Our Faculty

NICKI LOUD

CO-OWNER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR OF TRILOGY DANCE COMPANY

JAZZ, MUSICAL THEATRE, CONTEMPORARY, TODDLER/COMBO CLASSES

Nicki, an original member of Trilogy Dance Company, trained with Turning Pointe Dance Centre from the time it opened in 1995. In the summer of 2001, she was presented the national title of New York City Dance Alliance Senior Outstanding Female Dancer, beginning a six-year journey touring with the convention, first as an assistant and eventually as a faculty member.  In addition to her time with NYCDA, Nicki has had the honor of traveling the world assisting many renowned choreographers including Andy Blankenbuehler, Mia Michaels, Doug Caldwell, Joe Lanteri and Cris Judd. Since then, Nicki has lived in both New York City and Los Angeles where she worked on “So You Think You Can Dance”, Seasons 2 and 8, as assistant choreographer to Tyce Diorio and also assisted Mark Meismer with his choreography for “Dancing With The Stars” guest artist, Martina McBride. In 2007, her choreography debuted at the Joyce Theater in NYC in the Rock n’ Roll show, “REVOLUTION”, which toured North America through Spring of 2009. Nicki has been awarded honors such as Outstanding Choreographer at Youth American Grand Prix, Best Choreographer at the 2012 Dance Awards, and is a three-time Capezio A.C.E. Awards Finalist. After being invited to showcase her work at the YAPG National Gala in NYC, ‘Nvitational’ in LA and ‘Dancing Under The Stars’ in Utah, Nicki’s choreography took her to Paris, France where she and long-time friend, Zack Benitez (D.W.T.S. France) set a piece on the famous French television show, ‘Vivement Dimanche’.  Nicki has spent the last four years in Alabama teaching on faculty at Troy University, coordinating TROY Dance Theatre and acting as Chair of the Alabama Dance Council Audition Committee. After 16 years of pursuing her professional career, Nicki has returned to her roots at recently purchased Turning Pointe Dance Centre, ready and excited to share her knowledge and experience with our next generation of young artists.

KARI-LEE FLORENTINE

HIP HOP

Kari-Lee is a national competition winner, award-winning choreographer, director, and hip hop educator for many of the Pacific Northwest’s leading competition studios. As the founder and director of Seattle’s elite hip hop dance company, In-Effect, she has inspired, trained, and mentored dancers who have gone on to perform professionally with major recording artists and nationally recognized dance companies.

Throughout her career, Kari-Lee has choreographed for recording artists and has produced and directed numerous productions, including Seattle’s original hip hop production, Shameless.

Her choreography and creative direction have earned recognition through award-winning competition companies and prestigious productions. Career highlights include the Seattle production of The Wiz, KUBE Summer Jam, Bumbershoot, King County Youth & Action, choreography and direction for Seattle Storm (WNBA) halftime performances, Seattle SuperSonics halftime entertainment, the San Francisco Hip Hop Festival, L.A. Underground Hip Hop, and projects for Nordstrom, GameWorks, and IKEA.

Kari-Lee also served as the Hip Hop Director for the formerly known Accolades Movement Project and trained many professional dancers through the Prestige Studio at Westlake Dance Center, where she helped develop award-winning dancers and successful professional careers. As a passionate mentor and competition director, she has guided numerous dancers and competition teams to regional and national titles. She has privately trained countless dancers who have gone on to perform alongside renowned artists including Tyrese, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Macklemore, and Pharrell Williams, while others have toured nationally and internationally with major dance companies and productions.

Known for her innovative choreography, dynamic teaching style, and ability to develop dancers into confident, versatile performers, Kari-Lee continues to inspire dancers of all ages through choreography, workshops, competitions, and performance opportunities while remaining committed to helping every dancer reach their fullest potential.

BRI WILSON

BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, POINTE

Bri Wilson (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Seattle. Originally from northwest Michigan, her creative work braids the elements of writing, movement, and nature into compelling, curious, and narrative-driven performances. As a performer in Seattle, Bri has worked with The Three Yells, Elia Mrak, and Marlo Martin + badmarmarDANCE, among others. She has presented her own work at 12 Minutes Max, Full Tilt Dance Festival, LAUNCH, Seattle International Dance Festival, and Fuselage Dance Film Festival. As an educator Bri teaches holistic ballet, modern, and contemporary dance technique with a focus on rigorous exploration and play. She holds a BFA from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University of California and an MFA in Dance from Hollins University. Additionally, she has received training in brain-compatible dance education from Anne Green Gilbert and Dionne Kamara at Creative Dance Center in north Seattle, and completed the Teaching Artist Training Lab from ArtsWA in 2022.

AURORA ROACH

BALLET, POINTE

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Aurora began dancing at age 2 at C & C Ballet Academy, training in ballet, tap, and jazz. At age 8, she had her first professional experience in The Nutcracker with Ballet West and later joined Ballet West Academy. There, she performed in productions such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Glass Slipper, Balanchine’s Western Symphony, and Bournonville’s Le Conservatoire.

Aurora has completed her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Ballet at the University of Utah. While at the U of U, she performed in works by guest choreographers Kevin Thomas and Suzanne Haag, and danced in Balanchine’s Serenade. In addition to performing, she teaches ballet, jazz, and creative movement classes. Aurora has loved getting the opportunity to teach because she gets to share her knowledge and experiences with the younger dancers.

Aurora is currently a trainee with Olympic Ballet Theatre. She has greatly enjoyed dancing this season and looks forward to continuing her artistic journey in the future.

BEN LOHR

TAP, MUSICAL THEATRE

Ben Lohr started dancing at the age of 12 years old and trained for 9 years in tap dance through Premiere Dance Studio and University of Washington dance. He is currently teaching tap classes at the University of Washington for their tap club, and at multiple studios in the greater Seattle area. Ben is a member of Alchemy Tap Project, a tap dance company led by Josh Scribner, and has been performing with them since 2023.  Along with dancing, Ben is also very passionate about theater and is currently pursuing a theatre major at the University of Washington while also working with Village Theater, as an educator for their theater camps!

NATASHA SERGIYENKO

BALLROOM

Originally from Ukraine, Natasha has trained and competed worldwide in International Latin and International Standard ballroom dance. Her awards and titles include Champion of Ukraine in International Latin Dance, three-time Champion of Ukraine in Formation Teams, third in Ukraine for Ten Dance, eighth in European and World Formation Teams, winner of “Cup of Slavic People” and “Star of Ukraine”, United States Rising Star Finalist, and the 2010 Professional Latin Winner of “Desert Classic” and “Seattle Star Ball”. In addition to her distinguished professional career, Natasha completed her education at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and has coached both Ukrainian and US Nationals Champions, including finalists at Worlds and Blackpool Dance Festival, the most prestigious ballroom dance competition in the world. Natasha is currently located in Everett, WA where she is co-owner of First Class Ballroom and is excited to join the TPDC family, giving her the opportunity to share her wealth of knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation of artists.

BRITTANY HURLEY

TODDLER AND COMBO CLASSES

Brittany began dancing at the age of five and continued into college. During her years as a dancer, Brittany trained in various dance styles and her focus became classical ballet. She attended Cornish College of the Arts Dance Intensive Program in Seattle, Washington and has 10 years of choreography experience. She has previous experience in teaching Pre Ballet and Creative Movement classes to 3–5-year-olds at Martha Le Valley School of Dance. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2011.

Brittany grew up in Lake Stevens, Washington and recently moved back to the area. She now works in Hospital Development for LifeCenter Northwest and in addition is teaching Pilates classes at Rise Studio in Snohomish.

Brittany is passionate about creating a fun and encouraging environment for young dancers. She wants to help her students build self-confidence, feel empowered to express themselves creatively and develop their technique as they start their own journey with dance.

Guest Teachers

MIRANDA KNORR

TECHNIQUE, FLEXIBILITY, IMPROV, MODERN

Miranda Knorr, a native of Rochester, New York began dancing at age three training in various styles. She received her B.F.A in Dance with a concentration in Performance and Choreography from Coker College in South Carolina. Here, she obtained the opportunity to work with leading choreographers Teena Marie Custer, Adele Myers, Seán Curran, Contra Tiempo, and performed in Trisha Brown’s work, “Set and Reset”. Expanding her artistry, she choreographed solo, duet, and group works, including a trio “Color Coating” adjudicated by legendary Chuck Davis. Knorr has performed at the SCDancing Festival, concerts at the American College Dance Festival, SCAHPERD, and Coker College. Following graduation she resided in Florida, educating students about her passion in contemporary and improvisation while exploring her choreographic artistry. During her time in Florida, she was named the Assistant Director of a pre-professional dance company expanding her leadership skills as well as mentoring dancers to continue their education within the dance industry. She strives to encourage dancers to find their own intricate artistic style and path through expressive movement and storytelling.

KRISTINA KOUMAEVA

GUEST TEACHER
Kristina grew up dancing in the greater Seattle area, training at Turning Pointe Dance Centre for over 12 years. For the majority of her time with TPDC, she competed as a member of Trilogy Dance Company winning multiple convention scholarships, including Teen Best Dancer at Nuvo Nationals. Kristina’s exposure to conventions opened doors for assisting award winning choreographers such as Stacey Tookey, Jason Parsons, Tyce Diorio, and her brother, Ivan Koumaev. After high school she was accepted, on academic scholarship, to the University of Washington where she graduated in 2016 with a BA in Marketing from the Michael G. Foster School of Business. While in college, Kristina pursued several dance avenues. She taught and choreographed for competitive companies around Washington State including Premiere Performance Company, Trilogy Dance Company, Definitive Dance, and KreatvMndz. In addition, she performed with Seattle based company, Super Geek League, The Three Yells and University of Washington’s Cheer and Dance Squad as well as their Performing Arts Department. As a local entertainer, Kristina booked with companies such as Nike and Lululemon Athletica, and danced backup for jazz artist Mycle Wastman. After graduation, Kristina moved to Los Angeles to continue her career in both Dance and Business. In her first year in California she has made her mark at the world-famous Millennium Dance Complex LA, transitioning from Workstudy to Manager to Director of their Company and Crew Training Programs. She has also signed with Bloc Talent Agency and tours as an assistant and Nubie instructor for Nuvo Dance Convention. She has booked music videos, short films and industrials, working with award-winning choreographers such as Marty Kudelka, Nika Kljun, Alexander Magno, Christopher Scott, Andrew Winghart, and Dana Wilson. Most recently she performed in a live performance showcasing the new Christian Louboutin and Sabyasachi shoe line and danced in the music video for Justin Timberlake’s 2018 album title track “Man of the Woods.” Staying true to herself and her craft, Kristina lives by the words, “Be bold and brave, but most importantly, kind.”

Kirsten Barron Kinney

GUEST TEACHER

Kirsten Barron Kinney graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine in 1997 where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Choreography and in Dance Performance. While attending UCI, she was a member of Donald McKayle’s modern company Etude Ensemble, Fresno Ballet under the direction of Donald Bradburn, and has returned to UCI as a guest choreographer for Bare Bones Dance Theatre in 2007, and as a guest performer for the Donald McKayle’s Tribute in 2009.

Kirsten moved to Seattle where she has enjoyed her focus on dance education, became a certified Pilates instructor, and freelanced as a dancer and choreographer over the last 25 years. Kirsten has directed youth programs, worked with many local and national dance schools and organizations such as the Gotta Dance, Westlake Dance Center, Cornish Summer Prep Program, Dance Masters of America, and has been involved in many of Seattle Theatre Group’s Education and Community Engagement. Kirsten performed as well as choreographed for the band, Queensrÿche in their cabaret-style rock concert, En L’air Dance, and Westlake Dance Center’s Sign of the Times. Kirsten is a former coach for the Shorecrest Hip Hop Team, and co-produced SC Hip Hop presents Physical Poetry with her husband, Rex Kinney.

Kirsten became involved with Seattle Theatre Group about 15 years ago as a teaching artist for STG’s DANCE This Intensive. Since then, she has been a part of the faculty for the DANCE This Camp, the finale choreographer for DANCE This Performance, DANCE This at Folklife, Finale choreographer and featured choreographer for Global Party, and the rehearsal director for the commission of Donald McKayle’s piece Shaker Life from Songs of the Disinherited (1972). She loves her role as teaching artist for Dance for PD® which she joined in 2018, and looks forward upcoming programs with STG.

Kirsten takes a holistic approach to dance education and is passionate about teaching dancers to understand dance technique, body mechanics, dance history while embracing their own artistry. She uses improvisation, choreography, a variety of somatic practices, and relies on dance as a common denominator for bringing people together. Kirsten loves to remain a student always…she is inspired by all kinds of dance from all cultures, from her students of all ages and abilities, and loves sharing her experience and knowledge about the art of dance with others.

 

KISHA VAUGHAN

GUEST TEACHER

Kisha Vaughan, born in Biloxi, Mississippi and raised in Sacramento, CA, has been dancing in and around Seattle for the past 18 years with a focus on hip hop.  She has had the privilege to be a part of various crews including Breaking Point Dance Company, In Effect Hip Hop, Purple Lemonade, and Seattle Storm Hip Hop Squad.  Kisha had the opportunity to tour the U.S. and Canada as a back up dancer for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.  Other performances include Showtime at the Apollo, Folklife, Capitol Hill Block Party, Conan O’Brien, MTV Movie Awards, Billboard Awards, Sasquatch, We Day, Rolling Stone Magazine, You Tube, Seattle Pride, Bellevue Square,  and Bumbershoot.  Kisha has also been the creative director and choreographer for Emerald City Elite, Poison Poppies, Garfield High School Puppettes, and Dope Girl Movement.  Kisha has also had the privilege to be a guest artist at Westlake Dance Center, Cornish College of the Arts, Arts Corps, Interagency Academy, Just Move, and Coyote Central.  Currently Kisha is teaching hip hop and choreographing around the Greater Seattle Area and her work has been seen at various competitions and shows, including Monsters of Hip Hop and World of Dance.

Kelly peters

GUEST TEACHER

Kelly Peters is a Ballroom Dance Instructor and Choreographer who began her love of dance at the age of 2 and joined the competitive line by age 7.  In her early years she competed with the Summit Dance Shoppe in Minneapolis, Minnesota in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, and Musical Theater.  Her family moved west when she was a teen and Kelly continued to find success winning awards and competing as an independent dancer throughout Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.  After high school she went on to tour professionally with musical theater and children’s theater companies where she traveled and performed across the United States, Canada, Dubai, and Europe.  After 3 years of touring, Kelly decided to stay more stationary and followed in her mother’s footsteps to pursue a career in ballroom dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studios.  She has worked, competed, and trained students and professionals in multiple studios along with managing one of the top 5 Arthur Murray studios worldwide.  Kelly has also partnered with Special Olympics Washington and The Alzheimer’s Association developing dance and instructor training to promote inclusivity through the power of dance.