Staff Bios
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Misty Robbins--Studio Director, Jazz, Hip Hop, Cheer, Modern
Misty is the director of one of Northern Utah's most prestigious dance teams, Elite Dance Force, and has been dancing, teaching and directing for over twenty years. Misty has been trained in ballet and jazz. She was a member of the NBA's Utah Jazz Dancers for two years, taught and choreographed for high school drill teams and cheerleading squads, and taught and directed for other studios before she formed Elite Dance Force. As the director of EDF, she has received numerous awards for her choreography, technique, and directing skill. As her reputation has grown, she has taught for the Seattle Supersonics Dancers, served as a judge for local competitions and team auditions, and received numerous invitations for her highly trained dancers to perform. Under Misty's tutelage, Elite Dance Force has won numerous Overall and High Point trophies, Sweepstakes awards, multiple first place awards, Best of Show and Best Technique, and many more awards, at both local and national competitions throughout the Intermountain West. Dancers from EDF have performed with Odyssey Dance in both Thriller and Joy to the World, Disney's High School Musical II, Ballet West's The Nutcracker, and more.
Elite Dance Force performs professionally as well as in competition. The team has performed at half time shows for Loyola-Marymount University; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Weber State University; the WBA's Utah Starzz; and the NBA's Utah Jazz.
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Cati Dallas--Ballet, Pointe, Jazz
Cati Dallas is an Emmy Award winning choreographer with National and International credits to her name. She recently returned from the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, where she taught dance in 20 primary schools. While in the UK, she was invited to teach Master Class for the Central Ballet of London. Cati began her career at 15, dancing with Ballet West at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. She danced in many roles such as Myrtha in Giselle and Swanilda in Coppelia. She is versitle in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Musical Theatre and has both worked and appeared in TV and film. Her talent in these areas has taken her across the US, Russia and Europe. Her favorite roles have been Anita in Westside Story and on roller skates in Starlight Express. Cati loves unique choreography, choreographing the 2002 Winter Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Singin' in the Rain, Ceremonies for the Utah/Moscow Youth Games, to name a few and even helped cast the dancing in Legally Blonde II. Cati currently teaches dance for Ballet West, and The University of Utah. She is also the children's ballet mistress for Ballet West's The Nutcracker. She has been teaching ballet and pointe at EDF for the past two years, and looks forward to teaching ballet, pointe and jazz technique for the 2007-2008 season.
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Ricci Phillips--Lyrical, Modern, Jazz
Ricci Phillips has an extensive dance background, including time dancing as a NuSkin Jazz Dancer for the Utah Jazz, with Holland America Cruises and as an apprentice for Odyssey Dance Theatre. She has performed on television on the Fox Movie Channel, performed as a dancer for the Los Angeles Lakers, Walt Disney World, and other professional performances. She was Miss Syracuse 2000, Miss Dance and Drill Team Utah, royalty for Miss Dance and Drill Team USA, and the recipient of Tremaine Convention scholarships. She has trained under Derryl Yeager, Bonnie Story, Clytie Adams, and many more.
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Ashlee Prentice--Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet
Ashlee Prentice is an accomplished choreographer, teacher, and performer. She studies and teaches tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, and break dancing. Her credits include performances for artists such as Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. She has performed with Wu-Tang, Trina, and was a featured dancer on the "Source" Hip Hop television show. She has also danced and choreographed in shows such as "Homeslice," "King of Pop," "Choreographer's Carnival," "BB King," and Carnival Cruise Lines to name a few. She was the choreographer for Radio Disney Artist Aaron James Karr. Ashlee has recently moved from Las Vegas, Nevada where she was instructing and choreographing for the Gymcats Dance Companies. Transfusion Hype, Ashlee's own Dance Company is at present, reuniting with dance workshops, a video/music production service, and a new clothing line. Currently, Ashlee is seeking to further her passions for the performing arts through the most prestigious organizations/studios she can find. She has been a staff member at EDF for the past year, and looks forward to working with the students for the 2007-2008 season.
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Brenda Butcher--Ballet, Modern
Brenda has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from the University of Utah. She has trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. Brenda was a member of the Mountain West Ballet Company and is entering her third year as the Assistant Nutcracker Rehearsal Mistress for Ballet West. She is currently Dance/ HLAC Adjunct Faculty at Salt Lake Community College and enjoys teaching college level students. Brenda also teaches at several studios as a faculty member and as a guest. She is currently the Dance Director for Axis Dance Center in South Jordan. Brenda has served as the Assistant Dance Company Advisor at Alta High School and has choreographed for several high school dance companies and drill teams across the state. She has been working with EDF dancers for the past two years as a staff member, and her efforts are seen on a daily basis.
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Mario Velez--Guest Choreographer, Hip Hop
Mario Velez Jr. is a professional hip-hop choreographer, dancer & performer. Mario has toured and worked with artists such as Omarion, TLC, Brandy, Boyz II Men, Doug E. Fresh, Paula Abdul, Nu-Flava, Sista Sledge & many others. He has also toured with the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters! He is currently performing and choreographing for Automatic Response Hip-Hop Company as well as the NBA and WNBA. These teams include the Phoenix Suns Dance Team, Seattle Supersonics, Golden State Warriors, the Phoenix Mercury hip-hop squad and the Storm Kids. You can also find him teaching for dance competitions/conventions Dance Olympus, 3D Network, Coast2Coast Workshop, Hype, Takin' it 2 the Streets hip-hop workshop and others. Mario has set numbers and choreographed shows that include Splash and Bottoms UP in Las Vegas, and Jubilation in Reno. He is very excited and passionate about his new venture as studio owner/director of Diverse Elements Dance Studio. The one phrase that Mario lives by is, "Hip-hop is not just rap and music, it's a culture... a way of life!" EDF feels fortunate that Mario comes and works with our students, despite his busy and exciting schedule.
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Trey Barber--Guest Choreographer, Hip Hop
In October of 2001, Tre signed on as choreographer for Atlantic recording artists', LMNT and Sopranos' star, Jamie Lynn Sigler. Currently, Tre is preparing LMNT for their US tour in New York City. Tre's choreography has also been featured on TV as well as venues across the country including the 2001 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, The View (ABC), Pure Oxygen (Oxygen Network), Seventeen Magazine Young Artists Showcase, and the 9/11 World TrAid Center Benefit at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. However, Tre's first love is teaching and sharing his experiences and passion for the art of dance with his students. He has taught all over the United States and Hawaii and continues to teach nightly. He is excited about his career taking off and sharing his experience with you. You will love Tre's innovative and unique style of Hip Hop. So, bring a towel and get ready to work it out!!! We are very fortunate to have Tre come and teach EDF dancers, despite his busy and exciting schedule.
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Schedule