FACULTY

All of our faculty are trained dancers from an early age. Most of them are currently involved in the dance industry and are able to pass their knowledge onto the dancers they are training. They understand that no two dancers are alike and will work with your dancer to get the best out of their training.

Mario Velez Jr.

Director / Hip Hop

Mario Velez Jr. is a International Hip-Hop choreographer and dancer/performer. Mario has toured and worked with artists such as: Taio Cruz, Mike Posner, Omarion, TLC, Rock Steady Crew, Fergie, My Chemical Romance, Brandy, Boyz II Men, & many others! Mario Velez is currently traveling as a Master Teacher for Kar Australia, Kar Dance Convention, Danza Dance Intensive and Showbiz/ Primetime Talent. Mario just finished a six week tour in Australia teaching and choreographing. He has currently trained stars of the show “ANDI MACK” Sofia Wylie aka “BUFFY” and Asher Angel aka “Jonah Beck. He has also toured with the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters! Mario was recently performing and choreographing for the National Recording Artist Yasmeen, Young Gage and for Automatic Response Dance Crew, which was featured on the show’s first season of “America’s Best Dance Crew!” He has also done work with the NBA and WNBA Teams which consist of: The Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns Dance Team, The Seattle Supersonics, The Golden State Warrior Girls, The Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad. He has trained dancers that have worked with artist such as:  Justin Bieber, Willow Smith, Lady Gaga, The Jabbawockeez, Jason Derulo, David Hallberg the principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet and many others. Now Mario spends most of his time teaching and judging for conventions and competitions around the United States. Mario has also started an exciting and very passionate Dance Studio called Diverse Elements Dance Studio. His diversity also includes choreography for shows, Splash and Bottoms UP in Las Vegas NV, and Jubilation in Reno, NV, and producing his own show every year at The Orpheum Theatre. All this has been possible because of his long time partner and wife Melissa Velez.

Mario has one saying that he lives by-"Hip-hop is not just rapping and music, it is a culture, a way of life!

Melissa Velez

Director / Technique / Company

Melissa began her dance training at the age of three.  She has been trained in all genres of dance.  Melissa owns a dance studio in North Phoenix, AZ for the past thirteen years and many more to come.  She has been an adjudicator for the past 9 years at multiple national touring competitions and loves it.  She has choreographed regionally and nationally winning competition numbers.  Melissa also coached a multiple State winning/National scoring High School Pom team for many years.  She was a WNBA dancer for 6 years with the Phoenix Mercury and danced professionally in Las Vegas.  With over 20 years of professional dance experience, the knowledge and training she shares with dancers today is something every dancer will benefit from.  She has a real hunger for continued training and inspiring young dancers to reach their full potential through positive criticism. Her motto is, "You are never too good to take a beginning class."  Dance is not just an art; it is a way of life!

 

Eastlyn Jensen

Ballet

Eastlyn Jensen grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She began her ballet training at The Studio at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk, Connecticut under the direction of Nanette Vallas. At the age of 13, she was promoted to the pre-professional division becoming a member of the Ballet Etudes Company. She was granted the opportunity to choreograph a contemporary piece for the graduating senior class which was performed at the end of year performance. Along with The Studio’s summer intensives, Eastlyn has continued her summer training at American Ballet Theatre, The School of American Ballet, Chautauqua Institution’s dance program, Houston Ballet, Ballet West, and The School of Ballet Arizona. She joined Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company in the 2018-2019 season.

Emily Smith

Ballet

Originally from Indianapolis, Emily began training at a young age for a career in dance. In high school she was asked to study extensively at Butler University in the Early Entrance Program for Gifted and Talented Students, where she had elite ballet training, and performed corps through soloist roles in many ballets. During those same years she spent time training at professional studios in LA and NY. In 1998 she moved to Los Angeles beginning her professional career performing in films, television, commercials, and theater. Emily prides herself in being a versatile dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Along with a dance career, Emily became a Pilates Master Trainer.

She found the education and knowledge of Pilates was a great balance with dance, and was amazed at the benefit of injury prevention for herself and others. Some of her film credits include Academy Award winners; American Beauty and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Looney Tunes Back in Action, and The Haunted Mansion. For almost a decade Emily spent her holiday seasons performing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with featured roles, including the 75th Anniversary at Radio City Music Hall. She has enjoyed performing in shows such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Crazy for You at the acclaimed Sacramento Music Circus. Other Hollywood credits include The Emmy Awards, The Grammy’s, and numerous other performances. Emily has been blessed to experience performing internationally for special events in China and Germany, where she was not only a dancer, but was also a co-choreographer with her husband and others. She has appeared in a variety of other productions ranging from numerous classical and contemporary ballets, commercials, industrials, and more.

Emily is so thankful for her training with mentor, and dance icon, Mr. Joe Tremaine. Her time studying and working with him, and other influential teachers helped shape her to a well-rounded performer and teacher. When not performing Emily truly loves being a teacher, choreographer, and mentor.

Grace Noelle

Ballet

Originally from Oregon, Grace started dancing at an early age of three. She trained in many dance genres including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Musical theater. As her dance training progressed, she studied at The Portland Ballet, under the direction of Artistic Director Nancy Davis. She has also trained at Oregon Ballet Theater, Portland Festival Ballet, and at the the Rockette Summer Intensive. Grace has danced in many ballets including John Clifford’s A MidSummer Night’s Dream, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Tom Gold’s Petrushka, The Nutcracker, and Giselle. She is currently a company member with Convergence Ballet. She is also obtaining her Bachelors in Dance Performance at Grand Canyon University. She is a PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) Certified instructor in Levels 1-3 and an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

 

Lexi Cooper

Jazz

Lexi Cooper was born and raised in Bonita, California where she began her dance journey at three years old. She danced recreationally in ranging styles from ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and tap for six years. At the age of nine, Lexi and her family moved to Danville, California. Here is where she enrolled in East Bay Dance Company, and joined their competitive team for three years. Here, she was introduced to lyrical and contemporary styles of dances. At her time at EBDC, she won many overall placements and title wins at competitions like KAR and Rainbow. She furthered her competitive dance career at Triple Threat Performing Arts. Here, she has won many overall placements, along with being the Intermediate Senior Overall Soloist and 1st Runner-up for Miss Intermediate Dance at KAR Nationals Vegas in 2019. Lexi was also an active member of the dance community at her high school, San Ramon Valley High School, in Danville, California. She was enrolled in Dance 4 and Dance 5 classes, where she choreographed dances for six spring and fall dance shows. She was also selected to be a member of the competitive Danceline team, and the award-winning Can-Can team. Lexi was also a member of her school’s varsity pom team. Now, Lexi is studying political science and philosophy at Arizona State University. She is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honors society, and Vice President of UP&UP ASU. She is also a 2nd-year member of ASU’s Dance Team, where she has the opportunity to perform at sporting events, travel to different schools, and compete at DTU: The College Classics.

Renae Bohall

Tap

Renae started her dancing career in Aberdeen South Dakota, had apprenticeships at Chi-Town Dance and Giordano Dance, followed by a Distinguished Artist scholarship at Hope College. After moving to Phoenix, she performed in Super Bowl XXX and XXXI, at the Las Vegas Mirage, and the Beverly Hills Hotel. She has performed with the Beach Boys, Diana Ross, James Brown, Standing O Productions, Contempo Tap Company, Showstoppers Interactive Entertainment, and danced in industrial shows for Oscar Meyer, Pepsi, Toyota, Intel, and America West. In addition to judging nationwide dance competitions and owning her own tap company, Renae has been teaching at independent dance studios and public schools for almost 30 years. Some of Renae's former students have gone on to dance with Cirque du Soleil, cruise ships, and with artists that include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift. Though she is trained in all types of dance, tap is her passion and will always be her first love.

Mia Basila

Contemporary

Mia Basila is originally from San Diego California where she has been dancing for 14 years. She's moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University where she is a member on the dance team. She has also assisted at numerous dance conventions including Pulse and Revel. Mia has worked with Rhianna, Ava Max, and Penny Bird Rabbit. Mia’s style of contemporary is very dynamic and texturized. She like finding ways to move her body that are unique and different. She looks forward to working with all the girls and can't wait to meet everyone!

 

Sean Martel

Dance Tricks / Tumbling

Sean Martel has been a gymnast from the age of 3 to 15 and has coached in the valley for over 13 years. He has coached in several gyms and his experience includes excel teams, boys gym, tumbling, kinder gym, and all levels of recreational gym.

Josh Smith

Josh is originally from Hudson, Ohio, where he had training in dance and was a start athlete in soccer, and track and field events. His love for dance led him to study at Butler University. He knew he needed a strong foundation to have success as a professional dancers, so why not dive in to extensive ballet training 6 days a week! In 1998 Josh moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the commercial dance world. When not performing, he enjoyed teaching part time working with dancers of various ages in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and tap. Some favorite credits include Charlie's Angels, a series of Jack In The Box commercials, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Pepsi, and a body doubling role in The Zoo Keeper.  From numerous television and film jobs, commercials, and theater he had great experiences working from L.A. to New York. Josh then decided he wanted pursue further education completing Pilates Sports Center's training program for Pilates. That training came in handy in 2004. Josh suffered a major injury mid-performance. Luckily he was already doing Pilates, and the rehab process solidified his drive and passion for health and fitness.  In 2008 Josh transitioned to teaching in health and fitness, with a huge emphasis in Pilates full time. After years in the Pilates industry he was determined to follow his dream to have his own studio. Together with his wife, Emily, they grew their love of Pilates in the studio they co-own. Hardcore Pilates LA, Inc. is in Woodland Hills, California.  Josh overcame huge challenges during a health crisis in 2016. Through programming with Pilates, rehabilitation work, and his positive mindset he is now stronger than ever! Josh's determination to live a long, healthy life with his family never waivers. He takes advantage of every opportunity possible, and loves sharing this positive way of life with his children and clients of all ages!

Capri McCormick

Capri was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and began her dance career at 3 years old. She was a member of Diverse Elements Dance Company for 10 years and trained in many genres of dance including, lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. She continued her passion for dance on a state award-winning pom team for 4 years. She was a staff member and instructor with Universal Dance Association and traveled around the United States in that capacity. She is grateful to continue her dance career with Diverse Elements Dance Studio.