Our Staff

Meet Our Team

Diana & Scott Hoffman

Founders and Chief Directors

Diana is the Artistic Director of Praise His Dancing. She has been teaching worship dance classes since 1993. Diana studied classical Ballet, Pointe, and Modern dance for fifteen years at Wadsworth School of Ballet, Pointe West Studio & North East Ohio Dance and continues her study through intensive programs. She has attended numerous worship dance and aerobic seminars for continuing education and inspiration. In addition, she has six years experience as an aerobics instructor. Her aerobic training consisted of an aerobic certification and knowledge of basic anatomy in relation to movement. Scott is the Technical Director of Praise His Name With Dancing. His heart for the Lord, heart for worship, as well as his giftings in vision and technical aspects of show production have been an excellent complement to our ministry. He has been to numerous worship seminars. He has also been on Covenant of Grace's Worship Team for many years.

Angela Ulrich

Assistant Director

Ms Ulrich is a company member, instructor, choreographer, rehearsal director, and tour manager with Praise His Name With Dancing. She started as a student with the company in 2000 and joined the teaching staff in 2010. Ms Ulrich supplements her dance training by participating in master classes, college courses, and summer intensives (Inlet Dance Theater 2011, Ballet Magnificat! 2012, 2018). In 2019, she trained and performed with Ballet Magnificat! Brazil as a member of their trainee company. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics with a minor in piano performance from the University of Akron (2016). Angela has choreographed various local theater productions, including “Patchwork” (2012) for Fruits of the Spirit Academy and “Lion King Jr” (2021) for Genesis Experience Theater. Miss Ulrich also gained invaluable ministry experience through her mission’s work in Nicaragua with the 4-Square Go Team (2013-2017), serving twice as the Childrens’ Ministry director, using dance, song and drama to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Angela is passionate about using everything that she has learned to train the next generation of dancers and worship leaders, who will cultivate their God-given gifts to see the Gospel spread and hearts changed by the love of Jesus.

Katie Kraynak

Assistant Director

Ms Kraynak is a company member, instructor, choreographer, and an assistant director with Praise His Name With Dancing. She began as a student at Praise his Name in 2007 and joined the teaching staff in 2018. Ms Kraynak subsidizes her training with various master classes, college courses, and summer intensives (Ballet Magnificat! 2018, 2019). She also earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Kent State University alongside many awards for academics, writing, and the visual arts (2023). In addition to choreographing and teaching, Katie also contributes to the Praise His Name ministry through the visual arts. Throughout her many years with the company, Katie has designed costumes, created sets and set designs, and made props for the various performances. Katie is committed and passionate about her ministry at Praise His Name! She loves to connect with students and help them grow not only in their dance abilities but also in their relationships with Christ. She believes that Praise His Name’s heart to worship, glorify God, and share the gospel truly sets the school apart from other companies.

Elizabeth Hoffman

Instructor

Miss Lizzie is a company member, instructor, and choreographer of Praise His Name With Dancing. She started as a student with the company in 2009, apprenticed many of the Praise His Name teachers and staff from 2016-2018, and officially joined the teaching staff in 2019. Elizabeth has attended numerous intensives and master classes alongside the ones offered by Praise His Name. Most recently, she attended Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive, where she earned a place in the Pre-Professional level. There she was honored with the role of Jochebed (Moses’s Mother) in the pre-professional performance of Deliver Us at the intensive gala. She has also attended Leap of Faith Dance Company intensive (2016), Ballet Magnificat Summer Dance Intensive (2019, 2022), Encounter Performing Arts summer Intensive in Ankeny Iowa (2020), Grace Ballet summer intensive (2021), Magnum Opus summer intensive (2023), and various different company master classes at the University of Akron. Miss Lizzie loves teaching, her favorite thing about it is getting to know her students on a personal level and reach out to them to make a positive impact on their lives. It is her joy and privilege to train the younger and older generations in dance, but also help them to grow in their relationship with the Lord! Elizabeth is committed and dedicated to her work with Praise His Name! She loves teaching her students not only how to do things but what is happening inside of their body while they do them. Her true heart behind teaching is to connect with the students, pass on what she has learned, and to show Christ in everything that she does!

Elisa Crowley

Instructor

Ms Elisa is a company member, teacher and choreographer. She began dance classes with the company in 2017 and in following years apprenticed alongside other fellow Praise his name with dancing teachers up until she joined the teaching staff in 2022. Ms Elisa, increases and intensifies her dance training through summer dance intensives, master classes and company technique classes. Throughout her years with Praise his name with dancing, Ms Elisa has had the opportunity to serve in summer arts Intensives through many nursing home outreaches, performances at women’s retreats and various church events. It is her delight to teach and encourage her students to worship the Lord with joy and gladness. She believes there is nothing more precious than a heart unraveled before God and she views it as an honor to be able to lead her students into genuine worship.