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 Fruehauf has been a part of the Excel family since 2008 when all 3 of her daughters began dancing here! She has been the Office Manager since 2014 and feels blessed to have such a fun and rewarding job. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from WMU with over 25 years of office experience, on top of tons of dance world knowledge from working at the studio as well as having her daughters move on in the dance world. She loves getting to know the families and dancers at Excel!
Susan Blount, Xpression Director and Teacher
Susan Blount 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. In 2019, Ms. Susan started working full time at Excel as the Studio Relations Director. She has since helped co-direct the XPression Preprofessional Company and is now the full time director of XPressions. She is also back at WMU working as the Head Coach of the WMU Dance Team. In just her second year coaching she helped the team become 2025 and 2026 D1 Jazz National Champions! She loves getting the chance to work with dancers at the studio and collegiate level.
Amelia, Teacher
Amelia began dancing at the age of three at her hometown studio in Illinois. Throughout high school, she was a member of her high school’s dance team. She is currently attending Western Michigan University and is a member of the WMU Dance Team, which earned the 2025 Jazz National Championship title. Amelia shares her knowledge and passion for dance as an instructor for Universal Dance Association (UDA). Through UDA, she has the opportunity to teach and mentor dancers at summer camps, national competitions, and various parades and performance events. With several years of teaching experience, she is excited to share her passion with the dancers at Excel!
Skylar Hubbard, Solo Director, NHSDA Director, Explorers Children Director, Teacher
Ms. Skylar Hubbard, a Michigan native started her prevalent dance training at age 4 in all areas of dance. As a dancer and choreographer she specializes in Contemporary, Improv, Jazz and Ballet. With her love and passion for dance, Skylar has spent the last 10 years teaching dance in Michigan. Skylar is also a Montessori Preschool Director in Augusta. She has a love for working with children and is so excited to continue to share her passion for dance with the kids at Excel Dance Centre. Skylar is the Explorers Director, NHSDA Director, Summer Camp Director and Solo Team Director!
Sydni, Teacher
My name is Sydni and I began my training in Oswego,Il at the age of six at Storm Dance Alliance. I was trained in many styles including jazz, hip hop, modern, ballet, contemporary, singing, and acting. Additionally, I participated in various shows including an annual Nutcracker piece and dances for film! Through my years of training I was able to learn and participate in pieces from various acclaimed choreographers and gain commercial dance experience through conventions and connections within that industry. Through these teachings I became educating others at the age of seventeen in styles like hip hop and jazz! Post-graduation I continued my dance training at western michigan university joining their dance team and broadening my horizons in my favorite styles at dance. Through this opportunity I was able to dip my toes into various teaching opportunities here in Michigan and spread my passion and love for dance elsewhere!
Hailey Klienert, Company co-director, Social Media Coordinator, Teacher
Hailey Klienert grew up dancing at Excel since she was 3 years old! She was on company for 8 years and had the opportunity to dance at many conventions, sports games, and showcases. She traveled to Nashville, Disney World, and even danced on a cruise while being on company. She was the captain of her team junior year and a part of NHSDA all throughout high school. Senior year she was on the XLR8 leadership team and also got a chance to be part of the rising teachers program where she fell in love with teaching. Ms. Hailey is so grateful for all of the opportunities Excel has given her growing up to make her the teacher she is today!
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!
Mia Quesada, Teacher
Mia Quesada is a sophomore at Western Michigan University, majoring in Musical Theater. She is excited to be in her second year teaching with the staff at Excel Dance Studio this year. A competitive dancer since the age of two, Mia has earned numerous state and national awards, including overall High Point placements and prestigious titles such as Petite Miss Michigan, Teen Miss ID, Miss On Point, and more. In addition to her dance background, Mia has been involved in several plays and musicals. She has worked on choreography in shows such as “Mama Mia”, “Kiss me, Kate”, and “Anything Goes”. Mia loves dancing, singing, and acting, and is eager to share her passion with the students at Excel Dance Studio. She is looking forward to a fantastic year!
Kyla, Progressive Ballet Technique Teacher
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.
Lauren, Xpression Prep Director, Teacher
Ms. Lauren began dancing at the age of three. She trained at Spotlight Dance Works, where she had the opportunity to work with master teachers like Lauren Adams, Maddi Burg, Ricky Maalouf, and Adam McGaw. Ms. Lauren is a student at Western Michigan University pursuing a degree in dance and marketing, as well as a certification in Dance Studio Management. She is excited to join the Excel team and to share her passion for dance with the students of Excel!
MaKenna Hightower, Company Director, Teacher
Makenna Hightower started dancing at age 2 in Walled Lake, Michigan. Growing up, she was exposed to many different dance styles ranging from competition to concert dance. She danced at Dance Dynamics Performing Arts Center for the duration of her childhood and consistently trained in many styles, including but not limited to, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary, hip hop and pointe. During this time, she became a member of the Tremaine Performance Company, where she continues to travel with Tremaine Dance Conventions to assist their dance teachers, work competition and perform alongside faculty. She also travels with Tiger Friday Dance Wear to work with dancers around the country. She continues to share her passion for dance through creating, teaching and performing.
Annabel Bernicky, Xpression Co-director, Teacher
Annabel Bernicky began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Shorewood, IL. She was a part of her high school dance team and a competitive dancer in numerous styles. She is currently a student at Western Michigan University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Physical and Health Education. She is also a 4th year member of WMU’s Dance Team.
Emily Krapohl, Teacher
Emily Krapohl and I am from Bath, MI! I started dancing when I was two years old, and grew up competing at Studio H Dance Company, where I trained in jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, contemporary, musical theater and tumbling. I am now a sophomore at Western Michigan University studying Business Law and Leadership & Business Strategy, and a member of the WMU Dance Team! I am so excited to join the Excel family and see what this year has in store!
Bella Drury, Teacher
Bella Drury’s dance journey began at age three in White Lake, Michigan, at Modern Messages Dance Company. There, she trained in many styles such as Pointe, Pom, Modern, and Hip Hop, and she spent four years competing in Lyrical and Contemporary dance. Now a sophomore on the Western Michigan University dance team, Bella proudly represents the university at both community and national levels. With a lifelong passion for dance and teaching, she is excited and grateful for the opportunity to share her love of dance with her students!
Olivia Cramer-Erbes, Teacher
Olivia Cramer-Erbes first began her dance training at Excel Dance Centre at the age of 10! She was on Company for 7 years, Xpression Pre-Professional Team for 5 years, and XLR8 Leadership Team for 3 years. She trained in every style Excel offers, but her favorites are contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. During her time at Excel, she participated in NHSDA and was an assistant teacher for 4 years, and in her senior year, was a Rising Teacher and had the honor of choreographing a dance for recital! In addition to this, she was a company member of the contemporary company Young Dancers Initiative for 2 years, led by Kaitlyn Pollock. She has had the honor of working with many guest artists, including Tyler Muhlenkamp, Jesse Hoisington, Shelby Bensinger, Kyra Laster, Kelsey Paschich, Kate Myers, Rowan Janusiak, Michael Kelly, Jodie Randolph. She has attended various intensives, including programs run by Young Dancers Initiative, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, the MPulse Dance Institute at the University of Michigan. Now, Olivia is a freshman at WMU and will be double majoring in dance and mechanical engineering. She is so excited to step into her new role with her Excel family!
Nina Kundrant, Teacher
Nina Kundrant is from Lockport, Illinois. I have been dancing since I was three, therefore going onto my 17th year of dancing. I started my dance career off by dancing at Turning Point Dance Company, ages 3-5, then switched into the competition side of that studio which is Ignite Dance Company, ages 6-18. While I continued studio dance, I had also joined my high school dance team, Lockport Township High School Dance Team, for three years. I am now a Sophomore in college continuing my dancing career with the Western Michigan Dance Team and my studies in Pre-Physical & Health Education Teacher K-12 at Western as well.
Emma Binguit, Teacher
Emma Binguit started dancing at the young age of two in her hometown of Canton, Michigan. She grew up dancing at The Dance Connection, and by the age of five, she was dancing competitively and attending conventions until she was 18. In high school, Emma was also a member of the PCEP Dance Team all four years and served as varsity captain her senior year. Emma is currently a senior at Western Michigan University, studying Advertising and Promotion with minors in General Business and Dance. She is a proud fourth-year member and committee chair of Ebony Vision Dance Ensemble, a POC dance RSO at the university, as well as a member of the American Marketing Association, Women’s Business Network, and Asian Pacific American Student Association. She is so grateful to be back and excited to share her love and passion for dance with all her students.
Kendalyn Fruehauf, Teacher
Kendalyn Fruehauf graduated from Purdue University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Applied Statistics and a minor in Dance. During her time at Purdue, she was actively involved in the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company, serving as President and choreographing works for three semesters. She was cast in works by faculty, guest artists, and fellow student choreographers throughout her four years. Kendalyn had the opportunity to present her own choreography and perform at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference. She also took part in a featured work at the Detroit Dance City Festival, representing Purdue alongside fellow company members. She is currently a company member in Movement Reservoir Dance Company. Kendalyn brings a strong foundation in modern and contemporary dance, along with a passion for collaboration and creative exploration, to her role as Modern Dance Director at Excel Dance Centre.
Jozie Rafferty, Teacher
Jozie Rafferty first began her dance training at Excel Dance Centre when she was 8 years old. She was on Company for 9 years and XLR8 Leadership Team for 2 years. She trained in every style Excel had to offer, but two of her favorites are contemporary and jazz. During her time at Excel, she participated in NHSDA and was an assistant teacher for 6 years. During her senior year, she was a Rising Teacher and choreographed along with certified staff. In addition to all of this, she was a member of the contemporary company Young Dancers Initiative for 1 year, led by Kaitlyn Pollock. She has attended intensives, including programs run by Young Dancers Initiative and Eisenhower Dance Detroit. Now, Jozie is a freshman at WMU and will be majoring in psychology. She is so excited to be a teacher at Excel and step into this new role!
Colleen Burrill, Teacher
Ms. Colleen Burrill’s passion for dance began at the age of four and has grown into a lifelong love of performing and teaching. She trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, acro, and hip hop at prestigious studios including Roger’s School of Dance in Pittsburg, Paula Terenzi’s Dance Complex, and Phunk Phenomenon in Boston. A graduate of Salem State University, she studied ballet, modern dance, and dance history, and served as a head choreographer and treasurer for the university’s Repertory Dance Theatre. As a professional dancer with Boston’s Phunk Phenomenon, Ms. Colleen performed in numerous shows and charity events, including opening twice for Jam’n 94.5’s Monster Jam. She also taught multiple styles and led choreography and work as the director for their competitive team. After moving to Michigan in 2019, Ms. Colleen began teaching ballet at a local studio before joining Excel, where she rediscovering her joy for teaching. She feels it is an honor to share her love of dance, build students’ confidence, and create positive, memorable experiences for every dancer she teaches.