Our Story

"If I had no voice, if I had no tongue, I would dance for You like the rising sun and when that day comes and I see Your face, I will shout Your endless, glorious praise"

Years ago when I was first married, without kids, with plenty of time on my hands, I volunteered with an after school arts program at the Salvation Army in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. We had leotards, tights, and shoes donated and the children who lived in public housing across the street would come take ballet. The little girls would take off their school uniforms, wipe the cheetos from their hands, spit out their gum, pull their hair back and be transformed, if only for an hour, into some of the most beautiful little dancers I've ever seen. The beauty was in their spirit. Their pride. Their determination. We would march downstairs past the boxing ring to a little area with mirrors that the boxers allowed us to use one afternoon each week. It was wonderful and difficult and precious and heartbreaking. I took headshots of the girls and we gave these to their mothers at the end of the year performance. Years later one of the little ones who wasn't so little anymore came up to me and said her mother still had that photo beside her bed. It was a darling photo of that angel in a pink leotard, hair pulled back, clean, proud, and beautiful. I was so very thankful to be a part of that amazing group of leaders at Salvation Army and to have known those amazing kids. I loved them dearly.

At the same time, we were attending a small church that was quite diverse in economic status, race, and age. We adored that church. I realized that, as I was giving my time to kids downtown who obviously wouldn't have been able to afford ballet classes, I had families with children in my own church who couldn't afford lessons either. Dance classes are usually quite expensive and we had many families with gifted children who simply couldn't take dance because of finances.  I began teaching classes one night a week to our church family kids who were interested.  I had boys and girls of all ages. My church kids and my inner city kids joined together to put on a show about Jesus' great love for us at the Salvation Army. Honestly, it was a bit of a mess as these were all beginners but it was a beautiful mess! The creative, amazing junior high girls I taught are now mothers themselves but several of those students are still dancing today. I still have the friendships made during those years! 

My love for offering dance to those who might not otherwise be able to take classes was born there in Ohio and that's what we still try to do today with this studio. This program is run mostly by volunteers. There is no way I could do this on my own as it has grown much bigger than anything I could manage. Worship Ballet classes are always free. I have added other classes, which do have a tuition fee, because of my personal passion for theater, tap, and jazz and pre-ballet for the little ones.  Other than paying basic expenses for running the co-op, tuition fees are donated.   

My heart is to offer dance to kids of all ages, all backgrounds, all economic levels. We have 'something for everyone', so to speak. But, not something to "sell" everyone... this isn't a business about profits... it's a place where I hope kids can come and take the gifts they have been given, use them, grow them, push their own boundaries, and learn to love Jesus with our whole hearts.

Misti Roberts; Founder & Artistic Director

Regina Smith - Choir, Musical Theatre

Hello INV Students and families! What an honor to join the INV staff this year as part of the vocal team. I think Hans Christian Anderson said it best: “Where words fail, music speaks.” Music transcends boundaries and enables people to experience emotions that words alone cannot. The voice is the first instrument that God created, and no two voices are the same. No two voices have the same timbre and sound quality. Helping students find their voice and learn more about music is a passion of mine. I have had the privilege and joy of teaching music and leading children’s choirs over the years, and I look forward to the opportunity of working with the students at INV.

Suzanne Chafin - Vocal Coach & Musical Theatre

Suzanne holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Song Literature and Pedagogy. She has been teaching privately since 2005, both in her private studio and at the college level. Approximately 95% of Suzanne’s private students have been accepted and received scholarships to music and/or musical theatre programs at major universities and colleges throughout the US, including Boston Conservatory and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. As a performer, she has engaged professionally in the South East and across Europe. Suzanne is a long-standing member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Anthony (AJ) Powiliatis - Musical Theatre, Acting, Improv

Anthony Powiliatis began acting in sixth grade and has not stopped since then. Throughout middle school and high school he performed in plays, musicals, improv shows, and much more. Anthony has performed in over thirty productions locally at Kaleidoscope Theater, The Martin Theater, The Bay Stage Avant Garde, The Junior League of Bay County and more. He has worked professionally at Sherlock’s Mystery Dinner Theater, Red Lightswitch Films, HarborWalk Village and a few national commercials. He also owned and managed a professional improv and sketch comedy troupe The Side Splitters and has performed stand-up comedy in the local community. Anthony’s passion for theater has been passed down to his 5-year old daughter who is beginning to follow in his footsteps. As a born again Christian, he is excited to teach about his most passionate craft of theater while giving all the glory to God.