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Owner – Director – Choreographer
Monica Renwick has appeared in Major Motion Pictures, on National Television and in Equity Stage and Touring Productions. She has worked as an Equity, Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA performer with such famous stars as Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Melissa Gilbert, David Copperfield and Christopher Walken.
Monica started studying dance at the age of three and became a professional Equity performer at age sixteen as a principle dancer and singer at Starlight Theater. She has taught and performed throughout the United States and Canada as a master dance instructor with world renowned dance educators such as Frank Hatchett, Joe Rowan, Art Stone, Savion Glover, Gregg Russell, Sam Fiorello, Debbi Dee, David Howard, Gus Giordano and Pam Killenger. Monica has taught and judged for DANCE OLYMPUS, DANCEAMERICA, STARPOWER, DANCE MASTERS, INTERNATIONAL DANCE CHALLENGE and ELITE DANCE CUP regional and national competitions.
Monica’s credits also include Worlds of Fun choreographer, promotional choreographer for Starlight Theater for over 20 years, Starlight Theater Gala and Convention choreographer, Master Teacher for the British Congress of Dance, Mr. Art Stone’s dance partner for 12 years, producer and director of “The Wonderful World of Christmas”, V.I.P. Choreographer for Dance Olympus, producer and choreographer for the “Christmas in the Sky” show at Longview Lake, Lee’s Summit North High School musicals and the proud owner of Monica’s School of Dance for 35 years.
Monica and her studio have been featured in Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher and Dance Magazine. Monica has been trained in all forms of dance and musical theatre. Monica’s dance videos and music CDs, produced by Statler Records in New York, have been sold throughout the United States.
Monica feels the secret to her success is, “The loving support and encouragement from my family and working alongside my husband. My professional career, experience and teaching have helped open many doors of opportunity for my students to pursue professional careers. I am very proud to have helped my students receive prestigious scholarships to colleges and professional dance academies. I want to share my lifetime love of dance with my students and make a difference in their lives.”
Monica’s favorite saying to her students is, “Have fun, always do your best and believe in yourself. Your dreams will come true if you give it everything you’ve got.”
Michael Coupe, Monica’s husband and co-owner, is the artistic director at Monica’s School of Dance. Mike has designed and built countless props and sets for 35 years of productions in Monica’s recitals, Starlight Theater promos, convention shows and musical productions of “High School Musical”, “Hairspray”, and “Annie”.
In addition to designing and building the props and sets in Monica’s acclaimed Christmas production “The Wonderful World of Christmas” and “Christmas in the Sky” at Longview Lake, Mike plays the part of Santa Claus.
Mike has also designed dance costumes for Art Stone “The Competitor” in New York.
Mike has done portraits for an impressive list of clients from the sports and entertainment world; Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., Don Shula, Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith to name a few. Mike’s work can be viewed locally at Garozzo’s, Cascone’s, and Streetcar Named Desire restaurants as well as restaurants around the country. His portraits were used in the movie “Platoon Leader” and the T.N.T. special “Elvis U.S.A.” His portrait of Ronald Reagan was recently acquired for the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Sharon Brown has taught for Monica for the past eighteen years. She started studying dance at the age of two. She was a Kansas City Chiefette for seven years. She was a preschool assistant for ten years and is currently working for the Lee’s Summit School District. Sharon’s daughters, Karla and Sarah, studied at Monica’s from the age of three to eighteen. She also designs and makes beautiful costumes for Monica and is currently designing the costumes for Lee’s Summit North’s musicals as well as Monica’s School of Dance.
Manual "Lukky" Harvey, father, friend, instructor, and student of dance. He began hip hop dancing at the age of 6, but it wasn't until his early 20's that purposed to make dance more than just a weekend hobby, but now a way of life. Since then he has been blessed with multiple opportunities to share stages with artists such as Brandy, Bobby Valentino, Avant, and Keisha Cole and worked and trained with choreographers such as Shane Sparks, Laura Edwards, Jeremy Finney, Dave Scott, Willdabeast, Kay Kay from 8 Flavahs, Yusuf Nasir, Brain Friedman, Kassidy Bright and more. He has also performed at Universal Studios-Orlando, The Bronner Brothers Hair Show in Atlanta, GA and appeared twice, in 2010, on the hit dance show So You Think You Can Dance. By God's grace he has been able to maintain a healthy career not only in Hip Hop but now venturing in other genres of dance. He does not look at himself as an instructor but as a servant to all.
Manual now spends a lot of his time in practice and working on new choreography for gospel recording artist, TeRance Golden. Manual was given his first on-screen role as a dancer in October of 2010 in "Three Blind Saints", where he played a dancing choir member. In November of 2010, while attending a Monsters of Hip Hop dance convention, Manual took first place in the freestyle battle, enabling him to compete at the Ultimate Freestyle Battle held in Orlando, FL in 2011. He is a multi Pulse on Tour, NRG, and Monsters of Hip Hop scholarship recipient as well as the creator of the iPush Hip Hop Workshop series. He is a true testiment that no matter what type of background you come from, through love, discipline, and hard work, anyone can do anything and go anywhere they desire. Manual is also a part of the LA based dance company "ImmaBEAST" under the direction of Willdabeast Adams. Manual continues his training monthly at Monsters of Hip Hop and the Pulse tour which travel to several cities across the country teaching and investing in the lives of multitudes of artists.
Pam Solomon started dancing at the age of five. She has been teaching at Monica’s for sixteen years. Her daughter Paige danced at Monica’s for fourteen years. Pam has judged auditions for a variety of dance teams throughout the Missouri area. Pam was cast as an extra in the locally produced movie The Painting. Pam loves teaching her little “peanuts”. Teaching dance is Pam’s favorite job.
Whitney Huell began her dance training at Dee Crump School of Dance in Columbia, SC. She then attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities training under Stanislav Issaev, Robert Barnett and spending summers with Boston Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She then attended Indiana University where she earned a B.S. in Ballet Performance and Psychology before joining Ballet West in Salt Lake City, UT under the directorship of Adam Sklute. In her seasons with Ballet West, Huell enjoyed performing featured roles in Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Petit Mort and Balanchine’s Jewels and The Four Temperaments. In January 2011 she was featured as one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch and was also featured in the September 2012 issue of Pointe Magazine. She is currently enjoying her first season with Kansas City Ballet.
Dan Colvin began acrobatics training at Dolly Arden's School of Dance, when he was 9 years old. When Arden's opened the Bel-Ray Gym, his training expanded to include all gymnastics events. He competed in the 1981 Junior Olympics, was awarded the gold, and the Class III State Championship, in the floor exercise, and received silver in all other events.
Dan has trained with Olympic Gold Medalist Bart Connor, and the former University of Oklahoma gymnastics coach Paul Ziert. He also received training from a special guest instructor at Arden's, Monica Renwick. In high school, he served as an assistant coach for the Union High School gymnastics team, in Tulsa, OK. While in college, Dan performed in musical theater, studied Shakespeare, and received vocal training. Being a bit of a globe trotter, Dan has had the opportunity to teach acrobatics to children in South Korea, Iraq, and East Africa. While living in Montreal, Dan completed a trapeze training program at a Quebec cirque school.
Dan is a US Army linguist, in both French and Arabic, enjoys playing the guitar and ukulele, and is currently completing a BA in Art History, at Arizona State University.
After traveling the world and enjoying all of the different cultures, Dan is very happy to be back to his hometown, of Kansas City. He is very excited to be back at Monica's School of Dance and to have the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to a new generation.
Lilly Frevert has been dancing for 17 years, competitively for 12 years. Lilly has been a member of the Lee's Summit North Northern Stars dance team as well as the William Jewell Crimson Dancers. She is vocally trained and has performed in Ghost the Musical, Hairspray, Suessical the Musical, Chicago, Xanadu, Tarzan and Bring It On the Musical. Lilly is trained in all styles of dance, but specializes in contemporary. She is currently a sophomore at William Jewell College majoring in Elementary Education with a Spanish minor. Lilly enjoys teaching at Monica's School of Dance because of the fun environment. She believes dance should be as fun and as enjoyable as possible. Lilly loves working with the students and watching them grow.
Kailey Young began dancing at the age of 2 at Monica’s School of Dance. She studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and modern at Monica's as well as taking numerous master classes locally and in New York, Chicago and Nashville. She won numerous regional and national competition awards while dancing as a member of Monica’s School of Dance’s Competition Troupe, and was a Raytown High School Jaywalker Dance team member for four years, captaining the team her senior year, winning All American awards several times at NDA dance camps.
Kailey is currently finishing her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marketing and Business Management at Northwest Missouri State University. While attending NWMSU, Kailey competed nationally as a member of the Bearcat Steppers. Additionally, she choreographed for 6 semesters for the Northwest Dance Company, and taught dance and choreographed competition dances for a local studio in Maryville. She has continued with her teaching and choreography since returning to Kansas City to teach for Monica Renwick. She’s choreographed several 1st place solo routines, along with platinum and double platinum winning tap, jazz, lyrical and musical theatre solos and duos.
Kailey enjoys teaching children of all ages, having completed the Early Childhood Education Program at Herndon Career Center prior to beginning her college studies, and looks forward to teaching your children.
Kaitlyn Fennesy has been studying dance since she was two years old under the direction of Monica Renwick. She is passionate about all types of dance. Kaitlyn is an experienced platinum soloist on the regional and national levels in Musical Theatre, Tap, and Jazz. She has competed in the titlist programs through International Dance Challenge and Dancers Inc. In 2011, Kaitlyn was selected as International Dance Challenge’s Model of the Year for Urban Dancewear. She has received numerous Special Awards at regional and national competitions for her turning and tap ability. Kaitlyn has been teaching at Monica’s for 4 years and enjoys teaching all different ages. For her choreography debut, Kaitlyn and her dancers were named National Champions and received the Most Entertaining Award for the entire competition. Kaitlyn is a graduate of O’Hara High School, where she was on the dance team and cheerleading squad. She is currently attending Missouri State University and majoring in Entertainment Management.
Maya Momon has been studying dance since the age of two years; where she spent 15 years under the direction of Monica Renwick. During her time dancing for Monica, she won numerous special judges awards including the National Dance Week Center Stage Award in Nashville, TN. She was crowned as the senior titleist for Elite Dance Cup in 2017. Maya took her passion for dance along with her to college. She is currently training at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance at Oklahoma City University; named the #1 dance school in 2017. Maya is majoring in Dance with an emphasis in Dance Management. While at OCU, she has danced with the American Spirit Dance Company and has served as assistant to director, Jo Rowan. Last summer, Maya performed as Elmar with the Coterie Theatre in their production of Disney's Newsies.
GUEST MASTER TEACHERS
Adam Cates has an impressive background in dance and musical theater. He has worked alongside nine time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune as his assistant choreographer and dance captain. Credits with Mr. Tune include the Broadway National Tour of Doctor Doolittle, Paparazzi, and several benefits throughout the country. Adam’s choreography has been seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the Barbados Jazz Festival, Starlight Theater, onboard Holland America Cruise Line, casino showroom productions, industrials at Walt Disney World, and star studded benefit concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando. His performance credits include national tours, regional theatre, Walt Disney World, casino and cruise line shows, feature films, industrials, and benefits both on Broadway and off. He has appeared with such stars as Rosie O’Donnell, Keifer Sutherland, and JoAnne Worley. Adam is on the faculty of the Professional Performing Arts High School (PPAS) and is an Assistant Director for Dancers Inc. national convention tour. He teaches master classes across North America for conventions and universities which have included UCLA, Montclair State, Truman State, Dance Masters of America, World Dance Challenge in Las Vegas and Broadway Dance Center. You can see why Monica’s School of Dance embraces Adam, and we’re sure that you will too.
Lawrence Alexander started training and performing at age nine with Monica Renwick at the Monica’s School of Dance in his hometown Kansas City, MO. After being a three time scholarship recipient to the Ailey School in NY, he received his BFA from The Boston Conservatory. Upon graduation, Lawrence was invited to join Hubbard Street Dance Chicago where he performed works by world renowned choreographers, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, & Ohad Naharin to name a few! Leaving the company to pursue his love of musical theater, he moved to the big apple. After signing with one of New York's biggest agencies "McDonalds/Selznick Associates" Lawrence has taken the city with open arms and hasn't looked back! Most recently, Lawrence performed in the 1st National tour of "Young Frankenstein"! Other performances include "Anything Goes" at the Starlight Theater in KCMO, “On the Town” part of the Encore Series at City Center! "Show Boat" at the Carnegie Hall! David Marquez' “Ticket to Ride” at the Shubert Theater in New Haven CT! Lawrence can be seen in the 2010 SUPERBOWL commercial for the Pepsi soft drink ‘ SoBE Lifewater"! Thanks Monica for all of your love and support! The foundation you provided me has been immeasurable!
Kyle Mullins, born and raised in Overland Park, KS, studied at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice from age 12 to 18. He went on to earn is BFA in Dance at the University of Arizona. While studying in Arizona he was awarded summer scholarships to Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and Lou Conte Studio (studying with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago) as well as a summer apprenticeship to River North Jazz Dance Chicago.
Since relocating to New York, he has had the pleasure to dance with the Steps Repertory Ensemble, Nicholas Andre Dance, dre.dance, Bill Young/Colleen Thomas and Dancers, The Chase Brock Experience, and York Dance Works. He has worked with Donald Byrd, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Nathan Trice, Cherice Barton, Alan Sener, Andrea Miller, Sean Curran, Camille A. Brown, Aszure Barton, Larry Keigwin, Shannon Gillen, Mindy Upin and Zvi Gotheiner. He has performed for Kansas City Starlight in The Music Man, for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and on "One Life to Live". He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.
He has choreographed Off-Broadway's "Triassic Parq: The Musical", for which he was a Lucille Lortel Award nominee for Outstanding Choreography. He has also choreographed musicals for the New York Fringe Festival, Capital Fringe Festival, and for Vital Theater in New York City as well as for Miller Marley Youth Ballet and Music Theater for Young People in Kansas City, KS.
In addition to performing and choreographing, Kyle also teaches children aged 3 to 18 at studios around the tri-state area in all areas in addition to guest teaching professional level classes at Steps on Broadway. He has also worked with the non-profit Global Arts Initiative traveling to South Africa to teach dance to children in the townships outside of Cape Town. He also co-founded and participates in the first outreach program launched by Steps on Broadway in conjunction with children's center The Hudson Guild.
Kyle is proud to announce that he is currently working on his MFA in Dance at New York University. |
Monica Renwick
Michael Coupe
Sharon Brown
Lukky
Pam Solomon
Whitney Huell
Dan Colvin
Lilly Frevert
Kailey Young
Kaitlyn Fennesy
Maya Momon
Adam Cates
Lawrence Alexander
Kyle Mullins
