Staff

staff

Saundra Lee Dieckman is celebrating her 48th year of dance instruction. She has trained and produced some of the finest dancers who have gone on to receive degrees in dance, perform in professional dance companies and dance on Broadway in touring shows. Saundra Lee is a Dance Masters of America certified teacher in tap, ballet, jazz, acrobatics and preschool training. Through her years of experience, Saundra Lee offers students a wealth of knowledge in dance, always maintaining the highest standards and family values.

Kathy Lee Thomas is a 2000 graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music with a performing arts degree in dance. She danced with the Storling Dance Theatre, a Christian professional dance company. Kathy has taught dance for fourteen years. She is a Dance Masters of America certified teacher in tap and ballet. Kathy's students excel in a challenging learning environment where they strive to achieve excellence in technique and artistry. Her pieces consistently earn overall and choreographic awards at dance competitions. Kathy also teaches Master Classes in ballet, tap, and modern throughout the area.

Bianca Como graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1999, earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She taught first grade at Scott Elementary in Belton for four years and in 2002 was honored as Scott's "Teacher of the Year." Bianca trained with Saundra Lee since childhood and has taught dance for seventeen years. She specializes in jazz, lyrical jazz, hip hop and acrobatics, and teaches an upbeat, high-energy class where each dancer is encouraged to creatively express her/himself. Bianca was a featured VIP on the 1998 Summer Dance Olympus national tour. Several of her pieces have earned overall and choreographic awards at dance competitions. Bianca also teaches Master Classes in jazz and hip-hop throughout the area.

At Saundra Lee's, we are proud that all of our teachers are extremely qualified and experienced. We have enjoyed sharing our knowledge and love of dance with you and your child.

Sarah Comstock teaches exciting and challenging advanced jazz classes at Saundra Lee's. She teaches professionally and dances with the Maxxas Dance Theatre. Sarah toured with Holland American Cruise Lines. She danced in the Theatre in the Park performances of The King & I and Bye, Bye Birdie, as well as West Side Story and Sweet Chariot at the Jewish Community Center.

Yvette Hawkins trained in dance & gymnastics since the age of three. She has trained with master teachers in jazz & acrobatics & has taught & assisted in many dance disciplines. Yvette now teaches jazz, acrobatics &

pre-dance at Saundra Lee’s. Yvette is also the proud mom of a Dancing Starlet, Carissa.

Mackenzie Allen danced at Saundra Lee's for seven years & was a class assistant for five years. This is her fifth year teaching ballet, tap, acrobatics and pre-dance at Saundra Lee's. She toured as a VIP with Dance Olympus national summer tour 2003 & has been chosen as a "Dancer of the Year" semi-finalist. Mackenzie’s choreography has earned overall & special awards at dance competitions. She currently studies dance at UMKC Conservatory of Dance.

Erin Muenks has danced at Saundra Lee's for twelve years. She teaches beginning ballet classes and has been a class assistant for four years. Erin toured as a VIP with Dance Olympus national tour summer 2005. She has received many competitive dance awards including platinum and special awards. Erin graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 2007 & currently studies dance at the UMKC Conservatory of Dance.

Dawnelle Gregory has studied with Saundra Lee since the age of four. She teaches beginning jazz and hip hop classes and has been a class assistant for three years. Dawnelle toured as a VIP with the dance Olympus national tour summer 2006 and was chosen as "Dancer of the Year" semi-finalist in 2003 and 2006. She consistently receives gold and platinum awards, as well as overall solo and special awards at dance competitions. Dawnelle was a member of the Raymore-Peculiar High School Prowlers Dance Team. She recently graduated & will accept an invitation to attend the Alvin Ailey Summer Dance Intensive Program in New York City in July. Good luck to Dawnelle as she pursues her dreams!

Heather Lancaster has danced at Saundra Lee’s for eight years. She has been a class assistant for four years & now teaches jazz classes. Heather has won numerous overall awards at dance competitions & most recently was crowned “Miss Masquerade” for her overall high-scoring solo. Heather is also active in the high school tutoring program, musical theatre & child-care at church. Heather will graduate from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 2009.

Kayla McDonald (guest artist) studied with Saundra Lee since the age of seven and was a class assistant for seven years. She taught six years of tap, jazz, modern, ballet, acrobatics and pre-dance at Saundra Lee's as well as assisting with acrobatic troupe. She toured as a VIP with the Dance Olympus national tour as featured soloist summer 2002 and was chosen as a "Dancer of the Year" semi-finalist in 2003, 2004 & 2005. Kayla earned the title of "Miss Dance 2004" at the Dance Masters of America competition and represented the Heart of America Chapter 28 at the national competition in New York summer 2004. She graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 2005 and currently studies dance at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.

Teaching Assistants: Mallory Cole, Sara Lancaster, Alex Morton, Ashley Robinson