About DAI
Dance Arts Iowa was founded in 2004 by Director Ellis G. Stroud. Dance Arts Iowa offers a carefully designed and progressive program in dance technique,
which takes the young dancer from the primary levels to pre-professional dance.
Our professional staff has experience and expertise in teaching children. They understand that dance disciplines must be taught carefully with enjoyment and encouragement.
DAI offers strong technical training in ballet and encourages students to take Jazz, Modern, Irish Step Dance and Tap to stimulate creativity and enhance rhythm, musicality and fun.
Our purpose is to train educated dancers, while retaining the joy of movement itself.
Teaching Staff
Ellis G. Stroud, Director
Ellis G. Stroud has been teaching dance for over 15 years in 4 different states and now in Iowa. She has taught in private studios, at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA., in public school grant programs, and various summer programs. She is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. She began her Cecchetti Method teacher training in Texas and is currently working on Grade IV with a teacher in the Chicago area. Ellis is a certified Stott - Pilates instructor. She is a board member of the Midwest Committee of the Cecchetti Council of America and of the Mt. Vernon Arts Council.
Kaleena Marshall
Kaleena Marshall is the Artistic Director of Maolisa Irish Step Dance. Kaleena was home schooled, graduating in 2001.Kaleena graduated from the University of Iowa with a Dance Major. Kaleena has danced Classical Ballet for 17 years, also teaching for the last 8 years. She has also danced Irish Step Dance for the past 9 years and taught Irish for 6 years. Kaleena has also trained in Jazz, Modern, and Tap. In her spare time she plays and teaches flute and tin whistle.