Director of Operations

Lindsay Chirio-Humenay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Oakland University and joined the professional internationally touring contemporary dance company, Eisenhower Dance Detroit in 2012. From 2012-2020, Lindsay had the pleasure of touring, teaching, and performing with EDD. Lindsay teaches company class; educating and training current company dancers in EDD movement philosophies and methods. In 2018, through EDD’s Beyond the Stage Initiative, she was promoted to Company Manager. Lindsay is currently serving as EDD’s Director of Operations. Wearing many hats within the organization, she teaches at The School of EDD and directs several of the projects and programming EDD has to offer. Lindsay’s early training includes workshops and intensive training with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and a ballroom dance apprenticeship at Fred Astaire Bloomfield Hills. She had the honor to perform works by current EDD Artistic Director, Stephanie Pizzo, EDD founder and former Artistic Director, Laurie Eisenhower, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Ron De Jesus, Christian Denice, Edgar Zendajas, Nicolo Fonte, Joshua Manculich and many others. Lindsay has taught master classes and set EDD repertory throughout the country as well as in Israel and Poland.

Lindsay's teaching focuses on the fundamentals of the EDD technique and philosophies while challenging dancers to push past their comfort zones, take risks and hone in on articulation of movement. Lindsay strives to create an inclusive and warm environment where all dancers can feel comfortable in their own skin.

Andrew Cribbett, originally from Thomasboro, Illinois, received a full scholarship to The Washington Ballet in Washington D.C. He then attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts to finish his senior year of high school. He joined Eisenhower Dance Detroit in 2011 and retired as a company dancer and Rehearsal Director in 2021. While dancing with the company, Andrew toured nationally and internationally both teaching and performing in venues as far as Tel Aviv, Israel. He also had the great pleasure of performing original works by Nicolo Fonte, Gina Patterson, Darrell Grand Moutrie, Edgar Zendejas, Joshua Peugh, Ron De Jesus, among many others. Andrew's choreography has received recognition for Top 12 placement at YAGP for solos, small groups and ensembles. Over the years, Andrew has taught and choreographed for several local studios, including The School of Eisenhower Dance Detroit and also trains Olympians in Junior Ice Dance. Currently Andrew is pursuing a degree in Nursing while assuming the role of Assistant Artistic Director.

Andrew fosters the fundamentals of EDD training, technical skills, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the art form while prioritizing individual growth and maintaining a positive, inclusive environment. Andrew believes in adapting teaching methods to suit the specific needs of each unique individual and how they may require a different approach to fully grasp and apply the information being taught.

Event Coordinator & YAGP Director

Katy Hall graduated from Oakland University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She received the MaTilDa Award for Outstanding Student Service through the Music, Theatre, and Dance program at O.U. She has also choreographed several pieces for O.U.’s dance company, Oakland Dance Theatre. Ms. Hall is a CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) dance alum and has choreographed many pieces for the dance program at Churchill High School since her graduation in 2003. In 2014, she attended the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum conference where she received her certification. She has been teaching for the School of Eisenhower Dance Detroit since 2006 and also serves as the Special Events Coordinator, Youth America Grand Prix Director, and Student Ambassador Program Director.

Lisa Johns began her dance training at age 3. She received her early training from Joanne Zavisa at Joanne’s Dance Extension in Canton, MI. After graduating high school Lisa continued her dance training at Oakland University. While studying at OU, Lisa had the privilege of working with many respected choreographers including Meg Paul, Laurie Eisenhower, Stephanie Pizzo, Ali Woerner and Thayer Jonutz. Lisa was the first student to produce her own independent dance concert, and received her BFA in 2014 after receiving the MaTilDa award in outstanding choreography. After graduation Lisa spent time touring with NUVO Dance convention and has since continued to teach dance throughout all of Metro Detroit, being sought out for her specific teaching skills in acrobatics. She is currently working toward her Master’s of Arts from University of Michigan in nonprofit management.

Abbey Schrade studied at The School of American Ballet, through the Audrey Rose scholarship, from 2008 to 2013. While there, she performed in ballets by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon and Justin Peck. She also participated in the New York Choreographic Institute, SAB’s Student Choreography Workshop, performances with New York City Ballet, and SAB’s student teacher program. During the summers, Ms. Schrade attended intensives with Joffrey Midwest, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Ballet Austin. After graduating from SAB, she performed with Ballet Austin's Fellowship Program in Austin, Texas. She also became an ABT Certified Teacher of the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum. In 2019, she graduated with her B.A. in Dance and her B.S. in Marketing from Oakland University where she performed with the Repertory Dance Company and received the 2018 MaTilDa Award for Distinguished Dance Student. Ms. Schrade began teaching at The School of Eisenhower Dance in 2016 and loves to share her passion for ballet with students.

Teaching Philosophy:

At the start of the year I ask my students what their goals in dance are and try to incorporate their interests into each lesson. My ballet classes always emphasize the importance of musicality, clean foot work and expressive upper body movement. I also focus on teaching the fundamentals of Balanchine’s ballet technique.

Lisa Allai-Stop, originally from the Detroit area, has been a dance educator for over 30 years. She has taught for workshops, colleges, dance festivals and studios locally, nationally, and internationally. Most recently, she has served on the faculty of the Phoenix Tap Festival and the Las Vegas Tap Festival. She is a long time company member of the Detroit Tap Repertory where she performs, choreographs, and serves as the company dance historian. In addition to tap dance, Ms. Allai-Stop has performed with Eartha Kitt and as an extra numerary with ABT’s Detroit production of Romeo and Juliet. She also studies and teaches Polynesian dance and directs a Polynesian performance troupe called The Tropical Wahines.

Ms. Wenske began her dance training at the age of 3, including her high school training at Eisenhower Dance Detroit as part of the pre-professional program known as the Eisenhower Dance Detroit Youth Ensemble. After graduating summa cum laude in high school, she expressed interest in teaching and entered a student teaching program with the company in 2021, which then transitioned to substitute teaching after successful completion of the program, to officially becoming a Teaching Artist for the school starting 2023. She is currently attending Schoolcraft College, and will be graduating with an Associates in Science in May 2024, with anticipations to transfer for her Bachelors. Kathryn’s love of teaching stems from her deeply-rooted passion for the artform itself, and hopes to ignite that in her students. She designs her classes to invoke creativity and fun in a safe environment for the students to express themselves. Kathryn is looking forward to not only growing herself this year, but with her students in the 2023-2024 season.