OWNER

EmmaLee earned her bachelor's degree in dance from Brigham Young University, where she was on the Cougarette dance team.  As a Cougarette, she performed at BYU football and basketball half times, Utah Jazz half times, and throughout China on a 6-week performing tour. She was the talent and title winner of Gilbert Jr. Miss in high school  and performed in Australia on the Dance Down Under tour following graduation. She danced the parts of Mary Magdalene and one of the ten virgins in the Mesa Easter Pageant and danced in an episode of  "Touched by an Angel".  She has done choreography for plays, dance studio recitals and competitions, Gilbert Jr. Miss, and the Mesa Easter Pageant. For the last 20 years, she has enjoyed sharing her love of dance through teaching.

OWNER

Amy has been dancing and tumbling for as long as she can remember. In junior high she was a member of the school's cheer team and continued through her senior year of high school. In college she was a member of the dance company where she choreographed several performances. She has been teaching for 15 years and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Her three boys keep her entertained and on her toes! 

OWNER

Natalli began taking dance classes at the age of three. In middle and high school she danced and choreographed for dance team half time performances and school productions. She was classically trained in ballet under former principle dancer for Ballet Arizona, Yen-Li Chen, and continues to take ballet classes whenever she can! She graduated from Brigham Young University where she took ballet, pointe, and contemporary dance courses. Natalli is a Progressing Ballet Technique Certified Instructor. She has 10 years of teaching experience and loves watching her students gain new skills and confidence. Her competition choreography has won several Overall High Point and Judge’s Choice awards.

INSTRUCTOR: BALLET

With over 40 years of experience, Michelle began her classical dance training at age 5, after falling in love with her first ballet. She began her studies with Pennsylvania Ballet Master, Cherie Noble, performing many of Ms. Noble’s premier original works. Michelle studied Cecchetti, Vaganova, Bournonville, and Balanchine styles as well as ABT’s National Curriculum. She has had the pleasure of working with Margaret Swarthout and Maria Vegh at Marin Ballet as well as Joanna Berman at San Francisco Ballet. Michelle studied on scholarship at U of A with Melissa Lowe of Houston Ballet and George Zoritch of Ballet Russe. Later, Michelle danced with the Milwaukee Ballet in works such as Sleeping Beauty, Harvest Moon and Balanchine’s Serenade. Upon returning to school, Michelle worked with ASU’s exercise/sports science department, discovering a new way to train dancers aerobically, which she uses today in her self-developed curriculum.

Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts in Education in both Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She did extensive brain research and early childhood development training. Producing K-8 dance standards for the public school system, Michelle worked to integrate dance throughout Arizona State’s standards-based curriculum. She taught for Mesa Public Schools and the Mesa Early Learning Preschool Program (MELP), as well as Autism Academies and Arts Academies across the valley. Michelle created original choreography for ballets such as Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. During this time, Michelle was blessed to have raised two amazing daughters, an artist/pro jiu jitsu fighter and a gymnast/microbiologist.

Michelle loved touring and performing in Osaka and Kyoto, Japan. Her favorite roles include La Paquita, Dr. Coppélius’ Workshop, and La Boutique Fantastique.

INSTRUCTOR: BALLET

Alejandro Mendez began dancing at nine years old at the Vocational School of Luis Casas Romero in Camaguey, Cuba, for five years. Alejandro joined The National School of Vicentina De La Torre to further his studies in Camaguey, Cuba. He also participated in a prestigious international contest in 2010, where he accomplished a silver medal for his outstanding performance in Cuba. Alejandro seized the opportunity to join the illustrious National Ballet of Cuba, where he had the privilege of working with internationally recognized choreographers and teachers Alicia Alonso, Fernando Alonso, and Eduardo Blanco. During his first and second seasons in the National Ballet of Cuba, Alejandro had the opportunity to perform soloist roles in Eduardo Blanco’s original work, such as Acentos and Cuba, inside a piano. In 2013, Alejandro’s talent beckoned him beyond Cuban borders as he was invited to perform as a guest artist with Ballet de Monterrey in Mexico. This exciting opportunity further enriched his experiences and allowed him to showcase his talents to an international audience. Eager to continue his artistic journey, Alejandro’s next destination was Ballet Arizona, where he joined as a member. He has performed principal roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, Napoli, Coppélia, and La Sylphide. Additionally, his soloist roles include Bluebird—Sleeping Beauty, Golden Idol—La Bayadère, Swan Lake—Pas de Trois, “In Creases” by Justin Peck, “Pacopepepluto” by Alejandro Cerrudo, and George Balanchine’s timeless masterpieces Prodigal Son, Themes and Variation, Harlequin—La Sonnambula, and Western Symphony. He has also performed soloist roles in original works by Ib Anderson and Nayon Iovino.

INSTRUCTOR: BALLET

 Ashleigh is an American Ballet Theatre (ABT®) Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Ashleigh grew up in California and trained with the finest the Central Coast of California had to offer. Her training began at Pat Jackson’s American Dance where she was taught classical ballet technique by Cheryl Armstrong, Theresa Slobodnik, Sydna Reed, and Gilbert Reed. (Gilbert Reed was a soloist with Ballet Alicia Alonso of Cuba, the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Reed studied choreography at the Bolshoi and Kirov ballets, going on to direct three metropolitan ballet companies and founded the dance department at Indiana University). Ashleigh also studied and excelled at other dance forms being taught at Pat Jackson’s, but ballet was her main focus. She was a company member of the Gilbert Reed Ballet Company at the age of 12 and performed en pointe in many professional ballet productions: Carmen, Firebird, Othello, A Christmas Carol, and the like. She was a starring member of her high school dance team where she both taught and choreographed extensively. She even had the amazing opportunity to study abroad and learn Russian Folkloric Ballet and Classical Ballet from the the Kalinka School of Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ashleigh studied Early Childhood Education and Child Development at California Polytechnic State University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. After getting married and having two wonderful children, she started teaching dance professionally in her hometown community. She also owned and directed an adult fitness and dance studio (Elevé Barre) where she taught barre fitness (ballet/pilates/yoga) and adult ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary. Most recently, as the ballet director, she choreographed and led her ballet ensemble group to top honors in their division at a California state-wide dance competition. Teaching dance brings her so much joy and she is thrilled to pass on her knowledge, training, technique, and artistry to the next generation of dancers and become part of the Spark family. Dance can take you anywhere you want to go in life. In the beloved words of her late teacher Pat Jackson, always remember to “SHINE!” in all that you do.

INSTRUCTOR: TEAM, BALLET

When Ashley began dancing at the young age of 3 she instantly knew it would be a lifelong passion and eventually a career. She has been lucky enough to be spreading the joy of dance around New England for the last 12 years. Ashley was technically trained by Jennifer Rienert at New Hampshire School of Ballet. From there, she went on to Dean College where she graduated in 2012 with her degree in Dance Education. While at Dean she was inspired by renowned dance educators Jill Silverman, Bryan Steele, Gregory King, Kelly Peters, and Laura Young. Ashley enjoyed being part of Dean College’s Dance Company and performed many lead roles as a young dancer including Dew Drop Fairy in the Nutcracker.

Ashley is the Vice President of Dance Masters of New England Chapter 5. She loves attending trainings, conferences, and doing whatever she can to continue her dance education to bring the best training to her students. Ashley has been awarded with 17 choreography awards and many high score overalls. In 2014, she graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with her Bachelors in Psychology. When Ashley is in the studio she teaches a fun, safe, and structured class where kids are supported to be the best they can be. When she is not dancing she enjoys golfing, spending time with her fiancé, and reading. She is excited about her new journey in Arizona and to continue educating and inspiring dancers. 

INSTRUCTOR: JAZZ, LYRICAL, BALLET

Tricia Rodgers is originally from the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area where she started her dance training at the young age of four. As Tricia continued to grow, so did her passion for the art of dance. She received top honors and awards in all dance styles in highschool. She continued her training and education at Brigham Young University where she received her Bachelor's in Dance Performance. During her time at BYU she participated in the China Dance study abroad program; as well as performed and choreographed with dancEnsemble and Contemporary Dance Theatre. During her undergraduate studies she also competed professionally in Salsa on 2 and won Utah State Salsa Champion. After receiving her Bachelors, Tricia continued her dance education at Arizona State University where she received her Masters of Fine Arts. She has additionally studied with many dance artists including Bebe Miller, Comfort Fedoke, Carly Conder, Tom Clower, Pam Musil and Robin Konie. Her work has been shown at various Dance Festivals including ConderDance's Breaking Ground and Denton City Contemporary Ballet's Collage. She is excited to be a part of Spark’s faculty and encourages everyone to take time to move their bodies!

INSTRUCTOR: COMBO, PRIMARY

Erin received her bachelor’s degree in dance from The University of Iowa. Here she performed in several dance concerts and had her choreographic works chosen for The Undergraduate Concert in 2010 and 2011. Previous to this, Erin studied a variety of dance styles in the suburbs of Chicago where she also performed in the Schaumburg Nutcracker and competed in dance competitions. At Prospect High School, Erin choreographed over 20 works, was the captain of the Pom Squad, and in 2007 she received The Dance Award. In addition to dancing, Erin holds a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Iowa and is currently working on her MBA from Northeastern University. Erin is thrilled to share her love of dance with the students at Spark Dance Academy!

INSTRUCTOR: TEAM, CONTEMPORARY, HIP HOP, BALLET

Jenna was a competitive dancer for 15 years and won numerous national titles. She was on America’s Got Talent with the group Fresh Faces and performed on the Radio City Music Hall stage for the New York live shows. She performed with the group Complexity in the opening act of the Digi Tour. She has been fortunate enough to train and assist some of the best choreographers and teachers in the country. She was a CLI ambassador and assisted for Teddy Forance, Kathryn Mccormick, Caitlin Kinney and more on CLI Studios.

INSTRUCTOR: BALLET 5

Arianni Martin began dancing at nine at the Vocational Art School in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. When she was fifteen years old, she was selected for further studies at the National Ballet School, Habana, under the supervision of Ramona de Saa.

In 2010 Arianni joined the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. During her 3rd season with the company, she held the rank of soloist and performed in ballets like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella. She also participated in National and International Contests. Arianni’s accomplishments include bronze and silver medals at National and International Competitions in 2009 and 2010 in Cuba.

Martin came to the United States in 2013 and joined the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, where she performed leading roles in La Sylphide and Le Corsaire. Later that year, she joined Ballet Arizona under the direction of Ib Anderson. With this company, she had the opportunity to go to the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, where she was one of the finalists. While dancing with Ballet Arizona, she had the opportunity to dance principal roles in ballets such as Cinderella, La Bayadère, The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Napoli, and George Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht, Western Symphony, La Sonnambula, Apollo, Serenade, Bourrée Fantasque, Four Temperaments, and Symphony in Three Movements. As well as original works by Ib Anderson, Nayon Iovino, and “Increases” by Justin Peck.

INSTRUCTOR: TEAM, HIP HOP, JAZZ

Noel has danced and choreographed all of her life.  She competed at a collegiate level with the ASU dance team, and coached pom and dance teams at the High School Level. In addition to coaching, she has been a paid choreographer for High School teams. She is also a certified Zumba instructor at Mountainside Fitness.  After working in Corporate America for 15 years, she is now a stay-at-home mom and is excited to get back into her original passion of dancing and teaching. 

INSTRUCTOR: COMBO

Vanessa has been teaching dance for nearly 40 years. Her passion is building self-esteem and making a difference in the lives of every child through dance education!

INSTRUCTOR: COMBO, PRIMARY, JAZZ

Sara has participated in the dance community from elementary school through college, where she performed and choreographed for their dance company. She cannot deny her classic love for tap and adores teaching the youngest students at Spark. She has her undergrad in teaching from ASU, but after receiving her master’s in education is now a middle school counselor. Her passion for teaching and education extends from the classroom to the dance floor.

INSTRUCTOR: HIP HOP, COMBO

Kalana started dancing when she was only 18 months old. She has been able to work with many professional instructors in the dance field. As Kalana got older she realized she had grown to love hip hop and especially loves teaching it. She has been teaching dance for the last 7 years and looks forward to many more!

Bio coming soon