Our Instructors

 

En Pointe School of Ballet is owned and operated by Rachael Ellis.  Originally from Florida, Rachael began her training at the age of 6 at The Marianna School of Classical Ballet.  For  12 years she was instructed and guided by Leanna Gomez, a former Prima Ballerina.  It was through her excellent and nurturing instruction that Rachael developed a great love for classical ballet. 

In addition to ballet, Rachael also enjoyed  many years of performing and choreographing for Musical Theater, Ballroom, Show choirs in High School and College, various  talent shows, & LDS Road-Shows with two winning first place for her choreography.  She also received an Associate of Arts Degree from Chipola Junior College in 1990.  

During her husband's military career and travels she had the opportunity to share her ballet expertise with students in Ansbach, Germany where she operated the Katterbach School of Dance.  She also taught musical theater, ballroom and directed ballet programs in dance studios in Florida, Kentucky and Alabama.  Rachael has spent most of her life dancing, teaching and choreographing ballet, as well as several years of experience dancing and performing "en pointe" herself.   

After a break to raise her family, Rachael realized how much she missed dancing and teaching. With her devoted husband and family's support and encouragement, En Pointe School of Ballet opened in 2010 and is flourishing under her direction and expertise.  

A boys program was introduced to the curriculum in 2012  that has already grown to include multiple boys classes, men's classes, and partnering classes and is continuing to expand.  Her dreams of directing full length ballets for her students to perform have become reality and her students and their families, even the dad's, look forward each year to the beautiful performances.

Rachael is committed to teaching high quality technique in an environment that encourages self worth, dedication, unity and integrity.  She honors and embraces the tradition and elegance of Classical Ballet and invites you to experience it with us at En Pointe School of Ballet.  


Her motto is: "Believe in yourself! You can do it!" 
"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance better than myself." ―  Mikhail Baryshnikov

Breece Perry - Joined En Pointe in 2012
- Began dancing at age 3

- Trained at M.C. Dancers Professional Dancing School for 8 years

- 1 year Kearns High Cheerleader

- 2 years Kearns High School Drill Team: The Chattes - Drill Mistress

- Instructing Ballet and Jazz at Granite Peaks Continuing Education for 3 years  

- Studied Performing Arts and Kinesiology while earning Nuclear Medicine Degree 

- Performed with En Pointe Ballet for 2 years before becoming an Instructor in 2015
- Choreographed and assisted in staging Coppelia, Cinderella, Swan Lake and Snow White
- Trained in Plyometrics which makes her Turns and Leaps class amazing!
- Her motto is: “To thine own self be true” We all need to follow our dreams, they are ours  alone. Only you can be passionate about what you choose to accomplish for yourself. 

Tessa Simonsen - Joined En Pointe in 2013

- Began ballet training age 10

- Trained with Rae McCall at Northwest Ballet Center in Seattle for 9 years

- Assisted with younger children’s classes at Northwest Ballet center

- Studied ballet technique and ballet character dance at Brigham Young University

- Humanities Instructor at Salt Lake Community College

- Performed with En Pointe for 5 years

- Began instructing children's classes at En Pointe in 2017
- Choreographed and assisted in staging Swan Lake and Snow White
- Her motto is: 

 

Mattea Beckstead - Joined En Pointe in 2017
- Started her classical ballet training at age 5 at the Ballet Society

- Taught by principal dancer Janice Nelson & company member John Nelson from Ballet West

- Ballet West Academy summer intensive program for 5 summers

- Idaho Falls Ballet - taught by former company member of Utah Regional Ballet, Brandy Jensen

- Performed Youth American Grand Prix and the New York finals

- Full scholarship for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre summer intensive program

- Currently attending Utah Valley University pursuing B.F.A. with a ballet emphasis

- Repertory Ballet Ensemble company member
- Choreographed and assisted in staging Swan Lake and Snow White
- Her motto is: 

 

Diana Rapp - Joined En Pointe in 2017
- began training at age 3 with Dolly Kelepecz at Bunker Dance Center in Las Vegas

- Classically trained in the Cecchetti method

- 1 1/2 years of Ballet training at Utah Valley University and Dixie State University

- 8 years teaching Classical Ballet  
   (Bunker Dance Center - Las Vegas, Dixie Arts Conservatory St George, Dance Concepts - Sandy)

- Performed as Cinderella and Snow White in Ballet Productions

- Musical Theater at Tuacahn - Cats, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 
- Choreographed and assisted in staging Snow White
- Her motto is:  “If your head and your heart are moving in the right direction, then you won’t have to worry about your feet.”  

 

Ellie Midgley - began her training with Mrs Rachael in 2009 

- Performed a principal role in "Through a Fairy Ring" in 2012 and 2014

- This is her 9th year performing with En Pointe Ballet

- Also performed as a Swan, Lilac Fairy, Swanilda's friend in Coppelia, Cinderella's Stepsister, Queen Mother, and Snow White's friend 

- Trained as an apprentice for 7 years to become a teacher since 2012

- Substitute teaching at En Pointe and hired as an instructor in 2018
- Choreographed and assisted in staging Swan Lake and Snow White
- Her motto is: 

 

Daniel Peckham - began his training with En Pointe in 2016 

- Performed principal roles in Cinderella, Swan Lake and Snow White
  (Prince Charming, Prince Siegfried, Snow White's Prince, and the Huntsman) 
- Character Artist and Male Dancer in Coppelia 

- Musicals - Music Man, King and I, Annie, The Wiz, Dracula  

- began performing in musicals at age 6 

- Accomplished musician, pianist, singer, composer, songwriter 
- Sugarplum Cavalier for Oquirrh Mountain Ballet in 2018

- Hired as an instructor and choreographer in 2018 
- His motto is: 

Amber Rich - Joined En Pointe in 2018
- Attended Snow College on both Academic and Dance Scholarships 
- Studied Ballet and pointe at Wasatch Art Center in Riverton, Utah. 
- Company member Wasatch Festival Ballet Company: began teaching in 2004
- Dance Teacher and Director at Sugarbear Academy Child Development Center
- Created and taught Wasatch Arts Center's Fine Arts Preschool Program for 7 years
- Teaching and choreographing for dance classes at Wasatch Arts Center until 2018
- Choreographing for Performing Dance Company at Wasatch Arts Center
- Oquirrh Mountain Ballet Nutcracker productions - 
  Cast Member, Assistant Choreographer and Back-Stage Supervisor
- Choreographic works featured at Festival of Trees, Utah Dance Festival, Draper City Arts Council Productions
- Currently teaching at Puddle Jumper Preschool and thrilled to have joined the En Pointe Family in 2018
- Her motto is:  "Ballet is, for each dancer, an endeavor of the soul."  -Peter Martin's, Ballet Master of New York City Ballet

    

Michaela Crown Ivey - Joined En Pointe in 2019

- Grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington

- Trained in tap, jazz, acrobatics, ballet, contemporary, lyrical since age 4.

- She is a certified ballet instructor through Cecchetti USA.

- She has trained under ballet masters from Richmond Ballet and San Francisco Ballet,

- Trained with many Cecchetti Fellowship instructors.

- Choreographed for various local theater and studio productions in Washington

- Choreographed for the dancers at Seattle Pacific University.

- Bachelor Degree - Seattle Pacific University in Applied Human Biology & Exercise Science.

- pursuing becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy

- as a passion for movement and especially Ballet that she loves to share with her students

- Dedicated to quality instruction and furthering students’ technique and love for dance while preventing injury. 
- Her motto is: "Dont wish for it, work for it"

Heather Hill – began training at En Pointe Ballet in 2012. 
- Began her ballet training at age 3 at Linda Fenton Dance Studio and Mountain West Ballet  
- Has performed in many roles with En Pointe Ballet, such as Swanhilda’s friend; the Midnight Duet in Coppelia
- Performed Principal roles as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella in Cinderella.
- Attended Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts in Sugar House, training with Bethany Hansen and Michelle Armstrong. 
- During her senior year of high school, she joined the schools’ dance company
- Competed in at the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City
- Competed in the Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival in Vancouver, Washington.
- Joined our staff as a teacher Fall of 2019 and is very excited to be back to teach and to learn!
- Her motto is: “You only fail when you stop trying”!!

  

Ahrana Hyde “Rani” – began training at En Pointe in 2012

- Began dancing at age 3 at Starz and has been dancing for 15 years  

- Trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Clogging, Ballroom, Tap, Lyrical, and Modern

- 7 years of dancing on pointe

- Performed numerous roles at En Pointe including the Blue Bird Pas de deux in Sleeping beauty, Lilac Court, and one of Swanilda’s friends in Coppelia and one of Snow White’s friends (soloist).

- Enjoys teaching dance even more than dancing herself

- Currently attending UVU to earn a BFA in Ballet

- Joined our staff of teachers Fall 2019

- Her motto is: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”

  

Sierra Lancaster - began training at En Pointe Ballet in 2014. 
- Began dancing when she was 3 and started out with clogging.
- She has been dancing on pointe for 5 years, all at En Pointe Ballet
- Performed as Fairy of Beauty in Sleeping Beauty, Swanilda's friend in Coppelia, a Stepsister in Cinderella
- Principal roles as Odette in Swan Lake and Snow White in Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
- Sierra enjoys ceramics, painting, nature and dogs
- She has attended Intensives at Ballet West and the University of Utah
- She is pursuing a degree at the University of Utah.
- She enjoys teaching and choreographing 
- She joined our staff as a teacher summer 2019.
- Her motto is: 

 

Alli Kirk - Began her training at En Pointe in 2016

- She seriously started dancing in high school in 2012 on CHHS dance company 

- Alli has trained in various styles of dance and has been in approximately 100 performances

- years of experience in muscle conditioning and stretching techniques. 

- Performed at Disneyland with CHHS Dance Company  

- Began her ballet training in 2016 at En Pointe and excelled quickly

- She was the Black Swan, Odile in our Swan Lake in 2018 (the first ballet she ever performed in)

- She also performed as the evil queen in 2019 Snow White  

- Choreographer for Jordan School District since 2015 teaching audition and concert pieces

- Is a student UVU studying dance education 

- Joined our staff as an instructor Summer 2019

- Her motto is: "Start strong. Stay strong. End stronger"

 

Natasha Ellis – began her training at En Pointe in 2010

- Began dancing at age 3 at various studios in the Salt Lake Valley 

- Inspired her mom to begin teaching again in 2009

- Volunteered as a Class Assistant for numerous years at En Pointe  

- Performed in 9 Classical Ballets with En Pointe

- Soloist roles as the Dying Swan and Snow White’s friend 

- Also enjoys art, digital art, piano, singing, and cosplaying

- Began training as a teacher’s apprentice with En Pointe Fall 2019

- Her motto is: 


  

Nathaniel Larson - Ballroom Instructor 2020
- Trained in Ballroom for 15 years
- 5 years training in Contemporary and other modern styles
- He has been teaching for 12 years 
- Private dance lessons in all styles of Latin, Ballroom, Salsa 
- Choreographed for BYU’s Student collaborative DancEnsemble Company for a year and a half. 
- Winner Nationals Youth Formation Title 
- National American Smooth Finalist
- Currently competing and placing in the top 6 spots Utah State Competitions 
- His students are reaching Semi finals in most of their competitive routine events - 
- Loves teaching and helping others to become better dancers and find joy in movement 
- He teaches any age and any range of couples
- If you are interested to learn Ballroom and have fun, he wants to be part of that experience with you.

Coming Soon - 

Wedding Dance Private lessons available now

Friday Night Ballroom Lessons will begin once we are in the new studio. 

#datenight #EPBBallroom

EPB Office Staff

Mariah Shaw - Office Manager

- Designed the original pointe shoes logo for En Pointe School of Ballet in 2010.

- She sketched the oval framed pointe shoe pictures that are in the studio

- Freelance artist at Comic Conventions as an Artist Alley booth vendor

- Her passion for the Arts guided her to develop a unique talent for hyper realistic drawing.

- Enjoys singing, playing piano, guitar, ukulele, painting and dancing.

- Enjoys playing sports like basketball and baseball in her spare time.

- Boutique Director for the last 5 years during our performances

- Painted scenery and props for En Pointe Productions 

- She loves this studio and is thrilled to be a part of the dance community as EPB's Office Manager

- Happy to be a part of the family business and reducing some of her mom’s stress (Mrs. Rachael)

- Loves being involved with the arts and enjoys being a part of this cultural experience. 

Carole Bingham - Costume Director and Boutique since 2015

Nicole Peckham - Receptionist and Boutique since 2019
Also known as Daniel's wife

Alumni Instructors 
Forever a part of our ballet family and guest teachers when they are available

Ariel Paraso - Joined En Pointe in 2013 

- Studied for two years as a ballet major at the University of Utah

- Studied for two years as a dance major at BYU

- He danced for Jazzin' Dance Ensemble under the direction of Garth Peay and Kim Lanham

- Experienced in ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary

- Instructed En Pointe Ballet's boys and men's classes for 5 years
- Performed as our King in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the Burgemeister in Coppelia, and danced as the King in Snow White 2019.  

M'kenna Sorensen - Joined En Pointe in 2012
- Began dancing at the age of 3

- Studying both Cechetti and Vaganova methods

- Studied at Ballet West, Linda Fenton School of Dance and others to acquire a wide knowledge      

   of teaching styles and began teaching at the age of 14

- Performed with En Pointe - Winter Fairy, Black Swan, Fairy Queen, Aurora, Swanhilda and Coppelia

- Advanced Ballet and Pointe classes Instructor for 5 years at En Pointe

- Assistant Director for Through a Fairy Ring, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia and Cinderella
- Certified Pilates Instructor

Akiko Baker - Joined En Pointe in 2013
- Began her classical ballet training at age 5

- Studied Vaganova method for 6 years at Sumiko Hatano Conservatory of Ballet in Osaka, Japan

- Trained by former dancers of Ballet Russe, Bejart Ballet Lausanne,  Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo

- Also studied Balanchine technique

- Performed as Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty in 2015

- Taught for 2 years at En Pointe 
- Assisted in staging and choreographing Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia and Cinderella

 

Emeline Settlemyre - Joined En Pointe in 2017

- Began dancing when she was 3 years old

- Trained by Viktoria Titova, former Bolshoi soloist and Artistic Director Emerald Ballet Theater

- Emerald Ballet - performed roles as Sugar Plum Fairy, Giselle, Paquita and Aurora

- Spent summers at Paris Opera Ballet, The Rock School and Ballet Arizona

- Emerald Ballet Theater's Teaching Institute and Sammamish High School's Teaching Academy

- Taught ballet classes at Mercer Island Community Center

- Sophomore at Utah Valley University - pursuing a BFA with ballet emphasis and a scholarship
- Performed professionally in Austria with Utah Metropolitan Ballet  
- Taught for 2 years at En Pointe, assisted in staging and choreographing Swan Lake and Snow White 
- left Summer 2019 to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints