Alumni

Ada Gouse

She has been studying ballet for 17 years
Currently enrolled at the University of Utah as a Ballet BFA and Pre Athletic Training majors
Studied Ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and modern at Utica Dance in Utica, NY
Danced with the New York City Ballet in their production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Spent two summers at NYSSSA where she was coached by New York City Ballet Principles, and a summer at Pittsburg Ballet Theater
Performed roles such as Clara, Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Laquita, and
Swanhilda
Taught ballet and tap classes at Utica Dance
Dance Teacher Assistant for Dancers With Disabilities at Tanner Dance at the University of Utah for one year

Addison Sant

Began training at En Pointe Ballet in 2016
Began dancing when she was 4 at Synergy Dance Academy
She has been dancing on pointe for 4 years, all with En Pointe Ballet
Principal roles include: Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty
Hired as an instructor in 2020
Addie also enjoys baking and playing her violin
Her motto is: “Dance with your heart and your feet will follow.”

Ahrana Hyde “Rani”

Began training at En Pointe in 2012
Began dancing at age 3 at Starz and has been dancing for 15 years
Trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Clogging, Ballroom, Tap, Lyrical, and Modern
7 years of dancing on pointe
Performed numerous roles at En Pointe including the Blue Bird Pas de deux in Sleeping beauty, Lilac Court, and one of Swanilda’s friends in Coppelia and one of Snow White’s friends (soloist).
Enjoys teaching dance even more than dancing herself
Currently attending UVU to earn a BFA in Ballet
Joined our staff of teachers Fall 2019
Her motto is: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”

Akiko Baker

Joined En Pointe in 2013
Began her classical ballet training at age 5
Began her classical ballet training at age 5
Studied Vaganova method for 6 years at Sumiko Hatano Conservatory of Ballet in Osaka, Japan
Trained by former dancers of Ballet Russe, Bejart Ballet Lausanne, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Also studied Balanchine technique
Performed as Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty in 2015
Taught for 2 years at En Pointe
Assisted in staging and choreographing Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia and Cinderella

Alli Kirk

Began her training at En Pointe in 2016
She seriously started dancing in high school in 2012 on CHHS dance company
Alli has trained in various styles of dance and has been in approximately 100 performances
Years of experience in muscle conditioning and stretching techniques.
Performed at Disneyland with CHHS Dance Company
Began her ballet training in 2016 at En Pointe and excelled quickly
She was the Black Swan, Odile in our Swan Lake in 2018 (the first ballet she ever performed in)
She also performed as the evil queen in 2019 Snow White
Choreographer for Jordan School District since 2015 teaching audition and concert pieces
Is a student UVU studying dance education
Joined our staff as an instructor Summer 2019
Her motto is: "Start strong. Stay strong. End stronger"

Amber Rich

Joined En Pointe in 2018
Attended Snow College on both Academic and Dance Scholarships
Studied Ballet and pointe at Wasatch Art Center in Riverton, Utah.
Company member Wasatch Festival Ballet Company: began teaching in 2004
Dance Teacher and Director at Sugarbear Academy Child Development Center
Created and taught Wasatch Arts Center's Fine Arts Preschool Program for 7 years
Teaching and choreographing for dance classes at Wasatch Arts Center until 2018
Choreographing for Performing Dance Company at Wasatch Arts Center
Oquirrh Mountain Ballet Nutcracker productions -
Cast Member, Assistant Choreographer and Back-Stage Supervisor
Choreographic works featured at Festival of Trees, Utah Dance Festival, Draper City Arts Council Productions
Currently teaching at Puddle Jumper Preschool and thrilled to have joined the En Pointe Family in 2018
Her motto is: "Ballet is, for each dancer, an endeavor of the soul." -Peter Martin's, Ballet Master of New York City Ballet

Andrea Chase

Joined En Pointe in 2020
Began ballet training at the age of 10
Trained at C&C Ballet Academy for 9 years.
Danced as a Minorette on Bingham High School's drill team.
Cast in the musical Anything Goes through Salt Lake Community College.
Majored in Dance - University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern Dance, Choreography, improvisation, Dance History and Concert Production.
Directed the Dance Program at Kearns Rec Center
Favorite Quote - "There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good." -Edwin Denby

Annabelle Rockne

Began training at En Pointe in 2015
Started dancing at age 3 at Collette’s Dancing School
Has performed as a doll in Coppelia, a Maiden in Cinderella, a Swan (in 4 swans) in Swan Lake, and Snow White’s Friend in Snow White, and a Fairy in Sleeping Beauty.
Hired as an instructor in 2020
Instructs Ballet technique and PBT

She is very active in healthcare and HOSA
Enjoys hiking and spending time with her dogs
Her motto is: “By seeing the beauty in others we make ourselves more beautiful”-Carole King

Ariel Paraso

Joined En Pointe in 2013
Studied for two years as a ballet major at the University of Utah
Studied for two years as a dance major at BYU
He danced for Jazzin' Dance Ensemble under the direction of Garth Peay and Kim Lanham
Experienced in ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary
Instructed En Pointe Ballet's boys and men's classes for 5 years
Performed as our King in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the Burgemeister in Coppelia, and danced as the King in Snow White 2019.

Breece Perry

Joined En Pointe in 2012
Began dancing at age 3
Trained at M.C. Dancers Professional Dancing School for 8 years
1 year Kearns High Cheerleader
2 years Kearns High School Drill Team: The Chattes - Drill Mistress
Instructing Ballet and Jazz at Granite Peaks Continuing Education for 3 years
Studied Performing Arts and Kinesiology while earning Nuclear Medicine Degree
Performed with En Pointe Ballet for 2 years before becoming an Instructor in 2015
Choreographed and assisted in staging Coppelia, Cinderella, Swan Lake and Snow White
Trained in Plyometrics which makes her Turns and Leaps class amazing!
Her motto is: “To thine own self be true” We all need to follow our dreams, they are ours alone. Only you can be passionate about what you choose to accomplish for yourself.

Brooke Anderson

Brooklyn Brown

Originally from Queen Creek, Arizona
Studied at Ballet Etudes, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Attended summer courses at Ballet West, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Carolina Ballet, and Nashville Ballet.
In 2017, she was invited to attend the Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division on scholarship. While in the professional division, Ms. Brown performed corps de ballet roles with Pacific Northwest Ballet in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Ronald Hynd’s Sleeping Beauty.
She performed roles in Jerome Robbins’ Fanfare and Margaret Mullin’s Saccade for Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s annual School Performance, originated roles in new works by Nancy Casciano for PNB’s NEXT STEP program, and performed in Bruce Wells’ Pinocchio.
Performed the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Dew Drop in Walnut Hill School for the Arts’ Nutcracker, the Fairy Godmother in Ballet Etudes’ Cinderella, and showcased multiple new works by Amy Wudel at the Arizona Dance Festival.
In 2017, along with a classmate, she choreographed Agathokakological for Walnut Hill School for the Arts’ New Works Program.
Joined Utah Metropolitan Ballet as an artist in 2019 and danced roles in Legend of Timpanogos, George Balanchine's Serenade, and The Nutcracker.
Currently attending BYU and is dancing with BYU Theatre Ballet company.
Joined our staff in 2020 and is thrilled to be a teacher at EPB and has so much fun sharing her love of dance with the students.

Camilla Poulson

Carole Bingham

Costume Director and Boutique Operator since 2015

Connor Brown

Daniel Peckham

Began his training with En Pointe in 2016
Performed principal roles in Cinderella, Swan Lake and Snow White
(Prince Charming, Prince Siegfried, Snow White's Prince, and the Huntsman)
Character Artist and Male Dancer in Coppelia
Musicals - Music Man, King and I, Annie, The Wiz, Dracula
Began performing in musicals at age 6
Accomplished musician, pianist, singer, composer, songwriter
Sugarplum Cavalier for Oquirrh Mountain Ballet in 2018
Hired as an instructor and choreographer in 2018

Diana Rapp

Joined En Pointe in 2017
Began training at age 3 with Dolly Kelepecz at Bunker Dance Center in Las Vegas
Classically trained in the Cecchetti method
1 1/2 years of Ballet training at Utah Valley University and Dixie State University
8 years teaching Classical Ballet
(Bunker Dance Center - Las Vegas, Dixie Arts Conservatory St George, Dance Concepts - Sandy)
Performed as Cinderella and Snow White in Ballet Productions
Musical Theater at Tuacahn - Cats, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Choreographed and assisted in staging Snow White
Her motto is: “If your head and your heart are moving in the right direction, then you won’t have to worry about your feet.”

Ellie Midgley

Began her training with Mrs Rachael in 2009
Performed a principal role in "Through a Fairy Ring" in 2012 and 2014
This is her 9th year performing with En Pointe Ballet
Also performed as a Swan, Lilac Fairy, Swanilda's friend in Coppelia, Cinderella's Stepsister, Queen Mother, and Snow White's friend
Trained as an apprentice for 7 years to become a teacher since 2012
Substitute teaching at En Pointe and hired as an instructor in 2018
Choreographed and assisted in staging Swan Lake and Snow White
Her motto is: “Dance with your heart and your feet will follow.”

Emeline Terranova

Joined En Pointe in 2017
Began dancing when she was 3 years old
Trained by Viktoria Titova, former Bolshoi soloist and Artistic Director Emerald Ballet Theater
Emerald Ballet - performed roles as Sugar Plum Fairy, Giselle, Paquita and Aurora
Spent summers at Paris Opera Ballet, The Rock School and Ballet Arizona
Emerald Ballet Theater's Teaching Institute and Sammamish High School's Teaching Academy
Taught ballet classes at Mercer Island Community Center
Sophomore at Utah Valley University - pursuing a BFA with ballet emphasis and a scholarship
Performed professionally in Austria with Utah Metropolitan Ballet
Taught for 2 years at En Pointe, assisted in staging and choreographing Swan Lake and Snow White
Left Summer 2019 to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints
Finished her mission and returned August 2020 and resumed teaching at En Pointe and performing with Utah Metropolitan Ballet as a Company member

Emma Wadsworth

Started classical ballet at the age of 2
Trained under former professional dancers, Jennie CreerKing, Jessica Thompson, Wilson Domingues, Lindsay Folkman and Maricar Drillon
Has danced for Ballet West Academy for 8 years
Volunteers teaching ballet to kids of all ages that have special needs, 4 years volunteering
Danced high school dance company, 5 years
Ballroom competition team 2 years
Backup dancer Lexus car commercial 2016
Competition solo instructer 2 years
Ballet west academy scholarship 2015-2016
Ballet West Academy Barbara Barrington Scholarship 2019-2020
Performed ensemble pieces at YAGP and invited to New York finals
Favorite ballets are Swan Lake and The Nutcracker
Motto is “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”

Katy Daughetry

Danced at The Ballet Center in Murray from 2001-2020
Started teaching ballet in 2007
Flexibility Teacher at the Ballet Center from 2017-2021
Danced in the Ballet Center Company from 2009-2020
Got first pair of pointe shoes in 2005
Certified pointe shoe fitter at Dancewear Inc, attended a training with a Capezio Fitting Expert at YAGP!
Graduated with Bachelor’s degree in English at Westminster College in 2016.
Finished a Master’s Degree in Education in 2019.
Started teaching middle school English Language Arts in 2019.
Currently an 8th grade Language Arts and Reading teacher.
Motto for dancing (and life): “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” — Pele

Kimberly McGuire

Trained in Cecchetti and Vaganova styles of classical ballet at Cache Valley School of Ballet
Performed with Cache Valley Civic Ballet Company in many full-length ballets under the direction of Artistic Director Sandra Emile
Attended summer intensives at Brindusa-Moore Ballet Academy directed by principal dancers Sergiu Brindusa and Beth Moore
Minored in ballroom dance at Brigham Young University and was awarded honors for medal exams in silver and gold level international ballroom, Latin and American social dance
Placed 1st in multiple syllabus silver and gold level ballroom and Latin competitions at Dancesport and placed as a finalist in open novice smooth competitions
Performed with BYU Ballroom Dance Ensemble for two seasons
Taught creative movement and dance fundamentals to local elementary students abroad in China for a summer, and performed multiple solo and group pieces on Chinese national television
Selected to dance in the 2017 production of Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir held in the Conference Center on Temple Square

Lauren Halversen

Joined En Pointe in 2020
Trained in Ballet for 11 years
Studied at Orlando Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Contra Costa Ballet, and Chamberlain School of Ballet
Performed with BYU Theatre Ballet for four years and toured across the U.S.
Received B.F.A in Dance (Ballet emphasis) from Brigham Young University in 2020
Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique
Current dancer with Wasatch II (Wasatch Contemporary Dance)
Motto: "Demonstrate curiosity, a willingness and excitement about learning and discovering." - Crystal Pite

Lindsey Bingham

Started training with Mrs. Rachael in 2016
Became substitute teacher and apprentice in 2020
Been dancing for seven years, four of those en pointe
Performed in sleeping beauty, Coppelia, Cinderella, Swan Lake, and Snow White
Quote: “ Do it for that little beginner that used to watch the big girls in their sparkly dresses and say I want to be like her someday.” -unknown

M'kenna Sorensen

Joined En Pointe in 2012
Began dancing at the age of 3
Studying both Cechetti and Vaganova methods
Studied at Ballet West, Linda Fenton School of Dance and others to acquire a wide knowledge of teaching styles and began teaching at the age of 14
Performed with En Pointe - Winter Fairy, Black Swan, Fairy Queen, Aurora, Swanhilda and Coppelia
Advanced Ballet and Pointe classes Instructor for 5 years at En Pointe
Assistant Director for Through a Fairy Ring, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia and Cinderella
Certified Pilates Instructor

Makensie Smith

Joined En Pointe in 2020
Began dancing at the age of 3
Trained at Ballet West Academy for 10 years
Invited to perform in Ballet West’s Professional Companies performances of
The Nutcracker, Madame Butterfly, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote
Danced 2 years on Bountiful High School’s Drill Team: The Mandonelles
Instructed Ballet, Jazz, and Tumbling at Expressions Dance for 2 years
Instructed Ballet and Jazz at Ardour Dance for 2 years
Studying Nursing to be a Nurse Practitioner
Her motto is: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Mallory Pruitt

Joined En Pointe in 2020
Started classical ballet training at age 7.
Trained at the Ballet Center of Houston under the direction of Victoria Vittum de Bethencourt and Barbara LeGault.
Danced with Houston Repertoire Ballet Company for 6 years.
Currently pursuing a BFA Dance degree from Brigham Young University.
Experience in classical and contemporary choreography, including choreographing for BYU performing companies, and having works adjudicated by The Ballet Alliance.
Guest Choreographer for the Glenda Brown Choreography Project.
Has performed soloist roles in Napoli, Paquita, Les Sylphides, The Nutcracker, as well as performed in several classical ballets and contemporary works.

Mariah Edmunds

Mariah started dancing at the age of 5 in a small basement studio doing both tap and ballet.
At the age of 9 she decided to focus strictly on ballet and moved studios to Academy of Ballet Arts (ABA), where she continued her training in ballet, pointe, jazz, character and Pilates.
She stayed with ABA until she graduated from high school. While training with ABA, Mariah was able to perform with Mountain West Ballet in many productions including- the Nutcracker, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Stars and Stripes and many other productions.
Some of her favorite roles included- Dew Drop fairy, Lilac Fairy, big Swan, and most recently, Party Parent. Mariah also received training from Ballet West Conservatory (now Ballet West Academy) during their summer intensives.
After high school, she continued her ballet education at the University of Utah, receiving her BFA in ballet with an emphasis in teaching.
She has received her certification with Progressive Ballet Technique.
She is also an award winning choreographer for her original piece “Stars and Stripes.”
Mariah has been teaching for almost 20 years at varying studios through out the valley and loves to teach all ages- from preschool to preprofessional.
She finds great joy at the chance to share her love of ballet with the next generation.

Marissa James

Marissa is an experienced performer from the New York area with extensive training in ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, and hip hop.
Professional performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Salvatore Capezio Theatre at Peridance NY, Disney World, Universal Studios, BYU’s Homecoming Spectacular with Kristin Chenoweth, World Dance Movement International Competition in Italy, as well as commercial advertisements & music videos.
During her time as a BFA, Marissa performed on dance scholarship as a soloist with BYU’s ballet company, contemporary company, National Dancesport Cabaret Championships, and on a European dance study abroad through Amsterdam, Paris, and Milan.
She is grateful for intensive training with mentors like Karen Verso (Twyla Tharp), Edward Verso (ABT, West Side Story), Alexandra Wells (Julliard), Susan Coutts (Penn Ballet), La Scala Ballet (Italy), Steps on Broadway (NYC), Brian Nicholson (Creative Director for Ariana Grande), and Tislarm Bouie (In the Heights, Broadway, Alicia Keys).
Marissa has been teaching all age groups, including special needs dancers since 2014. Since then, she has served as an assistant company director, hip hop director, principal rehearsal coach, master class guest artist, and instructed competition & performance groups at several local studios.
She is most passionate about investing in every individual to push and support them through transformative progress in the art of dance.
Her career & research background in trauma and mental health allow her to strategically approach varying developmental levels, as well as recent challenging global impacts on young dancers' mind-body connection.

Mattea Beckstead

Joined En Pointe in 2017
Started her classical ballet training at age 5 at the Ballet Society
Taught by principal dancer Janice Nelson & company member John Nelson from Ballet West
Ballet West Academy summer intensive program for 5 summers
Idaho Falls Ballet - taught by former company member of Utah Regional Ballet, Brandy Jensen
Performed Youth American Grand Prix and the New York finals
Full scholarship for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre summer intensive program
Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah Valley University with a ballet emphasis
Repertory Ballet Ensemble company member
Utah Metropolitan Ballet Company member
Choreographed and assisted in staging Swan Lake, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty

Meridith Ethington

Has been dancing since she was 8 years old
Received her ballet training at Lancaster School of Ballet
Has danced for over 13 years in various roles with Mountain West Ballet in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Alice in Wonderland, and Coppélia
Received her BFA from the University of Utah with her emphasis being in Graphic Design
Has taught Ballet for the past 8 years- Levels 1 through Advanced Pointe with Kaleidoscope Dance Studio
Serves on the Executive Board of Mountain West Ballet
When she's not dancing, she's probably out running
She loves teaching and seeing her students grow and develop as dancers
Is excited to join the staff as an instructor Summer 2021
Her motto is: Just keep showing up. Put in the work, and ALWAYS dance with your heart
Her favorite quote is: "Dance is the hidden language of the soul” ― Martha Graham

Michaela Crown Ivey

Joined En Pointe in 2019
Grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington
Trained in tap, jazz, acrobatics, ballet, contemporary, lyrical since age 4.
She is a certified ballet instructor through Cecchetti USA.
She has trained under ballet masters from Richmond Ballet and San Francisco Ballet,
Trained with many Cecchetti Fellowship instructors.
Choreographed for various local theater and studio productions in Washington
Choreographed for the dancers at Seattle Pacific University.
Bachelor Degree - Seattle Pacific University in Applied Human Biology & Exercise Science.
Pursuing becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy
Has a passion for movement and especially Ballet that she loves to share with her students
Dedicated to quality instruction and furthering students’ technique and love for dance while preventing injury.
Her motto is: "Don't wish for it, work for it"

Nathaniel Larson

Ballroom Instructor 2020
Trained in Ballroom for 15 years
5 years training in Contemporary and other modern styles
He has been teaching for 12 years
Private dance lessons in all styles of Latin, Ballroom, Salsa
Choreographed for BYU’s Student collaborative DancEnsemble Company for a year and a half.
Winner Nationals Youth Formation Title
National American Smooth Finalist
Currently competing and placing in the top 6 spots Utah State Competitions
His students are reaching Semi finals in most of their competitive routine events -
Loves teaching and helping others to become better dancers and find joy in movement
He teaches any age and any range of couples

Sierra Lancaster

Began training at En Pointe Ballet in 2014.
Began dancing when she was 3 and started out with clogging.
She has been dancing on pointe for 5 years, all at En Pointe Ballet
Performed as Fairy of Beauty in Sleeping Beauty, Swanilda's friend in Coppelia, a Stepsister in Cinderella
Principal roles as Odette in Swan Lake and Snow White in Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
Sierra enjoys ceramics, painting, nature and dogs
She has attended Intensives at Ballet West and the University of Utah
She is pursuing a degree at the University of Utah.
She enjoys teaching and choreographing
She joined our staff as a teacher summer 2019.
Her motto is: "I dance because there is no greater feeling in the world than moving to a piece of music and letting the rest if the world disappear; Leave everything on the dance floor"

Tessa Chadwick

Tessa Simonsen

Joined En Pointe in 2013
Began ballet training age 10
Trained with Rae McCall at Northwest Ballet Center in Seattle for 9 years
Assisted with younger children’s classes at Northwest Ballet center
Studied ballet technique and ballet character dance at Brigham Young University
Humanities Instructor at Salt Lake Community College
Performed with En Pointe for 5 years
Began instructing children's classes at En Pointe in 2017
Choreographed and assisted in staging Swan Lake and Snow White
Her motto is: Dancers don't need wings to fly.