About our Faculty

• Lesa began dancing at the age of three at Applause Studios in Oklahoma City under the direction of Patricia Oplontnik.
• She became a member of the competition company at the age of eight and continued competing through high school.
• Lesa had the opportunity to study with various professional artists such as Keith Clifton, Rhonda Miller, Greg Russel, and Jeff Amsden.
• In 1997, Lesa competed in the Miss Dance of Oklahoma competition, taking 5th place and going on to compete at the Dance Masters of America National Convention in Orlando, FL, taking 2nd runner up in her age division.
• After graduating high school in 1998, she went to the University of Central Oklahoma where she was a member of the Kaleidoscope Dancers Company for four years.
• During her college career, Lesa toured to various middle schools and high schools performing for children of all ages.
• She also performed in Opening Night in Bricktown.
• Attended the American College Dance Festival and was selected to perform in the closing Gala.
• Lesa graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2003.
• She has taught here at Dance Unlimited PAC for the past 27 years.
• She has trained and completed professional development with More than Just Great Dancing, Dance Teacher Web Summer Expo, and Julie Kay Stallcup Intensives.
• Lesa is YPAD certified.

Michelle Rambo travels state to state spreading her energy, knowledge, and love for teaching master classes to everyone who appreciates the art of dance. She is on faculty for the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma, serves as Artistic Director over the assistant program for the traveling dance intensive The Dance Effect, and owns M2RDANCE.

Her high-energy teaching has taken her to the American College Dance Association at Southeast Missouri State University, Anderson Indiana University, Oklahoma City University, University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, The Dance Effect intensive, 8 Count Studio, and the professional RACE Dance Collective in Oklahoma City. Michelle's teaching also continues with the Oklahoma City professional NBA O'City Crew, fine arts schools in the Texas and Kansas areas, and the professional Dallas Black Dance Theatre Summer Intensive in Dallas, Texas.

Michelle's work has been showcased during the pre-game performance for the Oklahoma City Thunder, The Women That Soar awards show, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Fabletics, the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre, Southern Plain Productions, the University of Oklahoma Dance Department, and most recently with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma on Sister Act as assistant choreographer.

Michelle continues to focus on family, teaching, traveling, judging competitions, and living one day at a time.

Cameelah Pennington Cook is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is currently the Dance Director at Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast High School. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance Performance from the University of Oklahoma in 2011. Cameelah is a graduate of Classen School of Advanced Studies, where she studied as a dance major.

Cameelah has been a member of several professional dance companies including Contemporary Dance Oklahoma, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Hartel Dance Group, and R.A.C.E. Dance Collective. She also currently holds a certification in Acrobatic Arts and is a member of the National Dance Education Organization.

Her favorite styles of dance to teach include modern, jazz, and tap, and her favorite style to take is ballet. In her rare spare time, Cameelah loves baking and crafting. She loves spending time adventuring with her husband and daughter. Most of all, she enjoys sharing her love of dance with her students all over the city. She is thankful to be teaching for a thirteenth season at DU!

• Originally from the greater Los Angeles area.
• Trained in commercial jazz, theater jazz, theater tap, rhythm tap, lyrical, contemporary, latin jazz, ballet, pointe, and hip-hop.
• Tremaine Dance Company assistant for five years.
• BS in Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University.
• Performed with Oklahoma City University's Stars Dance Company and the American Spirit Dance Company.
• Current Dance Director at Roosevelt Middle School in Oklahoma City Public Schools, and OKCPS dance teacher for three years.
• Ensemble in The Prom with Lyric Theater of Oklahoma.
• Justin Bieber Purpose Tour featured dancer in Los Angeles.

• Born and raised in OKC.
• BFA in Dance Performance and Business Administration minor, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
• Looking forward to her 3rd year teaching at DU!
• Business Owner: GMF, Inc. Real Estate, DSCLOZ, Hank's Restaurant, Big Biang Theory Restaurant, Carletti's Restaurant, and GMF Consulting.
• Appointed by the Mayor to serve as Commissioner for the International Building Code Commission.
• Credits: MTV Africa, Pussycat Dolls, Warner Brothers, FOX News, DeadCenter, Six Flags, Shen Wei Dance Company, Gallim Dance Company, and ACDF Nationals Champion.
• Past Board Positions: Downtown OKC Business Improvement District Board of Directors, West Village Board of Directors, Urban Land Institute Impact Awards Chair, and Plaza District President.
• Volunteer at Christ the King Catholic Church.
• Constantly booking trips around the world: cave diving, white water rafting through the Swiss Alps, snorkeling between tectonic plates, lowered into a volcano, hiking the largest glacier in Europe, paragliding and skydiving in Switzerland, completing Angel's Landing, and hiking a 1500 BC Mayan ruin.
• Standard poodle named Rumor and tiny toy poodle named Clue.
• Gina sees no barriers and looks forward to newfound goals while always staying true to her roots and remaining eager to learn from those around her.

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for human masters.' Colossians 3:23

Haley Kinnard is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where she studied musical theatre and received a Bachelor of Music. When she is not working with her voice and acting students, you can find her performing in musicals around the metro! She has always had a passion for sharing her love of music with others and is grateful to be starting another year of teaching with Spotlight!

• Degree in Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University.
• 2 years as an administrative assistant at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at OCU.
• 5 years at Harding Fine Arts Academy as the Director of Dance and 4 years as Fine Arts Department Head.
• Head Coach of the Harding Fine Arts award-winning competitive dance team.
• 14 years of studio teaching experience.
• 2 years on the O City Crew and 2 years as Thunder Gameday Emcee.
• Accolades: HFAA Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year, award-winning choreographer, and Dance Makers Hip Hop scholarship winner.
• Years at DU: 4.
• This year, I am excited to help dancers grow in their technique and confidence, foster their love of dance, and build a strong community within the classroom. I cannot wait to meet everyone and get to work!

• Former professional NBA dancer for the Oklahoma City Thunder for 2 seasons.
• Competitive dancer for 15+ years.
• Former member and part-time choreographer for Deer Creek Pom.
• Acrobatic Arts certified.
• Current teacher and company member at RACE Dance Collective.
• Current teacher at 8 Count Dance Studio.
• Going into her 2nd year teaching at DU! She loves the atmosphere and is excited for another season of watching these incredible kids grow here.
• Excited to greet you all at the front desk! Come talk to her if you have any questions.
• Loves her dog Rocky and cat Ritzy.

Harlie Leep has danced for 17 years, including 7 years of competitive dance. She trained at Classen School of Advanced Studies as a dance major, studying a variety of styles and disciplines. She currently serves as the Head Cross Country and Track Coach at Classen SAS while pursuing a degree in Sports Management-Performance with a multidisciplinary minor focused on Kinesiology, Allied Health, Life Science, and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

• Originally from Tampa, Florida.
• Trained in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, liturgical, and African-style dance.
• 2nd year with DU!
• Currently a professional dancer with OKC Thunder's O'City Crew.
• BS in Entertainment Business from Oklahoma City University.
• Former Student Director and Choreographer for the Oklahoma City University Pep Dancers.
• Recently served as the Director of Student Life and Student Life Team Member for Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute.
• Experience with company management, stage management, event planning, and lighting design.
• Loves pouring into the young generation of dancers and strives to one day own a dance studio!

Bio coming soon!

Kyra Michele Birkner is a Dance Performance major at Oklahoma City University. Originally from North Carolina, she trained at University of North Carolina School of the Arts and has experience in a variety of dance styles. Guided by the values of curiosity, honesty, confidence, and kindness, Kyra is passionate about sharing her love of dance and creating a positive, supportive environment where students can build confidence, develop their skills, and enjoy movement.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Originally from Edmond, Oklahoma, Makayla developed her passion for dance at Dance Unlimited Performing Arts Center under the direction of Amy Reynolds Reed and through involvement in various community theatre productions throughout the Oklahoma City area. She further refined her tap technique while studying with Lynn Cramer at the University of Oklahoma and was honored to attend the invitation-only Radio City Rockettes Summer Conservatory for two consecutive summers. Her training continued in New York City with Exactitude Dance and Precision Dance Company.

Makayla's professional performance credits include Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma's Dreamgirls and West Side Story, as well as Oklahoma Philharmonic's Ragtime. Favorite community and regional theatre credits include The Color Purple, Hairspray, and 9 to 5.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Psychology, Makayla spent several years living in New York City and later Houston before recently returning home to Oklahoma. In addition to holding an MBA from Liberty University and working full-time in fundraising for MD Anderson Cancer Center, Makayla enjoys traveling, discovering new restaurants, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Whether in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom, Makayla cherishes every opportunity to dance, teach, and share her love of ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and tap with students of all ages.

McKenzie Morgan is thrilled to be back home teaching at Spotlight and DU! She grew up in Edmond and is a proud DU, VIBE, and Spotlight alum. McKenzie recently graduated from Viterbo Conservatory for the Performing Arts with a BFA in Musical Theatre and minors in Music, Dance, and Arts Administration. She has directed and choreographed at Viterbo and regional theatres and is passionate about helping young performers grow their skills, confidence, and love for theatre!

Bio coming soon!