JLP's Leap of Faith Dance Studio

Laura Ottenbacher, Dance Teacher

Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Poms

Ms. Laura has had the love of dance for over 25 years, since she has been dancing from the age of 2 years old. Her experience began at the Dance Castle, followed by the Steppin’ Out dance studio, as well as the Dance Connection. Over the years, she has participated in dance workshops at Western Michigan University and Macomb Community College. She also has the pleasure of attending numerous dance conventions every year learning instruction under the most renowned choreographers.

Here at Leap of Faith, she has been an instructor since 2006 and loves every minute of it. The LOF studio allows her to bring to life the joy of dancing each and every week. In more recent years, she has had the opportunity to become a competitive instructor where the combination of her choreography and her amazing students has received numerous top awards. Some of which include: Overall Top High Score Tap Solo, 2nd Overall Senior Solo, Platinum 1st Place Overall, 3rd Place overall small group, Best of Show, and Creativity/Costume Awards.

Ms. Laura’s choreographing can also be seen off the studio’s stage. She has choreographed the Miss Richmond Pageant since 2004, as well as several routines for the Richmond Community Theater. Ms. Jenny and Ms. Laura go way back together, almost fifteen years ago when they took dance classes together. They built a friendship that was held together by the love of dance over the years. Ms. Laura enjoys being a part of such a wonderful studio that is filled with wonderful people, as well as lead by such a fantastic person.When Ms. Laura is not at the dance studio she is a full time preschool teacher.

Elizabeth Kulman, Dance Teacher

Cecchetti Ballet, Fundamentals of Technique, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical

     Elizabeth was one of the very first students to join JLP’s Leap of Faith Dance Studio in July of 2004. She has developed into an exceptional dancer and has performed Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and many other styles on stage for a number of years. In her dancing career, Elizabeth has found a special love for ballet. She has worked hard to develop the skills to pass the Cecchetti exams Grade I-IV. She is also a Certified Cecchetti Grade 1 Teacher. She was a Member of the Macomb Ballet Company for three years. Elizabeth is looking forward to teaching the next generation of dancers to love the performing arts as much as she does. Not only is Elizabeth a huge help inside the studio. but she is also an amazing help to the world by being a Nurse.  

Holly Colombo, Dance Teacher
Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Pom
Holly had been with the studio from the start. She has been dancing for 22years. She was a part of the Macomb ballet company for three years and has had special roles in the nutcracker, sleeping beauty, Cinderella, and the Oz. She’s been teaching at JLP's Leap of Faith for the past eight years. She has certifications to teach Cecchetti ballet for grades I-IV. She has studied through the syllabus for many years. She also is certified to teach stretch classes in basic stretches. She loves teaching all ages and watching them grow to love dance.

Hannah Shell, Dance Teacher

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Pom, Contemporary
Hannah has been dancing since she was 8 years old, but has been a part of the JLP's Leap of Faith Dance Studio since she was 12. She has been on our Competitive Team since 2017. She has performed the styles: Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Clogging and a lot more! For the past 4 years, Hannah has showed her love for the studio by teaching the next generation of dancers. She started with the Pre-Kinder Tots but has since worked her way up to teaching Teen Competition Dancers. Hannah was a part of the 2023 graduating class from St. Clair High School and is currently attending St. Clair County Community College finishing her CTMC program. Once she gets her associates, she plans to transfer to a university where she wishes to Double Major in English and Secondary Education which she will use to become a High School Teacher. 

Lexi Radjewski, Choreographer

Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary
Lexi was a dancer at Leap of Faith since she was 3 years old. She was on the competitive team from the age of 5 to 18. She has been a competitive choreographer for the studio since 2022, teaching various ages, styles, and groups. Lexi also teaches some classes in the summer for the studio. Lexi goes to Oakland University now where she has also been part of the vitality dance club every year, and was the president of this club her junior year. She will be graduating from Oakland University with a major in Applied Statistics and triple minoring in Math, Biology, and Dance. She plans to become a Biostatistician. Her hopes are to continue choreographing for Leap of Faith in the future because working with the students and staff at LOF is one of her greatest passions and she looks forward to every new year.

Sarah Gasko, Choreographer

Sarah has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She was on Leap Of Faith's Competitive Team for numerous years competing in a variety of different styles. Now, she is involved in choreographing for competitive group numbers and solos at the studio. Sarah spends a lot of her time at the University of Michigan dancing with Pure Dance Extreme, spinning flag in the University's Marching Band. When she is not dancing she has an amazing drive to stay dedicated in all of her classes related to Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity. Sarah really enjoys these balanced opportunities to grow as a dancer and pursuing her future career in Marine based Ecology.

Riley Roy, Studio Assistant

Riley started her love of dance at the age of four and danced her way over to Leap of Faith in 2018. She was on Leap Of Faith's Competitive Team for four years but has a total of 11 years of competitive experience. She has performed the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and a lot more! Riley was a part of the Port Huron Nutcracker for 5 years where she performed as the roles: Mouse, Spanish, Bon Bon, Child, and Baker. She was also a part of the Jimmy Johns USPBL Dance Crew for two years. For the past three years she has showed the love she has for the LOF family by helping out anywhere she can, but you will mostly see her at the Front Desk fulfilling everyone’s needs and answering any and all questions. She also really loves to help with all things competition to make sure the season runs smoothly. Riley was a part of the 2023 graduates from Memphis High School; now that she is out of high school, she is attending St Clair County Community College where she is a part of their Ferris State University Partnership Program to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She will use her degree to be a Probation Officer.

JLP's Leap of Faith Dance Studio, LLC   8792 Gratiot Ave. Suite D Columbus, Michigan 48063

Serving the Dance education needs of Richmond, Columbus, St Clair, Marysville, and Port Huron Michigan Since 2004.