Chelsea Affatato Chelsea began her formal dance training at age 13, discovering her deep passion for dance through her high school drill team, where she was a member for all four years of high school and was nominated as an All American. For 14 years, she has trained in ballet, acrobatics, jazz, contemporary and more. Continuing her dance education, Chelsea auditioned for and trained with the world famous Kilgore Rangerettes at Kilgore College.

In 2013, she started as an assistant at a local studio where, within 3 years, she became the Assistant Director. Chelsea teaches many styles of dance and specializes in Acro, with her certification through Acrobatic Arts. In addition to her role teaching dance, Chelsea herself danced professionally for the Austin Spurs NBA G-league champions and USA Cheerleaders. With more than 14 years of experience as both a student and instructor, Chelsea has made teaching and performing dance her career. Chelsea’s favorite part about teaching is seeing the transformation that occurs in her students from the day they walk into the studio and throughout their experience learning under her instruction.

Daniel Broxton Daniel started dancing in high school, participating on a crew his freshman year that turned into a team his sophomore year. He started pursuing dance more and training more seriously throughout his high school years. He now directs a high school hip hop dance team, teaches workshops, and choreographs for music videos, musicals, events, and performances. Daniel is excited to bring his background and experience, as well as his excitement for hip hop, to dancers at Balance!

Daniel Introduction Video

Mica Carson began her dance training near Austin, TX at the age of 8, training and performing as a member of a competitive dance company. Her instructing career began at age 15 as she assisted special needs dancers of the program 2dance2dream. She continued her dance training at Hope College, earning a BA in Dance Performance & Choreography. While attending she was in H2 Dance Company and toured the Midwest, performing modern and afro-fusion works by Matt Farmer and Crystal Frazier. Her favorite performances include tapping in Chicago Tap Theatre’s holiday show and also showcasing her choreography at the Centre Du Danse De Marias in Paris, France. Mica choreographed and danced for Outlet Dance Company In Chicago and instructed dancers both in studios and as a faculty member for Activate Your Artistry Dance Convention. Now an Austin resident, she looks forward to teaching to her home community!

Danielle Cortier is originally from South Bend, Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and a minor in Dance Education, she moved to NYC where she worked as a freelance performer and dance educator for 13 years. On top of freelance performance work, she danced with several companies including Eidolon Ballet in Concert and Mariana Bekerman Dance Company. She has performed all over NYC and the East Coast, including the Lincoln Center “Out of Doors” Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, and City Center Studios. She has also performed abroad in Japan. Danielle’s national credits include back up dancing for Twenty One Pilots on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Teaching has always been a large part of her life, and she taught at Ballet Academy East on the Upper East Side during her time in NYC. Danielle enjoys teaching students of all ages in many forms of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Contemporary. She has been a Dancer, Assistant Choreographer, and US Company Manager with Keiko Fujii Dance Company based in Osaka, Japan since 2015.  

Lauren Cranford began dancing when she was 3 but discovered her love of cardio dance in 2011. She feels that dance fitness classes are the perfect way to get a dynamic workout with heart-pumping, calorie-blasting, easy-to-follow moves. As a regular attendee at Balance Dance Studios, she is now taking her passion for cardio dance to the next level by becoming an instructor. Her goal is to help others gain strength and confidence, regardless of their dance background. When she is not teaching classes, you can find Lauren cooking, participating in dance battles, or spending time with her dog, Olive.

Maranda Creamer loves living a fit, healthy and Maranda Creamer loves living a fit, healthy and active lifestyle. She has over a decade of cheerleading and gymnastics experience. Maranda began tumbling at age 9, and then cheered from middle school to college. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Texas State University, she moved to Austin where she now resides. Maranda is a licensed Zumba and Zumba Toning instructor, and also holds certifications in CPR/AED and First Aid, as well as AFAA Group Exercise. She is excited to bring her own spin to Zumba classes and provide fun, safe and effective dance cardio workouts. She brings a balance of various international music styles and rhythms to her classes, and strives to make each class different so that her students are constantly challenged.active lifestyle. She has over a decade of cheerleading and gymnastics experience. Maranda began tumbling at age 9, and then cheered from middle school to college. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Texas State University, she moved to Austin where she now resides. Maranda is a licensed Zumba and Zumba Toning instructor, and also holds certifications in CPR/AED and First Aid, as well as AFAA Group Exercise. She is excited to bring her own spin to Zumba classes and provide fun, safe and effective dance cardio workouts. She brings a balance of various international music styles and rhythms to her classes, and strives to make each class different so that her students are constantly challenged.

Arielle Elonys is a Dancer, Choreographer, Casting Director, Actress, Model, Writer, and Singer based out of Los Angeles, California. Elonys holds a Bachelors of Art in Dance from the prestigious Loyola Marymount University. She has appeared on numerous TV shows including Nashville, Making Moves, and So You Think You Can Dance. She has worked with artists such as but not limited to Tiesto, Kygo, Miguel, Tim McGraw, Dillion Francis, Kane Brown, Halsey, Liz Hewitt, DJ Mustard, Jon Bellion, 3Oh!3, Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco), Kill the Noise, Zealyn, Baby Bash, and Every Time I Die. Arielle Elonys has also choreographed several commercials for companies such as McDonalds, and Eureka Vacuums. In addition, Elonys is also an International model & actress, working with companies like Tesla, Vanity Fair, Poprageous, Showstopper Dance Competition, Image Comics, Harlequin Floors, Tenth House, and Englebert Strauss. As an actress, Elonys played the lead role in a dance film called Where We Begin that premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. She has even appeared in a Kia Super Bowl commercial. Arielle Elonys, has also become a published writer for the number one Teen Dance Magazine, Showstopper Magazine. As a teacher, it is Arielle Elonys’ goal to give each student the opportunity to become an individual and be celebrated for it. She believes that dance can be beautiful on array of levels, not only technically. Until a dancer has deeper insight into their own soul they cannot truly share through the art of dance. Though her training comes from a technical, collegiate base, to dance is human, and to be human is to forge connection and community through vulnerability. In an attempt to be the best “technical dancer” too many dancers now-a-days have forgotten what it means TO DANCE. As a teacher, Arielle Elonys creates a space that facilitates students to once again familiarize themselves with WHY they dance. From there she moves forward with skill building class work that enhances overall performance quality in association with technical ability. She works with concepts that vary from technicalities of subtle movement to a broad expansive movement, and everything in between, while integrating true emotions, respective to each musical genre that she teaches.

Arielle Elonys is a Dancer, Choreographer, Casting Director, Actress, Model, Writer, and Singer based out of Los Angeles, California. Elonys holds a Bachelors of Art in Dance from the prestigious Loyola Marymount University. She has appeared on numerous TV shows including Nashville, Making Moves, and So You Think You Can Dance. She has worked with artists such as but not limited to Tiesto, Kygo, Miguel, Tim McGraw, Dillion Francis, Kane Brown, Halsey, Liz Hewitt, DJ Mustard, Jon Bellion, 3Oh!3, Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco), Kill the Noise, Zealyn, Baby Bash, and Every Time I Die. Arielle Elonys has also choreographed several commercials for companies such as McDonalds, and Eureka Vacuums. In addition, Elonys is also an International model & actress, working with companies like Tesla, Vanity Fair, Poprageous, Showstopper Dance Competition, Image Comics, Harlequin Floors, Tenth House, and Englebert Strauss. As an actress, Elonys played the lead role in a dance film called Where We Begin that premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. She has even appeared in a Kia Super Bowl commercial. Arielle Elonys, has also become a published writer for the number one Teen Dance Magazine, Showstopper Magazine. As a teacher, it is Arielle Elonys’ goal to give each student the opportunity to become an individual and be celebrated for it. She believes that dance can be beautiful on array of levels, not only technically. Until a dancer has deeper insight into their own soul they cannot truly share through the art of dance. Though her training comes from a technical, collegiate base, to dance is human, and to be human is to forge connection and community through vulnerability. In an attempt to be the best “technical dancer” too many dancers now-a-days have forgotten what it means TO DANCE. As a teacher, Arielle Elonys creates a space that facilitates students to once again familiarize themselves with WHY they dance. From there she moves forward with skill building class work that enhances overall performance quality in association with technical ability. She works with concepts that vary from technicalities of subtle movement to a broad expansive movement, and everything in between, while integrating true emotions, respective to each musical genre that she teaches.

Micki Fields Since the first dance class at 5 until now, dance has been a constant in Micki’s life. From cheerleading, drill team and baton twirling, to dancing on stage in community theater, to a life long love of cardio dance classes, a passion has grown and blossomed into the incredible opportunity of becoming an instructor at Balance Dance Studios.

Shelby Fletcher started dancing at the age of 12. She trained and danced competitively at The Dance Space from 2011-2018. Shelby attended Marcus High School and joined the Marcus Marquette drill team, where she led as Junior Lieutenant and then Captain, her senior year. After high school, Shelby spent two years as a Kilgore College Rangerette. She was also a member of the modern dance company, “Industry”. Shelby now works for Encore Creative Productions and attends the University of Texas at Austin. She is majoring in dance and plans to become a choreographer after graduating college.

Shelby Introduction Video

Taylor Harbin   Taylor Noel Harbin was born and raised in Dayton, OH where she began dancing in a creative movement class at the Jeraldine School of Dance. From there she attended Stivers School of the Performing Arts studying dance and choir. In addition to dancing in her school Taylor trained with form Dayton Ballet principal dancer Barbara Pontecorvo at Pontecorvo Studios later joining their pre-professional company Gem City Ballet. Upon graduating from High School Taylor initially attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where she studied for a year and was able to perform a Martha Graham original piece ‘Heretic’. Later Transferring to University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where she studied ballet and performed in Giselle, original pieces set by her professors, and fellow classmates.During her junior and senior year of school Taylor joined the Louisville Ballet as a Corps de Ballet dancer. Later retiring at Ballet Austin. 

Shawna Hesketh Shawna Hesketh started dancing at an early age, at her one-room studio, in her small central Texas hometown. Her love of dance continued to grow, and she went on to join her high school’s drill/dance team, and then began teaching dance at the age of 16. She attended Sam Houston State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, in Photography and Dance. While at SHSU, she was in several performances, including a graduate thesis, and also worked in the costume department for their Nutcracker production. After moving to Austin, she got back into dance full-time, diving into ballroom dancing. Shawna then joined Balance Dance Studios, in the fall of 2012, in its inaugural year. Since then, she has created a home and family with Balance, and now gets to share this journey with her two children, as she watches them dance and grow.

Shawna Introduction Video

Kirsten Kemp  Kirsten Kemp is a former professional dancer, classical ballet instructor, creator of TwinTalksBallet on YouTube, and a Mindset Coach for dancers. A native of Corpus Christi, TX, Kirsten grew up dancing alongside her twin sister, Kelsey. At 13, their passion for ballet grew into a drive to pursue ballet professionally, which lead to training during the summers at programs such as San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Kirsten went on to train year-round in the top levels of the Houston Ballet Academy for two years, after which she went to study on full scholarship and perform numerous lead roles in the Department of Ballet at the University of Utah. She graduated from “the U” within three years with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ballet and a Minor in Business Administration with top honors. Kirsten then danced professionally with Oklahoma City Ballet, where she performed in the corps de ballet of productions such as George Balanchine’s Serenade and Robert Mill’s A Midsummer Nights Dream. As a Company Apprentice, she was also chosen to perform with the company on their annual tour to Colorado Springs. After making the decision to step away from the professional realm due to a persistent knee injury, Kirsten now finds great joy and purpose in performing as a guest artist while supporting the next generation of dancers through her work as a ballet instructor and Mindset Coach for dance.

Kirsten Introduction Video 

Kelsy Leyendecker  Kelsy Leyendecker is our assistant director of Elevate and PUSH Dand Company’s Opal director. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has been teaching since the age of 16 years old. She began her studies and competitive years at Irvine Dance Academy but went on to receive training at some of the best studios in the country in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, cheer, tumbling, and musical theatre. She has had the opportunity to study under legends such Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Molly Lynch, Christine Baltes, Jerome Robins, and Susan Stroman. In addition to them, she credits much of her growth and passion to her mentor, Monie Adamson who is a 3 time Emmy nominee and 2004 American Choreography Award winner. While still in school, she began choreographing young for her high school show choir and other local area theatre and children’s programs. As a diverse and performer, Kelsy danced as an extra on a couple TV shows, strutted the parade routes and stages of Disneyland as well as toured parts of the US as a member of the company, “Dance N’ ETC” and the “Concordia professional Chamber Choir”. She quickly found her passion in musical theatre and was cast in multiple theatre company ensembles such as “Guys and Dolls”, “Cabaret” and “Oklahoma” as well as lead roles such as Penny in “Swingtime” and Carol in “South Pacific”. She is proud to be a part of the Austin dance community and loves teaching all her students of all ages at Balance Dance Studios.

Andi Loo  Native to Texas, Andi Loo graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Spanish and quickly jumped on the earliest flight to Los Angeles. While in L.A., Andi worked for a local newspaper while studying dance at local venues. She recalls pre-Zumba days in L.A. being filled with healthy doses of “Latin Hip Hop” and “Salsa-esque” aerobics. Needless to say, her love and commitment to dancing grew quickly and after 3 children and a move back to Texas, she found her passion in teaching dance fitness classes.

Tori Loper is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Austin where she received a BFA in Dance Performance with a focus in Dance Education and a Business Minor. She grew up in Austin, Texas and trained with Rise Dance Company and the WestWood SunDancers. Recently, she has trained with and performed works by Rena Butler, Gesel Mason, Gregory Dolbashion, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Stephanie Martinez, Jeremy Arnold, and Sandra Organ-Solis. With the University, she has performed in Fall For Dance, Fortitude, the Cohen New Works Festival, and Evolution. Her work has been commissioned by Revolve: A Movement Display in Austin, TX, has been presented by Dance Action, and “Orpheus, a Contemporary Dance Interpretation” for a Rain Water Grant through the Butler School of Music, among other student showcases. Recently, Loper has been commissioned to co-create a full length work for the Cohen New Works Festival that will premiere in April 2021. She has trained with the Soul Escape Company in Dallas in the Summers of 2017 and 2018 and performed in the works of Justin Giles, Will Johnston, and Seth Zibalese, both in Dallas and Los Angeles. To further her dance education practices, Loper has attended the Dance Education Laboratory as an Arnhold Summer Fellow in New York City.

Emily Lofton  Emily Lofton is a Texas native who enjoys yoga and pilates, walking long trails with her husband and consuming all types of art. She graduated with the class of 2020 from the University of Oklahoma’s Ballet Pedagogy program with a minor in Psychology and special focus in childhood development. While attending OU, Emily worked closely with Nilas Martins and performed Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, a standout in her educational experience. Emily worked with Jan Fugit and Rebecca Herrin on further developing her voice as a teacher, and is grateful to join Balance Dance Studios and The Dance Spot beginning June of 2020.

Emily Introduction Video

Kyrie Lloyd began her dance training in Philadelphia, PA where she studied classical ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. Upon graduating high school, she attended Palm Beach Atlantic University earning a degree in dance. While at PBA, she had the opportunity to study under Demetrius Klein of Demetrius Klein Dance Company, Jin Young Lee from NYCB, and Eileen Hebron from ABT. She also performed and choreographed original work for the university’s dance ensemble. Since graduating college, she has been teaching at dance studios teaching all levels of dance, with an emphasis on ballet and modern dance. She also teaches barre fitness classes for teens and adults. She has performed for various South Florida dance companies and artists including Demetrius Klein Dance Company, REACH; A Dance Theater Collective, and Florida Grand Ballet. In addition, she has worked with MUSE Theater Company and has performed works such as CHICAGO and A Chorus Line.

Mark Moy  A veteran instructor and choreographer with over 20 years of teaching experience, Mark has a passion for teaching the love of dance. Beginner and advance students alike benefit from his warm, enthusiastic, and patient style. Mark’s greatest joy is watching his students have the “lightbulb” moment. Mark tries various approaches for presenting concepts until that happens for each and every student.

Giving back to the Austin community and participation and local charitable events is important to Mark. In 2011 and 2012, he was a featured dance professional in the Lake Travis Dancing with the Stars event to benefit the Lake Travis Community Library, and in 2011 & 2016, he was a featured professional in the Dancing with the Stars Austin, benefiting the Center for Child Protection. He served on the Board of Directors of the prestigious Mayfair Dance Club from 2011 – 2013 and served as Membership Chair of the organization in 2014.

Jason Rhodes is from the Austin area. After growing up in a studio he now travels to take classes in Dallas, Houston, and L.A. Jason was also a part of Austin’s competitive team EPEK for two seasons and is currently the Creative Director for New Genesis a performance based company. He has also danced for a local artist, performed for Old Navy and done a multitude of other dance gigs in and out of Austin. Jason has been teaching for 5 years and strives to bring out the best dancer in all of his students, using techniques and skills he has picked up over the years.

Alex Wood  Alex Wood is a dancer and artist, originally from Michigan. He studied dance at Marymount Manhattan College, with a concentration in choreography. Since college, he has worked with several dance companies & performance art groups, including Ann Liv Young Dance Company, as well as creating independent works.

Alex Introduction Video