Artistic Director & Co-Owner/Team & Mini Team Coach
Joan Elias
Joan is the Artistic Director of Forever Dance and co-owner with Ellen and Andy Dauscher. Joan holds a BFA in Dance from East Carolina University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. After graduation, Joan started her professional career dancing at the Lone Star Dramas in Galveston, Texas. She worked her way up the ranks of the theatre as dancer, dance captain, assistant choreographer and choreographer of the musicals “The Lone Star”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Hello Dolly” and “South Pacific”. Joan danced for Houston Grand Opera in “Hansel and Gretel” and choreographed for the Galveston Island Opera House. Joan danced in San Francisco with the modern company, Gretchen Harding and Friends, which performed at the Palace of Fine Arts. She also danced professionally in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Lake Tahoe with “Melinda, the First Lady of Magic”, “The Girls of Rock and Roll”, Desert Rose Productions and Caesar Palace Conventions. After settling down in Lake Tahoe to start her family, Joan found her passion for teaching, choreographing and coaching dancers of all ages.
Dance Instructor, Team and Mini Team Coach
Dino Elias
Dino has been hooked on dance since he won his first National competition at age 10! Dino specializes in Tap, Contemporary, Jazz Funk, and Musical Theater. In 2012, he attended Jacob's Pillow in the pre-professional tap program, studying with Diane Walker, Lane Alexander, Derek Grand, Brenda Buffalino, and Lisa LaTouche. In December 2013, Dino performed in the first all tap show ``Juba!``, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Dino choreographed and danced in ``Red Hot Superstars`` at the Grand Sierra Resort and in 2014 performed in the Muny's production of ``Billy Elliot`` in St. Louis, MO. Dino currently judges for Thunderstruck and KAR competitions, as well as teaches tap on the KAR Convention circuit. He enjoys choreographing and teaching master classes for studios throughout the West and East coasts. Dino has been recognized on the national level for his choreography and teaching abilities, including two nominations for the Industry Dance Awards. FD4REAL
Dance Instructor
Suzie Elias
Suzie Elias was born in Lake Tahoe, Nevada where she started dancing at the age of two. She grew up training every day in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, and tumbling. Suzie danced competitively for 10+ years and now teaches and choreographs in the competition dance circuit. Her work has competed throughout Northern/Southern California, Nevada, and Virginia. She moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue her professional dance career and is represented by Go 2 Talent Agency. Some of her credits include international/national tours with singer Vidya Vox, the NBA Clippers, LA Sparks, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Joji, and Snoop Dogg. She has shot national commercials for Panda Express and Weinerschnitzel and her film/television credits include Pepsi, Takis, Disney XD, and Lady Dynamite. Her other work in the industry has been as a magician’s assistant for Krendl Magic and she holds the position of dance captain with Karmagraphy Entertainment Company.
Dance Instructor
Robin Price
Robin Price grew up in Cincinnati and became a professional dancer at 15. Her career as a professional dancer lasted for over 25 years. Her credits include St Louis Muny Opera, Disney on Parade, The Carol Burnett Show, L.A. Civic light Opera, Paradise Island, Casino De Paris Dunes as principal dancer, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Jubilee Las Vegas, Hello Hollywood Hello as principal dancer. Over the years Robin has worked with some of the best choreographers including Onna White, Tom Hansen, Ron Lewis,Stanley Holden & Margaret Hills - Royal Ballet, Marc Breaux & Dee Dee Wood, Tommy Tune, & Zoya LeProvska - Bob Fosse’s assistant. Robin has a great love for dance, especially ballet. She has taught for
many years and really loves passing on her passion for dance.
Dance Instructor
Holly DeWitt
Holly DeWitt grew up in Kansas City and began her professional dance career at just 16 years old. She received extensive training in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, pointe, pas de deux, and musical theatre. Her diverse background has led her to perform with esteemed companies such as Kansas City Ballet, Quixotic Fusion, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Owen Cox Dance Group, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Deeply Rooted Contemporary Dance Theater.
In addition to her stage work, Holly spent several years performing as an aerialist and fire dancer, further expanding her artistic expression. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of collaborating with and performing works by celebrated choreographers including David Parsons, Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and Christopher Huggins.
Outside of the dance world, Holly holds a 200-hour yoga certification and is a licensed acupuncturist, currently serving the Lake Tahoe community. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love for movement, and is excited to continue inspiring others through dance and holistic wellness.
Dance Instructor
Corinne Novotny
Beginning to dance at the age of 3, dancing has been a huge part of Corinne’s life. She was a member of the Forever Dance competition team for 13 years, and a part of the original Mini-Team. A well-rounded dancer, she has been trained in ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz funk, modern, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, tumbling, partnering, and ballroom. During her many years competing with Forever Dance, she has taken home many top awards in regional and national competitions with her solos, duos, trios, groups, productions, including titles. Corinne has trained at the Edge, Millennium and Movement Lifestyle. She has danced professionally in the Reno Fashion Show and Red-Hot Production’s, “The Michael Jackson Tribute Show”. This year, Corinne will be teaching Jr Contemporary 1 and Jr HH 1 & 2 at Forever Dance Carson City. Corinne is also a full-time kindergarten teacher in Sparks, NV.
Dance Instructor
Carli Gumm
Carli Gumm was born and raised in Northern Nevada, and started dancing at the age of two. She trained locally in the Carson Valley and was a proud member of the Forever Dance Competition Team for 10 years. She has been trained in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, tumbling, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. After graduating high school, Carli went to Salt Lake City to attend Westminster College on a dance scholarship. There she was trained in Vagonova ballet and classical modern, and was also a member of Westminster Dance’s select modern company. Carli has been teaching dance for 5 years, and is currently pursuing her degree in applied mathematical modeling.
Dance Instructor
Zoë Lacasse Kirstine
Zoë started her dance journey at the young age of four, finding her passion quickly for the art. She began dancing competitively at eight years old, there finding her undying love for Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical. Throughout her days as a competitive dancer, Zoë has received many regional and national awards, as well as scholarships for solos, duos, trios and group numbers. She has danced professionally since the age of ten, with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, the Reno Fashion Show, Sierra Nevada Ballet and Karen Burns Productions. Zoë shares a strong love for teaching others, not just in the form of dance but in the Emergency Medical field as well. Along with being a passionate dancer and instructor, Zoë is also a full time Paramedic and full-time mom. She’s also very thankful to have had the opportunities to contribute to our Competition team for the last three years! Zoë is beyond excited to work with these young dancers and get the chance to watch them grow throughout the year.
Dance Instructor
MJ Hatchett
Mary Jane “MJ” Hatchett grew up in Tahoe City, CA, where she discovered her love for dance at the age of three. She trained and competed with Forever Dance Lake Tahoe’s competition team from age 10 through high school, building lasting memories and strong team bonds along the way. MJ went on to attend Southern Methodist University, earning degrees in Anthropology and Spanish while performing with the SMU Pom Squad. During her four years on the team, she served both as a dedicated member and as captain, developing valuable leadership and performance skills. Tap remains her favorite style of dance, and she is excited to return to Forever Dance—this time as an instructor—where she can share her passion and experience with the next generation of dancers.
Dance Instructor
Branna Tedford
My name is Branna Tedford and I have been dancing for 18 years. I spent 11 of my years with the forever dance competition team! Now I dance professionally and currently reside in a magic show at the Grand Sierra Resort. I am so excited to rejoin the forever dance family but this time as a coach and choreographer, there’s nothing more important to me than sharing my love for dance with other people!
Dance Instructor
Ky McGee
Ky McGee started her dance career at a young age, moving to Carson City Forever Dance studio once it opened up. She immediately felt at home. Not long after Ky started taking dance classes at Forever Dance, she joined the FDCC Mini Competition Team with her younger sister, Seren. Ky's favorite styles of dance are ballet, contemporary and musical theater. After graduating from both dance and high school in 2022, Ky is excited to start the next chapter of her life as a dance instructor at the studio who made her into the dancer she is today.
Dance Instructor
Zoe Martinez
Ever since she was little Zoe has had a passion for the performing arts, participating in as many acting workshops as she could and taking dance classes at her local studio. At 12 years old she took her first class at Forever Dance and immediately fell in love, training in every style she could. Zoe joined the competition team that same year and has found an amazing community through dance. Her greatest joy was found in performing a solo on stage. She is so excited to be a member of the Forever Dance staff, and share her love of dance with her students.
Dance Instructor
Jade Paine
Jade was born in Reno and grew up in Gardnerville. Jade, also known as JP, has been dancing at Forever Dance for 8 years and competed on the Forever Dance Team for 7. Her favorite styles are hip hop and baton. Jade is a student at Western Nevada College and is excited to teach classes at Forever Dance this year.
Dance Instructor
Marissa & Brian Beck
Marissa has been coaching sports for 20 years. She and her husband owned a competitive cheer and tumbling gym, and she has 15 years experience as a tumbling instructor. Currently she owns a Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts gym and teaches full time as well as coaches different competitive athletes and fighters. Her accomplishments range from being a nationally certified judge and tumbling coach, to being an NPC competitive bodybuilder. She is a 3rd degree Black Belt (MMA) and holds other ranks including a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Coach Marissa is always encouraging the kids or working with the prop team at Forever Dance. She is excited to be teaching at Forever Dance this year.
Dance Instructor
Ava Galli
While dancing in front of the curtain in between shows at our annual recital, Ava discovered her love for dance before she was 2 years old. Following in the footsteps of her older brother and sister, she started dancing at a very young age. Ava has danced with Forever Dance for 13 years and has been on our competition team for 6 years. After TAing the tot classes for 3 years, she was excited to be promoted to the instructor of two of our tot classes. Ava loves teaching the Lake Tahoe tot classes because her students are making memories that Ava once made when she was a tot. She still cherishes and remembers her first years at Forever Dance and knows the tot classes are moments students will never forget. Ava spends her afternoons taking classes at the dance studio and now teaching classes. Ava is excited to be a part of Forever Dance and to spread her passion for dance.
Dance Instructor
Kianna Nelson
Kianna started dancing when she was just three years old and immediately fell in love with it. She then joined the competition team at eight years old and has been dancing ever since. Kianna loves to work hard and improve in her style. Kianna is full of personality and is very passionate about dance. She is ecstatic to get the chance to teach.
Dance Instructor
Kaitlyn Anderson
Kaitlyn was born in northern Nevada and began dancing at the age of 7 while living in Las Vegas. She discovered her passion for dance during her very first ballet class and has been dedicated to the art ever since. By the age of 10, Kaitlyn was ready to challenge herself further and joined a competitive dance team. The following year, she became a member of the team at Forever Dance Lake Tahoe, where she has continued to grow tremendously in both artistic expression and technical ability. Kaitlyn thrives on pushing beyond her comfort zone and loves exploring new dance styles. Now, as a member of the teaching staff at Forever Dance, she is thrilled to share her passion with the next generation of dancers and inspire others the way dance has inspired her.
Dance Instructor
Seren McGee
Seren McGee has been dancing her entire life, starting at 2 years old. She has been competing for years on Forever Dance's Carson City Mini Team, along with her older sister Ky. This year she moved up to Forever Dance's ``Big Team`` and will be teaching FD's tots. She is incredibly excited for the future of her dance career and teaching!
Dance Instructor
Miranda Beck
Miranda Beck bio
Dance Instructor
Alyssa Edie
Alyssa was born in Oceanside, California, and raised in the beautiful mountain town of South Lake Tahoe. She’s been dancing at Forever Dance since the age of 4 and has spent the past six years competing with our studio’s award-winning competition teams. Alyssa is trained in a variety of dance styles, with Contemporary and Jazz holding a special place in her heart. Over the past three years, she has served as a teaching assistant in multiple classes and is now thrilled to take on a teaching role of her own—leading Pre-Tech and Junior Hip Hop this year.
Dance Instructor
Payton Thompson
Payton Thompson has danced with Forever Dance since she was 3 years old and has been a part of Forever Dance's Competition Team since she was 5! This ambitious young student who maintains a GPA of 4.0 balances school with her incredibly busy dance schedule that includes dancing several hours per week, teaching Tot Tumbling/Hip hop at FDCC, TAing for classes, as well subbing and helping out with whatever her teachers/coaches need. Payton is a positive role model for the younger dancers at Forever Dance and loves to watch them learn and grow. She is excited to be teaching this year and we look forward to having her teach for many years into the future!
Dance Instructor
Molly Russell
Molly has been a dedicated member of Forever Dance for the past seven years. She began her journey on the Mini Team at age 12 and proudly advanced to the Big Team this year. In addition to her dance training and schoolwork, Molly has taken on a new role as a teacher, learning to balance her responsibilities with grace and enthusiasm.
Dance Instructor
Gianna Popovich
Gianna has been dancing for seven years and has proudly spent the last four as part of the Forever Dance family. Known for her dedication and passion, she balances her academic life, dance training, and her growing role as a teacher with grace and commitment. Trained in a variety of styles—including tap, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, pointe, and jazz—Gianna continues to grow as both a dancer and mentor. Her love for dance began at a young age, and now she's excited to share that passion with others. As a teacher at Forever Dance, Gianna is committed to creating a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment for all her students.
Dance Instructor
Tickey Rivera
Temperance Aurora Rivera (Tickey) began her dance journey in 2014 at the age of three with Forever Dance. What started as a shy toddler’s first steps has blossomed into a true passion. With the support and guidance of the Forever Dance Crew, she has grown both as a dancer and an individual—rising through the ranks to earn her place on Forever Dance’s prestigious National-level “Big Team.”