Faculty

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

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

Monica Winkler is an enthusiastic dance instructor with 19 years of dance experience and over 7 years of teaching expertise. Originally from Buffalo, NY, she honed her skills at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, training students for competitions, performances, and social dancing. A DeSales University alumna with professional training in ballroom and Latin from renowned dancers like Taliat Tarsinov and Tony Dovolani, Monica has competed nationally and has gained the trust of couples in the greater Tulsa area as a wedding dance specialist. After relocating to Tulsa, OK in July 2020, Monica has taught at Scissortail Ballroom and Holy Family Classical School.

Now a Tahlequah resident, Monica serves as a guest instructor at NSU Fitness Center, where she teaches dance fitness. She is thrilled to join On Stage Dance Studio and work with dancers of all levels because she believes that dance can be for ANYbody.

Jamie Cleveland is the mother to three children with her husband, Michael, and is currently a fourth grade teacher in Sallisaw, OK. She has been dancing since she was four years old and has many years of instructing and competition experience under her belt. Jamie is most looking forward to getting to know each dancer better and to help them further their passion for dancing!

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.