Limelight Kids Preschool Director

As a mother, Coach Haven understands the importance of child development and the critical role teachers have. She is a graduate of Western State Colorado University with a bachelors in Theatre & Communications. After graduation, she interned with Partners, a non-profit organization mentoring at-risk youth and also served as a summer camp counselor for under privileged kids.  She is passionate about helping children find their voice,  be confident in who they are and be able to express themselves. She believes children are the tomorrow of the world — Limelight Kids Charlotte gives them the tools to shape their self esteem into bold, courageous change making visionaries of tomorrow!

Coach Lilly is a theatre enthusiast and proud Limelight teacher. She has  been performing since she was 8, studied theatre in college, and has spent over 8 years working with children. Helping kids find their voice, build confidence, and shine on stage is Lilly's passion. Fluent in English and Spanish, she loves creating a fun, inclusive space for every young performer. Fun fact: before moving to Charlotte, Lilly was in a girl group in Atlanta!

Coach Emma is a soon-to-be Davidson College graduate with a BA in Theatre and Education Studies. With a passion for empowering young minds, Emma has extensive experience teaching and directing youth theatre, including writing and staging original plays. She is deeply committed to fostering creativity, self-expression, and confidence in her students. Her background includes work with Woodlawn School, where she developed and led a thriving theatre program and staged a production of Winnie the Pooh, as well as an immersive capstone project on educational systems in Northern Ireland. Emma brings her love of storytelling, improvisation, and dynamic teaching methods to Limelight Kids, where she is thrilled to inspire the next generation of bold, creative thinkers.

Coach Kate grew up in New Haven, CT, where she trained under Lorraine Judd and earned a BA in Humanities with a concentration in Theatre Arts from Albertus Magnus College. She also holds a Dance Performance certification from Naugatuck Valley College. Kate and her husband owned and operated CT Dance Force in Hamden, CT before relocating to North Carolina, where she has taught ballet, tap, and musical theatre at several area studios and community centers. A proud member of the National Dance Education Organization, Kate is passionate about proper technique, dance history, and making the arts accessible for all. She is thrilled to bring her love of theatre and dance to Limelight Kids!

Coach Liz loves every part of the theatre. She earned her BA in Theatre from UNC Charlotte — and proudly spells it with the “re,” just like Shakespeare — and has been involved in the arts since middle school. Over the years, she has worked as an actor, costumer, and writer. Liz also has a passion for working with children (she comes from a long line of teachers). She is excited to share her love of the arts with the next generation.

Coach Jessica is a lifelong lover of the arts with a background in Visual Arts, Photography, and soon Graphic Design. She is passionate about inspiring young minds and infusing creativity into every moment with her students. At Limelight, Jessica treasures seeing kids grow, express themselves, and discover their unique talents. Combining her artistic spirit with a dedication to teaching, she looks forward to empowering the next generation of bold, creative thinkers.

Annabella has been a performing artist for 10+ years. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Lees-McRae, a small college in the North Carolina mountains. She has turned her love of theatre into a chance to teach others the beauty of performing and expressing themselves. She is also a character performer, taking on the roles of various Disney princesses and traveling to special events to meet and interact with kids! She has also been involved in facilitating summer camp theatre programs, as well as directing short plays presented by the campers. She is excited to share her experience and performance knowledge with children eager to learn the joys of theatre performing! 

Marissa Romanoff is a professional theatre performer and vocalist with a degree from CPCC.  From a young age, she performed with choirs, orchestras, and chamber groups. She performed all over Atlanta with multiple professional credits, including Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812,  Frog and Toad, Aesop's Fables, Gypsy, Showboat, Jekyll and Hyde, and shows on Amazon Prime, and Youtube.  Recently, she moved back to Charlotte and is excited to share her love for theater in the classroom through Limelight Kids!

Coach April has over 10 years of experience working with children, combining her background in childcare with a passion for teaching through play. She brings creativity, structure, and heart to every class, using playful performances and group activities to help kids build confidence, communicate respectfully, and express their emotions in meaningful ways. April is dedicated to fostering teamwork and self-expression, and she loves watching her students grow into bold, imaginative performers.

Coach Stefania has a background and the arts, completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston. She is passionate about fostering creative expression in children. "My goal is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for children to be able to come into their own unique expression. I love coaching for Limelight Kids because I get to watch my students transform and gain confidence week to week all while having so much fun!"

Coach Tanzley is passionate about inspiring creativity and sparking imagination in students of all ages! A performer from youth, she has worn many hats as an actress, dancer, vocalist, and animal handler. Coach Tanzley believes that the principles learned in acting classes, such as eye contact, confident stage voice, and body language, help children thrive in any environment (on, or off stage)! She is overjoyed to help the next generation develop these skills with Limelight Kids Preschools