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MEET THE TEAM

Meet our talented team of instructors at Excite Dance Company. Focused on teaching exceptional technique and creating unforgettable experiences, our team is committed to our dancers’ satisfaction and success. See our instructors’  below and check them all out! All of our instructors are professionally trained teachers with an extensive background in dance, cheer, and/or college degrees in Dance Education.

MRS. JAI

MRS. JAI

Owner/Dance Instructor

Jai Eastland is the proud of owner and Artistic Director of Excite Dance Company. Jai has been in the dance industry for over 30 years dancing for Disney, performing, entertaining and choreographing for various productions and training dancers into their professional careers. She is thrilled to be offering such a special opportunity to share her passion for the arts and movement with dancers right in the comfort of their schools. So many dancers do not have the opportunity to train at a studio due to time, money, convenience, etc so having the same quality instructors, for a fraction of the cost and brought directly to your students school, is the goal of Excite Dance and we are so thrilled your student is a part of it. Jai, along with her husband Brian, help run all the maintenance behind the scenes so definitely look out for them at performances and say hello. Jai has three sons who are also dancers & theatre majors in college, and they are also a huge part of the success of Excite Dance & Cheer. We are a military family, faith based, and so proud to serve the community in this way. We hope to meet each and every one of you.

MISS MANDI

MISS MANDI

Dance Instructor

Miss Mandi is a passionate dance instructor with 12 years of training in a variety of styles, including ballet, lyrical, hip hop, jazz, and poms. She now enjoys passing on her knowledge and love for dance. Mandi has experience teaching dancers of all ages and takes joy in helping each student grow in both skill and confidence. With a strong foundation in technique and creativity, she brings energy, patience, and positivity to every class. Teaching is her greatest passion because it allows her to share her love of dance, inspire young artists, and create a supportive space where students can express themselves and reach their full potential.

MZ RUBY

MZ RUBY

Dance Instructor

Ruby Messina is a 2x Dance Champion & awarded Professional, Pivot Dance Company Alum Soloist, 2 consecutive years 1st place award winning Young Champion of America choreographer. Ruby began dancing at 3 years of age, she has trained in multiple dance disciplines with various dance companies/ teams including Pom/Cheer growing up and through college. She has a double Major in Dance Performance/ Choreography & Dance Production (AA Dance & BFA Dance); Alma Matters: CSUF, IVC, UNLV with a Commercial Dance Certification from AMDA, Los Angeles. Ruby’s career in the dance industry has expanded to include work in TV/Commercial; Music Videos, Film, Concert, Events. Ruby’s dedication has affiliated Works as: Ambassador, Talent, Dance/Cheer Pom Coach, Dance Educator/Advisor, Dance on Film Director, Artistic Director, Film/Production Producer, Dance Technique Specialist, Competition Coach, Cheer/Dance Judge, Choreographer (Competitions, Shows/Events, Productions, Education). SYTYGT Season 2, Fast & Furious, She Goes To Hollywood, NBA Emirates, Gatorade, Adidas, Netflix, World of Dance, Cocoburry, Coco Chanel, UFC to name a few. Ruby Messina has contributed to her young community through Sports Advocacy and Dance on Films Collaborations.

MISS HAILEY

MISS HAILEY

Dance Instructor

Hi I am Hailey I have been dancing for 15 years and have always had a love for it. I am a senior and have been on my highschool dance team for 3 years. I can’t wait to share my love of dance with the students at EXCITE. A fun fact is that I also do barrel racing.

MISS AVA

MISS AVA

Dance Instructor

Hey it’s Ava!!, I’m currently a senior in high school with a huge passion and love for all things dance and cheer related! I’ve Loved dance ever since I was a little girl and was a captain on my old schools' dance team as well as a sideline cheerleader my sophomore year. As well as studio trained for 3+ years. I am honored and thrilled to be able to share my passion for dance and expand my creativity with others and guide them through their own individual dance journey’s.

MISS KELSIE

MISS KELSIE

Dance Instructor

Kelsie was born and raised in Kansas and found her passion for dance at the age of 11. She has trained in various styles of dance such as, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, lyrical, Acro, Musical Theater, and more. Kelsie is trained under Donnette Rothweiler, who studied under Marjorie Kelly with the Royal Academy of Ballet. Growing up competing, Kelsie received many tuition scholarships, special awards, and is even an Alumni of Talent on Parade GoPro, where she got to work with Solid Gold Performer Liezel Marie, Chip Abbott, Bart Doerfler, and many more. As a Sophomore in High School Kelsie received a scholarship to attend TAPS, a Theater Arts Preparatory School in Las Vegas, Nevada. After she graduated high school she moved to Vegas to pursue her career in dance.

MISS ALLY

MISS ALLY

Dance Instructor

Ally Burgess, performer and dance educator, grew up an avid dancer at Shuffles & Ballet II in Little Rock, Arkansas. Through her experiences engaging with the community through dance and performance, she knew it was something she loved to do. She furthered her education in college, attending Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, earning honors. Ally specializes in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Tap styles. Ally loves to see the world artfully and encourages others to try that perspective. In her class, she loves to offer support and highlight positive self-talk while working through the fundamentals of dance.

MR JOSHUA

MR JOSHUA

Dance Instructor / Assistant to Director

Mr. Joshua has been dancing since the age of 2 and started teaching at the age of 14, winning multiple awards for dance and choreography in both regional and national competitions. He graduated from the University of Arizona School of Dance in 2022, where he was able to perform works from world-renowned dance companies including Keigwin + Companies “Megalopolis,” River North Dance Chicago “Habaneras: Music of Cuba,” and Paul Taylor Dance Companies “Colven Kingdom.” He also has trained with Giordano Dance Chicago, Limón Dance Company, and Summer Dance Sessions at their summer intensives. Most recently working as a cruise ship dancer on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas performing Showgirl: Past, Present, & Future, and Ballroom Fever. He recently moved to Las Vegas to continue his professional dance career and plans to continue teaching around the country, spreading joy through dance. Fun Facts: His favorite dance styles are jazz-funk, contemporary, and hip hop. He has a minor in Business Administration and his favorite place in the world is Vieques, Puerto Rico.

MISS ANNIKA

MISS ANNIKA

Dance Instructor

My name is Annika. I have been dancing for 13 years with professional training. When I was younger I danced with my brother in krump and from there as I got older that exposed me to hiphop, popping, and locking. From there around age 7 I fell in love with dance and explored more into different styles, like ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern dance, tap etc. I’ve trained in all of these styles for years and still do. Fun Facts - I love children - I can rollerblade - I am very good at painting and drawing - My initials are ABC :)

MISS SYDNEY

MISS SYDNEY

Dance Instructor

Sydney Carrigan, a Las Vegas native, is a professional dancer and educator. She trained at The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre and pursued higher education at Point Park University earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She specializes in Jazz, Ballet, and Modern techniques. She continues to be a student of dance, starting with curiosity and diligence in movement research. Her class mission is to build an understanding of dance technique fundamentals and above all encourage students to live life artistically.

MISS LENA

MISS LENA

Dance Instructor

My name is Lena Mahavong. My passion is to help change lives in the most positive way. I love creating a safe and fun space for dancers to do what they love. I’m all about high energy and hard work. I’ve been coaching for over 10+ years now and I wouldn’t give it up for anything else in the world.

MISS SOFI

MISS SOFI

Dance Instructor

My name is Sofi! I am a third-year student at UNC-Chapel Hill and am studying Psychology. I have been a dancer for 13 years and recently got into the swing of things. I enjoy drinking coffee, listening to music, and reading books. Some fun facts about me are I speak four languages—Japanese, English, Spanish, and Latin, I cannot swim, and I do not like frogs. Let's DANCE the night away!

MS. KENA

MS. KENA

Dance Instructor

My name is Kena! I am so excited to share my passion of dance with the next generation. I have danced and cheered for my whole youth and into college. I love all styles of dance and enjoy some breakdancing on occasion. After taking a break to start a family I am excited to get back into it. I have identical twin boys who love to have dance parties on the daily. I have three dogs who love to snuggle. My husband and I love all things Spooky and Halloween. I am currently studying early education and special education so I can be a special education teacher. I know basic sign language and currently learning conversational ASL :)

MISS KHLOE

MISS KHLOE

Assistant Instructor

My name is Khloe. I am a high school senior and love dance and cheer! I have been doing dance and cheerleading since I was 3 years old. I love ballet, cheer, pom, jazz and hip hop. I have been part of 4 cheer teams and have had a passion for dance and cheer my whole life. I am from Tucson Arizona and have lived in Las Vegas since I was 3 years old. We are excited to have Khloe assisting Ms. Sydney and Ms. Sabine this season.

MISS JESS

MISS JESS

Dance Instructor / Assistant to Director

My name is Jessica Bowen. I am 23 years old and I am originally from Nebraska where I fell in love with all things dance and choreography at a young age at my local dance studio. My training growing up included Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, and my favorite, Hip Hop. By my early teens I was teaching and choreographing for my own classes at my home studio and have loved teaching ever since! I love the team work, discipline, mental and physical strength dance can help all ages develop all while also being fun and bringing joy. Since I was 17 I have traveled and trained at many studios, with many great and professional choreographers from the areas of Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, and now here in Vegas I am auditioning, performing, and training as much as I can and I am loving every minute of it! My favorite styles of dance to teach currently are Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Jazz Funk. A fun fact about me is i have a white and brown cat named Toby!

MISS KATELYN

MISS KATELYN

Dance Instructor

My name is Katelyn, I am 20 years old and a student at UNLV. I grew up in Henderson, NV where I started dance at the age of 5. When I was 13, I moved to Colorado and found a passion for competitive cheer, winning county and state competitions alongside my team. Through the next six years, I developed my skills in choreography, tumbling, and stunting. In 2024, I missed Vegas and moved back. Moving my body and being creative through dance and cheer helped me grow so much. Being on a team and becoming better for each other and ourselves gave me fulfillment and a sense of purpose. In my free time I love to paint and do pilates and yoga. I am so excited to teach and spread my love and passion for cheer and dance to students!

MISS JESSICA

MISS JESSICA

Dance Instructor

My name Is Jessica and I have been teaching dance since I was 20 years old and teaching kids since I was 18. I specialize in hip hop, contemporary and aerobic freestyle as well as being well versed in acro, tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet. I also really appreciate working with the disadvantaged youth as it has developed my patience and helped me be more in tune with myself as a teacher and as a person. I model on the side and love working with different creators, influencers, and artists. I also sing and teach vocals here and there. I am happy to be part of the team and I am here for the growth and personal development of the students through dance.

MISS SAVANNAH

MISS SAVANNAH

Dance Instructor

My name is Savannah, or some people call me Sparrow. I started dancing when I was little and after taking a small break, I got back into studio dance classes. I used to dance competitively for Bunker Dance Center. I was on both a hip hop team and an ensemble team. On the teams, I trained for at least 11 hours a week taking Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and other classes to improve my technique. I have performed on the Smith Center stage multiple times, other performance stages, experienced conventions and competition settings, and have been able to really grow as a dancer over the past few years. Taking my break from competition/studio dance has helped me find my passion for dance again and I am very excited to teach young dancers with a positive and welcoming mindset. I want to be able to inspire young dancers and for them to feel safe and confident in themselves. My goal is for my dancers to never feel unwanted or unworthy as I will always be here for them 110% At the end of the day, I want each dancer to go home and find joy in their life and be able to achieve their dreams while becoming a mindful human! I'm a very creative/artistic person so I spend a lot of time creating things. Some other fun things about me is I used to do competitive archery, snails are my favorite animal, I love taking care of my plants, and I enjoy expressing myself through fashion and my fun hair colors!

MISS NADINE

MISS NADINE

Dance Instructor

Originally from South Africa, Nadine Alexa Buys-Blackmore is a contemporary dance artist and teacher with a degree in Dance Pedagogy from the University of Cape Town. She has toured and performed internationally with acclaimed choreographers and companies, and now channels that experience into the classroom. Nadine’s teaching blends strong technical foundations with creative exploration, aiming to inspire the next generation of dancers to move with confidence, curiosity, and artistry.

MISS GWEN

MISS GWEN

Dance Instructor

Gwen-Renae’ was raised in Kansas City, Missouri and has always had a love for dance ever since the age of 3. She started training at Creative Movements in Shawnee Kansas at the age of 7. She spent 12 years at this dance studio training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, and tumbling. For 6 years Gwen taught a series of classes at her home studio teaching the younger combo classes and beginner hip hop classes as well. Over the years Gwen received many scholarships at different conventions and is an Alumni of the "Go Pro" through Talent On Parade. Gwen received a scholarship to Theater Arts Preparatory School in Las Vegas, Nevada where she is currently studying and training to continue her dance career.
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