Faculty
Charlee Campbell - Slaughter
Owner/Elite Edge Director
Charlee T. Campbell-Slaughter is from West Des Moines, Iowa. She has danced for 27 years, taught for 15, and choreographed professionally for 13 years. Charlee has extensive training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, pointe and tumbling. She trained at numerous studios in the Des Moines area and later with Moore School of Dance. She continues her training by participating in several conventions each year. Her studies have included: Gus Giordano’s, University of Arizona, Steps on Broadway, Chicago, World Jazz Dance Congress, and the University of Iowa. She has participated in many competitions where she was a consistent national high-point winner. Since high school Charlee has had the opportunity to choreograph for college dance teams, fundraisers, swinging in Des Moines, telethons, high school musicals, show choirs, TV commercials, gymnastic floor routines, figure skating, local dance schools and their competition teams. She also has served as a judge for regional dance and dance team competitions and was the Waukee Varsity Dance Team Coach for three years.
Charlee graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. At the university she performed in over 20 concert pieces and galas, as well as having her original choreography performed in concerts. In her spare time, Charlee was Co-President of the Undergraduate Dance Organization. Her love of dance has given her the opportunity to perform at the Des Moines Playhouse, Space Place Theatre, Civic Center, CY Stevens and Hancher Auditorium, along with touring the midwest in the dance company, “Dancers in Company.” She has been in commercials for the Iowa Lottery, Swinging in the Junction and Koalaty Time. As an instructor her goal is to promote growth and self-esteem in each dancer.
Maranda Dress
Office Staff/Dance Instructor
Maranda graduated from Ankeny High School in 2011 and continued her education at Iowa State University. Some day she hopes to be involved in Law Enforcement of some sort.
Maranda began to dance when she was 4 years old. She started taking Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. As she progressed in her abilities, she started to dance competitively at the age of 10. She competed many different types of dances, including groups, trios, duets, and solos. Maranda has been to many different conventions and taught by many different professional dancers throughout her life, including Blake and Lindsay Angier. She also competed in Dance Masters of Mid America pageants twice when she was younger.
Later on when she went to high school, she decided to try out for Ankeny’s Dance Team and was a part of the team for 3 years. Maranda was captain of the team her senior year of high school, and Ankeny won at state for the first time in over 10 years. After taking a year off of dance, she realized how much she missed it. Maranda has loved coming back and helping Miss Charlee teach. Maranda is very excited to be a part of the CESOD staff!
Roni McCann
Substitute Dance Instructor
Roni McCann grew up dancing at VanCleve Dance Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. After high school, she moved to California and was an Apprentice at the Performing Arts Center. She trained with Joseph Malone, Michelle Elkin, Charles Klapow, Jennifer Hamilton, Sallie Whalen, Mark Goodman, Bryan Anthony, Jerry Evans, Leslie Geldbach, and Terri Yates. She took voice from Deborah Shulman, and acting from Joseph Malone and Ann Anderson. Some of Roni's credits include: PGA Industrial, Alex Bornstein's stand up comedy DVD, "Drop Dead Gorgeous", Trace Adkins Music Video, "Ladies Love Country Boys", Assistance to Charles Kaplow for movie, "Cheetah Girls 3", and for Marie Serneholt's music video, "I Need A House", Lead with Mark Goodwin in "Red", Bellagio Go-Go Dancer, and skeleton crew for TV show, "Boston Legal", and Broadway show, "Lennon". Roni has traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, The Caribbean & Europe as a dancer for Princess Cruise Lines. Roni moved home in 2008 when she met her husband, Jordan McCann. They live in Waukee with their son, Carter who is 5 and their dog Rari. Since Roni has been back in Iowa, she was Assistant Choreographer for the Iowa Lottery commerical, "More, More, More", and choreographer for Gabe's which is a nationwide sporting goods store. Roni taught at her mom's studio, VanCleve and at Capital City Dance Center. Roni is looking forward to her next journey at Charlee's!
Hannah Wagner
Office Staff
Hannah began her dancing career with Miss Charlee at the age of 3 and began dancing competitively for CESOD at the age of 5. Hannah graduated from Waukee High School in 2017 where she was on the varsity dance team for 3 years. Since graduating high school Hannah received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts through DMACC and is now working towards earning degrees in Human Services & Psychology through Grand View University.
Throughout her dancing career, Hannah has taken class in and performed many different styles of dance including pointe, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, lyrical, pom and tumbling. Hannah has competed in numerous State, Regional and National competitions with CESOD and the Waukee Dance Team. In addition to Miss Charlee, Hannah has had the opportunity to work with many artists and choreographers including Tyce Diorio, Chris Judd, Dave Scott, Brian Friedman, Malaya, Jay Peterson, Trey Barber, Quinton Weathers and Blake & Lindsey Angier.
Hannah is excited for another year of teaching here at CESOD and can not wait to meet her new dancers and see her past students throughout the studio. The most rewarding part about teaching is seeing her students develop a passion for this sport and continue to grow as dancers!
Nick M. Rice
Elite Edge Rehearsal Assistant & Dance/Tumbling Instructor
Nick M. Rice is a Des Moines, IA native. He has been dancing, singing, and performing across the Midwest & beyond for over 15 years. Nick is entering his 11th year of teaching dance and 5th season at CESOD. Nick has performed, choreographed, taught, and judged in a variety of arts such as dance, drill team, show choir, theatre and more. He taught for Jessalyn (JoJo) Siwa out of Omaha, Nebraska and has worked with the next generation of performing artists all across the country. Nick is certified in Giordano Jazz Technique & Acrobatic Arts and is also a certified member of Dance Masters of Mid-America Chapter #34. He is a regular artist (dancer & choreographer) for Iowa Choreography Festival and is a regular performer and choreographer for Iowa Dance Theatre productions such as The Nutcracker at the Civic Center. His creative direction and choreography collaboration project "Fire" with musician Darian Taylor was featured on Hello Iowa. He has also performed as a guest artist with Ballet Des Moines. Nick loves helping his students find their passion and absolutely loves his home at CESOD!
Hayley Coder
Elite Edge Rehearsal Assistant & Dance/Tumbling Instructor
Hayley started dancing under Miss Charlee at the age of 3 and began tumbling in 1st grade at the studio under Miss Laurie. She continued dancing and tumbling through to graduation in 2017. While in high school, Hayley taught dance and tumbling classes at CESOD while being a member of Elite Edge and the Waukee Varsity Dance Team. Hayley has been studying at Iowa State University the past four years and has just graduated with a degree in Marketing. She was also a member and captain of the Iowa State University Dance Team. Hayley is very excited to be back at CESOD teaching again!
Brett Machamer
Company Ballet Instructor
Brett's dance journey began at locally at Westside Dance Academy and Iowa Ballet Academy, where she honed her skills. While her main focus lies in ballet and pointe, she has also dedicated herself to studying jazz, tap, hip hop, and modern dance. Seeking additional training, she ventured to the Milwaukee School of Ballet to expand her artistic horizons. Notably, she performed with the Iowa Dance Theatre and Yaro Dance Company, often gracing the stage in lead roles. Her association with Iowa Dance Theatre allowed her to learn from numerous influential teachers in the Des Moines area. In 2016, she had the privilege of being selected to perform a piece by Jessica Lang when her company visited Iowa. As a guest artist, Brett recently showcased her talent with Hurley and Dancers as well as in the Iowa Choreography Festival. Additionally, she demonstrated her choreographic ability by creating original pieces for Iowa Dance Theatre's production of "The Nutcracker.” As a Senior member of Dance Masters of Mid-America, Brett remains committed to furthering her dance education and sharing her knowledge with others. She has also obtained certification in Progressing Ballet Techniques. While working as a Physical Therapist Assistant, she continues to prioritize her dance training, attending classes and seizing performance opportunities whenever possible.