Karen grew up in a musical family and has danced since 1968. She grew up performing, teaching and choreographing and continues to do so today. Karen is a graduate of Wheat Ridge High School and Metropolitan State University and the proud mother of Caitlin and Andrew, who both inherited their love of dance from their mother. Karen has been choreographing musicals in the community for the last 25 years. She is very excited to be able to do what she loves - educating and inspiring young dancers!

Andrew is a graduate of University of Northern Colorado with a Physical Education major with a minor in dance. Andrew received the Outstanding Dance Award at UNC while studying under Monte and Christy Black. Since graduating, he continues to choreograph for "Miranda's Nightmare" at UNC and has also been traveling and assisting Manhattan Dance Project working with choreographers and dancers across the nation. Andrew couldn't be more excited to take on year four at RISE Dance Co.

Caitlin has been dancing and performing since the age of three. In high school, she danced for the Varsity Poms at Wheat Ridge High School. She went on to dance in college, for the Colorado State University Dance Team. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Vocal Music Education, and currently teaches the preschool class at Child Priority Preschool. Caitlin has been coaching high school varsity poms for seven years (currently at Wheat Ridge High School).

Melissa is originally from Seattle where she attended the Premiere Dance Center and Cornish College of the Arts. She has performed or be apart of everything from the Seattle Symphony, Club Cruz Control, “The Big Night Out” TV series, “So You Think You Can Dance” to name a few. She has assisted Suzy Misner, Jacques d-Amboise, Natalie Gilmore and Andrew Winghart and also be a judge on national competitive tours. She currently is our Ballet and Contemporary teacher and loves being a part of RISE!

Lia is a classical ballet and tap instructor with over 30 years of teaching experience in Brazil. Trained in the Royal Academy of Dance methodology, she combines a strong technical foundation with an adaptive, student-centered approach. Throughout her career, Lia has prepared students for national dance festivals, earning multiple awards for both her original choreography and her students’ performances. She is passionate about cultivating discipline, confidence, and artistic expression in all.

Renee began dancing her sophomore year after a background in gymnastics, cheer, and soccer. She was team captain on JV her junior year, and helped lead her team to a state runner-up finish. On varsity, she won a regional Pom title, placing 4th at 5A State, and earning 4th in the nation in Pom. She danced at the Colorado School of Mines while studying biochemistry and competing at UDA College Nationals. She is currently the Pom assistant coach at Golden HS.

Zoe has been dancing and performing in the arts since the age of three. In high school, she danced for the nationally ranked Varsity Poms at Arvada West High School, and then went on to dance and graduate from Kansas State University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Business. Since graduating, she moved to Los Angeles where she works in TV and Film Production as a Producer in the field and in post. Even from LA, she is happy to be a part of RISE!