Desiree Lantz
- Owner / Instructor
Desiree Lantz is a dedicated dance educator, choreographer, and studio owner with a lifelong passion for the art of movement.
She began her dance journey at the age of five in a small studio in South Bend, Indiana. By nine, she was dancing competitively and training five days a week in Warsaw, IN, supplementing her development through conventions and workshops across the Midwest. At 16, she stepped into a teaching assistant role and discovered her true calling: inspiring others through dance education.
Throughout her training, Desiree received multiple scholarships, including back-to-back top honors from the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. After high school, she began teaching and training in Marion, IN, where she performed in a live stage show starring Burt Reynolds and was selected to attend the prestigious pre-professional tap program Tap Kids in Vermont.
In 2013, she expanded her performance career by joining a contemporary dance company in Fort Wayne and a tap company in Chicago. Her credits include appearances in the Fort Wayne Ballet’s The Nutcracker and three seasons with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s Holiday Pops.
Desiree has trained with many of the tap world’s most influential artists, including Sam Weber, Derick Grant, Michelle Dorrance, Dianne Walker, Jason Samuels Smith, Dormeshia, and Sarah Reich—continually seeking to deepen her artistry and bring that knowledge to her students.
In 2015, Desiree founded DES Dance to create a training environment that was both positive and disciplined—something she felt was missing in the area. What began with a handful of students in a rented space at Goshen College has grown into a thriving studio now located in the Risser Building in downtown Goshen. Under her leadership, DES Dance has built a strong reputation for technical excellence, winning numerous 1st overall placements, choreography awards, and technique honors at regional competitions.
Desiree currently lives in Chicago, IL with her fiancé and their two golden doodles. She commutes weekly to Goshen to continue nurturing her students and growing the DES Dance family. As the studio continues to expand, she remains committed to fostering a space where dancers can thrive, grow, and fall in love with the art of dance.
Michelle Lantz
- Office Manager
Michelle Lantz is the heart behind the scenes at DES Dance.
As the studio’s office manager—and wearer of many hats—Michelle plays an essential role in keeping everything running smoothly. With nearly 30 years of experience in the dance industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge, organization, and passion to everything she does.
A founding member and current board member of the DES Dance Company Foundation, Michelle has been instrumental in supporting the growth and vision of the studio from day one. Her dedication to the dancers and families of Goshen is unmatched. Whether it’s managing schedules, answering questions, or offering a kind word when it’s needed most, Michelle is always there with a warm heart and helping hand.
Her unwavering commitment, love for the dance community, and behind-the-scenes support make her an irreplaceable part of the DES Dance family.
Alana Munsell
- Instructor
Alana has been teaching at DES Dance since 2019 and shares her passion for dance through ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and Adult Power Barre classes. Known for her fun, upbeat teaching style, Alana encourages every student to strive for their very best while creating a positive and enjoyable learning environment. Her love for dance and genuine care for her students shine through in every class, making each lesson both challenging and rewarding.
Elizabeth Barrick
- Instructor
Elizabeth began teaching in 2021 at DES Dance and currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. She is passionate about sharing her love of dance with her students and is adored for her encouraging and supportive teaching style. As a dedicated member of the DES Dance Company, Elizabeth has earned numerous 1st Overall awards for both her solo performances and group dances. Committed to continuous growth, she continues to train and perform each season, bringing fresh inspiration, experience, and enthusiasm into every class she teaches.
Stevie Plank
- Instructor
Stevie has loved dance for as long as she can remember. She grew up in Goshen, Indiana, and has been dancing since she was little. She began learning baton from her grandmother and continued until age 12 before joining DES Dance in 2015.
As a member of the DES Dance Company for five years, Stevie earned numerous high score and special judges' awards, including a 1st Overall solo award in Chicago in 2023. She has trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, and hip-hop, and has attended dance workshops and conventions in Chicago.
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Stevie began assisting dance classes at 14 and has been teaching since she was 16. She graduated from Goshen High School in 2023. In addition to teaching dance, she enjoys babysitting and loves working with children. Stevie brings kindness, compassion, confidence, and enthusiasm to everything she does.
Olivia Green
- Instructor
Olivia has been inspiring dancers at DES Dance since 2019, teaching hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary. Her passion for dance shines through in every class, and she is deeply committed to helping each student grow in both skill and confidence. Olivia genuinely cares about every dancer who walks into her classroom, creating a positive, encouraging environment where students feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn.
Courtney Brown
- Instructor
Courtney is a passionate yoga instructor, trained dancer, and the owner of Lake City Yoga & Dance in Warsaw, Indiana. Having grown up dancing and competing, she is grateful to have found her way back to the art that first inspired her. Courtney is passionate about helping others connect with their breath, build confidence, and experience the joy of movement. Her warmth, positive spirit, and genuine love for her students shine through in every class. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the DES Dance family, and our students absolutely adore learning from her.