Our Team

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Cindy Straub

Founder &
Artistic Director

Cindy is an accomplished performer, choreographer, and educator with over a decade of professional performing experience. But her true passion is helping students build confidence while discovering the joy of dancing & performing for fun.

Cindy’s love for the performing arts began at 16 when she was hired for her first Equity show Mack and Mabel starring 10-time Tony winner Tommy Tune. Some of her most cherished performances include:

  • Dancing in Hello, Dolly! with
    the beloved Betty White

  • Performing Bob Fosse's original choreography in Cabaret
    with Billy Crystal

  • Performing in Mack and Mabel with future Broadway Choreographer, Randy Skinner

  • Being cast in The King and I with
    Broadway star Christine Andreas

  • Performing with movie star Vincent Price in Damn Yankees

  • Dancing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (SAG-AFTRA)

After more than a decade of professional performance experience, she transitioned to a career as an educator.

Cindy has taught master classes and judged around the country, served as dance faculty at Otterbein University, and earned countless awards for her technical training and choreography. Most recently she won the 2024 Broadway Columbus Award for her choreography of 9-5 The Musical at Otterbein University. Cindy has also choreographed over 100 other musicals over the years, including industrials for Tony nominated Broadway Producer Ric Wanetik.

Cindy earned a BA in Communications from The Ohio State University and has worked as a news producer and on-air talent for two CBS affiliates with the blooper reel to prove it!

Cindy has had many students go on to have successful professional careers, including the Rockettes, Broadway shows, Cirque du Soleil, Disney, & other professional venues worldwide.

Cindy’s journey has always been about more than excellence. Her true passion is helping students discover confidence, self-expression, happiness, and a love for the arts. She continues to share that passion by providing a space where students feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to grow both as individuals and performers.

Cindy founded our Performing Arts Center with one goal: to help people grow in confidence, creativity, and joy within a nurturing, fun-filled environment!

Joey Vice
Resident Choreographer

Meet Joey – a versatile performer and choreographer who has made significant strides in the dance industry since his teenage years. At the age of 18, his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication led him to become the Trickster in Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA. Now, as a freelance choreographer and teacher in Los Angeles, Joey continues to create innovative routines for various projects. Grateful for the training he received from Cindy as a child, Joey deeply appreciates Cindy’s emphasis on “Progress, Not Perfection” and the belief in embracing our individuality. He views dance as an enjoyable, boundless art form that allows him to continually push its boundaries. Joey’s primary objective is to transform the lives of others and inspire dancers globally! You can check out some of Joey's choreography here!

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Emily Lawless
Dance Instructor

Meet Emily – a lifelong performer whose love for dance began at just three years old and never let go. As a young student, she never imagined she’d one day be teaching alongside her childhood dance teacher—but today, she’s beyond grateful for the opportunity to do just that. Over the years, Emily has worked closely with Miss Cindy as an assistant choreographer on countless shows, bringing energy, creativity, and a deep love of the stage to every project. Her favorite value is “We Perform for Joy,” because that’s always been at the heart of her connection to dance—and it’s the feeling she hopes every student carries with them. Fun fact: Emily has a rare gift for memorization, whether it’s song lyrics, choreography, or even random strings of numbers!

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Gabrielle Morris
Dance Instructor

Meet Gabrielle – a lifelong dancer whose journey with Cindy began at just four years old and continued all the way through college. She went on to study both dance and biology at Wittenberg University and now works full time at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Biopathology Center. Gabrielle is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they’re raising their daughter Harper alongside their two dogs, Nova and Sylas. For Gabrielle, dance has always been a joyful constant—something that evolves with you at every age and stage. Now, she’s excited to share that joy with others, helping each student find their own passion and confidence. When she’s not at the studio, you’ll find her crafting and spending time with her friends and family. Gabrielle’s favorite studio values are celebrating individuality and building community. To her, it's the perfect reflection of what dance has always meant—being fully yourself, while feeling supported by the people around you.

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Margaret O’Brien
Dance Instructor

Meet Margaret – a passionate dancer from Columbus, Ohio, who has spent over twenty years perfecting her craft. As a former student of Miss Cindy for thirteen years, Margaret not only developed strong dance technique but also gained lifelong skills that guided her through her studies at The Ohio State University, where she earned a degree in English. Along the way, she danced throughout her college years, always with tap at the heart of her passion. Performing is what Margaret loves most—whether it’s on stage or just in class, the joy of dance is something she cherishes every day. Her favorite studio value is “We Perform for Joy,” as it perfectly captures the essence of why she dances and why she loves sharing that joy with others.

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Aviva Neff, Ph.D.
Professor of Theatre
Denison University

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“Working with Cindy was such a fantastic learning experience! She brings the perfect balance of passion, energy, and professionalism into a space. Artists of all ages will benefit from her care and expertise!”

A Place for Everyone to Shine!

Our classes are grouped into five categories: Dance for Littles, Dance for Fun, Technique Classes, Our Competition team ‘The Rose Guild’, and our Ballet Company ‘Ballet Roseraie’. Each program is designed to support confidence, growth, and joy in every student.

Visit Our Classes Page to find the perfect fit for you!

Silhouette of a ballerina backstage in a theater, wearing a tutu, with stage lights in the background.