About our studio
Stage Door Dance Arts was founded in 2015 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.
At Stage Door Dance Arts, 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
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
KYLIE DALLAS dance/acro 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
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
Katherine Hinojosa 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
hannah Griffith DANCE INSTRUCTOR
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance instructor
Over 16 years of training and is especially well-versed in ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, and clogging.
degree in Exercise & Sport Science
from the University of Central Arkansas.
Training from North Arkansas Dance and Theatre Company.
7 years of experience teaching
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance 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
addison holley dance instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance instructor
avery roach dance instructor
Bachelor of Science in Applied Exercise Science from Oklahoma State University. Currently studying for her Doctorate in OT at UCA
ACSM certified personal trainer with 3 years of experience and Interned in group fitness and strength and conditioning coaching
13 years of dance experience
avery roach dance instructor
ANNELIESE CORMIER dance instructor
avery roach dance instructor
Years of dance training in a variety of disciplines and dance on the SDDA competition team
Studying at the University
of Central Arkansas
hannah williamson dance instructor
hannah williamson dance instructor
hannah williamson dance instructor
Years of dance training in a variety of disciplines and dance on the SDDA competition team
Studying at UACCM followed by the University of Central
johanna Smith dance instructor
hannah williamson dance instructor
hannah williamson dance instructor
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
meet our student interns
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
Two year member of the SDDA Elite Team
Three year member of Conway High School Dance Team program, 2 years of assistant teaching experience
lizzie thorNton 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