top of page

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.

MS. LISA

MS. LISA

Dance Instructor

Miss Lisa has been dancing her whole life, starting at her mother’s dance studio in Northern California. After graduating high school she moved to Las Vegas and started her career as a professional dancer. She has performed as a showgirl in numerous shows at several casinos on the Las Vegas strip including Jubilee at The Horseshoe, Showgirls at The Rio and Tropical Passions at the Sahara. While dancing in various shows she also earned her degree from UNLV. After graduating she decided to start teaching dance full time running the recreational dance program for the city of north Las Vegas as well as teaching at all of the Las Vegas YMCAs. She now teaches at several studios around the valley but her main focus is bringing dance to schools through her job as a lead instructor for excite.

MISS ABBY

MISS ABBY

Dance Instructor

My name is Abby. I have been a gymnast my whole life and started dance shortly after starting gymnastics. I specialized in hip hop and I did that all throughout my childhood until high school where I was a cheerleader! Starting in high school I have worked as a nanny and daycare teacher and absolutely love being around kids. My goal is to help kids express themselves through dance in a safe space and have tons of fun!”

MISS MANDI

MISS MANDI

Dance Instructor

My name is mandi! I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I've been dancing for 13 years! I learned from a Very young age that dance is one of my greatest passions. I’ve trained in ballet, hiphop, jazz, contemporary and lyrical! I plan on attending college this fall and minoring in dance while majoring in business! Fun fact: I also did singing and acting as a kid! Teaching dance is such a blessing for me, My goal is to create a safe, supportive and inspiring dance environment !

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 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!

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.

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 KIM

MISS KIM

Dance Instructor

Hi my name is Kim Nordgren. I am born and raised in Vegas, and have been dancing ever since I can remember. Danced at some amazing studios, was a Rebel Girl at UNLV. Had an amazing dance program at Palo Verde high school or 16 years and owned dance studio KDK for 7. I’m excited for the future with Excite Cheer and Dance.

MZ RUBY

MZ RUBY

Dance Instructor

Raised in Orange County, California, Ruby Messina grew up in the dance scene as “MzRuby”. She has trained in multiple dance disciplines with various dance companies (Graham Company, Pivot Dance, Millennium Dance Complex, PDO Dance, Studio One, etc). Ruby has works as a commercial dancer, choreographer, competitive dance coach and dance athlete. She is known to be a talent with modeling and acting experience in commercial/film. Ruby has a BFA in Dance with CFAs in Film from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; an AA in the Art of Dance from Irvine Valley College; a BA in Dance in Cultural Diversity from California State University, Fullerton with Business Entertainment credit. Graduating from Buena Park High school as an AVID Academic student & Fine Arts in Dance Company/ Production success student in 2009, Ruby became a dance awarded professional with completing the commercial dance program from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy Conservatory in Performing Arts prior to graduating high school. She has completed throughout her dance career, certified/ affiliated with World of Dance Company, was a “Soloist” for Pivot Dance Company for 5 years, has won best choreography in Competitive dance and has a record as a Young Champion of America including Best Choreography/ winning seasons from 2017-2019. She was on season 2 of So You Think You Have Talent, So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Americas Got Talent contestant and is just as passionate about her dance students alike. I find ways to still be apart of my community; the best part about sharing dance with others is teaching. I find my students learning more about themselves and I want to make sure that even my littlest dancer has a place they can get their wiggles out but still incorporate some of their daily educational activities. I also make sure they practice teamwork.” - Ruby Messina

MRS LAUREN

MRS LAUREN

Dance Instructor

Mrs. Lauren was born and raised in Las Vegas and began dancing at the age of 3! She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Pointe. She began as a teachers assistant at 13 years old and a full fledged teacher by 16 years old and has been teaching ever since! Lauren would go onto becoming a professional ballet dancer with the Royal Academy Of Dance and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and earned her Associates through the Royal Academy Of Dance, Silver Swans Teaching Certification, and the Bronze Tap Award through Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. After receiving her certifications, she then went on to performing with the Las Vegas Ballet Company for 3 years while teaching around the Valley. Lauren is passionate about teaching all forms of dance, especially Ballet! She strives to create a fun and exciting environment for children to learn and explore the world of dance!

MISS BRITANI

MISS BRITANI

Dance Instructor

My name is Britani Barnes 19 from Baltimore Maryland. I am currently in my second year of college at Morris College studying Early Childhood Education. I have bee cheering and dancing since I was 6. I enjoy reading and seeing new and different places. Some fu facts about me are I have done different beauty pageants. I have choreographed different dance for others for their pageants. I have also coached my own dance team for a while called the Enchanted diamonds. I’m very big on charity work. I am proud of who I am and the amount of growing I have coming so with that being said lets dance the night away!

MISS DAWSON

MISS DAWSON

Dance Instructor

I’m originally from Nampa, Idaho. I have training under some of the best in the business and I proudly train in all styles of dance. Currently I am living in fabulous Las Vegas attending Theatre Arts Preparatory to further my education in the professional world. I have performed trial choreography for Karol G and have appeared in music videos with Nickelodeon directors, in addition to training under mentors that have worked with artists such as: Miley Cyrus, Michael Jackson, Prince and more. I have been in multiple professional ballets including A MidSummer Nights Dream and The Little Mermaid. I am traveling with Heat Dance Convention as a National Assistant, alongside Konnor Kelly and Ralyn Johnson from SYTYCD. I trained for 4 years on a touring Company under the mentorship of Aaron Czuprenski. I am grateful for the assisting program with Rhonda Sevey at Nexus Dance. I have also had the pleasure to assist the world famous Syncopated Ladies! My favorite memory in my career so far is competing on the international competitions World Of Dance! I am a STRONG advocate of safe mental and physical health. I am a proud woman who wants to make a difference in the dance community.

MR MASON

MR MASON

Dance Instructor

My name is Mason and I am born and raised here in Las Vegas! I’ve been dancing since I was 8 years old where I started as a break dancer and worked my way into some type of training in just about any dance style you can think of. I started teaching kids the special art of dance at 16 years old, and I am now 23 and love it more than ever. Dance has taken me all over the country and allowed me to share the stage with legends such as the Backstreet Boys, Usher, and Flo Rida. I am devoted to sharing this under-appreciated and highly beneficial art form with the best dancers of tomorrow!

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 :)

MR. KEBREN

MR. KEBREN

Dance Instructor

Hey there, dance enthusiasts! I'm “COACH KEEB”, your go-to groove guru in the world of dance! With over 10+ years of experience, worked with various famous artist & etc. I Have a passion that's infectious & I'm here to make your dance journey as thrilling as a beat drop!

MRS. SAMANTHA

MRS. SAMANTHA

Dance Instructor

Samantha Hernandez now lives and works in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sam has been teaching dance in Orange County, California for the last twenty seven years. Taught by the likes of Cathleen Forcucci and Karame Adesko, she has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, cheer, hip hop, and baton twirling. Under her program, House of Dance, she has taught thousands of children. She created, directed, and performed with a burlesque troupe for ten years. She has performed at the Viper Room, the Brown Derby and Key Club. Hernandez has also started an all inclusive fitness club called Babes Fitness Club, which she teaches Barre, Pilates, and flexibility across the Vegas valley. Most recently she has been creating artwork with her husband under their brand, LovervilleUSA.

MISS SABINE

MISS SABINE

Dance Instructor

Sabine was born and raised in Las Vegas. She began her journey at the age of two and has been dancing ever since. She started off dancing at a studio called Summerlin Dance Academy and then moved to The Rock Center for Dance. You may know her from NBC World of Dance season two where she and her team “The Rock Company” performed all the way to the semi finals. She has also been in the Cirque du Soleil foundation show “One Night for One Drop” where she played the lead role “Drop”. Recently Sabine has been doing multiple concept videos and performances on some of the biggest stages in Las Vegas for example MGM arena, T-mobile arena and The Smith Center. Some fun facts about Sabine is she loves knit and bake cookies. When she was in school her favorite subject was always History. She can’t wait to meet you all!

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.
bottom of page