Meet our fabulous instructors!
David Walh
David Walh earned his BA in Musical Theatre and Communication from the University at Buffalo. He has performed leading roles in several U.S. National Tours and regional theatres throughout the country. Credits include Jesus in Godspell, Bob Cratchitt in A Christmas Carol, Charlie in Brigadoon, Tom Sawyer in Big River, Adam in Children of Eden, a one-man show at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, independent films, and CD recordings. David was a lead vocalist and emcee at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA for three years. David currently sings at church services throughout WNY.
Katie Walh
Katie Walh earned her BFA in Dance Performance & Theatre Arts from the University at Buffalo. She is certified to teach through Acrobatic Arts and Dance Masters of America, where she has been a guest Master Class teacher. Katie also created curriculum for a new dance program at the Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania, where she taught for two years. Katie is a former Miss Dance of New York, danced with the Zodiaque Dance Company, and performed throughout the U.S. in theatre productions, independent films, and commercials. 
Michael Lambert
Michael Lambert earned his BFA in Dance Performance and Visual Communication from the University at Buffalo and is currently an adjunct professor of Dance at Buffalo State College. Michael is on the faculty of Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School and Student Honors Intensive Dance Program. Performance credits include: Tokyo Disneyland, Disney World, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruise Lines, Jazz Dance World Congress, Live! With Regis & Kathy Lee, a special event in Miami with Faith Hill, the John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage Series, and many shows in Las Vegas.
Jodi Kowalski
Jodi Kowalski earned her BFA in Dance Education and Performance from the University at Buffalo, where she danced with the Zodiaque Dance Company. She then spent three years touring the U.S. with Sesame Street Live. Jodi has taught classes at the University at Buffalo and choreographed for the Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble. She has been teaching dance throughout WNY for many years and also choreographs the musicals at Lancaster Middle School. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers in arts. Jodi holds teaching certifications through Acrobatic Arts.
Maddie Reed
Madelyn Reed began her dance career nearly twenty years ago at Walh Studios as a student. Maddie trained at Walh Studios for 12 years as well as at Classical Ballet of WNY. She graduated from Canisius College in 2018 and from the University at Buffalo with a Master of Social Work in 2022. She is currently a social worker at South Buffalo Charter School. Maddie is very excited to bring her energy and enthusiasm to the Walh Studios faculty. She holds teaching certifications through Acrobatic Arts.
Jenna Stroud
Jenna began her dance training 17 years ago, several of those years were spent on a performance team. She recently earned a Bachelors degree in Nursing with a dance minor at the University at Buffalo, as well as danced in UB’s Dancers Workshop showcase. Jenna has always had a passion for musical theatre and currently choreographs musicals for Cheektowaga Central, as well as co-choreographing Lancaster Middle School’s musicals. Jenna is excited to continue to share her passion for dance with our Walh Studios students this year!
Caryn Ostrowski
Caryn Ostrowski began her dance career at a local Tonawanda dance studio where she danced for 14 years, 9 of which were on their performance team. Caryn attended SUNY Brockport as a dance major before heading to Walt Disney World, where she participated in 3 internship programs. Caryn recently completed her 200 hour certification for Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga (CYT-200) and YACEP: Children’s Yoga certification. She is excited to have joined Walh Studios as a teacher, and thrilled to share her passion and love of dance and yoga.
Samantha Vanderwerf
Samantha has been part of the Walh Studios family since 2009 as a student before continuing her dance education at SUNY Geneseo. She earned a B.S. in Early Childhood and Childhood Education with a concentration in Dance and was a member of the Geneseo Dance Ensemble. She trained in modern, Fagan technique, ballet, jazz, dance history, kinesiology, and dance composition. Samantha also developed a passion for choreography, and she served as a Student Assistant Director for both the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 dance concerts. She is excited to return to Walh and share her love of dance with the next generation of dancers!
Karyn Torres
Karyn Torres is overjoyed to return to Walh Studios as a teacher. She was a student of Walh Performing Arts for 8 years, and a teaching assistant for 5 of those years. Karyn also serves as the Head of Recreational Classes at a local Gymnastics center. She is currently a student at the University at Buffalo, majoring in criminology. Karyn teaches with an excitement and eagerness for the arts.