Meet Our Faculty

Lisa has been dancing her whole life, training in Jazz, Tap, & Ballet. Her training has brought her coast to coast, from Broadway Dance Center in NYC to Edge Performing Arts in LA. Lisa trained extensively with Dee Hillier and was a member of Dee's dance company. As a member of the company Lisa performed in several dance shows and traveled to Australia to perform in the World's Fair. Throughout her performance career, Lisa found her passion in teaching, opening her first studio, Spotlight, at the age of 18. From her first class, Lisa was praised for her positive attitude and ability to connect with young dancers. Her studio grew quickly and as her students excelled in their training, Lisa developed a competitive performance program. In 2010 the studio went through a name change and The Dance Stop was created. Lisa has built The Dance Stop on the foundation of positivity, balanced with disciplined training. As a choreographer, Lisa has created several award winning routines and been recognized for her outstanding choreography. Lisa's students have been awarded scholarships, national titles, and sought out by talent agencies. Many of her students have gone on to have successful careers in dance, from Broadway to TV & film. Lisa continues to have supportive relationships with her students and many of the professional dancing alumni come back and guest teach at the studio throughout the year. As an owner, Lisa still finds her greatest joy in developing young dancers and cultivating their passion for dance. Her bright and energetic personality is present in everything she does and truly creates a welcoming studio environment. Lisa loves teaching and is excited to continue creating a space for all students to find joy through dance!

Diane Lucas trained at Fairmount Center for the Performing Arts as a scholarship recipient and then at The Dance Center of Cleveland Heights, both under the direction of John Begg. As a scholarship student, she gained valuable performing and teaching experience and served as a teachers assistant to Mr. Begg. She has performed with various regional companies, in both classical and contemporary styles, including Fairmount Center Company, Dance Center Company and Cleveland Chamber Ballet. Diane has an extensive teaching background and has taught for over 20 years at various dance schools. She is also on the teaching staff of Cleveland City Dance.

Maddie Kummerl started dancing with Lisa at the age of 3 and grew up on the competition team at The Dance Stop. In college, Maddie continued to pursue her passion by joining the dance team at West Virginia University.  She performed at all men's and women's home basketball games and competed at NDA nationals in Daytona.  After college, Maddie came back to The Dance Stop and has been teaching jazz and hip hop.  During the 2019-2020 season, Maddie was a part of the Cleveland Monsters Topline Dance Team where she performed on the ice at every home Cleveland Monsters hockey game.  Maddie is excited to continue to share her knowledge and passion with the students at The Dance Stop.

Carolyn has been dancing since the age of 3 years old. Growing up in Michigan, she trained under the Bohaty sisters out of Saginaw, Owosso, Chesaning, and St. Johns. The Bohaty’s were notoriously known for being a powerhouse in the dance world winning many national competitions. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, acro dance, and was a competitive gymnast. She later earned her BA in Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. Due to her love of both dance and gymnastics she went on to run the kinder program at Richmond Olympiad Gymnastics while also coaching on their competition team. She is honored to be running the Acro Dance program for The Dance Stop and loves sharing her love of tap and jazz with her students as well. Carolyn is a member of the Acro Dance Teacher Association where she is certified in their junior and intermediate acro dance program, and is currently working on her advanced certification. When she is not teaching, she loves spending time with her husband and three children; and she is a HUGE Disney fan! Carolyn believes dance can give students confidence and poise which carries far beyond the classroom/stage and will stay with them throughout life's journey.

Taylor first found her love for dance growing up in Cleveland, training with Lisa and at other local dance studios. She continued her education at The Ohio State University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Pedagogy. While at Ohio State, she performed and trained with industry professionals from around the world including Bebe Miller, Susan Hadley, Sofie Clemmenson, Joshua Manculich, and Tine Saling. Participating in both faculty and student choreographed pieces, Taylor has performed throughout Ohio, and traveled to Costa Rica to study and perform. In 2016 Taylor moved to Chicago to pursue her professional dance career. She performed with Alluvion Dance Chicago and Forward. the Movement for two seasons, and performed in Visceral Dance Chicago’s “WITHIN”, Dance Chicago’s “Dances From the Heart”, Simantikos “CELEBRATION of CHICAGO ART”, Noumenon Dance Ensemble’s “NEW MOVES 2016”, “CARNIVAL Choreographer’s Ball 2018” under Andrew Tamez Hull, the Detroit Dance Festival with Forward. the Movement and the 27th year of “Dance For Life” Chicago in 2018 with Hanna Brictson and Dancers. Taylor continued her dance education and training as a work-study at Visceral Dance Center under the direction of Nick Pupillo. Taylor recently moved back to Cleveland with her family and is excited to share her passion and knowledge of dance with The Dance Stop.

Torie Gray specializes in teaching classical and rhythm tap styles in addition to contemporary clogging. She co-directs the Cleveland Tap Repertory, a pre-professional tap company based in Akron, Ohio. She is also an elite member of the Detroit Tap Repertory for which she has performed nationally. She will be traveling to Germany this December to represent the USA in the world tap championships as a member of the American Tap Company. Torie continually strives to learn and attends multiple tap festivals, residencies, and labs throughout the country every year. She also has a passion for special needs. She went to the University of Akron to study psychology and dance. She is currently an in-home ABA behavior therapist for children with autism spectrum disorders. She is opening two dance classes for non-traditional populations this year which will provide same-cost access to the arts for children with special needs. Torie emphasizes strong technique alongside music theory and history in her classes and hopes to instill a great love for the art form that she is fortunate enough to enjoy. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” – Ignacio Estrada

Ever since age 4, Christina has been a student of Lisa’s and has always considered The Dance Stop her “second home”. Dance has always been a huge part of her life! Growing up at TDS, Christina was a part of the competition team in Jazz, Hip Hop, and Ballet. In 2012, she graduated with honors from Notre Dame Cathedral Latin high school where she was a member of the Dance Team. When it was time to “graduate” from the studio and high school, Christina knew she had to keep dancing! She went on to John Carroll University and graduated in 2016 with her B.S. in Accountancy and in 2017 with her M.B.A. The highlight of her college experience was being a member and choreographer of the JCU Dance Team and JCU Dance Ensemble. Just when she thought she was finally done with college, in Fall 2017, Christina returned to JCU once again to choreograph their Fall production of “Cabaret.” She had a blast choreographing the entire show and encourages everyone to always try something new! Christina has been a member of The Dance Stop staff since Summer 2017, and teaches jazz, hip hop, and combo. She could not be more ecstatic to be back at her “second home”, but this time as a leader, teacher, and mentor.

Rachel Magliola has over 20 years’ experience teaching dance and performing. Rachel trained under her mother, Margaret Holden, and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from the University of Akron. She also holds certifications through Dance Masters of America, Cecchetti Council of America, and Acrobatic Arts. Rachel’s philosophy of teaching is that every child gets the same chance and attention to learn skills and, most importantly, have fun.

Carson started dancing with Lisa at the age of 4 and has been involved with The Dance Stop’s acro program ever since its beginning in 2015. Acro quickly became her favorite style of dance because of the way that it combines traditional aspects of dance with tricks and tumbling skills that so many children hope to learn. Carson’s love for acro inspired her to become more involved at the studio, and she began assisting with many of Miss Carolyn’s acro classes in 2018. Through assisting, Carson has worked with students of all different ages and levels and has learned how to help students develop their skills in the way that is most beneficial for them. Her personal experience in acro classes has also shown her that acro helps to build confidence, cooperation, and other qualities that are essential throughout life, no matter where it takes you. Carson is so grateful and excited to have the opportunity to help dancers begin their acro journey at The Dance Stop and to continue working with Miss Carolyn’s classes for a fourth year!

I have danced at The Dance Stop since the age of 3, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the family and life time friends I have made to this day. Among the many amazing opportunities I’ve received thanks to TDS, I’ve been blessed with the gift of teaching. I love experiencing the evolution of growth and development in these beautiful dancers. I love my Dance Stop Family!

Growing up in the small town of Brooklyn, OH, it was very easy to begin such a beautiful passion from an early age. I began dancing at the age of 3, and you couldn’t get me out of the studio since! Now at the age of 21 years old, if I’m not dancing, you’ll find me traveling the world & working for Cleveland Clinic! I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work with your children! 

Janet is one of the friendly faces at the front desk. She started with The Dance Stop over 20 years ago when her daughter began dancing and is still here! She will assist you with costumes, shoes, answer your questions about your account, help process your payments along with communicating important studio information. Janet loves her Dance Stop family and looks forward to serving you for years to come.

Kerri started taking dance lessons with The Dance Stop’s studio director, Lisa Stanziale, at the age of 8. From the moment she took class, she knew that dance had to be a part of her life. At the age of 10, she won her first scholarship to EDGE Performing Arts Center in L.A. Kerri began teaching in 2002 while attending Kent State University. Over the years, she has won numerous choreography awards and her performing groups have placed very well. Currently, Kerri works alongside Janet operating the office, being a liaison between parents and teachers and fills in where she is needed. Her cavapoo Fergus often visits the studio with her!

Kristin’s daughter was a student at the studio for 15 years, competing for 10 of those years.  During this time, Kristin started helping out and is now officially on staff.  She does a lot of work behind the scenes such as website management, organizing the music for competition and recital, competition books and any kind of computer or tech related activity the studio needs.  She also fills in at the front desk when needed.  She has also taken adult lessons at the studio and has been in 4 TDS recitals doing tap, jazz and hip hop.  She loves The Dance Stop staff and families and is happy to be working with everyone here.