Staff

Jana Anderson

Owner / Artistic Director

Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Pointe, Modern, and Vocal Instruction

Jana Anderson, originally from Texas, has been dancing since the age of 5.  At the age of 14, she won a month scholarship to train in Los Angeles, CA with the credited Joe Tremaine.  After graduating High School, Jana toured the nation for 6 weeks teaching and performing with Dance Caravan.  Following her tour, she then went to college at Sam Houston State University on a full dance scholarship.  Jana performed in Mexico City, with Ford Motor Company; played the role of  Judy Turner in A CHORUS LINE on tour; performed in CATS; performed all over the nation including Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, and many other cities.  Jana relocated to Missouri to performed in Branson and her credits include: The Jubilee Show, Canon and Ball, Will Rogers Follies, Radio City Rockettes, Dino Kartsonakis, and helped choreograph American Kids.  She has had many benefit concerts for several organizations such as The Missouri Autism Project, D.A.R.E., The Domestic Violence Center, The Pet Connection, and BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse).

In 1999, Jana opened her studio, Showtime Productions Dance & More in Springfield, and a second location in Nixa in 2005.  She is the Artistic Director and teaches ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip hop.  Whether you're new to the dance world or an old veteran like Jana (not too old!), you will be amazed at her level of expertise in this field.  Not only does she have an extensive 30 year background of extensive training, performing, and teaching, a BFA degree in dance education achieved by scholarship, she also brings Broadway along to her long list of accolades.  She has studied and performed for over 20 years with the industries best dancers across the country.  Jana has shared the stage with Richard Pierlon from "All That Jazz", and "The Wiz", and Thommie Walsh who is an original member of "A Chorus Line".  She has studied and danced with some of the best dancers and instructors in LA who have worked with performers such as Britney Spears, Usher, B2K, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Raven, and many others.  She has performed in numerous shows in Branson, Mexico City, Texas, Las Vegas, and New York.  Jana's sought after choreography has attracted national attention that includes the notorious SMSU SugarBears, many other competitive studios across the nation where she conducts intense workshops, as well as some of the shows in Branson, and she is highly credited on the West Coast.  Jana brings to Springfield something exciting, fresh, and new in dance concepts.

Jana currently teaches Jazz classes at Missouri State University in Springfield.

jana@showtimeproductionsdance.net

Asha L. Kumar

Teacher

Contemporary/Modern/Jazz

Asha was born, raised and grew up dancing in Warren, OH. She started dancing at the age of 3 with the Glorian Rossi Dance Studio and remained there until 1997. While at Glorian Rossi Dance studio, she studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, gymnastics and acrobats. Also was a competition dancer for 10 years- competing at Tremaine, DEA, Showstoppers, Headliners, I Love Dance and Starpower - where she won the 1st ever MTV Choreography award in 1989. Other awards and honors include, Most Unique Choreography at USA Superstar Dance Competition, Rising Star Top 10 Finalist at Nationals, numerous top score award, top performer awards and invited to perform and tour in China. In 1989, Asha and a select group of dancers from Glorian Rossi Dance Studio, were invited and went on a two week performance tour of the USSR- including Minsk, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. She has taken master classes from such artists as: Gregory Hines, Gus Giordano, Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, Charles Kelly, Barry Lather, Ann Reinking, Gregg Russell and Karen Hebert. Asha has been teaching for several years  at Showtime Productions what she loves most jazz and contemporary/modern.

asha@showtimeproductionsdance.net

Lisa Monaco

Teacher

Lisa Monaco has been dancing all her life.  She grew up dancing in Kansas City, MO.  she was a member of the Heart of America Youth Ballet (HAYB) performing company where she held many leading roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Queen of Hearts and Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.  Lisa is now pursuing her teaching of ballet productions with HAYB as the Ballet Mistress.  Her most recent show as Mistress was Sleeping Beauty at the Folly Theatre in Kansas City last fall.  She also was a  member of Heart of America Dance Centre's Dance Ensemble competitive team.  She was awarded top rankings on her solos.  While in her hometown, Lisa still choreographs for HADC's competitive team.  While attending conventions growing up Lisa received scholarships at Tremaine, Showbiz, Dance Out, and LA Dance Magic.  Lisa is currently attending Missouri State University in Springfield, where she is pursuing her dance education majoring in Dance Performance, BFA.  Lisa is a former member of the Missouri State University SugarBears Dance Team in the years 2006-2009 in which years the team received a #1 rankings for Nationals.  Lisa was also a UDA Instructor, and assist Manhattan Dance Project when they tour in Kansas City.  She plans to continue dance performances and education throughout her life and looks forward to sharing her passion with others.

info@showtimeproductionsdance.net

Dresden Whitehead

Teacher

Dresden is from Granite City, IL where she started dancing in churches at age 11.  At 15, she began classes and enrolled at the St Louis Dancers Academy.  She danced half time at a celebrity basketball game and worked with choreographers such as Darren Henson (Stop The Yard, Darrens Dance Grooves, N'Sync), and Rico (back up dancer for Michael Jackson).  At age 17 she auditioned for Ashely Liane Dance Company and gained the experience of performing in the St Louis area with the company as well as learning from choreographers Ivan Koumaev (So You Think You Can Dance), Lee Daniel (The Movie Honey) and Andye Jamison (Monsters of Hip Hop).  Currently Dresden is pursuing her dance education as a dance major at Missouri State University and plans to make a future in choreographing and performing.

info@showtimeproductionsdance.net

Jason Ngo

Teacher

info@showtimeproductionsdance.net