MEET OUR Staff
Jennissa Voorhees-Gertge: Director
When I was three years old, my parents gave me the gift of ballet classes for my birthday — a simple present that would ultimately shape the course of my life. As a creative child, I wasn’t known for my discipline, but dance quickly became the structure I needed. Through years of training, I discovered focus, determination, and a love for the art form that inspired me to pursue a professional career in dance.
I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a diverse and fulfilling career — performing at Disneyland, on cruise lines, national tours, and both on and off Broadway. My work has also spanned film, television, and print in New York City and Los Angeles, allowing me to experience the dance world from many exciting perspectives.
In 2008, I took on the role of Studio Director, driven by a desire to offer the Northern Colorado community the same high-caliber training and mentorship that shaped my own journey. Over the years, I’ve become deeply passionate about developing not only skilled dancers but strong leaders — individuals grounded in work ethic, integrity, and character.
Beyond the studio, I’m privileged to co-own two other businesses that reflect my heart for service and growth.
- Rise Up Dance Project (riseupdance.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching dance to children emerging from trafficking and supporting those affected by it. One of our most meaningful initiatives is our Impact Trips, which give students the opportunity to experience dance across cultures and connect with communities around the world.
- FiveRings NoCo, which I own with my husband, is a family business focused on financial education. We help families think differently about money and empower the middle class to achieve financial independence and retire as millionaires.
We are proud of the community we’ve built and the lives we continue to impact through our work. If you’re ready to grow, connect, and belong, we would be honored to welcome you into our family.
Marissa Nehrete-Eckles
Marissa has been dancing since she was 3 years. She grew up in Long Beach, California, where she danced competitively for 13 years, at a studio, high school cheer/song and dance team. Marissa continued to study dance at San Jose State and received her BFA in dance. During her time at San Jose, she was on their professional dance company. She loves teaching and has been doing so for 15 years. Marissa has taught at many studios and high schools throughout her time as a dance teacher. She loves spending time with her husband and their two dogs, and just hanging out at home on her days off.
Carrie David
Ms. Carrie is in her 8th year of teaching at The Studio. She began competitively dancing in 5th grade and has been passionate about it ever since, which led her to earn a BFA in dance and pursue a professional dance career after college. With 13 years of teaching experience, Ms. Carrie is deeply committed to mentoring dancers. She uses dance not only to teach strong technique but also to build character. She finds great joy in seeing her dancers achieve their goals—both in dance and in life.
This is her sixth year with The Studio as a dance teacher and choreographer. It is her vision to see her students grow not just as dancers, but as loving and amazing people in all aspects of life. Her favorite thing about dance is the freedom of it. She loves the gracefulness, feeling herself flow through the music, and getting lost in the music. She loves the way it takes you out of reality and transfers you somewhere where you are truly present.
Matt Bishop
From competition dancer, to studying dance in college at Colorado State University, to getting involved in the culture of hip-hop and street dance as an all-styles dancer, Matt possesses a wide range of styles and perspectives of movement. As a dance teacher, he strives to give students a balance of technique, exercises to build their artistic voice, and engaging choreography to develop confidence as performers. His goal is to inspire students to grow both as dancers and individuals ready to take on the world.
Brielle Creamer
Ms. Brielle is in her second season teaching at The Studio! She started dancing at the age of 3 and, quite frankly, never stopped! She fell in love with dance and trained throughout her adolescent years at Michelle Latimer Dance Academy. She absolutely loves teaching the art of dance, and the highlight of her week is spent in the studio with the amazing dancers! Her favorite part of teaching is watching young dancers fall in love with the same sport she loves so much!
McKenna Donohue
McKenna is originally from Colorado Springs and is currently a sophomore at Colorado State University double majoring in Dance and History. McKenna has several years of teaching experience in both studios and public schools, in addition to her passion and dedication to choreography, performance, and education. She grew up dancing competitively at Elevation Dance Academy, as well as choreographing and performing concert style pieces with the Liberty High School dance department. McKenna actively performs with the CSU dance program and is heavily involved in community engagement projects. Her favorite style to choreograph and teach is jazz and her favorite style to perform is contemporary! McKenna is thrilled to be part of The Studio team and loves working with these talented and passionate dancers!
Schyler Dewberry
Ever since she was a little girl, she had a passion for flipping around the house, the park—any place she could. She felt blessed that her parents enrolled her in gymnastics and later in dance. Tumbling was her first love, and she felt incredibly fortunate to be able to pass that gift on to others. Watching her students light up with excitement when they mastered a new trick—and their eagerness to keep improving—brought back countless cherished memories.
Paige Swaim
Paige was born and raised in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She began dancing at the age of three and has been passionate about the sport ever since. With extensive training in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, and pom/game day, Paige has developed a well-rounded dance background. In high school, she was a member of her varsity poms team, where she helped lead the team to two state titles. After graduating, she continued her dance journey at the University of Northern Colorado as a member of the Sugar Bears Dance Team, recently earning her degree in Early Childhood Education. Paige is currently dancing professionally as a Colorado Spartans Dancer and is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with others.
Abbey Suess
Abbey grew up dancing and teaching at Dance Arts Studio in Springfield, Illinois. She returned to the world of dance in August of 2024 at FRCBA and has enjoyed engaging with the local community through ballet. Abbey loves teaching at the Studio and has a passion for sharing the joys of dance with communities that may not have access to the arts. Abbey is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work at the University of Denver.
Abbey uses ballet curriculum for dancers that encourages creativity, joy, imagination, and beauty, while pursuing classical ballet technique and terminology at a developmentally appropriate level. Abbey is happy to meet the needs of any child who wants to learn ballet, and wants to ensure they are in an environment where they are safe and comfortable to learn and grow.
Hailey Mele
Born and raised in New York, Hailey Mele has been passionate about dance for as long as she can remember. With over sixteen years of competitive experience, she has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop. Hailey began her dance journey at Anita’s Studio of Dance, where she later returned as a teacher and choreographer. She has also been a member of several tap companies, including Taplife and STAMP, where she performed and choreographed pieces showcased in various productions.
Hailey attended the Long Island High School for the Arts, where she expanded her training and performance experience, and continued dancing through college in performance classes and dance clubs.
As an instructor, Hailey strives to inspire confidence, creativity, and joy in her students. Her classes focus on strong technique, musicality, and self-expression — all while fostering a fun and supportive environment where every dancer can shine.
Taylor Lucas
Taylor Lucas started her dancing journey in 2009 with Northern Colorado Academy of Dance Arts in Greeley, CO. Here, she was classically trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. In 2011, Taylor not only continued her dance education through NCADA but her and her family also joined Rez Dance. At Rez Dance, Taylor became well versed in the style of Hip-Hop. During Taylor’s time at Rez Dance, she also joined the outreach company team in 2012 and was the directoral intern from 2020-2022.
Teaching for Taylor isn’t just found through dance. She is currently majoring in Early Childhood Education and minoring in Dance at UNC. She is also a substitute teacher at Windsor Charter Academy.
A fun fact about Taylor is that she loves Halloween, just about as much as she loves Christmas! Taylor has such a heart for dance and serving others! She cannot wait to share her love of dance with her students and to see them grow and thrive!
Gracie Smith
Gracie was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and began dancing at the age of two. From a very young age, she knew dance was her passion and that she wanted to pursue it professionally while also becoming a teacher. She is a classically trained dancer in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop, and danced competitively for ten years.
Gracie began teaching at fifteen and quickly fell in love with it. Some of the most meaningful moments of her life were spent in the studio, learning from others and passing that knowledge and wisdom on to the next generation of dancers. She trained with the Joffrey Ballet School during multiple summer programs and was accepted into their Bachelor of Fine Arts program at just sixteen.
Gracie loves teaching because she values the impact she can have on others. Helping dancers care for their bodies, grow with confidence, and improve their technique without injury or self-doubt is what drives her as an educator.