OUR STUDIO

Meet the Faculty

  • Zoe Allred Brandaris began training as a gymnast as well as in musical theater at the age of 7. She has played both supporting and principle roles in many plays, musicals and Shakespeare’s works over the last 13 years.

    Zoe became a competitive figure skater at age 10, training under the 1988 Pairs World Champion and Disney on Ice star Evgenia Cherynsheva. During her skating career she claimed gold medals throughout Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, and she became a Pacific Regional Ice Skating Champion. Zoe added Ballet to her training regiment, and she quickly found a passion for dance. Zoe eventually found her way to the Dance Centre, and during her time at TDC she competed for 4 years, travelled to New York and California, and discovered her love and talent for teaching.

    Zoe has trained at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York City, The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, Brigham Young University’s Advanced Ballet Intensive – where she trained with Ballet West’s Michael Bearden. She was a member of the SLCC Dance Company, and was offered a contract with Odyssey Dance Theater – Utah’s Premier Professional dance company.

    Zoe is thrilled to be returning to the Dance Centre as a member of our staff, and we can’t wait to have her share her gifts and passion for dance with your dancers!

  • Shelbi Burgon found her love for dance when she was only 2 years, and tumbling when she was 6. She began her training at The Dance Factory in Bountiful Utah. She has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Tumbling, Acro. Shelbi began her teaching career at age 14 when she would assist multiple dance and tumbling classes.

    While attending Bingham High School, she assisted in choreographing for the dance program, and was selected as one of the assistant choreographers for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple celebration. Shelbi continues to train by attending conventions and dance classes throughout the valley, as well as traveling around Utah coaching and choreographing for cheer squads and dance teams. Shelbi was the assistant drill coach for Tooele and West high school soon after graduating high school.

    Shelbi has received multiple high point awards, judges awards and specialty awards for her team and solo choreography.

    She is certified in CPR, First Aide, and Concussions. She is currently a Medical Assistant at the University of Utah Hospital. She plans on continuing her education by earning her nursing degree.

    “I love teaching and watching the kids faces when they get a trick in tumbling or a concept in dance.”

  • Ciera began dancing at age 4, and has loved it ever since. Born and raised in Utah, her dancing took her to TDC, where she competed on multiple competition teams, winning overall awards on various occasions. She also has competed and won overall awards with her solos at competitions and conventions. She graduated from Stansbury High School, where she was Secretary and Captain of the Dance Company and Dance Captain of the Ballroom Team, as well as Dance Sterling Scholar. She received the Most Outstanding Dancer, Die Hard Dancer, Best Choreography, and other awards at region and state dance competitions.

    Ciera has performed various soloist and demi-soloist parts in The Nutcracker. She has trained at multiple prestigious dance studios across the U.S., including Alvin-Ailey Dance Academy, American Ballet Theatre, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, the Edge Performing Arts Center, Disney, and Anaheim Ballet. She has also performed with Odyssey Dance Theater, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and UVU dance companies.

    Ciera has an Associates degree in dance from Utah Valley University, and is in her third year studying to graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Dance Education. She has trained in all styles, including jazz, ballet, modern, tap, hip hop, and musical theater. Ciera has choreographed and taught dancers of all ages for over 6 years, and continues to live her dream teaching wonderful kiddos at TDC.

  • Becca Hall is a choreographer, TCSD elementary school teacher, and outdoor enthusiast. She graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education and Elementary Education from Weber State University and has been teaching elementary school, competitive dance, and musical theater throughout Utah for the past 20 years.

    Becca started dancing when she was 6 years old, and has trained in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and tap. She has performed and competed nationally and collegiately, on stages from Disneyland to Carnival Cruise Lines to ACDFA. She danced with the Weber State Orchesis Dance Company on a full scholarship and during her time there had the opportunity to work with company dancers from Alvin Ailey and The Limon Company; she also danced with The Moving Company, an educational outreach dance company based in Ogden, Utah that uses dance to explore and teach math and science concepts.

    After graduating Becca continued her training with Dance America and the Summer Slam series, collaborated on choreographic works through Weber State University and received scholarships through Repertory Dance Theatre and Ririe-Woodbury for summer intensives. She interned with Erik Stern of the Dr. Shaffer and Mr. Stern Dance Ensemble, helping to produce the world premiere of Muscle Memories at the Rose Wagner Theater in SLC in partnership with their LINK Series.

    Although Becca loves performing, her true passion is in teaching! She has taught for several studios, teams, schools and theaters throughout Utah. She aIso serves on the Board of Directors for the Tooele Education Foundation and worked to bring this years Elevate Dance Project to the stage, where TDC performed in support of excellence in arts education!

    When she is not teaching or dancing, Becca can usually be found hiking or paddle boarding with her very patient husband, or cheering on her 3 crazy kids.

  • Elijah Hatch found his love for dance at the age of nine years old when he began ballroom dance. During that time, he won multiple awards, but it wasn’t until he was almost 15 years old that he was guided to his true passion- ballet.

    His training began under the direction of Jennie Creer King at Ballet West Academy. From there, he trained in the Professional Training Division in Salt Lake City.

    Elijah has had the opportunity to play multiple roles, some highlights have been, James Ruben, from the Bournonville ballet, La Sylphide; the Nutcracker Prince, Snow King, as well as the Cavalier. He also found a love for contemporary ballet and creating his own works.

    Elijah trained for three years with Ballet West Academy. Following that, his training was put on hold for a service mission in England. After returning home, Elijah resumed his training under the direction of Jennie Creer King and her company “Chrysalis.”

  • Alexandra Heyrend received her early dance training at the Academy of Ballet Arts in St. Petersburg, FL, primarily studying ballet and Russian character dance. She enjoyed her high school years as a Dance major at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St Petersburg, graduating with honors. During this time, Alexandra performed with Ballet Classique, Gibbs Repertory Dance Theatre, and as an Apprentice with Tampa Ballet. Alexandra is a scholarship award recipient of the Classical Ballet Society of Tampa. The summers of her high school through early college years were spent attending intensive summer ballet workshops on scholarship at the School of Cleveland Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet School, and the School of the Hartford Ballet. The summer before her high school senior year, Alexandra was offered a full tuition scholarship to study year-round at the highest level of the SFBC, but had to decline in order to return to St Petersburg and graduate high school at the PCCA. Upon graduation, Alexandra received a full Endowed Scholarship as a Ballet Major at the University of Utah. During her freshman year, she danced solo roles with Utah Ballet—and while still a student at the U, accepted an invitation to become a company member of Ballet West, with whom she danced for a few years before taking time off to have a family. These days, Alexandra finds great satisfaction teaching ballet at The Dance Centre—and in her family life, with her husband and their three children. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, an innovative program designed to train dancers in muscle memory to improve technique, flexibility, and longevity in dance.

  • Natalie began dancing at the age of 4 and was fortunate to be raised in a family that lived and breathed the art of dance! Natalie trained in ballet, jazz, and tap for 15 years and discovered contemporary and modern as a teenager. While earning her BA at the University of Utah in Communications and Spanish Natalie continued her dance education in university classes, Repertory Dance Theatre, and countless master classes, and national dance conventions. Natalie comes to us with over 8 years teaching experience. She taught dance for 7 years at Dance Design Academy in South Jordan. She was the director of all 6 of their award-winning competition teams for 3 years and studio director for two. Several of her student s received college scholarships. Natalie also taught dance at West Jordan Middle School and implemented an after-school dance program for The Boys and Girls Club. Most recently she spent 3 years as the owner of Stansbury Dance Academy before taking several years off to have and raise her 5 children. Natalie has also enjoyed judging high school dance and cheerleading auditions, private lessons, and contracted choreography for pageant routines. Natalie loves using dance as a form of expression and firmly believes it is one of the most effective ways to build self- confidence and individual creativity. She loves teaching and hopes to help her student find the best in themselves while gaining grace, discipline, confidence and a love for the art of dance!

  • Emma Rae Davis's first love is ballet. She began dancing at the age of four and hasn't stopped. She grew up in Layton, Utah and continued classes when she attended Brigham Young University, where she got a Bachelor's degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies: The Hebrew Bible. After graduating, she enjoyed dancing with Chrysalis ballet company for a season in Lehi, Utah and performing with them in the Florence Choreographic Festival in Florence, Italy. Emma loves teaching and sharing her passion for the discipline, art and expression of ballet. When she is not dancing, Emma runs her business--Davis Commercial Upholstery, enjoys hiking, water skiing, snow skiing, sewing and camping with her husband, Parker. She looks forward to a wonderful year of ballet!

  • Spencer S. Lawson began dancing at age 10 when he took his first tap class. He was hooked! He studied Standard and Latin Ballroom and the took his training to the next level, training in Jazz, Ballet and Tap with Janet Gray Studios and The Dance Centre. Spencer attended The Hartt School at the University of Hartford where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. 

    Working as a professional performer for 8+ years on the East Coast., some of his favorite credits include Off-Broadway: Anything Goes! Regional: White Christmas (Ogunquit Playhouse), 42nd Street (North Shore Music Theatre, New London Barn Playhouse), A Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage), ZM: A Zombie Musical (Goodspeed Opera House), Mamma Mia (Arrow Rock Lyceum), and Young Frankenstein (Theatre by the Sea)

    Spencer returned home to Utah in 2020 and received his MBA in Marketing from SUU. He now works in Advertising and enjoys performing at Hale Centre Theatre!

  • KJ Mills is a 19 year old Latin Ballroom dancer and teacher. He is originally from Santa Barbara California, but has lived in Salt Lake for the past 12 years. He’s been dancing Latin for 6 years now, and has trained with world renowned coaches, both locally and nationally, such as Rick Robinson, Shirley Ballas, and Corky Ballas. He has performed in shows with, and for, Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Lindsay Arnold and Witney Carson among others. He’s currently the reigning Under-18, Pro-Am Latin World Champion.

    Other than his ballroom, KJ is trained in all styles, and danced at a studio throughout much of his dance career, dancing at Vibe and Pioneer High School before both closed. He’s now part of the local hip hop crew Chocolate Factory, and teaches all over Utah, from Infinity in Ogden, to American Leadership Academy in Spanish Fork.

  • Peiter has been dancing for the past 18 years. And has been teaching for the past 12 years. He loved when he was on stage performing but now he loves teaching the next generation. For the past 9 years he has been able to do so as a part of Odyssey Dance Theatre. He has had the opportunity to learn from and perform with professionals from tv shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. He is trained in many styles including hip hop, ballroom and contemporary. He wants to continue teaching the next generation and spread his knowledge and teach them about his experiences and help them grow

  • Sheryl began dancing at the age of 12 under the direction of Angela Keddington. She went on to dance, compete and choreograph with her High School Dance Company and Region Championship/State Award Winning Drill Team for three years where she served as both Vice-President and President of the Dance Company. While there, she had the opportunity to learn from many great choreographers and instructors, namely: Kellie Chamberlain, Lori Rupp, Stacey Tookey and Jen Toomer-Cook. She received a full-tuition scholarship to the College of Eastern Utah where she was selected as President of the College’s Dance Team her second year.

    During that time she had the opportunity to compete at the National Dance Competition in Las Vegas where her team placed 4 th overall their first year.

    She also had the opportunity to perform with Huey Lewis and The News and Kenny Loggins at the Red Hot 4 th of July Celebrations. Sheryl has been teaching dance for 14 years. She taught and coordinated the beginning level program at The Winner’s School for five years, gave private lessons while living in Monterey, California, and came back to Utah to teach for three years at Vision Dance and Learning Center.

    She then taught for one year at The Classical Ballet Conservatory before moving out to Stansbury Park. She helped coach the Drill Team at Juan Diego Catholic High School for four years, Olympus High School for two years and has choreographed for Drill Teams all over the State throughout the past 14 years.

    Sheryl is looking forward to teaching at The Dance Centre. She believes in creating a fun, educational and disciplined dancing environment for even the youngest dancers. Her teaching goals include teaching proper technique, terminology and the importance of always doing your best! She hopes to instill in each dancer a life-long love of dancing!

  • Karyn started dancing at the young age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since! 

    She trained in many different styles of dance over the years and also studied piano, singing, acting, and musical theater. She danced with competitive dance teams, performed with touring musical theater groups, and has been in more than 30 full length musical theater productions. 

    She discovered her true passion of teaching when she was just 15 years old when she opened her own neighborhood dance studio in her parent’s basement. That tiny studio quickly grew to have more than 100 students when Karyn was still in high school. Her little studio attended local competitions and had great success winning many awards. 

    After high school, she sold her studio, got married and had 4 beautiful kids who are all active dancers.  Karyn has gone on to train hundreds of students in jazz, lyrical, and musical theater.

    Her award-winning choreography has been recognized in and out of the state as dynamic and entertaining, and she has received numerous overall and high score awards for her competitive dance teams at competitions. She received the outstanding choreography award at Hollywood Vibe Utah in 2019. 

    Karyn also works with many soloists each year and spends countless hours helping them perfect their technique and stage presence. Her soloists usually achieve great success in the competition world including 1st place overalls and dancers of the year. 

    Karyn prides herself in her ability to cultivate dancers’ abilities and make them into strong, hard-working dancers!

  • Carly Price is absolutely beyond thrilled to be a part of the tumbling program here at The Dance Centre. Seeing your wonderful children walk through the doors and have fun, work hard and succeed will bring her so much joy.

    Carly is a mother of 6 beautiful children ages 11, 10, 8, 6, 3, and 8 months. These children of hers, along with their amazing daddy are the world to her. She lives and breathes her family. Carly knows what it feels like to work hard and see the amazing results. Another big part of her life since she was 4, is gymnastics. Gymnastics is a love and hobby of hers. She competed in gymnastics for 7 years and taught and coached for 6. Although she competed as an all-around gymnast she absolutely loved competing in beam and floor. She competed at a state level 4 years in a row and always placed in the top 5. She was team captain in high school her senior year. Her love for gymnastics grew even more when she started coaching. To see a child learn a new skill was super exciting for her. The smile on the faces of those she taught was worth everything. She believes as a class it is important to help each other by always lifting each other up. She will treat your child as her own when they walk into TDC.

  • Ashlee began dancing at the age of three and has had a passion for it ever since. She grew up training at The Dance Centre where she studied Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and more. She was a member of the SHS Dance Company and Varsity Cheer Team while in high school where she carried many leadership positions. Ashlee has danced with companies throughout Salt Lake City, like Ballet West, Millennium Dance Company, Odyssey Dance Theatre, and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company.

    Ashlee graduated from Stansbury High School in 2017 and continued her education at Southern Utah University where she received a full tuition scholarship to attend the dance program. Here she majored in Dance Performance, studying Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Improvisation, Dance Composition, Dance History, Dance Repertory, and more. Ashlee was a four-year member of the SUU Dance Team and served as Captain her Senior Year. She graduated from SUU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance and a Minor in Media Studies.

    Ashlee has a variety of different teaching and choreography experiences. She taught at The Point Dance Studio in Cedar City for three years and was the competition team coach there for two years. Additionally, she had the chance to be one of 8 choreographers to create a piece for an SUU Dance Concert.

    Ashlee strives to be a light at The Dance Centre and hopes to be someone the dancers look forward to seeing each day when they walk in the studio. She enjoys teaching because she can share her passion for dance and loves to help each individual dancer reach their full potential.

  • Sofia Pollini Bio Was born in the Netherlands and grew up in England. She is an Italian and American citizen and trained professionally as a ballet dancer for 3 years in Scotland where she toured with a Scottish ballet company performing in Giselle, Nutcracker and Swan Lake. She is trained and certified as a Ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, London. She has a degree in Ballet Performance from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. Sofia was a finalist in the 2019 Scottish Youth Ballet Grand Prix as well as a soloist with the English Youth Ballet where she was able to perform in Sleeping Beauty. Sofias training also includes attending Summer Intensives at English National Ballet, Central School of Ballet, Ballet West and attending twice-yearly workshops with principals at the Royal Ballet, London.

  • Jen began dancing as a teen and knew instantly that it was a passion for her. She studied at The Dance Company in SLC under direction of Dixie Clegg, where she was a member of their performing company. Jen enjoyed her time as a cheerleader and Dance Company member at Highland High, where she developed a love for choreography. Jen trained at the University of Utah under Bonnie Story, and danced with a local professional performing company while she also began teaching at various SLC studios including Salt Lake Dance Center, Power Plus Productions and Flava Entertainment. When Jen’s family moved to Erda, she was blessed to find Kathie Steinagel, owner of Lake Point Centre for The Performing Arts (currently known as The Dance Centre) and knew immediately that this was the place where she belonged. She was fortunate enough to coach The Dance Centre’s first competition team, and has been overjoyed watching her talented dancers’ journeys over the years. Jen has choreographed for and taught the SHS drill team, teaches local fitness classes, and continues to train every opportunity she can from teachers across the globe. She believes there is something special and different to be learned from everyone, regardless of their prestige. As a coach and choreographer, she has received numerous awards but takes the most pride in seeing her students grow and blossom into beautiful, abundant individuals who also happen to be phenomenal dancers.