About
Elevation
We're more than a dance studio. We're a community that inspires hope, confidence, growth, and connection.
Since opening our doors in 2010, Elevation Dance Studio has been committed to raising the standard of dance education in Northwest Colorado. From day one, our vision has been to provide a higher level of excellence through quality curriculum, exceptional teacher training, professional management practices, and meaningful community involvement.
We believed our dancers deserved more than recreational classes, they deserved a structured, consistent, nine-month training program built on thoughtful progression, age-appropriate education, and a genuine passion for helping every child grow. That philosophy continues to guide everything we do today.
What began as a vision has grown into a thriving dance community, and we are proud that several of our original faculty members are still teaching at Elevation more than a decade later. Their longevity reflects the culture we've intentionally built, one centered on collaboration, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to excellence.
At Elevation, we are passionate about developing not only exceptional dancers, but exceptional people. Through intentional curriculum, ongoing teacher education, and professionally produced performances, we strive to create meaningful experiences that inspire confidence, resilience, discipline, creativity, and kindness. Every class is an opportunity for students to grow, not only in their technique, but in their character.
Our mission isn't simply words displayed on a wall. It shapes every decision we make, every class we teach, every performance we produce, and every relationship we build. We believe that living our values every day is the only way to achieve our vision.
Our vision is bold, but simple:
To be the small business that has the greatest positive impact on children and families in Steamboat Springs.
For more than 16 years, we have been honored to watch thousands of dancers discover confidence, build lifelong friendships, and create memories that extend far beyond the stage. As we continue to grow, our commitment remains the same: to provide an elevated dance education while making a lasting difference in the lives of every student and family who walks through our doors.
From first steps to pre-professional training, Elevation provides a pathway for growth, confidence, and excellence.
Renée Fleischer has been training in dance since the age of 3! She was a dance major at Arizona State University, and received a scholarship at the Academy of Performing Arts in San Diego, California after college. Renee began a professional dance career as a San Diego Charger girl from 1996-1998 before moving to Vail, CO in 1999 where she was a Denver Broncos Cheerleader until 2001 and traveled to Sydney, Australia to perform in the American Bowl with international recording artist Chris Isaak. As a United Spirit Association Advanced Jazz Dance Instructor, choreography credits include the Vail Valley Academy of Dance Company, The Dollhouse Revue, Dream Project & The Steamboat Dance Theater.
Miss Andrea grew up in the Denver metro area, where she trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance. Throughout her youth, she was an active member of both competitive studio and school dance teams, developing a strong technical foundation and a love for performing. During her teenage years, Andrea expanded her artistic pursuits into runway and print modeling, creating opportunities to work professionally while gaining experience performing on a variety of stages and platforms. Throughout her twenties and thirties, she continued her modeling career while also working as a backstage Master Stylist, specializing in hair, makeup, and costume styling for productions and events. After moving to Steamboat Springs more than 20 years ago, Andrea quickly became an active member of the local performing arts community. She has performed and choreographed in numerous stage productions and has served on the Steamboat Dance Theatre Board of Directors, Scholarship Committee, and Production Team. She performed locally with Forty106 Dance Company for three years, and has been a choreographer and dancer with Dancing with the Steamboat Stars for nine seasons. In addition, Andrea has shared her passion for dance with local students through the World of Dance program in Routt County schools. Andrea joined the Elevation Dance Studio faculty in 2019, a role she describes as a dream come true. She loves working with dancers of all ages, teaching Hip Hop, Bitty Ballet, and other youth classes while helping students build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance. She is also excited to begin her second season as Elevation's Competition Team Director, where she mentors dancers both on and off the stage. A lifelong learner, Andrea is passionate about continuing her education as both a dancer and educator. She regularly pursues professional development through organizations and programs such as American Ballet Theatre®, dance and movement therapy training, and a variety of workshops. She believes that ongoing learning allows her to bring fresh ideas, inspiration, and the highest quality instruction to every class she teaches.
Lauren has been a dedicated member of the Elevation faculty since 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and brings a passion for both technical training and creative expression into the classroom. At Elevation, Lauren teaches Bitty Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Ballet, fostering a love of dance in students of all ages and levels. In addition to her teaching, she leads Elevation’s Company Program, guiding dancers in performance, teamwork, and artistic growth. Lauren is committed to helping each dancer reach their fullest potential while finding joy and confidence through dance.
Stephanie Rabbitt started her passion for dance at the early age of 3 while taking ballet, jazz, and tap in Loveland, CO. She began competing in contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, jazz, and ballet at conventions such as LA Dance Magic and New York City Dance Alliance. She began teaching at Broadway Bound Dance Academy at the age of 16 and coached and choreographed the BBDA Senior Competition team from 2008-2010. In college she performed countless shows with the Colorado State University Dance Department and continued studying ballet, jazz, and modern under CSU professors of dance Melissa Corr, Carol Roderick, and Chung-Fu Chang. Stephanie was also a part of the CSU Golden Poms where she performed at the CSU football and basketball games and competed at the United Dance Association (UDA) Nationals for 2007. Stephanie loves to share her passion for dance with everyone around her and is excited to bring new styles and ideas to Elevation Dance Studio.
Tiana has built a distinguished dance career, with her training encompassing street styles, classical, and contemporary. Her professional dance career is rooted in theatrical Hip Hop. Her breadth of expertise has made her a foundational figure in the Yampa Valley dance community since 1996. She has held a range of leadership and instructional roles. She has trained and mentored dancers, contributing to the growth and development of the local dance community through both instruction and leadership. Tiana strives to provide a platform for all dancers to pursue their goals, no matter how big or small.
Brooke Benton started her dance journey here in her hometown of Steamboat Springs at the age of 3 and has grown to love movement of all kinds. As she danced her way through childhood she explored ballet to jazz, African, hip hop, and modern and went on to study dance at the University of Oregon. After school her studies and interest in big city life Brooke moved to San Francisco where she had the pleasure of dancing with Bandaloop, a world renowned aerial dance company. She traveled on and off with them dancing off buildings and other site specific spaces, pushing her adrenaline and her ability to defy gravity. After a long hiatus away from the dance world, Brooke is getting her dance body moving again. She’s grateful for all the dancy opportunities in the Yampa Valley to help bring dance back into her life on a regular basis. Recently she had the chance to experience working with a Dance Movement Therapist on how to guide others in their movement exploration and personal self discovery through dance. Brooke's dance fire has been reignited and she can't wait to share her love of movement with all who are willing to move along with her and explore.
We could not be more thrilled to welcome back this hometown girl as Elevation Faculty before she heads off to medical school. Newly graduated from Tufts University, Ella trained with Elevation for many years in all styles and we are so excited she’s back to share her knowledge of training with her students.
Rebeca Leon Erives hales from Estes Park and since a young age, has been training in all styles of dance, then moving onto teaching at Center Stage School of Dance. Rebeca honed her teaching skills with us all of last season and she is excited and ready to share with her students at Elevation.
Mandy Petersen brings her positive energy to Elevation classes in the Fall 2023! While focusing on helping her students build on their strengths, her teaching style will motivate students to feel confident in their movement. Mandy was the dance team competition coach at Durango High School, and grew up as a competitive dancer and has a strong background in Poms and Jazz.
Zoë has been dancing at Elevation for 12 years and has been a member of both the company and competition program for several years. During her time at EDS, Zoë has performed in our production of the Nutcracker as The Dew Drop Fairy, Harlequin Doll and a pas de trois. She has trained at summer programs including Colorado Ballet, CLI Studios Conservatory, and John Cranko in New York. In 2026, she was awarded a scholarship from Celebrity Dance. She is passionate about helping dancers gain confidence in their movement while improving technique and musicality, and is so excited for the season ahead!
Carsen began dancing at Elevation Dance Studio when she was just three years old—and she has never stopped! She has trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and pointe. Since 2012, Carsen has performed in every EDS production and every Nutcracker. Carsen trains year-round and has expanded her dance education through additional training with The Russian Ballet School, Boulder Jazz Dance Company. Dance is truly her passion, as well as her favorite artistic and athletic outlet. Carsen is thrilled to join the EDS Faculty this season and cannot wait to share her love of dance with her students.
Blake has been training at Elevation Dance Studio since 2015 and has grown into a dedicated dancer, leader, and role model within our community. During her time at EDS, she has been a Competition Team member, performed in 11 Spring Recitals, participated in our Company Program, and served as an Apprentice in both Ballet and Contemporary. Most recently, Blake has been continuing her leadership development through the EDS JR Faculty Program. Throughout her years in The Nutcracker, Blake has performed numerous featured roles, including Mini Babydoll, Babydoll, Snow Queen, Tea, and Clara, while also performing in the corps of many productions. For the past four summers, Blake has expanded her training by attending prestigious summer intensives at Joffrey Colorado and Colorado Ballet. She is excited to bring the knowledge, artistry, and inspiration she has gained back to Elevation as she joins our faculty for Season 17, where she looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with the next generation of EDS dancers.
Emma Willson has been dancing at Elevation since 2013, and has trained extensively in all styles. She is one of our most versatile dancers and over the years has been a part of Elevation's Performance Company program, Nutcracker, and Competition team. Emma has been rewarded multiple scholarships from the most sought after industry choreographers and teachers at conventions such as Radix and Jump. Her 2023 duet which she co-choreographed with Wiley High, won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall awards across multiple competitions. Emma danced the lead roles of Clara, Arabian Princess, and Spanish Empress and has been in numerous group routines in Elevation’s productions of The Nutcracker. She has been assisting classes at Elevation since age 10, and with that she brings the knowledge of our curriculum and culture to her teaching style that families have been accustomed to at EDS. Emma is beyond excited to be teaching Hip Hop starting the summer of 2023; which she describes as her favorite and most incredible style of dance. Emma is the winner EDS’s 2023 Dancer of The Year voted on by her peers and faculty for superior attendance, always dressing according to code, being supportive of others, being kind and respectful to others, applying corrections from teachers, and always showing up engaged and excited!
Ocean Brown has been dancing at Elevation for over 10 years and over the course of that time, has been on the EDS Competition Team, a Nutcracker cast member, The Company Program, and in every Recital. In the Nutcracker, Ocean has performed as the Lead Angel, Chinese Empress, Rat Queen, Dew Drop, Clara, the Militaire Doll, and many group routines! In 2023 I competed a classical ballet solo variation and a pas de trois in the Youth American Grand Prix and was then invited to the Finals where we competed with dancers from all around the world! She has trained at Perry Mansfield, Colorado Ballet, and the Joffery Ballet School in NYC for summer intensives. Ocean has loved being a teacher assistant this past season at Elevation in preparation for becoming a Junior Faculty Member. She is so excited to have the opportunity to put the skills she’s learned to work and teach and get to know all of the emerging dancers!
Wiley High hails from Steamboat Springs and has trained at Elevation in all dance styles with a special passion for Hip Hop. Under the direction of Teddy Forance, Wiley recently graduated from the CLI Conservatory Program with about 150 other dancers chosen out of thousands. She had extensive mentoring by Martha Nichols, and training with Jake’s Thomason, Greg Chapkis, JA Collective, Christopher Scott and countless more. Upon the completion of this year long program, CLI hired her as a Street Styles Assistant where she had the opportunity to assist Ray Basa, Kenichi Kasamatsu, Ashley Cruz, Eric Delgado, and Riley Watts and is taking on a recruitment position with CLI studios during convention and competition season.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
"Elevation Dance Studio has been a second home for my daughter. The teachers truly care and it shows in every class."Sarah M., Parent