Our Fabulous dance instructors and office staff.
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Dance Instruction
All dance classes are taught by adult instructors with years of experience. They make classes fun and genuinely care about our students.
Many of our instructors have earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance and hold certifications from national dance organizations.
The Dance Arts Center is a member of the Dance Masters of America Heart of America Chapter 28. Our family-friendly studio helps dancers learn and grow in a positive, challenging environment.
staff bios
Ms. Marla - Owner
Ms. Marla - Owner
Ms. Marla - Owner
Marla Heeler, owner and director of The Dance Arts Center, LLC is thrilled to share her passion and love for the art of dance with as many people as possible. Her motto is, “There is more to dance than pointing your toes.” As a choreographer and studio owner she has many award winning students and professionally performing including Dance Masters Chapter 28 several solo title holders. Her students have also been awarded opportunities to study with ABT, Kansas City Ballet, North Carolina School of
The Arts, State Street Ballet, Joffrey Ballet
and Chicago Human Rhythm Project.
Marla’s award winning choreography has been recognized by Robidoux Resident Theater as a Dobbins Award recipient. She has also been recognized by several dance competitions such as Bravo, Celebrity, Dance Masters of America, I Love Dance, Dance America and Headliners. In March 0f 2024 Marla had the opportunity to choreograph a national commercial for Holiday Inn Club Vacations.
Marla has taught Master Classes and judged throughout the Midwest. As a certified instructor she is very involved in continuing to raise the standard for dance professionals. She has served as both President and Vice-President for Chapter 28 Dance Masters and is a member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
As a former performer, Marla began her professional career after winning Miss Dance Heart of America. This award created the opportunity for her to study with the world renowned Gus Giordano. While in Chicago she performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, The Chicago Opera Theater, The Evanston Dance Ensemble, The Dance Foundation, Dance Explosion, Dancewerks and Indola International Hair Show.
One of her most proud achievements is being the founder of A Chance To Dance. This unique dance benefit was started in 2002 as a way to bring the dance community together to help raise awareness and funding for the prevention of child abuse.
Ms Marla is certified by Dance Masters of America, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. s
She also has certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique | Excel in Dance Training and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance and Itaponline!
Ms. Angie
Ms. Marla - Owner
Ms. Marla - Owner
Ms. Angie started dancing at Dance Arts when she was 4 years old. She enjoys all forms of dance but has always loved tumbling. She was a part of the Dance Midwest company. Angie got the opportunity to travel to New York City and take several master classes. She has taken many convention classes for many years.
Angie graduated from Missouri Western State University with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. In addition to teaching she is a Deputy Juvenile Officer.
She enjoys working with all kids. She loves watching them grow as dancers and tumblers. She loves the entire DAC family.
Ms Angie is Acrobatic Arts Certified in proper placement and technique for the foundations of AcroDance...including handstands, cartwheels, and bridges!
Ms. Terzah
Ms. Marla - Owner
Ms. Terzah
Ms. Terzah studied ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling in the St. Joseph area while growing up.
She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO where she received her BFA in dance. During her time at Stephens she had the opportunity to study ballet, modern, flamenco and many other styles of dance.
Terzah is a member of Dance Masters of America (DMA). She has participated in many continuing education opportunities through DMA, Chicago National Dance Association, MTJGD virtual training and CLI studios.
She loves being a part of The Dance Arts Center and sharing her love for the art of dance with everyone who comes through the studio doors.
Ms Terzah is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique | Excel in Dance Training!
Ms. Megan
Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Terzah
Ms. Megan grew up studying at The Dance Arts Center.
Throughout high school she was fortunate to study with dance companies such as: Ballet Austin, State Street Ballet, Hubbard Street and River North Chicago. She also spent a summer studying at The Virginia School of the Arts. She continued her dance education at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a focus in Dance.
After graduating college, she performed as a magician’s assistant for magic shows across the country as well as performed with the Storling Dance Theater for a season. She has choreographed musicals for Robidoux Resident Theater.
Megan recently performed as the White Witch in the studios production of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe.
She is happy to share her love of dance with her students in the place where it all started for her.
Ms Megan is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique | Excel in Dance Training!
Ms. Lily
Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Alyssa
Lily grew up dancing at the Dance Arts Center studying all types of dance including outside summer intensive programs and competing with DACPAC. Lily left home to study Chemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology and began teaching at a studio in Rolla. Upon graduation Lily returned to Kansas City for work and has enjoyed the opportunity to begin teaching back at home at the Dance Arts Center since 2022. Lily enjoys sharing her love of dance and watching students of all ages enjoy the art of dance.
Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Alyssa
Alyssa started dancing at DAC at the age of five and danced until graduating from high school. Over the years she studied tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, and lyrical. In high school she danced on the dance team for three years. She and her husband have three children and their daughters both dance at DAC. Alyssa is excited to be back at her favorite studio!
MR. Joseph
Mr. Joseph started his dance training with Paul Chambers at the age of 19 at MWSU. Joseph earned a BFA in dance from UMKC. He has professionally performed the choreography of Bill T. Jones, David Parsons, Donald McKayle, Sean Curran, Milton Myers and Shapiro & Smith. You may have seen him perform in Branson, MO with Andy Williams, Shoji Tabuchi, Clay Cooper, and on TBN with Dino Kartsonakis. He still performs regularly with Störling Dance Theater. Joseph thanks his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with whom gave the gift of dance to the world, a big thanks to his wife, family, & friends! Mr. Joseph is thrilled to be working and teaching with The Dance Arts Center!!!
Ms. Claire
Ms. Claire started dancing at 3 years old, studying all styles of dance until she graduated high school. During this time, she competed at both regional and national levels, attended many conventions, performed in professional productions, and taught dance classes of all styles and levels.
After graduating from the University of Louisville with a Master’s Degree in Bioengineering, she moved to St. Joseph in 2024. Ms. Claire is excited to join the Dance Arts Center family and to share her love of dance with the students!
Ms. Ari
Ms. Ari
Ms. Arianna "Ari" is a Saint Joseph native and has been apart of The Dance Arts Center since she was 2.5 years old!
She graduated from Missouri Western State University where she majored in General Studies with minors in Dance and Business, while being apart of the MWSU Mystics Dance Team!!
She’s choreographed for her alma mater’s musicals, several high school dance teams, and several college dance showcases. She's the current head coach of the dance team at Mid-Buchanan High School. She’s excited for another year at her second home!!
Ms. Hope
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Hope
Ms. Hope fell in love with the art of dance after taking Ms. Marla’s beginning ballet class as a
fourth grader. Forever inspired, Hope continued her dance training through high school at the
Dance Arts Center and Ballet North in Gladstone, MO.
While earning her BMA in Music and BA in Letters at the University of Oklahoma, Hope
deepened her study of dance by cross-training in the disciplines of yoga, pilates, and barre. In
2022, Hope became a certified yoga instructor. Most recently, Hope studied at the Madison
School of Dance Education in Macon, GA, performing in The Nutcracker and Coppelia.
When not teaching ballet, Hope teaches middle school English and history at the Cathedral
School of Saint Joseph. She is the mother of two young daughters who are just beginning to
discover the joys of dance.
Ms. Hope is thrilled to be back teaching at DAC and is excited to share her passion for ballet
with the next generation of students.
Mr. Andy
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Hope
With a background as a gymnast, snowboarder, and occasional breakdancer, Andy brings a unique blend of athleticism and boldness to his role as a tumbling teacher. His passion lies in helping students build strength, confidence, and courage through movement, inspired by his own experiences of pushing limits and going for big air. Andy's family has danced at The Dance Arts Center for many years.
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Jessica
Bio Coming Soon!
Ms. Emily
Ms. Emily
Ms. Emily
Ms. Emily grew up in St. Joseph and has been dancing for 10 years, 4 of those being at the Dance Arts Center. While at DAC, Ms. Emily took classes in tap, ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She is currently an assistant teacher.
Emily graduated from Central High School in 2022. While at Central, she performed in the fall musical productions each year, with multiple dancing roles.
She is currently a sophomore at Missouri Western State University majoring in Exercise Science. She was also a part of the MWSU Mystics Dance Team her freshman year.
Emily is excited to share her passion of dance in the place she loves with the students!
Ms. Paige
Ms. Emily
Ms. Emily
Ms. Paige has been dancing since she was four years old, training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe, musical theater, and pom. At her home studios in Nebraska, she competed for 9 years, assisted for 6 years, and taught for 2 years. Her favorite memories from her studio days are going to conventions with her team and learning from the great choreographers and teachers!
She is currently a senior at Benedictine College and is a captain on the Raven Dance Team. She will graduate in May with a degree in Exercise Science - Sports Management with minors in Dance and Business Management. In addition to being on the dance team, she has been serving as a teacher and Director of Raven School of Dance for the past year.
Paige is excited to share her love of dance with her students at DAC, and she can’t wait to be a part of their journey to becoming strong, passionate, and confident dancers!
Ms. Liza
Ms. Emily
Ms. Brandi
Bio Coming Soon!
Ms. Brandi
Ms. Charissa
Ms. Brandi
Ms. Brandi serves as the Office Manager and has been with the studio since 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in Gerontology, from Southwest Baptist University.
Outside of the studio, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children. She loves watching her children dance and pursue their dreams. Both of her children have had the opportunity to dance and tumble at the studio and have since shared their passion for dance and tumbling by teaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
She loves working with the families at The Dance Arts Center and helping to create a positive experience for every student who walks through the doors.
Ms. Charissa
Ms. Charissa
Ms. Charissa
Ms. Charissa, her husband, and her children have lived in St. Joseph since 2004. She graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in management. For 15 years she was a DAC dance mom, and in 2021 began working in the office. She loves spending time with her family in any way she can. She has been blessed to be able to homeschool her children, and when she’s not working, you will most likely find her watching her son play sports or her daughter dance. She loves being part of the Dance Arts Center family.