Encore Dance Studio, Inc.

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Encore Dance Studio, Inc. Professional Instruction in a Positive Environment.

✨Teacher Feature✨Hi friends! It’s me, Ashley. 🤍As I celebrate my 30th year as Director of Encore Dance Studio, I find m...
09/30/2026

✨Teacher Feature✨
Hi friends! It’s me, Ashley. 🤍
As I celebrate my 30th year as Director of Encore Dance Studio, I find myself feeling incredibly grateful.
Thirty years is a long time, but when I look back, what I remember most isn’t the number of years — it’s the people. The dancers, the families who have supported them, the teachers and staff who have shared their time and talents, and everyone in our community who has encouraged, supported, and believed in Encore along the way.
Encore has never been just a dance studio to me. It has been a place where friendships are made, confidence grows, dreams are nurtured, and so many wonderful memories are created. I feel incredibly blessed to have been part of so many lives over the years.
To everyone who has been part of the Encore journey — thank you. Thank you for trusting us, supporting us, cheering us on, and helping make Encore what it is today.
With a very grateful heart, thank you for 30 amazing years. I appreciate you more than words can say. 🩰 Here’s to 30 more!

Ashley Palmer is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Adjunct Dance Professor at Adrian College and Siena Heights University

Teacher Training and Certification:
American Ballet Theatre®, National Training Curriculum. (2017) (2019)
Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia. Intensive Teacher Training.(2000)
Mat and Reformer training in Pilates through Balanced Body University.(2010-2026)
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. (2019, 2021)

Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.
Siena Heights University, Graduated Cum Laude. (1999)

Company Member, Principal Dancer:
Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre (1990-93)

Additional Choreography includes:
The Croswell Opera House, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Siena Heights University, Anything Goes.
Tecumseh Center for the Arts, The Nutcracker Ballet.

Personal and Studio Awards:
2019 Woman & Youth Award presented by Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee
2017-2025 Best of Lenawee (Community Choice Awards)
2018 Studio of Excellence Winner presented by the Association of Dance Conventions and Competitions
2017 & 2024 Choreography Award presented by On Point National Dance Competition
2025 Blue Door Award presented by Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee

Photography by Beth Jesse

✨Teacher Feature✨ As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is I...
09/25/2026

✨Teacher Feature✨
As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is Izzy Luppo! We are so blessed to have her not only as a teacher but also as a Co-Director.

Izzy is a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and Co-Director at Encore Dance Studio with 22 years of dance training and performance experience. She spent three seasons as a member of the Detroit Pistons NBA Dance Team, dancing for nationally recognized artists including Tee Grizzley, Dej Loaf, Big Sean, 42 Dugg, and more, while also contributing to choreography for multiple team performances. Her training spans hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and tap, with additional training through prestigious programs including Joffrey Ballet School, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Interlochen, AMDA, and American Ballet Theatre.

As a choreographer and educator, Izzy has created pieces for collegiate dance teams including Concordia University, Adrian College, and Cleary University, as well as choreographed for Tecumseh Center for the Arts’ 2021 production of The Nutcracker. She has been teaching at Encore Dance Studio for seven years and is passionate about creating dynamic, versatile choreography while helping dancers develop confidence, artistry, and performance quality. She is currently pursuing her mat and reformer Pilates certifications, continuing to expand her work in movement, fitness, and wellness.

Photography by Beth Richard Jessee

Congratulations to our newest dancers en pointe! We are so proud of your hard work. 🩰
09/23/2026

Congratulations to our newest dancers en pointe! We are so proud of your hard work. 🩰

✨Staff Feature✨ As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Faculty and Staff. Today’s feature is K...
09/23/2026

✨Staff Feature✨
As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Faculty and Staff. Today’s feature is Kristina Dennis! Thank you for your continued dedication to the studio. We are so grateful!

Kristina has devoted her life to education, with a passion for building relationships, inspiring student learning, developing curriculum, and making a difference in the lives of her students. She was honored as the 2024–2025 Region 8 Teacher of the Year for Michigan, one of only 10 teachers recognized statewide.
Kristina is the proud mom of three beautiful daughters, Megan, Kylee, and Emily, who are all alumni of Encore Dance Studio and its competitive Company teams. Even though her girls are all grown, Kristina remains dedicated to being a part of the Encore family while living in Tecumseh with her husband, Michael.
Kristina earned her BA from Hillsdale College and her MA in Elementary Education from Siena Heights University. Throughout her career, she has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as undergraduate and graduate college courses. She has also served as a coach, building-level team leader, mentor teacher, and supervising teacher.
One of Kristina’s newest and most exciting roles is being Gigi to her beautiful granddaughter, Vivian Elise, with whom she now gets to spend her days.
Kristina brings a warm smile and positive attitude to the Encore studio office. She loves sharing her dedication, creativity, and organization with our team and families, along with her lifelong passion for kiddos. She is thrilled to continue being a part of the Encore family and to help make a difference in the lives of the dancers and families she serves.

Photography by Beth Richard Jessee

✨Staff Feature✨ As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Faculty and Staff. Today’s feature is A...
09/22/2026

✨Staff Feature✨
As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Faculty and Staff. Today’s feature is Alena York! We are so thankful for you.

Alena is excited to be part of the Encore Dance family as an office manager. Alena is currently the Executive Director of Special Education at the Lenawee Intermediate School District where she has worked for 20 years. In addition to her work as a school administrator, she is also a certified school psychologist. Alena previously coached volleyball at her former elementary school in Toledo, Ohio for 10 years as well as for her daughter’s volleyball and basketball teams for two years.
Alena’s daughter has danced at Encore Dance Studio for nine years and has been part of the competition team for eight of those years. Alena is the mother of three children who keep her very busy. Alena brings dedication, organization, ability to problem solve, and most importantly a passion for working with children.

Photography by Beth Richard Jessee

✨Teacher Feature✨ As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is C...
09/21/2026

✨Teacher Feature✨
As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is Caleigh Kosarue! We are so excited to have her back for another amazing year.

Caleigh is so excited for her 4th year teaching at Encore! She has pursued her passion for dance for 17 years. Caleigh has previously taught ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, and hip hop, with her favorite being lyrical and jazz.

She is an Adrian College alumni where she was a member of the dance team for four years. She earned a degree in secondary education with a concentration in social studies.

While attending Adrian Caleigh was involved in many extracurricular activities including Adrian College Aspiring Educators of Michigan and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

This year Caleigh is excited as she returned to her own school district, Madison, as the Ancient History teacher for the Madison Middle School.

She looks forward to continuing to teach Encores next generation of dancers.

🌟There is still time to register for class!
Photography by Beth Richard Jessee

🎉 TRY DANCE AT ENCORE — FREE! 🩰✨Wondering if dance is right for your child? Come try a class on us! 🤍At Encore Dance Stu...
09/15/2026

🎉 TRY DANCE AT ENCORE — FREE! 🩰✨
Wondering if dance is right for your child? Come try a class on us! 🤍
At Encore Dance Studio, we're welcoming new dancers to experience the joy of dance with a FREE TRIAL CLASS!

👶 Ages 2–3 | Parent & Me Plié. A fun first step into dance—together!
🩰 Ages 3–5 | Ballet/Tap Combo. Learn ballet AND tap while building coordination, confidence & musicality!
✨ Ages 5 and up | Ballet, Jazz & Hip Hop. Build strength, confidence, coordination and a lifelong love of movement!

FREE TRIAL CLASS OPTIONS
MONDAY
🩰 Combo I Ballet/Tap | 4:00–4:40 PM, Ages 3-5
🔥 Beginner Hip Hop | 6:00–6:40 PM, Ages 5-7
🔥 Teen Hip Hop | 6:10–7:00 PM, Ages 10 and up

TUESDAY
🩰 Combo I Ballet/Tap | 4:10–4:50 PM, Ages 3-5
👶 Parent & Me Plié | 4:10–4:40 PM, Ages 2-3
✨ Beginner Jazz | 4:50–5:30 PM, Ages 5-7
🩰 Beginner Ballet | 5:30–6:10 PM, Ages 5-7

💗 No commitment. No pressure. Just come dance and see why families love Encore!
Spots are limited and classes are filling!

📱 Text 517-300-2141 with your dancer's name + age to reserve your FREE trial class!

✨ Come see why you belong at Encore! ✨
Encore Dance Studio
Celebrating our 30th Year of Dance! 🩰🎉

Teacher Feature✨ As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is Ma...
09/15/2026

Teacher Feature✨
As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is Makenzie Simpson! We are so excited to have back again for another amazing year.

This is Makenzie’s fourth year with Encore! Her background consists of over 15 years of dance training. She attended Company C Dance Club in Toledo, Ohio. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hip, lyrical, contemporary, and also acrobatics and gymnastics. Along with taking class, she was also given the opportunity to teach other classes at the studio as well. During her time at Company C the team held 2 national championship titles and she was awarded “Dancer of the Year” voted on by her teammates. She received several high score awards, special judges awards, and platinum adjudications at competitions as well as receiving several scholarships and awards at numerous conventions over the years. She has taken class from several professional dancers including “Twitch” from Ellen and So You Think You Can Dance, Lauren Adam’s, Francisco Della, and several other well known choreographers. Makenzie was a member of the Adrian College Dance team for all 4 years and was awarded MVP and Outstanding Leadership. During her time on Adrian's Dance Team she has performed halftime at football and basketball games. Additionally she was on the competitive team where she competed nationally at NDA in Daytona, Florida and placed in the top 5. The team attended NDA home camp receiving a superior rating and bid to nationals yearly. Outside of dance Makenzie is a 4th grade teacher at Blissfield Elementary School! She is an MTTC state certified teacher and CPR/First Aid/AED certified for all ages. Makenzie competes locally in the Miss America Organization sharing her talent of dance and passion for her platform “supporting students beyond the classroom:Trauma Advocacy in Schools” and recently received a scholarship for compassionate service and leadership. Makenzie looks forward to sharing her passion for dance and teaching with students again at Encore Dance Studio!

Photography by Beth Richard Jessee

Introducing our 2026-27 Dance Company! We are so excited for a fun year of learning and dancing.
09/13/2026

Introducing our 2026-27 Dance Company! We are so excited for a fun year of learning and dancing.

✨Teacher Feature✨ As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is L...
09/11/2026

✨Teacher Feature✨
As we head back to dance we would like to feature our 2026-27 Teaching Faculty. Today’s feature is Liberty Lake! We are so excited to have you back for another year!

I began dancing at age 2 and have dedicated the past 16 years to training and performing. I attended Bedford High School, where I was a member of the school’s first-ever dance team. I am currently a member of the Adrian College Dance Team, participating on both the sideline and competitive teams, while majoring in Elementary Education. On campus, I stay highly involved through Greek Life (Chi Omega), and Aspiring Educators of Michigan, and Younglife.
My technical background includes extensive training in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tap, leaps and turns, and Progressive Ballet Training (PBT). I previously trained with Dance Expressions in Holland Ohio, under Brittany Patterson and Merissa Rojas.
I have taken classes from many inspiring performers and choreographers, including Alex Wong, Mollie Gray, Madi Mac, Madeline Underwood (Pinky Sparkles), Dan Terrell, Kelsey Rose Young (So You Think You Can Dance), and Jonte Williams (World of Dance).
Teaching is one of my greatest passions. I’ve served as a teacher, assistant teacher, and substitute instructor. I previously taught Pre, Beginner, and Intermediate Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Tumble/Acro.
I also choreographed for the Bedford Dance Team as the Hip-Hop Choreographer for the 2024–2025 season.
Dance has been one of the most influential parts of my life, shaping who I am as a performer, teacher, and person. I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my passion with the next generation of dancers.

🌟Fall classes start September 14.

Photography by Beth Richard Jessee

Address

PO Box 337, 124 E Maumee Street
Adrian, MI
49221

Opening Hours

Monday 4:45pm - 8pm
Tuesday 4:45pm - 8pm
Wednesday 4:45pm - 8pm
Thursday 4:45pm - 8pm

Telephone

+15172639553

Website

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