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 & Tot/Mini Team Coach
Katie Lauer
Katie a native of Carson City, NV, is trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary. She studied at Capital City Ballet in Boise, ID. Katie has performed as Clara and Snow Queen with Pinkerton Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker, was an apprentice and company member with Sierra Nevada Ballet and has also danced with the University of Nevada Dance Team and Reno Bighorns Dance Team. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Nevada Reno. Katie has been teaching dance for 5 years and is currently a dancer and performer for Karen Burns Productions and BLV Productions in Reno and Lake Tahoe, NV.
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
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
Cassidy Marchini
Cassidy Lauryn Marchini is a professional dancer and dedicated teacher, born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, California. Cassidy discovered her love for dance at the age of six, a passion that only grew stronger when she moved to New York City to train with the Joffrey Ballet Company’s Jazz & Contemporary Program. During her time in New York, she immersed herself in various Modern Dance techniques, including Horton, Graham, and Limón.
After exploring the world of concert dance, Cassidy relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in commercial dance, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in the process. While in Los Angeles, she was a member of the contemporary dance company ``Catastrophe,`` appeared in numerous music videos, and spent three seasons as a member of the NBA Clippers Spirit Dance Team.
Today, Cassidy balances her career in healthcare with her ongoing passion for dance. She continues to teach at Forever Dance Lake Tahoe and proudly serves as the Dance Team Coach at South Tahoe High School. Cassidy looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students and helping them achieve their fullest potential.
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 Student and aspiring critical care flight medic. Zoë is beyond excited to work with these young dancers and get the chance to watch them grow through the year. 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 Student and aspiring critical care flight medic. Zoë is beyond excited to work with these young dancers and get the chance to watch them grow through the year.
Dance Instructor
Morgan Canfield
Morgan has been dancing at Forever Dance since 2011, when she was just 5 years old and has been on our competition team for the past 10 years. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet, contemporary and jazz. Morgan loves to make her classes fun and watch her students improve.
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
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
Bailey Rasner
Bailey started competing with Forever Dance at five-years-old. She has always loved dance and has competed in many styles with hip-hop, lyrical and heels always being her favorites. Bailey graduated from high school in 2024 and is now attending college pursuing a degree in agriculture. Dance has always been a passion for Bailey and she enjoys continuing her dance journey with Forever Dance through teaching.
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 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
Kyra Gonzales
At a very young age Kyra was playing sports, but never could find a passion for the sport she was playing. At five years old, her mother signed her up for her very first dance class, and the rest is history. Kyra fell in love with the community and family of Forever Dance. Once she had found her new passion, she threw herself into dance head first and joined the competition team. Along with taking all her classes, she started being a teacher’s aide for any teacher that needed assistance and found a new passion for teaching. Kyra is super excited for this teaching opportunity and looks forward to having a blast in class with her students.
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
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
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
Chelsea Rosales Garcia
Chelsea began her dance journey with Forever Dance at the age of 10 and has never looked back. She started with a simple contemporary class that has sprouted into her passion for performing. At 13 she joined Forever Dance Carson City’s Mini Team while beginning to take part in the Teachers Aid program, which she would do for the next four years. At age 16, Chelsea joined “big team” to compete in various styles and further push her potential. As a graduating senior, she is ready and excited to share her passion and work ethic with young dancers and happily join the Forever Dance staff.
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!