Our Team
Whitney Copley
Owner & Head Instructor
Miss Whitney has over 30 years of dance experience and 14 as an instructor, with a background and qualifications in modern, jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, gymnastics, aerial dance, and pointe. She began her training in both dance and gymnastics at Parish School of Performing Arts in Jerseyville, Illinois at the young age of five where she was a member of State St. Performing Company. Throughout her time there she competed nationally and achieved awards such as Distinguished Performer, Star Performer, LA talent agent semi-finalist, American Dance Idol finalist, National Entertainer Award, performed in the halftime show at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii and performed work by Eddie Garcia at the International Dance Festival in New York City. She was also a recipient of a Broadway Dance Center Scholarship under the direction of Sheila Barker. From there, Whitney went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago where she graduated with honors. Upon graduation, Whitney became an instructor and later a studio manager as well at All About Dance Chicago, a unique dance studio full of positive energy where kids and adults share their passion and love for dance. Through All About Dance she has taught dance at several summer camps, after-school and community outreach programs in Chicago such as The British School of Chicago, The Latin School of Chicago, and Francis W. Parker.
Throughout her professional dance career, Whitney has had the opportunity to perform professionally with The Seldoms (A Chicago-based contemporary dance company) and Aerial Dance Chicago (formerly known as Ameba Acrobatic and Aerial Dance Company). Yes, she’s one of those dancers that can climb up silks and hang from the trapeze! She has also had the privilege to attend and choreograph at American College Dance Festival and perform choreography by Merce Cunningham (set by Paige Cunningham) and Liz Burritt in Chicago. She has attended workshops such as Joe Goode Dance Theater, and Zephyr Arts Integration Workshop. Throughout her years of training she has studied at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Paul Taylor Studio, Peridance Center, the Merce Cunningham Studio, The Edge, Lou Conte as well as internationally at Mad Dance House in Australia and The Dance Mill in England.
As a trained and versatile dancer, choreographer, and teacher she strives to take her experiences even further by introducing her diverse knowledge and love for dancing and the arts through offering and encouraging an exciting, inspiring and physical learning environment that will be beneficial and engaging to all students at Dance Canvas. She strongly feels that creativity and exploration in the arts is the key to loving life and enjoying each new day. Dance Canvas is her heart and she could not be more thrilled to dance into another year with all our amazing staff, dancers and families!
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Leann Braun
Instructor & Company Director
Leann has over 25 years of dance experience, with training in Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, Pom, and Kick. She started her training at the age of three at L.A. Dance Center in Florissant, MO and has loved dance ever since. During her time in St. Louis, Leann was a member of her studio's Production Teams and also performed in area events. In addition to this, Leann was also a member of her high school's dance team and was captain during her senior year. She became an instructor at her studio during her high school years and has enjoyed sharing her love for dance with others ever since.
Leann left St. Louis to attend Missouri State University and earned her Bachelors of Science in Management. While at MSU, Leann took Ballet and Jazz classes and also had the opportunity to perform in various dance concerts. Outside of the college’s dance department, she had the opportunity to participate in, choreograph, and lead parade routines, small competitions and a large 50-member dance production.
In 2015, Leann joined the Dance Canvas team as an instructor and knew this would be her new dance home. As the studio continued to grow, and a competition team was formed, Leann helped co-lead Dance Canvas' Company Program. In 2019, Leann was thrilled to take on a full time position with Dance Canvas as the Company Director and Assistant Creative Director. In her role, Leann continues to teach classes, as well as lead Dance Canvas' Company & Competition program. She loves to share her passion for dance with her students and is honored to be a member of the Dance Canvas team.
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Sydney Turner
Instructor
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Sydney is from Monett, MO, where she received 16 years of dance training. Sydney has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater. She has competed at numerous competitions throughout her dance career, bringing home multiple awards and scholarships. In high school, Sydney was a part of her high school dance team, known as the Pizzazz Poms. She was a team captain her senior year and was awarded the “Cub Award” for her leadership. She led the Pizzazz Poms to many victories at regional and state competitions. Sydney was recognized as an All-American Dancer through the Universal Dance Association (UDA), and was invited to travel across the states to be a UDA instructor after graduating high school.
Sydney has choreographed for the Pizzazz Poms Dance Team, Mary Beck School of Dance, Missouri State Diamond Girls, and Dance Canvas.
While Sydney has stepped away from teaching, she continues to choreograph for Dance Canvas’s Company. Sydney still calls Dance Canvas her home away from home, and will always love, support, and cheer on the staff and students.
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Madeline Curtis
Instructor
Madeline has 19 years of dance experience, and is proud to be a DCPA Instructor for the past four years! Madeline trained at Center Stage Academy of the Performing Arts, located in Warrensburg MO. She is trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, ballet, and pointe. At DCPA, Madeline and her sister Rebecca spend most of their time leading the tap program and expressing their passion for the beloved style! Aside from dance, Madeline was involved in over ten of her studio's musicals, such as performances in 'Legally Blonde Jr' and 'The Wizard of Oz'! Center Stage trained Madeline in over ten years of ballet technique, along with six years of learning en pointe. Over time she was grateful to earn many principal roles in her studio’s Nutcracker, such as the Ballerina Doll and Lead Marzipan!
Most of her dance training comes from her experience as a competitive dancer, starting at nine years old. Madeline received multiple national championships throughout the Midwest with her team growing up! She was able to gain choreography skills when she was sixteen, creating her solos and duet with her twin and fellow DCPA teacher, Rebecca. Dancing competitively in a variety of styles has inspired Madeline the most to continue her passion as a teacher, and show the importance of creativity!
In 2021, Madeline graduated from Warrensburg High School and is now beginning her senior year as a BFA Graphic Design & Illustration major at MSU! Madeline could not be happier to be working at DCPA with the most wonderful staff and the most amazing students!
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Hattie Geltemeyer
Ballet Director, Front Desk Manager & Bookings Coordinator
Hattie has over 20 years of dance experience, having trained in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary/Modern, Jazz, Tap, Partnering, Musical Theatre, and West African dance styles. She grew up dancing and performing mostly Classical Ballet and Contemporary dance at Springfield Ballet, where she started teaching and assisting classes in high school. Upon graduating, Hattie attended Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2023.
During her time at Missouri State University Hattie trained under Ruth Barnes, Sarah Wilcoxon, Azaria Hogans, Brittany Baneai, and Sara Brummel. She had the opportunity to have her choreography featured in both the Fall Dance Concert and Spring Dance Concert, she was an Arts Administration intern with the dance program, she performed in a piece choreographed by Guest Artist Ilana Goldman (Associate Professor of Dance at Florida State University) that was selected for the Gala performance at the 2023 American College Dance Association, and her own choreography was selected to be performed at the 2022 American College Dance Association.
Hattie joined the Dance Canvas family five years ago to teach the Company Ballet Classes, and it has been such a joy to see each and every student’s growth and confidence in their dancing. This year, she is thrilled to be taking on the position of Bookings Coordinator and Front Desk Manager. Hattie will be forever grateful to DCPA, as being a teacher here is one of the best decisions that she ever made!
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Rebecca Curtis
Instructor
Dance has been a part of Rebecca’s life since she was just two years old. She grew up in Warrensburg Missouri and danced at her local studio, Center Stage Academy of the Performing arts, for 16 years. There, she was trained in a multitude of styles including contemporary, jazz, tap, ballet, musical theater, lyrical, and more! Along with dance, Rebecca was involved in many musical theatre productions such as “Legally Blonde”, “Aladdin”, “Wizard of Oz” and much more. The annual Nutcracker that her studio held, holds many great memories of dancing on stage for Rebecca.
Rebecca became a part of DCPA in the Fall of 2021 and has loved every minute since! A fun fact about Rebecca is that she gets to work alongside her twin sister Madeline! Madeline and Rebecca spend most of their time leading the tap program and they love to see the students passion for tap grow. Rebecca has been choreographing since she was 16 years old and would choreograph her own solos and duets. Now, as a dance teacher she has been so incredibly blessed to choreograph for the students here at Dance Canvas!
In fall 2024 Rebecca will be receiving a bachelors degree from Missouri State University in Sports Medicine. In early 2024 Rebecca traveled to Colorado to become certified in Progressive Ballet Techniques! PBT is a way for dancers to learn how to activate and condition their muscles for dancing. She is so excited for another season at Dance Canvas and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
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Quin Condra
Instructor
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Quin is originally from Manhattan, KS where she received 9 years of dance training. She then moved to Springfield, MO where she received 2 more years right here at Dance Canvas. She trained in many styles including: ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, contemporary, and lyrical. Quin was part of the competition team in Kansas and at Dance Canvas where she traveled to compete and take convention classes throughout the year.
Quin is now attending Evangel University and majoring in Allied Health (Pre-PT) and will graduate this May 2025. She is so excited to continue her dance journey here at Dance Canvas by working as an assistant and at the front desk. She is thrilled to be a part of this dance home and cannot wait to continue making a difference in children’s lives!
Maddison Cantrell
Instructor
Maddie is proud to have been a part of the Dance Canvas team since 2014. Teaching at Dance Canvas is truly a joy that she looks forward to each day. She grew up dancing in Springfield, MO and is grateful for the opportunity to keep spreading her love of dance in her local community.
She has over 20 years of dance experience in multiple styles including: ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theater. Maddie also has experience in a high school dance team as a dancer, choreographer, and coach.
She has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Family Development from MSU. She loves having the opportunity to combine her love of education with her passion for dance. She is so thankful to work with all our Dance Canvas families as we encourage their child’s love for dance!
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Lilly Williams
Teaching Assistant
Lilly is a senior at Central High School. She danced for 13 years at Springfield Ballet. Her favorite roles at Springfield Ballet included Clara, Dew Drop Fairy and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker; Fairy Godmother in Cinderella; and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.
In 2021, Lilly attended the School of American Ballet's five-week summer intensive in New York City on merit scholarship. Lilly trained under various esteemed teachers, including Katrina Killian, Allen Peiffer, and Susan Pilarre. The next summer, Lilly attended the Tiler Peck Summer Intensive in Los Angeles, training in various styles of dance like hip hop and African, in addition to rigorous ballet classes. In 2023, Lilly attended Pacific Northwest Ballet's five-week summer intensive in Seattle, and enjoyed another opportunity to train in the Balanchine style--on the opposite coast.
Lilly joined the Dance Canvas team in June 2024, and she is excited to continue assisting classes this year!
Dance Classes for Kids & Teens
in Springfield, Missouri