Bailey began her dance training at Dance Theatre Studio under the direction of John Durbin with her training focusing on Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Dance Performance and Minor in Arts Management. While at EMU, Bailey served as the President of EMU’s Dance Forum and was selected Senior Dance Major of the year by faculty. Bailey also had the opportunity to represent EMU as the student choreographer at the American College Dance Festival. Bailey holds a choreography certification from Dance New Amsterdam in New York City. While in NYC, Bailey had the opportunity to work with Rebecca Stenn (Pilobolus) Nicole Wolcott (Keigwan & Co.) and Faye Driscoll. Bailey continues her training any chance she can and has spent the past four years as a company member of Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre under the direction of Carol Radovic. Bailey has been teaching at Dance Theatre Studio since 2007 and enjoys working with every age and level. She choreographs solo and group dances for Dance Theatre Studios Youth Company. Bailey is also a certified yoga instructor.​

Jayme Crabtree began her training at Dance Theatre Studio. As a youngster, Jayme passed her Cecchetti exams, attended the Bates Dance Festival Professional Training Program and the Rockette Summer Intensive. Jayme went on to earn a B.S. in Contemporary Dance with a Fitness Minor from Indiana University. As a part of the dance program Jayme took different kinesiology classes, which had a great impact on her dancing and teaching. Additionally while at IU she had the opportunity to perform choreography by Martha Graham, David Parsons and Anna Sokolow. Jayme is ACE Personal Training, ACE Group Exercise and Pilates certified. ​

Kenny Crabtree holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education with a focus in strength and conditioning from Eastern Michigan University. Kenny has been an ACE certified personal trainer since 2008. He holds additional certifications as a TRX Instructor, TRX Level 2 Sports medicine/musculoskeletal injury and prevention, Cancer Exercise Specialist, and Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Instructor. Kenny is also First Aid, CPR and AED certified through the American Red Cross. ​

Sophia started dancing at the age of 3. She has experience in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Argentine Tango. Sophia has B.A. in Theatre from Hope College and is also a certified personal trainer. Sophia still loves to perform and share her passion for dance with all ages.

Kyla Hyatt started dancing when she was three and began training at Dance Theatre Studio at age five. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and ballroom, and is certified in Cecchetti through Grade Three. She joined DTS’ Youth Company in fifth grade and performed with them through high school, then began teaching in 2018. Kyla graduated from the University of Michigan in 2022 earning a B.A. in Spanish with minors in Dance and Community Action & Social Change. At U of M, she had the pleasure of working with faculty members including Shannon Gillen (Vim Vigor) and Missy Beck, and learning the Giordano jazz technique from Jillian Hopper. Also during her undergrad years, she performed with and co-directed U of M’s RhythM Tap Ensemble. She is First Aid and CPR/AED certified through the American Safety & Health Institute. Kyla loves working with all ages and levels of dancers to build community around our shared passion.

Dammy Ikwe started dancing at a young age studying contemporary and modern. While studying psychology at the University of Michigan he danced with a branch of the International dance company Dance 2XS, eventually becoming one of the branches Co-Artistic Directors. This year he became the Creative Director of Next Level Dance Company, a youth and adult hip-hop dance company based in Detroit. Level Up competes across the mid-west region and took 3rd place at Word of Dance Chicago, earning an invitation to compete at World of Dance International Finals L.A. in 2015. Dammy loves working with both adults and children and is always looking to push dancers to think outside of their box and find their personal style. ​

Maxwell Kanyanga is originally from Zambia and grew up in a family that loves the fellowship of dance. He took his passion for dancing more seriously at the age of 12, forming a dance team called Spiritual Assets where he started developing his skills in dance choreography, teaching, and mentorship. He is a self-taught street dancer, with the background influence of dancehall, Krump, hip hop, and Afro-fusion (a collective of different African dance styles). Maxwell Kanyanga began his professional dance career in the dance fitness industry in 2015 with a company known as ZOCA, hosting several local dance classes and a few international tours. Due to the lack of dance schools in Zambia, Maxwell was compelled to start tutoring kids from 3 years old to teenagers and college students around his community, inspiring them and giving them the dance opportunities he never had growing up. Since coming to the US, Max wants to continue to share his passion for dance and introduce new styles of dance, including Afro-fusion.

Kate (she/her) began her dance journey at age 4 at Jeannie Zimbalatti’s School of Dance in her hometown of Dearborn Heights, MI and has been groovin ever since. She danced in styles of ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and contemporary recreationally and later competitively on their Company team. This is also where she first began teaching ballet, jazz and tap as a substitute teacher. She is currently pursuing majors in Theater Arts - Performing Arts Management- and Organizational Studies with a minor in Dance from University of Michigan with hopes of working in the field of arts administration. In her free time she is a student leader in student organizations Pure Dance (lyrical & jazz dance) and MUSKET (musical theater). She is dedicated to building community and empowering dancers to make connections within themselves, their bodies and others within the classroom.

Sophie Lete-Straka is studying at the University of Michigan with a minor in Dance, and is a part of U of M’s Vibrance Dance Company. She started dancing when she was twelve at Dance Theatre Studio. She has trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and modern, and is certified in Cecchetti Grade One. She joined DTS’ Youth Company in seventh grade and performed with them through high school, then began assistant teaching in 2021. Sophie is excited to start teaching young dancers and becoming more involved in the DTS community!

Megan has been dancing since the age of 5 and has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre dance, and contemporary throughout the years, with a focus on jazz and hip hop. She has danced recreationally, competitively, and in a performance dance group. Megan fell in love with teaching dance when she began assisting dance classes as a sophomore in high school at her hometown studio, Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), in Rochester Hills, MI! Her passion for teaching and choreographing has only grown from there! Megan has continued assisting at RARA, another studio in her hometown, and most recently DTS. Also, she has taught a range of ages, styles and skill levels at RARA as well as at DTS. Megan is currently attending the University of Michigan as an Elementary Education major with a minor in Education for Empowerment. She is devoted to helping children learn and grow in any capacity, and is very excited for the future at DTS!

JG Luitje began dancing at the age of three, and continued on to dance competitively at age seven. They particularly enjoyed lyrical and ballet, but competed in every genre until graduating high school in 2015. In 2019 JG graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in dance with a minor in communications. While in college they participated in a variety of performances, including classical ballet, contemporary ballet, jazz, and hip hop. JG’s been teaching for four years and loves to see students improve! They are very passionate about joyful movement and how dance brings people together.