“The arts don’t just teach you how to move — they teach you who you are.”
At UPLIFT, we believe the performing arts have the power to change a person from the inside out. Every class, every rehearsal, every performance is an opportunity to rise — to discover what you’re capable of, to build confidence that carries far beyond the stage, and to become someone who lifts others through the gift of their art.
A note from our founder
“I created UPLIFT because I believe every child deserves access to professional arts training in an environment where they feel genuinely seen and supported. Dance taught me discipline, confidence, and how to tell my story — and I want every student who walks through our doors to discover that same power. The goal has never just been great performers — it’s great humans.”
— Kelsey, Studio Director
Kelsey Phillips Harrison
Kelsey Phillips Harrison
Kelsey Phillips Harrison
Founder & Director
A BYU Music Dance Theater graduate, Kelsey’s training spans modern, ballet, and musical theater with formative years at BYU Young Dancemakers, Classical Ballet Academy, and Center Stage. She served as dance captain for the BYU Young Ambassadors and has since built a choreography portfolio spanning Hale Center Theater Orem, the Jackson Hole Playhouse, the Valentine Theater, and schools throughout Utah Valley. Outside the studio, she’s a proud mom of two boys.
A BYU Music Dance Theater graduate, Kelsey’s training spans modern, ballet, and musical theater with formative years at BYU Young Dancemakers, Classical Ballet Academy, and Center Stage. She served as dance captain for the BYU Young Ambassadors and has since built a choreography portfolio spanning Hale Center Theater Orem, the Jackson Hole Playhouse, the Valentine Theater, and schools throughout Utah Valley. Outside the studio, she’s a proud mom of two boys.
Madison Valgardson
Madison Valgardson
Madison Valgardson
Competition Director
A competitive dancer turned choreographer and teacher, Madison has trained alongside world-renowned choreographers, performed with Odyssey Dance Theatre, trained with the Radio City Rockettes, and danced on a D1 collegiate team. Her performance and choreography credits span productions including Newsies, Mamma Mia, Anastasia, Matilda, West Side Story, and Beauty & The Beast at venues across Utah. She brings that depth of experience into every class with a simple goal — to help every student find their voice and reach their potential through movement.
A competitive dancer turned choreographer and teacher, Madison has trained alongside world-renowned choreographers, performed with Odyssey Dance Theatre, trained with the Radio City Rockettes, and danced on a D1 collegiate team. Her performance and choreography credits span productions including Newsies, Mamma Mia, Anastasia, Matilda, West Side Story, and Beauty & The Beast at venues across Utah. She brings that depth of experience into every class with a simple goal — to help every student find their voice and reach their potential through movement.
Autumn Kahle
Autumn Kahle
Autumn Kahle
Ballet Production Director & Office Manager
A Utah native trained in ballet, jazz, and modern from age six, Autumn danced competitively through high school and went on to study modern dance on scholarship at Snow College. She has taught ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and pointe across studios and preschools throughout Utah Valley. A first degree black belt and returned missionary, she brings discipline, dedication, and genuine warmth to every class she teaches.
A Utah native trained in ballet, jazz, and modern from age six, Autumn danced competitively through high school and went on to study modern dance on scholarship at Snow College. She has taught ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and pointe across studios and preschools throughout Utah Valley. A first degree black belt and returned missionary, she brings discipline, dedication, and genuine warmth to every class she teaches.
Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith
Technique Director & Instructor
With over 25 years of teaching experience, Michelle brings one of the most decorated training backgrounds on our faculty. A Presidential Dance Scholarship recipient, she performed as a founding member of the Wasatch Youth Ballet Company — including at Carnegie Hall — and has danced with Ballet West and the Utah Opera. Her training spans classical ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and modern, with masterclasses from world-class teachers across the country. Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Michelle’s teaching focuses on proper technique, alignment, and injury prevention.
With over 25 years of teaching experience, Michelle brings one of the most decorated training backgrounds on our faculty. A Presidential Dance Scholarship recipient, she performed as a founding member of the Wasatch Youth Ballet Company — including at Carnegie Hall — and has danced with Ballet West and the Utah Opera. Her training spans classical ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and modern, with masterclasses from world-class teachers across the country. Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Michelle’s teaching focuses on proper technique, alignment, and injury prevention.
Rylinn Levie
Rylinn Levie
Rylinn Levie
Instructor
A lifelong dancer who has trained across Utah, Las Vegas, and Boise, Rylinn secured spots on two convention assisting teams — one based in Texas and one locally in Utah — before joining the UPLIFT faculty. A 2025 Westlake High School graduate, she was part of the back-to-back 6A cheer state championship team and graduated with high honors and the seal of biliteracy. She currently performs with Odyssey Dance Theatre while studying deaf studies and ASL interpretation at Utah Valley University.
A lifelong dancer who has trained across Utah, Las Vegas, and Boise, Rylinn secured spots on two convention assisting teams — one based in Texas and one locally in Utah — before joining the UPLIFT faculty. A 2025 Westlake High School graduate, she was part of the back-to-back 6A cheer state championship team and graduated with high honors and the seal of biliteracy. She currently performs with Odyssey Dance Theatre while studying deaf studies and ASL interpretation at Utah Valley University.
Franky DeMartino
Franky DeMartino
Franky DeMartino
Instructor
A Utah Valley University graduate with a BFA in Modern Dance and a BS in Behavioral Science, Franky brings a uniquely research-driven perspective to her teaching. Her choreography has premiered on Allure Creative, St. George Dance Company, the Red Rock Festival Gala, and Synergy Dance Company at UVU, and her research on dance and psychology has been presented at regional and national conferences. As creator and director of Allium Movers and a member of Allure Creative, she is deeply committed to dance as a vehicle for human connection, mental health, and authentic expression.
A Utah Valley University graduate with a BFA in Modern Dance and a BS in Behavioral Science, Franky brings a uniquely research-driven perspective to her teaching. Her choreography has premiered on Allure Creative, St. George Dance Company, the Red Rock Festival Gala, and Synergy Dance Company at UVU, and her research on dance and psychology has been presented at regional and national conferences. As creator and director of Allium Movers and a member of Allure Creative, she is deeply committed to dance as a vehicle for human connection, mental health, and authentic expression.
Kennedi Hansen
Kennedi Hansen
Kennedi Hansen
Instructor
A lifelong ballet dancer and BYU graduate, Kennedi has been dancing since age three and brings warmth, patience, and a genuine love for the art to every class. She is bilingual in Spanish and English — and if her students are lucky, she might share her Diet Coke.
A lifelong ballet dancer and BYU graduate, Kennedi has been dancing since age three and brings warmth, patience, and a genuine love for the art to every class. She is bilingual in Spanish and English — and if her students are lucky, she might share her Diet Coke.
Cailia Wheeler
Cailia Wheeler
Cailia Wheeler
Instructor
Trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and tumbling, Cailia danced competitively throughout middle and high school earning numerous first place, overall, and judges choice awards. She began teaching immediately after graduating and has brought that same competitive drive and genuine love for the art into every class since. For Cailia, dance has always been more than technique — it’s a way to connect, tell stories, and express what words can’t.
Trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and tumbling, Cailia danced competitively throughout middle and high school earning numerous first place, overall, and judges choice awards. She began teaching immediately after graduating and has brought that same competitive drive and genuine love for the art into every class since. For Cailia, dance has always been more than technique — it’s a way to connect, tell stories, and express what words can’t.
Preslee Taylor
Preslee Taylor
Preslee Taylor
Instructor
Trained in hip hop, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and ballroom across two studios, Preslee danced competitively throughout her youth and served as president of her high school dance company. She has choreographed for both dance companies and studios, and is currently studying psychology at the University of Utah. This is her second year teaching and she brings the same energy to the classroom that she brings to the stage.
Trained in hip hop, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and ballroom across two studios, Preslee danced competitively throughout her youth and served as president of her high school dance company. She has choreographed for both dance companies and studios, and is currently studying psychology at the University of Utah. This is her second year teaching and she brings the same energy to the classroom that she brings to the stage.
Libby Gardiner
Libby Gardiner
Libby Gardiner
Instructor
A dancer and performer since age three, Libby was recognized as the Sterling Scholar of Dance at American Fork High School for her leadership, service, and academic excellence. She is currently studying art history at Utah Valley University and brings the same curiosity and creativity she applies to her studies into every class she teaches.
A dancer and performer since age three, Libby was recognized as the Sterling Scholar of Dance at American Fork High School for her leadership, service, and academic excellence. She is currently studying art history at Utah Valley University and brings the same curiosity and creativity she applies to her studies into every class she teaches.
Ashley Thormahlen
Ashley Thormahlen
Ashley Thormahlen
Instructor
A Las Vegas native, Ashley trained competitively from age five and attended the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts before earning a BFA in Musical Theater from Southern Utah University in 2025. She discovered musical theater at twelve and never looked back — and now brings that same passion for performance and storytelling to every class she teaches.
A Las Vegas native, Ashley trained competitively from age five and attended the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts before earning a BFA in Musical Theater from Southern Utah University in 2025. She discovered musical theater at twelve and never looked back — and now brings that same passion for performance and storytelling to every class she teaches.
Ashley Hintze
Ashley Hintze
Ashley Hintze
Office Staff
A dancer and performer since age three, Libby was recognized as the Sterling Scholar of Dance at American Fork High School for her leadership, service, and academic excellence. She is currently studying art history at Utah Valley University and brings the same curiosity and creativity she applies to her studies into every class she teaches.
A dancer and performer since age three, Libby was recognized as the Sterling Scholar of Dance at American Fork High School for her leadership, service, and academic excellence. She is currently studying art history at Utah Valley University and brings the same curiosity and creativity she applies to her studies into every class she teaches.
Sarah Weidauer
Sarah Weidauer
Sarah Weidauer
Office Staff
A dancer, gymnast, and cheerleader from age six with a background in musical theater at the Denver Civic Theater, Sarah has been part of the UPLIFT family for over 13 years — first as a dance mom and for the last six years as a familiar face at the front office. She is the proud mom of four boys, at least one of whom has been on the UPLIFT floor every season for over a decade. Her enthusiasm for the studio is genuine and personal.
A dancer, gymnast, and cheerleader from age six with a background in musical theater at the Denver Civic Theater, Sarah has been part of the UPLIFT family for over 13 years — first as a dance mom and for the last six years as a familiar face at the front office. She is the proud mom of four boys, at least one of whom has been on the UPLIFT floor every season for over a decade. Her enthusiasm for the studio is genuine and personal.
Suzi Heiner
Suzi Heiner
Suzi Heiner
Office Staff
A Massachusetts native who grew up in Salt Lake City, Suzi studied Sociology at UVU and has been part of the UPLIFT community for six years — drawn in, like so many, by a daughter who loves to dance. A mom of six with a serious talent for keeping things running smoothly, she brings warmth and a welcoming presence to every family that walks through the door.
A Massachusetts native who grew up in Salt Lake City, Suzi studied Sociology at UVU and has been part of the UPLIFT community for six years — drawn in, like so many, by a daughter who loves to dance. A mom of six with a serious talent for keeping things running smoothly, she brings warmth and a welcoming presence to every family that walks through the door.
Studio Gallery
Get to know our studio
Our studio is getting a refresh and we’re saving the reveal for when it’s ready. New photos coming soon — trust us, it’s going to be worth the wait.
A space for everyone
Our studio spaces are available to rent for rehearsals, auditions, photo and video shoots, private lessons, fitness classes, and more. All rentals include access to a sound system, WiFi, parking, restrooms, and a comfortable waiting area. Each space has its own unique features — details for each room are listed below.
Front Studios
Back Studio
Upstairs Studio
Recurring Use
XX Capcity
Studio 1 & 2
Studio 1: X Sqft, sprung floors
Studio 2: X Sqft, sprung floors
Mirrors
Windows & Natural Light
Ideal for X
Rental Fee: $XXX
Front Studios
Back Studio
Upstairs Studio
Recurring Use
Capacity: XXX
Studios 1 & 2
Studio 1: X Sqft, sprung floors
Studio 2: X Sqft, sprung floors
Mirrors
Windows & natural light
Ideal for XX
Rental fee: $XXX
Contact Us
How to get in touch with us
We're located in Saratoga Springs, Utah.