Meet The OTT Family
Management Team
Jennifer Smith
(she/her)
Owner/Executive Director
Jennifer Smith began her dance journey at Jon T Dance Arts Center, located in Alger Heights. Jennifer was only four years old when she put on her first pair of tap shoes and has rarely taken them off since. She fell in love with all things dance and the studio became like a second home to her. Twenty years ago, she bought that very studio and put her name on the door… ready to take things Over The Top! Since day one, she has been intentional in providing that same love and safety in her studio that she received as a child; she also felt called to take things to another level. Outside of creating a dance competition team, she has cultivated more tap dance education opportunities, provided more class offerings for all ages and committed to seek out even more diversity in arts and dance. Jennifer specializes in Preschool education and has this uncanny ability to teach things in whimsical ways. The way in which she can quickly connect and empower children is a sight to see. This love and intention to teach the upcoming generation led her to create our ‘Mini Mindful Movers’ program. This program was designed to be used for kids ages two to five years old and last year, Over The Top was commissioned by Appletree/Gilden Woods Daycare Inc. to pilot this enrichment program at fourteen locations twice a month. Jennifer and her staff witnessed amazing growth and development in just nine short months– it’s no wonder that so many of those children decided to join the OTT family. Tap Dance is at the heart of her dance studio. Over the last ten years, Jennifer has sought out tap masters and living legends to continue her own tap dance education; so that she can better teach her students the true art form of tap dance and its black historic roots. Creating more workshop opportunities and traveling to get creatively fed has poured back into her business tenfold. This burning desire to keep tap alive and at the forefront has led to the cultivation of Over The Top’s annual ‘Tap Week’. This annual tap dance experience kicks off with workshop style classes led by a Tap Master, drumming classes, historic footage nights, a tap jam session, and concludes with an amazing immersive live event! Placing this event during Black History Month is intentional in order to honor and exemplify Black artists/creators/teachers that have come before us and are among us. Jennifer is a business owner, educator, and community activator… it’s “so much more than dance.”
Ajamu Bernard
(he/him)
General Manager
Ajamu Bernard is a Community FItness Activist, a TRX master trainer and author of the Kettlebell Samurai Method. He leads education courses and hosts workshops that use storytelling and movement to share his wisdom. As a strength coach and pilates instructor he integrates bodyweight skills, Kettlebell Samurai Method and Classical Pilates to give a comprehensive mobility and strength improvement experience. Ajamu loves to run, play soccer and compete in Kettlebell Juggling Shows.
Phoebe Dawson
(she/her)
Studio Manager
Phoebe Dawson first joined the OTT Family as Director of OTT’s Summer Theater Camp in 2021. The following year, she joined the OTT Family full time as Studio Manager and Theater Director. Outside of OTT, she is not only a director but is also a stage manager, choreographer, and performer in West Michigan. Phoebe has been working in educational theater for the past 6 years in the Grand Rapids community. Phoebe is a huge believer in the power of visual and performing arts education and is passionate about making the arts accessible and available to not only young artists but to everyone. She is teaching the next generation of artists to lead with love, empathy, and confidence. “It’s only weird, if you don’t do it!”
Teachers & Assistants
Briana Dean
(she/her)
Ballet/Contemporary Instructor
Miss Bree began her dance training at the Grand Rapids Ballet Company when she was nine years old. She trained there through high school and had the opportunity to take class and perform alongside the professional company. There she received the Award of Excellence Scholarship and also competed in Youth America Grand Prix, placing Top 12 for the Senior Ballet division. Miss Bree furthered her dance training at Grand Valley State University where she majored in both Dance and Clinical Exercise Science. She performed in faculty and guest artists works throughout the four years and was also a member, and later President of the student-run dance organization, Momentum. She was awarded the Rebecca Vogelsang Memorial Scholarship in 2011 and the Alexander Calder Honors Scholarship in 2014. Miss Bree is extremely excited to be teaching at Over the Top and hopes to advance her students technique and inspire passion and artistry through her classes.
Nadeen West
(she/they)
Ballet & Jazz Instructor
Nadeen West was born in Grand Rapids. She began more formal dance training at age 13, studying mostly ballet, jazz, and lyrical. She completed an internship with Happendance in Okemos, MI from 2022-23, where she danced in their professional company, taught, and subbed Jazz Technique. Nadeen is a current Dance Major at Grand Valley State University, so far she has been cast in work by Devin Baker, was invited to RA and teach at Grand Valley State University's Accelerate Intensive, and has been invited to be a student engagement liason for American College Dance Association. "Diversity over everything!!"
Abigail Forbes
(she/her)
Ballet/Contemporary Instructor
More about Miss Abigail to come!
Chase Smith
(she/her)
Instructor/Asst. CRU Director
Chase has basically grown up at Over the Top Academy of Dance. She has a lot of experience being a dancer. She has danced in numerous dance classes, competed for many years, and has been a student for more years at OTT than she have been a teacher, so she can definitely relate to students in so many ways and understand their struggles and achievements within the realm of this art. She loves teaching the kids the passion and drive of dance. Being a dancer is hard work and every dancer needs a teacher that is enthusiastic, fun, cares about growth, and a role model. She says that she can be all of those for any child who wants to pursue dance at this studio. She loves giving the kids lessons in class, showing them how to be confident in everything they do, and boosting their self esteem. She loves working for this business because we believe it’s way more than dance and she can say she has have learned many things that she will take into her future through OTT and your child will too!
Mackenzie Kasiorek
(she/her)
Tap Instructor/Assistant
Mackenzie is a student at East Kentwood High School. She has been dancing at Over The Top Academy of dance since she was 3. She is the center snare drummer for EK’s drumline, a percussionist in the school’s symphonic wind ensemble, and a drumset player in the jazz band. Mackenzie is passionate about the intersection of music and dance, especially the percussive aspect of tap dance. Her goal is help kids find a deeper connection to the instrumental nature of dancing. She is a part of the competition team as a dancer, and is the CRU multimedia communications coordinator. She is thrilled to be part of the Over The Top community and beyond excited to be returning for a third year as a teaching assistant. It’s her mission to be an inspiration to the next generation of OTT dancers who have brought her so much joy! She wants people to see that it really is so much more than dance, and that we are developing well rounded successful people. She is so thankful for the opportunities she has been given and excited to see what she can do this year!
Rylee Brown
(she/her)
Teacher's Assistant
e-mail not available
Rylee is a student at Grand Rapids Christian High School! She has been dancing at Over The Top Academy of dance since she was 3. She also loves reading. Her favorite book is called 'Concrete Rose' by Angie Thomas. She is eager to be apart of the Over The Top community and is thrilled to be a teaching assistant this year!
Calveri Stith
(she/her)
Teacher's Assistant
email not available
Calveri has been dancing for most of her life! She love working with kids and her favorite style is ballet and contemporary. Dancing is her passion and loves to show it around the studio!
Naomi DeJong
(she/her)
Teacher's Assistant
email not available
More about Miss Naomi to come!
"Ms. Jen and her instructors are the very best at creating a culture and lifestyle focused on love and the pure joy of dance. Bring your son or daughter to Miss Jen's world, your child will benefit in ways which greatly exceed the dollar cost."
