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 Exchange Suites 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
Bio Coming Soon...
Elizabeth Barrick
- Instructor
Bio Coming Soon...
Stevie Plank
- Instructor
Stevie’s passion for dance has been an important part of her life. She cannot imagine a life without it. Stevie grew up in Goshen, IN and has been dancing since she could walk. From a young age she learned baton from her grandma which she continued through the age of 12. She began dancing at DES Dance in 2015 and has been a competitive dancer with DES Dance Company for 3 years. She has won many high score and special judges awards and placed 1st overall with her solo in spring of 2023 in Chicago. Stevie has trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap and hip-hop. She has attended workshops and conventions in Chicago. She began assisting dance classes when she was 14 years old. Stevie has been teaching dance since she was 16 years old. Stevie graduated from Goshen High School in 2023. Along with teaching dance Stevie is a babysitter and absolutely loves working with kids. She is a 10 year member of 4-H and hopes to continue on with them as a leader in the future. Stevie is kind, compassionate, fearless, and lively in everything that she does. She is excited to continue on her 9th season with DES Dance.
Olivia Green
- Instructor
Bio Coming Soon...
Elizabeth Brow
- Marketing Development Liaison
Liz's appreciation for the arts and the business side of the field began at an early age when she attended her first musical theatre performance of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Round Barn Theatre, and became captivated with not only the performance, but the "how" of the ticketing and marketing processes that got the audience filling the seats!
She has had the privilege through the years of learning from and working in marketing, development and education with arts organizations such as the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Premier Arts, Elkhart Civic Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Butler University Bands and Orchestra, and the South Bend Symphony, as well as working alongside Grammy winning jazz pianist, Taylor Eigsti.
Liz studied a concentration of nonprofit arts management with a B.A. of Arts Administration at Butler University, and furthered her studies in Mass Communications, Public Advocacy at Indiana University South Bend. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and five children. She is also a Walt Disney World and Elvis Presley enthusiast.
Liz is thrilled and honored to be utilizing her skill sets to support the top notch education and performances of the DES Dance Company.