behind the curtain
MISS ELIZABETH
MISS ELIZABETH
MISS ELIZABETH
CO-FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Elizabeth started her dance training with John Lehman in Raleigh. She joined Ballet Theater Company of Raleigh at age 8 performing in shows all around the triangle. One of her favorite company activities was performing at local elementary schools. She continued training and performing with BTCR through high school.
CO-FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Elizabeth started her dance training with John Lehman in Raleigh. She joined Ballet Theater Company of Raleigh at age 8 performing in shows all around the triangle. One of her favorite company activities was performing at local elementary schools. She continued training and performing with BTCR through high school. Elizabeth attended East Carolina University studying with Joe Carrow in the Dance Education program. After college she moved to South Carolina to perform with Hilton Head Dance Theater, under the direction of John and Karena Brock Carlyle while also teaching at the adjoining school. There, Elizabeth performed in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and numerous other ballets. She helped choreograph new ballets like The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Eloise while also choreographing jazz numbers for HHDT’s Terpsichore. After five years with the company, Elizabeth relocated to Savannah, GA where she performed with several local companies and taught all over the area. In 2008, Elizabeth moved back to Raleigh with her family and taught at Dance Dynamics for twelve years. While at DDI she created a modern version of The Nutcracker that incorporated not only ballet but also tap, jazz and hip hop. Elizabeth has shared her love for dance for over thirty years and looks forward to teaching your kids at The Dance Collective.
MISS TORI
MISS ELIZABETH
MISS ELIZABETH
CO-FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Tori graduated Cum Laude from Elon University earning a B.S. in Exercise Science and Dance Science with a minor in Psychology. As a former competitive dancer, she's trained in a variety of styles, but specializes in jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip hop. At Elon, she trained under Gene Medler and Nina Wheeler, as we
CO-FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Tori graduated Cum Laude from Elon University earning a B.S. in Exercise Science and Dance Science with a minor in Psychology. As a former competitive dancer, she's trained in a variety of styles, but specializes in jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip hop. At Elon, she trained under Gene Medler and Nina Wheeler, as well as danced and choreographed for Elon's DanceWorks. She also trained in West African dance under Jason Aryeh and toured alongside his professional dance company in Ghana. Tori has been teaching dance for over 9 years to students of all ages, levels, and abilities. She is also a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine and has completed her 500+ hour Comprehensive Pilates Certification through Balanced Body. Tori utilizes her knowledge of strength and conditioning to create science-based dance programs that help her students reach their goals safely and efficiently. Although her classes are challenging, she manages a supportive classroom and encourages her dancers' creativity and self-expression. Tori is thrilled to be teaching at The Dance Collective and sharing her love of dance with her students.
MISS ERIKA
MISS ELIZABETH
MISS JESSICA
'25-'26 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Miss Erika was born and raised in Hamilton, NJ where she danced at the prestigious Princeton Ballet School.
Her professional credits include opening the stage for Colbie Caillat, Andy Grammar, The Cab, and Hinder; performing at large corporate events with clients including G105, First Citizens Bank and Go Red Campai
'25-'26 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Miss Erika was born and raised in Hamilton, NJ where she danced at the prestigious Princeton Ballet School.
Her professional credits include opening the stage for Colbie Caillat, Andy Grammar, The Cab, and Hinder; performing at large corporate events with clients including G105, First Citizens Bank and Go Red Campaign; and dancing at the famed Dance with Me Studios USA/NYC connected to Dancing with the Stars.
Erika is certified in Alixa Flexibility, Progressing Ballet Technique, and has passed her DVIDA Ballroom and Latin dance examinations. She has studied ballet and jazz extensively at Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Steps on Broadway in NYC, Duke University, Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase, and competed at Youth America Grand Prix.
Although she enjoyed her performance career, her true passion lies in training the next generation. Over the past 14 years of teaching and directing, her choreography has consistently won Best Choreography and Highest Scoring. Additionally, her students have gone on to attend the top college programs and receive national titles.
Erika is so excited to join The Dance Collective family!
MISS JESSICA
MISS KRISTINA
MISS JESSICA
INSTRUCTOR
Jessica lives in Raleigh with her dogs Klopp and Tuna. As a former competitive dancer, she has trained in a variety of styles, but enjoys jazz and lyrical the most. She has taught recreational and competitive dance locally for 14 years and has since branched out to musical theater, choreographing for Franklin Academy High School
INSTRUCTOR
Jessica lives in Raleigh with her dogs Klopp and Tuna. As a former competitive dancer, she has trained in a variety of styles, but enjoys jazz and lyrical the most. She has taught recreational and competitive dance locally for 14 years and has since branched out to musical theater, choreographing for Franklin Academy High School's show Alice By Heart. Jessica has also taught dance-based fitness classes for 3 years at a studio in Raleigh. During college, she studied modern dance and performed with the NCSU Dance Company, but spent most of her time using her performance background as the Ms. Wuf mascot at NC State games, NCA competitions, and as a nominee for Capital One’s Mascot of the Year.
MISS MARGO
MISS KRISTINA
MISS KRISTINA
INSTRUCTOR
Margo grew up in Roanoke, VA and began her dance journey at the age of 3 at Divine Dance Center. After spending years as a competitive dancer, she went off to Elon University to earn her BS in Biochemistry while continuing to explore her love of dance in and out of the classroom. She had the honor of studying with renowned inst
INSTRUCTOR
Margo grew up in Roanoke, VA and began her dance journey at the age of 3 at Divine Dance Center. After spending years as a competitive dancer, she went off to Elon University to earn her BS in Biochemistry while continuing to explore her love of dance in and out of the classroom. She had the honor of studying with renowned instructors including Gene Medler and Jason Aryeh, and also performed and choreographed for Elon’s student run dance club, Elon Danceworks. Since graduating in 2019, Margo has continued her dance training at Threehouse Dance Studio in Durham and has also become a member of Footnotes Tap Ensemble, a professional tap company based in the Triangle. Margo is excited to spread her love of dance in the classroom as a member of The Dance Collective staff!
MISS KRISTINA
MISS KRISTINA
MISS KRISTINA
INSTRUCTOR
Kristina Doiron graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a B.F.A. in Performing Arts. She continued her dance training at the American Dance Festival, Martha Graham Summer Intensive, and the Radio City Rockette Summer Intensives. Kristina moved to New York City where she performed works by Mar
INSTRUCTOR
Kristina Doiron graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a B.F.A. in Performing Arts. She continued her dance training at the American Dance Festival, Martha Graham Summer Intensive, and the Radio City Rockette Summer Intensives. Kristina moved to New York City where she performed works by Martha Bowers, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Susan Dodge, Teresa Fellion, and Mary Seidman. She was a teacher’s assistant for the youngest dancers at the Paul Taylor School. Kristina moved to Florida and performed in various parades and shows at Walt Disney World. She later served as Maintenance Choreographer for Walt Disney Parks Live Entertainment where she auditioned, taught, staged, and provided direct feedback to Walt Disney World performers. While in Orlando, Kristina performed modern dance in Yow Dance under the direction of Eric Yow.
MISS KELSIE
MISS KELSIE
MISS KELSIE
INSTRUCTOR
Kelsie graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Carolina University with a BFA in Dance Performance. She has traveled all over the nation performing in both commercial and concert style dance works. She spent several seasons performing at Cedar Point in shows such as Luminosity, Sideshow: A Carnival of Magic, and was Dance Captain a
INSTRUCTOR
Kelsie graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Carolina University with a BFA in Dance Performance. She has traveled all over the nation performing in both commercial and concert style dance works. She spent several seasons performing at Cedar Point in shows such as Luminosity, Sideshow: A Carnival of Magic, and was Dance Captain at Vertical Impact. Kelsie also had the opportunity to perform at California's Great America in Ed Alonzo's The Second Greatest Showman. Between contracts, she was dancing in Chicago for Chicago Dance Crash, Moonwater Dance Project, and Peckish Rhodes Performing Arts Society. During her time with Chicago Dance Crash, she performed the part of Nimee Aimee in the Bricklayers of Oz, which won Dance Magazine's 2017 Most Innovative New Work. Her teaching specialties include contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and musical theatre. Having been teaching for approximately twelve years, Kelsie has taught and choreographed for all ages and levels. Her teaching credits include being a Teaching Artist for Joffrey Ballet School in Chicago, being an instructor for DanceWerks studio and convention, and a dance adjudicator for several national dance competitions. In 2019, Kelsie was an instructor at Durham School of the Arts in Durham, NC. Kelsie now teaches at several dance studios in the triangle area, and is so excited to bring share her love of dance and the arts with The Dance Collective!