Miss Hope

Miss Janette

Janette Ulmer is the Co-Owner and Business Manager of Creative Conservatory, an Engineering Group Manager at General Motors, wife and a mother of four, which includes her daughter, Alexis, who grew up dancing at Dance Dynamics. Janette graduated with a degree in Applied Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics and Physics from Illinois State University.  With 25+ years of engineering experience, she currently manages a team at GM which is responsible for audio and signal processing from vehicle microphones to speech recognition systems and hands-free telephony.  To offset all of the engineering work, Janette started volunteering at Dance Dynamics, which ignited a passion in her for costuming the various dance productions.  This allowed for Janette and Hope to create a strong working relationship and friendship that led them to start the Creative Conservatory together.  Janette believes in educating the whole student to help them become not only great dancers, but successful people. She hopes the students and parents of Creative Conservatory continue to believe in the CCD mission of world-class training and education, right here in Walled Lake. 

AMBER GOLDEN Artistic Director and Company Director

Amber loves to teach all styles of dance, but specializes in contemporary/improvisation movement. She grew up in Walled Lake before attending Wayne State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance. Following graduation, she worked as a free-lance dance artist in New York City until moving to Salt Lake City as a member of an immersive performance company. She worked as a choreographer/performer for electro-pop violin group, NuClassica. Amber traveled as a photographer + videographer for dance competitions such as NYCDA & OnStageNY. She has worked with and performed works by many artists such as Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Mark Caserta, Larry Keigwin, Ron De Jesus and more. She has performed at venues including the Joyce Theater (NYC), Park Avenue Armory (NYC), Ailey American Dance Center Theater (NYC), Kennedy Center of Performing Arts (Washington, DC), Detroit Music Hall, Detroit COBO Center, Detroit Institute of Art, Theater Thalia (Suriname, South America) and Libby Gardner Concert Hall (SLC, UT). Amber has taught at various organizations such as University of Utah, Westminster University, Ballet West Academy as well as many studios across the Metro-Detroit area. Now transitioned into the classroom as a full-time teacher, pouring into the students has been nothing short of incredible.

BRISTOL HIBBERT Company Director

Bristol is thrilled to be teaching in her hometown! She is an alumni student of Miss Hope. Bristol started her career at Walt Disney World at the age of 18 as a “Kid of the Kingdom” performing in front of Cinderella’s castle. Other credits include Universal Studios Stunt Performer, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (Dance Captain and Guest Entertainer), Country Tonite Branson, Dino’s Christmas Spectacular (Dance Captain), and a USO tour to the Middle East for our Military.  

 Since her transition from performing onstage, Bristol has been a regional director and judge for a national dance competition. She is a sought-after performance coach and guest teacher. Bristol travels the U.S. to studios teaching, choreographing, and motivating dancers to perform at their highest potential. Her specialties include jazz, musical theater, performance coaching, strength training and conditioning, nutrition and technique. Bristol also enjoys working with community high school musical theater programs. Her most recent choreography was set on Guys & Dolls and Newsies. 

 With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she is looking forward to passing along her knowledge to the artists of Creative Conservatory. Her goal is to always meet the dancers at their level, encourage a growth mindset, and motivate them to achieve their dreams! Individually you will sparkle, together we will shine!

EMMA SEIDEL

Emma Seidel is a Detroit-based dance educator and mentor. She began her dance journey as a "competition kid" who loved the adventure of trying new styles, meeting new creatives, and traveling across the country to share the joy of movement.  In 2015, she was named the Sean Anderson Performing Arts Scholar from rapper Big Sean. After high school, she attended Point Park University as a dance major. Emma can be seen in music video "Incessant Love", "atleastthatshowirememberit" a dance on film, and various print ads and commercials. She has a love for the stage and live audiences. She performed with numerous dance companies before transitioning to the classroom.

 Emma is passionate about positive dance education, creating a space where dancers can be their true selves in the classroom and feel confident in their authenticity. She is excited to see you shine in class!

ANNA WALSH

Anna Walsh is a professional dancer and educator in the Metro Detroit area and she is so excited to be back at her home studio! Since graduating Anna has danced for Royal Caribbean, Busch Gardens, Cedar Point, and the Detroit Pistons Dancers. In the past year since she started her transition to teaching she has choreographed numerous performance pieces. She is highly trained in all styles and her favorites are jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical theater, tap, and hip hop. Anna's training is very stylized and technically centered and she is so happy to be bringing her positive teaching style to the Creative Conservatory!

ALEXIS ULMER

Alexis Ulmer has been dancing with this faculty and in this studio space since she was two years old. She was a member of the Performing Company, Pre-Professional Company, and the Études Ballet Company, performing with the company at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. She also participated in the American Dance Competition - International Ballet Competition (ADC-IBC) in 2023. She participated in the Miss America Opportunity and served as Miss Oakland County’s Outstanding Teen 2022. She is currently a sophomore in the University of Michigan Department of Dance and is working towards a professional career in the industry. She recently trained and performed in Spain with the Marcat Dance Company. Her passion for dance has only grown in the past years and she is beyond excited to be a part of the debut season for Creative Conservatory of Dance and Performing Arts!

GREG CLEVELAND VOCAL PERFORMANCE

Greg completed his 29th year teaching vocal music at Walled Lake Western High School.  He taught six choirs, plus conducted the Huge Men’s Choir and the Europe Tour Choir.  Greg holds degrees in Vocal Music Education and in Music Theory and History from Seattle Pacific University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Vocal Music Education from Eastern Michigan University.  Greg retired at the end of 2019. Greg has conducted the MSVMA TTBB State Honors Choir in 2000, 2008, and the SATB choir in 2012.  He was honored in 2002 as the Michigan Vocal Teacher of the Year. Previously, he had been the Teacher of the Year for Walled Lake Western High School both in 1995 as well as in 2000. Cleveland was the producer and head director for all of the musicals at Western High School, shows such as Ragtime, Les Miserables, Shrek, Menkin’s - A Christmas Carol, Hairspray and The Phantom of the Opera and many others. While at Western, Mr. Cleveland’s choirs toured and performed in New York City over a dozen times. Bi-annually, they toured Europe and have performed in theaters, cathedrals and at competitions in Austria, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, Scotland, Wales and the Czech Republic. He is now working as a tour director in New York City. Mr. Cleveland has been teaching vocal music classes and teaching private voice lessons since the fall of 2019.  He's thrilled to know that some of his students will go on and have successful careers in the performance industry. Others will carry their creative skills and talents into other areas...and he knows that they will always have a tune in their souls.

MALIAH HIGHTOWER

Maliah Hightower’s dance journey began at the age of three, sparking a lifelong passion. Over the years, she has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, and more, developing a versatile dance background. Her dedication led her through a decade of apprenticeship and teaching, where she refined her skills and shared her knowledge with aspiring dancers. Maliah's academic path took her to Michigan State University, where she studied Kinesiology. During her time at MSU, she became a key member of Orchesis Dance Company. This experience allowed her to further develop her abilities in performance, choreography, and dance technique. Maliah’s unique combination of hands-on teaching experience and academic knowledge in movement science equips her with a deep understanding of both the art and the mechanics of dance. Her commitment and multifaceted skill set continue to drive her passion and influence as a dance artist and teacher.

MARQUI JENN KUMAVAT

Marqui began her training from a very young age with the Dance Dynamics Performing Arts Center in Michigan. By age 11, she started performing in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular where she later became the Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain. Currently she is the Senior Artistic Advisor of Performance for Cirque Du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE. Prior to assuming that role she was the dance coach for LOVE and Mystère. Growing up Marqui trained across the country with the Joffrey School NYC, Steps NYC, Central Florida Ballet, and the Juilliard Summer Program. Her favorite performance credits include Mystère & The Beatles LOVE, Walt Disney World, Life is Beautiful with Walk The Moon, Nuclear Cowboyz, Tokyo Disney Sea, Royal Caribbean, and AntiGravity. Marqui has had opportunities to assist with three-time Tony Award winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, Bob Fosse protégé Linda Haberman, and award-winning choreographer Joey Pizzi. Off the stage she has been a choreographer on projects such as the Latin Grammys, Global Vax Live, Give Kids the World, Life is Beautiful, numerous corporate events and now directs for events with Cirque Du Soleil, NFL Draft, Superbowl, Epson, and Loungefly.

 Thru her performing years Marqui has obtained her Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Business Management and Leadership. She also has a certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management, is a certified energy healer, loves to scuba in the ocean, and is a STOTT Pilates (NCPT) instructor. She teaches Pilates for cross training and rehabilitation with performers. Marqui has taught for many dance studios, conventions, and competitions across the World. Specializing in technique and coaching to share her passion. She loves working with students to get them to reach their highest potential. Marqui taught nationally and regionally for Sheer Talent, Intrigue Dance Intensive, Encore, Axis, and CLI Conservatory. She was also a judge on Dance Moms, American Dance Awards, Beyond The Stars, Encore, Velocity, and Tremaine Dance Convention. Marqui is currently on faculty with the TAPS Program in Las Vegas, NV. @MarquiJenn

KATIE DANIEL 

Katie Daniel grew up dancing in Metro Detroit with big dreams of making it in New York City from a young age. She trained in several different dance styles, but jazz and character heels stole her heart! She trained many summers at the Rockette Summer Intensive and eventually put her training to the test at auditions in NYC. Before heading to “The Big Apple” she participated in The Miss America scholarship program where she landed second runner up and talent winner to Miss Michigan 2018. At 18 years old she took her chances at the iconic cattle call audition for The Radio City Rockettes and was one of seven hired that same year. She started her Rockette career and has since performed over 500 shows on The Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall, checked off a bucket list performance on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and has appeared on many different news platforms including Good Morning America, the NY Post, NBC Nightly News and Forbes magazine. In her off season, teaching, adjudicating and freelance performing take up her time. She eventually started her own dance coaching business with her identical twin sister entitled “Train with the Twins” where they travel to guest teach and create choreography for over 10 studios across the nation!

Katie also mentors dancers through nonprofit “We are Queens” to pass on her tips and tricks of the business. In her freelance performing career, she has performed for choreographers such as Josh Assor, Taylor Gordon and Danielle Diniz to name a few and signed with Resolute Artist Agency. In her spare time, she loves trying new things, traveling, being in nature, and spending time with her family. She feels so blessed to have found herself living her dream and getting to share dance with dancers all over the country and wishes to pursue all that the dance industry has to offer over the coming years.

SARAH DANIEL 

Sarah currently resides in New York City, and grew up dancing in the Metro Detroit area. Sarah is excited to have just finished her fifth season dancing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, as a Radio City Rockette. She has performed at various events across the country including The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. She has also appeared dancing on an episode of ‘‘1923’’ streamed on Paramount Plus. Sarah is thrilled to be signed with Resolute Artists Agency. 

Sarah and her sister trained as apprentice teachers when they were students and then became teachers in the off-season when not dancing in New York City. “Train With the Twins” is the passion project of Sarah and her sister Katie. Through this business the sisters teach and choreograph for studios all across the country, sharing their love of dance with students of all ages. As professional judges the sisters bring their wide range of experience to the next generation of dancers. From performing professionally to teaching, and from judging to choreographing, Sarah and her sister Katie bring a wealth of knowledge to the students at Creative Conservatory.

JORDAN SERRANO

Jordan Serrano, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, moved to New York City at 18. She worked closely with choreographers and teachers in the city in addition to touring with NYCDA. In 2016, Jordan joined Nevada Ballet Theater in Las Vegas. She has completed six seasons with NBT, where she was privileged to dance featured roles in ballets including Paul Taylor’s “Company B”, Jorden Morris’ “Peter Pan”, Ben Stevenson’s “Swan Lake” and Septime Weber’s “Alice (In Wonderland), a soloist in the companies “Studio Series”, as well as expanding her Balanchine repertoire, including “Serenade”, “Western Symphony”, and “Slaughter on 10th Ave”. Jordan was a guest dancer in Odyssey Dance Theaters “Thriller”. She has also performed in collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, including “A Choreographers Showcase” at Mystere Theatre and “One Night for One Drop”, performing Alexander Ekman’s ‘Swan Lake’, at ‘O’ Theatre, nationally televised by CBS. Jordan most recently was on faculty at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre as the director of their contemporary program. Jordan is so happy to have officially moved back to NYC and is excited to work with the next generation of movers!

KATHY NELLETT ACTING/DRAMA

Kathy has been an actress, director and drama teacher for over 30 years. Kathy has worked for many prestigious organizations including:City Lights Youth Theatre-NYC, The Second City-Detroit, American Academy of Dramatic Arts-NYC and VSA Arts of Michigan. Kathy became a member of Actor’s Equity when she performed in “Menopause The Musical” for 2 years at The Gem Theatre in Detroit. Currently, Kathy teaches Drama and Communications at AIM High School in Farmington Hills.