Staff

Megan Jensen Burdette began dancing at The Studio at the age of four and continued until she graduated from Olathe South High School, where she was Captain of the Olathe South Golden Girls. She continued to study dance at the University of Kansas and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in dance. While at KU she worked with a variety of choreographers including Mikhail Baryshnikov and Bill Evans. Megan has performed with the University of Kansas Dance Company and the Prairie Wind Dancers. Megan also studied dance at the Ailey School in New York City and the Rhee Gold Project in Boston, MA.

Kristin Stallbaumer began her dance training at the age of three in New Jersey. There she was a part of the Wheels in Motion program working with disabled dancers. After moving to Kansas City, she danced with local youth companies before attending the University of Kansas, where she graduated with degrees in Dance and Psychology in May 2005. While attending KU, she performed with The University Dance Company and The Bowery Dancers. Kristin is currently pursuing a M.A. in Counseling and Guidance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Amanda McMaster is originally from the New England area. She received her early training with Nancy Ropelewski Pierce, teacher of the Albany Berkshire Ballet (ABB). She has danced various roles with the ABB under direction of Madeline Cantarella Culpo. Amanda has earned her Bachelor in Fine Arts at the University of Missouri in Kansas City on scholarship, May of 2008. She has studied under professors Mary Pat Henry, Jen Medina, Paula Weber, Rodney Williams, Sabrina Madison Cannon, and Michael Simms. She has worked on and behind stage in many dance productions. In addition to teaching at The Studio, Miss Amanda also teaches for the UMKC Music and Dance Academy, where she established a dance curriculum; and is a special education para professional for the Grace early Childhood Center in Belton MO. She plans on earning her Masters degree and teaching certification in the future.

Kara Vaglio began her dance training at the age of three in New Jersey. After moving to Kansas City, she danced with several local studios and companies. Before college, Kara studied with the Academy of American Ballet in New York and Word in Motion Hip Hop in Los Angeles. Kara is currently attending The University of Kansas, where she is majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communications with a minor in Dance. Kara has been dancing with the University Dance Company at KU for the past three years. She has performed with artist including Sarah Stackhouse, Bill Evans and Hayley Mac. Kara will earn her Bachelors degree in spring 2011 and will then pursue her Masters.