About Ozark Dance Academy Staff
Miss Laura-Teacher
Born and raised in Ozark, Missouri, Miss Laura began dancing at Ozark Dance Academy at the age of five. She trained in a wide variety of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, modern, and hip hop. Throughout middle and high school, she competed at numerous dance competitions and conventions, earning awards in both group and solo routines.
In 2024–2025, Laura performed as a featured dancer in the Michael Jackson Illusion show in Branson, Missouri. She has continued to develop her artistry through local hip hop studios and companies in the Springfield area and has choreographed multiple award-winning solos and duets, including several first-place finishes.
Laura has been a dedicated teacher at Ozark Dance Academy since 2019 and is passionate about helping young dancers grow in both skill and confidence.
Mrs. Vallerie-Teacher
With over 9 years of experience in the dance world, Mrs. Vallerie is a passionate and versatile instructor who specializes in both clogging and ballet while also bringing a wealth of knowledge in tap and jazz dance. Mrs. Vallerie is dedicated to nurturing students of all ages and skill levels, instilling both technique and artistic expression. Mrs. Vallerie’s teaching philosophy centers around building a solid foundation of technique while encouraging creativity and self-confidence in every dancer. Whether working with beginners or advanced students, Mrs. Vallerie’s classes are a dynamic mix of discipline and fun, focusing on proper body alignment, rhythm, and performance skills. Her infectious energy and love for dance inspire students to push beyond their limits while respecting their individual journeys. Outside of the studio, Mrs Vallerie enjoys photography, baking, and spending time with her husband, daughter and two dogs. Her goal is simple: to share the joy of movement and help every student find their unique voice through dance.
Miss Anna-Teacher
Anna is a senior at Drury University majoring in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Spanish. An Ozark Dance Academy alumna, she has over 14 years of dance experience in styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and pom. She has danced on both high school and collegiate teams and earned numerous awards, including 1st place for her ballet solo at Hollywood Dance Jamz and multiple group accolades at competitions like Dancemakers and Stage One.
At Drury, Anna continues to explore her passion for movement through both academics and performance. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy with a focus on dance medicine, combining her love for dance with a career in health and wellness.
Now back at ODA as a teacher, Anna is excited to help young dancers grow in both skill and confidence, sharing the same joy and encouragement she experienced as a student.
Miss Emilie-Teacher
Emilie Dodge has 25 years of dance experience. She first fell in love with ballet as a young child when she saw a book with a ballerina balancing gracefully on the cover. From that moment on she knew she wanted to dance. She was trained in classical ballet and as she got older she was able to perform in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, as well as others.
When she went to college she became the youngest dance captain on the worship dance team as a freshman. She began to explore other dance styles in college as well, though ballet has always been her favorite. She has 15 years of teaching and choreographing experience and has choreographed award winning solos and duets.
Emilie’s classes will focus on technique to help students gain confidence in their skills and abilities. She believes dance is fun and magical and hopes to pass that along to every student she meets.
Mrs. Chris-KDO Teacher
Mrs. Chris is a passionate mama bear who loves helping other parents create fun and loving experiences for their children, even in their absence. With a heart for little ones, great books, and the outdoors, she brings decades of experience and joy to everything she does.
She has been married to her amazing husband for 26 years. The two met while working in the public school system—he is now nearing retirement, while she continues to thrive in the world of early childhood education.
Chris's background and studies have always centered around early childhood development, literature, and nature. As the oldest of three siblings (by 10 years!) and the eldest of nine grandchildren, her nurturing instincts developed early. She began her teaching journey in high school, working part-time at a Montessori school in Texas, and later continued in Montessori education after moving to Missouri. She eventually transitioned into roles in public and private schools, child care, and homeschooling.
Together, she and her husband have raised three grown children. Throughout her years of parenting and teaching, Mrs. Chris has always believed in meeting each child’s unique needs in the moment—doing the very best we can. That belief continues to guide her passion for supporting families and encouraging children to thrive.
Ms. Jessica-KDO Teacher
Jessica Wheeler is a fun-loving, adventurous, bold lady with a true sense of work ethic and integrity. Jessica went to college at Missouri State University obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Leisure Studies with an Emphasis in Outdoor Recreation and a minor in Biology. She then went on to get her master’s degree in management with the University of Phoenix online while working a full-time job. Jessica has had a broad range of jobs in her career developing a range of knowledge and skill sets in customer relations, child development, problem solving, leadership, artistic skills, and more. Jessica has worked with youth volunteering for a Blind Camp in Corpus Christi while in college, a summer of recreational activities at the Lost Valley Lake Resort in Owensville MO, two years at the YMCA Prime Time program in Springfield, one year at the OC in Ozark planning and leading one of the summer camps in 2007, and one year the Good Samaritan Boy’s Ranch in Brighton MO. Since then, she worked in hospitality as a Front Desk Agent at a couple of hotels, worked at Pitbull Powersports as an Office Manager, worked six years at Bon Bon’s Candy House as the Production Manager making a lot of the crafty treats in the store and even helping with the children’s candy making classes they would hold in the summer and during school breaks. Now she works at the Bass Pro Basecamp/Warehouse as a Lead Outfitter overseeing a team of Outfitters in order fulfillment. Among the long list of jobs Jessica has held, she has continued to seek joy and fulfillment. She regularly attends Passion Assembly of God, serving in the Worship Team, Media Booth, and Greeting Team. Jessica enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing, camping, and floating.
Sierra Leeper-Owner
Sierra Leeper is one of the proud new owners of Ozark Dance Academy. A longtime supporter of the studio, Sierra watched her daughter Syndel grow up dancing at ODA, developing a deep love for both the art of dance and the community the studio creates. Her passion for ODA’s mission and values runs deep, and she is committed to helping preserve and grow its legacy for future generations.
Originally from Willard, Missouri, Sierra brings a heart for service, a strong sense of community, and a deep love for her family and faith into everything she does. She believes every child deserves a place where they feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to shine—and she is excited to help make that possible at ODA.
Abigail Ellingsworth-Owner
Abigail is one of the new owners of Ozark Dance Academy. Her passion for nurturing a love of dance in her daughters first led her to enroll them in classes with friends. They began with clogging, and as their interests grew, they expanded into ballet and tap.
That search for quality instruction brought Abigail to Ozark Dance Academy, where she found a warm and encouraging environment fostered by Julia Alderman. Under Julia’s guidance, her daughters not only gained strong technical training but also built lasting friendships.
Now, Abigail is honored to carry forward the legacy Julia began. She is dedicated to upholding the Academy’s tradition of excellence while providing a welcoming space where dancers of all ages can build solid foundations, grow in their skills, and gain confidence both inside and outside the studio.
Julia Alderman-ODA Founder/Substitute Teacher
Julia Alderman began her dance training at the age of seven in Westerville, Ohio. By the age of ten, she was dancing as a scholarship student through the Ford Foundation, a national program to assist gifted young dancers. This gave her the opportunity to train with Tatjana Akinfieva-Smith and to dance with BalletMet, a professional company in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, she studied with the Dayton Ballet, in Dayton Ohio and at the School of American Ballet in New York City. In 1987 she moved to Las Vegas where she trained with the Nevada Dance Theatre and traveled with them to Moscow, Russia. After moving to Memphis, TN she performed witht he Mid-South Dance Theatre. in 1991, she moved to Springfield, MO and began teaching ballet for Springfield Ballet while she completed a degree in Business Administration from Drury University. In 1994, she founded Ozark Dance Academy. Known by Miss. Julie to her ODA students and those she taught during her years as an adjunct teacher in the Theater and Dance Department at Missouri State University (2003-2017) she has shared her passion for ballet and trained many dancers who have gone on to be teacher, perform professionally and those who have just taken their dance training into their life beyond dance. When not teaching class at ODA or Fenix Hot Fitness she loves spending time with her husband Jeff, fur-babies Louie, Kato, and Mojo and being on the beach.