Crockett, founders of the Sacramento Ballet. While in California, she was a soloist with the Sacramento Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet in Washington, dancing major roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Antony Tudor’s Soiree’ Musicale, Pas de Quarte and Paquita. She has been fortunate to study with Violette Verdy (New York City Ballet), Robert Barnett (Atlanta Ballet), Robert Joffrey (Joffrey Ballet), David Wood (Modern), Gordon Paxman (Ballet West) and Janet Reed (New York City Ballet) to name a few. Mrs. Delay has appeared in several musicals including The Princess and the Pea and Lil’ Abner. She has also appeared in several PBS specials in the California area. Mrs. DeLay has taught, choreographed and performed throughout the United States, including the School for Sacramento Ballet. She has won numerous awards for choreography works in ballet and lyrical. Her students are regularly accepted into the country’s top summer intensives – American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Austin, Washington Ballet, School of American Ballet, Virginia School of the Arts and Sacramento Ballet. Mrs. DeLay is the Artistic Director of the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble and past Co-Director of the award winning Indiana Dance Ambassadors who have performed throughout China and Russia. Miss Suzann trained in Crecchetti and Russian techniques; she was a student of the Crockett’s for over 20 years and is dedicated to carrying on their techniques.

Gregory Hancock (Dance - Director of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre) Gregory Glade Hancock is founder, Artistic Director and choreographer for Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (GHDT). Prior to this he was Artistic Director for Indianapolis Dance Company. He has created over 90 works for the GHDT repertoire including such critically acclaimed pieces as The River’s Edge, Carmina Burana, Out of Darkness, 1941, Dracula, The Rapture, Cuchi Cuchi, Salome, Joan of Arc, Luz de Luna, Busqueda, Simcha, God’s Island, Lagaan, Birth of the Gods, The Trojan Women, Between Heaven and Earth, The Two Fridas, My Gypsy Soul, The Sari, 1968, Devdas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and more. In addition to his work on the professional concert dance stage, Mr. Hancock has implemented numerous programs specifically designed for youth. These programs include and intensive summer dance academy and “all-student” production of “The Nutcracker”, and a pre-professional student dance ensemble. Mr. Hancock has created choreography for dance companies in the USA as well as in Eastern Europe. He has worked in Latvia with the National Dance Ensemble and at the Riga Choreographic School. Mr. Hancock’s dance training comes from a variety of schools in the USA and Europe. His studies have encompassed a variety of dance styles and have included such unique experiences as research and study of tribal Indian dances in the Amazon Jungle of Peru, SA. He has also created choreography for the Varna International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, musical theatre, opera, industrials, television commercials, and international and Olympic level competitive figure skaters. Mr. Hancock is an accomplished musician, composer and visual artist. In addition to his work in the dance world, Mr. Hancock has served as the costume designer for SBC’s Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and similar programs with the Alabama Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He has been honored for his work as a choreographer and dancer through two Master Artist Fellowships from the Indiana Arts Commission, fellowships from the Citizen Exchange Council and ArtsLink in NYC, and a Creative Renewal Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Lilly Endowment. Mr. Hancock was named “Outstanding Choreographer” at the Youth America Grand Prix 2005 in NYC. This international ballet competition included over 8,000 international competitors. Most recently Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre participated at the 11th International Baltic Ballet Festival in Riga, Latvia.

Jessi Hendricks Gomillion (Dance) graduated Cum Laude from Butler University in 2003 and moved to Jackson, MS to be part of the trainee program at Ballet Magnificat!. She completed two years of the trainee program, functioning as trainee captain for one year. She then spent one year as Professor of Dance in Belhaven College’s Dance Department. She has been a guest teacher at Jordan College Academy of Dance, Tupelo Fine Arts Workshop, and White River Ballet Summer Intensive. Jessi began her ballet training at White River Ballet Company in Noblesville, IN. In 1994, she continued studying ballet at Jordan College Academy of Dance at Butler University in Indianapolis. During High School, she trained at the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and was invited to join the Jordan Dance Ensemble. She has ad the opportunity to study with Laura Alonzo, Bo and Stephanie Spassoff, David Hochoy, Rochelle Zide-Booth, Gao Ping, The Fosse Tour Company and Donald Byrd. While dancing with Butler Ballet she danced lead roles in The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Konservatoriate, Petrushka, The Willow Maiden, Night Dances, and Short and Suite.

Tim Kelly (Percussion/Drums) has been on staff with Beef & Boards Dinner Theater as House Percussionist for the past sixteen years. He has been part of over One-Hundred different productions and over Five-Thousand performances. His playing experiences have also taken him all over the U.S. and Canada Performing with The Ink Spots, Maxine Andrews, The Four Lads, Johnnie Ray and others.  Tim also spent three years playing for The Wright Brothers.    He received his degree in Applied Music from Butler University earning Outstanding Performance awards in Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and New Music Ensemble.  Tim has been teaching privately for twenty-six years and taught area high school drum lines for eighteen years, being a versatile performer and a complete percussion teacher specializing in the drum set, Tim focuses equally on music reading, technique and proper style with his students.  His teaching practice focuses on developing middle school and high school band
students, helping them to become total percussionists and excellent musicians. 

Heather Lash (Dance)

Jill Moore (Music – Piano & Instrumental Music) B.S., Indiana University School of Music, Indiana Teaching license: K-12 Instrumental and Vocal Music, Butler University Currently I am teaching band at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Joan of Arc schools as well as the Phillips Music Guild of Indianapolis. I am also a member of the Indianapolis Women’s Choir and a vocalist and percussionist with Village Drums. My varied musical background is reflected in a teaching philosophy summarized in two words: passion and variety. It is a joy for me to share my passion for music with young people and teach them to love music in many forms and styles. When music making is fun, children are naturally motivated to learn more and do the work that is necessary for growth. Whether young musicians become advanced performers or simply adults who love music, their lives are greatly enriched.

Ron Morgan (Owner & Director) Mr. Morgan was in the original Broadway Cast of “Starlight Express” and “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Ron began his performing career in the “All American College Singers” in Disneyland. He has performed and or choreographed in over 15 countries around the world. New York production work includes Off-Broadway Revues, Industrial Trade Shows & Cruise Ships. Ron choreographed the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders for seven seasons producing many NFL Halftime Shows. Ron has choreographed for the Indiana Pacemates and produced NBA half time shows. His work also includes choreographing parade units for Disney and other events. Ron has choreographed for numerous theatres including Footlite Musicals, Theatre on the Square and the Edeveyan Theatre. He has worked as a Master Artist with the “Very Special Arts of Indiana" and continues to work with area schools. Ron continues as an adjudicator and master teacher for dance and show choir competitions around the country. He resided in New York City for several years where he studied dance with numerous instructors including David Howard, Charles Kelly & Joe Lanteri. Currently Mr. Morgan directs and choreographs for Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre and area schools.

Ron Nobles (Cello Instructor) Mr. Nobles is a native Hoosier, grew up in Indianapolis. He began playing the cello as a 6th grader in the Indianapolis Public Schools. Ron holds music education degrees from Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and Butler University. He began his orchestra teaching career at Tech High School in Indianapolis in 1970 and moved to Carmel Junior High (now Middle School) in 1982. While at both schools, Ron’s orchestras received state-wide recognition and acclaim. Many of his former students have established careers as music teachers and performers. Ron’s performance experience has included solo recitals, chamber music ensembles, symphonic playing, opera orchestras and recording sessions. He has served as principal cellist for the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Carmel Symphony, the Whitewater Opera and the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra. Ron is a founding member and cellist for the d’Indy String Quartet which has performed for many weddings and other social events since 1979. Ron has retired from public school teaching after 35 years. He enthusiastically anticipates his continued involvement in music education through the development of cello students through private teaching.

Lisa Reynolds (Voice and Piano)

Tara Roberds (Dance & Musical Theatre) Miss Tara is currently a junior at Butler University, majoring in Music Education. At Butler, Tara is proud to be a member of the Butler Chorale and “Jordan Jazz”- a vocal jazz ensemble. Tara is a 2006 graduate of Franklin Central High School, where she was a 4-year member of the “FC Singers” Show Choir, and was involved in many other FC Choirs and in all 4 Musicals—including playing the role of “Marty” in “Grease” her senior year. Locally, Tara has performed in several shows at Footlite Musicals- “Annie Warbucks”, “Music Man”, “West Side Story” and “Jekyll and Hyde”. Tara teaches Pre-Combo and Combo classes at Performer’s Edge , and assists with the Musical Theatre Company (PEDT).

Trish Roberds (Director of the Performer's Edge Dance Theatre Student Company) Miss Trish is currently the Director of the Musical Theatre Company (PEDT) for Performer’s Edge School of Dance and Theatre in Carmel, IN. Trish has been an instructor at Performer’s Edge for over 13 years, teaching everything from Pre-Dance through Intermediate/Advanced classes. Trish received her BA in Performing Arts from Butler University—Dance and Music major, Theatre minor. At Butler University, she was a member of the Butler Ballet, and the performing group “PIZAZZ”- which she also helped to choreograph. Trish has previously worked as a teacher for Indianapolis Public Schools. She was the Creative Movement teacher for IPS # 64—a magnet Performing Arts Elementary School where she taught classes in Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Physical Education. Trish choreographs the Junior Pacemates for the Indiana Pacers, and directs the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s “Youth Ensemble”, and helps with their yearly Holiday production of the “Nutcracker” and with their Spring Ballet and various concerts throughout the year. Outside choreography projects include various local High School and Middle School Choirs, Show Choirs and Musicals. Trish has performed locally at Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Footlite Musicals and at IRT. She has performed professionally as a Singer/ Dancer with Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Trish has been married to her husband Mark for almost 22 years and is the proud mom of Tara, Amy and Danny!!

Denise Sherman (Voice and Piano)

Kelly Butler Smith (Associate Director) Ms. Smith is a freelance choreographer working with various schools and theatres. High Schools in which she has choreographed include Carmel High School, Park Tudor, Lawrence North, North Central and Warren Central. Kelly also has choreographed many musicals at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Edyvean Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, the Children’s Museum and Buck Creek Players. Kelly is one of the founders of Summer Stock Stage, a program which gives young people a chance to work on their musical theatre skills with a professional staff. She also began a similar program at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre and ran it for over ten years. She has appeared on stage in many leading roles and has done some commercials for television as well as voice work for area radio stations. She has been an Artist in Residence for the Indiana Arts Commission, a Master Artist with Very Special Arts of Indiana, and has served on many boards in the arts community in Indianapolis.

Katie Soffietti (Dance & Piano) Katie has been involved in music and theatre for many years. Miss Katie has had 14 years of piano instruction including classical, modern, and music theory instruction. Miss Katie has served as an accompanist in jazz band and choir. Kate has numerous solo performance experiences and continues to perform in theatre as well. Her theatre experience and dance training includes work at Ball State University, Indiana University, Civic Theatre, Theatre On The Square and Lawrence North High School. Miss Katie currently teaches dance in our Lower School Department and has taught piano for many years. She has a B.A. degree in Political Science with a Western European Studies, Minor. We are excited to have Katie teach in our Group Piano Lab.

Jennifer Stephanidis (Studio Manager) As the studio manager Jen is responsible for all the accounts, scheduling, payroll and other business affairs. She has been involved in many businesses including mortgage loan processor, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and secretary for the Performing Arts Department at Carmel High School. One of Jen’s favorite job opportunities was working to help pass legislation that enacted the “Child Safety Seat Law” for Indiana at Riley Hospital in the 80’s. Jen is an accomplished seamstress and has had her own business designing window treatments and making alterations on clothing and costumes. She was a lead teacher with “Mothers Day Out Programs” in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the proud mother of two adult children and lives in Carmel with her husband Jim.

Megan Spahr (Dance) has been dancing all of her life and was very active in the performing arts at Carmel High School. She received her Degree in Musical Theatre from Ball State University and was very active in their theatre department performing in many productions such as “Thouroughly Modern Millie” and more. She has choreographed for “Summer Stock Stage” of Indianapolis and recently choreographed the musical “Joseph” at Lapel High School. Megan continues her career by joining the faculty here at Performer’s Edge teaching technique classes and choreographing for the PE Team. She has received numerous honors for her choreography and we are excited to welcome her back to Carmel.

Oybek Tashpulatov (Dance) Originally from Tashkent, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Tashpulatov graduated from the Uzbek School of Choreography in 1987. In 1986, he participated in the Gala opening of the first Good Will games in Moscow. For the next ten years, he performed as a Principal Dancer with the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tashkent. In 1997, for his outstanding achievements in the field of dance, Mr. Tashpulatov was awarded the national title of “Honored Artist of the Republic of Uzbekistan” by the country’s President. In February 1998, he came to the USA and was offered a position of Principal Dancer and Ballet Master in the International Ballet at Carnegie Hall in New York City. During his season with the International Ballet, he was also a guest performer with the Ballet Theatre of Boston and the Dance at Holy Trinity in New York. The following year, he joined Ballet Internationale of Indianapolis, retiring in 2003. Mr. Tashpulatov received critical acclaim immediately after his move to Indianapolis for his performance as Herr Drosselmeyer in BI’s production of The Nutcracker. His illustrious career has included tours in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Germany, and China. Coming out of retirement, this is his first performance with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. We are honored to have Mr. Tashpulatov perform the role of Sugar Plum Cavalier.

Chris Watson (Dance) Mr. Chris Watson has 20 years of experience in dance in technique classes and competitive choreography. Chris received formal training from Vincennes University, Butler University and The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. As a performer Chris has worked with the Circle City Ballet Company, WNBA Fever Squad and more. His choreography credits include work with the Fever Squad, Indiana Pacemates, Vincennes University Cheer Squad and the Nike Culture Shock in San Francisco. Chris has worked with competitive dance teams including LA Dance Indy, Le Rose Dance Academy and Turning Pointe. He is a nationally known choreographer and has received numerous awards in national dance competitions.