About Us
"BRINGING THE FINEST IN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE TO THE LAKE"
Relevé Dance Academy, established in 2004, strives to create an environment that allows for students to grow as individuals, in and out of the studio. Proper and technical dance training is at the forefront, but Relevé and its staff put an emphasis on individuality, creativity, work ethic and confidence!
Located at 1053 Osage Beach Road
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Meet The Instructors
Mackenna Bennett
Mackenna Bennett is the owner, operator, instructor, and choreographer for Relevé Dance Academy. She began dancing at the age of 3 and started training at Relevé Dance Academy since its inception in 2004 under the direction of Kim Generally. Mackenna began teaching at the age of 16 while she was still a dancer at Relevé, and then later pursued a degree in Fine Arts at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While at Mizzou, Mackenna was a member of the prestigious Golden Girls dance team where she danced at nationally televised sporting events, collegiate dance competitions, and choreographed many routines for the Golden Girls Program. While in college, Mackenna continued her passion for teaching and remained on staff at Relevé Dance Academy. In 2017 Mackenna and her husband, Mason, took ownership of Relevé Dance Academy and set forth on the journey of continuing the legacy already built up at the studio. In 2019, Mackenna was awarded the Lake Lifestyles Young Professional ‘Rising Star’ award for her work as a business owner and professional. Mackenna teaches all ages and styles at Relevé, but her true passion lies in her artistry and creativity for choreography. Her pieces, danced by the Relevé Performance Company, have won numerous choreography awards at regional dance competitions over the years. Mackenna and her sister, Kendal Surdyke, direct the award-winning competitive Performance Company at Relevé Dance Academy and were awarded many prestigious studio awards during their time as directors.
Mackenna is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing young dancers and hopes to inspire and uplift those she comes in contact with. She sees dance as a true art form and method of expression and storytelling. She hopes that she can teach dancers to feel completely confident in their own skin and let go of fear or worry as they dance. "We dance because it makes us feel good. You dance for yourself first… and perhaps hope that others will feel that positive energy by watching and experiencing your movement with you."
Kendal Surdyke
Kendal Surdyke is an instructor and choreographer at Relevé Dance Academy. Kendal began dancing at a young age, and is a proud alum of Relevé. Kendal continued her dance education past high school, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Kansas. As a recipient of the prestigious Hamburg Dance Scholarship, Kendal trained in various styles including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, African, Indian, and Flamenco. Kendal danced as a member of the University Dance Company for four years, which gave her the opportunities to work with esteemed choreographers from all over the country. Kendal has performed at 'Modern Night at the Folly' in Kansas City, The Lied Center of Kansas, and trained and performed at the American College Dance Association in Chicago, Illinois and Ames, Iowa. Kendal never stops striving to further her education, and has received training at Giordano Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, Dallas Contemporary Ballet, and is a certified Pilates instructor. Kendal started teaching dance at the age of 16, and has taught in both the Kansas City and Lake areas. As a head choreographer for the Relevé Performance Company, Kendal is excited to continue expressing her creativity through dance. She has earned multiple choreography awards at regional competitions. Kendal feels very blessed she gets to do what she loves with her sister Mackenna at her side.
Kendal recognizes that she has the chance to leave a lasting impact on the lives of every student that comes to Relevé. Teaching dance is about more than just the choreography and technique. It is an opportunity to guide every dancer into becoming confident, creative, hard-working, kind, and powerful human beings. Kendal believes the greatest gift she can give her students is positive energy and a safe space to grow.
Nathan Crewe-Kluge hails from Chicago IL, where he received formal dance training from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago/Lou Conte Dance Studios, Jofferey Ballet Academy, and Dance Center of La Grange. He received additional training from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, and more. In 2019 Nathan had the privilege to study classical ballet abroad at Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. He most recently trained in college at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance on scholarship under the direction of Nelly van Bommel and will receive his BFA in Dance Performance and Composition in January. Nathan has performed works by prestigious choreographers including Jerome Robbins, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, José Limón, Helder Seabra, Rena Butler, Gregory Dawson, and Leigh Warren. Additionally, Nathan has guested with Chicago Repertory Ballet, Winifred Haun & Dancers, and Three Rivers Dance. Nathan is ecstatic to be joining Mareck Center for Dance (formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet) and is looking forward to an incredible season!
Stephanie Ryder
Stephanie Ryder grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is so excited to be a joining Relevé as a ballet teacher this year! Stephanie earned a BFA in Dance with a ballet concentration from Point Park University. During her time there she studied ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop, tap, pas de deux, kinesiology, pedagogy and many other dance related courses. While at Point Park she had the privilege of studying under and attending master classes from a host of well known dancers and choreographers. After graduation she taught for several years at studios around Pittsburgh. Stephanie is married to Jordan and they have 4 children: Gideon (9) Canaan (8) Leo (6) and Jetta (1) They moved to the Lake in 2020 and have absolutely loved it!
Manual 'Lukky' Harvey
Manual "Lukky" Harvey began as a street dancer and freestyler in the styles of popping, breaking, house and krumping and now his main focus is hiphop influenced choreography. His style is very unique and based mainly off of grooving and expression. He is apart of immaBEAST the company, under the direction of WilldaBeast Adams, also signed with LA based talent agency, Clear Talent Group. He travels and trains often at Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds and Movement Life studios in LA. He has trained under industry professionals such as Nappy Tabs, Willdabeast Adams, Brian Friedman, Laura Edwards, Bobby Newberry, Janelle Ginestra, Tony Bellissimo, Jaja Vankova, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Tricia Miranda and several others.
A few of Manual's credits include iPush "theCOMMUNITY", Three Blind Saints (the movie), Blood Money (stageplay), Ginuwine, Tech N9ne, Jordan Fisher, MacKenzie Nicole, Krizz Kaliko, immaBEAST, TeRance Golden, Sauce Remix, Brisk Iced Tea, Stevie Stone and more.
Sarah Murphy grew up dancing in Northern California, and is very excited to be working with the students at Relevé Dance academy.Sarah earned her BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, where she completed academic courses in pedagogy, kinesiology, music theory, choreography, dance history, dance criticism, and nutrition, in addition to varied studio and performance courses. While at the U, she became curious about studying both somatic practices and kinesiological concepts and learning to incorporate them into her approach to dance and wellness: it is something that she continues to be passionate about exploring, and infuses into her teaching. She is currently a second year company member for Mareck Center for Dance in Columbia, Missouri. She has previously danced as a company member with BalletNext under the direction of Michele Wiles, performing at New York Live Arts, The New Victory Theater, and Kaatsbaan; a company member with the South Valley Ballet in California; a second company member with NWA Ballet Theatre in Arkansas; and an ensemble member in Wilder Production’s NU·TOPIA in Aspen, CO. She has also developed a love of teaching during her time as a professional dancer, and taught various levels of ballet, conditioning, and creative movement for the Jones Center in Arkansas and the South Valley Ballet School.
Sarah Murphy
Nathan Crewe-Kluge
Amy & Peter Hernandez
Peter and Amy Hernandez are the owners of La Roca Dance Club in Osage Beach, where they offer classes in ballroom, Latin, and swing dancing. Peter is from "The Dotte" in Kansas City where he began his dance career more than 20 years ago. His training started while working for a man he greatly respected, the late Tom Champman at TC Dance International. He attributes much of his success to the valuable knowledge he has received from some of the many coaches he has worked with including Terry Irwin, David Kloss, Ahmed Hussein, and Bob Powers. Amy was born and raised on the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks where she currently resides with her husband, Peter, and two amazing children, Victor and Cicylia. She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. As a child Amy began her dancing career in jazz, modern, and ballet. At first, ballroom and Latin dancing was just a hobby. It didn’t take long for her to leave years of working in the corporate world to make dance her new career. Today, Amy’s love of dance has led her to integrate it in to her life day-in and day-out. Peter Hernandez has won various Top Teacher awards at 5-7 NDCA Competitions each year since 2005. La Roca Club has been awarded the TOP Studio award 10 times in the last 14 years. La Roca Club has also been recognized in its achievements as a Lake Community endorsing business as well as being supportive of the Alzheimer's Association for over 12 years.
Lauren Zanaboni
Lauren Zanaboni began dancing at the young age of 3. She is an alumni of Relevé Dance Academy, and has been a part of the Relevé team in a variety of different ways since she started. Throughout her time as a student she trained in all styles of dance and competed with the Relevé performance. Upon graduation, she taught dance classes in Kansas City and continued taking dance classes throughout college at local studios to further her education. Lauren is also a part of the Camdenton Pride of The Lake marching band staff and Camdenton winter guard staff and has been for the past six years as the movement specialist. With her varied specialities and positions, she hopes to not only further her students dance technique, but also instill a passion for and love of dance.
Chloe Bartels
Chloe Bartels grew up in Olathe, Kansas and is so honored and excited to be working with the students at Relevé Dance Academy! She started dancing at the age of 3, and trained at Starstruck Performing Arts Center in Lenexa, Kansas. After graduating high school, she attended Kansas State University and was on the dance team for 4 years. She majored in Human development and nutrition and loves to implement the skills and knowledge she has learned into dance and technical training. While at K-State she learned how to teach children from the ages of 3-18. She has found a passion of teaching through dance and can’t wait for this upcoming season!