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Staff & Faculty 

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Gina Fancher - Owner/Director 

Dance has always been a part of Gina's story, from ballet lessons in her youth to being a dance mom to her two daughters; dance has surrounded her.  Her passion for wanting all children to feel welcomed, included and encouraged is what Elevate is built on.  

With her degree in business and her passion for dance she ensures all classes are taught with the students best interest at heart and communicates daily with her staff and faculty to ensure everything runs smoothly for all parents, teachers and dancers.  

Gina is also the founder and director of Breathe Dance Convention which allows her to continue to share her love of dance with others.  Gina currently lives in Spring Hill with her husband Eric  and their puppy Zoey.  

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Amanda Boise - Front Desk/Costume Coordinator

 

Originally from California, Amanda and her husband moved to Middle Tennessee 17 years ago.  Settling in to raise their two daughters Amanda 's love for dance and shiny costumes began when both her daughters began dancing.  

Amanda's background in merchandising and retail is a true asset for any costume coordinator! When she's not at the front desk greeting you rest assured she's in the office handling those costume orders!

Amanda and her husband Eric currently live in Spring Hill with their two girls and their puppy Blackjack.

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Julie Graves - Office Manager/Front Desk

 

Julie is a native of Middle Tennessee and has always loved dance and performance. Julie danced from age 3-15 until switching gears to participate in theater during her high school years.  

 

Nowadays Julie is a dance mom to her daughter who also loves dance and performing! 

 

Julie currently resides in Spring Hill along with her husband Aaron, their daughter and their dog Millie and she is so excited to be a part of the Elevate Dance Studio team!

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Anna Perry - Company Director, Instructor

 

Anna Perry began dancing at a very early age and quickly realized that this was her passion. She trained for over 16 years before furthering her education in Philadelphia, studying nutrition and exercise testing at the University of the Sciences and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Jazz Dance Performance from the University of the Arts. In 2021 she completed her Master of Arts Degree in Theatre from Regent University. 

 

Anna's performance career has taken her from coast to coast, dancing with commercial companies in Los Angeles, on cruise ships overseas, and in Regional Theater Productions across the country.  Some of Anna’s performance credits include 2 seasons with collidEdance Company, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, A Wonderful Life, Kiss Me, Kate, Thoroughly Modern Millie, ChristmasLIVE and Studio Tenn’s productions of West Side Story, EVITA, SPAMALOT!, The Lion, Witch & The Wardrobe & Grease. 

 

Anna has been teaching dance and choreographing for dance studios and theaters across the country for over two decades. Anna’s choreography credits include over 11 shows at Belmont University including 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, On The Town and Fiddler on The Roof (winner of Best Choreography) as well as  The Lion, Witch & The Wardrobe, Beauty & the Beast, Mamma Mia!, and Cinderella at Studio Tenn in Franklin, TN. Anna has also served as the Associate Choreographer for Studio Tenn’s SPAMALOT and A.D. Players Production of West Side Story. 

 

Anna is a choreographer for Belmont University and is the Dance Director for Christ Presbyterian Academy in Brentwood.  Anna is also the Artistic Director for Breathe Dance Convention.

 

Anna’s passion for dance is something she loves to share and believes that there is no greater feeling than helping change peoples lives through movement.  Anna currently resides in Spring Hill with her husband John, their daughters Eloise & Mabel and their pup Jasper.

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Makenzie Fancher - Instructor/Acro Coach

 

 
 
Makenzie  grew up in Nashville TN where she began dancing and training in all genres as well as acting in front of the camera from a very young age. After graduating high school, Makenzie attended The American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York where she received her degree in Dance Theatre. Upon her return to Nashville Makenzie also became certified in all levels of AcroDance through Acrobatic Arts.
A few of Makenzie’s film and television credits include The Hannah Montana Movie, The Song, Jingle Belle, the ABC series Nashville and the ACM Awards. Makenzie has also appeared in multiple commercials and music videos including Gracie & Joey, Rythmicure, Devon Nickoles, and AJ Wray.
Makenzie worked in the 23-24 season as the Lower School Dance Director for Christ Presbyterian Academy,.  She also instructs at various studios in Middle Tennessee and travels with Breathe Dance Convention.  She shares her talent and love for dance with our dancers and enjoys watching them grow and express who they are as budding artists. Her mission for her dancers is that they feel confident and encouraged all while having fun and enjoying every movement.
Makenzie currently resides in Spring Hill.
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Rylee Fancher - Instructor/Social Media Manager

 

Rylee began dancing at the age of 5 and danced competitively until graduating high school.   Rylee has studied all genres with a focus on ballet, jazz, lyrical and tap which were under the instruction of Ms Anna, Ms Mollie and Ms Maria!

 Upon graduation Rylee attended Samford University where she continued her ballet instruction (until COVID decided to come along). Rylee returned to Spring Hill and attended MTSU where she graduated with her BS in English and a minor in Secondary Education.  Rylee is currently obtaining her Masters in Business - Organizational Leadership at MTSU.

Rylee currently resides in Spring Hill with her big sis, Makenzie.

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Mollie Sansone-Sjoblom  - Instructor

 

Mollie began her ballet training at a young age and has trained with Melissa Hale-Coyle, Claudia Folts, Lisa Leone, Rebecca and Daniel Wiley, and Maniya Barredo. She also studied at the Joffrey Midwest Workshop, the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, and Atlanta Ballet.
Mollie joined Nashville Ballet in 2004 and has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Paul Vasterling, Jirí Kylián, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, Brian Enos, Salvatore Aiello, Gina Patterson, and Christopher Stuart and has been featured in roles that include Juliet in Vasterling’s Romeo & Juliet, Lady Macbeth in Vasterling’s Macbeth, The Chosen One in Aiello’s Right of Spring, Wendy in Vasterling’s Peter Pan, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in Vasterling’s Nashville’s Nutcracker.
Mollie danced with MOTION Dance Theater for several summers, where she has performed works choreographed by Nick Kepley, Gabrielle Lamb, and James Gregg. She has also performed the role of Louise in Carousel with the Asheville Lyric Opera, and West Side Story with Nashville’s Studio Tenn.
Mollie was the 2013 recipient of the Individual Artist Fellowship awarded by the Tennessee Arts Commission. 
Mollie is currently the Resident Choreographer for Nashville Ballet as well as an instructor for various studios in Middle Tennessee. Mollie currently resides in Hendersonville with her husband Brett. 
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Grayson Stranko -  Instructor

Grayson grew up in Glastonbury, CT, and was drawn to dance at a very early age. Throughout her dance career, Grayson studied at the Connecticut Concert Ballet, The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School with the American Ballet Theater in New York City as a Pre-Professional student, The Alvin Ailey School, Steps on Broadway for two summers, and most recently The CODE (Center of Dance Excellence). Grayson has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, character, lyrical, tap, and hip hop.

 

Some of Grayson’s dance credits include Sleeping Beauty, Mozartiana, and Le Corsaire at the Metropolitan Opera House with ABT, The Nutcracker, The Saks Fifth Avenue “Holiday” Window Unveiling, and many competitive performances. Grayson has also performed in many musicals such as Grease, Pippin, Mamma Mia, Beauty and the Beast, and Into the Woods. During her time at Belmont University, Grayson has been the assistant to the choreographer (Anna Perry), for both Urinetown and 42nd Street and performed in Beauty and the Beast.  Last season Grayson performed in the role of Liesl in Studio Tenn's 2023 adaption of The Sound of Music.   

 

Grayson absolutely loves to teach all ages, she has worked as a dance instructor for several years and was the captain of her competitive team at The CODE. Nothing makes her happier than watching someone fall in love with such a beautiful art form, just as she does each day! Grayson is currently earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater at Belmont University, and resides in Nashville for the academic year.

 

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Maria Logan-  Instructor

A graduate from Belmont University with a BM in Musical Theatre, Maria spent 8 years in New York as a professional actor, vocalist, teacher and choreographer. Maria’s dance training has included the instruction of Randy Skinner, Richard Staffer, Mike Minery and Debbie Belue.

Maria’s performing credits include:

*National touring productions of Peter Pan 360 and Tap: the Show

*Pinky Tuscadero in Westchesters Broadway theater adaption of Happy Days

*Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde with the Ocean State Theatre Company

*A Christmas Revue with Davenport Productions

*Peggy in the Palace Theaters 42nd Street in New Hampshire

*The Belles of Franklin

*Nashville Rep Theatre (Mary Poppins & Nine to Five)

Maria’s choreography credits

*Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia

*Peter Pan for Hume-Fogg

*Into The Woods (Montana)

Maria currently resides in Nashville TN with her husband Mike and their daughter Sadie.

 

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Eliza Cook- Instructor

 

Eliza grew up in Franklin KY and began her dance career at a very young age.  Eliza dance competitively for 12 years allowing her to achieve numerous awards and accolades. 

 

Eliza has studied various genres of dance and was selected to attend the Kentucky Governors School of Arts for dance in 2021.

 

Eliza has been an instructor and choreographer for  studios in Kentucky and most recently Tennessee.  Eliza is currently attending Belmont University where she is studying Design Communications and Dance.

 

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Sierra Carter - Baton Instructor

 

Sierra Carter is a baton twirler, choreographer, instructor, and educator from Birmingham, AL. She has been teaching baton twirling lessons for 15 years. She is a kindergarten teacher in the Metro Nashville Area. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University and a Master's degree in Education from Lipscomb University. 

 

She has twirled competitively and holds titles at the local, state, national, and international level. She has coached foundational baton twirling classes, choreographed both competitive twirling and field shows for high school and collegiate majorette lines, as well as judged numerous majorette auditions. Throughout her twirling career she supplemented her training with both ballet and gymnastic instruction.

 

She twirled with Shelby Starlets Baton Twirling Company, Thompson High School Majorette Line, and the Auburn University Majorettes where she was captain in 2019. 

 

Sierra has a heart for teaching kids and wants to grow the baton twirling community in the Spring Hill and Nashville area. She lives with her husband and newborn in Spring Hill. 

 

Guest Instructors

 

 

                      Ali Mallette                                         Delaney Jobe

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