Meet the Staff
Kitty Lee Dance Studio Staff Members
Read biographies below to learn more about our talented, dedicated and hardworking staff members!
Diane Hansen
Diane Hansen is the director and owner of the prestigious family owned Kitty Lee Dance Studio that has been serving students in Omaha since the1950s. Miss Hansen has been instrumental for winning numerous national championships in the competitive dance world that have been obtained by her studio. Her continued commitment to hard work, dedication, passion for dance and belief in her students are key ingredients to her continued success.
Diane’s mother, Miss Kitty opened the studio when Diane was only one year old! Diane grew up in the studio and shared her mother’s passion and desire to develop and nurture the abilities of all that entered Kitty Lee Dance Studio. Diane began teaching with her mother as a teenager and helped many students reach their potential and realize their dreams.
Diane’s professional career began when performing in a group out of Miami, Florida. The group performed all across the United States, Europe and as far as Singapore. While traveling in Europe, she met her husband, Scott. They were married a year later. Being an Air Force wife, Diane managed to teach wherever her husband led her. She owned a studio in Illinois and sold it in 1993 when they moved back to Omaha and she became the Director of Kitty Lee Dance. Diane is the former President of the Omaha Dance Teachers Association and has always been a strong supporter of the organization. Diane’s daughters have followed in her footsteps and are successfully pursuing careers in dance. Mrs. Diane Hansen is very proud of her students and has watched many of them perform on and off Broadway, become New York City Rockettes, Disney performers, choreographers and obtain professional dance careers in Las Vegas.
Diane travels frequently to conventions, competitions and performances to keep on the cutting edge of the dance world. She continues to share all of her experiences that have been built by her family so that everyone who enters her doors will share in her success.
Leslie Barnes
KLD Company Director
Leslie began dancing as a toddler and continued to realize her passion and potential through the art of dance with the support of her family. Her passion and desire to help dancers pursue their dreams has impacted her career in dance and she serves as a distinguished director and choreographer at Kitty Lee Dance Studio. Leslie has been an inspiration to many children in the community and continues to develop dancers who are confident, creative, and exhibit advanced technique in dance. Leslie's philosophy integrates the inclusion of body, mind, and soul that fosters a balance proven to be the stepping stones for success. She is well known for her creativity and choreography. Her work has been recognized locally and nationally, receiving notoriety and numerous awards. She travels around the United States to further enhance and develop her skills by attending seminars and classes. KLD students describe Leslie as someone who works countless hours so they can realize their dreams and is also someone that cares about them and will listen to them in times of need. She helps develop individuals who demonstrate responsibility and have the life skills that will give them the confidence they need to reach for the stars and follow their dreams.
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Lauren Blackmon
KLD Company Artistic Director
Lauren has danced throughout her life. Starting at the age of 3 and continuing on after high school. Lauren graduated with honors from Oklahoma City University with a Dance Performance Degree. Lauren was a member of the American Spirit Company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Lauren toured with Royal Caribbean as a dancer and performer. Her tour took her from Alaska southward through the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. Lauren has been choreographing and teaching since high school, earning numerous regional as well as national choreography awards. Lauren is a huge asset to our team. She specializes in technique classes for all ages and has brought a new and invigorated energy and style into our classrooms. She loves the studio and maintained her active involvement even while pursuing her college and professional career. We are honored to have her as a constant pillar here at KLD.
Callie Nanfito
KLD Future Star Staff & Studio Manager
Callie Peterson is a former student of Kitty Lee Dance Studio where she danced for 16 years. As a part of her studio training, she was included in many dance competitions and conventions since the age of 12. She also trained with multiple choreographers from the west and east coasts.
Callie received a BA in a concentration in Dance at Kansas State University in 2006. While working towards her degree, Callie was honored to showcase her choreography in multiple concerts. Callie also was selected to be on the Kansas State University Classy Cat Dance Team for 3 years. During her years as a Classy Cat, she choreographed numerous football and basketball routines. Callie also attended 2 National Dance Association Nationals in Daytona, FL. In 2008, Callie was the Assistant Director of the new founded dance studio Prestige School of Dance in Salina, KS. Callie currently teaches summer intensives and choreographs multiple competition pieces for Prestige. Callie loves working with our little 3 year olds all the way up to the high school students. She is loved by many.
Sydney Travis
KLD Company Staff
She has grown up in the studio and was a major contributor to the Kitty Lee Dance Team. A very dedicated and loving individual, she loves working with all ages. Sydney has received many dance scholarships and National Titles! She was a part of the Hollywood Vibe Company where she traveled and assisted many world known choreographers. The children love her and we’re excited to have her as part of our KLD family.
Amanda Pyle
KLD Company Staff
Amanda grew up in the studio competition world and is a former student of the Kitty Lee Dance Company where she received many scholarships and Narional Titles while also being a part of her high school dance team, After high school, she went on to dance at Arizona State University on their dance team and won the gold medal at Worlds in the jazz division competing with them. She then danced at the University of Nebraska Omaha and had multiple top 5 finishes between the two college teams she competed on. She now coaches the Elkhorn South High School Dance Team where she coached them to their first top 5 finish in 2022. She has a plethora of experience teaching and training, as well as choreographing and assisting well-known choreographers in the industry. She loves cleaning dances and working with the students on movement, style and refining their technique.
Reghan Svoboda
KLD Future Star and Company Staff
Reghan was born in Omaha NE started dancing at KLD when she was 4 until she graduated from high school. She also danced on Millard North Dance Team through her high school career. While on MNDT the team won 8 state medals and 3 National titles. She was apart of the KLD Company during her time at the studio and received many overall group awards and scholarships. She danced with Scarlets at the University of Nebraska Lincoln for 2 years. She loves working with the dancers and hyping them up! Her favorite thing about being on staff at KLD is working with the KLD Company during rehearsals on the weekends and seeing them bring everything on stage at competitions. She has a very outgoing and loud personality which the dancers really respond to in class.
Deanna Lundin
KLD Future Star Staff
Through teaching, choreographing, performing or learning, Deanna has been dancing practically her whole life. Growing up at her aunt’s studio, she started classes when she was three, danced on Millard North’s dance team in high school and went on to be a member of Nebraska Wesleyan’s dance team in college. Through her youth, Deanna has won multiple titles, awards, tap scholarships, and performed at a movie premiere. After college, Deanna returned to Omaha where she taught technique, choreographed, and coached the competition team for a local studio for almost 25 years. Deanna and her family have recently moved back to Omaha from Atlanta, Georgia where she spent time teaching and choreographing for a prestigious studio in the area, honing her skills and building her knowledge base. While Deanna’s first love will always be tap, she thrives working with the younger students in an opportunity to plant the love of dance and performance. She strives to show them that KLD is a place where they are loved, accepted and can shine!
Jana Belitz Rhodes
Early Childhood Staff
Jana Belitz Rhodes grew up in Omaha. A former student of Kitty Lee, she chose dance as her career after high school. She graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelors of Performing Arts in Dance Performance. She danced with Premier Cruises and Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. She also danced in The Hunchback of Norte Dame- A Musical Adventure at Disney's Studios - Walt DisneyWorld, Florida. She then became a Staging Specialist at the Magic Kingdom where she taught all parades and stage shows for 7 years. She now resides in Omaha with her husband and is blessed to be mom to 3 amazing kids. She is currently a Teaching Artist for Dancing Classrooms here in Omaha. But returning to teach at Kitty's is where her heart lies.
Maggie Murakami
Early Childhood Staff
Maggie grew up dancing in Omaha, Nebraska and joined the Kitty Lee family in 2004, where she danced competitively throughout grade school and high school. After graduating high school, Maggie went to college in St. Joseph, Minnesota and was part of the competitive dance team at The College of St. Benedict. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and upon moving back to Omaha, Maggie joined the KLD family once again as a staff member! During the day, Maggie teaches Kindergarten and brings her knowledge of early childhood education to the dance classroom. Maggie loves teaching the littlest of dancers, which now includes her own daughter, and is so grateful to be part of the KLD family!
Morgan Stitrz
Early Childhood Staff
Morgan was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She began dancing at Kitty Lee at the age of 3 and was a member of the competition team. Morgan was also a 4 year member of the Skutt Catholic Dance team, serving as team captain for her senior year. The dance team competed both regionally and nationally. Morgan attended the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. During this time, she was a member of the Omaha Nighthawks Cheerleading team during their inaugural season as well as a member of the UNL Scarlets Dance team for 2 years. After college, she got a job teaching kindergarten for Millard Public Schools. Morgan looks forward to teaching dance on Saturdays at Kitty Lee. She loves working with the little ones at the studio and loves being able to share her love for dance with the students at Kitty Lee.
Sarah Turner
Early Childhood Staff and PBT Instructor
Sarah Turner has been an educator of dance, movement and drama for over 20 years. Recently relocated to her hometown of Omaha, after 25 years in New York City. She was most recently the full time director of the Episcopal School’s Creative Moveement and Dance program. She has taught creative movement, tap, jazz, ballet and stage performance to children around the nation and abroad. Her performing career includes the National Tour of ‘Crazy For You’, and she was a featured performer in the National and International Tours of ‘Fosse the Musical’ with Ben Vereen. Sarah has worked closely with the prestigous Williamstown Theatre Festival in numerous productions with some of Broadway’s leading directors. She has also worked with the Rose Children’s Theatre’s Summer Musical Camp, leading classes and choreographing musicals, She has taught at the Dillon Child Study Center at St. Joseph’s College and Green Hill School. She is the curriculum specialist at Dancer Matters, City Kids Dance and co-director of the summer camp My Body as a Paintbrush. She has trained with the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92nd Street Y, the Nationals Dance Education Organization and the Luna Dance Institute in early childhood creative and dance education. Sarah has a BFA in Theatre Performance from Missouri State University.
Haley Barry
Teaching Staff
Haley discovered her passion for dance at an early age. She began training at Kitty Lee Dance Studio at just four years old and continued there through her high school years.. During that time, Haley was an active member of the Kitty Lee competition team as well as the Millard North Dance Team, where she developed strong technical skills and a love for the stage. After graduating, Haley spent nine years as a teacher and competitive cheerleading coach at Millard North High School. Haley believes that all students should have the opportunity to express themselves while building discipline, resilience, and self-confidence through movement and performance. Her combined experiences in dance and coaching have shaped her supportive and encouraging teaching style. Haley is thrilled to be returning to the Kitty Lee family and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers.
Allie Kampinnen
Social Media
Allie Kamppinen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota but was raised and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Allie started dancing at the age of three and trained under the direction of Diane Hansen at Kitty Lee Dance Studio in Omaha, Nebraska for 10 years. Allie has taught dance in the Omaha area at Kitty Lee Dance Studio and in Salt Lake City at Impact Dance Studio. She has been featured in a music video with the band Innovate shot out in Los Angeles, California under the direction of Destini Rogers. Allie has gotten the opportunity to do the Northwest Dance Project Summer Dance Intensive under the direction of Sarah Slipper. She currently is attended the University of Utah in the Modern Dance program and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance. Allie performed in Performing Dance Company, Modern Dance Student Concert, and Senior Concert at the university. She has worked with Daniel Clifton, Jackie Lopez who was a guest artist in the program, Tori Duhaime, Noriko Bell, and several others. Allie was also an intern for SALT Contemporary Dance Company in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Bri Ostronic
Teaching Staff
Born and raised in Papillion, Nebraska, Bri has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She grew up in the studio competition world and became part of the KLD family at age 10, where she earned multiple group awards, scholarships, and national titles. After graduating, Bri went on to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she joined the Dance Team and helped lead them to their first UDA National titles in ’21 and ‘22. She is now entering her fourth year as an assistant coach for the Omaha Dance Team, and over the years, dance has become her true passion. Being back at Kitty Lee teaching these dancers has been so fulfilling, especially getting to share her favorite styles: contemporary, jazz, technique, and movement. Bri is excited to bring her passion for dance and competitive experience to this year’s team, helping each dancer grow both technically and personally.
Brian Mccoy
Acro Staff
Brian began learning tap and acrobatics from Miss Kitty at age 7, expanding into other disciplines through the years and dancing at the studio through high school. Following graduation from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, he relocated in Portland, Oregon for a period of employment. Since his return to Omaha, in 2004, he has been teaching younger boys tap and hip-hop classes, and working with various levels of acrobatic classes. He also works as an account and project manager for a material handling company, and cares for his young twins, who are building a future at Kitty Lee.
Welcome Our New Staff Members
Betsy Andersen has over 30 years of experience teaching ballet in the Lincoln and Omaha areas. She trained as an advanced ballet student at the University of Nebraska, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Betsy performed with the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company for 25 years and has also appeared with the Omaha Modern Dance Collective and the Lincoln Contemporary Dance Project. She has served on the artistic staff of the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company for 18 years, where she helped prepare dancers for productions, including The Nutcracker.
Betsy has coached students for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regional competitions and World Finals, with her students consistently achieving top awards. Her students have been awarded scholarships to summer intensives, pre-professional programs, and have gone on to secure professional contracts with distinguished ballet companies and pre-professional programs, and have gone on to secure professional contracts with distinguished ballet companies and prestigious schools throughout the United States.
Betsy Andersen
Ballet Staff
Farrah Johnson
Ballet Staff
Farrah’s ballet journey began in New Orleans, where she discovered her love of dance at Kathy Gamble’s dance studio. She built a strong foundation under Nikki Hefko at the New Orleans School of Ballet, where her passion for the art form continued to grow. She later continued her training at the Kansas City Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, refining both her technique and artistry. Throughout her training, Farrah performed in renowned productions including George Balanchine’s Serenade and The Nutcracker. Farrah began her professional career with Madison Ballet, where she spent two seasons performing a diverse repertoire. After recently completing a season with New Orleans Ballet Theatre, she will join American Midwest Ballet for the upcoming season.
Juliette Henning
Ballet Staff
Originally from Akron, Ohio, Juliette received her dance training from the Dance Institute of Akron, Ballet Excel, and Canton Ballet. She was a scholarship student with Cleveland Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Milwaukee Ballet summer programs. She also spent a summer in New York studying Bourneville technique with Tage Wendt, danced with the New York City Ballet in their production of Coppelia, and danced with Atlanta Ballet in Cinderella. Her professional career took her to Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Omaha, and Cincinnati Ballet where she danced many soloist and principal roles and worked with ballet icons Suzanne Farrell, Frederic Franklin, and Elyse Borne. She has performed with Opera Omaha and Houston Grand Opera in the productions of Carousel and My Fair Lady. After retiring from her extensive ballet career, she joined Omaha Modern Dance Collective and performed for another 10 years. She has won Best Choreography awards at national competitions and coached dancers to compete in Youth American Grand Prix. She has taught at numerous studios in Ohio, Omaha and Creighton University for over 30 years. Many of her students have gone on to be professional dancers, including her own daughter. She is thrilled to share her vast knowledge and passion for dance with future generations of dancers.