Faculty

Elizabeth Ellis – Dance Instructor/Founder

Miss Elizabeth started Leap Dance Studio in 2010 and has been teaching dance since 2002. She loves to watch the learning process of her students and is passionate about offering dance in a positive environment. After growing up dancing in Rapid City, South Dakota, she moved to New York City and graduated from the The Ailey School with a concentration in ballet and modern dance. Elizabeth later completed a BA in Dance from SUNY’s Empire State College, where she focused her studies on child development and dance education. During her ten years in New York City she performed in musicals, danced with the Amir Levi Dance Company, choreographed shows, and taught ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, creative movement, and modern. She can’t wait to start teaching your children!

Kelsey Bonar - Dance Instructor/Office Staff

Miss Kelsey began her dance training in Rapid City, South Dakota at the Academy of Dance, studying ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, and modern. She continued her studies through a scholarship to the University of Minnesota in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, where she focused on ballet and modern dance under the direction of Toni Pierce-Sands, Abdo Sayegh, Karla Grotting, and Erin Thompson. Although Kelsey loved performing, she found her true passion for dance when she began teaching and has been doing it ever since. In 2018, she enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently working on her Bachelor of Science in Biology. It was here that she joined the Exercise and Behavioral Neuroscience Research Lab under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Greenwood, where she studied the neuroprotective benefits of exercise on the brain. This research furthered her passion for teaching dance, as she strives to bring the positive and neuroprotective benefits of dance to children of all ages. Kelsey incorporates her love for science, research, psychology, and neuroscience into her lessons, ensuring that dancers have a firm grasp on anatomy, physiology, and how their bodies move in space. Additionally, Kelsey enjoys being able to teach not only proper technique but also creativity, innovation, teamwork, and positive self-esteem in the studio. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with Leap Dance Studio!

Megan Clark – Dance Instructor

Miss Megan, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, knew from an early age that dance, and even teaching dance, were going to be a major part of her life. Megan graduated from Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management with a Bachelor of Science degree in American Dance Pedagogy and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance degree. While at Oklahoma City University, Megan was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company. After graduation, Megan accepted a position within the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management. Megan held numerous roles at OCU, including Assistant Director to the Community Dance Center, an on-campus learning-laboratory for the American Dance Teacher Majors, Assistant Professor of Dance, and Academic Advisor. Megan has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theater dance. She also has professional stage management, performance, and choreographic experience with productions such as South Pacific, Coppélia, The Wizard of Oz, and Beauty & the Beast. Specializing in teaching younger children, Megan is certified in the Leap ‘N Learn ® teaching program. Megan’s favorite part about teaching is to see the joy as dancers discover their love for dance and movement, and she looks forward to seeing that grow in your dancer!

Jessica Montoya - Dance Instructor

Miss Jessica started her dance journey in Orlando, Florida studying jazz, tap, and ballet. Upon moving to Philadelphia at age ten she discovered her real passion was for ballet and began concentrating primarily on that. She was able to round out her education with Limon and Martha Graham modern training as well. After apprenticing, she joined the regional company Dance Del Bello and performed soloist and principal roles in full length classical ballets. It was always her dream to move to NYC, so when she was accepted on scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College it was a dream come true! She became a company member in her first semester with the dance company at the college, performing and touring the tri-state area. During her time living in NY, she explored acting opportunities as well as visual arts, which led her to window display design, creating seasonal windows at boutiques and shops all over Brooklyn. Ultimately, her love and passion for ballet led her to American Ballet Theatre where she completed their National Training curriculum and became a certified teacher. Coupled with her love of working with children, she is so excited to teach at Leap!

Dani Reese – Dance Instructor

Miss Dani received her early dance training as a member of the Dance Depot Performing Company. In those 14 years she trained in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. She was also a student at the Idaho Falls School of Ballet for 14 years. After graduating, she joined Bonnie Story's pre-professional company Expansion, where she was able to study under various well-known professionals and choreographers. Dani was also a part of the Salt Lake Community College dance team. After college Dani went on to join the professional company, The Dance Collaborative, located in Idaho Falls and danced with them for four running years. Over the last five years she has taught at numerous studios and intensives throughout the Idaho and Colorado areas, along with choreographing several top scoring numbers for competitive studios. Dani is excited to be a part of the Leap Dance staff and continues to find every opportunity she can to share her knowledge and passion.

Brittany Gregory - Dance Instructor

Miss Brittany has had a passion for dance ever since her first dance lesson at the age of 3 years old. She has trained in several different styles of dance, including hip hop, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, modern, ballroom and ballet. She grew up as a competition dancer and won several scholarships and awards, including runner up for outstanding dancer at a National Competition in New York. She has trained with some of the top choreographers that you know from “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing With the Stars." Her training led her to pursue her career in performing professionally with companies including; Disneyland, All Wheel Sports at Knott’s Berry Farm, Princess Cruise Lines, Radio Disney, and several other groups and events including the Michael Jackson Experience in Texas. Brittany has also toured as an instructor and judge for Sheer Talent Dance convention. She has been teaching dance for several years and loves sharing her experience and knowledge of her passion to students of all ages.

Hayley Montague - Office Staff

Miss Hayley began dance at the age of five and spent most of her dance journey at Artistic Dance Unlimited in Maryville, TN. She grew up doing ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and pointe and also competed on a competitive dance company for seven years. After graduating high school she moved to Nashville, TN to study film at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. During her time there she continued performing as a dancer and character performer for music festivals and local events. Near the end of her time in college she fell in love with different forms of flow arts and prop dance, which has led her to where she is now as a fire performer and aerialist. She still performs at music festivals and events all over the country. Hayley has always been passionate about performance and has continued to work it into many aspects of her life since she started. She is very happy to be an office assistant at Leap, helping the dancers further their journey in dance.