Faculty

Elizabeth Ellis – Dance Instructor/Founder

Miss Elizabeth started teaching dance in 2002 and loves engaging her students’ learning process. After growing up dancing in Rapid City, South Dakota, she moved to New York City and graduated from 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, including graduating from the Dance Education Laboratory. 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 at multiple studios. She loves teaching, as well as managing Leap Dance Studio!Miss Elizabeth started teaching dance in 2002 and loves engaging her students’ learning process. After growing up dancing in Rapid City, South Dakota, she moved to New York City and graduated from 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, including graduating from the Dance Education Laboratory. 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 at multiple studios. She loves teaching, as well as managing Leap Dance Studio!

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 Hildenbrand - 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.

Rachyl Joy 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.

Hannah Slate - Dance Instructor

Miss Hannah grew up dancing anywhere and everywhere she could in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was a member of Oak Ridge Civic Ballet for 13 years while also being a part of her middle and high school dance teams and training at studios across the city. She continued her passion for dance at The University of Alabama as a dance major. Miss Hannah began teaching in Myrtle Beach before moving to Denver. She has been teaching locally since 2018 and was a member of the poms coaching staff at Cherry Creek High School. Hannah looks forward to her time with Leap Dance Studio and already adores her students. She really appreciates the joy and life they bring with them in every move they make.

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.