Miss Christi Fischer
Instructor
Owner/Artistic Director

For over a decade, Christine Fischer has been the heart and vision behind Spotlight Studio, proudly leading the studio into its 11th season as one of the area’s premier destinations for dance education.

Christine’s journey began at just nine years old, the moment she first stepped into a dance class and discovered a passion that would shape her life. By age twelve, she was already assisting in classes—creating lesson plans, leading warmups, and inspiring younger dancers. What started as a young girl’s dream, captured in a notebook filled with choreography, has since grown into a thriving dance community that Christine now proudly calls her life’s work.

She trained extensively throughout the Toledo area in tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and ballet, and quickly found her place on stage. As a student at Anthony Wayne High School, she choreographed and performed in musical productions while also participating on the cheerleading and dance teams. After graduating in 2000, Christine returned to coach and choreograph from 2002–2004, continuing to inspire young performers in her community.

Christine went on to study dance at The University of Akron, where she performed with the prestigious Performance Ensemble and was a member of the Akron Zips Dance Team. During this time, she also taught at Marquette School of Dance and had the opportunity to perform alongside her students at a Cleveland Cavaliers pregame show. Her teaching journey continued at respected studios including Daryl Jervis Dance Studio and Cassandra Ballet School, further shaping her well-rounded and passionate approach to dance education.

Spotlight Studio was founded from Christine’s vision to create more than just a dance studio—it was built to be a place where dancers could grow in technique, confidence, and character. Under her leadership, Spotlight has become a home for hundreds of dancers, fostering a positive, high-energy environment where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to shine.

Christine believes dance is a powerful tool for building not only strong performers, but strong individuals. Her mission is rooted in developing discipline, creativity, and self-expression—while helping shape confident, kind, and resilient young people both on and off the stage.

As Spotlight enters its next chapter in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, Christine remains deeply committed to her original purpose: to celebrate each dancer’s individuality and help them discover their own light.

Outside of the studio, Christine cherishes time with her fiancé Seth, her son Tony, and her supportive family who have been by her side from the very beginning—reminding her that the most meaningful success is built one step at a time.

Miss Annie Barrow
Instructor
SDC Director
Certified in Acrobatic Arts

Miss Ashley Tipping
Instructor
Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique

My name is Ashley Tipping and I have been dancing for over 20 years. I have trained at Daryl Jervis South, On Stage, and the Dance Factory. I have also been spending the last 4 years studying dance at Bowling Green State University as a dance major. I have studied many styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, Hip-hop, Jazz, Modern and Ballroom.  I have been teaching dance  for many years now. I love teaching dance and sharing my love for dance with my students. Teaching is the highlight of my days and I love seeing the dancers grow and learn new dance skills and styles.

Miss Courtney Payne
Instructor

Roger Markley
Instructor

Roger Markley began his dancing career at the age 18 when he took his first class at O'Connells Dance Studio here in Toledo. after that first class, he was hooked! Three years later he had the opportunity to move to LA California and moved west. He spent 8 years in LA waiting tables and continuing his dance training. Roger also taught classes at Hamma's Dance Center and Debbie Reynolds rehearsal studio in North Hollywood while occasionally performing in shows throughout the  LA and Las Vegas areas. He also performed in a couple of MTV Videos for the European Market during this time. In 1993 he was offered a full-time teaching position at O'Connells Dance Studio and decided it was time to come back to Toledo to reconnect with his family. In 1999 he opened his first studio in Delta Ohio, followed by One in Sylvaina, and then in Waterville. He taught Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and some tumbling. Roger also had a passion for fitness and loved motivating thousands of students in his aerobic classes in many Fitness Centers in the Toledo area. He also has choreographed musicals for high schools and community theatres. In 2015 after a lifetime of teaching, he was forced to close his studio in Waterville due to hip injuries. In 2023 after recovering he was given the opportunity to reignite his passion for Dance when he was approached to Choreograph a Musical for the Village Players and then two days later was offered a position to instruct Tap here at Spotlight Dance Studio. With this opportunity, Roger is happy to say he has found a new home at Spotlight Dance Studio, he is returning for his second season to teach tap and is very excited to once again be a part of the dance Community in North West Ohio.

Joanie Periatt
Instructor

Miss Bella DeSantis
Instructor