Teacher Bios

Jennifer Allain
Jennifer has danced with Roxanne since she was six years old and taught for six years.  She graduated with honors in December 2008 from Missouri Western State University.  Jenny earned her BSE in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in early childhood development.  She is currently teaching pre-school at Second Presbyterian Church in the Early Childhood Learning Center, in addition to all her dance classes.

Kelly Dacey
Kelly received her BFA in dance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.  In addition to teaching at Dancerz, Kelly owns and operates Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, a pre-school dance program offered in the Kansas City area.  She also instructs at the Kansas City Ballet School.  Kelly has extensive performing credits, appearing with City in Motion, Alvin Ailey in New York City, and has worked with Mia Michaels.

Deanna Doyle
Deanna received her BA in psychology from KU, where she was a Crimson Girl for four years.  Deanna is in her seventh year as a company member of the Kansas City Ballet, where some of her favorite roles have included:  the Lady Bug in ZuZu Lounge, Dew Drop in Nutcracker, and Karole Armitage’s Power Surge, which she performed at KU’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.  She has earned two “Best Female Dancer” awards at Theatre in the Park and choreographed several shows there, as well.  Deanna spent this past summer at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, NJ, performing lead and featured roles in "On Your Toes," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "42nd Street" and "High School Musical."

Kim Gatchell
Kim grew up dancing at Somerset Ballet, under the guidance of founder, Jane Pierce.  Kim holds a degree in early childhood education from Louisiana Tech University.  Amoung her numerous professional credits are choreographing for Theatre in the Park and KC's own Funky Mama.  Kim is also a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor.

Kate Hess
Kate is a recent graduate of Baker University, with a degree in Elementary Education.  She was a 4-year member of the Baker University Dance Team.  Before that, Kate was a 4-year member of the Shawnee Mission South Dance Team.  Recently, Kate enjoyed performing as a Bride in Theatre in the Park’s production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”  Kate is also currently teaching Kindergaten in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Roxanne Higbee – owner
Roxanne has taught dance for over thirty years, here in Kansas City and in Brooklyn, NY.  She is a member of two professional dance teaching organizations, Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America.  She has performed locally at Starlight Theatre, Theatre for Young America, Theatre in the Park, and numerous other venues.  She studied in New York with master teachers Frank Hatchett, Judy Ann Bassing, Chuck Kelley, Germaine Salsberg and Charles Goddertz.

A favorite New York credit was dancing with Mercedes Ellington’s tap dance company, Dancellington, in which a young Savion Glover was a fellow cast member

Mary Marshall
Mary has a BFA in Dance from UMKC.  She has also studied extensively in New York at Steps.  Mary has benefitted from numerous summer intensives, including the American Academy of Ballet (upstate NY), Alvin Ailey (NYC) and Complexions (also NYC, Desmond Richardson, Artistic Director and Founder).  Mary also currently dances with Storling Dance Theatre, a professional modern company in Kansas City.

Marcus Oatis
Marcus attended the Paseo Academy of the Fine and Performing Arts in Kansas City, MO.  He completed his Bachelor of Music (Music Performance) at the University of Nebraska.  Marcus has worked with the Omaha Dance Project and performed and taught at the Alvin Ailey Camp in Kansas City.  He is also a member of the Kansas City Ballet.