
Our Team
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 CrystalPerforming in Mack and Mabel with future Broadway Choreographer, Randy Skinner
Being cast in The King and I with
Broadway star Christine AndreasPerforming 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!

Meet Duane – a seasoned tumbling and cheer coach with more than a decade of experience across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. A former Ohio State cheerleader, Duane has led teams to national and international victories, including wins at the German Nationals and European Championships. He went on to found the Adams All Stars and now coaches athletes throughout Central Ohio at schools such as New Albany, Buckeye Valley, Fredericktown, and Sells. In addition to coaching, Duane shares his expertise as a judge for Varsity Spirit competitions nationwide.
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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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Meet Abby – A lifelong performer from Westerville, Abby earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Kent State University in 2017. She went on to perform in summer stock favorites including Anything Goes (Chastity), Footloose (Dance Captain/Chorus), and Oklahoma! (Dream Laurey), as well as several seasons as a Singer/Dancer at Cedar Point in shows like Beach Blanket Beagle and Whistlin’ Willie’s Western Wake. Abby began her journey as one of Miss Cindy’s students, later assisted her in teaching, and is now thrilled to return as part of the CSPAC faculty. The value that resonates most with her is Body Positivity and Acceptance—she knows firsthand the challenges of negative self-talk and is passionate about helping dancers build confidence, embrace who they are, and find joy in their growth.
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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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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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Meet Lauren- She first discovered her love of dance and movement as a child in Pittsburgh when she was dubbed the “headstand queen” in her jazz/gymnastics class. After that she was hooked! Lauren went on to earn her BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University and then spent many years performing professionally at Walt Disney World and with modern company Yow Dance in Orlando. A multi-faceted performer, she has also acted on screen and in commercials. Lauren is an ERYT-200 certified yoga teacher and a choreographer—her work was featured in a comedy music video on funnyordie.com and she has choreographed musicals for Trinity HS in Chicago, Dublin Scioto, and Pickerington Central. Lauren’s favorite compliment that she ever received was that she was an inspiration to watch onstage—this is to say that her favorite value of Miss Cindy's is We Perform for Joy! She hopes to share this passion and love for dance with all dancers! She currently lives in Dublin with her husband and their 16 year old chihuahua, Rex.
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Meet Andrew – With over 15 years of experience in the dance industry, Andrew Stanifer brings a wealth of knowledge as a dancer, choreographer, and leader. His background includes extensive training in hip hop, contemporary, tap, and more, as well as certifications in Acrobatic Arts and touring nationally with Rev Crew. Andrew has taught dancers of all ages and levels, blending technical excellence with creativity and storytelling. He is deeply passionate about investing in the next generation of dancers, striving to create an encouraging environment where every student feels inspired, challenged, and supported to reach their fullest potential both on and off the stage.
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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!
Read MoreAviva Neff, Ph.D.
Professor of Theatre
Denison University
“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!