2026-2027 SEASON 5
Meet our DANCE, fitness and Theater instructors
Stephanie Halley
Stephanie Halley
Stephanie Halley
Owner/Director
Dance & Fitness Instructor
Graduated from Lindenwood University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in dance. Earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Missouri Baptist University.
Stephanie has taught dance for over 25 years. She has experience with both recreational and competitive dance.
Dance, music, and the arts are her passion in life.
Lindsay Silman
Stephanie Halley
Stephanie Halley
Dance Instructor
Ballet, Tap, Modern/Contemporary, Company, Child-Teen
Lindsay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Webster University. She danced at the Alvin Alley School of Dance in New York City for a summer program.
She has performed professionally with a Modern Company out of Chicago. She has been teaching dance since 2006
Dance Instructor
Ballet, Tap, Modern/Contemporary, Company, Child-Teen
Lindsay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Webster University. She danced at the Alvin Alley School of Dance in New York City for a summer program.
She has performed professionally with a Modern Company out of Chicago. She has been teaching dance since 2006.
She enjoys teaching children because of the joy and energy they bring to the studio.
Kylie Smith
Stephanie Halley
Kylie Smith
Dance Instructor
Ballet, Tap, Tumbling, Jazz and Adult Jazz, Music Theater
Lotus Barista
Kylie has been dancing since 2008. In 2022 she trained as a preprofessional dancer at Ashleyliane Dance Company. She has choreographed for multiple school theater departments. Kylie is now attending Saint Louis Community College to work towards her dance degree.
Linda Dawes
Kristin Nausley
Kylie Smith
Dance Instructor
Ballet & Tap
Miss Linda brings over 18 years of dance performance and education experience, including training at a visual & performing arts school and COCA. She is also the proud mom of one of our wonderful students! Outside of dance, she enjoys reading and gardening. Miss Linda has a true passion for teaching kids—whether at home, at work, or right here in the studio!
Melissa Weems
Kristin Nausley
Kristin Nausley
Fitness Instructor
Kettlebell, Dance Fitness (Zumba)
Lotus Management Team
Melissa is a wife and mother. Her daughter has been taking dance since she was three and they love Ms. Stephanie!
She's an amazing teacher and person. Melissa is a construction worker by day but loves to help the kiddos at dance class when needed.
Kristin Nausley
Kristin Nausley
Kristin Nausley
Fitness Instructor
Dance Fitness
(Country Line Dancing)
(Zumba)
Fun Facts About Kristin:
-Teaching middle school physical education for 21 years
-Teaching fitness classes for 13-14 years
-Enjoys being active and loves teaching others to enjoy being active. “Fitness can be fun AND beneficial at the same time!”
Sara Beth Kennedy
Dance/Fitness Instructor
Hip Hop
Kettlebell
Kickboxing
Dance Fitness (Zumba)
Lotus Barista
Sara Beth is married to her high school sweetheart, Justin, and is mom to two sons, Kaleb and Kobe. She has loved dance from a young age, inspired by Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. She trained in tap, jazz, and ballet in Cabot, Arkansas, and was captain o
Dance/Fitness Instructor
Hip Hop
Kettlebell
Kickboxing
Dance Fitness (Zumba)
Lotus Barista
Sara Beth is married to her high school sweetheart, Justin, and is mom to two sons, Kaleb and Kobe. She has loved dance from a young age, inspired by Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. She trained in tap, jazz, and ballet in Cabot, Arkansas, and was captain of her high school dance team. As an adult, she discovered Zumba, became a licensed instructor, and soon met Miss Stephanie—who became a lifelong friend after Sara Beth spotted her Janet Jackson hoodie! After taking adult classes during R.I.S.E.’s first season, Sara Beth is back and more motivated than ever.
Chris Boyer
Guitar Lessons
Chris enjoys playing and listening to music, and he plays guitar and drums for a few local bands. He enjoys watching racing and sports, especially his step-daughter playing volleyball and soccer. He also enjoys swing dancing with his wife.
MEET OUR OFFICE and STUDio STAFF
Alicia Slabby
Alicia Slabby
Alicia Slabby
Business Office Manager
Alicia is our awesome Office Manager and the friendly face that keeps RISE running smoothly! Before joining our dance family, she spent 15 years in the medical field, bringing a wealth of experience, organization, and compassion to our studio.
She’s a proud Disney adult who loves all things magical—and both of her ki
Business Office Manager
Alicia is our awesome Office Manager and the friendly face that keeps RISE running smoothly! Before joining our dance family, she spent 15 years in the medical field, bringing a wealth of experience, organization, and compassion to our studio.
She’s a proud Disney adult who loves all things magical—and both of her kiddos, Addy and Elijah are RISE dancers! Her husband is a nurse, but you might also spot him around the studio tackling those all-important Dance Dad Mr. Fix it chores!
Diane Balsman
Alicia Slabby
Alicia Slabby
Graphic/Web Designer
Social Media Coordinator
Fitness Instructor/Kettlebell Mix
Diane serves as R.I.S.E.’s graphic and web designer, as well as its social media coordinator.
Also she is new to instructing Kettlebell classes at R.I.S.E.
Served in the NAVY and holds a degree in Graphic Communications.
Sarah Culley
Alicia Slabby
Sarah Culley
Director of First Impressions
Office Assistant
Lotus Management Team
Sarah has been with R.I.S.E. since the very beginning and is the proud mom of 12-year-old Kenslee, who has spent her entire 7-year dance journey with Miss Stephanie. By day, Sarah works at Jefferson College as the Lead Teacher at the Early Childhood Center, and by evening,
Director of First Impressions
Office Assistant
Lotus Management Team
Sarah has been with R.I.S.E. since the very beginning and is the proud mom of 12-year-old Kenslee, who has spent her entire 7-year dance journey with Miss Stephanie. By day, Sarah works at Jefferson College as the Lead Teacher at the Early Childhood Center, and by evening, she’s the friendly face you’ll find at the studio as our amazing Director of First Impressions, Office assistant and a member of our Lotus Management Team. Miss Alicia and Miss Stephanie rely heavily on Miss Sarah — they truly couldn’t do their jobs without her dedication, heart, and hard work!
Cindy Lee
Mindy Dunnigan Wallace
Sarah Culley
First Impressions Team
Cindy is a wife and mom of two.
This is her daughter Charlotte’s third season with R.I.S.E.! After coaching Cheer for three seasons, Cindy joined the R.I.S.E. First Impressions Team this year, making the switch from Cheer Mom to Dance Mom.
She’s thrilled to continue supporting Charlotte while playing an important role and being an essential part of the R.I.S.E. family!
Mindy Dunnigan Wallace
Mindy Dunnigan Wallace
Mindy Dunnigan Wallace
Bookkeeper
Instructor
Lotus Barista
Mindy has been a dedicated trumpet player in the MAC Community Band for 22 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a master’s degree in Business Administration. Outside of music, Mindy enjoys hiking with her family and attending concerts with her bestie, Stephanie.