About Us
Preparing Dancers for the Stage and BEYOND!
Located in Lebanon, Missouri, we are a Christian based dance studio with over 40 years of experience in educating dancers. Our studio offers both recreational and competitive dance programs. Our instructors are trained in a variety of dance styles including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, and Musical Theater. In addition to dance, we also provide gymnastics and tumbling classes for individuals age 2 through adults. Our priority is to create a fun, safe, and positive environment where individuals can develop their skills and passion for dance and gymnastics.
Our Mission
*To promote teamwork, self discipline, & confidence in a positive atmosphere
*To provide our dancers with the highest quality of dance training
Our Vision
*To fulfill each dancer's needs in an honest & realistic way
*To give equal attention, & respect to all students regardless of talent, age, potential, level or reason here
*To convey the idea that students should compete with & challenge only themselves in a continuous state of improvement
*To help all students become the best version of themselves
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Meet Our Staff
Diane Cummins-Lefler
Diane Cummins-Lefler is the passionate Owner and Director of the School of Performing Arts Dance and Gymnastics. Before assuming ownership in 2012, she dedicated 22 years to serving in the US Army. When faced with the potential closure of S.P.A. due to the previous owners' decision to sell, Diane was determined to preserve the studio. Witnessing the transformative impact of dance on her own daughters’, she committed to upholding S.P.A. as a space for others to discover their love for dance. Embracing her new role, Diane actively engages in the dance community by participating in dance teacher conferences, gaining certifications in diverse techniques like Zumba and gymnastics, and continuously expanding her knowledge and training to maintain the high teaching standards that define S.P.A.
Kaitlyn Hess
Kaitlyn Hess has been dancing since the age of three, beginning her training at Art in Motion Dance Studio and continuing at Gallo Dance Studio throughout her teenage years. She attended St. Joseph-Ogden High School, where she was a member of the dance team and competed at both IDTA and IHSA competitions. During her high school career, Kaitlyn earned 3rd place for her solo her junior year and was named Solo Grand Champion and Miss IDTA in 2019 her senior year.
Kaitlyn continued her education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance with a specialization in Dance. While at SIUE, she was an active member of the University Dance Company for three years, the SIUE Competitive Dance Team for four years, and the University Dance Organization for four years. She served as Vice President of UDO for two years and President her senior year, and was also a captain of the competitive dance team. During this time, she became an NDA Division I Pom National Champion.
Following graduation, Kaitlyn returned to Gallo Dance Studio in St. Joseph, Illinois, where she taught both recreational and competitive dancers, with a strong focus on technique, discipline, and personal accountability. She also worked with National Dance Alliance as a dance instructor, contributing to competitions and recruitment events.
In addition to teaching, Kaitlyn has worked behind the scenes in the dance competition world, serving as a tabulator for the Illinois Drill Team Association and as an Assistant Dance Team Coach for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Dance Team. She currently works with Legacy Dance Championships as a stage manager and tabulator.
Kaitlyn is passionate about dance and is excited to share her knowledge of technique and artistry with students at the School of Performing Arts in Lebanon, Missouri.
Victoria Lefler
Victoria (Tori) Lefler is a passionate dance educator, choreographer, and performer whose enthusiasm for teaching is at the heart of her work. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at the University of Iowa, with a certificate in African American Studies. Tori began her dance journey at S.P.A., where her love for teaching first flourished. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dance and History from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, specializing in Dance, and served as a Captain of the nationally ranked SIUE Dance Team, leading them to an NDA Division I Pom National Title.
Tori has extensive experience working with dance teams and studios around the country, including as an instructor with the National Dance Alliance and as a judge for dance competitions. Her teaching is shaped by her commitment to nurturing technically strong and confident dancers, while dedicated to providing students with a high-quality dance education. Tori’s enthusiasm inspires her students to bring authenticity, artistry, and heart to every performance.
As a performer, she has appeared in works by renowned choreographers and companies, including Martha Graham (Panorama), Trisha Brown (Foray Forêt), Chafin Seymour (Suite Donuts), and Aaron Samuel Davis (A Tiny Swallow), as well as at events such as St. Louis National Dance Week and MADCO Dare to Dance Festival. She continues to stay at the forefront of dance by training at leading institutions such as Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Gibney, and by learning from world-renowned choreographers. Tori is devoted to inspiring the next generation of dancers through her teaching and her unwavering passion for dance.
Instagram: @torii.dances
Emily Soileu
Emily Soileu began dancing at age 3 here at S.P.A. She is trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, and Lyrical, but her favorite styles to perform and teach are Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary. Emily now attends Benedictine College where she is pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Dance. She is also a member of the Benedictine College Competitive Dance Team, where she continues to teach and choreograph team performances for her team. Emily is excited to spread her love for dance to the students of S.P.A.
Alexandria Lefler
Alexandria (Allie) Lefler danced at S.P.A. for 16 years before moving on to pursue her education at the University of Kansas. At the university, she is currently working towards a degree in Architectural Engineering alongside a minor in Dance. Allie's dance journey has taken her to various parts of the country, including New York City, NY and Los Angeles, CA. She specializes in a wide range of dance styles such as Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Musical Theater. Allie is enthusiastic about passing on her extensive expertise to the dancers at S.P.A.
