Our Team!

An alum of the Marjorie Jones Schools, received her BFA in Dance Performance and Dance Education from The Ohio State University in 1999.  She is a member of Dance Masters of America and currently serves as President and a board member for Ohio Dance Masters.  Stephanie has been teaching and choreographing in the Columbus area for the past 30 years.  She has received additional certification from the Nan Giordano Certification Program and Cheerleading of America.  

 Grew up in Howland, OH and spent 13 years dancing at James Dance and Performing Arts Center, studying ballet, jazz, tap, acro and pom. She attended Bowling Green State University where she majored in Art Education and was on the BGSU dance team for 4 years, performing at football and basketball games, as well as on and off campus events and competing at UDA Nationals, annually. After graduating, she got a job teaching elementary art in a local school district and continued to teach dance at Julie’s Dance Studio in Bowling Green, OH. Having newly moved to Columbus, after a year off of teaching in Austin, TX, she is currently working at Olentangy Schools as an art teacher and is excited to be joining the Marjorie Jones Schools of Dance team this season.  

 Received her BFA in Dance, with a focus on Choreography from The Ohio State University in 2000.  She has taught both in Miami, Florida and Columbus area for the past 24 years.  A member of Dance Masters of America, she currently serves as a board member for Ohio Dance Masters.  She is excited to begin her 23rd year teaching for Marjorie Jones. 

Trained at Balletmet and Columbus Dance Theater. She had many opportunities to perform classical roles throughout Ohio and the unique experience of performing with Opera Columbus in various operas. She studied at schools throughout North America including Interlochen Center for the Arts, Virginia Schools for the Arts, National Ballet of Canada and Pittsburgh Youth Ballet. She was invited to perform professionally with Canadian Pacific Ballet, but stayed in Columbus to dance professionally for two seasons with Columbus Dance Theater. Kylie expanded her studies in dance at The Ohio State University where she received her BFA in Dance with a focus on history and cultural studies. She is excited to begin her 14th year teaching at Marjorie Jones. 

Began her training at the age of 5 from Kathi's Dance and Gym Center in Youngstown, Ohio.  She later received her BFA in Dance Performance from Kent State University in 2017.  Upon graduation, Sarah moved to Columbus to pursue teaching and share her love of dance with her students; she is excited to begin her 7th year of teaching at Marjorie Jones. 

 Elyse Dakin is from Columbus, Ohio where she grew up dancing at Marjorie Jones Schools. She went on to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Ohio State University, and has trained with world-renowned instructors at Jazz Dance World Congress, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway. Elyse began teaching in 2013, and after completing her BFA in 2017, she has continued to teach and choreograph throughout Ohio, Chicago, and Massachusetts. In 2018, she attended the National Dance Institute of New Mexico’s Teaching Excellence workshop and worked with a local Columbus non-profit to bring dance, music, and performance to public school children. Elyse moved to Chicago in 2019 where she danced on scholarship with Hubbard Street’s Lou Conte Dance Studio. Elyse is member of Dance Masters of America, Ohio Dance Masters Chapter 16, and is excited for her 8th year teaching at Marjorie Jones.  

Comes to us from Toledo, Ohio where she grew up dancing at the age of 2 under the direction of Brenda Paulsen with Darly Jervis Dance Studio.  At age 5, she was part of the prestigious and award-winning High Voltage Dance Company; which performed in the community for charities and local events along with competing at a regional and national level.  Stephanie had the opportunity to train with Al Gilbert in her youth and can be seen in his graded tap technique videos.  Stephanie attended The Ohio State University and was a member of the OSU Dance Team from 2007-2011.  This will be her 18th year teaching and choreographing for Marjorie Jones and she is a current member of Ohio Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America.

 Grew up dancing at Vicki Jo Dance Studio in Miamisburg, Ohio, where she trained and competed in various styles of dance. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received her Bachelor in Journalism and Public Relations in 2018.  Becca was on the BGSU dance team all four years of college, performing at football and basketball games, as well as competing at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) college nationals representing the University. Post-grad, she moved to Columbus and is currently working at Huntington on the corporate marketing team. She is a certified dance competition judge for UDA and Stage One and is excited to share her passion and love of dance at Marjorie Jones.  Becca is joining us for her 4th year of teaching.

  Alli Hile grew up in Columbus, Ohio. She started dancing at Marjorie Jones when she was 3 years old and started competing when she was 8. She danced all the way till she graduated high school and even some in college, at the University of Dayton! Alli was a member of the University of Dayton Dance Ensemble for a semester and a member of Life Itself Dance during her junior and senior years! She studied Early Childhood Education at UD and she is now teaching first grade! Alli is excited to begin her 3rd year teaching at Marjorie Jones and 3rd year choreographing for MJCT!  

 Grew up dancing at Marjorie Jones Schools since the age of 3 and started competing at age 9.  She graduated in the Spring of 2019 with her degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice from The Ohio State University. While at OSU, Emily was part of a dance team for which she choreographed, performed, and competed. She then went on to earn her Masters in Social Work from OSU in 2022 and is now a licensed social worker. She currently works as a mental health therapist in Columbus City Schools for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Emily is excited to begin her 9th year teaching at Marjorie Jones and 8th year choreographing for MJCT. 

Nicole Maly is a native of Montville, New Jersey, who started dancing at the age of two and began competing at the age of six.  She trained extensively in various styles such as ballet, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, tap, modern, and musical theater under names such as Kelby Brown, Jason Luks, Michael Minery, Kristen Gorski, Jen Savelli, Jaclyn Walsh, Jamie Salmon, and more.  On the competition stage, Nicole has won various awards and was recognized for her many technical dance abilities.  Her dedication and passion to dance continues into college, where she is a member of the Movement Variations Dance Team at The Ohio State University.  Nicole serves on the team’s executive board as treasurer, as well as a choreographer for pieces performed by the team at showcases.  She is currently earning a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in pharmaceutical sciences.  Nicole is committed to making a positive impact on the dance world so that every dancer can grow and thrive.  She loves to share her passion for dance with others.

Katie began her training at the age of 3 and grew up dancing competitively in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Northeast Ohio dance circuits. She participated in many local musicals, national dance competitions, and intensives, and discovered her love for teaching at a young age. Katie began her dance degree at Marymount Manhattan College before earning her BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University with an emphasis in Performance and Education. After graduation, Katie lived and danced in New York City where she trained and assisted prominent choreographers including Debbie Roshe, Jeff Shade, and Derek Mitchell. Upon her return to Ohio, she has continued teaching and creating award-winning choreography for local competition teams around the state. She has also enjoyed choreographing and directing professionally-produced dance films. After taking some time off to pursue her real estate career Katie looks forward to her 4th season at Marjorie Jones!