Meet Our Faculty

Our passionate educators are here to guide you on your artistic journey. Each brings unique expertise and dedication to helping students discover their creative potential.

Directors

Emma Langford, MBA

Emma Langford, MBA

Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Competition Teams

Owner, Dance/Theater Director

A former Encore dancer turned MBA graduate, Emma blends her love for dance with her business expertise as the dedicated director of Encore Academy.

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Dance & Theater Staff

Abbie Mathews

Abbie Mathews

Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tumbling/Acro, Competition Teams

With years of competitive training, professional performances, and a passion for hip hop, Abbie brings vibrant energy and industry experience to inspire and empower every dancer she teaches.

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Cassidy Halpin

Cassidy Halpin

Ballet, Broadway, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Tumbling/Acro, MDT Cohort, Competition Teams

With a BFA in Musical Theater, Broadway Dance Center training, and years of professional performance and award-winning choreography, Cassidy brings industry expertise and a deep love for dance to every student she teaches.

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Eleni Contreras

Eleni Contreras

Ballet, Pointe

With a lifetime of training at Diablo Ballet School and performance experience in beloved classics like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, Eleni brings professional artistry and heartfelt passion to every class, inspiring confidence and grace in her students at Encore Academy’s Ballet Company.

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Kristi Burns, MA, MFA

Kristi Burns, MA, MFA

Modern, Composition, Competition Teams

With three dance degrees and international experience performing, choreographing, and teaching, Kristi brings exceptional expertise and a passion for inspiring dancers of all ages at Encore Academy.

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Lesley Gee

Lesley Gee

Jazz, Hip Hop, Competition Teams

With 23 years of training across multiple dance styles and a degree in Dance from BYU, Lesley brings expertise, passion, and a love for inspiring joy and confidence in every dancer she teaches.

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Paige Haglund

Paige Haglund

Ballet, Tumbling/Acro, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Competition Teams

With 16 years of training and performance in styles from ballet to hip-hop, Paige brings award-winning experience and a true passion for inspiring young dancers at Encore.

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Tessa Stokes

Tessa Stokes

Tumbling/Acro, Competition Teams, Leaps and Turns, Jazz, Hip Hop, Adult Classes, Broadway, Ballet

Tessa is a dance professional with years of experience in various styles.

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Music Staff

Caitlin Jarrett

Caitlin Jarrett

Violin/Viola, Music

Cailtlin is a violinist with extensive classical training. She loves teaching music!

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Jacob Austin

Jacob Austin

Violin/Viola, Music, Piano

Bio coming soon

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Melodie Wride

Melodie Wride

Piano, Flute

Trained under world-class professors from Juilliard, the Paris Conservatory, and more, Melodie brings exceptional musical expertise and performance experience to every lesson she teaches.

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Risa Bean

Risa Bean

Cello, Music

Bio coming soon

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Sabrina Astle

Sabrina Astle

Voice/Acting, Voice

Bio coming soon

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Interns

Kaena Vierra

Kaena Vierra

Dancing since age 3, Kaena has trained in everything from ballet and pointe to Tahitian and Hula, performing in The Nutcracker and alongside Grammy winner Kalani Pe’a—bringing passion and versatility to every stage.

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Macy Lapray

Macy Lapray

With 12 years of training across ballet, contemporary, jazz, and more, Macy brings dedication, versatility, and excitement as she grows as both a dancer and a leader at EAPA.

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Roxy Curtis

Roxy Curtis

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Stella Anderton

Stella Anderton

With 13 years of training and 8 years of competition experience, Stella brings passion, versatility, and a love for growth and self-expression to every class.

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Whitney Russell

Whitney Russell

Bio coming soon!

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Events

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What Our Families Say

Discover why students and parents love Encore Academy

"Love this studio! The teachers are so nice and skilled. The price is affordable. Very well organized. Can't say enough good things about this dance studio!"

Nicole

"We love Encore Academy! My two girls take dance there and LOVE their dance teachers! The entire staff there is so nice and the atmosphere of the studio is just fun and uplifting! Can't beat pricing either!"

Janelle

Start Your Journey Today

The best way to see what we're about is to try a class!

Call 801-415-4135