Instructors

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Serena Moore – Studio Director, Jazz, and Lyrical

Serena grew up dancing as a Dancers on Tour member herself under the direction of Sharon DeNoyer McGuire and Ms. D. She now concentrates her efforts on passing that knowledge down to new generations of DeNoyer Dancers. Serena specializes in competitive jazz and lyrical as well as teaching stretch/jump/turn classes. Her classes offer beginning dancers their first technical challenges and more advanced dancers a continued opportunity to learn and grow. She prides herself on her “tough” teaching methods, which the dancers grow to love and respect.

Serena also serves as our Assistant Director and is in charge of scheduling, curriculum, costuming and D.O.T activities amongst other duties. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Missouri St. Louis and is the Personal Shopper/Stylist at Neiman Marcus St. Louis.

Natalie Barbeau – Hip Hop, Poms, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical

Natalie grew up dancing at at DeNoyer for 16 years and was a member of the D.O.T competition team for 10 years. She competed in every style Denoyer had to offer but her favorite has always been tap. She won 2 title awards with her tap solos and has continued her tap dancing career performing with the STL Rhythm Collaborative Pre-Pro Program.

Natalie is so excited to be teaching classes at DeNoyer as the studio has been a home away from home for her for many years.

Her incredible patient and kind demeanor will prove important in leading her own classes now at the studio. Natalie is currently studying Nursing at St. Louis Community College and is a certified nursing assistant. She currently works as a CNA at Delmar Gardens, in addition to running her own baking business, Ooh La La Bakery.

Emily Dacus – Hip Hop, Musical Theater

Miss Emily has become a DeNoyer Dance staple. Having grown up in the studio she now teaches for both recreational and competition classes. Growing up her favorite styles were Hip-Hop, musical theater and contemporary. Throughout her years on our competition team, she won many awards for her personality and “dedication to character”. And if you’ve had the privilege to see her on stage, you know why!

This season you can find her teaching Hip-Hop as well as Musical Theatre. In the classroom she values respect, kindness and most of all, having a good time. Outside of the studio she works full time as a Radiologic Technologist working through SSM. Emily is also currently attending school full time to become a Radiology professor!

Abby Froidl – Tap and Jazz

Abby has been with DeNoyer almost her entire life. Although taking and competing in many dance styles, her main focus has always been tap. She first fell in love with the style taking classes from Sharon DeNoyer McGuire, Jackie Scalise, and Carrie Hirschmann Parker. Taking classes from Tiffany Schlater at summer boot camp and participating in the St. Louis Tap Festival introduced Abby to a whole new world of tap history, music theory, and techniques. Abby’s classes are fast-paced, and she strives to introduce her students to many different facets of tap. When not tapping at DeNoyer, Abby can be found tap dancing at St. Louis Rhythm Collaborative under the instruction of Maria Majors and Kelly Ging.

Chloe Hartzell – Jazz, and Lyrical

Chloe has been with Denoyer since the age of two and grew up dancing on the competitive team. She has been demonstrating and subbing for classes since middle school and is currently starting her 2nd year of teaching for both the competitive team and recreational classes. She teaches many styles including lyrical, jazz, and contemporary. Chloe was also involved in dance team during both high school and college. Outside of the studio Chloe is a full time nursing student at Goldfarb.

Marcus Johnson – Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical

Marcus Johnson began his dance training at the age of 15 and soon after received a full scholarship to COCA (Center of Creative Arts) in Saint Louis, joining the First Company and the Pre-Professional Program under the direction of Lee Nolting and Alicia Graf-Mack. Marcus has performed pieces by Antony Tudor, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Alicia Graf-Mack, Michael Uthoff, Maurya Ker, Nejla Yatkins, Hanna Brictson, Gina Patterson, Roni Koresh, and Lara Teeter. In the summer of 2011, he performed the Antony Tudor masterpiece Dark Elegies for the Corps De Ballet in Kansas City, Missouri. Marcus trained with the Perry Mansfield School, Kansas City Ballet, “Real World” with Jon Lehrer and Lehrerdance, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Marcus received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Webster University with honors with an emphasis in ballet. After receiving his degree, Marcus danced professionally with the Modern American Dance Company (MADCO). Currently living in Saint Louis, Marcus is a freelance competitive and concert dance choreographer, head judge with Precision Arts Challenge and graduated with his MFA in Dance at Washington University in St.Louis. Marcus is also proud to be the director/instructor at Dance Incorporated, in Ellisville, MO.

*Marcus is excited to come back to his home roots where he first started teaching

Nathali Rottier Kessler – Ballet and Pointe

Nathali Rottier Kessler is on Year 5 as our lead Ballet instructor. Natalie comes to Denoyer Dance Studio after years of experience in regional and national companies such as; Mid-Illinois Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Annapolis, New York Theatre Ballet, Saint Louis Ballet, and many regional ballet companies. Nathali received her early dance training from Doris Dieu at the Performing Arts Studio in Collinsville, IL where she studied the Cecchetti Method. Nathali has passed several of her professional and teacher exams and is currently working towards her Enrico Cecchetti diploma. She is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America. Nathali also studied at Webster University. Her teaching experience includes instructing ballet and pointe at studios such as Performing Arts studio, Rena’s Dance Studio, Gintatus School of Ballet, Inner City Kids Foundation, Belleville School of Ballet, Holy Family School, the Dance Studio Troy, the Big Muddy Dance Co. and ballet mistress for Chamber Dance

Tracy LaRose – Adult Tap

Tracy LaRose began her dance journey at DeNoyer under the guidance of Lillian DeNoyer and Sharon DeNoyer McGuire. As a former member of the studio’s competition team, Tracy has a diverse background in ballet, jazz, and tap dance. Through her experiences in dance, she has learned invaluable lessons in dedication, perseverance, competitiveness, and hard work.

By day, Tracy serves as an Assistant Principal at a local high school, bringing a wealth of experience in education and leadership to her role at the dance studio. Tracy is passionate about inspiring and guiding her dancers, helping them to discover their own love for dance and the valuable life lessons it imparts.

Casey Mizell – Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical

Casey started her dance training right here in St. Louis. After Graduation she was full speed ahead as a professional dancer with her first professional gig in the Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson, MO. From there she moved on to star in “Dream”, a show in Guam headlined by magician Anthony Reed. There she worked with Chinese acrobats, trampoline artists, and show girls in a Vegas-style production. After briefly returning to Branson to perform in Cirque, she then went back to Guam to choreograph for various studios as well as working for Lexus, GALA Guam, and the Lunar Festival. She has since choreographed in all styles of dance all over the world. Most recently she worked in the Middle East where she choreographed for hotel shows throughout Egypt and trained with The Cairo Modern Dance Company.

Miss Casey is an incredible storyteller and choreographer having won countless awards at competition for her beautiful contemporary work. Here at DeNoyer she teaches everything from acro/contortion to lyrical and contemporary to both recreational and competitive students. She also loves to teach private lessons! When she’s not working in the studio she is a mom to one super cool little guy and travels as a competition judge and choreographer. Casey says that she loves to see the human and emotional growth that dance has the power to create in the world.

Jessica Nguyen – Hip Hop and Contemporary

Jessica has been with DeNoyer Dance a little over a decade now. They started dancing at DeNoyer as a student, and over time, Hiphop became one of their favorite styles. Although Jess officially joined our staff in 2020, they’ve substituted many classes while still attending DeNoyer dance as a student. So, adding Jess to the regular teaching staff was an easy decision. They started off teaching a small boys HipHop but now choreographs for our Dancer’s On Tour HipHop lines. We are excited to have them back this year as they are excited to continue grooving.

Octavio Nieto-Jacobo – Ballet

Octavio Nieto is originally from and began his dancing career in Guadalajara Mexico. He has studied, performed and mastered a variety of dance styles including Mexican folklore, Spanish/Flamenco, tap, jazz, ballroom and modern. His training at the Royal Academy of Dancing in London, the American Ballet Center (Joffrey Ballet School), David Howard Studio and the New York Conservatory of Dance allowed him to perfect and master his skills.

Octavio is also the founder and Artistic Director of the group Alma de Mexico St. Louis, which stemmed from his original Spanish dance classes taught right here in our studio many years ago. Here in St. Louis he has served as a principal dancer and Assistant Ballet Master at the St. Louis Ballet. In addition to being Alma de Mexico’s choreographer, Octavio is a periodic guest choreographer and dance instructor throughout St. Louis and in Mexico. He also still performs character roles at many companies throughout the region.

Jackie Scalise – Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz and Poms

Jackie Scalise has been with DeNoyer most of her life. She first studied under Mrs. DeNoyer and was a competitive dancer herself for many years winning several awards for her crystal clear sounds and her fast lightning feet. She then began teaching at DeNoyer over 20 years ago sharing her experience and knowledge with her students. Jackie works with the Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Poms classes in both the competitive and recreational levels. She has many choreography, Most entertaining, High Point, and cash awards to her name at both the regional and national level. Her Love for dance makes her classes fun and interesting as well as challenging.

Cindi Stark – Ballet, Jazz and Tap

Cindi Stark is a born and raised St. Louis girl, (Go Cards!) performing and dancing since the age of two. She has trained and competed in all genres of dance in her younger years, and received many performance titles and scholarships. Training under Lillian DeNoyer and Sharon DeNoyer has set the foundation for her love, passion and Joy for dance. She’s studied and performed with prestigious schools and companies, including The Mini Muny of St. Louis, Stephens College, Texas Christian University, Webster University and Kentucky Ballet Theater. She performed and trained under the direction of Stanley Herbert with the St. Louis Civic Ballet. Cindi stepped away from the performance stage to start and raise her family. She returned to DeNoyer and continues teaching, Choreographing and sharing her passion for dance with the next generation. Cindi has helped with coordinating the DeNoyer Dance preschool program and mini competitive dance team; well versed in all genres of dance she enjoys teaching ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling. Cindi is in her happy place and happy to be home with her DeNoyer Dance family teaching and inspiring all her dancers.

Emily Tuschoff – Acro, Jazz, Lyrical

Emily is a dedicated athlete and artist who has pursued excellence in multiple fields throughout her life. Having trained rigorously for the Olympics before returning home to St. Louis, she embodies the spirit of determination and perseverance. Her journey began with a passion for dance here at DeNoyer, which she nurtured for 13 years, mastering various styles and techniques that shaped her discipline and creativity.

Emily values the guidance and mentorship of her instructors whom she grew up with here at DeNoyer. Their influence not only honed her skills but also instilled in her a profound respect for hard work and collaboration. Now, she looks forward to leveraging her experience and skills, both in sports and the arts, as she embarks on new challenges and opportunities.

Emily is currently studying psychology, biology, and chemistry at Maryville University and is an aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon. She also teaches artistic gymnastics at Olympia in Chesterfield

Chelsea Yanske – Tap and Ballet

Chelsea has been dancing for most of her life. She first started her dancing career at a small studio in Farmington, MO and then moved to Triplett Productions. (now Triplett and Probst) This is where Chelsea found her love of ballet and pointe. She finished out her childhood dance career at Ballet Arts Center and performed in the YPPAT production of The Nutcracker. As an adult she decided to revisit her love of dance right here at DeNoyer! Chelsea has taken tap classes with Ms. Tracy and has even studied ballet with Ms. Cindi. In the 2024/2025 dance season we welcomed her on as a sub for some of our tiny dancers and now she’s taking on a Pre-k Class of her own!

Chelsea is a proud dance Mama and member of our D.O.T competition family. She has 2 daughters, the youngest of which has been attending DeNoyer since 2017 and competing with D.O.T since 2019. Outside the studio Chelsea is a substitute teacher at Lone Dell Elementary. She is very excited to officially join the DeNoyer staff and we just as excited to have her!

MaryBeth Barbeau – Front Desk

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