Center Stage & CheerAction Instructors

Mrs. Sheri Wilkins, Director of Acting and Musical Theater  
A California native, Sheri and her family came to Oklahoma in 2001 (fulfilling a life-long dream after seeing the musical, OKLAHOMA!, when she was a young girl!).  She began studying dance as a child, eventually training under Los Angeles instructors Roland Dupree and Steven Peck.  A natural desire to sing lead her to study both opera and musical theater vocal styles.  And, Nina Foch, the renown Hollywood acting coach, was one of her teachers.  Sheri's stage performances include CABERET, GREASE, DAMES AT SEA, WEST SIDE STORY, SUGAR, GUYS AND DOLLS, and MAN OF LA MANCHA, to name a few.  Sheri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, graduating Cum Laude.  She worked for years as a public relations practitioner for the County of Los Angeles where she wrote and directed many shows.  Happily married to a wonderful man and a devoted mom to her two boys, Sheri said, "I'm very appreciative of Natalie and Haley for giving me the chance to write this new chapter in my life.  Let the story begin!"

Mrs. Kallee Karr, Director of Modern & Contemporary Dance, Co-Director of Ballet  
Kallee Rubottom recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Central Oklahoma where she was a member of the Kaleidoscope Dancers Company. Prior to college, she trained for 14 years and participated in dance competitions for 5 years. She has been employed at various dance studios for several years. While in college, Kallee had many opportunities to learn and perform with well-known names in the dance community. One of her greatest memories is performing in Mexico at the Performatica International Dance Festival. She has performed at a Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game, with the OKC Philharmonic, at the American College Dance Festival, Kansas Dance Festival, and the Oklahoma Arts Festival, and the Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival. Kallee has also worked with OKLA Dance Connection, Putnam City Schools, Perpetual Motion and many local studios judging company auditions and teaching master classes. She recently had the privilege of working with a dancer from Jose Limon’s modern dance company and learning excerpts from his famous work “Psalm.” In addition to her college education, she completed a 2 year child development program. Kallee feels her love for children, teaching, and passion for dance go hand in hand. She is so excited about the future with Center Stage and is thrilled to be the Director of Modern and Contemporary dance. She is excited about building a curriculum that supports and develops the artist in each of her students to come. Kallee couldn’t be happier to be a part of the start of something wonderful.

Mrs. Maranda Van Staten-Blumenthal, Director of Ballet

Maranda began dancing at the age of 5 and spent the next 13 years attending various studios in the Tulsa area.  While her main focus was Ballet, training mainly in the Russian and the Royal Academy of Dance/English styles, she also had many years of training in Jazz.  In 1998, Maranda moved to Jackson, MS to study dance at Belhaven University.  While there, she intensely studied Ballet, Pointe work, and Modern dance.  She had the privilege of studying under Lauri Worill-Biggs (formerly of Atlanta Ballet and Instructor for Ballet Magnificant), Amy Roark-McIntosh (MFA and current Director of Dance at Oral Roberts University), and Marc Arensten (MFA and former Chair of Dance at Belhaven University).  While at Belhaven, Maranda also performed with the Belhaven Dance Ensemble and choreographed works for concerts in 2001 & 2002.  She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2002 and returned to Tulsa in 2003.  Upon her return she became a founding member and choreographer for Tulsa Contemporary Dance Company.  From 2008 to present, Maranda has had the privilege of performing with Amy Roark-McIntosh's Living Water Dance Company, as well as collaborating with another local dance artist Rachel Bruce-Johnson's company, The Bell House.  In teaching Ballet, Maranda incorporates a great deal from the Vaganova method. 

 
Mr. Michael Lopez, Director of Hip Hop 

Michael Lopez has been dancing for 25 years, performing as a youth for Disney, Nickelodeon, and multiple video and commerical spots.  Michael has taught at many surrounding area studios becoming known as one of the top Hip Hop instructors in the state.  He has also been principal choreographer for Radio Disney performance teams.  Michael is excited to become part of something new and passionate about teaching the art of Hip Hop.


Mrs. Stephanie Williamson, Ballet Technique Instructor

Stephanie Williamson was born and raised in Tulsa. She fell in love with dancing at the age of three at Miss Laurie’s School of Dance and continued her ballet education there until she was 18 years old. Her dance experience has included ballet, lyrical and character; however, her greatest love is ballet. In 2008, Stephanie completed the American Dance Teacher Workshop through OCU’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management. Stephanie has an eye for technique that she is excited to share with her students at Center Stage Performing Arts. Since starting a family of her own, Stephanie has handed down her love of dance to her two daughters. They have each been dancing since the age of three and continue to broaden their dance experience every year. She is very excited to share her affection for dancing with her students.


Ms. Jayme Ward, Tap, Musical Theatre, Cheer & Tumbling Instructor:

Ms. Jayme Ward has extensive teaching experience in all forms of dance competitive and non-competitive for all ages. She is a 1991 graduate of Jenks High School where she was a cheerleader for 8 years. She also spent 2 years as an instructor for National Cheerleading Association.  She attended Oklahoma City University as a dance performance major and was a member of the American Spirit dance company.  In 1991 she was named Miss Dance of Oklahoma. Jayme also has a passion for musical theatre and has shared the stage with such celebrities as Cathy Rigby, Gavin MacLeod, Noel Harrison, Cyd Charrisse, and Sandy Duncan. Her professional theatre performances include Brigadoon, Music Man, My Fair Lady, Camelot, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, The Who's "Tommy", and the world premiere of Grossingers as a featured dancer. Performing and teaching for nearly all of her life, she is now happy to bring her knowledge and passion for the performing arts to Center Stage and CheerAction.

 

Ms. Maria Tate, Drama/Acting, Ballet, Jazz, and others:

Ms. Maria Tate currently resides in Chicago, IL.  She graduated from Wichita State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography.  Her education continued after graduating with companies such as the Association of Professional Dancers of Ireland, Kacico Dance, Joel Hall Dancers and Centers, The Aloft Loft, and Ameba Aerial and Acrobatic Dance.  These companies allowed her to explore styles in: Acting, Voice, Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Urban Jazz, Aerial Technique, Silks, and Trapeze work.  Ms. Maria began teaching in 2004 with experience instructing ages 2-Teen in areas including drama, creative movement, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, tap, and many more.  Ms. Maria currently teaches in 6 different studios in Chicago and the surrounding area.  Ms. Maria will join Center Stage Performing Arts in June 2011.  She is excited to begin a new adventure in Tulsa, OK and is happy to bring her education and experiences to the students of CSPA.

 

Mr. Michael Kochevar, Cheer and Tumbling Coach:
Michael Kochevar began his cheering career his Senior year of High School in Denver, CO.  He was awarded a full scholarship for cheer, and graduated from ORU cheering for 3 years during which time he was an integral part in the development of the cheer program.  Coach Mike has been independently coaching since 2003, helping train at major Universities such as Witchita State University, University of Louisville, Missouri State, and the University of Tulsa.  He has coached locally at gyms such as Cheer Dynamix, OXT, Cheer Central Suns, and Twist and Shout.  He has been a part of several regional and national championships through companies such as ASC, UCA, NCA, CHEERPOWER, COA, and Nations Best.  Coach Mike has been certified since 2006 with the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) and Universal Cheerleaders of America.  Coach Mike states: "My goal is to help individuals become the very best tumblers and cheerleaders they can be and help them achieve their goals and dreams in this sport.  I have enjoyed my time as a cheerleader, but have found more reward and happiness through coaching.  I enjoy watching and assisting in the development of children, teens, and young adults and helping them achieve their aspirations."
 

Ms. Kim Orr - bio coming soon!

Ms. Alli Ashman - bio coming soon!