About Us

The ONI HA’A Academy was created to cater to children and adults who want to have fun through movement and dance!  ONI HA’A is all about YOU!  Whether you are looking to just get out and have fun yourself, or you want your child to learn dance and gymnastics in a supportive environment, with the opportunity to compete up to a national level, The ONI HA’A Academy is the place for the members of your family to meet their dance and gymnastics goals.  Our competent and friendly staff is here to help you and your children turn dreams into reality! 

Staff Bio's

Renae Nelsen: Has been movin' and groovin' as long as she can remember. She learned her first Irish Step at the age of 6 and the rest is history. Traditional Hip-Hop and Gymnastics came along at age 11 with Tap at age 12. Over the years she has studied many different cultures and dance types, refining and perfecting her craft. Hired by colleges for Dance Team Choreography and has been teaching at a college level as well. She has worked with celebrities and belongs to a judging team that judges dance throughout the Midwest. She has also created an Irish performance group, Shira Hannah Irish Dance Company touring nationally, as well as, internationally. In her spare time she volunteers in teaching dance to state and private programs.

Shannon O'Brien: Shannon has studied Gymnastics since and the of 8, training with the largest Gymnastics organization in Iowa. She took to it like a duck to water and excelled very quickly. Due to her advanced skills, she was asked to be responsible to train others at the age of 15. She performed and competetd for many years. As she atteded college, she was invted to lead and train in all cheer stunts. She has given private tutoring as well as trained others to go on to high competition levels. She has been teaching for 13 years. She is also a chair person in many local events in her hometown in Iowa.

Mandy Hemphill: This year will be Mandy's 2nd year. She has been a great addition to our team. She has been involved with Gymnastics for many years. She teaches with a great attitude focusing on Structure and team effort.

Stephanie Cramer: Has been dancing from the time she could walk. She turned professional at the age of 12 and has competed and won at national levels including the prestigious National Ballet Guild and Grand Prix. Her training includes, but is not limited to, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Colorado Ballet Academy and Company, International Ballet School in Denver Colorado. She has also trained at the American Ballet Theatre Academy in new York for a number of years. She has performed in productions such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and many more. She has extensive training in both Cecchetti and Vogonava techniques of classsical ballet. She is also trained in Modern, Lyrical, jazz and Flamenco dance styles. Stephanie and Renae and Shannon have cooperatively choreographed the production of The Nutcracker as a local annual event for Blair and Fremont. In the summer of 2009 Oni Ha'a will have a month long Ballet Dance Intensive Invitational welcoming students from all over the United States.