Heart of America Dance Centre Faculty
HADC CLASS FACULTY
Cynthia Monaco
Cynthia Monaco, Director of Heart of America Dance Centre (HADC), has dedicated more than 50 years to teaching and inspiring thousands of ballet students. Her love of ballet began at age eight under the guidance of Miss Tatiana Dokoudovska and Miss Shirely Weaver at the UMKC Conservatory of Music in Kansas City. She continued her studies in New York with world-renowned instructors, including Vladmiir Dokoudovvsky at Carnegie Hall and David Howard.
Formerly a soloist with the Kansas City Ballet, Cynthia was one of the youngest dancers ever invited to join the company. In 1990, she founded the Heart of America Youth Ballet (HAYB), which has since grown into one of the largest youth ballet companies in the Midwest. She has produced original full-length ballet's including Alice in Wonderland, Little Mermaid, Wizard of Oz, and the most recent, Snow Queen, that she collaborated with her niece, Lisa Anderson the Artistic Director of HAYB. The company also includes in their repertoire the classical ballet's Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Cinderella, and the Nutcracker Ballet.
Cynthia holds a bachelor's degree in Communcations and a master's degree in counseling, both from UMKC. In 2001, she opened Heart of America Dance Centre in historic Downtown Lee's Summit, offering dance training for all ages and styles.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cynthia is married to Michael Monaco, MD and the proud mother of two adult children. Her daughter, Christina Rellergert plays an integral role as developing the dance programs at the studio as well as the director of their competitive dance team, and her son, Nicholas Monaco, MD. She is also a grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren: Siena, Sloane, Stella, and Roman.
Through her studio, Cynthia remains committed to fostering excellence in dance while encouraging confidence, discipline, and growth that extend beyond the classroom!
Christina Rellergert
Christina Rellergert has been dancing all her life. Growing up, Christina was a member of the Heart of America Youth Ballet where she played lead roles such as Alice in Alice in Wonderland and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She also competed with HADC ~ The Team from 2001-2006 and won numerous awards, scholarships and titles at various conventions and competitions. After high school, Christina attended Arizona State University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on dance and communication. While attending ASU she was a member of the ASU Sun Devil Dance Team. During college, Christina taught and choreographed at local studios and was on the Universal Dance Association Staff where she taught various camps around the Midwest. After college Christina moved back home to Kansas City where she became a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders. She was with the Chiefs for three years and served as co-captain for one season. Christina is currently teaching all levels at HADC and is choreographing for HADC ~ The Team while also serving as the head dance team coach for St. Teresa's Academy. Christina lives in Lee’s Summit with her husband, Aaron, their three daughters and son. Her love and passion for dance is shared immensely through her students, whom she loves dearly.
Lisa Anderson
Lisa Anderson is the Co-Director of Heart of America Youth Ballet, an instructor at Heart of America Dance Center, and a choreographer for HADC ~ The Team. In 2011-12 Lisa was a member of Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company in New York City. Lisa graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Missouri State University with a focus in Dance Studies and Performance. As a student in the MSU dance program, Lisa was selected to takeher choreography to ACDFA to get adjudicated. Lisa was also a member of the Sugar Bears Dance Team at MSU, taking first place bids to nationals. During the summers in college, Lisa worked for the Universal Dance Association (UDA) as an instructor for high school aged students at the midwest summer camps. Lisa has lately offered her available time for local high school teams to work on jazz technique and has choreographed their competition routines. Growing up, Lisa trained with HAYB, and had many lead roles including Sugar Plum Fairy and Queen of Hearts. Lisa was the captain of her high school dance team 2003-2006, and choreographed for her high school musicals “Wizard of Oz” and “42nd Street”. Lisa also performed at Starlight Theater as a kid in “Casper the Friendly Ghost”. Lisa currently resides in Kansas City, MO with her husband, Paul, and their sons, Noah and Alex. As a former HADC student herself, Lisa loves passing on her passion for dance to her students. We are all a family at HADC.
Melissa Morgan
Melissa began her dance training at age 4 in Kansas City. Skilled in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and theater, she has spent her entire life dancing. Melissa has competed regionally and nationally since the age of five. In 2001 she was a founding member of HADC Dance Ensemble (now HADC ~ The Team. As an alumni of the Heart of America Youth Ballet, she also performed many lovely ballets with the company. Starting in 2006, Melissa began to pass her love of dancing on to her students at HADC. She currently is a choreographer for the competitive dance program, HADC ~ The Team. She also teaches dance sampler, combo, tap, jazz, lyrical, and ballet classes to all ages at HADC. In her off time she enjoys her life on the farm in southern Overland Park, KS with her husband, Bryce.
Lindsay Weaver
Lindsay Weaver is a former University of Missouri Golden Girl and head dance instructor for Universal Dance Association. She has taught and choreographed for dance teams throughout the Midwest for over 20 years. Lindsay is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in Early Childhood Education and was a kindergarten teacher for Columbia Public Schools. She is a former dance instructor at Columbia Performing Arts Centre in Columbia, MO teaching jazz and hip hop. She is currently a dance instructor and team choreographer at Heart of America Dance Centre and has been for over a decade. She teaches jazz and technique to all ages. Lindsay also is an adjudicator nationally for Dance Team Union and locally for the Kansas City Dance Classic and Missouri State High School Dance Competition. Lindsay enjoys sharing her love for dance with her students!
Carissa Heldenbrand
Following the footsteps of her dance teacher mom, Carissa grew up dancing and competing. She competed with P&Ds, winning many awards and titles at local and national competions and conventions. After high school she attended the University of Missouri where she received a degree in Communications. During that time, she was also a member of the Golden Girls Dance Team. She had the pleasure of being a co-captain her junior and senior year and enjoyed winning the USA National First Place Title her senior year. During college and after, she taught and choreographed competiton routines for a local studio in Columbia, Missouri. After college she moved back to KC and earned her degree in Elementary Education, she is a 2nd grade teacher. Carissa enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 girls, who both share her love of dance.
Emily Begnaud
Dance and music have been a passion of Emily’s since she started performing at very young age in Iowa City, Iowa. She trained and competed with National Dance Academy for many years and was fortunate to spend time in New York City during the summers attending conventions and studying dance at various studios. After high school, Emily was on staff at the National Dance Academy while studying vocal music and education at the University of Iowa. She was an active member of the University of Iowa Dance Department. She participated in performances with the dance program as well as performing in the Kantorei Chorus and the Old Gold Singers. She graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Vocal Music and Music Education. Emily was the 2004 recipient of the Marcia Thayer Fine Arts Scholarship and the 2006 recipient of the Cora Curtis Hayes Music Education Scholarship. Emily was a member of the City Circle acting company and as well as the Fame All-Stars 2005 European Tour. Prior to moving to Kansas City, Emily was the vocal music director at Bettendorf High School in Bettendorf, Iowa where she founded their first competitive show choir, Surround Sound. During her time in the Quad Cities she also taught voice and dance lessons at the River City Music and Dance Academy. Emily is currently working as a freelance choreographer for dances teams, show choirs, musicals, and community groups throughout the Midwest including shows like High School Musical, Annie, Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Pirates of Penzance, South Pacific, and Shrek. Her groups have won multiple state titles in dance as well as best choreography awards and titles at competition. Emily is thrilled to be on staff at Heart of America Dance Center. She currently resides with her family in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Megan Noone
Megan grew up dancing at Heart of America Dance Centre. She danced competitively as a member of HADC~The Team, where she trained and performed in all styles of dance, and was also selected as a member of the Heart of America Youth Ballet Company. During her time with the company, she starred in many solo roles, including Mouse King, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in HAYB’s rendition of The Nutcracker. While training at HADC, Megan also danced on her high school dance team, and was a member of the 2014 Missouri Class 5A State Champion Westside Girls. Dancing on the sidelines at games and representing her school on the competition floor led Megan to pursue dance in college. She was selected as a member of the Missouri State Sugar Bears Dance Team for four years and served as captain senior year. After graduating from MSU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Megan moved back to Lee’s Summit and currently works in digital advertising. She is continuing her love for performing, now on the sidelines of the NFL, as a rookie Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader. Megan is blessed to back in the place that gave her the courage to pursue her dreams, and can’t wait to share her heart and passion with the dancers at HADC.
Kendra Burke
Kendra Burke has been sharing her love of dance with dancers of all ages for 21 years. Dance has been a significant part of her life since the age of three. Kendra studied various styles of dance, cheerleading, theater and acro as a student. She was a member of the University of Central Missouri’s Mulekicker Dance Team while she earned her teaching degree in Special Education. Kendra has had the pleasure of choreographing for competitive dance teams in the Kansas City area. She served as assistant coach to the Lee’s Summit West High School dance team the Westside Girls. While she is not dancing, Kendra enjoys spending time with her family, husband Ryan, son Calvin, and dancing daughter Bailey. She can’t wait to share her enthusiasm for dance!
Summer Ross
Summer graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a degree in elementary education from the Institute for Urban Education. She grew up dancing at Ann's Performing Arts Centre in Springfield, MO, and has been teaching dance for fifteen years. She led the PreK recreational program at Ann's Performing Arts, instructing and choreographing tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop classes for ages three to ten. Summer also choreographed for the competitive team from 2015-2018. She was a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader for six years where she was also a captain and represented the team at the Pro Bowl in 2014. Summer continues to work with the Chiefs as an alumni staff member and has travelled with the cheerleaders to assist with the content shoots. She has been an elementary school teacher for seven years and is currently a third grade teacher at Grain Valley Schools. Summer lives in Blue Springs with her husband, David, and two children, Beau and Henley.
Anna Boehm
Anna Boehm is a movement artist currently based in Kansas City. Her recent performance work settings include: Kansas City Ballet’s Creative Intersections (Kansas City), Scratch Night (Kansas City), Waterperry Opera Festival (Oxford, UK), The Glitch Project (London), Fubunation (London), and Kostas Contemporary (Kansas City). Anna attended Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, England earning a BA in contemporary dance and has trained at GagaLab NYC, BalletMet, and Joffrey. She has taught with the Kansas City Ballet, Take the Stage (Owen/Cox Dance Co), and various other training programs across the United States. She has recently moved back to Kansas City from New York and is looking forward to working with the young artists at Heart of America.
Daisia Sanders
Hi, my name is Daisia Sanders! I‘ve been dancing since the age of two and grew up in the competitive dance world. Additionally, I have made numerous television appearances, including the Hallmark original movie 'Dear Dumb Diary' and the TV show 'Rachel and the Tree Schoolers.' As a Salt Lake City, Utah native, during my time as a member of the University of Utah dance team, I had the opportunity to serve as the student choreographer and later as the captain, while also being a part of two Rose Bowl appearances. Recently, I decided to relocate to Kansas City to pursue my dreams of becoming an NFL cheerleader. I am thrilled to now be on staff at HADC and look forward to this new chapter in my dance journey!
Karlee Cline
Karlee began her training at the age of 2. She spent her youth training at Heart of America Dance Centre and was a member of HADC~THE TEAM. Throughout her youth she earned numerous regional and national awards. Today as choreographer she has received many awards and national titles with her cutting edge and creative works. Karlee was a principal dancer with Heart of America Youth Ballet; she was featured roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker".Karlee spent four years as a dancer with the Tremaine Performance Company. She assisted at Tremaine Conventions for well-known artist, Derrick Schrader, Tony Bellissimo, Tiffany Maher, Meghan Sanett and Keri LaGrand to name a few. After graduating high school, Karlee lived in California and trained intensely as a dancer. She was selected to perform in the “Capezio ACE Awards." Karlee's choreography known for their cutting-edge style and creativity have received numerous awards and National titles. Karlee is thrilled to be a part of the HADC staff not only teaching but choreographing for HADC~The Teamm. She hopes to share her passion and love for dance with her students in the same way that it was shared with her while growing up at HADC.
Lori Wilson- Kayser
Lori has been dancing since the age of 3. At the ripe old age of 16, she opened her own studio Lori's Performing Arts Academy. The studio was open nearly 20 years and facilitated a talented staff of teachers who taught tap, jazz, tumbling and musical theater to all ages and ability levels. A second studio was opened in Warrensburg which continues to flourish under the new owners as Center Stage Academy.
Throughout her years of teaching, Lori became involved in the Miss America organization where she held the title of Miss Kansas City 1986 and went on to become 4th runner-up to Miss Missouri Tamara Tungate. She then began private pageant coaching and had national title holders from 1985-1990. She has judged numerous dance competitions and pageants at both regional and national levels in Los Angeles, Colorado, Nebraska and Missouri.
Lori also traveled to Los Angeles as dance captain for the original Hollywood Bowlettes to perform at the tribute to “Singing In the Rain” with Debbie Reynolds & Gene Kelly. While in LA she trained with Pat Rico and was a featured extra on the hit sitcom, Mama’s Family, and The Ann Jillian Show/
Lori resides in Raymore and is mom to two wonderful adult children, an amazing son-in law and Nana to five amazing boys!!! She is excited to join the HADC staff where she will teach dance sampler classes and adult tap. Looking forward to working with Cindy (whom she has admired for years) and her incredible staff!
Trish Cline
Trish has been dancing her entire life and has embraced every aspect of studio life-from taking class and performing, to managing a studio, to teaching. Her passion for dance shine through in everything she does, and she has spent years nurturing that same love of movement in her students. One of her greatest joys has been watching her own daughter, Karlee, soar in the dance world. In addition to her work in the studio, Trish plays a vital role in helping manage her son's fitness center 816FIT. Balancing both worlds has given her a unique perspective on helping others reach their goals. Now, Trish is thrilled to return to HADC with open arms, ready to inspire and guide out tiniest dancers in Dance Sampler 1 class. Her warmth, experience, and genuine love for children create a welcoming environment where every young dancer will leave her class wanting more!
Aubree Johnston
A recent graduate from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance, has returned to teach at her home studio, HADC. During her college career, Aubree performed with many shows within the University as well as working in live entertainment at Worlds of Fun under the Cedar Fair Parks Entertainment Company. While at the park she performed in the shows, “ Grand Carnivale” , “ Retrospect” , and “Witches Ball”. After working at Worlds of Fun it gave her the opportunity to work for Dance Out National Competition. Aubree now resides in Kansas City as a freelance choreographer throughout the metro area and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students at HADC.
Victoria Mitchell
Victoria brings versatility and vibrant energy to every stage she steps on. She has cheered professionally for two sports teams, including the Ozark Lunkers, and is set to join the Kansas City Comets as part of their 2025–2026 cheer team. Currently pursuing a degree in Secondary English Education, Victoria blends her love for performance with a commitment to teaching. She has coached competitive cheer teams, choreographed award-winning jazz and musical theatre routines, and continued to inspire students in the studio with her high-energy classes and heart-forward approach. Now based in the Kansas City area with her husband and two dogs, Victoria is passionate about empowering the next generation of dancers. Her teaching philosophy centers on confidence, creativity, and growth — on and off the stage.
HADC GUEST FACULTY
Carly Crowder
Carly Crowder is a graduated from Oklahoma City University, she received a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree in Dance Performance under the direction Jo Rowan, along with receiving a Minor in History. Crowder was the female deputy of OC's America Spirit Dance Company. Since graduation she has toured internationally in Austria, Italy and Germany with Remix Dance Company and was the featured dancer for a National Commercial for National Geographic's Brain Games, presented by Acura. Crowder performed in Chicago as a company member for Inside Chicago Dance. She also held the positions of Junior Company Director and Jazz/Contemporary Dance for Hindsdale Dance Academy in Westmont, Illinois, where her choreography qualified for YAGP Finals. Currently, she travels nationally as full-time adjudicator for BravO Dance Competition!
Zoie Lee
Zoie Lee is a professional dancer and musical theater performer originally from Kansas City Missouri. Zoie studied Musical Theater at AMDA in New York City. Her professional credits include: National Tours: Chicago the Musical (Go-To-Hell Kitty), Anastasia (Ensemble/US Odette), Cruise Ship Contracts: Jersey Boys (Swing), Regent Splendor (Singer/Dancer), and contracts for Cedar Fair Ent. At Worlds of Fun as a Singer/Dancer.
Joliana Canaan
Joliana Canaan, originally from Pleasant Hill, Missouri began her training at Heart of America Dance Centre. She was a member of HADC The Team and HAYB until she graduated in 2021. Joliana is now a Jazz and Contemporary Trainee at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. She is in her second season with the Joffrey Concert Group where she performs as a soloist and ensemble member. She has performed original works by many distinguished choreographers and had opportunities to tour with the company. Joliana is a trainee ambassador for Joffrey summer intensives including JoffreyRED and NYC Pre-Professional Jazz and Contemporary. She has also been seen in Dance Magazine, 2022 and 2023 Joffrey Ballet School summer campaign, and New York Theatre Wire. Joliana is so excited to be back home sharing her love of dance at HADC.