Meet the Staff!
Amanda Schaeffer - Owner/Director/Instructor
Miss Amanda is our hip-hop and jazz teacher of ages 6 - adult. She has over 20 years of dancing and teaching experience in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, and lyrical. She has competed in many competitions throughout Pennsylvania in all dance styles. Miss Amanda is in charge of the competition team for LimeLight and has won awards for her choreography. In 2006, she was a member of the Reading Express Dance Team for the indoor professional football league. In 2012, she received her ZUMBA certification by attending a workshop in the Philadelphia area. Amanda continues to study dance yearly at The Monsters of Hip Hop Convention in Washington DC and The PULSE Workshop in New York City. She has had the privilege to have been able to work with professional choreographers such as: Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo, Dave Scott, Tyce Diorio, Kevin Maher, Jamal Sims, JaQuel, Marty Kudelka, Luther Brown, Lisette Bustamante, Chonique Sneed, Luam, Rhapsody James, Brian Friedman, Laurieann Gibson, and Debbie Wilson. Amanda has also taken many classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, and Koresh Dance Studios in Philadelphia. One of her most favorite accomplishments is currently being the co-choreographer for 'Dance The World' - North America’s largest dance event held at the Walt Disney World Resort. Miss Amanda lives in Leesport with her husband Matt and two sons Carter and Jaxon.
Miss Amanda is our hip-hop and jazz teacher of ages 6 - adult. She has over 20 years of dancing and teaching experience in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, and lyrical. She has competed in many competitions throughout Pennsylvania in all dance styles. Miss Amanda is in charge of the competition team for LimeLight and has won awards for her choreography. In 2006, she was a member of the Reading Express Dance Team for the indoor professional football league. In 2012, she received her ZUMBA certification by attending a workshop in the Philadelphia area. Amanda continues to study dance yearly at The Monsters of Hip Hop Convention in Washington DC and The PULSE Workshop in New York City. She has had the privilege to have been able to work with professional choreographers such as: Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo, Dave Scott, Tyce Diorio, Kevin Maher, Jamal Sims, JaQuel, Marty Kudelka, Luther Brown, Lisette Bustamante, Chonique Sneed, Luam, Rhapsody James, Brian Friedman, Laurieann Gibson, and Debbie Wilson. Amanda has also taken many classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, and Koresh Dance Studios in Philadelphia. One of her most favorite accomplishments is currently being the co-choreographer for 'Dance The World' - North America’s largest dance event held at the Walt Disney World Resort. Miss Amanda lives in Leesport with her husband Matt and two sons Carter and Jaxon.
Brianne Tempesco - Instructor
Miss Brianne teaches ballet, tap, & jazz for ages 2 - adults. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has continued her passion ever since. Along with dance, Brianne participated in cheerleading throughout her high school career and competed for many cheer competitions. She has taken classes and teacher workshops under professional choreographers such as: Cris Judd, Ashle Dawson, Debbie Wilson, Briand Freidman, and Tyce Diorio. Miss Brianne lives in Blandon with her husband Zack and daughter Hazel.
Miss Brianne teaches ballet, tap, & jazz for ages 2 - adults. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has continued her passion ever since. Along with dance, Brianne participated in cheerleading throughout her high school career and competed for many cheer competitions. She has taken classes and teacher workshops under professional choreographers such as: Cris Judd, Ashle Dawson, Debbie Wilson, Briand Freidman, and Tyce Diorio. Miss Brianne lives in Blandon with her husband Zack and daughter Hazel.
Kate Doughton - Instructor
Miss Kate teaches ballet, tap & jazz for ages 2 - 7 and has many years of teaching experience with LimeLight. Kate was born and raised in Shropshire, UK and has studied Philosophy & Theology, and also worked in retail management. She spent time in New York City working with the Angelina Ballerina curriculum choreographer and writer, and has been teaching levels 1 & 2. She has also taken children’s seminars for creative movement, tap classes, ballet classes, and business seminars. Miss Kate lives in Exeter Township with her husband Lee, and their daughters Sera and Ellie who both danced at LimeLight.
Miss Kate teaches ballet, tap & jazz for ages 2 - 7 and has many years of teaching experience with LimeLight. Kate was born and raised in Shropshire, UK and has studied Philosophy & Theology, and also worked in retail management. She spent time in New York City working with the Angelina Ballerina curriculum choreographer and writer, and has been teaching levels 1 & 2. She has also taken children’s seminars for creative movement, tap classes, ballet classes, and business seminars. Miss Kate lives in Exeter Township with her husband Lee, and their daughters Sera and Ellie who both danced at LimeLight.
Sarel Rentschler - Instructor
Miss Sarel is our all levels tap and musical theater teacher from ages 8 - adult. Sarel has been tapping since the age of 3 and has 14 years of tap dancing and teaching experience. She also has many years of acting experience in multiple shows during her school years. She studied at Marie Shaw School of Dance throughout her dance career, and has attended workshops and master classes for tap. Sarel is also currently attending Kaplan University working to obtain her Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting. Miss Sarel currently lives in the Blandon area with her husband Kenny and is expecting their first child in January 2021.
Miss Sarel is our all levels tap and musical theater teacher from ages 8 - adult. Sarel has been tapping since the age of 3 and has 14 years of tap dancing and teaching experience. She also has many years of acting experience in multiple shows during her school years. She studied at Marie Shaw School of Dance throughout her dance career, and has attended workshops and master classes for tap. Sarel is also currently attending Kaplan University working to obtain her Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting. Miss Sarel currently lives in the Blandon area with her husband Kenny and is expecting their first child in January 2021.
Amy Miller - Instructor
Miss Amy teaches our Broadway Babies mommy & me class, Mini Ballet Levels 1 and 2 for ages 3 - 5, ballet & tap combo classes for ages 3 - 5 and hip hop for ages 6-7. Amy has been dancing with LimeLight for many years and has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, salsa, and contemporary. She recently had the pleasure of being part of a local theater and was casted in two musicals. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Alvernia University. Miss Amy lives in Wyomissing with her husband Wade, and their daughters Hunter and Haven who both dance at LimeLight.
Miss Amy teaches our Broadway Babies mommy & me class, Mini Ballet Levels 1 and 2 for ages 3 - 5, ballet & tap combo classes for ages 3 - 5 and hip hop for ages 6-7. Amy has been dancing with LimeLight for many years and has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, salsa, and contemporary. She recently had the pleasure of being part of a local theater and was casted in two musicals. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Alvernia University. Miss Amy lives in Wyomissing with her husband Wade, and their daughters Hunter and Haven who both dance at LimeLight.
Ashley Gofus - Instructor
Miss Ashley is our ballet, pointe and contemporary teacher for ages 8-18. She has over 26 years of dancing and teaching experience in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, tap, dance theater and hip hop. She completed the bulk of her training at Connecticut Concert Ballet and Lancaster School of Ballet and thoroughly studied both Russian Vaganova and Italian Cecchetti Ballet techniques. Ashley was a member of the West Chester University's Dance Company for all four years of her college career. She was also chosen to be a student choreographer for every semester eligible. She was 1 in 10 ballet dancers in Pennsylvania chosen to attend The Governor's School for the Arts in 2004 where she was 1 in 3 ballerinas awarded a solo. One of Ashley's biggest accomplishments was choreographing an original ballet version of Peter Pan for The Ballet Theater of Lancaster at the Historic Fulton Opera House in Lancaster. Her favorite role was dancing 'Clara' in The Nutcracker alongside the Donetsk Ballet of the Ukraine. Miss Ashley lives in Exeter with her husband Jaime, two sons James and Joseph, and daughter Ariella.
Kassia Esbenshade - Instructor
Miss Kassia teaches ballet, pre-pointe and contemporary for ages 8-13. She is originally from San Jose California and started dancing at the age of 4. Kassia has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz lyrical, modern, contemporary and a little bit of hip hop. She taught ballet to a variety of age groups at the studio she previously attended in California. Kassia is ABT Ballet certified and is currently on the Penn State Berks Dance Team where she currently is attending school. Miss Kassia is studying Kinesiology with plans of becoming a PT to work with injured dancers and athletes.
Miss Kassia teaches ballet, pre-pointe and contemporary for ages 8-13. She is originally from San Jose California and started dancing at the age of 4. Kassia has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz lyrical, modern, contemporary and a little bit of hip hop. She taught ballet to a variety of age groups at the studio she previously attended in California. Kassia is ABT Ballet certified and is currently on the Penn State Berks Dance Team where she currently is attending school. Miss Kassia is studying Kinesiology with plans of becoming a PT to work with injured dancers and athletes.
Michele Rankin - Instructor
Miss Michele teaches Mommy & Me for ages 18 months - 2 years and ballet/tap for ages 3 & 4. Michele started dancing at the age of 5 at The Price Studio in Pottstown. Michele began teaching at LimeLight in 2001, which has made her part of the studio for over 15 years. During that time she has taught Twirly Bees, Broadway Babies, Princess Camp, Ballet & Tap combos as well as being our Princess Party Hostess. Michele graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art. She has worked as an elementary substitute teacher for the Govenor Mifflin School District for over 20 years. Her greatest joy has been raising her 3 children, Tyler, Alex and Emily.
Miss Michele teaches Mommy & Me for ages 18 months - 2 years and ballet/tap for ages 3 & 4. Michele started dancing at the age of 5 at The Price Studio in Pottstown. Michele began teaching at LimeLight in 2001, which has made her part of the studio for over 15 years. During that time she has taught Twirly Bees, Broadway Babies, Princess Camp, Ballet & Tap combos as well as being our Princess Party Hostess. Michele graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art. She has worked as an elementary substitute teacher for the Govenor Mifflin School District for over 20 years. Her greatest joy has been raising her 3 children, Tyler, Alex and Emily.
Justin Madden - Fitness Instructor
Justin teaches fitness classes from the program he developed: H.A.B.I.T. Fitness. The classes are designed to shred calories and increase metabolism, endurance and overall personal fitness. He is certified as a USA Triathlon Coach, USA Cycling Coach and holds multiple certifications through NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association). Justin has competed in many triathlons from Sprint to Half-Ironman with several podium finishes. He has taken a step back from regular competition and now coaches athletes as well as provides both group and personal training. Justin lives in Wernersville and is married to our receptionist Hilda. He has two children; a son Eli who serves in the US Air Force and a daughter Emily, an alumni dancer of LimeLight, who currently dances in college.
Justin teaches fitness classes from the program he developed: H.A.B.I.T. Fitness. The classes are designed to shred calories and increase metabolism, endurance and overall personal fitness. He is certified as a USA Triathlon Coach, USA Cycling Coach and holds multiple certifications through NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association). Justin has competed in many triathlons from Sprint to Half-Ironman with several podium finishes. He has taken a step back from regular competition and now coaches athletes as well as provides both group and personal training. Justin lives in Wernersville and is married to our receptionist Hilda. He has two children; a son Eli who serves in the US Air Force and a daughter Emily, an alumni dancer of LimeLight, who currently dances in college.
Hilda Madden - Administrative Assistant