EMILIE LAROSA, Owner/Creative Director aka "Ms. Emilie"
Emilie received a BA in Dance Management from the acclaimed Oklahoma City University’s School of Dance and Arts Management. Upon receiving her degree, she moved to New York where she studied at Broadway Dance Center. She danced with several companies including Peggy Spina Tap Company, Tap Fusion, and the New Jersey Tap Ensemble where she served as managing director. She is a founding member of Cincinnati Taps, Inc, a non profit dance company.
ALLY JO, Dance Team Coach
Ally Jo has been dancing since the age of three and has a passion for instilling a love of the art form in younger dancers. In addition to training and competing with Broadway Bound Dance Academy, she has been assisting and teaching dance classes at Broadway Bound for several years. She is currently a sophomore at Wright State University, where she is pursuing her BFA in dance along with an arts management certification.
ABIGAIL RIESTER, Dance Team Coach
Abigail has been dancing since childhood and has developed a lifelong passion for the art of movement. She has trained extensively in a variety of dance styles, with a special love for ballet, contemporary, musical theater, and jazz. Abigail has trained at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and continues to refine her artistry through prestigious opportunities, including intensives with Joffrey Ballet and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She also had the honor of performing with Complexions at The Joyce Theater in New York City.
As a certified Pilates instructor, Abigail has developed a deeper understanding of strength, alignment, and body awareness, which further enhances her approach to dance and movement. Through dedication, creativity, and a passion for storytelling, she strives to inspire her students while continuing to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer in New York City.
MS. CAROL, Young Dancer Program
Carol is a native of Cincinnati and began dancing at the age of five with Beverly Harpenau as her instructor.
She went on to study ballet, jazz and pointe with Bonnie Williams Dance Studio. She started teaching at
Broadway Bound in 2004. Ms. Carol teaches Broadway Babies, Combo 3-4 years and Combo 5-6 years of age.
HANNAH RIESTER, Guest Tap Teacher
Hannah has grown up with a passion for dance. She particularly has a strong love for tap dancing. Through attending residencies/intensives and performing in professional shows across the country, Hannah has trained with the most recognizable names in the tap industry. She is mentored in Los Angeles by Melinda Sullivan, a current member of the "Syncopated Ladies". Hannah has won numerous scholarships and awards, but above all, strives to connect and share her passion with her students.
JULIA BRISKEN, Combo Classes and Dance Team Coach
Julia Brisken is a dancer, choreographer, and artist from Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Miami University with a co-major in Arts Management and a minor in Dance. Having trained at Broadway Bound Dance Academy for 15 years, Julia is thrilled to return as an instructor and give back to the studio that first instilled her love for dance.
As both a performer and choreographer, Julia has presented original work at the Ohio Dance Festival, Miami University's Momentum Concert, OMEA Conference, and Vision Dance Company performances. She has also performed professionally with DeLa Dance Company and at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.
Julia is drawn to movement that feels intentional and honest, valuing the process of exploring different qualities, dynamics, and ways of expressing ideas through dance. She approaches each class and creative opportunity as a space for exploration, encouraging dancers to challenge themselves, refine their movement, and develop confidence in their own unique artistic voice.
KATE DELON, Ballet Instructor
Kate DeLon started training from a young age with the Dayton Ballet School in Dayton, Ohio. While at Dayton Ballet, she participated in their junior and senior pre-professional dance programs and performed with the professional company in many ballets like The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Romeo and Juliet. Kate has also attended and trained with multiple summer intensives through Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Richmond Ballet, ARB at Princeton, and the Orlando Ballet. She went on to get her BFA in Dance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and graduated in the spring of 2020. While at CCM, Kate performed demi-soloist and soloist roles in Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Cinderella and other pieces choreographed by CCM faculty. While at CCM, she was also hired as a guest artist to perform with Dayton Ballet and danced professionally for De La Dance Company. She is now working on getting her Masters in Education at UC. Kate is so excited to share her passion for dance with all of her students this year!
KELSEY HORST, Hip Hop Teacher and Dance Team Coach
Trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, musical theatre, and pom, Kelsey has over nineteen years of experience performing and competing at the high school and collegiate levels. She was a four-year varsity member of the Mount Notre Dame Dance Team and a four-year member of the Miami University Dance Team. She performed on the sidelines of football and basketball games and competed nationally at the NDA Collegiate Dance Championship, earning top honors with her team.
In addition to performing, Kelsey currently choreographs pom and jazz routines for local junior high and high school dance programs, helping dancers develop their technique, confidence, and performance skills.
She earned her bachelor's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Inclusive Special Education from Miami University and is returning to complete her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
KELLY STACEY, Acro Teacher
Most of my life has been dedicated to the sport of gymnastics where I competed at the elite level. Attended Morehead State University (MSU), degree: business management. Was hired to teach gymnastics at MSU. Started a business teaching tumbling in 2002 which led to having several competition teams competing in studio dance. Later expanded business to all-star cheer and hip hop which competed and won titles at local, regional, and world levels. Retired the gym in 2015 and currently teaches gymnastics and cheer at various levels locally where she continues to share her love and passion of tumbling and cheer with all who want to learn.
KELLY WHITAKER, Ballet Instructor
Ballet is a big part of Kelly Whitaker's life, and she is excited to bring her experience to Broadway Bound. She danced competitively growing up, trained with Cincinnati Ballet, and proceeded into a professional career with Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina for eight years. She attended many well respected summer dance programs including those at American Ballet Theatre (New York), Boston Ballet School, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Whitaker danced corps and soloist roles with Columbia City Ballet and her favorite roles include "The Snow Queen" from The Nutcracker and "Summer Fairy" from Cinderella. During her career, Ms. Whitaker discovered an even deeper passion for teaching dance. She has taught ballet for 15 years and is also certified by NESTA as a personal trainer. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge, experience, and mind-set required for professional dance.
LEXI AYERS, Studio Manager
Lexi started her dance career at Broadway Bound in 2003 and has been with Emilie ever since. Lexi is versed in all styles of dance and currently teaches the hip hop classes at Broadway Bound to dancers of all ages. She danced competitively for 8 years and won many overall and judges choice awards for both her solos and group dances. Lexi was assisting at BBDA well before she became an instructor. Before she puts her dance shoes on, you may see her at the front desk serving as a business assistant to Ms. Emilie! Outside of the studio she received her Bachelors in Special Education and Masters in Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently and Intervention Specialist in a Multiple Disabilities unit at a local high school and loves every second of her many jobs!
SAMANTHA SCHUERMANN, Guest Ballet Teacher
Samantha Schuermann is from Fort Knox, Kentucky, but grew up in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. She began her dance training at Cincinnati Ballet before transferring to de la Dance Center (de la) when she was 7 years old. She trained at de la for 11 years and spent summers training at Boston Ballet (2016), Next Generation Ballet (2017), American Ballet Theatre (2018-2019), and Atlanta Ballet (2020 - 2021). Samantha attended an open audition for Atlanta Ballet in early 2020 in New York, where she was fortunate enough to have earned a position with Atlanta Ballet 2. During her time in Atlanta, she performed in numerous ballets such as Giselle, Yuri Possokhov’s The Nutcracker and Don Quixote, Bruce Wells’ Snow White and Beauty and the Beast.
SLOAN MILLS, Jazz Teacher and Dance Team Coach
Sloan Mills has been dancing since the age of three and brings years of dedication and experience to every class and rehearsal. She began her training with Northern Cincinnati Youth Ballet before moving on to study at Planet Dance Cincinnati under the guidance of Missy and Andrew Hubbard, Tricia Sundbeck, Jennifer Rutherford, and Alex Hernandez. Sloan was also a company member with the professional adult company Exhale Dance Tribe for six seasons.
Her passion for teaching began at 16, and she has since taught a wide range of styles including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Hip Hop. As a choreographer, Sloan brings creativity and storytelling to the stage, earning recognition with a choreography award from Intrigue Dance Intensive.
Above all, Sloan values the opportunity to help her students grow not only as dancers but as individuals—finding joy in watching their progress both in the studio and in life.
ASSISTANT TEACHERS
Hallie Kiel
Assistant
Kate Peterman
Assistant
Lucy Ruschman
Assistant