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 teaching the awesome students 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 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
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In 2020, 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. Since then I've been able to be a lead instructor in recreational dance, acro and competition teams.
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.