2026 - 2027 Season Instructors

Kirsten began dancing at age five under Linda Walker at Tucson Regional Ballet, training in ballet, tap, and eventually jazz. As a teen, she explored a variety of styles and attended intensive summer workshops. At 15, she led her first summer dance camp and discovered her love for teaching. After a back injury at 17 ended her performance career and college dance plans, she chose to share her passion through teaching and studio ownership.

She taught at studios in Arizona and Texas before opening her first studio in 2015. After a break to raise her two children and work full-time in education, she returned to studio life, later joining Legacy Performing Arts in 2019 as a ballet, tap, and technique instructor and assistant company director. She remained with the program through its transition to Legend Dance Studio in Willcox.

In July 2022, Kirsten re-opened Spotlight Studio in Benson. By her first full recital in May 2023, the studio had grown to 50 students and a small competition team- it is currently more than double that size with an average of 115 students enrolled in 28-30 classes each year. The Competition Team has been very successful over the past few years- her choreography has earned awards at events across Arizona and even at a national competition in Las Vegas. 

With 28 years in dance and 17 years teaching, Kirsten is grateful for the mentors who shaped her journey. She’s excited to continue growing Spotlight Studio by offering Hip-Hop, Acro, and kids fitness classes—creating a space where every child feels welcome and inspired to shine.

“Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Miss Kirsten teaches Preschool Ballet & Tap; Flex Ballet, Tap & Jazz; Level 1 Ballet & Tap; Level 2 Ballet & Jazz; Level 2, 3 & 4 Tap classes; Level 3 Ballet and Level 3 Jazz & Lyrical. Miss Kirsten is also the Director and Choreography for the Elite Team. 

Kirsten recently completed her Tap Roots certification. 

Denise grew up in Tucson, AZ, where she was a competitive cheerleader throughout high school and took recreational dance and tumbling classes for most of her childhood. Her love for cheer and acro followed her into adulthood, where she spent two years teaching cheer basics and tumbling at a Tucson dance studio before relocating to Benson. After moving, Denise began teaching and joined BUSD in 2020. Her passion for youth athletics is evident in everything she does—she is entering her fourth year as a coach with Benson Youth Football & Cheer and second year as Cheer Coordinator for the organization.  Denise has been part of the Spotlight Studio family for years, assisting Miss Kirsten with recitals since 2018. She also volunteered her time at Legacy Performing Arts, showing her dedication to supporting the local performing arts community. In 2024, Denise officially joined the Spotlight staff as and acro instructor and the assistant coach for the inaugural season of the Competition Pom Team. With her support and guidance, the team proudly brought home several trophies during their first year. She is now the lead Acro instructor at Spotlight Studio, where she combines her knowledge of cheer, dance, and tumbling to create a fun, challenging, and safe environment for all students. Denise is committed to emphasizing safety, creativity, and personal growth in every class—ensuring that each student not only develops their skills but also feels empowered, confident, and proud of their progress as young athletes.

Miss Denise teaches Preschool Acro; Flex Primary & Level 1 Acro; Flex 2/3 Acro; Tuesday Level 2 Acro; Thursday Level 3 Acro; Thursday Level 1 Acro; and Recreation Pom!

Miss Denise is the Assistant Elite Team Coach and Pom Choreographer. 

Katja White, also known as Miss Cheerio, brings over 15 years of coaching experience in gymnastics, all-star and high school cheer, city league, and acro. She began in ballet and tap at age 3, later becoming a State Uneven Bar Champion and Level 8 gymnast. As a Varsity Spirit All American, she performed at the Citrus Bowl, Disney World, London’s New Year’s Day Parade, and USA Cheer Hawaii before cheering at the University of Arizona—Bear Down! 

Katja has attended several colleges and loved studying Veterinary Sciences at the University of Arizona, where she also earned her Wildlife Professional Certification. She’s passionate about helping athletes gain confidence through movement and is excited to be part of the Spotlight Studio family!

Miss Cheerio teaches Monday Level 1 Acro and Monday Level 2 Acro

Alex discovered her love for dance at just 8 years old, beginning with hip hop classes at Dans West. By high school, her training had expanded to ballet, jazz, lyrical, femme, whaacking, poppin’ & lockin’, and breakdancing—building a strong and versatile foundation in movement. After graduating in 2017, she became a Special Event Choreographer, creating unforgettable dances for quinceañeras and weddings. During the pandemic, she continued teaching via Zoom and later joined a fitness studio in Tucson, where she taught multiple weekly classes, developed choreography, and inspired her students to build confidence in both movement and strength.

Now based in Benson as of May 2025, Alex focuses on choreography and teaching, bringing her positive energy into every class. She is passionate about helping dancers of all levels feel confident and empowered, whether they’re just starting out or refining their skills. Currently, Alex teaches Tot Hop; Level 1 Jazz Funk; Level 2/3 Jazz Funk and Me & My Grown-Up, creating an uplifting space where dancers can grow and shine.

Nevaeh has been dancing under Miss Kirsten's instruction since the age of 6, training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and acro through Spotlight Studio and Legacy Performing Arts. Now entering her senior year of high school, she is excited to continue growing as both a dancer and instructor. This season, Nevaeh will be lead teaching two classes of her own while also continuing to assist Miss Kirsten in several classes. She especially loves working with our youngest dancers and is passionate about creating a fun, encouraging environment where every child can build confidence and a love of dance. Nevaeh is excited to continue her journey as an instructor and looks forward to a future in dance.

Miss Nevaeh teaches Beginning Ballet & Jazz and Primary Acro with her co-teacher Ally. She is also assistant to Preschool Ballet & Tap and Flex Dance, and can often also be found subbing classes of all styles!  

April is a proud dance and acro mom, fitness enthusiast, and former real estate professional who is now a dedicated stay-at-home mom to her five children - two girls and three boys. Three of her kids take classes at Spotlight Studio, with her daughters proudly dancing on the Elite Team. Originally from Tucson, April now lives on a farm and brings a warm, energetic spirit to everything she does. After helping at the studio last year and taking adult classes, she is excited to continue teaching Boys Acro this season and assist in other classes and with the competition team.

Miss April teaches Boys Acro & Agility and can often be found subbing acro classes or Stretching & Conditioning. 

Noveigh is a classically trained dancer and instructor with over 10 years of dance experience and more than 7 years of teaching. Originally from Virginia, she trained in multiple styles with a strong focus on classical ballet and enjoyed a successful competitive career, earning national titles for both performance and choreography. She has had the opportunity to perform alongside renowned artists and organizations including The Joffrey Ballet, The Phoenix Ballet, Adrienne Canterna, and Juliet Doherty, and spent several years teaching and performing alongside Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan. Noveigh is passionate about helping dancers build strong technique, confidence, and a love for the performing arts in a fun and encouraging environment.

Miss Noveigh teaches Advanced Ballet & Pre-Pointe; Level 4 Jazz & Lyrical; and Stretching & Conditioning. 

Ally Henderson began dancing at just 3 years old in Maui, where she started her training in ballet before expanding into jazz, tap, lyrical, and other dance styles. She joined Spotlight Studio in January 2025 and quickly became a valued member of the studio family, earning a spot on the competition team that summer.

 Ally is excited to begin her teaching journey as an Assistant Instructor, assisting Miss Nevaeh with Beginning Ballet & Jazz and Primary Acro. She will also serve as a Student Instructor for Level 2 Acro and Level 1 Ballet & Tap. Ally loves working with younger dancers and looks forward to helping them build confidence, learn new skills, and discover a love for dance in a fun and encouraging environment.

Marcie Robinson has loved dance since childhood, first exploring movement through her high school’s pageantry and drill team, where she performed and competed year-round and served as team captain her senior year. Though she didn’t have access to formal dance training growing up, Marcie pursued her passion as an adult, studying a wide range of styles including tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, Irish, clogging, Polynesian, Argentine tango, and Western line dancing at respected studios such as Alma Whelan School of Dance, Dance Dynamics, Shall We Dance, Legacy Dance Studios, and Spotlight Studio. A lifelong group fitness enthusiast, Marcie has participated in aerobics, step, and Zumba for many years and has served as a local Zumba substitute instructor for the past three. She now teaches Latin Dance Fitness at Spotlight Studio, combining her love of dance and fitness to inspire others. In addition to teaching, she works part time for Target Corporation and actively volunteers at her children’s school. Marcie has been married for 17 years and is the proud mom of two energetic boys.

Marcie teaches Latin Dance Fitness Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:00am. More info can be found on out home page under "Other Happenings"