Download Our Welcome Handbook 2024-2025
What We Believe
Your child will feel the magic of dance as they grow and become confident in everything they do. At Academy of Dance Arts dancers experience a nurturing environment where everyone shines. Our staff is full of enthusiastic, knowledgeable individuals who adore their dancers and create a classroom where dancers progress each week with a curriculum that is both challenging and exciting. Dancers will build friendships, confidence, and learn what it means to be part of a team. The memories that dancers create at ADA will last forever.
Our Faculty and Staff
Emily Robbins
Studio Owner
Ms. Emily is a passionate dance instructor and lifelong learner, dedicated to inspiring students through the art of movement. With a deep commitment to both teaching and continuously expanding her own knowledge, Ms. Emily believes in fostering an environment where creativity and individuality can flourish. Whether in the studio or beyond, she aims to nurture the growth and confidence of every student, helping them reach their full potential through dance.
Louisa Stack
Office Manager
Baylee Hertel
Instructor
Baylee Hertel, originally from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin has been dancing since the age of three and has been trained in tap, ballet/pointe, jazz, modern, contemporary/lyrical, and hip-hop. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in dance at Western Michigan University and is also enrolled in the Dance Studio Management Certificate Program. Baylee’s passion for dance and performing has led her to teach where she can share her passion with others and help them grow
Kayla Cummins
Instructor
Sara Kausch
Lead Instructor
Sara Kausch graduated as Presidential Scholar from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a BFA in Dance, Nonprofit Leadership Minor, and Dance Studio Management Certificate. Throughout her studies, Sara quickly found her passion in arts administration and leadership. She is a former administrative intern for Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers in Kalamazoo, MI, and previously an administrative intern for Young Dancers Initiative in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, MI. As a leader, Sara served as Secretary of Orchesis Dance Society (2019/20), and as Treasurer (2021/22), Fundraising Coordinator (2019/20), and President (2020/21) of Movement Exchange at Western Michigan University. Her involvement in community outreach and education took her to Panama City, Panama (2019, 2022) as a way to provide dance accessibility to underserved communities and broaden her horizons of cross-cultural understanding. Sara is currently a Teaching Artist with Education for the Arts, Lead Instructor at Academy of Dance Arts, and Assistant Director of CPR Dance: Inhale Movement. Sara is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Morgan Corstange
Instructor/Social Media Coordinator
Morgan is currently a double major in dance and exercise science at Western Michigan University. During her time at Western she has worked with many different artists and has performed in a piece choreographed by Marisa Bianan entitled "Variable Transfiguration" in WMU's Winter Gala concert (2022). She has also done site specific works and a self choreographed solo entitled "Secrets" at WMU. Morgan has trained in many styles including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, hiphop, acro, and modern. This will be her 4th year teaching at ADA and she cannot wait to watch her students continue to grow in their skill and their love for dance!
Carmen Barrera
Instructor/Events Coordinator
Carmen has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, musical theatre and acro. She grew up dancing & competed and attended conventions from age 7. Carmen is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. This will be her 10th season teaching at ADA, and she is so excited to share her knowledge with her students so they can continue to learn and grow! She is also our event coordinator!
Elissa Gralewski
Instructor
Elissa Gralewski has trained in various dance styles for the past 20 years, including jazz, tap, pom, and musical theatre. In addition, she has been teaching and choreographing since 2016. She recently graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Advertising and Promotion, a minor in General Business, and a certificate in Dance Studio Management. Throughout her time at WMU, she was a member of the Division I Dance Team and served as senior captain. This diverse young lady has performed at Walt Disney World, Walt Disney Land, Comerica Park, The Palace of Auburn Hills, Little Caesars Arena, The Detroit Opera House as a featured Can Can dancer and America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on multiple occasions. Elissa is honored to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the amazing students here at ADA!
Meaghan Baker
Instructor
Meaghan is currently a student at Western Michigan University pursuing a dance minor. She has been teaching at ADA for a year as well as being a teaching assistant for a year while being a student at the studio. She is super excited to teach and work with her students this year.
Adrian Martinez
Instructor
Adrian Martinez, originally from West Michigan, has been dancing since age three and has been trained in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip-hop. She is obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, Advertising and Promotion minor, and Dance Studio Management Certificate from Western Michigan University. While attending Western Michigan University she had the opportunity to perform in faculty works for WMU’s Winter Gala Concert as well as student works. Adrian is thrilled to be teaching dance and sharing her passion with her students!
Amy Adams
Instructor
Amy began dancing at age 2 and has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, hip-hop, and pointe. She grew up in the Dallas, TX area and began competing at dance competitions and conventions at age 8.. Amy was in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade twice, performing in the opening number in 2006 and with Kermit the Frog in 2008. She performed at Carnegie Hall in Johnny Mercer’s Centennial Celebration in 2009 and on Broadway in a concert celebration in 2010. She received her Associate Degree of Arts in Dance in 2016 from Collin College in Plano, TX and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Theatre and Directing in 2018. Amy choreographed and performed in many musicals during her time in Texas. She continued teaching dance until she moved to NYC in early 2020 and moved to Michigan in 2022. Amy is thrilled to be back teaching dance and helping students grow their abilities while having fun.
Ariana Bereolos
Instructor
Ariana started her dance career at a young age training at Center Stage Dance Academy. There she trained in styles such as jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theater. She was a competition dancer from grade school through highschool. She also went to dance conventions during that time. She has attended Giordano Dance Chicago’s annual dance workshop and received a scholarship from the program. While attending Western Michigan University she has performed in Decidedly Jazz Dance Works: Family of Jazz, Jae Man Joo’s piece “Between Sky and Water”, and Kaitlyn Pollock’s “Viaggiatore”.