Faculty

KRISTENE WATSON

Studio Owner, Director and Instructor

Kristene began her dance training at the age of three in ballet and tap. She studied at Kennedy Dance Academy in New Mexico and later Ballet Arts Theater in upstate New York, where she fell in love with ballet and performing on stage.

In college, she auditioned for and became a member of the Northeastern State University dance company, GoVertigo. There she studied and performed Jazz, Tap, Broadway, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, and Pointe. She choreographed many pieces and later became Student Director of the company. With GoVertigo, she attended the American College Dance Festival every year and took master classes from instructors all around the United States. Kristene also choreographed for several area shows, including Tahlequah Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Tahlequah Community Playhouse’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

She has been teaching for 16 years and can’t wait to see how her dancers and the studio continues to grow!

JORDAN STEWART

Assistant Director and Instructor

Jordan began dancing at Patti Parrish School of Dance in Sapulpa, Oklahoma when she was five years old. She trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary, and began competing by the age of ten. During this time, Jordan was also an assistant teacher at Jean Ann’s School of Dance in Bristow, Oklahoma.

In 2017 Jordan became a Pom dancer at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. She also became an assistant teacher at Melissa’s Dance Studio and auditioned for Impressions Dance Company. She danced with Impressions for four semesters in the styles of tap, contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop, and also became a Student Choreographer. Jordan was invited back to Impressions as a Guest Choreographer in 2022.

Jordan joined On Stage Dance Studio as an instructor in 2018, co-founded the Inspire Competition Team in 2019, and eventually became Assistant Director. Miss Jordan loves seeing the growth in her students and the joy of performing! She is so excited to continue teaching her dance students for the upcoming season.

JESSICA BAKER

Instructor

Jessica Baker was born and raised in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and she started her dance journey at Tahlequah Ballet at 13 years old, where she specialized in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, with some experience in Tap and Ballet.

Through the years, Jessica has danced with other companies and has competed in many competitions across Oklahoma and Arkansas, through which her senior solo awarded Jessica a scholarship to the Talent On Parade Master Class.

Jessica has been teaching for 9 years and counting, and she feels so fortunate that her passion for dance has grown into her love for teaching. Jessica’s goal for her students every year is for them to walk out as more confident, well-rounded individuals, and to have lots of fun in the process!

ALLIE SNYDER

Instructor

Allie Snyder has taught Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing for over 15 years in California. She is passionate about showing people new ways to connect with music and each other. She looks forward to sharing the joys of Social Dance with the Tahlequah community.

KAITLYN SIANDUA

Assistant Instructor and Front Desk

Kaitlyn began her dance journey at On Stage Dance Studio when she was fifteen. After her first year dancing ballet and lyrical, she joined On Stage’s Inspire Competition Team, expanding her experience to jazz and contemporary. She also assisted ballet level 1 and 2 classes.

Kaitlyn then moved to Mountain Movers Dance Studio where she not only joined their competition team but also earned her pointe shoes. While at Mountain Movers, Kaitlyn was given the opportunity to perform at NSU’s Lights On ceremony for two years.

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn joined NSU’s Impressions dance organization, and took a creative movement course at NSU. Wanting to further her dance education, Kaitlyn studied at Tulsa Ballet during the 2024 spring semester.

Photography by Brooke Martin Photography