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 Manager
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!
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.
Nicole Bucks - Dance Instructor
At age six, Miss Nicole’s life as a movement artist began with a mysterious metal stick called a baton and the subsequent discovery of tap shoes and tutus at her first recital. From that moment on, it was tap, jazz, ballet, figure skating, and anything else involving music and movement. After a lot of hard work and perseverance, she found herself studying Dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. It was there that she met her soul mates--Modern Dance and Choreography. After receiving her B.A., she’s nurtured her propensity for teaching at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education; grew as an actor with Metamorphosis Performing Company; defied gravity with Apparatus Collective Aerial Dance Company, performed with Avatar Movement Dance Company, and was exposed to what it means to go way beyond one’s perceived limitations with REV9 Dance Company. Aside from dance, she enjoys reading, crafting, learning Spanish, training for triathlons and spending time with her family. She is very excited to be teaching at Leap Dance Studio.
Tessa Miller - Dance Instructor
Miss Tessa is originally from St. Louis, MO where she started her training at Principia School and St. Louis Dance Ballet School. She received her minor in Dance from Principia College. During her time there, she performed in three world premier ballets choreographed by previous ABT and White Oak Dance Project Soloist and John Gardner. In one of the ballets, she performed alongside previous ABT principal dancer, Amanda McKerrow. Tessa previously taught dance at the Principia High School where she choreographed five full length dance shows. She also taught at St. Louis Ballet School and Ashleyliane Dance company. Tessa has training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance. She has a passion for teaching and helping each dancer find confidence and growth through dance and movement. Tessa is looking forward to working with Leap’s dancers and helping them find their love of dance!
Rachyl Carlson - Dance Instructor
Miss Rachyl has always been surrounded by dance. Growing up in Oklahoma, she studied tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe as well as cheer, dance, and pom through her college experience at The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. She continued her studies with RACE Dance Collective in Oklahoma City and discovered a passion for hip hop. She began teaching tap and jazz at April's Dance Studio, eventually doing freelance work for RACE Dance Collective. She enjoyed dancing with X2C Crew and her fellow choreographers in Oklahoma. Rachyl is most excited to continue her dance journey in Denver with Leap Dance Studio.
Hayley Montague - Office Manager
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 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 manager at Leap, helping the dancers further their journey in dance.
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