Stacy Tuschl

Owner

Despite our recent ownership transition, we are no strangers to the dance world. The Academy of Performing Arts, or APA, was founded by Miss Stacy in 2005. In 2008, our dance studio evolved into a performing arts hub, offering dance, music, and theatre. After expanding to two locations and welcoming two new additions to her family, Stacy took a step back, entrusting her sister Jamie and on-site managers to lead each department.

As her children grew older, Stacy found herself eager to continue her entrepreneurial journey. While you may not see her in the studios daily—given that she owns three—she’s not just a studio owner; she’s also a teacher and mentor to other female business owners. Stacy considers herself fortunate to pursue her passions, including the studios.

At APA & NSDS, we’re proud to boast highly qualified directors in each department. Stacy is dedicated to working with our leadership team and guiding us to create the best arts environment and student experience for our community. We strive to create great dancers, but we also strive to create great kids. The skills you learn here will last a lifetime.

Jamie Cook

Owner

Even with our recent shift in ownership, we are no strangers to the dance world. The Academy of Performing Arts, fondly known as APA, was founded by Jamie’s sister, Miss Stacy, in 2005. In 2008, Miss Jamie, joined the APA team, taking on various roles within the studio. For almost 2 decades, she has been entrusted with the operation of both APA locations under Stacy’s expert guidance.

Jamie collaborates directly with department managers on programming, recital planning, systematizing, and more, ensuring a seamless operation. What she loves most is that we provide a diverse variety of opportunities for families in our community. We do what we do because we love it! More importantly, we have the privilege of witnessing hundreds of students fall in love with themselves, their lives, and the transformative power of hard work that allows them to shine even brighter.

Anna

Office Manager

Miss Anna is the Next Step Office Manager. She has spent several years working in the world of the arts and was a dancer herself for 9 years when she was younger. She’s so excited to be on the Next Step team!

Elizabeth

Admin Staff

Miss Jacq

Dance Manager

Miss Jacq is excited to start her 5th year at Next Step Dance Studio and her 2nd year as Dance Manager! Miss Jacq started dancing when she was three years old and has loved it ever since! She received her BA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Miss Jacq spent a summer in New York City attending the Dance Education Laboratory Summer Institute while continuing her training at Broadway Dance Center, Gibney Dance, and Steps on Broadway. She is also a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM), Dance Masters of Wisconsin (DMW), Wisconsin Dance Council, and the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Miss Jacq loves the Next Step community and is excited to share another year with the amazing dancers and families!

Miss Sonya

Dance Teacher

Miss Sonya has a passion for dance that began when she was less than three years old. She started with ballet and tap before adding jazz to her repertoire at the age of six. The Round Lake, Illinois native spent the next decade of her life advancing through the performance arts at the city’s park district and assistant teaching program. This opportunity allowed Sonya and other gifted performers to teach dance to younger students in the district.  After moving to Texas, she worked for the Texas Cheer and Dance and taught ballet, tap, hip-hop and cheer. A mother of four, including twin girls, Sonya loves helping kids and has always had dance in her heart. She is excited to work with the ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical dancers at Next Step Dance.

Miss Ellen

Dance Teacher

Miss Ellen graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 2014 with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Dance.  She has lived in Racine her whole life, and spent the majority of her childhood in a dance studio.  Her favorite style of dance is Ballet.  She currently teaches 3k for Racine Unified so the littles definitely have a special place in my heart.  Miss Ellen looks forward to meeting and getting to know everyone in the Next Step Family!

Miss Kristina

Dance Teacher

Mrs. Kristina teaches Ballet, Hip Hop, and Contemporary/Lyrical to students of all ages! She started dancing mostly jazz and ballet in high school. Then she went on to graduate from UW Milwaukee with a dance major. Other than being a dance teacher Mrs. Kristina was a preschool teacher for many years because she loves teaching children. When she is not teaching at the studio Mrs. Kristina enjoys walking her dog or having movie nights with her husband and friends!

Miss Morghan

Dance Teacher

Miss Morghan began teaching in 2014, after having had several years of experience as an assistant instructor. She soon realized her passion for teaching and has continued to seek opportunities to improve her knowledge so she can better serve her students. Over the years, she has attended multiple conventions, workshops, and certification classes around the country and continues to find opportunities to improve her skills. She is currently certified to teach acrobatic dance through the Acrobatic Arts Program. She hopes to continue to inspire and pass along her knowledge and passion for dance to her students!

Miss Audrey

Dance Teacher

Miss Audrey started dancing when she was 4 at Barb’s Center for Dance in her hometown of Appleton, WI. She continued her training at Heart of the Valley Dance Academy, Valley Academy for the Arts, and Transcendence Dance Company. She trained and competed in many styles including, contemporary/lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, and poms. Miss Audrey will graduate from UW Milwaukee in May of 2025 with her Bachelors of Arts in Dance. She has both performed and choreographed numerous dance pieces for UWM and had her choreography selected for Danceworks “Get It Out There”. She has been teaching dance for several years and enjoys helping her students grow and inspiring dancers to further their love for dance.  

Miss Laura

Dance Teacher

Miss Laura started her dance education at the age of 7 at Madison Professional Dance Center in Madison, WI, and continued through her senior year of high school. In addition, she was a member of her high school’s dance team. She competed in numerous competitions across the Midwest and danced in several productions in her community. Miss Laura graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a BS in Early Childhood Education. In 2020 she completed her Master’s in Education. Miss Laura currently teaches Kindergarten in Franklin Public Schools and enjoys seeing many of her students at Next Step! 

Miss Jess

Dance Teacher

Miss Jess started dancing at Next Step Dance Studio when she was 7. When she was 12 she joined Franklin Middle School’s Spirit team. She then danced with the Next Step’s competition team and Franklin High School Poms till she graduated high school. Miss Jess went on to attend University of Wisconsin Madison where she danced on UW Dance Team and competed with UDA. While in college Miss Jess also managed and danced with Wisconsin Premier Dance Team. After graduating with a Bachelors in Molecular Biology and Human Development, Miss Jess auditioned for Milwaukee Bucks Dance. Miss Jess danced with the Milwaukee Bucks 414 Crew for two seasons. She was able to teach hip hop classes at Next Step Dance during the 2022-23 season (always good to be home). Since the end of the NBA season, Miss Jess has been performing with and choreographing for artists and DJs in the Milwaukee area. This year Miss Jess is excited to get back to Next Step Dance teaching a variety of classes! Outside of dance, Miss Jess is in graduate school for occupational therapy and works at Froedtert Hospital in their neurological rehab department. Miss Jess can’t wait to be back teaching and is excited to grow with all the wonderful dancers at Next Step.

Miss McKenna

Dance Teacher

Miss McKenna is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to earn her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Miss McKenna identifies primarily as a contemporary, jazz, and musical theater dancer/choreographer, but she has been studio trained in a variety of dance genres. Amidst being a competition dancer growing up, Miss McKenna also enjoyed participating in her high school’s musicals where she was honored to be a dance captain. Most recently, Miss McKenna took on the role of choreographer.. In addition, Miss McKenna has coached a youth level All-Star team where she choreographed and assisted with multiple solos and duets as well!

Miss Rhea

Dance Teacher

Miss Rhea‘s love for dance began at the age of three. She has been dancing on and off since then. She started with traditional training in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz in Southeast Wisconsin. After a quick break she found her passion for dance again while participating in the college dance team “Hype UW-Milwaukee” during this time she also studied dance within the Peck School of the Arts at the University. Since then Rhea has been dancing professionally at events throughout the city of Milwaukee including Summerfest, PrideFest, MKE Night Market and more. She has also danced for several local teams including the Milwaukee Bucks 414 Crew and competed in LA at the World of Dance Nationals Competition. Outside of dance Rhea is a Broadcast Journalist and Radio Producer.

Miss Najwa

Front Desk Staff

Miss Najwa joined NSDS in September 2023 as a front desk staff member.  She can’t wait to meet all of the dancers and parents!