Welcome to Dancekids Studio, Lebanon's trusted local, hometown studio, where passion meets community!
Established in 1996, Dancekids Studio has proudly served our Lebanon community for decades, nurturing healthy, confident, and talented dancers in a warm and supportive environment. Here, students don’t just learn to dance—they build friendships, create lifelong memories, and become part of a family right here in their hometown studio.
We believe that dance is a deeply personal journey, and our dedicated instructors are here to inspire, encourage, and support every dancer, whether they’re taking their first steps in a recreational class or training for a professional career. Our studio offers a variety of class options to fit every student’s needs—whether they’re dancing once a week for fun or dedicating themselves to competitive training.
Above all, Dancekids Studio is a place where creativity thrives and confidence grows in a safe, inclusive, and family-friendly atmosphere. Every dancer, no matter their age or level, is valued, respected, and given the opportunity to shine.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the Dancekids family!
Dancekids Studio has won numerous awards throughout the years. Here are a few of our more recent highlights:
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary
From no pressure recreational classes for everyone age 3 through adult, to elite level competition instruction, Dancekids Studio provides options for every dancer! Whether your brand new dancer is just getting started in our Discover Dance program, or you are looking to rekindle that love for dance yourself as an adult, we have class options for you. Consider Dancekids Studio your one-stop-shop for everything your family is looking for in dance education.
Dancekids Adult classes are both fun and challenging. If you are just looking to get in, or stay in shape with our Adult Fitness class, or looking to put your feet to work in our ever popular Adult Tap class, our Adult classes are a great way to get moving and stay moving!
Dancekids offers classes from that first tendu at recital to the the final senior year bow. With classes like our Discover Dance to get started, combo classes to get versatile, and our levelled classes (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro) there is something for recreational dancers of every age and skill set. Our recreational classes are low pressure and focus on learning dance skills and truly enjoying dance. Each recreational class will learn a routine to perform at the end of the season recital so all of the dancers have the opportunity to share the spotlight!
Dancekids Studio competition team is a group of dedicated dancers who strive for excellence in dance, performance, and teamwork. Placement on the team is by audition only and is open to ages 4 to 18.
Our dancers have won many awards including multiple regional and national titles. In 2025, our dancers brought home 20 1st Place Overall awards and 6 nationals championships. They have been nominated for Industry Dance Awards and have been awarded various special judges awards like Best Technique, Awesome Acapella, Elite Team, Natural Tappers, Radiant Choreography and so much more. In 2023, Dancekids Studio was once again awarded both the Best Company Award and Best Tap Company Award. Our team dancers have also won many convention scholarships, and have been invited to perform in national showcases.
Team Members are a part of an amazing dance family and learn how to support and encourage one another. They have the chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves, while receiving individualized training and attention. Between their rehearsals, technique classes, teaching assistant opportunities, competitions, and performances; our dancers learn skills that prepare them for success in every area of their lives.
If you do not currently have a Jackrabbit account with Dancekids Studio, you can create one HERE .
Ballet - A formalized set of movements performed with skill, technique, and grace. A ballet class anywhere in the world will follow a consistent pattern involving barre and centre work all developing strength, technique, and flexibility.
Pointe - All of our Pointe classes are by invitation only. Each student needs to be evaluated by a staff member and the of the studio before entering into a Pointe class. We take the dancer's safety very seriously and encourage at home strength-training programs specified by our staff for each dancer individually.
Jazz - A rhythmic and upbeat style of dance. It focuses on isolations of the body, proper alignment, leaps, turns, and rhythmic aspects of dancing. We range in style of classical jazz, contemporary-jazz, commercial jazz, and jazz funk.
Contemporary - A form of dance that borrows from ballet, jazz, social dances, and many modern dance techniques of the 20th century.
Lyrical - A form of dance that encourages dancers to be versatile in their expressions, being able to portray a wide array of movement styles and emotion. It focuses on spatial and body awareness, use of body weight, floor work, leaps, turns, efficiency of muscle usage, and safe body alignment.
Tap - A form of dance by using the shoe, as well as the floor, as a percussive instrument. Students will learn both rhythm tap (focuses more on music and rhythms) and Broadway tap (focuses more on dance), as well as musicality and timing.
Hip-hop - Street dance styles primarily performed to Hip Hop music or that have evolved as part of Hip Hop culture. It involves a lot of footwork, radical movement and emphasis placed on musicality.
Musical Theater - A theatrical dance style that includes dancing and acting to songs from Broadway musicals. Students will learn basics of acting, character development while dancing, and using movement to tell a story.
Phone: (513) 409-5514
Email: contact@dancekidsohio.com
726 E. Main St Lebanon, OH 45036 Facebook Instagram YouTubeCathy & Manny Cardona
Cathy began her dance training at age three in Chicago which led her to become a competitive dancer at age 8. Through her competitive years she won several regional and national titles and had the opportunity to travel all over the country to learn from some of the industry's top dancers and choreographers.
She began as an assistant teacher at age sixteen, and has been teaching her own classes and choreographing since 1999. Cathy was an All Star and instructor with Universal Cheer Association. She was also a scholarship member of the Wright State Emerald Jazz dance team. Cathy has taught tap, jazz, musical theater, ballet, and lyrical throughout her teaching career. Her students have placed nationally and received numerous titles and scholarships as well as several entertainment, choreography and technical excellence awards.
Manny began taking dance classes at the age of eight and began teaching and choreographing by sixteen. As a young dancer, he participated in the competitive circuit, earning numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of Master Dancer of Ohio. He performed and toured with the Dayton Ballet in productions such as Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and American Cinderella, while also appearing in theatrical works like The Wiz, Grease, and Damn Yankees.
Tap holds a special place in Manny’s heart, a passion that emerged in his teenage years and continues to shape his artistic journey. He has studied with some of the most respected names in the tap world and remains a lifelong student of the craft. His tap choreography has been consistently recognized at competitions, earning overall placements and numerous judges’ awards for its creativity, musicality, and precision.
Above all, Manny believes in a student-first approach, prioritizing the individual growth, confidence, and joy of every dancer he works with. His goal is not only to teach technique, but to inspire a lasting love of dance in each student.
Anna Cleaver is currently the art teacher at Franklin High School where she provides artistic direction and learning opportunities for all her students grades nine through twelve. She started attending Dancekids Studio at just four years old and became a part of the staff her senior year. It’s been a full circle moment for her to make that transition and help others grow in their love of dance. Her favorite style to teach is hiphop but she enjoys any funky beat to groove to. For her, it’s been a privilege to help grow the hiphop program at the studio from beginner to competition team. It was a highlight to take home first place in the large group category this past season. She’s constantly emerged in the arts scene and wouldn’t be who she is today without it. If she could offer one piece of advice it would be to take yourself less seriously and don’t be afraid to try new things.
Zoe Bees is from the small town of Waynesville, Ohio. She has grown up giving her passion and love for dance everyday, while continuing to improve her artistry. Zoe spent 15 years at Dancekids Studio and has been a teacher since 2017. She has earned her BFA in Dance from Wright State University, where she trained in Horton, Graham, and Limon. There she had the pleasure to work with Ray Mercer, Stephanie Martinez, Teressa McWilliams, Alison Reny, Gina Walther, and Ashley Pabst. Zoe’s excited for where her journey will take her as she continues to be a choreographer and teacher.
Emily began her dance training at Cincinnati Ballet at the age of nine, where she performed in numerous company productions including The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland. Originally home schooled, she was accepted into the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in eighth grade. By her sophomore year, she was selected for the school’s Dance Ensemble, where she performed featured roles such as Arabian and Lead Flute in The Nutcracker and the Rose in Alice in Wonderland. She graduated with an arts diploma in 2019.
Grace began dance at 3 years old in a small ballet class at the YMCA. Eventually she found Dancekids Studio where she started competing at 8 years old. Grace now goes to Miami University where she is majoring in Audiology and minoring in Dance. She has been teaching dance for 3 years now, and is excited to continue. Graces favorite thing about dance is how it can make a bad day feel good, especially when surrounded by the right people.
Jamie is a fitness instructor at the Countryside YMCA, where she’s been teaching since February 2024. She is a certified Spin Instructor with a love for high-energy, music-fueled workouts that inspire and challenge. She first got into fitness while dealing with her own lower back issues, and it completely changed her life. Now, Jamie is passionate about helping others move better and feel stronger. She is currently studying to become a certified Personal Trainer to take that support even further. Jamie lives in Lebanon with her husband and their four amazing daughters — they keep her just as active as her classes!
Alex began dance at 5 years old and started dancing competitively at 8 years old. She started helping teach this year! Alex's favorite style of dance is tap, which she has been recognized and won many awards for throughout her competition years. She also assisted in teaching a tap intensive over the summer. Alex's favorite thing about dance is the community feeling of growing and working together to create something beautiful.
Avari began dance at 3 years old and started dancing competitively at 8 years old. She started helping teach/ teach at 12 years old. Avari’s favorite style of dance is tap, which she has won multiple awards in these past years. She has also performed in the WCTP’s The Nutcracker as Clara. Avari’s favorite thing about dance is growing and learning alongside her friends every week.
Ava Howe spent 16 years at Dancekids as a student and has been a DS teacher/choreographer since 2016. She has taught in the styles of tap, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical and has received multiple first overalls as well as awards for both style and choreography. Her choreography has also been nominated for the Entertainer of the Year award in 2025.
Carly began dance classes at 3 years old and danced with Dancekids Studio under the direction of Denise Devery for 15 years, 13 of those competitively. She began teaching at the studio when she was 15 and choreographing for the competition team when she was 16. Carly has taught all ages and many styles. Her choreography, particularly tap, has been highly awarded competitively. Carly is currently a Senior Dance Major at Wright State University pursuing a BFA in Dance as well as an Arts Management Certificate. In addition to school, she was a member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company's Second Company (DCDC2) for their 2023-2024 season. She also has completed internships with Regional Dance America during their National Choreographic Intensive and Training Programs. Carly has had the opportunity to work with many incredible artists including Ray Mercer, Stephanie Martinez, Ashley Pabst, Gina Walther, Shonna Hickman-Matlock, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Abby Leihthart, Countess Winfrey, and more.