Meet our amazing staff! We are so lucky to have them a part of the Excel family!
Katie Stull, Owner and Teacher
Katie began taking dance lessons at the age of 2 in Portage, Mi. She continued her training in Michigan for the next 16 years. Katie was involved in Dance Company for 6 years, quickly moving her way to Gold Company. Katie continued her dance training taking several workshops and master classes as well as studying at WMU where she also graduated with a degree in Psychology. Dance is such a passion for her and she loves the opportunity to touch so many lives through the art of dance! Ms. Katie loves every dancer as her own and has loved watching them all grow over the years!
Karly Fruehauf, Office Manager
Ms. Karly, our office manager, has been a part of the Excel family since 2008 when all 3 of her daughters began dancing here! She has loved being around the studio ever since and feels blessed to have such a fun and rewarding job. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from WMU with over 20 years of experience. She loves getting to know the families and dancers at Excel!
Susan, Studio Relations Director and Teacher
Ms. Susan started dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown, LaGrange, Illinois. She was a part of her high school pom team and dance company, Eurythmic Dance Company during her four years in high school. Ms. Susan attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 2015 with a major in Elementary Education. During her time at WMU, she was a member of the WMU Dance Team. She has experience teaching elementary (2nd and 5th grade) for two years. She is now happily teaching classes and working as the Studio Relations Director at Excel. She loves working closely with her dancers and with Ms. Katie!
Olivia, Teacher
Ms. Olivia has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained for 12 years at Spotlight Dance Works in Chesterfield, MI. Her passion for dance continued into college where she spent 2 years dancing for the WMU Broncos. Olivia currently works in marketing at Stryker but absolutely loves that she can still help her students find their love and passion for dance!
Skylar, Teacher
Ms. Skylar, a Michigan native started her prevalent dance training at age 4 in all areas of dance at a local dance studio in Portage, Michigan. As a dancer and choreographer, she specializes in Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz and Improv. With her love of teaching and unique choreography, Skylar has spent the last 6 years teaching dance in Michigan. Skylar is also an Early Childhood Montessori Teacher in Augusta, MI. She has a love for working with children and is so excited to continue to share her love and passion for dance with all of the kids at Excel Dance Centre!
Sara, Teacher
Ms. Sara took her first dance class at age 4 and has been performing ever since! A longtime member of the Excel family, she danced with us from when we opened in 2004 up until she graduated from high school. She has a Theatre Arts degree from the University of Michigan and loves teaching theatre classes in addition to dance. Ms. Sara is also the Director of our Explorers Early Childhood program here at the studio. She has been teaching preschool for several years and has a huge passion for working with little ones. Ms. Sara loves being part of the Excel family and seeks to create a safe, creative, and engaging environment in all classes she teaches!
Liv, Teacher
Olivia Quesada is from Canton, Michigan. She grew up studying at studios in the Metro Detroit area, starting at the age of three, including Triple Threat DTC, the studio her mom owned and operated, and Planet Dance. Olivia’s dance training includes the genres of tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre dance. Olivia has been teaching for local studios for the past two years in all styles of dance. Olivia has competed locally and nationally throughout her youth through her senior year of high school. Olivia is currently a student at WMU, where she is a member of the Hip Hop Connxion Michigan branch. She has trained with professional artists including Dee Caspary, Olivia Cece, Chelsea Sebs, Ade Obayomi, Twitch, Misha Gabriel, Nick Lazzarini, Melanie Moore, Chris Cangero, and Joshua Allen. Olivia’s love of the arts extends beyond dancing to vocal performance and musical theatre. Olivia is delighted to join the talented team of instructors at Excel Dance Centre, spread her passion for the arts, and get to know everyone in her new dance family.
Phoebe, Teacher
Ms. Phoebe started dancing at the age of 4 at The City Ballet School in Hagerstown, MD. In Maryland, her hometown, she trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap, and hip hop for 12 years. She was a company member of The Western Maryland City Ballet Company for five years, where she performed in many full length ballet productions. She has also travelled to summer dance intensives at The Miami City Ballet, Point Park University, and The Rock School of Dance. She moved to Kalamazoo to study at Western Michigan University, where she is currently working towards a BA in Dance and a BBA in Digital Marketing & eCommerce. She is also a Social Media Coordinator for Orchesis Dance Society and a member of WMU’s Movement Exchange program. She is very excited to be teaching at Excel and sharing my passion for dance with this amazing community!
Angel, Teacher
Angel Sutton has been dancing for the past nineteen years. Growing up her training was primarily contemporary and competitive. In the spring she finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University. During her time at WMU, she had the opportunity to perform in excerpts of Happy Little Things: On a Gruff Cloud of Wanting by Aszure Barton and “The Three Themes” from George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments, as well as collaborative works with her peers. This year she is beginning her first season as a company member for Wellspring Cori Terry & Dancers.
Kaitlynn, Teacher
Ms. Kaitlynn has been training in the Chicagoland area since she was 3. Training in styles like ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, pointe, contemporary, modern, and more! She’s had the opportunity to work with world renowned choreographers like Jackie Nowicki, Hanna Brictson, Angelina & Karlo Familara, Trae Turner, and many others. She’s also had the privilege of working with several dance costume companies like Revolution Dancewear and Tenth House Dance. Ms. Kaitlynn is currently a student at Western Michigan University where she is perusing her BFA in Dance and a Dance Studio Owner certification. At WMU, she is involved in several dance student organizations like Orchesis Dance Society and Movement Exchange. Ms. Kaitlynn is so excited to be a part of the Excel community and looks forward to sharing the magic of dance with everyone!
Danielle, Teacher
My name is Danielle Natte I began my dance journey at the age of 2 at Body Language Dance Company. I then moved studios and danced for Dance Dimensions from age 11 to 18 when I graduated high school. In High school I was also apart of Hudsonville Varisity Dance Team, and Catholic Central Varsity cheer team. I am going to be a sophomore at Western Michigan University pursing a BA in Dance and Exercise Science, minoring in Non-Profit Administration, and a certification in Dance Studio Management. I have taught for Dance Dimensions, In His Steps Dance Studio, coached 5-8 catholic cheer team, and coached for Branch Gymnastics. I am also the outreach coordinator for WMU Movement Exchange. Dance and teaching are my passion and calling in life and I am excited to be apart of the Excel team and share my love with every child who walks into my class.
Kendall, Teacher
Ms. Kendall has been dancing since the age of 4 in her hometown Lake Orion Michigan at Broadway Dance Company. During her time there she competed on the competition team winning many awards through the studio and many conventions/competitions. She has also won choreography awards at multiple competitions for her pieces on the BDC competition dance team members. Kendall has trained with many professional artists including Teddy Forance, Rachael Markarian, Charles Fournier, Mollee Gray, Ade Obayomi, Angel Armas, and more! Kendall is currently a Junior at Western Michigan University with a major in dance! She is also a certified Acrobatics Arts instructor and loves teaching gym classes! Ms. Kendall is so happy to be teaching at Excel and loves all of her amazing students!
Madison, Teacher
Ms. Madison is from Lockport, Illinois and has been dancing since she was two years old. She has been training in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, etc. Ms. Madison has danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Ballet West and Homer Lockport Youth Theater. Ms. Madison went through a teaching training program at her home studio, Wings Dance Studio. At the age of 12, she started as a demonstrator and has worked her way up to teaching her own classes. This will be her fourth year teaching dance. Ms. Madison is a student at Western Michigan University and is studying to get her BFA in Dance. She is also a part of several dance student organizations at WMU including Western Dance Project, Orchesis Dance Society, 269 Crew, and Movement Exchange. Ms. Madison is very excited to get moving in our studio and share her passion for dance with everyone.
Ashlie, Teacher
Originally from Portland Oregon, Ashlie Roth is currently pursuing her Bachelor in Fine Arts Degree in Dance with a minor in Leadership and Business Strategy at Western Michigan University. She danced at Fired Up Dance Academy in Portland for 15 years where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, musical theater, and more. She was a member of WMU’s touring ensemble Western Dance Project under the direction of Kelsey Paschich and is the current Artistic Director of the WMU hip hop student organization, 269 Crew. Prior to coming to WMU, Ashlie was selected to train with Velocity Dance Convention’s MVA + mentorship program headed by Kyle Hanagami and Whitney Bezzant where she performed with Madison Beer and Now United. She was also selected by Braham Logan Crane to work as a Company member with Artist Simply Human, and she assisted with Celebrity Conventions, directed by Drew Phillip. Ashlie has had the privilege to dance in the works of choreographers such as Chelsea Thedinga, Dee Caspary, Sarah Brinson, Tony Elliot, Taylor Tsvyetkov, Jennifer Archibald, Penny Saunders, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, and Tsai Hsi
Hung.
Mikinley, Teacher
Mikinley Carpenter started dancing at the age of 2 years old in Belleville, MI. Growing up she danced at many different studios that exposed her to a big range of dance from competition dance to pre-professional ballet. At a young age, she competed in Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Tap until she was 10 years old. She then transferred over to a more ballet focused school and participated in bigger ballet productions. Later on she wanted to push herself more in ballet and pointe at a more serious level where she then trained at Ballet Detroit studying Vaganova style ballet. She is now a student at Western Michigan University majoring in dance while also a member of WMUs Dance Team. Becoming a dance teacher has always been her dream as a little kid and she is so grateful to be a part of the Excel Family to make her dreams come true!
Megan, Teacher
Bio coming soon.Megan Hansen grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois where she began to develop her love for dance. She started to become more serious in dance when she started training at Denise Sabala Dance Studios, located in Lake Zurich Illinois, under the direction of Jamie Farrell, Brian Hare, Lauren Blane, Rebecca McLindon, and many more. She graduated from Mundelein High School, where she was in the Orchesis dance club and on the Varsity Dance Team. Currently, Megan is attending Western Michigan University as she is working to earn her BFA in Dance and BBA in Marketing. Here, she has performed in many student works and work by faculty members Seyong Kim and Monique Haley. She also had the opportunity to be apart of the schools performing company, Western Dance Project, performing works by Kiki Lucas, Kelsey Paschich, and Ashlie Roth. While in school, Megan has also been an assistant for Activate Your Artistry Dance Convention and Chicago Dance Connection assisting amazing teachers like Tess Renaud, Brian Rabenda, and Kelly Anderson. She looks forward to share her love of dance with many aspiring artists.
Kyla, Teacher and XPression Director
Kyla Cook was born and raised in Portage, Michigan where she began dancing at age 3. She received her training locally and nationally. She had the opportunity to train with Gelsey Kirkland, Mikhaïl Lavrovsky, and Audrey Mendel as a teenager igniting her lifelong love of ballet.
Kyla had the opportunity to performed in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl with artists Boyz 2 Men and the Doobie Brothers. She also participated in the All American Halftime Show during the Citrus Bowl.
Kyla has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She is an award winning dancer and choreographer. She is certified in PBT (progressing ballet technique)
Kyla is excited to share her love for the art of dance with the students at Excel.
Melissa, Teacher
Bio coming soon.