Gel started dancing at age 7 at Stewart Stagers In London England performing as a junior dancer in many London stage shows at Wimbledon theatre. She moved to the US in 1981 and took class at “West Virginia Dance Theater” in Charleston West Virginia Under the direction of the talented Newton Cole
She has been teaching in the Mid Ohio Valley since 1983 when she joined Kelly School of Dance under Kelly Coulson Shaffer
Gel has taught thousands and thousands of young exceptional dancers some going on to Professional dance careers and some teaching at studios of their own . Strong dance technique and instilling honesty and dedication to the art of dance Is such a important part of growing up whether the students remains in the dance room or uses this knowledge in every day life
With such a blessed dance career she continues to better her students by having the most talented instructors on staff and reaching out and exposing the competitive students to “The Best of the Best “ when bringing in guest instructors and choreographers
We enjoy each and every little personality that walks in the door and welcome new students to our dance family !
Gel resides in Vienna with her husband Russ and son Cameron
Michele is our Sr Competitive director, focusing on dancers ages 12 & Up. She has been involved with Gel’s Dance Centre since 1991. This studio setting helped shape the way for her studies at OSU and evolved into a teaching position with her home studio that has continued since 1999.
Michele helped form the prestigious elite teams in 2002 and also formed the Xtreme Dance Team in 2002, all teams that were nationally recognized. Along with her contributions to the studio, she is a sought after choreographer for Collegiate & High School dance teams Specializing in jazz, hip-hop and Pom. She was also featured in Dance Teachers magazine in 2011.
Michele is highly invested in the competitive program & enjoys the opportunity to enrich the training at Gel’s by researching & brining in top choreographers and teachers to keep the studio ever evolving.
She is an educator focused on teaching not only proper dance skills, but dancer accountability which is so important at a senior/teen level.
Katrina Stenson started off at Popovich Dance and Gymnastics at the age of three, began competing at age five and continued there through the age of fifteen when she moved to Spotlight Dance Academy in Ohio. There she attended classes and was part of the advanced competitive team until she graduated high school as well as taught and choreographed for school musicals and dance and cheer teams along with show choirs at Marlington High School in Alliance,Ohio. She went on to perform at opening and closing shows with The Pulse Dance Experience in New York City and Las Vegas. Katrina joined Gel's faculty in 2008 when she began attending Ohio Valley University where she earned a B.S. in accounting all while assisting and teaching classes and eventually coaching competitive teams. She brings a strong jazz and hip hop background to the studio as well as a firm training in ballet. Katrina is the director of Gel's Jr. Jazz, Jr. Elite, Teen Elite, Jr. Xtreme and Hip Hop competitive teams as well as the studio's competitive solo director for teens and juniors. She also teaches recreational ballet, jazz, tumble/acro and hip hop classes ranging from beginner to advanced at both the Vienna and Marietta studios. Katrina strives to instill a spirit of excellence in all of her students not only in dance, but in life. She teaches that perfection isn't always possible, in pursuing it we find out true potential is much greater than we ever imagined.
Beth-Anne Moore started dancing at the age of three and began competing at the age of eight.
She danced under Gel until she graduated High School in 2002. Beth went on to college in 2004, she graduated with an Associates degree in Early Childhood Development from Washington State. Beth married her husband, Jason, in 2004 and they later expanded their family with two sons, Lucas (age 11) and Jackson (age 7). They reside in Marietta, OH.
When Beth is away from the studio, she enjoys watching her two boys doing what they love. Whether that’s on a soccer field, at guitar lessons or on a basketball court, she takes pride in everything they accomplish.
Beth returned to teach under Gel in 2009 at the Marietta Studio and also worked at Gel’s “Sister Studio” as an instructor, under Michelle Hamilton. Her passion for both teaching and dance has since landed her a position as a proud instructor at both the Marietta and Vienna studios of Gels Dance Centre.
Beth specializes in teaching jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop and tumble, which are the classes she also enjoyed as a young dancer herself. She promotes kindness, confidence and teamwork in her teaching and adores all of her dancers equally.
She became a competitive choreography/instructor in the summer of 2010 and was given the opportunity to be the Director of her own mini competitive teams in the Spring of 2013.
Beth is now the proud Director of Mini Jazz, Mini Elite, Tiny Elite and Junior/Petite Small group. She is also the studio’s competitive solo director for our mini, petite and junior soloists.
Miss Beth finds passion in teaching dancers to give it their all and never give up. Her passion is felt in all of her work; from the music she chooses to the story she creates, through dance. She encourages her dancers to dream big and then inspires them to reach those dreams.
Beth’s presence and heart bring so much to our studio. Through her, we have changed lives.
Lisa began dancing for Gel at the age of 3. At age 11 she went to Darla’s Dancers where she took tap and clogging. Lisa has performed at President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ball and parade, Cash Explosion, the Florida Citrus Bowl, Miss Ohio pageants and several other events. Lisa has won several awards through her dancing including Miss Charm, most entertaining and the pride of Zanesville. Lisa came back to Gel at the age of 17 where she remained until after she graduated. With her strong tap background, she is head of the studio’s tap program where she strives to share her passion for tap with her students.
Aside from the dance studio, Lisa has been in the banking industry for over 10 years. She is a former Chamber of Commerce President and continues to play a role in community service. Lisa has participated in Dancing with the Docs where over $49,000 was raised for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. She strives to be a positive influence and role model to all. As dedicated as she is to her career, the studio and her community, nothing is more meaningful to her than spending time with her family. Her family is her world and every moment spent is deeply cherished.
Cassie started dancing for Gel at the age of 3 where she shortly afterwards became part of multiple competitive dance teams under the instruction of Michele Hamilton. Cassie was an assistant for Gel for a number of years and then had the honor to be able to teach classes of her own at Gels Dance Centre.
Cassie participated in Dancing with the Docs for two consecutive years. Last year she received the “Mirror Ball Trophy Runner-Up” with partner, Brant Whited. By participating in this fundraiser she was able to help raise several thousand dollars that were donated to Strecker Cancer Center and the Ronald McDonald House.
Cassie graduated nursing school from Washington State Community College and has been a Registered Nurse at the Belpre ER with Memorial Health System for the past 2 years.
Even though Cassie loves what she does as a RN, she also loves to be able to spend her Tuesday evenings teaching and sharing her love for dance to our next generation of children . This is what she loved doing while growing up right here at Gels Dance Centre !
Lilly has been dancing with Gel's since the age of 3! She currently co-coaches our Junior Jazz competitive team and offers private lessons through the summer!
Ashley started dancing at Gels Dance Centre at the age of 2. She started competitive dancing at the age of 8. She was a part of elite and extreme groups and was a Soloist. She also started as a studio assistant at the age of nine and at the age of 15 she started assisting with the mini competitive teams.
Starting her junior year of high school, she was on the Marietta Marquette Dance Team where she now does choreography.
Ashley is a Freshman at Marietta College studying Early Childhood Education and Special Education.
She is excited to be teaching this year in Marietta.
From a young age and all the way through college, Alison Duvall studied classical ballet at Schrader Youth Ballet under the direction of Mrs. Velma Schrader. She had the opportunity to work intensely with Duncan Noble and was cast in six of his original works including Clara in The Nutcracker: Clara’s Dream, Duck in Peter and The Wolf, and the lead in Les Odalisques (role created for her). Alison continued her summer studies at The North Carolina School of the Arts, Point Park University (on scholarship), and University of Akron Dance Institute. She attended, by invitation, the Dance Institute; a special summer training with Susan Jaffe, Mansur Kamaletdinov, and Inna Stabrova at the Mansur Ballet School in Williamsburg, VA. During her most formative years, she attended both the annual West Virginia Mini-Festival and State Festival where she learned from David Howard, Ronnie DeMarco, Gyula Pandi, and many other world-renowned dance artists and performed many works on the West Virginia Cultural Center Stage. She was a performer in the Blennerhassett Island outdoor drama "Eden on the River" for 3 years and served as assistant choreographer for the final season. Alison also taught pre-ballet/tap at Columbus Youth Ballet Academy. For the past 4 years, she has taught ballet and choreographed original pieces at Schrader Youth Ballet and will begin her second year teaching ballet at Gel’s Dance Centre. Mrs. Duvall is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Becoming a Gel's dancer is a dream come true. The staff are dedicated to the dancers & their program is phenomenal