LESLEY NEELEY-SMITH
Owner / Director

Lesley has successfully owned and directed Elite Dance Studio since 1989. She began dancing at an early age and trained at various studios. She was a member of the Salt Lake Stars and the award-winning La Nichee drill team. She later became the advisor of the drill team for three years and taught dance and cheer at a private school in Utah. She continues to refresh and update her jazz techniques throughout the state with jazz masters and current choreographers. Lesley spent many years as a judge for dance competitions. Lesley danced at the University of Utah for two years and earned a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science with an emphasis on the kinesiological aspects of the dancer's body. Lesley was an aerobics teacher at the University of Utah while getting her degree. Lesley's students have placed in many national and international competitions, and her students and choreography have received prestigious awards and scholarships around the country.

ALLIE RENNER
Company Teacher / Ballet / Jazz

Allie C. Renner first started her dance training in Cary, Illinois with Cary-Grove Performing Arts Centre. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Michigan University (WMU) in spring 2020. While at WMU, she performed works by Jackie Nowicki, Kyle Abraham, Antony Tudor, Azure Barton, George Balanchine, BAIRA/MVMT PHLOSPHY, Yin Yue, Joseph A. Hernandez, and many more. In its 2017-2018 season, Allie was a company member of Western Dance Project, under the direction of Whitney Moncrief, and performed work by Christian Denice. Currently, Allie is an apprentice with Salt Contemporary Dance Company in Salt Lake City. Along with performance, Allie shares an equal amount of passion for teaching various genres of dance. She has been a dance instructor and assistant for over eight years at various studios in the Chicagoland, Kalamazoo, Salt Lake City, and Detroit areas teaching ballet, jazz, modern, improvisation and pointe. Choreographically, Allie explores the visceral connection to initiate movement with athletic fluidity. Growing up as a diverse dancer, she encourages her students to submerge themselves in as many different genres and styles as possible; this is what creates both an intelligent and strong artist. In training, Allie expresses the importance of performance to her students, but she believes the journey to get there is just as rewarding.

LIZ ROBINSON DOXEY
Children’s Ballet Teacher

Liz has danced since she was very young. She studied ballet from the William Christiansen Academy of Ballet West for eight years with Mr. Christiansen as her instructor. She has danced in many different ballets including six times with Ballet West's, The Nutcracker. She also performed with Ballet West's, The Firebird, and the Utah Opera Company's, Aida. She attended Highland High School where she was a member of the dance club for for years and the president her senior year. She has choreographed dances for Saturday's Warrior and The Sleeping Beauty. In college, she studied jazz at the University of Utah for four years and danced in several college dance competitions. Liz has been teaching on and off for over ten years with an emphasis in ballet for the last three years. She is also currently teaching kickboxing and step aerobics classes. She is a wife and mother of five children. She loves teaching young girls to be graceful and feel that they are beautiful and strong. She especially loves teaching the girls about classical ballets, and to appreciate the music. Liz is celebrating being with Elite for more than a decade.

ALYSSA JACOBSEN
Acro Teacher

Alyssa started dancing with Elite in 1989 when Lesley opened the doors. She was a competitive gymnast growing up and can still do a mean trick. Alyssa placed 9th in the state out of hundreds of girls at the state competition. Alyssa was the president of her high school drill team for two years and was on the dance company at Skyline High School. Alyssa has been teaching at Elite for the past four years and has been a huge asset to our children’s classes. Alyssa is an Acrobatic Arts certified coach.

HALLEE BALLASH
Recital Manager / Substitute Teacher

Hallee is an experienced, passionate teacher having worked with students all ages and experience levels. In addition to over two decades of teaching experience across the country, Halee performed on the Utah Valley University Song ‘n Dance Company where she was privileged to perform on dance and theater scholarships and earn her degree. She has toured nationally and internationally with Encore Academy of Entertainment and with the company she founded at The Center for the Performing Arts. Halee was a featured soloist on the Utah Artists’ Ballet Company. She has been privileged to perform on cruise ships, at theme parks, and in professional venues such as Disney, Hale Center Theater, HBO, Ballet West, the 2002 Olympics, and more. Halee was a choreographer for the Jordan River Temple Rededication Celebration “Ready” and for 90&9’s original cirque musical “Fighter.” She has taught, choreographed, and judged in many venues such as America on Stage National Dance Competition, Trumbauer Theatre Competition, and the Arizona Adrenaline professional arena football dance team.

EMMYE SMITH
Rec Teacher / Acro / Jazz

Emmye grew up dancing at Elite from the age of two. She worked her way up through all the companies until her senior year in high school. Emmye loves to dance and is a fabulous performer. Emmye competed solos, duets, and trios and has an infectious smile. She has a knack with kids, and kids LOVE her. Emmye got a CTE cord for fulfilling three years of childcare courses in high school. She worked in the Olympus High Preschool for two of those years. Emmye served in Fiji on a humanitarian trip teaching preschool kids. She is excited to be helping with our children's classes again this year.

SYD STOCK
Office Manager

Syd started dancing at Elite eleven years ago. She competed on the dance and hip hop companies. She transitioned into working at the studio during high school. Whether it is decorating, event planning, costume orders, or office work, Syd is passionate about creating a fun environment for all the dancers. This will be her 6th year working at the Studio, and she’s excited for all of the fun times that are to come this year.

TIMBREL SWAN
Events Coordinator

Timbrel Swan, originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, received her dance training at Julie’s Jazzworks where she was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballroom, and hula. During high school, she trained with Ballet Idaho under the direction of Toni Pimble. After graduating, Timbrel studied dance performance at Brigham Young University where she received her BA in dance. While at BYU, she toured and performed with the Ballet Showcase Company and had the opportunity to teach ballet at BYU while finishing her degree. She was also a two-­time US Cabaret finalist in the National Dancesport Amateur Competition. After receiving her degree, she moved to New York City where she trained with many renowned dancers and choreographers at Dance New Amsterdam, Broadway Dance Center, The Ailey Extension and Steps on Broadway. Since settling down and starting her family, Timbrel has taught ballet at several dance studios around the Salt Lake Valley. Most recently, Timbrel has found a love for the behind-the-scenes work that makes a dance studio run smoothly. She has spent the last 8 years as the studio manager of The Dance Project SLC and she is excited to add her experience and passion to the EDS team. Her goal is to set dancers, parents and teachers up for success! 

ALISA FOX
Acro Director / Company Teacher

Alisa started dancing at the age of three. She joined Elite Dance Studio the year they opened in 1988 and has been here ever since. Alisa attended Highland High School where she was a cheerleader and dance company member for two years. She was a member of SLCC's cheer squad for two years, serving as a captain. Alisa was a dance specialist for the Salt Lake City School District. Alisa has choreographed many solos and group routines for schools including, Olympus High School, Highland High School, Wasatch Jr. High, and Salt Lake Community College, and she has also choreographed for events such as Miss Teen Utah USA. Alisa is also a judge for high school and college cheerleading tryouts. Alisa is an Acrobatic Arts certified teacher and loves teaching acro here at Elite. She loves teaching dance, but says her real enjoyment comes from seeing her students gain confidence. Alisa and her husband Jason are the proud parents of four sons and a daughter.

JORIE NIEMAN
Company Teacher

JUSTIN D. SORENSON
Company Teacher / Jazz

Justin D. Sorenson has danced since the age of six, over 30 years. He has been instructing 18 of those years. His accomplishments include; three-year contract with Legends in Concert on the Las Vegas Strip, a one-year contract with Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, four contracts with a Las Vegas production company performing in a Michael Jackson tribute show back east in New Hampshire and Boston, a western U.S. tour with Dracula 2000, completed full-scholarship with Odyssey 2 as well as many performances with Odyssey Dance Theatre. He has also performed in and choreographed for many local shows in the Salt Lake area. While his performing career is not as vibrant it used to be, he takes much pride in his career, and has even more pride in his continued teaching to young dancers in the Salt Lake area. His many experiences have left him with a need to instill in his dancers the strength, ambition, confidence, and courage he has learned throughout his life and career in dance. His emphasis is on power and meaning behind all movement, and the understanding that anything is possible if you just believe and make it happen. Justin has been teaching dancers at Elite for over ten years.

MEGAN BRITTON
Aerial Silks Director

Meg has been training in aerial silks with Defying Gravity under the instruction of Ramsi Stoker for over five years. She is such a great asset to our silks program.  Meg loves teaching even more than training and says the girls are so amazing! If only we all had that kind of energy again. Meg is really looking forward to getting to know the girls better and pushing them to progress and grow stronger every day. Meg has been with Elite for over five years.

BRITTANI BAILEY
Company Teacher / Ballet

Brittani trained under Linda Fenton for over 15 years, with an additional 3 years of training at New York’s Broadway Dance Center, Steps, and American Ballet Theatre. Brittani's  had the opportunity to perform in productions with the Sandy City Arts Council, Mountain West Ballet, Odyssey Dance Theater, Stadium of Fire, Disney, Salt Lake Community College and University of Utah. Brittani has been a competition director for the past 14 years and has worked with dancers as a competition company director, trainer, and choreographer for solos and team routines at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.  Brittani has been a judge the past 10 years and is UDJA certified judge for region and state competitions. Brittani graduated from Utah State University in 2009.

DEMI OAKESON
Company Teacher / Jazz / Hip Hop

Demi has been dancing since day one but started seriously training at the age of 10. She’s trained in many styles such as jazz, lyrical, complementary, hip hop, ballroom and tumbling. She spent most of her life training at Extravadance and The Dance Project SLC. She spent many years competing at competitions and attending conventions. There, she won scholarships and awards in group pieces as well as solos. She’s had the opportunity to be in multiple music videos for ScottDW, Alex Boye, Marj Desius and many more. Her love for dance lead her to be a part of and  participate in flash mobs, dance battles, joining The Chocolate Factory, now cfact801 crew and preforming in professional shows such as Urban Fairytalez. Her plans to become a professional dancer soon changed after serving a mission for her church and finding a love for teaching, especially kids! Dance has always been a part of Demi’s life and she is so grateful for the opportunity to keep doing what she loves here at Elite.

KATIE POLESHUK
Company Teacher / Ballet / Jazz

Katie Poleshuk started dancing at the age of 6 at the Academy of Ballet California. Where she trained with Keith J Martin and BJ Martin and had roles in The Nutcracker and several other pieces of work. At the age of 15, she continued her dance education at The Dance Center of Sonoma County. Here, she joined the competition jazz company and received training from Heather Visser, Stephanie Soleil, Nailah Quintana, and Gary Kendall. Being a part of the company, she had the opportunity to take master classes from world-renowned choreographers/dancers such as Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Nick Lazzarini, and Jessica Hendricks. After graduating high school, she continued her studies in college. In 2009, she began attending Sacramento State University where she became a dance major and studied with Lisa Ross, Nolan T’Sani, Randee Paufve, and Lorelei Bayne. After graduating with her BA in dance she began her professional career with Red Bucket Dance Theatre with whom she performed with for one season. Currently she is focused on her teaching and choreography career. In the summer of 2014, she received second place in Celebrity Dance Competition’s Create Competition with her piece “Not A Line," and has received several choreography awards since then. Her routine "Absolution" was nominated for a People's Choice Award at the Industry Dance Awards in 2016. Currently, Katie is teaching in the Salt Lake City area.

SADIE HERRERA
Company Teacher / Ballet

Sadie focused her dance training in ballet for 17 years at Utah Dance Center where she also trained in tap and jazz. Sadie extended her ballet training by attending summer intensives at Long Beach School of Ballet, Ballet Austin, and Oregon Ballet Theatre.  In her more recent years of dancing, Sadie has performed the roles of The Snow Queen in Mountain West Ballet's production of The Nutcracker and The Wicked Witch of the West in Utah Dance Center’s production of The Wizard of Oz.  Sadie is currently a real estate agent and enjoys teaching dance.  She is also a dog mom, enjoys yoga and traveling. Sadie is excited to share her love of ballet with her students.

ALIX GOODRICH
Company Director

Alix was born and raised in Draper, Utah and was trained at eMotion Dance for the better part of her upbringing. She served as an officer on Corner Canyons Dance Company.  Alix loves to dance and choreograph, and she is so grateful for the opportunity to continue with these things today. Working at Elite is a top priory for Alix as she loves all of her students so much. She cares about each of them individually and caters to the needs of students within each and every class. Alix ensures a safe environment for growth and encourages supportive behavior and healthy communication from each of her students. Alix expects a lot from her classes because she challenges them to give their personal best. The students are expected to be respectful, positive, dedicated, and disciplined. And also laugh, Alix loves to laugh. Dancing is something Alix could never give up and teaching at Elite offers the experience she fell in love with early in life. Her goal is to let everyone feel excepted and comfortable enough to fuel the passion for expressing themselves, that she has. Alix believes that everyone belongs in a dance class and within that dance class, there is sure to be love!

SHANNON O'CONNOR
Company Teacher / Hip Hop

Shannon grew up dancing in Los Angeles at the Rage Complex. She has been dancing competitively and professionally since about 10 years old. Hip hop always had a special place in her heart. When she moved to Utah for college (Go Utes!) she did not stop dancing. Around 2013, Shannon began teaching and choreographing at Elite Dance Studio. She believes that there is nothing more fulfilling than teaching these amazing people, and she’s excited to be back moving and grooving with these funky monkeys!

MARIA HUERTA DE LA VEGA
Company Teacher / Jazz / Hip Hop

Maria Huerta De La Vega has been dancing since she was three and has trained at Murray Ballet Theatre, Utah Dance Artists, and Millennium Dance Complex. She was historian and co-captain for Juan Diego High School’s Drill Team, which she was a member of for four years. While on the drill team, she was recognized as an All-State and All-Region dancer. She competed in Miss Drill Utah where she placed second in the interview portion. She also danced for Juan Diego High School’s Dance Company her senior year where she got to choreograph two pieces for the year-end showcase. After high school, she went on to dance for UDO Mega Crew before moving to Logan to attend Utah State University. There, she got to dance with the Utah State University Dance Company for two years. Maria is currently dancing with Underground Crew. She has had the opportunity to learn various styles including hip hop, jazz, heels, ballet, pointe, contemporary, musical theatre, military, and pom. Her favorite styles are hip hop and jazz, and her favorite thing about dancing is performing. She is also a certified personal trainer and is passionate about training dancers to be strong in their movements and in their performance quality. Maria loves teaching because watching her students discover dance helps keep her mindful of why she loves to dance as well.

ARRI MURPHY
Company Teacher / Ballet

Arri learned to love dance in Buffalo, New York at the American Academy of Ballet where they studied Balanchine and Vaganova techniques from the age of three. They spent their formative years honing their talent via training intensives at Chautauqua Ballet and the New York State Summer School of the Arts. As a young adult, they studied ballet and modern at the SUNY College at Brockport and began teaching ballet at Karyn Kelly Dance. This served to expand their love for dance from a personal passion to a passion for teaching and sharing the art. Arri’s style of blending technical ballet and individual artistry creates a space where students can grow as people and as dancers. The aim is to provide an environment where dancers can apply what they learn in the studio to other creative aspects of their lives, with a primary focus in taking care of their bodies and putting themselves first.

JADI FELTS
Company Teacher / Jazz

Jadi grew up in Holladay, Utah and has danced at Elite since she was five years old. Jadi started dancing at three and has not looked back since. She lives to compete and thrives on stage. Jadi graduated from Olympus High School where she was a cheerleader for three years and participated in their dance program. Jadi’s specialties are hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. Along with being a dancer at Elite, she has been a teacher and assistant these past few years. Jadi is so excited to be teaching this year and cannot wait to meet all the new dancers.

ATHENA ALLEAN
Company Manager

Athena is attending the University of Utah on a full-ride scholarship and is a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She was on the Dean's List for fall 21 and spring 22 semesters. When Athena isn't at school or the studio, she is a nanny for multiple families.  Athena has been an office administrator/dance teacher assistant  at Elite Dance Studio  since 2018, but has worked at the studio as an assistant for 8+ years.  Athena trained at Elite Dance Studio since she was 3 and was a part of her high school dance company. Athena has choreographed solos that placed in the top 5 and is very excited to be teaching more at Elite this year. Athena has been very involved with Greek dancing since August 2016. She dances traditional Greek dances every year at the annual Greek Festival, performs at charity events, retirement homes, and other festivals.

WHITNEY KIANA BECKSTROM
Company Teacher

Whitney was born and raised in Draper, Utah. She grew up training at a few different studios in the Salt Lake valley such as Winner School, Elite Academy, and The Dance Project. These studios all focused on ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. She also trained at Pioneer High School in every style to further her training in not only dance but other art styles such as acting and vocals. She was a junior in high school when she was asked to audition for the Odyssey Dance Theater. A few months later she was offered a full-year contract with the Odyssey to do over five professional shows and travel to Europe to perform. During her time with Odyssey, she’s had the opportunity to teach as well as dance in a variety of roles including music videos, extra shows, touring with a dance convention, etc. Whitney started teaching around the age of 16 and has taught at six studios over the years setting choreography and teaching master classes. Whitney can’t wait to watch her students grow.

ABBIE MATHEWS
Rec Teacher / Hip Hop

Abbie has been dancing since the age of 4 and was on the performing team at her studio. She started dancing competitively at the age of 10 and has earned many awards and titles. Abbie has trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tap, and lyrical. She loves all dance genres, but her favorite is hip hop! She was on her high school dance team for three years and choreographed many dances for them. She continues to choreograph for the high school dance team. Abby was part of a mentorship program at "The House" and was privileged to work with working choreographers in the dance industry. Abbie has been in dance music videos and commercials and has performed at several awards ceremonies, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Ventura County Fair. Abbie was part of the UVU dance team last year. She has had the opportunity to teach hip hop classes and just loves it. She wants to pass her joy and passion for dance to her students and is grateful for the opportunity to teach.