Our Amazing Team
Barb Coman
Artistic DirectorBarb has been teaching dance to children of all ages for over 35 years. She was a dance major at Kent State University and Ohio State University and has trained extensively in NYC and Chicago. She is an accomplished choreographer having won many national championships from 1988 to present. She was a finalist in the Jazz Dance World Congress Gus Giordano Choreography Competition that included professional companies from all over the U.S. and abroad. Barb has trained dancers from the national TV show “Star Search” to Broadway to the Radio City Rockettes. She’s a certified teacher by Dance Masters of America and enjoys teaching all ages. She remains active in all areas of dance and continues to study across the U.S. She enjoys mentoring the teachers at NDA and working with the Assistant Teacher Training Program, as she continues to train the next generation of dance teachers. Barb has, for over 25 very successful years, directed NorthPointe and feels fortunate to work with so many enthusiastic dancers and their families. .NDA is known as the studio that sets the “Standard for Excellence” in the Central Ohio area and is one of the top fifty dance schools in the country.
Tricia Holland
Assistant Artistic DirectorTricia Conaway is our Assistant Artistic Director. Her primary role is in consulting, administrating and assisting Artistic Director Barb Coman. With over nearly 20 years of experience, Tricia will also be working very closely with our growing teaching staff to help ensure and bring to life the vision and integrity of our Company Program and Studio Program. We are grateful that our staff and students have the opportunity to be led by someone who has been a part of NDA since its inception, and we cannot wait to see what Barb and Tricia provide NDA as a leadership team! Tricia began dancing when she was three years old. She was fortunate to train at NDA with Barb Coman and a wonderful teaching staff. Tricia won numerous regional and national competitions and scholarships with her groups, duet/trios and solos. She danced off-Broadway with the original Break the Floor production at NYC’s Fringe Festival. Tricia has trained with numerous choreographers including Gil Stroming, Laurie Kanyok, Mike Minery, Joe Lanteri, Suzi Taylor, Mia Michaels, Mark Mesimer, Danny Wallace, Savion Glover, Tracy Stanfield, Stephanie Campbell and Nick Bass. Tricia was a football and basketball cheerleader at Otterbein College, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2009 with a B.S. degree in Business Management. She is a certified teacher by Dance Masters of America. She is also the assistant director of our Master Company Program. Tricia is excited to begin her nineteenth year of teaching NorthPointe’s enthusiastic and talented students; she is looking forward to continuing to inspire all NorthPointe students with a love for dance! Tricia resides in Sunbury with her husband and four children.
Stephanie Olszewski
Company Program TeacherStephanie began dancing at the age of three, studying ballet, jazz, tap, pointe and lyrical. She danced competitively and has been a part of many award-winning routines. In 2001, Stephanie traveled to Europe where she performed in the Tansomer Festival. Stephanie graduated from The Ohio State University in 2005 with a BA in Psychology and minor in Dance. While at OSU, Stephanie was a member of The Ohio State University Dance Team. She competed nationally with the dance team and in 2003, was recognized as a National Dance Alliance, Collegiate All-American. Stephanie was head coach of The Ohio State University Dance team from 2007-2009. Under Stephanie’s direction, the OSU Dance Team finished in the top 5 in both 2008 and 2009 at the NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance Championship. Stephanie has been teaching at NorthPointe Dance Academy since 2008. In addition to teaching dance, Stephanie went on to further her education and has earned a Middle Grades (4-9) teaching licensure through Ashland University. She is certified in Math and English/Language Arts and is currently an 8th grade English teacher at Olentangy Orange Middle School. Stephanie is very proud to be a part of NDA’s incredible teaching staff. She is grateful to have the opportunity to share her love of dance with her students.
Jordan Cafaro
Stellar Company Director, Summer Camp Coordinator, Studio & Company Program TeacherJordan has been passionate about dance from a young age, and that love has grown into a career dedicated to educating the next generation of dancers. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, she trained locally before joining the pre-professional company The Collaborative Dance Project. During her time with the company, Jordan had the privilege of working closely with notable professional dancers and choreographers while performing in a variety of classical ballets and contemporary works. Jordan continued her intensive training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre under Academy Directors Marjorie Grundvig and Dennis Marshall, where she performed in professional productions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and original contemporary works. She has also shared her knowledge and experience as a former adjunct dance faculty member at Otterbein University. Jordan believes strongly in helping students become motivated, confident, and well-rounded individuals through dance. She strives to create an environment where dancers feel challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. With a commitment to continually expanding her knowledge as an educator, Jordan continues her education in sport science and physiology after receiving her Associate of Science degree. She is excited to deepen her understanding of the body, movement, conditioning, and injury prevention so she can better train, support, and guide her students throughout their dance journeys. She loves teaching dancers of all ages and looks forward to continuing to share her love of dance at NDA.
Katie Holland
Studio & Company Program TeacherKatie has been dancing since she was three years old. She began dancing competitively at the age of eight. She has won numerous regional scholarships from LA Dance Force, New York City Dance Alliance, and Jump/Nuvo. Her scholarships have sent her to The Edge in California and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Katie has trained under several of the industries best choreographers including Gregg Russell, Travis Wall, Stacey Tookey, Dee Caspary, Lauren Adams, Anthony Russo, Donovan Helma, Danny Wallace, Joe Lanteri, Mike Minery, Joey Dowling, Jacki Dowling Ford, Mia Michaels, and Nick Bass. Katie is a Pickerington North High School graduate and was a cheerleader for her school. Katie lives in Sunbury with her husband, Seth (a Podiatrist) and her two children, Lincoln and Baker. Katie is excited to begin her 10th year of teaching at NorthPointe Dance Academy.
Maddie Bonomo
Studio & Company Program TeacherMaddie fell in love with dance at just two years old and has never looked back. She was fortunate to train with the incredible faculty at NorthPointe Dance Academy in a variety of styles, working with choreographers including Mike Minery, Andrew Winghart, Molly Long, and many more. Maddie continued her training at The Ohio State University, graduating in 2022 with a BFA in Dance. During her time at Ohio State, she performed in works by Daniel Roberts, Susan Petry, Dave Covey, and others. She has also been a member of Nick Dinicolagenlo’s tap company, “Hands Down Tap Project,” performing with the company during the summer months. Now an award-winning teacher and choreographer, Maddie is celebrating her 9th year teaching at NorthPointe. She is passionate about sharing her love of dance and helping her students grow, and feels incredibly lucky to teach in the same place where she first fell in love with dance herself.
Stephanie Cea
Studio Program TeacherStephanie grew up dancing in Phoenix, AZ. She has over 20+ years of teaching experience. During her time as a dancer, she won numerous regional and national awards, including a prestigious dance scholarship to STEPS on Broadway in NYC! During college she worked for NCA Danz, leading summer dance camps throughout the nation. She toured with NCA for five years, three of them serving as head instructor. She has performed in Tokyo, Japan at a JSDA camp, and Super Bowl XXX with Diana Ross. Stephanie continues to attend dance workshops and train from master teachers and choreographers. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from ASU and loves working with children. Stephanie and her husband moved to Ohio in 2010 with their three fun-loving children Isabella, Nicholas and Olivia.
Anna Elliott
Company Program TeacherBorn and raised in Ohio, Anna began studying dance at age of 3. Growing up, she was a competitive dancer where she won many local and national awards. She has extensive training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Musical Theater. During her professional career, Anna became a Radio City Rockette at the age of 18. She was fortunate enough to be a part of this legendary group of women for 8 years. Anna was also a part of the ensemble in the First National Broadway Tour of 42nd Street choreographed by Randy Skinner, and performed in many theaters across the country. Currently, Anna is a member of the dance faculty at Otterbein University where she teaches tap, jazz and ballet. She has had the honor of being apart of the very well known department of theater and dance since 2013. Anna is happily married to her husband Greg and has 3 beautiful children Lucy, Gabe, and Evey. Anna is thrilled to be apart of Northpointe Dance Academy’s staff and is excited to share everything she has learned over the years with these talented students.
Lexi Toro
Studio & Company Program TeacherLexi Daniels’ love for dance started at the age of 2 when she started taking class at NorthPointe. Lexi continued to be an NDA dancer through high school graduation, earning several national championships and competition titles, and is so grateful for the training and emotional connections built through being a NorthPointe dancer. Following graduation, Lexi joined an adult dance company, New Vision, where she has the opportunity to continue to perform. Her choreography career began in 2018 where she choreographed her first musical for a local community theatre company. She continues to choreograph for local theatre productions and is so excited to now be teaching at her lifelong second-home, NorthPointe Dance Academy.
Hailee Vance
Company Program TeacherHailee began dancing at the age of two and immediately fell in love with the art form. She was fortunate to train at NorthPointe Dance Academy under its incredible faculty, studying a variety of dance styles throughout her training. During her years at NDA, she worked with renowned choreographers including Mia Michaels, Travis Wall, Molly Long, Katy Spreadbury, Mike Minery, Jaci Royal, and Andrew Winghart. At 18 years old, Hailee achieved a lifelong dream when she became a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. After completing her eighth and final season with the legendary company in New York City, she is thrilled to be back home full-time with her husband, family, and friends. Hailee is incredibly grateful to return to the studio that helped make her dreams a reality and is passionate about sharing her love of dance with the next generation.
Britton Bonomo
Studio & Company Program, and Summer Camps TeacherBritton Bonomo grew up in the Columbus area and began dancing at age 2 when she started taking classes at NorthPointe. During her 16 years at NDA she was on the competition dance team earning many national titles. Britton gained experience in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, ballroom, and tap while training at NorthPointe. She just graduated Summa Cum Laude from Xavier University with a bachelors in liberal arts and a concentration of education. Britton is so excited to be teaching where she first learned to dance!
Anna Arsham
Studio & Company Program TeacherAnna began her dance journey at the 10 at Center Stage Dance Studio in Cleveland. Over the years, she trained in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, and acro. She trained closely under Mitchel Federan, Alyssa Verdino, Mathew Fata, Katie Hazard, and Jessica Starr. Along with working with several choreographers including Chad McCall, Laura Edwards, Jaci Royal, and Chelsea Thedinga. She ventured to Los Angeles after high school, where she danced professionally and shared her knowledge as a teacher/choreographer. She performed several times at The Carnival Choreographer's Ball. She returned to Ohio to earn a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and currently is pursuing a Master's in Social Work at Ohio State University with a focus on child mental health and education. She has a commitment to effect positive change in kids both in and out of the dance studio.
Joshua Manculich
Studio & Company Program TeacherJoshua Manculich (BA, Point Park University, MFA, The Ohio State University, M.Ed, Ohio University) is an educator, choreographer, and creative mentor dedicated to developing dancers through artistry, discipline, and intentional training. With a background in choreography, performance, and education, Joshua brings a thoughtful approach to the studio, inspiring dancers to discover confidence, authenticity, and expressive depth. His choreography emphasizes musicality, storytelling, and connection, encouraging artists to move beyond technique and find purpose in their movement. Through mentorship and focused instruction, Joshua cultivates dancers who are technically strong, emotionally connected, and committed to excellence, creativity, and lifelong growth. Josh is a recipient of a prestigious Princess Grace Choreography Award.
Jamie Niswander
Studio & Company Program TeacherJamie has been with NorthPointe Dance Academy since the doors opened in 2000. She began dancing at 3 years old and started dancing competitively at 5 (she was a part of our first group of Tiny Stars at NDA)! Jamie trained under the wonderful faculty here at NorthPointe until graduating high school. During her time training, she was also given the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Mike Minery, Caroline Lewis, Mandy Moore and many more. She was awarded numerous regional and national awards for her solos and groups over the years. Jamie went on to college at the University of Dayton where she was a football and basketball cheerleader. She graduated with a BS in Marketing and has been working in Fashion Merchandising for the past 5 years. Jamie is thrilled to be back at NorthPointe training our dancers!
Jackie Couchene
Studio & Company Program TeacherJackie is an educator, choreographer, and interdisciplinary artist focused on student centered learning and community facing art. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Dance and Business Management from Skidmore College and a MFA in Dance Studies with a Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Latin American Studies from The Ohio State University. Jackie grew up focusing on ballet, but in her undergraduate studies and beyond she trained with companies/ choreographers such as Doug Varone, Martha Graham, Earl Mosley, and Jose Limon. Jackie has taught in several competitive dance studios and ballet academies as well as universities such as OSU, Ohio Wesleyan, Miami University, and Texas A&M. She has performed all over the country in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Houston, and Columbus among others. Jackie has received competitive grants for her choreography in New York, Texas, and Ohio which has allowed her to create site specific evening length works that focus on facilitating community building through immersive and interdisciplinary art. When she is not in the studio teaching or brainstorming her next creative project, Jackie loves to have dance parties with her daughter!
Morgan Shubeta
Studio & Company Program TeacherBio coming soon
Staff portraits provided by Brian T. Shindle/Creative Moments