1902 Jules Street, Saint Joseph, Missouri 64501
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 Teen Miss Dance 2013, Teen Mr. Dance 2012, Petite Miss Dance 2018, Junior Miss Dance 2020, Junior Mr Dance 2020 and Mr Dance 2020. Her students have also been award 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.
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 in Progressing Ballet Technique | Excel in Dance Training and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance!
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. Kealey
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. Kealey
Ms. Kealey
Bio Coming soon.
Ms. Kealey
Ms. Kealey
Ms. Kealey
Ms. Kealey began dancing at the Dance Arts Center when she was four years old. When she graduated high school she continued to teach as an assistant and master instructor. Kealey loves teaching dance and watching the students grow not only as dancers but into poised and confident individuals.
Alongside being a teacher at the Dance Arts Center, Kealey attended Missouri Western State University and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Psychology. While at Missouri Western, Kealey was a member of the Missouri Western Dance Team for two years and captain her sophomore year.
Ms. Kealey earned her Master's Degree in School Counseling and will begin working for the St. Joseph School District this fall.
Ms. Isa
Ms. Casi
Ms. Isa
Ms. Isabel "Isa" started dancing at The Dance Arts Center when she was 3 years old. Throughout her 15 years at the studio, she studied all styles of dance and was also a part of the DACPAC competition team.
After graduating high school, Isa went on to pursue dance with the Avila University dance team for 3 years. She has choreographed for and worked with a number of high school dance teams from both St. Joseph and Kansas City.
After graduation this past spring with a Bachelor degree in Mental Health Psychology, Isa will be begin working on her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology.
Ms Isa is Acrobatic Arts Certified in proper placement and technique for the foundations of AcroDance...including handstands, cartwheels, and bridges!
Ms. Ari
Ms. Casi
Ms. Isa
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’s a student at Missouri Western State University where she is majoring in Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Dance 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 excited for another year at her second home!!
Ms. Casi
Ms. Casi
Ms. Casi
Ms. Casi started training at the Dance Arts Center in 1995 when she was 3 years old. She was a member of the 8th Street Dance Company (now known as DACPAC) through middle school and high school.
After high school, she attended Northwest Missouri State University where she tapped and clogged in the Northwest Dance Company. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Photography and a Minor in Biology. After graduating from Northwest, she attended Missouri Western State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Computer Technology.
Casi is a CRM Consultant for Value Stream Consulting where she specializes in configuring grants management solutions for foundations. She has two cats, Dobby and Kreacher.
She is so happy her life led her back to the Dance Arts Center so she could be part of the wonderful DAC family again!
Mr. Caleb
Ms. Sydney
Ms. Sydney
Mr. Caleb danced at The Dance Arts Center for 9 years taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater and tumbling.
While at DAC, he played Peter Pevensie in the studio's first production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Amicus in The Dark Fairy and Maugrim the wolf and the Centaur in the 2nd production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
He has also competed with the studio, winning DMA's title of Mr. Dance of Chapter 28 in 2020. He was able to take classes and compete at Dance Masters of America Nationals in Nashville, TN. He has had the opportunity to continue his dance education through DMA convention classes, MTJGD training and CLI studios.
In addition to dancing, Caleb enjoys theater. Some of his favorite roles he has played include: Conrad Birdie in Bye, Bye Birdie, Underling in the Drowsey Chaperone, Mush in Disney's Newsies and Neleus in Mary Poppins.
Caleb is majoring in business and finance at Missouri Western State University.
Ms. Sydney
Ms. Sydney
Ms. Sydney
Ms. Sydney has been taking classes at the Dance Arts Center since she was three years old. In her time there she has learned many different styles, been a member of DACPAC, and the last three Dance Arts Center productions.
She has also been involved in other stage productions with different groups such as CAP and RRT. Sydney is a graduate of Stewartsville high school. At school she was involved in band, math club, science club, FCCLA, and NHS.
Sydney is majoring in early childhood education at Missouri Western State University.