Meet Our Dance Express & Tumbling StaffAt Dance Express & Tumbling, our staff is made up of passionate, professional instructors who have some of the biggest hearts for helping children succeed. They invest countless hours planning lessons, continuing their education, and preparing classes that inspire growth, confidence, and a love for learning.
Our instructors are committed to ongoing professional training and education, continually learning new techniques, teaching methods, and industry standards so they can help every student reach their greatest potential. We believe that great teachers never stop learning, and our staff is dedicated to bringing the very best knowledge and instruction into every class.
More than just teachers, our staff members are mentors, encouragers, and positive role models who genuinely care about every student who walks through our doors. Whether your child is taking their very first class or pursuing advanced goals, our team is committed to helping them grow in skill, confidence, character, and passion.
We believe every child deserves to be seen, valued, challenged, and celebrated. If you're looking for a place where your child will be encouraged, believed in, and given every opportunity to succeed, you've found your home at Dance Express & Tumbling. ❤️✨
Our instructors are committed to ongoing professional training and education, continually learning new techniques, teaching methods, and industry standards so they can help every student reach their greatest potential. We believe that great teachers never stop learning, and our staff is dedicated to bringing the very best knowledge and instruction into every class.
More than just teachers, our staff members are mentors, encouragers, and positive role models who genuinely care about every student who walks through our doors. Whether your child is taking their very first class or pursuing advanced goals, our team is committed to helping them grow in skill, confidence, character, and passion.
We believe every child deserves to be seen, valued, challenged, and celebrated. If you're looking for a place where your child will be encouraged, believed in, and given every opportunity to succeed, you've found your home at Dance Express & Tumbling. ❤️✨
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Lisa GansnerFor over 30 years, Lisa has been sharing her love of dance, acro, and teaching with children throughout our community. She is the proud owner and operator of Dance Express & Tumbling and believes every child deserves a place where they feel encouraged, challenged, and truly loved.
A little about Miss Lisa... ⭐ Former St. Louis Rams Cheerleader ⭐ Over 30 years of local and professional dance & acro experience ⭐ Studied dance at Webster University ⭐ Holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education ⭐ Holds Master's Degrees in School Counseling and School Administration ⭐ Award-winning choreographer ⭐ Former coach of competitive school dance and tumbling teams ⭐ Performer in productions including West Side Story and Grease Dance has been part of Lisa's story since she was just five years old. Growing up, she trained extensively in dance, acro, and cheer, spending countless hours performing, competing, and learning from incredible instructors. That lifelong passion eventually led her to open Dance Express & Tumbling at just 25 years old—and she's been living her dream ever since. Over the years, Lisa has had the privilege of watching many of her students continue their journeys onto college dance teams, college cheer programs, professional opportunities, and careers of their own. Seeing children discover confidence, discipline, friendships, and a love for performing remains one of her greatest joys. When she's not at the studio, Lisa is first and foremost a mom. ❤️ She is the proud mother of four amazing children—three boys and one daughter. Their family has enjoyed the homeschool journey together, and Lisa is also actively involved in helping lead their local homeschool co-op. She continues to invest in professional growth every year through studio ownership conferences, teaching strategy workshops, professional dance education, and advanced acro certifications because she believes great teachers never stop learning. 💙 From Miss Lisa... "My passion has always been working with children through dance and acro. I believe every child deserves a place where they feel safe, encouraged, challenged, and celebrated. Dance and acro should be FUN! They should build confidence, friendships, character, and create memories that last a lifetime. My prayer has always been that Dance Express & Tumbling feels like family—a place where every child knows they belong. I can't wait to see what God has in store for our studio family in the years ahead!" |
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Ella-Grace Gansner
Ella-Grace Gansner is an accomplished choreographer, educator, and pre-professional dancer whose passion for dance shines both in the classroom and on the stage. With five years of teaching experience, she loves helping dancers grow in confidence, artistry, and technical excellence while inspiring them to discover their own love for movement. This past season has been an exciting one! During the 2026 competition season, Ella-Grace received multiple Choreography Awards and was honored with a Choreographer of the Year nomination, recognizing her creativity, storytelling, and ability to bring meaningful performances to life. Her commitment to growth extends far beyond our studio walls. Ella-Grace spends much of her free time training with some of the industry's most respected teachers and choreographers through elite professional and commercial dance programs. She travels throughout the United States as an assistant with LA Dance Magic, where she has the privilege of learning from and working alongside many of the nation's leading choreographers. She has also served as an assistant for Titans Dance Convention and Activate Your Artiste, continuing to expand her knowledge of dance education, choreography, and performance. In 2026, Ella-Grace was selected to perform in the prestigious Choreographer's Cup, an exciting opportunity that showcases emerging choreographic talent. Every convention, class, and performance opportunity allows her to bring fresh ideas, innovative teaching strategies, and current industry trends back to Dance Express & Tumbling. Her choreography is known for blending strong technical training with authentic storytelling, encouraging dancers to perform with both confidence and heart. 🩵 From Miss Ella-Grace... "Dance has given me so many incredible opportunities, mentors, and lifelong friendships. One of my greatest passions is sharing what I've learned with the next generation of dancers. I love helping students discover not only their technical abilities, but also their confidence, creativity, and love for performing. Every class is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become a little better than the day before. I can't wait to continue growing alongside our amazing dancers this season!" |
AMELIA WIBBENMEYER
Born and raised in Ste. Genevieve, Amelia grew up on a farm where her love for animals began—but she also found an early passion for dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading.
Her background includes:
🤸 12 years of gymnastics
💃 6 years of dance
📣 6 years of middle school and high school cheerleading
⭐ Member of the Mineral Area College Cheerleading Squad
Miss Amelia has been part of the Dance Express & Tumbling family since the very beginning, and we truly can't imagine our studio without her! She is an incredible role model who brings kindness, patience, encouragement, and so much joy to every class she teaches.
Outside of the studio, Amelia and her husband, Andrew, are the proud parents of three wonderful children:
🩵 Reese – loves the outdoors and is incredibly artistic and creative.
🩷 Ruby – our sassy, adventurous girl who keeps everyone smiling!
💙 Ronan – enjoys spending quality time with his family.
In addition to teaching at Dance Express & Tumbling, Amelia has worked for the past seven years at Ste. Genevieve Elementary School, where she continues to make a positive impact on children every day as the Secretary.
At DET, Miss Amelia shares her talents through our Acro and Poms programs, helping students build strong fundamentals, confidence, teamwork, and a love for learning new skills.
💜 From Miss Amelia...
"I absolutely love working with kids! Not only do I get to work with them at Dance Express & Tumbling, but I also spend my days at Ste. Genevieve Elementary as a School Secretary. When Lisa asked me to be part of Dance Express from the very beginning, saying 'yes' was easy because I had missed dance and gymnastics so much. Watching our students learn, grow, gain confidence, and fall in love with dance and acro brings me so much joy. There is nothing better than seeing that moment when a new skill finally clicks! These kids truly are AMAZING, and I feel so blessed to be part of their journey."
Born and raised in Ste. Genevieve, Amelia grew up on a farm where her love for animals began—but she also found an early passion for dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading.
Her background includes:
🤸 12 years of gymnastics
💃 6 years of dance
📣 6 years of middle school and high school cheerleading
⭐ Member of the Mineral Area College Cheerleading Squad
Miss Amelia has been part of the Dance Express & Tumbling family since the very beginning, and we truly can't imagine our studio without her! She is an incredible role model who brings kindness, patience, encouragement, and so much joy to every class she teaches.
Outside of the studio, Amelia and her husband, Andrew, are the proud parents of three wonderful children:
🩵 Reese – loves the outdoors and is incredibly artistic and creative.
🩷 Ruby – our sassy, adventurous girl who keeps everyone smiling!
💙 Ronan – enjoys spending quality time with his family.
In addition to teaching at Dance Express & Tumbling, Amelia has worked for the past seven years at Ste. Genevieve Elementary School, where she continues to make a positive impact on children every day as the Secretary.
At DET, Miss Amelia shares her talents through our Acro and Poms programs, helping students build strong fundamentals, confidence, teamwork, and a love for learning new skills.
💜 From Miss Amelia...
"I absolutely love working with kids! Not only do I get to work with them at Dance Express & Tumbling, but I also spend my days at Ste. Genevieve Elementary as a School Secretary. When Lisa asked me to be part of Dance Express from the very beginning, saying 'yes' was easy because I had missed dance and gymnastics so much. Watching our students learn, grow, gain confidence, and fall in love with dance and acro brings me so much joy. There is nothing better than seeing that moment when a new skill finally clicks! These kids truly are AMAZING, and I feel so blessed to be part of their journey."
Jessica PalmerMiss Jess is in her third season with Dance Express & Tumbling, and we are so thankful for the enthusiasm, encouragement, and heart she brings to every class!
Her love for acro began at a young age when she trained and competed with Flipside under Mary Lou. Throughout her childhood and high school years, she dedicated herself to the sport, competing at both regional and national competitions across several states and earning numerous titles along the way.
Today, that same passion has come full circle as she pours into the next generation of acro athletes.
Miss Jess teaches students in our Acro Program beginning at age 3 and up, where she is known for being one of her students' biggest cheerleaders. Whether a child is learning their very first forward roll or mastering a challenging new skill, she's right there celebrating every victory right alongside them.
Outside of the studio, Jess enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, Wyatt and Kinnley, and their two very spoiled cats! 🐈💕 Her daughter, Kinnley, began dancing and tumbling at Dance Express & Tumbling in 2018 and has continued competing ever since, making DET a true family affair.
💚 A few fun facts about Miss Jess...
✨ Favorite thing about teaching: Watching kids discover a love for acro and celebrating every success with them.
🦸♀️ Superpower: Solving problems!
🎵 Walk-up song: "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson
📚 Favorite day off: Relaxing with a good book, watching TV documentaries, and spending time with her family.
💚 From Miss Jess...
"One of my greatest joys is helping kids discover just how capable they are. I love seeing their excitement when they accomplish something they've been working so hard to achieve. Every new skill, every smile, and every little victory reminds me why I love teaching. I hope every student leaves class feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to come back for more!"
Her love for acro began at a young age when she trained and competed with Flipside under Mary Lou. Throughout her childhood and high school years, she dedicated herself to the sport, competing at both regional and national competitions across several states and earning numerous titles along the way.
Today, that same passion has come full circle as she pours into the next generation of acro athletes.
Miss Jess teaches students in our Acro Program beginning at age 3 and up, where she is known for being one of her students' biggest cheerleaders. Whether a child is learning their very first forward roll or mastering a challenging new skill, she's right there celebrating every victory right alongside them.
Outside of the studio, Jess enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, Wyatt and Kinnley, and their two very spoiled cats! 🐈💕 Her daughter, Kinnley, began dancing and tumbling at Dance Express & Tumbling in 2018 and has continued competing ever since, making DET a true family affair.
💚 A few fun facts about Miss Jess...
✨ Favorite thing about teaching: Watching kids discover a love for acro and celebrating every success with them.
🦸♀️ Superpower: Solving problems!
🎵 Walk-up song: "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson
📚 Favorite day off: Relaxing with a good book, watching TV documentaries, and spending time with her family.
💚 From Miss Jess...
"One of my greatest joys is helping kids discover just how capable they are. I love seeing their excitement when they accomplish something they've been working so hard to achieve. Every new skill, every smile, and every little victory reminds me why I love teaching. I hope every student leaves class feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to come back for more!"
Kim DonovanIf you've met Miss Kim, you know one thing for sure—her smile is contagious! She brings incredible energy, creativity, encouragement, and enthusiasm to every class, making Dance Express & Tumbling a place where kids feel excited to learn and grow.
Although this is her teaching journey, Kim has actually been part of the DET family for the past 8 years as a proud dance mom of three amazing kiddos. Watching her own children grow through dance inspired her to step into the classroom and begin sharing that same love with others.
Her background includes cheering for Ste. Genevieve High School and teaching dance through college outreach programs. She has always loved working with children and helping them discover confidence through movement.
At Dance Express & Tumbling, Miss Kim teaches a wide variety of classes, including:
🩷 Parent & Me
✨ Twinkle Toes
🤸 Hip & Flip
📣 Poms
💃 Recreational Dance
🤸♀️ Tumbling
One of Kim's favorite things is learning! She is constantly seeking out new ideas, techniques, and teaching strategies to better serve her students. She continues her professional development through dance and acro training with respected companies and is always excited to bring fresh ideas back to our studio.
💖 A few fun facts about Miss Kim...
🦸♀️ Superpower: Making people smile and lifting their spirits.
🛍️ Favorite day off: Shopping...lots of shopping!
🎵 Favorite thing: Learning new skills, tricks, and even the newest TikTok trends!
🌎 She loves spending time with her energetic family and exploring new places.
And here's a fun little DET connection...
💕 Fun Fact: Miss Amelia was actually Miss Kim's "little sister" when they cheered together in high school! We love how their friendship has come full circle as they now teach together here at Dance Express & Tumbling.
💖 From Miss Kim...
"I love creating a fun, positive environment where every child feels welcomed, encouraged, and excited to learn. Watching students gain confidence, master new skills, and realize what they're capable of is one of the greatest rewards. Every child deserves someone who believes in them, and I hope every student who walks into my classroom knows just how special they are!"
Although this is her teaching journey, Kim has actually been part of the DET family for the past 8 years as a proud dance mom of three amazing kiddos. Watching her own children grow through dance inspired her to step into the classroom and begin sharing that same love with others.
Her background includes cheering for Ste. Genevieve High School and teaching dance through college outreach programs. She has always loved working with children and helping them discover confidence through movement.
At Dance Express & Tumbling, Miss Kim teaches a wide variety of classes, including:
🩷 Parent & Me
✨ Twinkle Toes
🤸 Hip & Flip
📣 Poms
💃 Recreational Dance
🤸♀️ Tumbling
One of Kim's favorite things is learning! She is constantly seeking out new ideas, techniques, and teaching strategies to better serve her students. She continues her professional development through dance and acro training with respected companies and is always excited to bring fresh ideas back to our studio.
💖 A few fun facts about Miss Kim...
🦸♀️ Superpower: Making people smile and lifting their spirits.
🛍️ Favorite day off: Shopping...lots of shopping!
🎵 Favorite thing: Learning new skills, tricks, and even the newest TikTok trends!
🌎 She loves spending time with her energetic family and exploring new places.
And here's a fun little DET connection...
💕 Fun Fact: Miss Amelia was actually Miss Kim's "little sister" when they cheered together in high school! We love how their friendship has come full circle as they now teach together here at Dance Express & Tumbling.
💖 From Miss Kim...
"I love creating a fun, positive environment where every child feels welcomed, encouraged, and excited to learn. Watching students gain confidence, master new skills, and realize what they're capable of is one of the greatest rewards. Every child deserves someone who believes in them, and I hope every student who walks into my classroom knows just how special they are!"
Angie Rottler
Miss Angie has a heart for teaching and loves introducing young dancers to the wonderful world of dance! She teaches our Teeny through Junior dance and tumbling classes, helping students build strong foundations while learning the basics of ballet, jazz, and tap in a fun, encouraging environment.
Her own love for dance began when she was a little girl, and that passion has stayed with her throughout the years. Today, one of her greatest joys is sharing that same excitement with the next generation of dancers and watching them discover what they're capable of.
Whether she's teaching a first plié or celebrating a student's newest accomplishment, Miss Angie loves seeing children grow in confidence, learn new skills, and shine both in the classroom and on stage.
💛 A few fun facts about Miss Angie...
🩰 Favorite dance style: Tap
✨ Dance move she teaches the most: Plié
🏆 Favorite dance memory: Competing her tap solo when she was a school-aged dancer.
🦸♀️ Superpower: Being the ultimate Chaos Coordinator! 😄
One of Miss Angie's favorite parts of Dance Express & Tumbling is cheering on every student—whether they're dancing in our recreational classes or representing DET on the competition stage. She loves watching each child find their confidence and experience the excitement of performing under the lights.
💛 From Miss Angie...
"Dance has always been a special part of my life, and I love getting to share that passion with our youngest dancers. There's nothing better than watching a child work hard, gain confidence, and light up when they accomplish something new. Seeing our students smile, perform on stage, and truly enjoy what they do is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. I feel so blessed to be part of their journey!"
Miss Angie has a heart for teaching and loves introducing young dancers to the wonderful world of dance! She teaches our Teeny through Junior dance and tumbling classes, helping students build strong foundations while learning the basics of ballet, jazz, and tap in a fun, encouraging environment.
Her own love for dance began when she was a little girl, and that passion has stayed with her throughout the years. Today, one of her greatest joys is sharing that same excitement with the next generation of dancers and watching them discover what they're capable of.
Whether she's teaching a first plié or celebrating a student's newest accomplishment, Miss Angie loves seeing children grow in confidence, learn new skills, and shine both in the classroom and on stage.
💛 A few fun facts about Miss Angie...
🩰 Favorite dance style: Tap
✨ Dance move she teaches the most: Plié
🏆 Favorite dance memory: Competing her tap solo when she was a school-aged dancer.
🦸♀️ Superpower: Being the ultimate Chaos Coordinator! 😄
One of Miss Angie's favorite parts of Dance Express & Tumbling is cheering on every student—whether they're dancing in our recreational classes or representing DET on the competition stage. She loves watching each child find their confidence and experience the excitement of performing under the lights.
💛 From Miss Angie...
"Dance has always been a special part of my life, and I love getting to share that passion with our youngest dancers. There's nothing better than watching a child work hard, gain confidence, and light up when they accomplish something new. Seeing our students smile, perform on stage, and truly enjoy what they do is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. I feel so blessed to be part of their journey!"
Jennifer Roth
Since joining our staff in 2019, she's become the smiling face at our front desk and one of the biggest reasons everything runs so smoothly behind the scenes. From helping with our Parent & Me, Teeny, and Petite Dance & Tumble classes to jumping in wherever she's needed, Miss Jen truly does it all! She danced throughout her childhood and teen years and continues to learn new teaching ideas to help make every class fun and engaging.
✨ Fun Facts:
🦄 Superpower: Knowing everyone's name (seriously!)
🎵 Walk-up song: Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
👯 Favorite dance: "Tap on Texas and Florida"
💤 Favorite day off: Relaxing at home
🩵 From Miss Jen: "I love getting to know every child and watching them grow in confidence while having fun. Seeing their smiles is the best part of my day!"
Since joining our staff in 2019, she's become the smiling face at our front desk and one of the biggest reasons everything runs so smoothly behind the scenes. From helping with our Parent & Me, Teeny, and Petite Dance & Tumble classes to jumping in wherever she's needed, Miss Jen truly does it all! She danced throughout her childhood and teen years and continues to learn new teaching ideas to help make every class fun and engaging.
✨ Fun Facts:
🦄 Superpower: Knowing everyone's name (seriously!)
🎵 Walk-up song: Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
👯 Favorite dance: "Tap on Texas and Florida"
💤 Favorite day off: Relaxing at home
🩵 From Miss Jen: "I love getting to know every child and watching them grow in confidence while having fun. Seeing their smiles is the best part of my day!"
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Miss Kelly! 🤸
With 30+ years of teaching technique and tumbling experience, Miss Kelly is passionate about helping athletes build strong fundamentals, confidence, and safe technique that will serve them for years to come.Her background includes 15 years as a tumbler, 3 years as a collegiate cheerleader, 19 years coaching competitive cheer, and 25 years of acro and cheer choreography. 💙 Fun Facts: 🤸 Loves teaching strong technique. 💪 Believes confidence starts with great fundamentals. ⭐ Favorite part of teaching: Watching athletes achieve skills they once thought were impossible! 💙 From Miss Kelly: "I love helping athletes discover what they're capable of through hard work, confidence, and perseverance." |
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Miss Lydia helps at DET with our summer classes and when she is home from college break. You often will find her helping with our Competition Teams at competitions and behind the scenes. Dance has always held a special place in Miss Lydia’s heart, and she loves being able to give back to the studio and sport that gave her so much growing up. Even though she no longer lives close to home, her love for Dance Express & Tumbling continues to bring her back!
Miss Lydia loves creating a positive, encouraging environment where every dancer feels seen, supported, and celebrated—from learning their very first step to shining on stage! 💜 Fun Facts: ✨ Loves watching dancers discover their own passion for dance. 🥰 Favorite moment: Seeing those BIG smiles on stage! ⭐ Believes every accomplishment deserves to be celebrated. 💜 From Miss Lydia: “I hope every child leaves my class not only a stronger dancer, but believing in themselves a little more than when they walked in.” |
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Miss Alyssa is one of the creative masterminds behind the costumes, props, and special touches that help bring so many of our DET ideas to life!
She has an incredible eye for detail and a special talent for taking an idea and adding just the right amount of DET magic.✨ From costumes to props to all those behind-the-scenes details, Miss Alyssa plays an important role in helping our dancers look and feel amazing when they hit the stage. 🩷 Fun Facts: ✨ Has an eye for the little details that make a BIG difference. 🎨 Loves turning creative ideas into reality. 🪄 One of our behind-the-scenes DET magic makers! |