Instructors

Kirsten started dancing at the age of five under the training of Linda Walker at Tucson Regional Ballet. She trained in ballet and tap for the first few years and then added jazz classes. As a teenager, she sampled other styles of dance, spending time each summer at intense weeklong workshops.

Kirsten started teaching at the age of 15 when she ran her first summer dance camp. When she was 17 she suffered a back injury that stopped her dance career and plans of studying dance in college. It was then that she decided that she could still share her love of dance by becoming a dance teacher and eventually a studio owner.

Kirsten worked at three different studios in Arizona and Texas before opening her own studio for the first time in 2015. After taking a break to have two children and working full-time at the school, Kirsten re-opened her own studio and put on a few amazing recitals for a few years before she joined the Legacy Performing Arts staff in 2019.Legacy was very successful in Benson for two years and then moved to Willcox as Legend Dance Studio. Kirsten was a ballet, tap and technique instructor for Legacy/Legend and was the assistant company director for two years.

Kirsten re-opened Spotlight Studio in Benson in July 2022, and at the recital in May 2023 she had 50 enrolled students! Her studio includes a small competition team; many of the dances that Kirsten choreographed have won awards at competitions across the state and even at a national dance competition in Las Vegas.

Cumulatively, Kirsten has been in the dance industry for 28 years, and has been teaching for 17 years. She is thankful for all of her mentors and previous employers that taught her and helped her grow into the instructor that she is today.

Kirsten is excited to be expanding Spotlight Studio to offer different styles of dance including Hip-Hop and Acro, as well as adding a kids fitness class! She wants all children to feel welcome at the studio and find something there that they love!

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

Miss Kirsten teaches Preschool Ballet & Tap, Level 1 Ballet & Tap, Level 2 Ballet & Jazz, Level 2/3 Tap, Level 3 Ballet & Jazz, Level 4 Tap, Advanced Jazz, Me & My Gown Up, and  Adult Ballet & Tap. Miss Kirsten is also the Director and Choreography for the Elite Team and Performance Team. 

Ashley grew up in southern New Mexico where she started gymnastics at the age of 5. She was a competitive gymnast until high school, winning the level 5 all-around state title and many other awards. During high school she transitioned from competitive gymnast to a coach, coaching all levels from mommy and me to the competitive girls’ team. She was also a member of her High School cheerleading squad, which won the NM Small Co-Ed Cheerleading Championships and competed at the NCA High School Nationals cheerleading competition. After high school, she attended New Mexico State University where she was a member of the New Mexico State University All-Girls Cheerleading squad. She moved to Arizona and began teaching gymnastics at Encore Dance Academy in 2014. She has continued to teach gymnastics, Acro, and tumbling classes as needed since then. She was the Acro Director for the Legend Competition team for the 2021-2022 season.

Ashley is a registered instructor and member of USA Gymnastics, which includes being Safe Sport Trained. When Ashley is not teaching gymnastics, she works as an Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University and Angelina College. She has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Ashley and her husband live in San Simon with their 4 children.

Ashley is excited to share her love of gymnastics and Acro with her Spotlight Studio students!

Miss Ashley teaches all Tuesday and Thursday Pom & Acro Classes. 

Elyna has grown up in the world of dance. From ages 2-19, she was often seen tagging along-side her mother, Elisia Rodriguez  (Benson High School Dance Alumni (95’-99’ ) & Coach (05’-23’).  “I owe the entire basis of not only my life, but my dance life, to my Mom. Every good thing that has ever happened is because of her.” At age 4, Elyna started dance with Alma Dolores International Dance Center, in Sierra Vista, Az.  Training in  Ballet, Folklorico, Jazz/Contempoary & Ballet Pointe. At age 11, she attended the first generation of  Spotlight Studio, training with Kirsten in ballet & tap. Which has now become the reason Benson Kids have the ability to get a dance education, locally.  “Thank you Kirsten! The gratitude is endless.” At age 14, Elyna was invited to travel to New York City with ADIDC to attend Tremaine Dance Convention, and train with some of Americas Top Choreographers, which was by far a highlight in Elyna’s dance career.Placing Platinum & Double Platinum Overall at Showstopper, in Solo & Group competitions are amongst her many titles with ADIDC throughout the years.  While attending Benson High School, Elyna trained, performed, and competed in Hip-Hop & Pom as part of the BHS Dance ‘Catz’.  Elyna was Team  Captain during her Junior & Senior year- she lead the team to win 1st overall Hip-Hop Small DIV during her Senior Year at the AZ State Tournament in 2022. Finally, at age 19, Elyna coached along-side her mom, Coach Elisia in her final year with the BHS Dance Catz. Elyna is honored to be at Spotlight Studio, sharing her knowledge, creative passion, and nostalgia for dance, with the next generation of Benson Kids.

Miss Elyna teaches Level 2 Jazz Funk/Hip Hop, Level 3 Hip Hop, Dance Conditioning & Stretching, and Advanced Ballet. 

Denise grew up in Tucson, AZ and was a competitive cheerleader throughout high school. She took recreational dance and tumbling classes for most of her childhood. Before moving to Benson, Denise taught two years of cheer basics & tumbling at a Tucson dance studio. After moving to Benson, Denise worked as a preschool teacher before completing her bachelor degree in Business. She currently teaches Business at Benson School District. As for her passion in the sport or acro & pom- she is headed into her 4th year of coaching with Benson Youth Football & Cheer. She is excited to teach acro at Spotlight Studio while emphasizing safety, creativity, and personal growth- ensuring that each student feels confident as a young athlete!

Miss Denise teaches Monday Level 1 Acro & Mighty Movers!

Christine began dancing ballet at the age of 8 in Huntington Beach, California where she proudly proclaimed she would be a dancer, teacher, and choreographer when she grew up! She continued to perform in theater and musical theater throughout her school years. Christine studied musical theater and continued with ballet classes at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and at the University of Arizona. She joined the Army during her senior year at the U of A and  met her husband while stationed in Germany. Christine continued her love for dance and theatre after returning from Germany teaching these disciplines in private schools, home school co-ops, and public schools to include a one- month summer camp in China with high school students! Back in Arizona, Christine has spent the last  21 years dancing classical ballet to include dancing in every scene of the Nutcracker and dancing the role of the Mouse King for 10 years. She  has directed the Nutcracker for the last 3 years and continues to dance small roles. She has danced in most classical ballets to include Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Paquita, and Don Quixote to name a few. Christine is a CLI certified instructor in early childhood dance and is soon to earn her degree in Early Childhood Education. She continues to love dancing, teaching, and choreographing! Ms. Christine and her husband have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren to include a retired professional ballerina and an U.S. Army Ranger.

Miss Christine teaches Intro to Ballet and Level 2/3 Ballet & Musical Theatre. 

Arry is a High School Senior at BHS, and already has a strong passion for teaching dance and acro,  so she is very excited to begin her teaching career at Spotlight Studio. Arry’s first expereince with dance as a young girl was actually with Miss Kirsten when she was just 5 years old. After playing many other sports as a child, she made her way back into the dance world her freshman year at Canyon Del Oro High School in Tucson.  Arry participated in the dance club at CDO for the last 3 years and also did Pomline for 2 years.  This competitive dance team competed against other schools for a National title. After living in Tucson for the last 6 years, their family is very excited to be back in Benson. Arry’s younger sisters also attend the studio for dance, acro & wrestling! Arry is a member of the Elite Team here at the Studio, and is proud to have helped her team win Platinum awards and many top 3 placements at competitions in 2024.

Miss Arry teaches beginning Jazz & Ballet. There will be another adult in the studio at all times while she is teaching since she is not quite an adult yet. 

As a Benson local and homeschool mom, Laci has coached many sports and worked with 4H, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Currently Laci volunteers as a K9 handler for Cochise County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue. She also works at the City of Sierra Vista as a Recreation Leader for their Adult Adaptive Recreation program and is also a substitute paraprofessional at Benson Schools. Her daughter Hunter has been part of Spotlight Studio since 2018  and her son Trace also shares a love of dance!

Laci is look forward to building a love of fitness for all kids and showing them how fun it can be!

Miss Laci teaches our Power Play classes.