Meet the Staff

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 Before becoming an instructor, Suzie was a 2004 graduate from Fitch High School and SODC. She has been in numerous performances with Easy Street Productions, including “Annie,” “Miracle on Easy Street,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”She was a part of the SODC Competition Team and has won many regional and national overalls with the team. Suzie’s choreography has won many high scoring awards at both the regional and national level, including the 2007, 2009, and 2010 Grand National Championships in Chicago and Toledo. Her choreography won many National Championships in Atlantic City, Myrtle Beach, as well as the Grand National Championship. Suzie received the honor of “Teacher of the Year” at Kids Artistic Review nationals for multiple years. She traveled with the KAR Convention tour, teaching Musical Theater and Jazz to dancers across the country. In 2016, she choreographed Easy Street Production’s revival performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Suzie's choreography has won numerous choreography and entertainment awards, and in July of 2022, her lyrical dance "Titanic" won the National Championship in Myrtle Beach at Showstoppers National Finals! This is Suzie's 19th year as an instructor, and is so proud of each and every one of her students! 

 Rose opened the doors of Steppin Out Dance Center in 1997, but prior to opening her own studio, she had been teaching dance for more than 20 years around the area. Her choreography credits include many performances from Ballet Western Reserve, Easy Street Productions, and middle and high school dance teams. Rose also choreographed for many vocal music departments around the tri-county area. Rose was a National Adjudicating Judge for Kids Artistic Review National Talent Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions, and has judged all around the country. She has studied all forms of dance from many top instructors, including Gregg Russell, Debbie Dee, Bob Rizzo, Judy Rice, and many more. All three of Rose’s daughters, Julie, Suzie and Tori, have all achieved major accomplishments with their dance careers. Past students of Rose’s have been seen performing on Holland America Cruiselines, Royal Carribbean Cruiselines, Norweigen Cruiselines, Mary Poppins on Broadway, The Music Man National Tour, Busche Gardens, Disney Tokyo, Donny and Marie’s Las Vegas show and dance companies in NYC, and also producing the 7 time Tony Nominated Broadway hit “Come From Away.” Rose’s choreography for the competition team has won SODC many trophies and National Championships, and Rose has won ‘Teacher of the Year’ multiple times on the national level. Rose is thrilled to be celebrating SODC’s 27th year of dance!! 

 Tori is a 2012 SODC graduate from Austintown Fitch High School where she was an active member of the Concert Choir. Tori has won numerous awards on the regional and national level, and is the former Miss Dance America, where she won at KAR Nationals in June of 2012. Tori is also on her 12th year as teacher and choreographer! She also travels throughout northeastern Ohio as a guest choreographer. Her choreography has won multiple regional and national championships since! This year, Tori’s tap dance “Man in the Mirror”, won the prestigious Al Gilbert Award. Tori currently is an assistant choreographer for multiple Easy Street Production's shows. She is starting her new journey as a Competition Judge! Outside of dance, she is a licensed esthetician, certified lash technician, and make up artist. Tori is happily married to her husband Chris, has 2 sons, Caiden and Tristen! 

 Teaching professionally since 2003, Ms. Eri continues to share her passion for dance at many regional dance studios, high schools, and state universities. Eri has studied extensively at the collegiate level, receiving both a B.A. and B.S from Youngstown State University. As an active member of the National Dance Education Organization, she serves as a studio liaison for the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. She is Dance Masters of America certified in Tap and Ballet, and a Ceccetti Council certified ballet teacher. Her work has received numerous overall regional and national awards, and she continues to set work on dancers each season. Serving as the founding Artistic Director of the JCC School of Dance, Ms. Eri developed a movement and dance program for students aged 6 months to adults. Most recently, she served as the Dance Manager at Above the Barre in Berea, helping their program thrive throughout the pandemic and beyond. Eri is currently the Arts & Culture Coordinator at the JCC of Youngstown, where she oversees all performing and visual arts programs. Ms. Eri resides in Liberty with her husband Andre, and two rowdy boys, Niko and Teddy. As a 2003 SODC graduate, she is so excited to be back at Steppin Out! 

 As a recent 2022 graduate, Alexis is thankful to be able to continue in the dance world by joining the Steppin Out family. Previously, Alexis has won numerous awards on both the regional and national competition levels. She has also been a part of Easy Street Productions for the past 11 years, dancing in Miracle on Easy Street and most recently Gotta Dance. Alexis has the opportunity to travel the country with Beyond the Stars and Breakout dance competitions working as a backstage manager. Alexis is currently a student at Kent State University with plans to graduate in 2025. She wants to thank Rose, Tori, and Suzie for allowing her to join the Steppin Out family.