Owner and Artistic Director

kaely carver

Kaely Carver found her passion for dance under the instruction of the teachers at Main Stage Center for the Arts. Kaely danced for Meg Paul's "Stars of Ballet and Broadway" at the Detroit Music Hall, Nouveau Dance Company's "Nutcracker Nouveau", and Ked's convention at the Van Buren Convention Center in Grand Rapids. After high school, Kaely continued her dance education at the collegiate level. She was accepted and received a scholarship for the dance program at the prestigious Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University. While in college, Kaely had the privilege of performing with the American Spirit Dance Company from 2011 to 2015. Kaely was often a featured dancer and was selected to go on tour with the dance company for two seasons. Kaely was also a student choreographer at the University in 2014. While attending University, Kaely studied many facets of the dance industry such as: stage design and lighting, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology for dancers, dance pedagogy, choreography theory, music theory, and much more. It was during her time in school that Kaely fell in love with teaching. Kaely graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelors in Performing Arts. Since graduating from college Kaely has returned to the studio she called home for so many years. Kaely is the current Director of the studio’s Starline. Kaely has earned her Grade I teachers certificate from the Cecchetti Council of America and cannot wait to continue her education as a dance instructor. 

Staff Bios

Laurie Papovich 

Laurie has danced professionally with the Detroit City Ballet Company, Detroit Express Soccer Team’s Cheerleader/Dancers, and the Maui Maidens Hawaiian danceline. In 1990, Laurie traveled with the International Auto Show as a narrator for Jeep/Chrysler.

Laurie has been teaching over 45 years.  Ms. Papovich is certified by examination from Cecchetti Council of America and Dance Masters of Michigan/Dance Masters of America. Ms. Papovich holds the honor of achieving the Diploma teaching certificate of Maestro Cecchetti’s Method of Ballet and is an Executive Board member and Liaison Officer, as well as a Permanent Examiner for the method. Laurie serves as the Student Principal and Counselor Coordinator at the Cecchetti Council of America International Summer School held at Hope College.

Her guest teaching experience includes Oakland University; the University of Texas; Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas for the Cecchetti Council of America, Southwest Committee; Chicago area for the CCA Midwest Committee; Ohio Committee of the CCA; CCA’s Eastern Michigan Committee Ballet Day; Cecchetti Council of America International Summer School Summer Teacher’s Seminar and various other local workshops.

Laurie has trained many local dance instructors and her students have gone on to dance with Austin Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Oklahoma University, Ballet Memphis, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Wayne State University, National Ballet of Canada, Point Park University, Marymount Manhattan College and many other community dance productions.  The fact that so many of her students have continued their love of dance has made Laurie extremely proud as a teacher.

Regina Ihns

Regina is a passionate teacher and hopes to inspire each and everyone of her students to be their best in all aspects of their life.  She wants her students to leave her class and inspire every person they meet to be better and pay it forward.

Regina was a member of the Michigan Ballet Theatre and performed in the Nutcracker in 1990. In 1994, Regina began her teaching career and in 2000 co-founded Main Stage Center for the Arts. She has received her Grade I, II and III teacher’s certificates from the Cecchetti Council of America. Regina is the founder of the studio’s taplines and  the studio’s Performance groups. Regina is also a certified member by examination through Dance Masters of Michigan and Dance Masters of America.

After graduating from High School, Regina received a scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. While attending college in New York for theatre, and business Regina was able to study dance with today’s top dancers and instructors. Such names as Kat Wildish, Mia Michaels, Michael Minery, Brian Thomas and numerous other nationally renown choreographers and teachers. Regina has shared a piece of New York with her students by passing along the knowledge and learning experiences she acquired.

Regina has been a guest teacher at the Cecchetti Council of America Ballet Day, Summer Dance Performing Arts Camp, and a number of studios in Michigan, Ohio and Canada.  Miss Ihns has been sought after to choreograph for other studios and her choreography has been recognized at many competitions. 

Elena Smith

Elena was a member of the Polish Women’s Alliance Council #20.  During that time Elena performed at various ethnic festivals, benefits and competitions.

In 1972, Elena performed with the Warren Dance Ensemble for four years and competed both state-wide and nationally.  She was also awarded a tap and ballet scholarship.  Elena’s teaching career began in 1976 with Kathleen Tenniswood. In 1988, Mrs. Smith joined the Laurie Krasnicki School of Dance teaching staff.  She has earned her Grade I, II and III teaching certificate under the tutelage of Laurie Papovich. Elena performed four years professionally with the Coral Islanders and Maui Maidens.

Elena is currently a teacher and choreographer for the studios Starline, Ballet Company, and Main Attractions. Elena continues to expand her knowledge of teaching and has recently included Kids yoga to her resume.

Melissa Graebert

Melissa was awarded a Cecchetti Summer Dance scholarship and attended Cleveland Ballet and Boston Ballet Summer programs. Melissa  performed for 6 years in regional Nutcrackers, and regional productions of  Peter and the Wolf, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. After graduating high school, with honors, in just three years, she furthered her pre-professional training at Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio, studying with world renowned teachers Yoko Ichino, David Nixon, April Berry and Susan Hadley.

Melissa made her professional debut in 1997, with Ballet Memphis, under the direction of Karl Condon, performing in The Nutcracker and appearing in The Power of One, choreographed by Chuck Davis and Dennis Wayne, and in the Ballet Memphis production of Coppelia. She joined the Nashville Ballet dancing and touring with The Nutcracker and Swan Lake under the direction of Paul Vasterling. Melissa received a contract with the Charleston Ballet Theatre, where she performed in Jill Eathorne Bahr’s Seven Deadly Sins, The Nutcracker and excerpts of Fosse.

Melissa joined the Main Stage Center for the Arts artistic staff in 2000 and is the Director of the studio’s senior ballet company. Melissa is a Teacher Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and holds her Grade IV teaching certificate, as well as a certified member by examination of Dance Masters of Michigan and Dance Masters of America. In addition to her devotion to ballet, she is also a fully certified Stott Pilates instructor.

 

victoria STARK

Tori’s love of dance began at Main Stage Center for the Arts when she was 4 years old. She began her journey as a dancer in Ms. Elena’s tap class. During the 14 years Tori studied dance at Main Stage, she was a member of our Main Attractions Competition Group as well as a Company Member for 6 years. After being accepted to Michigan State University, Tori joined the MSU Dance Club to keep dance in her life while earning a degree. At MSU, she received a Bachelors in Physiology with a minor in health promotions to assist in her goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. Tori found her way back to Main Stage after graduating from MSU in 2017. Since then, Tori teaches the Star Program, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap to ages 3-9. She continues to pursue a career in the medical field and is currently a head Medical Assistant at an Orthopedic Surgeon’s office. This is Tori’s third year as an instructor at Main Stage.