INSTRUCTORS
Highly Qualified & Fun Instructors
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Not only do our instructors have a passion and love for teaching, but they also have the experience and credentials to back it. Instructors have access to continued education with some of the nation’s top professionals. This provides our students with up-to-date steps, technique and the latest trends.​ We teach fundamentals, creativity and self-expression. Dance & Tumbling is not just about the steps or choreography. By teaching students dance and tumbling elements alongside technique we give them the tools and confidence to not only duplicate movement, but to express their self through it.
Katelyn Elison
Owner & Instructor
I have spent nearly my whole life cultivating my love for dance. For 13 years I competed with Downtown Dance Studio located in Blackfoot, Idaho. We attended many competitions, conventions, dance workshops, and master dance classes throughout Idaho and Utah learning from the best & earning many prestigious awards in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop.
At the age of 15, I started teaching my own dance classes at a non competitive level to young girls ages 5 through 10 under the supervision of Amy Mow, CEO of
Downtown Dance Studio. After a year, I was able to expand my age range to include girls up to the age of 18, as well as assisting with the competitive showteam. I spent six years teaching for Downtown and LOVED every minute of my time spent there.
In 2016, I began doing freelance choreography for high school drill teams, specializing in hip hop, prop, and dance divisions. I also graduated from cosmetology school, married my husband, Bryler Elison, and moved to Middleton, Idaho, where my husband could continue building his landscaping business, E-Clips Complete Lawncare.
In additon to freelance choreography, I took up group fitness instructing, certifying in formats such as HIGH Fitness, and Cardio FUSE.
Shortly after moving to Middleton, I was on the hunt for a good dance studio. I spent 4.5 years teaching at a studio in Meridian where I built a competitive showteam for them and we competed locally earning high rankings and many overall awards.
My passion for dance has never wavered and after many years of dreaming and dancing, I have decided to create ASCEND. Here, we will not only teach kids how to dance, but we hope to instill in them a sense of confidence and team work that they can carry on throughout their lives. Life may not always be easy, but we will always have dance.
And as we always say, we promise to stand by you forever! See you in the studio!
Arielle Dreher
Dance Instructor
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Hello! My name is Arielle and I am so excited to be working with your kids here at Ascend. I grew up in Meridian, Idaho where I started dance at the age of 3. I spent many years learning the fundamentals and creating a passion for jazz, hip hop, and ballet.
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I went to Meridian High School where I was on the Competitive Dance Team. During my four years on the team I worked into leadership positions, including captain of my team, where I was able to take my passion and talent to the next level.
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In 2017, I started teaching dance to young children. I was lucky to be on the staff at the studio I learned everything from as a child. I instantly fell in love! I loved working with the girls, the other instructors, and sharing one of the things I love most - DANCE!
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As I grew as an instructor, I was given the opportunity to assist a local competition team. It was so rewarding to watch dancers start as beginners and grow into talented, award-winning dancers. I can't wait to share my passion with your dancers here at Ascend!
Tessa Niblett
Dance & Acro Instructor
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Hi! My name is Tessa Niblett and I’m thrilled to be assisting the awesome students and staff at Ascend Dance Studio.
Dance has always been a huge part of my life. My first dance class was at the age of 2. It was a class designated for 3 year-old’s but as I couldn't help but dance along in the waiting room, the teacher invited me to join the class and since then I've never stopped performing!
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Along with dance, I found a love for gymnastics in my early teens. I enrolled in a beginner's class and was a quick learner and natural gymnast from day one. I was moved to an advanced level 4 division where I was given the opportunity to compete. I was able to participate in a state championship where I took 2nd place overall.
I enjoyed being on a competitive dance team in high school and worked hard at my job of organizing and teaching many dance clinics to young children in our community. I could NOT get enough dancing in my life during high school and was always looking for more opportunities to express my passion. I
decided to branch out and join the Meridian High School Color Guard team. I was quickly elected captain of my team and learned valuable skills that have helped me in my teaching today.
After High School, I was given the opportunity to assist a competitive showteam. I was able to use my training in both dance and tumbling to teach the dancers new things. We made lots of progress in tumbling, acro, and flexibility and I was so proud to watch the dancers push themselves and try things they had never done before.
I’m at my happiest when I can see a student overcome their doubts and become confident in their skills. I try my best to always be aware of your dancers and their needs, both physical and emotional, and I am dedicated to making all of their experiences positive. I'm so glad you're at Ascend and I know you'll love it here!
Candi Despain
Dance Instructor
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I am Candi and I have always loved dancing. When the music turns on, so does my love and passion for dance!
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I spent my entire childhood dancing anywhere my feet would take me. I danced in studios, at school, and down the grocery aisles of my small town in Utah.
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While attending college at Utah Valley University, I majored in dance. I enjoyed learning many styles, including ballroom, and broadened my exposure to many different instructors, choreography, and other dancers. We attended many ballroom competitions and got great feedback and exposure.
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Because of my love for dance, I opened my own studio after graduating. I taught children ages 3-13 in my hometown and loved it. For many, I was their first experience with dance and I worked hard to motivate each child and make them feel special and loved. I loved the small town feel and loved sharing it with my family.
Due to opportunities in Idaho, I needed to leave behind my studio in Utah. I dove into motherhood, raising my 4 kids alongside my amazing husband in our new home. Chasing kids
kept me busy, but I needed that outlet of movement.
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I began teaching group fitness classes and quickly found myself certified in more than 10 different fitness formats. I have found great success and happiness over my last 13 years of instructing and have also been grateful for management and leadership positions at local gyms.
Movement is a big part of my life and dancing is at the forefront. I am so excited to be with Ascend, where I get to watch these young girls learn and grow in their love of dance.
Emily Steadman
Acro Instructor
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Hi! I’m a mom of 4 beautiful children and a lover of all things movement!
Growing up in Kentucky, I was a competitive gymnast/tumbler for about 10 years.
As a teenager and young adult I coached younger competitive and recreational gymnasts up until I had my first child. But since becoming a mother, I have never been able to stay out of the gym for long!
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I have found ways to keep up my skills and knowledge through practicing and teaching in various formats to all ages and abilities; including teaching my own children! Indoor trampoline parks are our favorite thing!!
Gymnastics and tumbling are such a big part of my heart and I’m so excited to share that with others, especially kids!! I love seeing the development that is made as they heed my council in how to correct form, alignment, ect. It’s very rewarding and so much fun!!
McKayla McDevitt
Dance Instructor
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Hi, I am McKayla!
I have been part of the dance community for as long as I can remember. In fact, I’m not sure what a life without dance looks like! My passion for dance started at the age of 2 with Studio C and continued to grow throughout the years while I attended competitions and conventions as a member of H-Dance Force’s competitive team. I also focused several years of my training specifically in ballet through Eagle Performing Arts Center.
Later, I was a member of the dance team at Timberline High School, competing around the valley and taking home a National Title my senior year.
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Over the years, my passion for dance transformed from performing to teaching, and there is nothing I enjoy more than sharing my love for dance with my students. I began teaching dance in high school, learning and developing from exceptionally talented instructors and mentors along the way. Nearly 11 years later, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students from preschool ages to senior level dancers. Every age and ability holds a special place in my heart.
I am so excited to share my passion with the students here at Ascend. My goal is to fill our classes with growth, self-confidence, and a whole lot of laughter. I’m looking forward to meeting you all on the dance floor...may your smiles be big and your toes pointed!
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Makayla Keller
Dance Instructor
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Hey there! I am a wife to a great husband and a mama to one sweet baby girl. She is the sassiest and spunkiest little girl and always on the move - just like her mama.
I am so excited to assist a few dance classes here at Ascend. I danced for about 10 years at a competitive dance studio in Nampa. I learned so much from my experience there and truly developed a love for being in the studio. As I got older, I joined my high school dance team. I was introduced to more styles of dance and became a very well rounded dancer.
After high school, I was sad to leave my dance roots behind. Movement became my medicine and I loved sharing it with others! I started taking group exercise classes and quickly fell in love with a format called HIGH Fitness. It made me feel like I was dancing again. A few years ago, I certified in HIGH Fitness to continue to share my passion with others. I have loved the growth as I stepped into the instructor role and I am so excited to be offering it at the studio!
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Some of my favorite memories growing up are when I was learning dance from my great teachers. I hope I can help young dancers build their confidence not only in dance, but in life!
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I am currently teaching dance for Ascend as well as running and coaching Middleton High School’s dance team (Go Vikes!).
When I'm not somewhere on a dance floor, I’m usually found running around with my family and our dogs, digging up whatever adventures we can find!
Kaiya Wright
Dance Instructor
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Hi, I'm Kaiya! I love to dance and have basically been dancing since I could walk.
I started taking lessons at Kennedy School of Dance. I quickly fell in love with many styles of dance including jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. As I got older, I loved attending dance functions and wanted to compete. I joined The Spot Dance Studio as well as competed with my high school dance team.
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At the beginning of my senior year, I joined the Ascend Showteam and began teaching my own dance classes to kids in my community.
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While in high school, I was able to attend many conventions throughout Utah, Idaho, and other surrounding states, learning from some of the top professionals in the dance industry. I competed individually, in multiple styles, taking home many prestigious awards, and also spent my senior year choreographing for a junior soloist and developing mentorship skills.
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When I'm not dancing, I love golfing, spending time with my friends, my 2 older brothers and their wives, and I can't wait to add my nephew to that list later this year! I love kids and sharing my passion with others. I can’t wait to watch your kids grow.
Melissa Sabadin
Acro, Dance, & Cheer Instructor​
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Hi, I'm Melissa Sabadin!
I am a wife to a wonderful, hardworking husband and mom to 3 super awesome kids!
Performing arts has always been apart of my life, since I was a young child. I started in dance as a toddler. As I got older, I adventured into gymnastics. I made a competitive cheer team in middle school and a competitive dance team in high school.
Throughout those years, I had the opportunities to attend some amazing week long camps with my teams. I spent two summers at UCLA, one summer at UCI and 3 summers at UCSB. These magnificent learning experiences have lasted a lifetime.
As an athlete I loved mixing gymnastics, cheer, and dance together, that is where my love for acro stemmed from. Pushing the limits in all fields and meshing them together to become one magnificent moment on stage.
After I graduated high school, I became a massage therapist and worked at some very reputable places for over a decade. From high-end medical spas and fitness centers to Catalina Island, as well as, in the sky on a private jet. I always applied my love for dance in my profession and looked at it as a choreographed dance around the body.
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I got married and became a mom and the passion for dance and acro took over when I saw the abilities my kids had and their love for music. I have assisted and taught gymnastics, dance, ninja, cheer, acro, privates, as well as a
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choreographed a competitive high school's show choir dance routine. I have had the honor to perform in yearly holiday events to keep my technique and abilities up. As an adult, I have dabbled in aerial arts, such as silks, hoop, and the trapeze. I one day hope to get back into that and possibly teach it in the future.
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My goals as a massage therapist and instructor is to educate my students on proper body mechanics. From stretching properly, to successfully reaching their goals. Proper muscle conditioning and break downs of their desired skill helps to prevent injuries. I combine my knowledge of massage therapy and acro to educate and inspire with positive encouragement. Body movement is my specialty and pretty lines and pointed toes are my motto.
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I am honored to be apart of the Ascend team! I look forward to letting my creativity flow, as well as, teach your children the fundamentals that will last their lifetime. Watching their love grow means everything to me!
Kailyn Watts
Dance & Acro Assistant
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Hi, I'm Kailyn Watts. I'm currently on the Ascend Varsity Showteam. I have been on the show team for two years and have been dancing with Katelyn for three years.
I have danced since I was five and started dancing competitively three years ago. The last two years, I have found a love for acro and have been working to quickly master any skill that pushes me to the next level. I love working with our preschool acro kids and introducing that love to them! A
I enjoy playing piano, harp, and the ukulele. I love being outside enjoying the beauty of Idaho; one of my favorite places to go is the sand dunes. I love wake surfing, paddle boarding, spending time with my friends and family, and dancing!