Alexis Valgardson-Levie Owner/Director!
Alexis Valgardson-Levie was born and raised in Provo Utah. Her dancing career started when she was 3 years old. Utah Academy Dance Studio was her home for 13 years, Dancing her way to their hightest competition team. While at Utah Academy she assisted dance classes , taught private lessons, and beginning classes. From there she danced and cheered at Provo High School, lettering each year. She held titles such as President, Historian, Cheer Co-Captain, and Captain, & Sterling Scholar. When she turned 16 she got hired on at ConfiDance Kids teaching jazz. After graduating from High School Alexis danced 2 years at Utah Valley State College, competing at competitions & holding the 2nd rank for nationals. Some of her favorite things to do while on the team were, dance at 1/2 time and being part of the song leading program. After 8 years of teaching dance to children aging from 4-13, Alexis decided to open her own studio specializing in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. In Alexis' free time she loves hanging out with her husband Marc and 2 year old Daughter Rylinn. Shopping and Scrapbooking also keep her pretty busy.
Jessica Snowden- Jazz/Lyrical Instructor
Jessica Snowden has been dancing since she was three years old, and has loved every second of it. She trained at Studio One Dance Center for fifteen years, and was also a part of the Oak Canyone Jr. High Dance Company, and the Timpanogos Dance Company, where she served as the vice president her senior year. Jessica has recieved many different dance awards including; Senior Outstanding Dancer at New York City Dance Alliance, National Magic Performer at L.A. Dance Magic, Breakout Artist at NUVO competition, Performer of the Weekend at Odyssey Dance Competition, Sterling Scholar in dance, along with many others. Her professional experience includes; the youth cast in Ballet Wests "The Nutcracker", youth cast of Odyssey Dance Theaters "Thriller", Several Galas in New York and Los Angeles, Background dancing in High School Musicals 1 and 2, and finally, she was cast as one of "Ryans Rockettes" Ih High School Musical 3. Jessi has also been teaching at several different studios for the past four years, and is thrilled to be joining the Front and Center staff this year.
Ellie Stott- Ballet Instructor
Ellie Stott was born in Kansas, but raised in St. George Utah. When she was 8 years old, her mom forgot to sign her up for softball in time, and instead put her in a ballet class and she hasn't stopped dancing since. She was trained at Westside Studio's in St. George Ut for 10 years, and later at Utah Valley University in Orem Ut for 2 years. She has received both honorable mentions and scholarships from many schools and workshops including the Ballet West Intensive, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and Utah Valley University. She has studied ballet now for 15 years, and even though she enjoys dancing modern, jazz, and a little hip hop, ballet is her passion. She began teaching when she was 15 years old, and loves watching her students come to understand the beauty in classical ballet, as well as the freedom in contemporary ballet. Steve, her husband, and Ellie just had a baby girl, Lillian, who has been dancing since day 1, even if she doesn't know it!
Natosha Valgardson- Combo Class Instructor
Natosha Valgardson started dancing at 5 years old at Utah Academy, because of immune problems she was taken out at age 8. Natosha went back to Utah Academy when she was 14 for 1/2 a year, then she became a cheerleader at Provo High School her sophmore year and making the sophmore team she was made the Co-Captain. She tried out her Junior year but tore her hamstring 5 minutes before, so she didn't make it. At age 16 Natosha assisted for ConfiDance Kids for the little combo classes and some of her sisters older classes. She assisted for 3 years and now is enjoying teaching for her 2nd year at Front & Center Dance Academy.
Hailie Johnson- Mini Company Assistant
My name is Hailie Johnson. I am 15 years old and I was born in Provo, Utah. When I was in fourth grade we moved to Lindon, Utah. I started dancing at ConfiDance Kids when I was six years old, where I started learning from Alexis. When Alexis opened her studio I tried out for and made the Sr. Company team. I have been dancing at Front and Center for a year and I love it! I am in 9th grade at Oak Canyon Jr. High. I enjoy school and love to challenge myself. My plans are to obtain my Associate’s Degree while still in High school and go to college to become a Physician’s Assistant. In my free time I love to dance and assist here at the studio! I also enjoy scrapbooking, doing crafts, and needle work. I also love hanging out with my friends and going to movies. I love traveling and I want to go to Greece and Italy some day, mostly because I LOVE Italian food. I love my family and spending time with them is one of my favorite things to do!
Madison Valgardson- Combo Class Assistant
Madison Started dancing at ConfiDance Kids when she was 4 years old. She has always wanted to dance just like her sister and decided to try out it out! After the first year of dancing she was moved onto a competition team and has been on one ever since. When Alexis (her sister) opened her studio, Madison was thrilledJ She always wanted to assist in classes and wants to be a teacher one day! Every year Madison has the opportunity to go and compete at dance competitions. She loves the atmosphere and the feeling she gets from placing, usually she places 1st or 2nd. This is a great accomplishment for herJ When Madison grows up she wants to be a dance teacher, but also has a soft spot for animals. She loves caring for them, one day she would like to be a veterinarian. Madison is also an over achiever and loves school. She is in the 5th grade at Amelia Earhart, with Mr. Z as her teacher. He is a very challenging teacher and Madison thrives on that. She loves to learn and enjoys schoolJ Madison loves being able to assist dance this year at Front & Center. She gets to help with the Super Stars and the Wee Hip Hop.
Alyssa Holmes- Express Combo Class Assistant
Information to come.....
MaKayla Atkins- Jumpstart Combo Class Assistant
Makayla was born in Omaha, Nebraska, she moved to Utah when she was 13 months old. At 3yrs old her mom signed her up for dance class with the hope to give her confidence and grace, now Makayla has tons of confidence and is a beautiful dancer. Studio's that she has danced at are ConfiDance Kids & Front and Center Dance Academy. Makayla was also on the 8th grade Ballroom Dance Team at Dixon Jr. High. At the Provo High Ballroom Dance competition Makayla and her dance partner placed 5th. Makayla is able to dance Ballroom, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, she loves to dance. Makayla is working with the Jumpstart combo class as an assistant and she loves every minute of it, she enjoys being around kids and helping them with their dance steps. Makayla is very smart and when she grows up she wants to attend BYU and becomes a Doctor. Makayla has a very bubbly personality and is outgoing & funny, she has a lot of friends. Makayla is always laughing and doing something crazy, she is never afraid to try new things.