
Lisa Schumann
"Miss" Lisa has directed DEDA for 37 years. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Adelphi University and is certified for Fitness, Yoga, Acrobatic Arts and Zumba and received technical training at NJ School of Ballet, Bdwy Dance Center plus years of study with Phil Black, Chuck Kelly and Frank Hatchett. DEDA is professionally licensed by More Than Just Great Dancing and other memberships include IDEA, DEA, ADT of NJ and NADAA. "Miss" Lisa has served as the choreographer for area musicals including HPHS for over 35 years. Her performance experience includes: “Outrageous”, Bally’s Casino, NJ; Hershey Park, Pa.; Green Mountain Guild, Vt. and Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, NJ. "Miss" Lisa was honored with the 2013 Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council's "Arts in Education Award" for Excellence in Arts Education.
Ellen Decker
"Miss" Ellen is the Artistic Coordinator and a lead instructor at DEDA and has trained dancers in all levels and genres for over 16 years. Ellen began her journey at DEDA at the age of 7, her passion for the art of dance sparked by “Miss” Lisa Schumann. She pursued dance studies at County College of Morris, an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts at Sussex County Community College, and continued her dance education at Montclair State University. “Miss” Ellen’s choreography has earned numerous accolades and awards in regional and national competitions. “Miss” Ellen believes in building self-confidence and encouraging creative expression and hard work in all DEDA students.
Kit Tamaki
“Miss” Kit began her ballet training at NJ School of Ballet and continued her training at Theater Arts Dance America. She studied privately with Kirov Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and American Ballet Theater dancers and prestigious summer programs. Kit danced professionally with Ballet Austin, Evergreen City Ballet, Ballet Neo, and NJ Ballet. Her credits include classics such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker and more. Miss Kit has been teaching all levels of ballet and pointe at DEDA for over 14 years and is also a choreographer and rehearsal coach to the DEDA Performance Company. “Miss” Kit is excited to continue to foster the love of dance in each and every DEDA student.
Jennifer Harris
“Miss" Jenn was a member of the DEDA Performance Company. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and B.A. in Dance from James Madison University with an endorsement to teach dance in public schools. She teaches third grade for the West Milford School District. In addition to teaching at DEDA since 2011, she has established a reading thorough dance program, choreographed for school musicals and videos, taught dance camps, and created and directed an anti-bullying musical which earned the NJ National School Character Award. In 2014 she received her Masters Degree in Education Administration. Her goal is to spread the love and joy of dance to all ages!
Ami Hogue
“Miss” Ami studied dance through high school performing in dance competitions and teaching young dancers. She attended Marywood University in Scranton, PA and majored in Elementary Education and minored in Early Childhood Education and Dance and was a member of the dance team and ensemble. Ami went on to receive her Masters Degree in Special Education from William Paterson University. She is currently a special education teacher in the West Milford School District. "Miss" Ami began teaching at DEDA in 2012. She loves that she is able to share her love for dance, especially tap dancing, with all the students at Dance Expression dance arts.
Kelly Dacus-Smith
"Miss" Kelly begins her 6th season with DEDA and is also the proud mother of two DEDA proud dance company divas, Miranda and Sabrina. Kelly graduated with a BFA from Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, MO. She then pursued the dream of being a musical theatre actress for more than 15 years. She toured Europe playing Kristine in A CHORUS LINE, toured on Holland America's Statendam and traveled the US on performance tours. “Miss” Kelly continues to pursue her love of directing and choreographing, recent credits including off-Broadway’s 27 Santas And An Elf Called Kevin, Ucvt’s The Addams Family, and DEDA’s fabulous jazz team!
Jayne Walsh
Jaynellen studied ballet at the Boston School of Ballet, and she received a formal education in dance from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she graduated high honors in dance, Cum Laude. Jaynellen danced professionally for over fifteen years. She danced with Indianapolis
Ballet Theatre, Saint Louis Ballet and Ballet Memphis. She also performed as a guest artist, dancing Nutcracker ballet after her retirement from full time dancing.
Jaynellen had a diverse background from her studies, and she danced principal roles in contemporary neoclassical and classical dance pieces. To name a few, she danced the lead role in Scheherazade staged by Oleg Briansky, Andante pas de Duex and the lead couple in MomentsPassing by Dennis Wayne, Refuge pas de Duex and the lead dancer in Italian Concerto by Diane Coburn Burning. The lead Paquita, Graduation Ball, Pas de Quatre, Swanhilda in Coppelia, Isis in the Goddess of the Nile, and Arabian, Snow Queen, Dew Drop and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker. Jaynellen has worked as a teacher at New Jersey Ballet School (NJB) for many years.




















