our creative professional Teaching Staff

Studio Owner/Director, 

Dance Instructor

Tamara has been educating students since 1986. She is the recipient of the "Distinguished Service to the Arts Award", "Canton Community Supporter Award" and was nominated for the prestigious Athena Award, acknowledging business-women who have made a difference within the community. Tamara is a former member of the Downriver Ballet Company under the direction of the late Ms. Enid Ricardeau and is currently a member of the Cecchetti Council of America - Professional Ballet Syllabus. Tamara is the Producer and Artistic Director of the beloved Christmas Broadway Spectacular.  Many of Tamara's students hold state and national awards and have performed for numerous community events including the Detroit Pistons, Royal Caribbean, American Cancer Society, Canton Chamber of Commerce, and the Village Theater to name a few. Mrs. Smola formerly served as an adjunct faculty member at Eastern Michigan University & Oakland Community College where she taught Tap. Many of Tamara's former students have gone on to dance with prestigious universities and professional dance companies. Students love her high-energy classes and heart-felt, evocative choreography. Tamara is certified in Acrobatic Arts (M2), Alixa Flexibility as well as Progressive Ballet Technique.  She is also a big fan of Celine Dion! 

Studio Owner, Front Desk Manager, Dance & Acro Instructor

Christina Nastev, Co-Owner of Central City Dance began dancing in 1997 and started teaching at Central City Dance Center in 2015. Christina graduated from Washtenaw Community College in 2017 earing a degree in Criminal Justice. She is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher (M2) and has choreographed routines at many regional Gymnastic Centers.  In addition to teaching, Christina enjoys managing the City Snack Barre as well as the Central City Dance front desk and sometimes you'll see her loyal Mini Golden Doodle, Tanner, assisting her behind the desk.  

Studio Owner/Director, Marketing, Dance & Acro Instructor

Tim Smola, Owner and Director of Central City Dance graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Tim served as a board member on Canton's Commission for the Arts, Culture and Heritage promoting Dance and the Arts in the Canton Community from 2003-2006. He is a 2012 graduate of the Leadership Canton program and is a recipient of the “Canton Community Supporter Award, 2006", "Distinguished Service to the Arts Award, 2011", and Canton’s “Business of the year, 2014” for his continued involvement within the community. Tim is a former member of the Peter Sparling Dance Company, an adjunct faculty member at Eastern Michigan University, Dance Department, 2000-20013, and a trained Nationally Certified Massage Therapist.  In addition to teaching and operating his studio, Tim also works at Michigan Medicine, Department of Physical & Occupational Therapy.  Tim is Alixa Flexibility (M2) certified, Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) certified, and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance (RWID) certified and is happy to be on staff with Acrobatic Arts sharing his love of dance and acrobatics.

Dance Instructor

Erin has been sharing her love for dance since 1999.  She has been a member of the Central City Dance family since it’s opening in 2002 and was a member of the award-winning competitive team, performing at community events such as Relay for Life, Canton Chamber of Commerce events, the Gala Opening of the Cherry Hill Village Theater, Detroit Pistons Games and on international waters aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise lines. Since then, she has completed numerous teacher training seminars as well as dance teacher conventions over the years, gaining experience from master teachers around the country and is Co-Director of the Christmas Broadway Spectacular. Erin is loved by her students, many of which have achieved state and national awards for her fun and exciting choreography. She graduated in 2012 from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science and is Acrobatic Arts Certified. She has a wonderfully supportive husband, Mick and a dog named Ruby.

Dance Instructor  

Shannon has been on staff with Central City Dance since 2001 and has been teaching all styles of dance since 1995. Prior to joining the CCD family, she graduated, with honors, from Eastern Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education, with concentrations in Math and Science and earned her Master's degree in Math education from Wayne State University. While attending Eastern, she also received a dance minor and also gained training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Modern Dance.  She was featured in many solo roles in EMU ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Boutique Fantastique, and Coppelia. As a member of EMU's Dance Program, she had numerous performance opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. Shannon has been one of CCD’s competitive team instructors. Shannon's modern and lyrical choreography have been nominated each year in several regional and national competitions. She is committed to providing the best dance education for her students as she travels to dance teacher conferences to stay current on the latest dance curriculum.  Shannon is also a certified Cecchetti Ballet Instructor & a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor, holds a certification in Alixa Flexibility as well as Progressive Ballet Technique.

Dance Instructor & Birthday Host  

Lyssa was trained in all genres of dance nearly her entire life, winning many top state and national awards along the way. She has taken numerous teacher training seminars as well as dance convention workshops throughout the years, gaining experience from master teachers around the country. Lyssa was a part of the studio's award-winning Competitive Team and has been teaching dance since 2001. She has performed at many community events such as Relay for Life, Canton Chamber of Commerce, opening Gala of the Village Theater, the Detroit Pistons and Shock Games and also on international waters aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise lines to name a few. Lyssa  is Acrobatic Arts Certified. She is a wife and mother of three.

Ballet Instructor 

Rebecca Zahm began her dance training at the age of ten at Randazzo Dance Studio.  Before graduating high school, she studied ballet and modern dance, and passed her Cecchetti student exams through Grade VI. Rebecca attended Oakland University for three semesters before transferring to Eastern Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and French.  During her college career, Rebecca worked with many well-known teachers and choreographers including Laurie Eisenhower, Ginger Thatcher, Ali Woerner, Christina Tasco, Rodney Brown, Sherry Jerome Wilkinson, Joanna McNamara, Shauna Steele, Holly Hobbs, and Wendi DuBois. Rebecca danced with the Rustic Groove Dance Company under the direction of Matthew Farmer, Kristen Farmer, and Shauna Steele for two seasons. 

Dance Instructor

Bethany has been on staff with Central City Dance since 2001 and was a member of the studio's competitive team.  Bethany was dance captain and  dancer on the Detroit Ignition Dance Team for three years. Her experiences gave her numerous teaching and performing opportunities, one of which was dancing for the opening of Kayne West and Usher. Bethany teaches all genres of dance to children enrolled in the Competitive Teams as well as the Recreation program. She has taken numerous teacher training seminars as well as dance convention workshops throughout the years, gaining experience from master teachers around the country. Bethany graduated from Eastern Michigan University earning a degree in Business. In addition to being on staff at Central City Dance Center, she is currently Chief of Staff for a financial advisor. In her spare time, Bethany loves boating and spending time with her family and their dog, Lucy!

Dance Instructor & Birthday Host  

Ashley has loved dancing under the instruction of Tamara Nastev-Smola and Tim Smola since the age of 3. She has been a part of the studio's award-winning Competitive Team and has won numerous top awards for both group and solo performances. Ashley has performed at many community events such as Canton Supervisor, Tom Yack's, retirement gala, the Haunted Horns IV Thriller performance, Relay for Life, the Detroit Pistons and Shock Games and also internationally on the Royal Caribbean cruise lines. She also had the privilege of dancing in lead roles for the Central City Christmas Spectacular. Ashley trained in NY at the Broadway Dance Center during a summer intensive and also in many regional dance conventions and master classes. She obtained her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan and her Master's of Early Childhood Education from Concordia University and recently obtained Acrobatic Arts Certification.  In addition to sharing her passion of dance with children, Ashley also teaches kindergarten.

Dance & Acrobatics Instructor  

Gigi began dancing at the age of 2, training in all styles of dance under the instruction of Tamara Nastev-Smola and Tim Smola. She has been a member of Central City’s award-winning Competitive Team and has won numerous top state and national awards for both group and solo performances. Gigi has attended several conventions and workshops over the years gaining experience from professionals from all over the world. She has performed at many community events such as Relay for Life, Liberty Fest, Detroit Pistons and Ignition Games, and internationally on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. She has also held several lead roles in The Christmas Broadway Spectacular. Gigi is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. 

Dance Instructor & Birthday Host 

Angela started dancing at the age of 4, and began training at age 9 with Central City Dance, under the instruction of Tim Smola and Tamara Nastev. She has been apart of the studio's award-winning competition Team and has won numerous top awards for both group and solo performances. She has taken several workshops throughout the years, gaining experience from master teachers around the country. Angela has exercised her performance opportunities at many community events such as Relay For Life, Detroit Pistons and Ignition games, and several lead roles for the Central City Christmas Spectacular. Angela is currently taking master classes while going to school at the University of Michigan - Dearborn, pursing a degree in Political Science. She is thrilled to further her teaching career at Central City Dance.

Dance, Acrobatics, Fitness Instructor & Birthday Host  

Lisa, is a dance teacher and musical theatre instructor. She is a former performer of the Theme Park and Musical Revue show circuit and spent several years as Show Director for Cedar Point Live Entertainment in Ohio. She holds a teaching degree in Speech Communication, Theatre and Dance from Indiana State University. Lisa choreographs and teaches theatre and dance for schools, show choirs, community organizations and stock/regional theatres. She has served as a adjudicator for Dance Masters of MI, Theatre/Dance Teaching Artist for the Arts Unlimited program of Bowling Green State University, "The Nutcracker" Local Talent Coordinator for Sandusky State Theatre, Show Producer for the Sandusky Volunteer Center Youth Theatre Project, and Instructor for the Michigan Dance Festival to name a few.  She is certified in Acrobatic Arts, Zumba, Total Barre, and Pound fitness. Lisa also enjoys adjudicating for show choir competitions across the U.S..

Dance Instructor

Jill began her dance training at the age of four and danced competitively for several years, winning regional, state and National awards. She’s had many opportunities to attend dance conventions all over the country learning from master teachers. Jill graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. During her time there, she was a member of the WMU dance team, on which she served as captain senior year, and worked as a competitive team instructor at a local studio. After taking a short break from the dance world to start a family, Jill is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance once again, with the students of Central City!

Dance Instructor & Front Desk Staff

Carol Ann started dancing at the age of 3 and began training with Central City Dance under the instruction of Tim Smola and Tamara Nastev-Smola at the age of 13. She has been a part of the Center’s award-winning Competitive Team and has won numerous top awards for both group and solo  performances. She has taken several workshops throughout the years, gaining experience from master teachers around the country. Carol Ann has exercised her performance opportunities at many community events such as, HHT, Canton's Liberty Fest and several lead roles for the Central City Christmas Broadway Spectacular. Carol Ann has performed on Royal Caribbean cruise line and was a part of a New York City Off-Broadway workshop and performance for acting. Carol Ann studied Childhood Development at Schoolcraft Community college. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her pets and with friends.  She is thrilled to further be a part of the Central City Dance Team.

Dance Instructor

Kristen started dancing at the young age of 3, and began training under the instruction of Tamara Nastev-Smola and Tim Smola at the age of 6. She studied all styles of dance and was a part of Central City Dance Center's award-winning Competitive Team during that time. Kristen is the recipient of multiple top state and national awards for both group and solo performances. While training, Kristen attended numerous conventions and workshops, learning from professional choreographers of multiple styles from across the country. Kristen graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and is currently working toward obtaining a Master’s of Social Work from University of Michigan. She is thrilled to be back at her home studio, sharing her love of dance with the students. 

Dance Instructor

Kelly began her dance journey with Central City Dance at the age of 8. Alongside her training in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hiphop, modern, and acro, she has additional experience in gymnastics and all-star cheerleading. She has also choreographed her own award-winning solos for talent competitions while competing in pageantry. Kelly was a competitive team member with Central City through high school giving her the opportunity to perform with the Central City Christmas Broadway Spectacular, participate in multiple conventions and master classes, and dance competitively, earning awards for solo and group performances along the way. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Arts in Dance at Eastern Michigan University while actively dancing with the school dance company, teaching at Central City Dance, and emceeing at dance competitions. When Kelly isn’t doing something dance-related, she enjoys photography, reading, and coffee.

YOGA Instructor

Stephanie Nagy is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, which acknowledges the completion of a yoga teacher training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS).  Stephanie has been practicing yoga since 2012 and teaching since 2014.  Her classes bring a love of physical movement, body awareness and the ability to meet the students where they are in the practice.  Whether using a chair for a student that can’t get up and down from the ground, or blocks to demonstrate an easier way to navigate stepping forward on the mat, props are an integral part of her teaching to bring students deeper into their practice.  Always a student, she spends her free time learning more about yoga to share with her students. She teaches YOGA Tuesday evenings 7:30-8:30pm at Central City Dance Center.