Our Instructors
Jennifer Collins, Owner, Dance Company Coach, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz & Tumble Instructor
Owner, Jennifer Collins, began her dancing career at the age of three and studied dance for 15 years. When Jennifer was just 14 years old, she began giving tumble instruction in the basement of her cousin’s home to a small group of students. As time passed Jennifer watched her students grow and learn and she really began to feel her calling as a teacher. It was around that time Jennifer began dreaming of her own dance facility to teach and share her passion of dance, tumbling, and cheer with her students. In August of 1999 Jennifer opened her first facility in Poseyville, IN and expanded her business to include dance instruction. Jennifer’s dream had become more than a reality as her business continued to grow and she began teaching more and more children in the community. In 2011, The Next Step, Inc. took another leap and opened a second location in Evansville, IN. At that time The Next Step had grown to include recreational dance classes as well as a Dance Company that competed on both regional and national levels. Jennifer was also offering non-competitive as well as competitive cheer programs for all age levels. As both locations continued to thrive and students from all over the Tri-State were attending classes Jennifer once again saw the need for expansion. She was offered a wonderful opportunity to combine both locations into one building that would be large enough to house all of her current students as well as providing plenty of room for growth. The Next Step, Inc. now holds all classes in Evansville at its new 12,000 sq. ft. facility.
Dorothy Jacquemai, Vocal & Acting Coach
My name is Dorothy Jaquemai and I am the voice and acting teacher. I have been singing on stage since I was five. At Gibson Southern High School I performed in swing choir, concert choir, Vaudeville, and musicals for four years. After high school I attended USI where I received a scholarship to be in Mid-America Singers, a show choir, for four and a half years. During those years, I performed in Madrigal Feast, Washington DC, Disneyland, New Orleans, and many shows for local businesses in Evansville and the surrounding tri-state. In the summer of 1989, I was hired to perform at Holiday World for both their indoor and outdoor shows. I graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree. I started teaching at The Next Step in 2006. One of the biggest highlights of my career came in 2014 when I was asked to sing the National Anthem when President Obama visited Princeton. My full time job is at Mid-States Rubber Products as a Customer Service Rep.
Olga Rodionova, Stretch & Conditioning, Rhythmic Gymnastics Instructor
Olga Rodionova was born in Lviv Ukraine. At the age of five she started rhythmic gymnastics and ballet classes. She has 12 years of experience in rhythmic gymnastics and 10 years of ballet training and competed at the Elite level. At the age of 17, Olga auditioned for the dance company , Life, with which performed in numerous festivals, shows and events. From Ukraine she immigrated to Chicago, where she worked as a dance instructor and choreographer at Bravo theatre. Olga also worked as a rhythmic gymnastics coach at the Rhythmic Galaxy, Chicago. In 2016 she moved to Evansville. From 2016-2018 Olga worked at Dalto studio as a dance program teacher/ director and theatre department choreographer. Beginning in 2017 to present Olga is a dance teacher at the Signature high school, international baccalaureate program. Olga has B.S. in physical education as well as her M.S. degree in Nutrition. Olga has 30 years of teaching experience and really enjoys working with students. Olga lives in Boonville with her husband and two daughters who are Members of the Next Step family. Olga is also very happy to be a part of the Next step family. She loves to work with with other teachers and see growth and success of her students.
Kyle Rostan, Dance Company Coach, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical & Jazz Instructor
Kyle Rostan began dancing in high school, at a competitive dance studio under the instruction of Rose Taylor, as well as the Great Lakes Festival Ballet School, under the instruction of Richard Dickinson in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended Point Park University with a concentration in Jazz and Choreography. While at Point Park, Kyle had the honor of performing as a soloist in Cinderella; The Ballet, Bob Fosse’s Sing Sing Sing, Susan Stroman’s CONTACT, and Agnes DeMille’s Rodeo, to name a few. Kyle has worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and performed with Neil Young, Aaron Carter, Athena Reich- international Lady Gaga Impersonator, and Rick Skye- international Liza Minnelli impersonator. New York Credits Include; BodyArt Dance Co, Flexicurve, Kim Gibilisco Dances, Bawdy: Off-Broadway Cabaret, Sticky Mango Movement, House of Yes, The Novomisle Project, Billy Lykken's 'Sacred Monster', Rick Skye’s BAZAZZ!, and DAMAGEDANCE, where he was a founding member and performed at the Edinburg Fringe Festival. Kyle has choreographed and worked on music videos for nationally renowned band Alteras, and LA based singer/songwriter Gavin Haley. He has worked as a stage manager and lighting designer for the Leading Ladies of NY, and holds certifications in Pilates, and aerial arts. He has judged talent competitions and has taught at many intensives and conventions nationally and internationally. His competitive choreography was heavily awarded at The Pulse Performing Arts Center in Bedford Hills NY, where he was the head of the contemporary department for seven years, as well as many other studio across the country. Kyle is the founder of a network of artists and tri-coastal dance company called UrbanHumans, a company focused on collaboration, progression, and ferocity. Along with his co-directors Louisa Cathcart (NYC) & Leslie Duner (LA) hosted preprofessional summer intensives, performed in many well known New York City dance festivals, and continue to create dance on film as an effort to reach out to the world. Kyle is so proud to have found a home and be continuing his career at The Next Step in Evansville Indiana, and share is knowledge and passion for dance with all of the amazing Next Step family.
Dominic Walls, Cheer & Tumble Instructor
Dominic Walls is an experienced tumbling and cheer coach at the Next Step. Dominic has over 20 years of coaching and industry knowledge. He has a very broad range of skills and has worked in many positions in the industry from clinician, tumbling & cheerleading director, competition judge, competitive cheer and power tumbling coach. Dominic has worked in major markets such as Indianapolis, Louisville and Denver. Dominic is married and has two daughters. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, playing the ukulele & guitar as well as spending time with his family.
