Centre Stage Teachers and Assistants
Since opening in 2002, we have become masters of our craft. Our teachers have college degrees, mostly in educational fields. Between us we have a combined 60 years dance experience. We seek continual education in our fields each year, looking for new ways to improve. Because of that, we are continuing to expand our offerings based on how we can best serve the Mount Vernon area. We also have a strong set of teaching assistants, who are training to one day lead classes themselves or add to their resume their valuable experience with us in the classroom.
Shannon Owens
Owner, Director and Instructor
Ms Shannon is originally from Springfield IL, where she took classes starting at age 4 from the award winning Jan's Dance Studio. While there, she was part of their original Dazzler dance company and competition team. Several of her peers have gone on dance professionally. She has taken class with some of the most acclaimed teachers and dancers around!
She has also performed at Disneyland and several local events around Springfield IL. After high school, she studied ballet, modern, jazz and tap at Illinois State University, where she was part of the ISU Dance Theatre Company for 4 years. She holds a degree in education (Science and Math) with a Dance Minor. Ms Shannon continues her education every year through various conventions and conferences for dance teachers and studio owners. She loves to be able to combine her two passions: dance and teaching!
Emily Sledge
Ms Emily trained at Sonya's Gotta Dance Studio starting at age 5. While continuing to dance through High School and college she competed in various competitions including Nationals in Pigeon Forge ,TN, and performed at Disney World. Her last several years of dancing with the studio she taught several classes of tap, ballet, jazz, and tumbling. She graduated SIUE with a teaching degree in biological sciences. She have three children, one of which is a dancer with us! Her passions include dance, the outdoors, and being with my family. She is very excited about teaching and sharing her passion of dance again!
Melynda Breeze
Ms Melynda is our acro instructor! Acro is a beautiful form of gymnastics geared towards dancers. In addition to lending her vast experience in tumbling, she's also a prominent local business owner and busy mom of three. She is excited to be working with her students and helping them achieve their goals!
Miss Lauren
Miss Lauren has grown up dancing with Centre Stage from a very young age, and has now graduated to teaching for us! She's starting her third year teaching for Centre Stage and her students love her! She's excited to share her love of dance with her kiddos this year!! When she's not at the studio, you can catch her managing Anchor Rental in Mt Vernon and working at Wellco Real Estate.
Miss Josie
Miss Josie has grown up dancing with Centre Stage from a very young age, and has now graduated to teaching for us! She's starting her third year coaching our Competition Team and assisting for Centre Stage and her students love her! When she's not at the studio, you can catch her leading a youth group at her church!
Miss Jessica
Ms Jessica teaches tumbling at the studio. She is amazing with the littles and loves all her babies! She is so excited to meet her new tumblers and train for new goals this year!