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Owner – Director – Choreographer
Monica Renwick has appeared in Major Motion Pictures, on National Television and in Equity Stage and Touring Productions. She has worked as an Equity, Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA performer with such famous stars as Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Melissa Gilbert, David Copperfield and Christopher Walken.
Monica started studying dance at the age of three and became a professional Equity performer at age sixteen as a principle dancer and singer at Starlight Theater. She has taught and performed throughout the United States and Canada as a master dance instructor with world renowned dance educators such as Frank Hatchett, Joe Rowan, Art Stone, Savion Glover, Gregg Russell, Sam Fiorello, Debbi Dee, David Howard, Gus Giordano and Pam Killenger. Monica has taught and judged for DANCE OLYMPUS, DANCEAMERICA, STARPOWER, DANCE MASTERS, INTERNATIONAL DANCE CHALLENGE and ELITE DANCE CUP regional and national competitions.
Monica’s credits also include Worlds of Fun choreographer, promotional choreographer for Starlight Theater for over 20 years, Starlight Theater Gala and Convention choreographer, Master Teacher for the British Congress of Dance, Mr. Art Stone’s dance partner for 12 years, producer and director of “The Wonderful World of Christmas”, V.I.P. Choreographer for Dance Olympus, producer and choreographer for the “Christmas in the Sky” show at Longview Lake, Lee’s Summit North High School musicals and the proud owner of Monica’s School of Dance for 28 years.
Monica and her studio have been featured in Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher and Dance Magazine. Monica has been trained in all forms of dance and musical theatre. Monica’s dance videos and music CDs, produced by Statler Records in New York, have been sold throughout the United States.
Monica feels the secret to her success is, “The loving support and encouragement from my family and working alongside my husband. My professional career, experience and teaching have helped open many doors of opportunity for my students to pursue professional careers. I am very proud to have helped my students receive prestigious scholarships to colleges and professional dance academies. I want to share my lifetime love of dance with my students and make a difference in their lives.”
Monica’s favorite saying to her students is, “Have fun, always do your best and believe in yourself. Your dreams will come true if you give it everything you’ve got.”
Michael Coupe, Monica’s husband and co-owner, is the artistic director at Monica’s School of Dance. Mike has designed and built countless props and sets for 28 years of productions in Monica’s recitals, Starlight Theater promos, convention shows and musical productions of “High School Musical”, “Hairspray”, and “Annie”.
In addition to designing and building the props and sets in Monica’s acclaimed Christmas production “The Wonderful World of Christmas” and “Christmas in the Sky” at Longview Lake, Mike plays the part of Santa Claus.
Mike has also designed dance costumes for Art Stone “The Competitor” in New York.
Mike has done portraits for an impressive list of clients from the sports and entertainment world; Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., Don Shula, Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith to name a few. Mike’s work can be viewed locally at Garozzo’s, Cascone’s, and Streetcar Named Desire restaurants as well as restaurants around the country. His portraits were used in the movie “Platoon Leader” and the T.N.T. special “Elvis U.S.A.” His portrait of Ronald Reagan was recently acquired for the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Tyler Haydon, a Canada native began dancing at the age of 4, by 6 years old he began studying under the personal instruction of one of the founders of American Tap; Al Gilbert, until age 14. Since then, his career has taken him to over 30 countries and regions including: Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Belgium, New York and Las Vegas. While in Monte Carlo, France he had the privilege of sharing the stage with legends like Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John, to name a few. Tyler has many television commercial appearances, including Burger King, Mars Candy, Blundstone Boots, and Dr. Pepper. He has also performed on cruise ships, has opened for Harry Connick Jr. twice, and held a spot as a featured solo act for over two years on the Las Vegas Strip. Tyler considers the highlight of his career to be his 5 years touring with the all-male Australian hit production “Tap Dogs”. As a cast member he found a new passion in the hard hitting rhythm style tap made famous by the show. For the last four years Tyler has been a judge for IDC dance competition and Symposium Talent Contest and enjoys passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm to the professionals of tomorrow at Monica’s School of Dance.
Sharon Brown has taught for Monica for the past eighteen years. She started studying dance at the age of two. She was a Kansas City Chiefette for seven years. She was a preschool assistant for ten years and is currently working for the Lee’s Summit School District. Sharon’s daughters Karla and Sarah studied at Monica’s from the age of three to eighteen. She also designs and makes beautiful costumes for Monica and is currently designing the costumes for Lee’s Summit North’s musicals as well as Monica’s School of Dance.
Betty Kondo, originally from Bowie, Maryland, began her dance
training at the age of 3. She spent several years at Bowie Dance
Center where she competed and won many Regional and National
competitions for lyrical, jazz & hip-hop. Her extreme talent was noticed early on by her parents and teachers. Finding her strength in ballet, she continued her training at the Maryland Youth Ballet. She attended several summer programs on full merit scholarship including The Rock school and Orlando Ballet. Ms. Kondo then performed professionally with the Orlando Ballet Company under the great leadership of world renown dancer, teacher & choreographer Fernando Bujones. During her three years there, she especially enjoyed performing as the lead dancer in Bujones' "Jazz Swing". While in Orlando, participation in the American Dance Competition won her a medal and a full scholarship to Atlanta Ballet's Professional Program in summer of 2006. In 2007, She joined the Kansas City Ballet and has made other guest appearances with local companies in the Kansas City area including Quixotic Fusion and Owen/Cox Dance Group. This will be Ms. Kondo's third year teaching at Monica's School of Dance.
Carrie Wills has performed in many different countries including England, France and Italy as a professional dancer. She has appeared in and been featured as a soloist in hundreds of performances at many venues; including those at Caesars Palace, Bellagio, and Paris Hotel in Atlantic City and in Las Vegas. Carrie has shared the stage with Bobby Vinton, Shoji Tabuchi and Andy Williams. Just a few of her choreography credits include Legends in Concert, Michael Lee Productions, Cabaret, Bobby Vinton Variety, Chicago, Cracklin Rosie, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. She has been a regional and national judge for Dance Champs Competitions and for Symposium Talent Contest. Her education background includes Ballet at Stephens College and Ballet and Modern dance at the University of Missouri and instruction under the choreographers of Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company. Currently she is instructing young dancers at Monica’s School of Dance, as a four year resident teacher specializing in the art of Modern, Lyrical and Jazz dance.
Pam Solomon started dancing at the age of five. She has been teaching at Monica’s for sixteen years. Her daughter Paige danced at Monica’s for fourteen years. Pam has judged auditions for a variety of dance teams throughout the Missouri area. Pam was cast as an extra in the locally produced movie The Painting. Pam loves teaching her little “peanuts”. Teaching dancing is Pam’s favorite job.
Juliet Valle has studied with Monica’s School of Dance for twelve years. She has won numerous national and regional dance competition awards with the High Voltage troupe and appeared on national television. She was fifth runner up for the national title of Miss International Dance Challenge. Juliet was also selected as a summer intern at the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts with Randal K. West and Adam Cates. As a result of her extensive training in tap, jazz, ballet, Pointe, and musical theatre/character, she has been a part of Monica’s teaching staff for seven years. Juliet is a recent graduate of Avila University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. While attending Avila, she competed nationally receiving two third place finishes in Hip-Hop and was highlighted on ESPN as a feature dancer.
Ashley Sloan was a student at Monica’s for twelve years. This will be her seventh year of teaching for Monica. She has studied all forms of dance and was chosen to be in a select group of dancers as a VIP for Dance Olympus. She has been featured in many competitions and was awarded High Scoring Senior Soloist. Ashley has appeared on ESPN as a featured dancer and was co-captain of the Avila Dance Team. She graduated from Avila with a degree in Elementary Education.
Mandy Olmstead is currently a kindergarten teacher in Belton. Mandy has studied dancing at Monica’s for twenty years. She has won overall high scores in National Dance Competitions and has performed at Starlight Theater in Little Shop of Horrors, Wizard of Oz, and Grease. She was captain of her college dance team and was on the Kansas City Chiefs Youth Cheerleading staff. Mandy will be teaching tap, jazz, and cheerleading for all ages at Monica’s.
Sarah Brown Caye has taken dance from Monica at Monica’s School of Dance for sixteen years. Sarah studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, vocal and tumbling. Sarah was in her first competition at the age of 4. Since that time, she has competed in many competitions and won numerous awards, such as 1st place, overall, most photogenic, and platinum awards. Sarah was also selected to be in 4 Starlight Theatre Productions, Evita, The Wizard of Oz, Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While in High School she was a member of the Northern Stars dance team at Lee’s Summit North High School. Sarah won awards while on the Northern Stars such as All American, Top Gun for leaps and turns, and the squad won the overall 1st Place Missouri State Dance Competition. Sarah attended Missouri State University and received a BS degree in Criminology and Sociology. While attending College she was a member of the Sugar Bears dance team. Also winning awards with the Sugar Bears in Orlando, Florida at the College Dance Team National Championships and appearing on the ESPN & ESPN2 channels. Sarah is now working for the Cass County Children’s Division. Sarah is excited to be back at Monica’s teaching tumbling classes for all ages.
Assistant Teacher
Kaitlyn Fennesy has been studying dance since she was two years old under the direction of Monica Renwick. She is passionate about all types of dance. Kaitlyn is an experienced platinum soloist on the regional and national level in Musical Theatre, Tap, and Jazz. She was a contestant for Miss Junior International Dance Challenge in Las Vegas. She loves to turn which has earned her the name of “Spinderella” around the studio. She has received two Special National Awards for her turning ability. Kaitlyn has been an assistant teacher for 3 years working with Monica and the rest of her staff. She enjoys teaching all different ages of kids. She is a Junior at O’Hara high school, where she has been on the dance team and is currently on the cheerleading squad. She plans to continue dancing all the way through her college years.
GUEST MASTER TEACHERS
Adam Cates has an impressive background in dance and musical theater. He has worked alongside nine time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune as his assistant choreographer and dance captain. Credits with Mr. Tune include the Broadway National Tour of Doctor Doolittle, Paparazzi, and several benefits throughout the country. Adam’s choreography has been seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the Barbados Jazz Festival, Starlight Theater, onboard Holland America Cruise Line, casino showroom productions, industrials at Walt Disney World, and star studded benefit concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando. His performance credits include national tours, regional theatre, Walt Disney World, casino and cruise line shows, feature films, industrials, and benefits both on Broadway and off. He has appeared with such stars as Rosie O’Donnell, Keifer Sutherland, and JoAnne Worley. Adam is on the faculty of the Professional Performing Arts High School (PPAS) and is an Assistant Director for Dancers Inc. national convention tour. He teaches master classes across North America for conventions and universities which have included UCLA, Montclair State, Truman State, Dance Masters of America, World Dance Challenge in Las Vegas and Broadway Dance Center. You can see why Monica’s School of Dance embraces Adam, and we’re sure that you will too.
Lawrence Alexander started training and performing at age nine with Monica Renwick at the Monica’s School of Dance in his hometown Kansas City, MO. After being a three time scholarship recipient to the Ailey School in NY, he received his BFA from The Boston Conservatory. Upon graduation, Lawrence was invited to join Hubbard Street Dance Chicago where he performed works by world renowned choreographers, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, & Ohad Naharin to name a few! Leaving the company to pursue his love of musical theater, he moved to the big apple. After signing with one of New York's biggest agencies "McDonalds/Selznick Associates" Lawrence has taken the city with open arms and hasn't looked back! Most recently, Lawrence performed in the 1st National tour of "Young Frankenstein"! Other performances include "Anything Goes" at the Starlight Theater in KCMO, “On the Town” part of the Encore Series at City Center! "Show Boat" at the Carnegie Hall! David Marquez' “Ticket to Ride” at the Shubert Theater in New Haven CT! Lawrence can be seen in the 2010 SUPERBOWL commercial for the Pepsi soft drink ‘ SoBE Lifewater"! Thanks Monica for all of your love and support! The foundation you provided me has been immeasurable!
Shayne Daniel is the Director of Theatre at Lee’s Summit North High School. He holds a Masters of Arts in Theatre Degree and has taught for 16 years, eleven of those at LSN. During his tenure at North, he has produced such shows as Fiddler on the Roof, Footloose, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Evita, Hello Dolly, High School Musical, Mulan, West Side Story, and Copacabana. Shayne was honored with Starlight Theatre’s Blue Star Award for Outstanding Director for The Music Man in 2004 and Little Shop of Horrors in 2007. The Outstanding Overall Production Award has been presented twice as well, for Seussical the Musical in 2005, and Les Miserables’ in 2008. Shayne was selected as the Missouri All-State Theatre Teacher of the Year in 2008, has served on the Missouri Thespians State Board for the past three years, and was selected to direct the 2011 MO All-State Production of Jekyll and Hyde. He is honored to have taught for Monica’s School of Dance in the past and looks forward to conducting future Musical Theatre Master Classes.
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Monica Renwick
Michael Coupe
Sharon Brown
Betty Kondo
Carrie Wills
Pam Solomon
Juliet Valle
Ashley Sloan
Mandy Olmstead
Sarah Brown Caye
Kaitlyn Fennesy
Adam Cates
Lawrence Alexander
Shayne Daniel
