Meet our Team

Bringing 15+ years of leadership experience in education, nonprofit management, and community programs, Heidi is a former early childhood educator and program director. She studied ballet as an adult, giving her a unique perspective on both the joys and challenges of dance. Heidi is passionate about creating opportunities for dancers to grow in artistry, character, and confidence. She believes deeply in the transformative power of the arts to inspire, unite, and empower communities, and loves seeing students discover their unique gifts and flourish both on and off the stage. Her leadership helps foster the warm, supportive culture that makes Rise Up School of Dance a place where every dancer feels valued and encouraged to reach their potential.

Savanna began ballet at 13 in Arlington, Virginia, and trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. During high school, she performed as a supernumerary in professional productions of The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center with American Ballet Theatre and Ballet West, and as a soloist in her studio’s student company at festivals and competitions. Savanna earned degrees in Ballet Pedagogy, Psychology, and Nutrition from the University of Utah and is ABT National Training Curriculum certified for Pre-Primary through Level 5. Teaching has been central to her dance journey, beginning at age 15. Since joining Rise Up School of Dance in 2018, she has loved sharing encouragement and expertise with students, helping them grow in artistry, confidence, and joy, while fostering the supportive, inspiring environment the studio is known for.

April has a passion for Rise Up School of Dance’s vision and mission. April’s love of dance, combined with experiences of living overseas among communities of diverse cultures, languages, and economic status, is the foundation of April’s passion to empower individuals and build bridges across barriers in order to build community. April has worked with Rise Up School of Dance since November 2021 and enjoys the amazing story of resilience behind each human, whether it be a student, a family, a staff member, a donor, or a community partner. Outside of her work at Rise Up School of Dance, April enjoys coaching individuals in developing a growth-oriented mindset and spending time in the mountains with friends and family.

Abby trained at the Ballet Academy of Texas in the American Ballet Theatre curriculum and performed with the Ballet Ensemble of Texas in soloist roles. She earned a BFA in Ballet, with coursework in pedagogy and coaching, and a BS in Psychology from the University of Utah. Her experience includes performing in both classical ballets and original contemporary works by nationally recognized artists. She also enjoys choreography and created Already, Not Yet, an original contemporary ballet piece. Abby began teaching in 2022 and joined Rise Up School of Dance in the summer of 2023. She loves the studio’s positive, supportive culture and focuses on teaching holistically—helping students grow as dancers and individuals. Using her knowledge of anatomy, she tailors corrections to each student’s needs, inspiring artistry, creativity, and confidence in every class.

Allie holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education from Southern Utah University, where she trained under distinguished faculty and earned back-to-back Student Choreographer of the Year awards, presenting her work at ACDA in 2025. Shortly after, she joined RUSD, where she’s energized by the studio’s positive, creative atmosphere and is deeply aligned with its core values. Allie fosters a classroom that is safe, respectful, and supportive—honoring individuality, collaboration, modesty, and overall well-being, with zero tolerance for bullying. She values reflection and often incorporates writing to help students deepen their creativity and mind-body connection. Above all, Allie strives to model kindness and authenticity while helping students build confidence, artistry, and lifelong resilience.

Emily grew up dancing competitively in Southern California for 10 years and has been performing professionally since the age of 6. Her credits include Billy Elliot, West Side Story, and most recently Newsies at the Sundance Amphitheater. She studied Musical Theatre at the University of Utah and is thrilled to join Rise Up for her first year, excited to be part of a passionate, caring team that brings something special to the community. Emily believes every child deserves the chance to shine—whether practicing tendus in class or taking a bow after a big performance. She strives to show her students the joy and beauty of dance while instilling the value of passion and discipline. A theme park enthusiast, she once performed on stage as a beloved Peanuts character! She can’t wait to share the magic of dance with your dancer.

Erika has been part of Rise Up School of Dance since 2022, first as an adult student before beginning to teach in 2023. She loves getting to know families, watching dancers of all ages grow, and celebrating their achievements both in and out of the studio. Her teaching philosophy is to make the studio a place where students can leave their worries at the door and come as they are. She believes every dancer is capable of success and adapts her approach to help each student thrive. Outside of the studio, Erika works in a research lab at the University of Utah studying foot and ankle biomechanics, blending science with dance to promote safe, efficient movement. She’s also the proud owner of three rabbits and two cats—and always happy to share pictures!

With experience as a Work Study at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in Los Angeles and as a performer with Princess Cruise Lines and Baldyga Group International, Jessica brings a strong foundation in both training and performance to her teaching. Since joining Rise Up School of Dance in 2025, she has loved getting to know the diverse community of students and celebrating the unique strengths each dancer brings. Her goal is for every student to make meaningful progress and feel proud of where they are, no matter their level. Nothing brings her more joy than watching students learn, grow, and master new skills.

Jilli holds a BFA in Ballet, a BS in Human Development and Family Studies, and a minor in Nutrition from the University of Utah. She is an ABT Certified Teacher for Pre-Primary through Level 3 and is currently a professional dancer. With teaching experience since 2019, she has been at Rise Up School of Dance since 2024, where she loves the community’s balance of high love and high accountability. She believes in a holistic teaching approach, combining strong ballet technique with the joy and self-expression that dance can bring. She recognizes each student’s individuality and works to ensure they feel loved, supported, and confident. To her, dance teaches not only movement but also respect, determination, and belonging. Outside the studio, Jilli enjoys crafting with her cats, Bonnie and Tina—crocheting, sewing, painting, and even learning to knit together.