Instructors & Staff
Amanda Nye, Artistic Director & Owner
Instructor: Elite Company, Spotlight Crew, Jazz & Acro
Meet Amanda Nye, Owner & Artistic Director. Amanda Nye is the passionate and dedicated Owner & Artistic Director of our dance studio. She studied dance education at Bowling Green State University, graduating in August 2016 from the College of Human Movement and Development. During her time at BGSU, Amanda was an active member of the Repertory Ensemble, BGSU Dance Team (2013 to 2014), and served as Vice President of the University Dance Alliance. Amanda's extensive dance background was cultivated at Studio 82 in Cleveland, Ohio, where she trained in various styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, modern, tumbling, acro, contemporary, tap, cheerleading, hip hop, ballroom, and combo classes. Her professional experience is vast and varied, encompassing roles such as Dance Teacher at Imagine Madison (2017 to 2018), AmeriDance Judge, Inferno Dance Competition Adjudicator & Judge, Founder of the Maumee Dance Team, Choreographer for Ashland University, former Dance Teacher and Dance Team Coach at Toledo School for the Arts (where her team won two OASSA State Championships), Precision Arts Challenge Dance & Inferno Dance Adjudicator & Judge, and Dance Teacher and Limelighters Choreographer at Clay High School. Amanda is also certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and Progressive Ballet Technique Level 1. Her true passion lies in helping dancers achieve their goals and dreams within the dance industry, fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for all her students.
Tyler Nye, Director & Owner
Tyler Nye is the dedicated Owner & Assistant Director at our dance studio. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Childhood Education from Bowling Green State University and is currently a middle school teacher at Bowling Green City Schools. At Nye Dance Productions, Tyler is the friendly face you’ll see at the front desk, handling all the behind-the-scenes operations with efficiency and care. He is also known for his enthusiastic participation on stage during our annual Dad's Dance, bringing joy and energy to the performance. Tyler's commitment to both education and the dance studio ensures a supportive and well-organized environment for all our students and families.
Emma Albright
Instructor: Pom Coach & Jazz/Contemporary
Emma Albright has been dancing since she was about 4 years old. She grew up dancing and competing for Beavercreek Dance Teams, and in high school she danced with the Beavercreek High School Dance Team. Emma now dances with University Dance Alliance at BGSU, where she is also choreographing her first piece for the spring showcase! Her favorite styles of dance are jazz, pom, and contemporary. She is currently a junior studying sociology with a minor in biology! Emma is so excited to be welcomed to the NDP family this year!
Christa Callahan, Elite Coordinator, Spotlight Crew Coordinator & Summer Program Coordinator
Instructor: Ballet/Lyrical, Elite Companyy, Petite, Spotlight Crew Performance Company
Christa has been involved in dance and dance education for over 20 years. She began her training at the age of 3 in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap, and further expanded her studies at age 11 when she joined Trenton School of Dance. There, she broadened her repertoire to include Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, and the Cecchetti ballet method. Christa has five years of competitive dance experience and has choreographed several award-winning routines. Her training includes work with faculty from Wayne State University as well as professional companies such as ArtLab J and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. In addition to her dance background, she brings nearly a decade of musical theatre performance experience to her teaching. Outside of the studio, Christa loves going to concerts and cuddling with her pets. She is thrilled for the upcoming season and looks forward to welcoming both new and returning dancers!
Jamila Coleman
Instructor: Elite Company & Tap
Jamila Scott Coleman, born and raised in Toledo, Oh. She started dancing at the age of 5. Jamila was trained in tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical at the Toledo Workshop of Dance. She is a proud 2008 graduate of the Toledo School for the Arts, where she majored in music and dance. Jamila's passion for dance continued after high school in which she went on to study tap at the Bowling Green State University. Currently, Jamila heads the liturgical dance ministry at her church. Jamila is a qualified behavioral health specialist and entrepreneur by day. This will be Jamila’s 6th season as an instructor at Nye Dance Productions.
Cleopatra Cousino
Instructor: Hip Hop
Cleopatra Cousino took her first hip hop class at the age of 13 and, after performing on stage for the first time, she realized her passion for dance. When she was 15, she joined Nye Dance Productions and was encouraged to go out of her comfort zone and try other styles of dance. She trained in hip hop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary and was on Spotlight Crew and Elite company. Outside of dance, Cleo is a licensed massage therapist and enjoys going to concerts. She is so grateful to be able to share her love of dance with her students as well as giving them the confidence they need to succeed. She is going into her 3rd year teaching at NDP, and she can’t wait for all the exciting things this next season has to offer!
Lillian Czop
Instructor: Acro, Itty Bitty & Petite
Lillian Czop was born in Toledo Ohio. Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop she started dancing at the age of 4 years old and continued dancing through out her school years. She discovered a passion for choreography in high school where she remained busy choreographing two children's musicals. She later started her career teaching dance at her Local YMCA where she discovered a love for teaching youths. In 2022 she graduated from Kent State majoring in theatre studies and a minor in dance. She is excited to join the new NDP season, and can’t wait to get started.
Emily Lott
Instructor: Elite Company
Emily Lott has been dancing since the age of five and has been competing since she was 12. She trained at Positive Image Dance Studio in tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballroom, cheer, pom, and more, with tap being her favorite and strongest style.
Emily has been invited to train with Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT), Activate Your Artistry, and Metamorphosis Dance Companies. She has also had the opportunity to choreograph alongside Luke Spring and has trained under Anthony Locascio for over three years. Since the age of 15, she has choreographed her own tap solos and continues to pursue her passion for choreography.
Outside the studio, Emily proudly serves in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic. She loves sharing her passion for dance with her students and strives to create a positive, encouraging environment where every dancer can grow in both confidence and technique.
Alayah Mack
Instructor: Acro & Hip Hop
Alayah Mack was a competitive cheerleader from the age of 8-16, She’s has learned all the skills up to level 4 tumbling. She has graduated from Toledo School for the Arts and was a dance major in hip hop and modern dance. She has won a scholarship from monsters dance. Alayah has choreographed pieces from the show Legends of Hip-hop in 2024.
Kadyn Miller, Spotlight Crew Coordinator
Instructor: Spotlight Crew
Kadyn Miller is a passionate dance instructor at NYE Dance Productions and an alumna of the studio. She began teaching after graduating in 2021 and has since dedicated herself to helping young dancers grow both inside and outside the studio.
Kadyn primarily coaches the Spotlight Crew Performance Company, where she enjoys developing strong, confident performers who support one another like family. She has a special passion for lyrical and musical theatre and loves incorporating flexibility and strength training into her classes to help dancers build a solid technical foundation. As a competitive dancer for eight years, Kadyn trained in all styles of dance and had the opportunity to travel to California to compete at the national level. Those experiences continue to shape her teaching philosophy, emphasizing hard work, artistry, confidence, and teamwork.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll likely find her at the ice rink working for her family’s hockey team or spending time with her beloved dog, Bauer.
Samantha Roth, Company Artistic Director
Instructor: Elite Company & Contemporary/Jazz
Samantha Roth brings a lifelong passion for dance and a wealth of experience and knowledge to her roles at NDP. A 2014 graduate of the Toledo School for the Arts with a concentration in Dance, Sam has trained extensively in a wide range of styles including contemporary, jazz, modern, ballet, hip hop, pom and tap.
Her diverse training background has informed her dynamic choreographic voice, earning her numerous accolades throughout her career. Sam has served as both a sought-after choreographer and instructor for local studios, and led two area varsity high school dance teams as Head Coach, helping young dancers thrive in both technical skill and performance artistry.
Most recently, she earned certification as a Progressive Contemporary Technique Instructor, deepening her commitment to innovative and developmentally sound training. Sam is also a member of Team Julie Kay, a dynamic teacher training platform for educators who are passionate to continue learning.
As a dance educator, Sam believes in nurturing the dancer as a whole body, mind, and spirit. Her classroom is a space where creativity is encouraged, individuality is celebrated, and every student feels seen, supported, and valued.
Her teaching is rooted in intention and inspiration. Each class is thoughtfully designed not only to build strong technical foundations but also to cultivate artistry, self-expression, and personal growth. Sam strives to educate with purpose, connecting movement to meaning, so that dancers walk away with both skill and a deeper understanding of themselves as humans.
Sam is honored to continue her work in the role of Company Artistic Director this season. She looks forward to continuing her work at NDP, dedicated to fostering creativity, inspiration, and purposeful growth in every dancer she teaches.
Oliva Ruiz
Instructor: Elite Company, Jazz/Musical Theatre & Mini Musical!
Front Desk Assistant
Olivia Ruiz is excited to begin her teaching career and share her passion for the performing arts with the next generation of students. With 15 years of training in dance, as well as eight years experience in Musical Theatre, she brings a well-rounded perspective to the classroom and is dedicated to helping every student grow in both skill and confidence. This season, Olivia is especially excited to introduce the studio's new Mini Musical class, where students will explore the exciting combination of dance, singing, and acting. She looks forward to helping performers build stage presence, confidence, and storytelling skills while encouraging creativity and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment.
In addition to teaching, Olivia manages the studio's social media and works at the front desk, allowing her to connect with students and families both inside and outside of the classroom. She enjoys being an active part of the studio community and celebrating the accomplishments of every dancer. Olivia is honored to be part of the teaching staff and is passionate about inspiring students to discover their confidence, express themselves through performance, and develop a lifelong love for the performing arts.
Sara Wegrzyn
Instructor: Elite Company
Sara has a been a dance teacher since 2005, teaching Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical. She graduated from BGSU in 2004, with a minor in dance and the award for Outstanding Dance Minor.
Sara taught at a competitive dance studio for 7 years, receiving multiple Choreography Awards. She has experience teaching solos, duos, trios and small groups at the competitive level as well as classes focused on technique only. Following that, she began teaching at The Toledo Ballet, where she continues to teach Tap, Jazz and Contemporary.
Sara has danced since the age of 3, has had various performances across the state and multiple teaching experiences, solidifying this as her passion and source of creativity. The joy, excitement and enjoyment that comes from performing and choreographing is one of her top passions, being just beaten by her joy of being a wife and mom. Sara is a blessed mom of three girls and proud wife since 2009.
Outside of dance, Sara is a licensed professional clinical counselor, where she treats teens to adults for symptoms of mental health. Guiding youth has always had a role in her life, with dance being the fun one!
Paris Wellman
Instructor: Ballroom & Elite Company
Paris Wellman has been dancing for the past 20 years and has been on staff with Nye Dance since 2020. Paris can be seen in the studio working with Spotlight Dance Company and developing curriculum for the studio using resources from Team JulieKay. She has done summer intensives at The Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. She is a Toledo School For The Arts alumni. Paris went on to Otterbein University to obtain her B.A in Allied Health with a Psychology Minor. While at Otterbein University Paris was a cheerleader for four years. Paris was a part of professional showcases, and competitions, and even danced with her students at competitions at the Fred Astaire Westerville studio. Paris danced for the Arena Football League The Columbus Destroyers in 2019. She also represented with her team the AFL league in Washington, D.C. Paris graduated from the University of Findlay with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2023. Paris enjoys spends her free time with her husband and daughter Penelope, taking Pilates classes, being involved with her church, and reading at coffee shops.