Dawn Slemons

Dawn has been teaching in the Cincinnati area for over 40 years. She earned her BFA from Northern Kentucky University with an area of concentration in Education. She also earned an MFA from the University of Virginia where she graduated with honors. Dawn is a Member of Dance Masters of Ohio and is certified in Acro, Ballet, Tap and Jazz.

Kathy Meyer​

Kathy is a member of Actor‘s Equity and previously performed and choreographed to for theaters across the US and students at JOB. Her performance credits include The Merry Widow with the NYC opera, European tour of 42nd Street and The Augsburg‘s State Theater‘s production of West Side Story in Germany. US tours include West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kathy has assistant choreographed in over twenty shows.

Juanita Araque

Juanita Araque-Feil is originally from Louisville, KY, and Trained at the Louisville Ballet school in ballet, modern, jazz and also at Ballet Español in Flameñco. After high school she joined Louisville Ballet Company as a trainee, later danced with Fort Wayne Ballet as a soloist. She currently dances at De La Dance Company as principal dancer, for her 11th season. Over the years she has enjoyed teaching dance to all ages and even performing alongside her students.

Amanda Berger

Amanda has been part of the Just Off Broadway family since the age of three. Over the years, she has enjoyed teaching classes and choreographing for the Performance Team, creating routines that showcase dancers’ artistry, energy, and teamwork onstage. Outside of the studio, Amanda earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Cincinnati and her MBA from Xavier University. Amanda is grateful to continue sharing her lifelong love of dance with students and takes pride in helping them grow in both confidence and performance.

Lauren Bota

Lauren has been teaching at Just Off Broadway since 2001. She started dancing at the age of 5 and is an alumni of the JOB Performance Team. Lauren has a Master's Degree in Reading from Xavier University and a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. She currently teaches sixth grade Math and Language Arts at Monroe Elementary in New Richmond. Lauren heads up our Acro classes. 

Karley Burdick

Karley is a proud alumni of the award-winning Just Off Broadway Performance and Convention Teams. She began her dance training at Just Off Broadway at the age of four and went on to study dance at Point Park University for a year. For the past five years, Karley has been dedicated to teaching at the very studio where her own journey began. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, experience, and love for dance, and looks forward to inspiring and guiding each dancer this season.

Piper conner 

Piper Conner is a proud alumni of the award-winning Just Off Broadway Performance and Convention Teams. She began her dance experience at the age of two. Piper has been committed to teaching at Just Off Broadway for several years. She will continue to share her experience, knowledge and LOUD love for dance. She looks forward to guiding and inspiring each and every dancer.

Isabella Galea

Isabella Galea is a proud alumni of the award-winning Just Off Broadway Performance and Convention Teams. She is currently a student at the University of Cincinnati, where she majors in Biochemistry with a French minor on the pre-med track. She is working toward her lifelong dream of obtaining an MD, while maintaining her arts. She loves working with kids in any style of dance, but particularly enjoys contemporary herself.

Jenna Kahn

Jenna is a dynamic dance educator and performer specializing in Tap and Commercial Hip Hop. With 18 years of dance experience, she recently earned her BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Kentucky University. Jenna has taught at many dance studios throughout the region, bringing a versatile background and passion for movement. Known for her focus on style, individuality, and creative expression, Jenna encourages dancers to explore unique ways of moving while building strong technical foundations. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the next generation of performers.

Christian Knopp

Christian was born and raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He has attended Cincinnati Ballet, Bossov Ballet, and West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts summer intensives on full scholarship. Christian is a graduate with honors of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music receiving his BFA in Ballet Performance. During his career, he has performed principal and soloist roles in Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Carmen, Firebird, and José Limón’s A Choreographic Offering. Christian currently dances professionally for De La Dance Company and has previously worked with Ballet Pensacola, the Charleston Ballet, and Ballet Quad Cities.

Jonnie Lynn Jacobs-Percer

Jonnie Lynn has taught at UC's College Conservatory of Music for over 25 years. She is the director of their Preparatory Ballet Program and adjunct professor with The CCM Dance Division. She trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and danced with the Royal Opera. Ms. Jacobs-Percer received her BFA in ballet from UC and MA in Dance from The Ohio State University. She recently obtained a Ph.D. in education with her dissertation on serious ballet training and its effect on increasing academic achievement.

Jackie O'hara

Originally from Spokane, Washington, Ms. Jackie grew up immersed in dance and brings over 15 years of teaching experience in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary. She has choreographed everything from solos to full-scale productions, with her work receiving national recognition, including awards for Best Choreography and First Overall. Passionate about inspiring dancers of all ages, Ms. Jackie is thrilled to join the Just Off Broadway family and looks forward to an exciting season ahead.

Katherine Pallotta

Katherine was born and raised in Cincinnati. She moved to NY City after attending Oklahoma City University and performed in the movie "The Producers". She moved to Paris, France to perform with the world renowned Lido de Paris. Next, she traveled the world working as a dancer for Norwegian Cruise Line for 6 years. Once back on land, she performed as Principle Dancer in the iconic show, Jubilee, on the Las Vegas Strip. Most recently she was Director of Talent for a production group. Katherine is excited to be teaching where her love of dance began.

Pat Rozow

Patricia was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Glen Rock, NJ. She is known for her principal roles in classical and Balanchine ballets. Upon retirement as Principal Dancer from the Cincinnati Ballet, Patricia began teaching at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she was the chair of the Dance Department and Co-Director of the SCPA Dance Ensemble.

Kelli Stratman

Kelli is currently in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Cincinnati. When graduated, she plans on working with children to improve their everyday life. She began dancing at JOB in 2001 and was a member of the award-winning performance team for 8 years. She began her teaching role here at JOB in 2010 and has been helping run the hip hop program for the Performance Team for the last 6 years. Kelli can't wait for another exiting year at Just Off Broadway!

Shawna Swango

Shawna is a happily married mother of 5 wonderful children. She has a love for performing arts and has been dancing since she was a child. Shawna followed her love of dance into college at The University of Akron Dance Company, where she also became a color guard instructor teaching dance fundamentals. She has been doing that for 18 years. Currently she is a stay at home mom that homeschools and is very excited to work with young JOB dancers!

Cody Utz

Cody had been teaching Just Off Broadway’s Acro and Tumbling classes since 2023. He is a current University of Cincinnati student. Cody has a ten years background in competitive gymnastics. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with our JOB dancers.

Kelly Whitaker

Kelly Whitaker is a Cincinnati-based ballet instructor and former professional dancer with over two decades of teaching experience. She trained locally before becoming a Trainee with Cincinnati Ballet and dancing professionally with Columbia City Ballet, where she toured 20+ southern US cities in soloist and leading roles—including The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Dracula. Known for her exceptional flexibility, commanding stage presence, and expressive character work, she was also a principal dancer with SC-based Contemporary Dance Theatre, where choreographers frequently created original roles for her.

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Kelly's teaching methodology integrates the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet syllabus and insights from master mentors, serving recreational, competitive, and formal academy students with a belief that ballet should be both accessible and transformative. Additionally, she is a certified sports yoga instructor, adult fitness coach, and NESTA personal trainer, bringing a comprehensive approach to movement, physical wellness, and personal growth.

Jessie Wing

Jessie graduated in 2008 from Good Samaritan College of Nursing with an Associate's Degree and recently received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Ohio University. She is a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. Jessie began taking dance at JOB at age two and began teaching at the age of 16. She is an alumni of the award winning Performance Team. In high school she was cast in numerous musicals and performed locally with Kids of Broadway. She is very excited for another year with her dance family.