About our studio
In the fall of 2015, Stage Door Dance Arts was founded by Kevin & Michelle Knell alongside their daughter, Haley in Conway, AR. Michelle and Haley have shared the love of dance for over 20 years, and have set out to share it with hundreds of students. Former owner, Michelle Knell, spent years as a professional ballerina and 25 years as a master teacher of technique across multiple disciplines. Haley, both a professional tap dancer and teacher of master classes, is considered by many to be the best young tap, hip-hop, and modern/contemporary teacher and choreographer in Central Arkansas.
In 2023, Haley Ashford, alongside her husband Shaun, followed in her parents' footsteps as the new owners of SDDA. It has been a privilege for Haley to carry the same vision out 10 years into co-founding the studio with her family. They have continued the story and vision of the studio, and continue to pursue sharing the love of dance with students of all ages.
At Stage Door Dance Arts, we believe that dance is not just about learning steps, but about self-expression, creativity, and personal growth. We strive to create an environment where our students can explore their passion for dance, develop their skills, and build friendships that will last a lifetime. We teach more than just dance classes – we teach each child valuable life lessons about self-confidence, teamwork, integrity, and the importance of knowing that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
meet our sdda staff
Jamie dallas office manager
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Jamie dallas office manager
B.S. in Early Childhood Education
Masters in Special Education Instruction
15 years experience in Retail Management and Customer Service
20+ years as a dance mom
Laura Crabtree dance instructor
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Jamie dallas office manager
Studied at John Brown University, Magna Cum Laude
Over 15 years of dance training across all disciplines
Specializes in teaching beginning and intermediate levels of ballet, tap, jazz & clogging
KYLIE DALLAS dance/acro instructor
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
15+ years of studio dance training in all disciplines
Studied with master teachers Kathryn McCormick & Dejan Tupic
Current choreographer for the 8th/9th grade dance teams. Former member of Conway HS dance team. Background in musicals, competitive cheer & acrobatic arts
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Katherine Hinojosa DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Studied political science and dance at the University of Alabama
Trained in ballet, jazz, & ballroom, Was VP of competition & social ballroom dance organizations. Represented Team USA at the IDO World Championship, Trained with the Radio City Rockettes and Joffrey Ballet School at summer intensives
Courtenay Pierce DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Courtenay Pierce DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from the University of Southern Mississippi
Trained with Atlanta Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, & more
Performance credits including The Nutcracker, halftime at the Liberty Bowl, and more
Helena Rawlings dance instructor
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Courtenay Pierce DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Studying at the University of Central Arkansas
3 years as a Honey Bear Dance Team member at UCA
Began her journey with dance at 10 years old dancing competitively in pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, & hip hop
Aspen Powell Dance Instructor
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Degree in Criminology & double minor in Business and Sociology from the University of Central Arkansas
2 years as a Honey Bear Dance Team member at UCA competing in the NDA Nationals twice
18 years of dance training in a variety of disciplines and 5 years of dance teaching experience
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Kaylee Munnerlyn DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Studying at the University of Central Arkansas, Elementary Ed
16 years of training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater, hip-hop, and pointe
SDDA’s Elite Team for 8 years, Performed with Untapped, and was a member of the Untapped Youth Ensemble in high school.
ANNELIESE CORMIER student instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER student instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER student instructor
Seven year member of SDDA'S Elite Team with SEVEN National titles. Three years experience teaching dance
Studied at Central Arkansas Ballet prior to SDDA training
HUNTER NORRIS dance instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER student instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER student instructor
Welcome Hunter to SDDA
meet our student interns
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
SDDA student since it opened in 2015
Six year member of the SDDA Elite Team with THREE National Titles
Member of Conway Junior High Dance Team
Megan Arnold Student Assistant
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
Two year member of the SDDA Elite Team
Three year member of Conway High School Dance Team program, 2 years of assistant teaching experience
JOHANNA SMITH STUDENT ASSISTANT
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
lizzie thorNton STUDENT ASSISTANT
SDDA student and studies additionally with Ballet Arkansas: Performance credits include The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet
Two year member of the SDDA Elite Team with two National Titles
lizzie thorNton STUDENT ASSISTANT
AVERY RIBBING STUDENT ASSISTANT
lizzie thorNton STUDENT ASSISTANT
Five Year Member of SDDA Elite Team
Two National Titles
Lover of all things dance and her SDDA Family!