Owner/Creative Director, Certified Acrobatic Arts, Certified Progressive Ballet Technique
Miss Kristen Reeb Wardlaw
Miss Kristen Reeb Wardlaw has been involved in dance and gymnastics for over 30 years. She started at age three with gymnastics in Mesa, AZ. At age five, she moved to Belleville, IL, where she continued her gymnastics training and began dance training at various studios. Miss Kristen competed in gymnastics nationwide, earning the USGF State Championship title in Uneven Bars for five consecutive years. After retiring from gymnastics in 1996, she continued her dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and pom pon. She was part of her studio’s competition and parade teams and competed through many studio competition circuits as well as with her high school dance team. In high school, Miss Kristen was named captain, co-choreographed award-winning routines, and was selected for UDA All-Star teams in 2000 and 2001. After high school, she attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, participating on the dance team and taking dance classes. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Art from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and later completed a Master’s program in Art Education at McKendree University.
As a professional, Miss Kristen has taught gymnastics and dance in various studios for over 20 years. She danced professionally with The Ashleyliane Dance Company (ADC) but found her greatest success and fulfillment as a teacher and choreographer.
Early on, Miss Kristen founded and coached Metro East Lutheran High School’s Varsity Dancer Knights (head coach 2003–2013). During her tenure, she led the team to 22 IDTA (Illinois Drill Team Association) state championships and the first IHSA (Illinois High School Association) Class A Dance State Championship in 2013. She has also choreographed for many area teams, earning various titles and awards.
As a teacher, Miss Kristen has enhanced her expertise by becoming certified in Acrobatic Arts, Progressive Ballet Technique, and Vaganova Ballet training under Miss Mimi Sitterly (Dance Education Consulting, LLC). She is committed to continuing her education as a dancer and choreographer, traveling nationwide to take classes and bring new ideas to her students. She believes in the importance of lifelong learning. Miss Kristen also enjoys judging for organizations like the NAIA college dance organization in her free time.
Under Miss Kristen’s direction, Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio has seen tremendous growth and success. She attributes her success to her faith in God. Miss Kristen strives to teach her dancers drive, passion, hard work, how to handle defeat, and how to praise God with success. Since opening the studio in 2007, she has poured her heart and soul into it and looks forward to its continued growth.
Event Coordinator, Preschool Program Director, Certified Yoga Instructor
Miss Mariah Campbell
Miss Mariah began dancing at age two at Bridget James Dance Studio in Florissant, MO, where she trained for seven years. After moving to Edwardsville, IL, she continued cheerleading and dancing at a local studio. In high school, she was a member of the Metro East Lutheran Varsity cheer and dance teams and served as Assistant Dance Coach from 2009 to 2013. In 2014, Miss Mariah graduated with high honors from Greenville College with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education. She also teaches middle school science at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Fairview Heights, IL. At HRDS, Miss Mariah has choreographed for both competition and recreational programs, as well as for local dance teams. Her choreography, including solos, duets, groups, and production routines, has won overall high score awards, judges’ choice awards, and choreography awards. She continues her dance education at COCA and has attended Dance Teacher Conventions in New York City, learning from top choreographers. She is certified in Vaganova Ballet Technique, having completed seminars in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018. Miss Mariah has been teaching at HRDS since Fall 2008.
Office Admin, Music Editor, Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor
Miss Carlie Lawrence
Miss Carlie began dancing at age four at Taylor’s Academy of Dance in O’Fallon, IL. In high school, she was a dedicated member of both the Varsity Cheerleading Squad, serving as captain for three years, and the Varsity Dance Team at Metro East Lutheran High School, where she was captain her senior year. She earned the IDTA Rising Star Award as a junior and senior and won eight IDTA State Championship titles. Her first job was at Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio when it opened. After high school, she continued her dance education at Eastern Illinois University as a member of the EIU Dancers repertoire, later transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), where she joined the SIUE Dance Team. As captain her senior year, she led the team to their first state title. Miss Carlie danced with the Memphis Grizzlies NBA dance team, the Grizz Girls, for four seasons, performing internationally in China, South Korea, and South Africa. She also served as an in-game emcee in her fourth season. Since returning to St. Louis, she has worked as a competition dance judge for the NAIA, choreographed for the St. Louis Blues’ Blue Crew, and returned to Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio.
Tap and Hip Hop Program Director, Certified Zumba Instructor
Miss Melissa Wood
Miss Melissa started dancing at age three at Shannon Crites School of Dance in Ardmore, OK. She majored in dance at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and modern. She was a member of UCO’s Kaleidoscope Dance Company and received the “Award of Excellence in Dance” her senior year. She worked for Co. Dance, assisting classes and events, and collaborated with choreographers like Greg Russell and Keith Clifton. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance in 2012 and became certified to teach dance in Oklahoma public schools, serving as Director of Dance at a local high school. She joined Oklahoma’s first professional jazz/hip hop company, R.A.C.E Dance Company, performing across the south. In 2014, she moved to the Midwest and began teaching at HRDS, also performing with Ashleyliane Dance Company in St. Louis. Her choreography has won numerous awards, and she is certified in Vaganova Ballet Technique and Zumba.
Teacher
Miss Abby Zaiz
Abby Zaiz began dancing at age four in Belleville, IL. She competed in dance competitions nationwide from ages 6 to 14, earning awards for professionalism and performance quality. In high school, she trained at Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis, MO, participating in jazz, modern, and hip hop pre-professional companies. She performed in original productions and restaged pieces from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Abby has worked with choreographers from both concert and commercial dance and performed at events like National Dance Week and the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition. She was a professional member of Ashleyliane Dance Company for three seasons. Abby teaches at B. Elite Dance Academy, DPU Dance Company, and FDC Dance Company, specializing in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and musical theater.
Teacher, Dynamic Team Coordinator
Miss Meg Armstrong
Miss Meg began dancing at age four. In high school, she competed with Water Street Dance Company in Washington, IL. She graduated from Lindenwood University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and was a member of the Lionettes dance team. Her performance credits include the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, NDA Nationals in Daytona, Busch Stadium, and the American College Dance Association in Wichita, KS. She performed with Ashleyliane Dance Company in St. Louis and has taught at Heavenly Rhythm and Water Street Dance Company, where she served as Director of the Recreational Program for three years. Miss Meg is a dance mom to her two daughters and is passionate about teaching.
Teacher
Miss Michaela Wilke
Miss Michaela began dancing at age two. She graduated from Father McGivney Catholic High School and Southwestern Illinois College’s Nursing Program as a Registered Nurse. She works as an RN when not at the studio. An alumna of the HRDS Dynamic Competitive Team, she is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, poms, contemporary, and lyrical.
Teacher
Miss Kristen Lowry
Miss Kristen began dancing at age three at a studio in Troy, IL, later joining Heavenly Rhythm. She danced in the recreational program and competed on the competition team through middle and high school, earning multiple national titles. She graduated from Triad High School in 2022 and is majoring in Elementary Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Teacher
Miss Kylynn Rak
Miss Kylynn began dancing at HRDS at age two and competing at age five. Trained by HRDS staff in multiple styles, she earned several national titles. She graduated from Collinsville High School in 2024 and is attending Southwestern Illinois College, majoring in Business.
Teacher
Miss Savannah Jones
Miss Savannah began dancing at age 10 in the recreational program at HRDS. She began competing at age 12, training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre. Miss Savannah graduated from high school in 2024, and after taking a gap year from school to work at HRDS and the YMCA, she is now attending Missouri Baptist University, where she is majoring in health science and dancing for their competitive team. Savannah is passionate about creating a fun, constructive atmosphere in class and is excited to continue teaching at HRDS!
Teacher
Miss Taylor Meagher
Miss Taylor began dancing in 2010. She danced recreational till 2016 then was on the competitive team till she graduated high school. Training in dance styles like ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hiphop. She graduated from Granite City High School in December 2020 and graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in December 2024 with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology.
Teacher
Miss Audrey Pohl
Miss Audrey started dancing in the HRDS Recreational Program when she was 5 and began competing at 6. She was trained in many styles by HRDS staff including ballet, jazz, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. She earned many national titles and other accolades as an HRDS dancer. She graduated from high school through Penn Foster, and she is currently attending Lewis and Clark – still deciding on her major. Miss Audrey continues to take adult classes at various studios and is excited to pass her knowledge on to her dancers!
Teacher
Miss Lela Mager
Miss Lela Mager, born and raised in Illinois, began her training at Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio. She trained in various styles, including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hiphop, tap, and more. She competed regularly, receiving many awards including Miss Senior Spotlight. Upon graduating, Lela moved to Dallas, Texas to train with Zion Dance Project as a professional artist in residence. She concentrated on ballet and modern while still training in multiple styles. Her performance credits include Zion’s winter and spring showcases and many local benefit performances. She has also been a background dancer in music videos with artist Victory Boyd.Apart from her dance career, Lela began teaching at Apex Dance and Performing Arts located in Dallas, Texas in 2023. During her time there, she choreographed and taught for the competition team as well as their recreational program. Lela is passionate about creating an atmosphere of creativity and curiosity in her classes and is so excited to be teaching at the studio she grew up at!
Teacher
Miss Laney Marino
Miss Laney has been dancing since age 2 starting with creative movement and started competing at age 4. Laney trained in all styles of dance and has been teaching and choreographing for her studios competition team and recital dances for over 3 years. Her favorite styles to explore choreographically are contemporary and hip hop. As a competitive dancer, Laney earned many titles and other awards from many local and national competitions. Laney has also been training with professional dancers Caleb Brauner and Carly Lawrence, being a part of their Kinfigure Kollective for 4 years. Laney just graduated from Belleville West High School where she was a part of the Varsity cheer and dance team. This dance season, she is especially excited to step into role of full time teacher.
Teacher
Miss Gabrielle Bockewitz
Miss Gabrielle Bockewitz comes to us from the Midwest! She grew up in her mom’s dance studio and that’s where her love of dance began! She knew from a young age she wanted dance to be her career. Growing up, she trained in many styles of dance including, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, and acro. She attended California State University- Los Angeles after high school and pursued a musical theater and arts degree under the direction of Hae- Kyung Lee, Holly Johnston, and C. Derrick Jones. She later went on to tour with Totally Tap convention and assisted Jim Taylor and Mark Goodman. She performed with Disney for 8 years and has been in several of their touring productions across the globe. She was apart of “Mickey’s Rockin Road Show” that toured nationally and globally! She opened “Phineas and Ferb The Best Live Tour Ever” as the dance captain. She assisted choreographed and directed Fred Tallaksen on a Disney show “Sofia the First: Pirates and Princesses” that toured for several years. She worked at Disney world as well as Disneyland in their parades and various shows. She has made appearances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live with Kelly, Disney 365, Disney Channel, National/International commercials, MTV, and many more. She currently resides in St. Louis where she lives with her husband and three boys. She’s been a dance educator for 20 years. Her choreography has won many awards across the US. She most recently performed with rhythm xtreme and has done many corporate productions. She currently judges dance competitions and loves the opportunity to watch kids grow up on the stage over the years. Recently, she has become a faculty member of a new and exciting convention called PHNX. She loves getting the opportunity to teach this generation of dancers and to expand hers and their knowledge of the arts. She loves everything about dance and hopes that anyone who comes out of her classes loves it even more than they did when they walked in!
Teacher
Miss Lydea Mayes
Miss Lydea began dancing at age 3 and has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and leaps and turns. In 2019, she joined her studio’s competitive dance team and performed throughout high school as a four-year member of the Mt. Zion Poms team. She graduated from Mt. Zion High School in 2024 and is currently studying nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, with plans to graduate in 2028.
Office Manager/Front Desk
Miss Bev Reeb
Miss Bev has always had a passion for dance and loved being a dance mom to her daughters Kristen and Holly. A graduate of Jewish Hospital, she worked as a registered nurse for 18 years. In 1997, when her family opened The Family Sportsplex in Belleville, she learned accounting to manage the books, allowing more time with her three children. When Miss Kristen opened HRDS in 2007, Miss Bev was honored to be part of her dream and Holly’s legacy. She enjoys watching the dancers grow and hearing their stories, holding a special place for them in her heart.
Front Desk
Miss Dee Reuter
Assistant
Miss Mimi Zanger
Assistant
Miss Mackenzie Askew
Assistant
Miss Claire Hamann
Assistant
Miss Asha Hammons