DIRECTOR + COACH- DEVOTED, DYNAMIC

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"Born and raised in this very studio, I began my dance journey here at age 5 and trained until I graduated at 18. After high school, I stepped out to explore new opportunities—teaching at other studios, in college settings, and with various companies including Junction Dance Co. I immersed myself in as many classes as I could, especially at Millennium Dance Complex, always hungry to grow and learn more.

Over time, I discovered that teaching was what truly lit me on fire. That passion led me back home—to this studio—to pour into the next generation of dancers. Today, I’m not only a dance teacher, but also a proud mom of three and wife to the most amazing husband.

While I coach a wide range of styles, I get especially excited about contemporary and hip hop, and I love working with our Team X Company. I care deeply about connecting with my students and helping them navigate life through the outlet of dance. To me, dance is more than just movement—it shapes character, builds confidence, and teaches resilience. It calls for discipline, perseverance, and so many other lessons that last far beyond the studio."​

   - Justie

COACH- DEMI

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"I started dancing at age 10 because all my friends were doing it, and it quickly became the only thing I wanted to do. I competed for 4 years with my small studio in Utah, and 2 years with my high school team before expanding into musical theater, teaching, and choreography. At BYUI I minored in Modern Dance, and after graduation in 2005, I hung my Psych degree in a pretty frame and immediately went back to teaching, choreographing, and coaching a competition team. I adjudicated just one competition before retiring from dance to be a mom. 

Four kids and a whole career in photography later, I found my way back to dance in late 2019 and, once again, found it was one of the only things I wanted to do. (I also enjoy reading and hiking with my husband!)

I’ve never met a dance style I didn’t like and couldn’t choose a favorite if I tried. While I adore working with advanced dancers in the photo studio, in the dance studio my heart lies with the beginners. Empowering students to be confident in their own skin, to take up space and be brave enough to fail and try again- it’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done."​

   - Charlotte

COACH- DEVELOPING, DEVOTED, DYNAMIC

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"I’m a passionate dance coach with over five years of experience guiding dancers to reach their fullest potential. Before beginning my coaching career, I spent years performing as a professional contortionist, where I developed a deep appreciation for artistry, flexibility, and discipline — qualities that now inspire my teaching style.

As an alumna of ESPA, I also spent seven years competing on Team X, where I honed my technical precision, stage presence, and love for performance. Today, I bring that same dedication and enthusiasm to every class I teach.

My greatest joy comes from inspiring the next generation of dancers — helping them grow not only as performers, but as confident, expressive individuals who find happiness through movement."​

   - Emma

COACH- DEVELOPING, DEVOTED, DYNAMIC​

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"I’ve been sharing my passion for dance for over 26 years, teaching at Expressions School of Performing Arts where I’ve had the joy of helping shape generations of young dancers. I started dancing when I was 3, and by the time I was 4, I had already declared that I was going to be a dance teacher — a dream I’ve followed with unwavering dedication ever since.

I specialize in ballet, jazz, and lyrical, but I also have experience in contemporary, tap, and hip hop. My favorite students to teach are dancers ages 9 to 18 — that beautiful stage where passion, growth, and transformation all meet. My students often describe me as “the nicest, most strict teacher you’ll ever have,” and I take that as the highest compliment. I strive to balance discipline with deep care, always encouraging my dancers to match my own commitment to the craft.

I was raised in North Idaho, and recently moved to Spokane, Washington, where my partner and I are joyfully blending our families — five amazing teenagers between us. Outside the studio, I find peace and inspiration in nature, and I love hiking, reading, cooking, traveling, and exploring new places.

I truly believe today’s youth have the power to change the world, and I consider it a profound privilege to guide, impact, and empower them through the art of dance."​

   - Jess

COACH- DEVOTED, DYNAMIC​

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"This season marks my 15th year teaching at ESPA, and I am grateful every day to be part of the Expressions family that values excellence, artistry, and the growth of young dancers. Ballet is where I primarily specialize, and I hold all available Vaganova certifications through the Bolshoi Ballet Academy—training that has deeply shaped both my teaching methods and my appreciation for technical precision. While I loved competing as a dancer, I found my true passion in the discipline of daily training, the pursuit of refinement, and the quiet joy of steady improvement.

In addition to ballet, I teach jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and acro, and I love guiding dancers as they explore a variety of styles. No matter the genre, my goal is always the same: to create a supportive, challenging environment where students feel inspired to push themselves, trust the process, and discover who they are both as artists and as individuals.

I firmly believe that dance teaches far more than just that. The resilience, work ethic, teamwork, responsibility and confidence developed in the studio often become some of the most meaningful tools dancers carry with them into their lives beyond the stage. Watching students grow - physically, emotionally, and artistically - is one of the greatest privileges of my career.

Although I hold a degree in conservation biology, my love for dance and teaching has kept me rooted in the studio, where I know I am doing the work I was meant to do. When I’m not teaching, you can find me spending time with my husband and our two sons, hiking, traveling, or tending to the animals and gardens on our small family farm."​

   - Katrina

COACH- DEMI, DEVELOPING, DEVOTED

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"Hi, I’m Kelsey Dwyer! I grew up dancing at Expressions, where I discovered my love for dance and was part of Team X. I began dancing at age 4, started competing at 7, and continued through college as a member of the WSU Crimson Girl Dance Team while earning my degree in Kinesiology. During my time dancing for a Division I program, I performed at football and basketball games, the Men’s PAC-12 Basketball Tournaments, the Holiday Bowl, and on the UDA Nationals floor—where we made school history two years in a row!

I’ve taught at several studios, directed summer camps, and even helped build a dance program in Florida while my husband attended chiropractic school. I also have a strong passion for fitness. I’ve worked as a group fitness and barre instructor, and I firmly believe that dancers benefit greatly from strength training. My goal is to merge the two worlds to create strong, healthy, and injury-resistant athletes.

Now back in the PNW, you can find me hanging out with my daughter, making sourdough, or staying active. I feel like I’ve come full circle—teaching again at the studio where it all began—and I’m so grateful to share my love for movement with this community once again."

   - Kelsey

COACH- Developing

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“I have been dancing on and off since I was 4 years old and have trained at Expressions since 2022. Over the years, I have studied jazz, ballet, and tap, but in recent years I have developed a stronger passion for hip hop and dedicated my training to refining and perfecting this style. I have also had the amazing opportunity of being apart of Team X here at Expressions for the past 4 seasons. I was able to participate in dance competitions, convention classes, and travel! This year, I am so excited to be teaching hip hop at Expressions.

As a coach, I am passionate about team bonding, technique, and helping each dancer feel confident being themselves. I want my dancers to be able to show their own personalities through hip hop while still learning how to work together, stay in sync, and use proper technique. I believe that a strong team is one that supports each other, works hard, and has fun along the way.

I hope my dancers remember me as someone who is outgoing, kind, and always willing to help. I never back down from a challenge and love being someone my dancers can count on. Outside of dance, I recently graduated high school and am now attending college, where I am pursuing my love of photography. I am so excited to continue growing as a dancer and coach and to share my love of hip hop with my students this year!“​

   - Luci

COACH- Developing, Devoted

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"As a lifelong ESPA dancer, I began training at the studio at age 3 and continued through 18, competing on Team X along the way. I went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts with an emphasis in Production and a minor in Dance from Boise State University.

After graduating in 2021, I began coaching at Expressions and taught at the studio through 2024. Throughout my dance career, I’ve had the opportunity to perform with companies including Aspire, CDA Summer Theatre, Lake City Playhouse, and numerous productions at Boise State. While living in Flagstaff, Arizona, I performed with Canyon Movement Company and Dewell Dance.

I’m especially excited to continue my involvement with Need A Little Christmas! I performed in the Traditions of Christmas Kickline for four seasons from 2015–2018 before returning as the Kickline choreographer and performer for Need A Little Christmas in 2023. I’m thrilled to be returning as the Kickline choreographer again this year!

Outside of dance, I work in media, production, and marketing, and I love finding creative ways to combine my passions. I recently got married to my husband, Logan, and we’re so happy to be back in North Idaho. I’m also currently working with my dad to launch our own coffee cart bike business, and I plan to start my own videography business in 2027. I’m looking forward to another wonderful year of dancing, teaching, creating, and growing alongside our students!"

   - Moriah

COACH- DEMI, DEVELOPING, DEVOTED​

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"I’ve been passionate about dance for as long as I can remember. I spent eight years as a competitive dancer—five in Oregon and three at ESPA after moving to Coeur d’Alene as a Sophomore in high school. After graduating, I was grateful for the opportunity to return to ESPA as a coach.

Coaching is my favorite part of the dance world because I get to inspire my students to find their own passion for dance while helping them develop meaningful life skills like hard work, responsibility, and teamwork. I love supporting dancers as they grow not only into stronger performers, but also confident, kind humans. Creating a safe, welcoming space where every student feels valued and knows they have something special to offer is at the heart of everything I do.

Outside the studio, you can usually find me out in nature or spending time with friends and family."​

   - Scotlyn