starstruck STAFF
miss Emily Suing
owner/director & instructor
Miss Emily is a native of Lincoln and has been dancing since the age of three. She has studied tap, ballet, jazz, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, modern, cheer and dance team. Emily has performed in Disneyland, Disney World, New York City and various other cities across the United States with an award winning dance troupe as well as with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dance Program. She has toured the country teaching dance conventions across the country. She graduated with honors and highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2003 with a BFA in Dance. A dance teacher since the age of 15, Emily's dream was to open a dance studio of her own. In September of 2003 realizing this dream, she opened Starstruck Dance Academy. Emily is proud to have earned best choreography accolades at numerous dance competitions and enjoys watching her dancers compete and perform in various venues. In her spare time when she is not dancing, Emily enjoys being a member of P.E.O. and spending time with family and friends, traveling and going to concerts. Emily enjoys seeing her students succeed with self-confidence and sharing her love of dance with others in a positive learning environment. Emily is excited for year 22!
miss riley
instructor, assistant & stars performing team coach
Miss Riley has been dancing at Starstruck since she was 3 years old. She loves every style of dance, but tap is her favorite. She was a member of the Starstruck Competitive team for 11 years. Riley is a Junior at UNL and is majoring in secondary education with an emphasis on science. Riley is a Type 1 Diabetic, who is a passionate JDRF advocate. Dancing momentarily takes Riley to a world free from T1D. She can't imagine her life without dance. Riley is excited to share her love of dance with her students again this year!
MISS ASHLEY
INSTRUCTOR, ASSISTANT & STARS PERForMING TEAM COACH
Miss Ashley is from North Platte, Nebraska has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, tumbling, pointe, modern, and baton. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree. This is her third year with Starstruck, and she is so excited to see what this year brings and cannot wait to share her love of dance with her students!
MISS LAUREN
INSTRUCTOR, ASSISTANT & STARS PERFORMING TEAM COACH
Miss Lauren is originally from Hastings, Ne, but moved to Lincoln in 2014. She danced for 15 years, 7 of those being competitive dance . Miss Lauren has taken classes in ballet, lyrical, jazz, pointe, and tap. This is her 6th year with Starstruck. Lauren is excited to share her love and passion for dance as she teaches classes and assists this year.
MISS SKYLAR
INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT
Miss Skylar is from Omaha, Nebraska and started dancing at Dance Inspiration at the age of four. She has been trained in the styles of tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, lyrical, clogging, and modern. She was a member of their competition clogging team, Nebraska Pride Cloggers/D.I Excite, as well as their Dance Company, and assisted tap and clogging classes throughout high school. She is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study Fashion Merchandising and Dance. She is also a member of UNL dance club, Orchesis! Skylar is so excited to continue teaching at Starstruck this season and is grateful to have the opportunity to share her love of dance to her students!
MISS SYDNEY
INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT
Miss Sydney has been dancing since she was 2. She grew up in Chaska, MN dancing at The Dance Warehouse and on the Chanhassen Dance Team, where she was a senior captain, 4 year varsity member and on the choreography committee for 2 years. Sydney has also been recognized as Just for Kix’s “Most Outstanding Dancer”, “Most Valuable Dancer” on her dance team, and she is a DX National Winner. Sydney is now a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is studying nursing. Sydney’s favorite styles of dance are jazz and lyrical but she has trained in every style. Sydney is excited to go into her 2nd year teaching at Starstruck.
MISS ARIEL
INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT
Miss Ariel is from Randolph Nebraska, and is a junior at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln studying interior design. Ariel danced for 10 years, 7 of those being competitive dance. She took classes in tap, clogging, hip-hop, jazz, and pom. Ariel was also on her high school dance team that won four state championships while she was there. Dance gave her a new sense of confidence and helped her become a social person. Ariel is so excited for her second year at Starstuck and can’t wait to share her love of dance with others!
MISS MEG
INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT
Meg is a junior at UNL studying nursing in hopes to be a pediatric travel nurse! She has been dancing since she was 2 and loves kids and started college off as elementary education, but decided to make the switch. This will be her second year at Starstruck!!
miss tamara
instructor & assistant
Tamara has loved dance her entire life. It began when she made her high school dance team the "Pacers" at 16. During the summer, she toured with a Christian music group called The Continental Singers that sang and danced almost every night in a different city. When Tamara was 18, she danced and taught at The Dance Factory in North Platte. She was asked by her dance teacher, Becky Smith, to choreograph "Mame!" for the North Platte Community Theater. As a Vocal Performance major, she still made time for modern dance classes at UNL and UNO. Since then, Tamara has been working in coffee for the past 20 years. She started her own consulting business to help coffee shop owners and managers learn how to run the business. Watching her son, Felix, dance at Starstruck made her excited to get back to dance! Tamara is thrilled to be back on the Starstruck staff this year!
Miss Grace z
instructor & assistant
Miss Grace is from Sidney, Iowa and has been dancing since she was 7 years old! She has experience in a variety of styles of dance, these being lyrical, hip hop, ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theater, modern, and contemporary. Grace is a sophomore at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and also is minoring in dance! Grace previously worked at another dance studio in Lincoln this past year where she was given the opportunity to gain experience in tap and tumbling! Grace has a passion for sharing her love of dance with others and shaping children to be confident and self-loving humans! Miss Grace is excited to work with us this year, make amazing memories with your kids and help them grow not only as dancers, but into good humans too!
MISS GRACE T.
INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT
Grace is so excited to be a teacher at Starstruck Dance Academy this year! She am currently in her senior year at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where she is majoring in Fashion Merchandising and minoring in Business and Dance. Grace has been dancing since she was 5, and has only grown to love it more as she’s gotten older. Grace is from Omaha Nebraska and attended Dance Inspiration Studio where she took classes and competed in many different dance styles. Grace has also been a member of the UNL Ballroom Dance Company while in college. This has been a great opportunity to learn about a whole new style of dance, and to also become comfortable dancing in heels- her favorite part! She has been a part of multiple UNL Dance Program Student Dance Projects, and Evenings of Dance Shows. She has also been lucky enough to have been a part of two pieces chosen to represent Nebraska at ACDA dance conference. Her favorite styles of dance are definitely jazz and musical theatre, she feels they definitely reflect her personality the most!
MISS BEKAH
INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT
Bekah Kehr began her dance journey at the tender age of 2, switching from New Energy Dance to Center Stage Dance at 8. She joined her studio's competition team at 9, earning numerous awards and scholarships through group dances, trios, duos, and solos until she graduated. Bekah has spent 4 years teaching and assisting various classes at her studio, including ballet and tap for ages 5-6, contemporary for ages 7-9, and tap and jazz for ages 10-13. Bekah is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts in Dance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has performed in numerous university showcases such as The Student Dance Project and Evenings of Dance, and has competed in the American College Dance Association (ACDA) Dance Competition. Additionally, she has choreographed for The Student Dance Project at the university. With her degree, Bekah aims to spread her love for dance and inspire other dancers to find their unique paths. She is committed to fostering an uplifting and encouraging environment for all dancers!
miss laura
instructor & assistant
Laura is excited for her third year of teaching with Starstruck Dance Academy and her tenth year of taking classes. She enjoys teaching Irish, ballet, tap, jazz, as well as any others she gets the opportunity to try; and loves taking classes for all styles of dance. Laura also loves dancing with the adult competition team, entering their third year! She was formerly the instructor, choreographer and show director for the Lincoln Irish Dancers. Laura also does competitive Irish dance as well as competes in masters track and field meets. In her spare time she loves to travel, create video projects, watch football and chill with her nine kitties.
MISS MICHAELA
INSTRUCTOR & STARS PERFORMING TEAM COACH
Miss Michaela, who is from Omaha, Nebraska, started dancing at age 5. She grew up taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical and contemporary. While in high school, Miss. Michaela was part of the second company of American Midwest Ballet (formally known as Ballet Nebraska). She had the opportunity to train alongside the professional ballet company and dance in numerous ballet productions across Iowa and Nebraska. In college, Miss Michaela was on the Midland Warrior Wildfire competition team, where she competed in multiple dance team competitions, including three different collegiate dance team nationals, where the team placed in the top 3. She's also danced with the Omaha Beef Prime Dance Team for two seasons. Miss Michaela is currently the assistant dance team coach at Omaha Roncalli and works full-time at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
miss Breanne
instructor & assistant
Miss Breanne is a senior at Lincoln Southwest High School, where she is on the Varsity Cheer team. Breanne has been dancing since she was 9 and has been on the competition team for 7 years. Her favorite styles of dance are Jazz and hip hop! Breanne can’t wait for another year of dancing and teaching here at Starstruck!
miss lillian
instructor & assistant
Miss Lillian is a senior at Lincoln Southeast High School. She's been dancing since she was 3, and this is her fourth year on the Stars Performing team. Her favorite styles of dance are hip hop, jazz, and lyrical. She also enjoys ballet, tap, clogging, and contemporary. She can't wait to see everyone's wonderful faces in the studio!
miss janeth
instructor & assistant
Miss Janeth just graduated from Lincoln Northwest high school. This is Janeth's 10th year dancing at Starstruck and 9th year on the competition team! She takes ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, clogging and technique classes. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical and hip hop. She looks forward to sharing her love and passion for dance as she teaches and assists classes this year !
miss haley
assistant
Miss Haley is excited to be starting her 14th year of dance at Starstruck! She just started her junior year at Lincoln Northwest high school! She loves jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and technique classes and can’t wait to see some new faces this year !
Miss Kaitlyn
assistant
Miss Kaitlyn has been dancing at Starstruck since she was five years old. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet, pointe, and lyrical. She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and is a junior at Northwest High School. She is on her high school dance team, the Flyers. Kaitlyn is looking forward to assisting and helping inspire young dancers to love and enjoy dance as much as she does!
Miss Kat
assistant
Miss Kat is from Omaha Nebraska and has been dancing for 10 years. She has been trained in many styles including Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe, Clog, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theatre. Kat will be attending Joseph's College of Cosmetology school studying Hair, Makeup and Nails. In her last studio she was given the experience of assisting students not only with their dances but becoming model students and human beings for the real world. She enjoys helping people in dance and with their lives when they need it most. Miss Kat is so beyond excited to work with us this season and grow not only as a dancer but as a leader.
miss chrissy
front desk manager & assistant
Chrissy was raised in Bellevue, Nebraska. She found her love for dance at the age of 5 years old, when she started taking a ballet class at Entenman’s Studio of Dance in Bellevue, Nebraska. From there, she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap all of the way through high school. Chrissy is married to Josh, and combined they have 5 children: Gina, Trevor, Alyssa, Caleb and Claire. Chrissy works for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a functional IT analyst. Her family members are huge football fans, LOVE those Huskers! Chrissy has many hobbies: cooking, baking, crafting, sewing and of course dance. She loves the outdoors when it’s not freezing and spending time with her family.