Meet the Owners

Mina Gammon

Mina Gammon, born and raised in St. Charles MO, has been a part of the dance community for over thirty years. She worked under Wohl Shoe for thirteen years in store planning, She had the honor of working with interior designers where she was in charge of budgets of many free standing and leased shoe departments. After volunteering at her daughters’ school, she became the attendance secretary at Harris Elementary, then moving to principal secretary for 29 years. While she worked at Harris, Mina became involved with the Performing Arts Centre working in the office. She was a part of Dance Company’s publicity/banquet committee and soon after took over the costuming committee. She has been a part of costuming for the studio for over 20 years altering and/or designing costumes. Mina is proud to have been the designer of the current Finale costume that you see at all recital shows. A few years ago she became the Team Administrator of the competition team handling all administrative duties. Mina is a dedicated, hard working person whose passion lies in leading this business with joy, positivity, organization and always a smile on her face.

Amy Gammon

Amy Gammon holds a BA in Dance and a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Dance from Lindenwood University. She is now the co-owner of Performing Arts Centre, where she has been a teacher and director for the past 14 years. Currently, Amy serves as an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University, where she has set numerous pieces in dance concerts, traveled with students to the American College Dance Association to teach tap, hip hop, and yoga, and had the opportunity to choreograph productions such as Urinetown, Cinderella, and Carrie. Recently, Amy was honored with the Lindenwood Adjunct Teaching Award for the 2024-2025 school year. As a former director with Beyond The Stars Dance Competition for seven years, she choreographed opening numbers for Nationals and was part of the faculty on their dance convention circuit. Amy's work has been recognized nationally, including winning the 2024 Best Jazz Performance at the Industry Dance Awards in California. As co-founder of MoSTLy TAP, a St. Louis-based tap dance company, she has performed in numerous shows and events. Amy has also choreographed three seasons for Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis. She is a member of Dance Masters of America, a graduate of DMA's Teachers Training School (recipient of the Bachna Scholarship), a yoga teacher certified through YogaSix, and the Artistic Director for The DANCE CO. of St. Charles. Amy's passion lies in teaching, inspiring, and motivating students to achieve their goals.

Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Our talented and passionate staff are the heartbeat of our dance studio. Led by experienced directors and instructors, our team is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where dancers of all ages and skill levels can thrive. With expertise in various styles, from ballet to hip-hop, our instructors bring patience, enthusiasm, and creativity to every class. Our staff's love for dance is contagious, inspiring students to grow technically and confidently. From welcoming office administrators to skilled choreographers, our entire team works together to ensure every dancer feels valued, motivated, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Melissa Alexander

Miss Melissa has been teaching dance for over 32 years and is currently teaching ballet and acrobatics at PAC. She started training here in 1978 and made sure her children started their dance training here as well. Miss Melissa has trained throughout the United States with Joffrey, BalletMet, BalletAspen and the Cecchetti Council of America. She has performed professionally with Atrek Modern Dance Company, Webster Dance Theatre, Radio City Music Hall and Buena Vista Pictures. Miss Melissa is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and is currently the vice president of the Florida Dance Masters organization.

Ryan Asbell

Classes:

Anita Borgmeyer

Anita Borgmeyer has a long history of dance training including classic studio training, and various programs and conventions in her younger years. She has been teaching at PAC since 2002, and has also coached dance teams for more than 6 years. She specializes in jazz, lyrical, contemporary and leaps and turns. Anita is grateful for all the students she has taught over the years, and loves seeing their various artistic accomplishments!

Emily Boehme

Hi! I’m Miss Emily and I believe in building dancers and HUMANS!! In my classes, we value respect, support and kindness just as much as we value pointed toes. My goal is to build an experience that allows your child to be proud of their dance abilities AND the friends they made along the way. Come dance with me!

Brittany Chisenhall

Brittany has been dancing at PAC since the age of 5 where she has trained in multiple styles of dance. She currently serves as the Micro Mini Team Director, where she loves inspiring and guiding the studio’s youngest dancers as they begin their own journeys in dance. In addition to her work at PAC, she is also a Dance Team Coach for a local high school dance team, helping student-athletes develop both their technical skills and team spirit.

Erin Cooper

Classes:

LaDonna Brase

LaDonna Brase has a total of 50 years of dance experience;25 of those teaching at PAC! She has served both the competition team and Dance company along with ages pre-school through adult. She is proud to have raised her own daughter at PAC but considers ALL her former and current students her forever family.

Debbie Davenport

Debbie Davenport has been teaching for many years and has an amazing rapport with children. They KNOW she loves them!!! And a happy and fun class is the result. Throw in some respectful classroom behaviors and good technique training and her students are ready for a successful year.

Kristi Dieckman

Kristi has taught all genres of dance for over 20 years. She was the owner and artistic director of Adams School of Dance in O'Fallon, IL for 8 years. She also has a Master's Degree in Sports Science and Rehabilitation and loves to apply her knowledge to dance and injury prevention. Kristi is thrilled to teach and share her knowledge with the students at PAC.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Green, an Oklahoma City University Dance Management graduate, was a member and choreographer of the University Pep Squad and performed with the American Spirit Dance Company. She studied dance in New York, L.A., Chicago, and Oklahoma, and performed with Rob Lake Magic and Terry Richison’s Magic Show. Alexis has taught dance in Oklahoma and New Jersey, and at The Performing Arts Centre in St. Charles since 2008. She has choreographed for school squads, competition teams, musicals, and solo performers, and taught master classes in South Carolina and St. Louis. Alexis has judged dance competitions and started her training at The Performing Arts Centre, being an alumni of The DANCE CO. of St. Charles. She was the Associate Artistic Director for First Company and is now the Artistic Director for Second Company, excited for this new role.

Meredith Foster

Meredith has enjoyed dance since the age of three, training at the Performing Arts Centre through graduation. She danced for both the St. Charles West and Truman State dance teams. She went on to dance with and serve as a staff member at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) for three years. She also coached the St. Charles West dance team for 10 years. Meredith continues to share her love of dance by helping coach the elementary school dance club where she teaches.

Sydney Gibbs

Miss Sydney is in her sixth year of teaching at PAC and has loved every minute of it! She is a graduate of Lindenwood University earning a BFA in Dance with an emphasis in Contemporary and a BA in Public Relations, Advertising, and Corporate Communications. Miss Sydney performs professionally around the St. Louis area, most recently in Deadman’s Party at Six Flags St. Louis. Miss Sydney has been honored to receive accolades from her choreography from dance competitions, along with receiving audience choice from MADCO Dare to Dance choreography festival.

Sophie Grames

Classes:

Halie Hebron

Halie Hebron is a proud PAC alumni who went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Photography, Graphic Design, and Videography from SIUE. She now works as a substitute teacher and assistant coach of the Crusaderettes at St. Dominic High School. Halie is a third year veteran with the St. Louis Blues’ Blue Crew, and enjoys working with her nonprofit organization, Art Rx, in her free time!

Karin Henry

Miss Karin has been teaching dance for 35 years! She received her degree in dance from San Diego State University and graduated with honors. She danced professionally in her 20s and 30s in various production shows on Guam, in New Orleans, and Las Vegas.

Amber Hoehne

Amber Hoene grew up as a competitive dancer in Alton, Illinois and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in dance with honors from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I am an adjunct professor in the dance department at SIUE and teach at 4 studios. I love sharing my love of dance with my students and enjoy cultivating a safe, exercise focused dance environment in all the classes I am able to teach.

Marissa Koester

Hi I’m Marissa! As a proud PAC alum, I’m thrilled to share my love of acro with the next generation of dancers. My goal is to help students grow as artists and athletes—building both skill and self-confidence along the way.

Jennifer Letz

I have been teaching adult ballet since 2011. I absolutely adore teaching adults! I am a former PAC student and a former member of the DANCE CO. of St. Charles. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the DANCE company, and was the past President for many years. PAC has a special place in my heart and I’m so glad to share my love of dance through teaching here.

Laura Moore

Laura Moore has been teaching since graduating from college. She was a former PAC student and now a PAC parent. She loves working with the younger levels and sharing her love for dance.

Erica Penney

Erica Penney danced at PAC for the last three years of high school, and was a member of the St. Charles dance company for 2 years. She is currently studying interior design while always trying to grow and learn in the dance field. It has been her joy to continue working with PAC after graduation, and it’s her hope that she contribute to these incredible students lives.

Samantha Peters

Samantha Peters grew up in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Lindenwood University with a BA in Dance. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles, CA and while working there for almost a decade, she had the pleasure of dancing at LA Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and Vestal Village at Coachella. You can see her in several music videos such as Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love” and “Rain On Me” featuring Ariana Grande (and their MTV VMA performance of those songs!), Barbie’s “Oh My Wow” official video and many others. She has worked with multiple other artists including Rilan, Trevi Moran, Rachel Crow, Jermaine Paul, Loren Allred, Hamid, fashion designer Michael Ngo and more. Samantha has had an exciting dance performance career, but she was a major part of the conception and opening of Elements Dance Space and has helped grow the studio into one of the largest, most competitive studios in the LA Area.

Tracy Price

Tracy Davenport started teaching in 1974! Having taught all ages & genres, focuses on Ballet & Tap, a true "TappinBunhead"! Tracy is a proud Diploma Fellow with the Cecchetti Council of America! Miss Tracy invites you to fall in love with ballet!

Krista Schaub

A lifelong dancer who started at age three, Krista trained and competed with Performing Arts Centre. She went on to spend the next decade with PAC, teaching core classes and choreographing for individuals and competition teams. Specializing in jazz, lyrical, and conditioning, she brings energy and enthusiasm to every class. As both a teacher and PAC parent, she enjoys sharing her passion for dance and inspiring the next generation to shine on and off the stage.

Nicki Sharp

I started my dance journey at the wee age of 3 at Performing Arts Centre. PAC instilled in me a deep love of dance, outside of the studio I was a St Louis Storm Little Twister, an FHN Knightline Alumni, and a Missouri State Sugar Bear in college. The MSU Sugar Bears were inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. Today I am so proud to be able to watch my own children continue their dance education at the place I so lovingly called my second home for so many years.

Katy Smith

Katy Smith has 25 years of experience teaching ballet at PAC and 14 years as a Cecchetti ballet technique coach! Her early training was with Nathalie LeVine at the Ballet Conservatory of St Louis. Miss Katy is certified in the Cecchetti Method for Student Grades I-IV, as well as Elementary (V) and Intermediate (VI) and is an active member of the Greater St Louis Cecchetti Committee. Miss Katy loves how ballet can tell a story through movement. She feels her role as a teacher is to guide dancers in developing self-discipline and confidence through the practice of good technique and understanding of ballet theory so they can tell their own stories through dance!

Lisa Steinhoff

Lisa started dancing at PAC in 1985 and joined the faculty in 1998. Lisa spends more time in the ballet classroom, but her passion for dance is rooted in her love of Tap! She is certified to teach Ballet, Tap, & Jazz through Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School, has completed Cecchetti Grade 1 through Elementary Level teacher exams, and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Outside of dance Lisa holds a bachelors degree in Biomedical Engineering, a Master Degree in Engineering Management, both from Wash U, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering from MIT. This blend of science and dance allows for an interesting perspective on theory of movement and ballet technique.

Karen Stewart

I am a wife and mom of 4 amazing children, all of whom danced at PAC. Teaching dance to my incredible dancers meets all my creative needs. I am a watercolor artist, a songwriter/singer, a crafter extraordinaire and storyteller. Bringing the joy of dance to the youngest of this world is my passion.

Taya Zeig

Taya Zeig grew up dancing at Performing Arts Centre and is now honored to teach and raise her own children in the studio. She holds a minor degree in Dance from Lindenwood University, during which time she performed, taught, and trained heavily in the ballet world. She is a Cecchetti Certified Teacher and enjoys drawing knowledge from all of her past instructors to all of her students at PAC.

Office Staff

Our office staff includes Trixie Lindstrom, Rache Stebe, Mina Gammon, Debbie Burkemper, and Debbie Wilcox. You’ll find our amazing team in the office, always ready to assist in any way possible. They provide our dancers with exceptional service and spread positivity throughout the studio. Feel to drop by and say hi whenever you can!

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