OUR
INSTRUCTORS
MARIA OSKEY, OWNER & DIRECTOR
Maria is the owner and director of MPower Dance Studio. Maria grew up dancing at Club USA Dance as well as several other studios in the Littleton
area. In high school, she was on Poms and started her teaching journey at age 15! She loves working with students of all ages and levels and watching them grow into amazing performers. Additionally, she coached high school hip-hop and poms teams. Maria is an award-winning choreographer and loves getting to see her choreography of all styles (especially jazz, hip-hop and poms) come to life on stage. Building confidence, bringing joy, and helping children find a creative outlet is Maria’s mission as an instructor and studio owner.
HANNAH OVERLIE, CHEER INSTRUCTOR
Hannah has been in the cheerleading world for over 14 years. She has experience working as a dance/tumbling/cheer instructor and coach for 11 of the 14 years. Hannah cheered on a competitive team while also making the varsity cheer team at Columbine High School. She has always had a passion for working with children and is currently a preschool teacher. Her coaching philosophy stems off strictly having FUN while improving skills and technique all at the same time.
KELLY KISSLER, TUMBLING INSTRUCTOR
Kelly started competitive gymnastics when she was 3 years old. Kelly competed for the next 9 years and was a member of USAG. Kelly decided to move on when she was 12 years old, but always had a passion for the sport. Kelly came back to the sport when she was in college and began coaching. Kelly has taught competitive gymnastics for all levels - preschool, recreational levels, USAG as well as in the XCEL program where she spent most of her competitive coaching years. Kelly has always loved the sport of gymnastics and after leaving the competitive world, found her love again for coaching and for all the students she gets to work with, as well as the ability to watch them grow over the years.
CHRISTA MCCORMICK, BALLET & LYRICAL INSTRUCTOR
Christa was born and raised in Littleton, CO and received her training with Belliston Academy of Ballet, The Academy of Russian Ballet, and Colorado Ballet. Learning various ballet techniques from RAD, Cecchetti and Vaganova, she received a scholarship to the University of Arizona’s School of Dance. Christa studied Ballet, Modern, and Jazz during her time at The University of Arizona learning from some of the most seasoned faculty while training alongside some of the nation’s best dancers. During her Sophomore year at the UofA, Christa was selected by professor Nina Janik, to travel to Italy to perform and train with Philip Beamish for the summer. She graduated with a BFA in Dance and a minor in business, and went off to New York City to work with various choreographers and repertoire.
Christa relocated back to Arizona, where she danced with Center Dance Ensemble and Terpsicore, a contemporary ballet company. Christa has performed various roles such as the Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, the Pas de Trois from Paquita, the Bluebird Duet from Sleeping Beauty, the Ensemble from Carmina Burana and many others. During her performing career, Christa also began to develop her own Barre Fitness Technique, called TenPoint5. She opened her first studio in 2013, and began instructing adult fitness classes. Christa also has had the privilege to teach ballet at Paula Carr Dance Academy in Scottsdale, for the past 13 years. She has choreographed and staged her own featured ballets such as, Little Mermaid, Annie, Aladdin, Willy Wonka, and Hansel and Gretel to name a few. As a mom of 3, the time has come for Christa and her family to move back to Colorado. She is so excited to be a part of the MPower dance family, and can’t wait to teach and inspire students!
LAUREN LEYBA, INSTRUCTOR
Lauren grew up down the street from Ms. Maria where they were always choreographing various dances in their bedrooms together. From the age of 4, Lauren began taking tap and ballet sparking her life long love of dance. Alongside tap and ballet, she most enjoys jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. While at university Lauren performed for the PLU Dance Team where she continued to grow her love of dance and had the opportunity to perform many different styles. After graduating, Lauren continued sharing her love of dance through teaching and choreographing for her church's dance ministry. With her passion for dance comes her love of children. Lauren worked as a day camp counselor for the YMCA for four years and is currently a nanny to 3 wild boys. Lauren also owns her own business, Lauren Leyba Photography specializing in wedding and portrait photography.
GINNY RATACZAK, INSTRUCTOR
Ginny Rataczak loves to dance, sing, and act and has enjoyed the stage since elementary school. She grew up performing in show choirs and always loved how dance and singing go so perfectly together, and decided that teaching and performing music was where she wanted to be when she “grew up.” She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Music Education from CSU and trained in Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk and loved using those specialties to teach preK-8th grade music in the public school setting. Teaching line and circle dances, exploring movement to a variety of music styles, and developing choreography for her choral ensembles was a highlight of her teaching experience. For 14 years she had a blast performing on the stage with a community adult show choir, and is now taking time off from that organization to homeschool her three kids and allow time for them to develop their passions. She has enjoyed subbing at Club USA Dance and MPower Dance Studio and is excited to join the MPower team.
LILLY LENZEN, INSTRUCTOR
Lilly has been dancing and tumbling for 13 years at Club USA Dance. Currently she is a leader amongst her high school Varsity Pom squad at Chatfield. She has also been a competitive gymnast for multiple years. She started out as a student teacher for Maria at age 10 for 3 years. She is now an official dance, tumbling, and cheer coach as well as a choreographer.
TIFFANY CUTCLIFF, YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Tiffany is a mother to two amazing girls and loves living in Colorado. She loves coffee, hiking, plants, and water. She’s been practicing yoga for over 15 years and loves working with all demographics- especially women and mothers. She specializes in vinyasa flow- or power yoga. She loves to intertwine fitness with mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation!
SHAUNNA ABLING, REB3L GROOVE INSTRUCTOR
I've been a licensed adult group fitness dance instructor since 2012, first with Zumba, and then with Reb3l Groove in 2020. What is Reb3l Groove you ask? It is hard hitting choreography with HIIT mechanics and powerful music resulting in high intensity Boot Camp style dance fitness format. It is sexy… redefined. All fitness levels are welcome, no dance experience is needed! You’ll be feeling inspired, motivated, strong, and MPowered. Is it easy? Not exactly. Is it fun? Absolutely! Time to break free! Join me on the dance floor. Xo Shaunna