FACULTY
Artistic Director, Ballet, Premiere Co.
CAROLYN FARRAR
Carolyn Farrar, known for her unparalleled classical ballet and pointe training, is accomplished in jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, yoga, gymnastics and character.
Dancing since the age of nine, her professional career is noted for six levels of training and certification in The Cecchetti Method of Ballet. Carolyn received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from The United States International University where she benefited from the exemplary training of Erling Sunde, the ballet Master and Elaine Thomas, the ballet mistress of England’s, Royal Ballet. After graduating from USIU, Carolyn went on to dance professionally under the direction of Ronn Guidi. There she performed in such famous works as, Les Sylphides, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker and Billy the Kid. In Washington, Carolyn received Vagonova training under Don and Helena Snyder, the founders of Ballet Petite. Here she performed in The Little Match Girl, The Centar and many other original works. She has remained a part of the Washington dance community ever since.
From 1992-2003 Carolyn has been the primary ballet teacher for The Dance Academy of Bellevue where she became a member of the Dance Masters of America (DMA) and The Dance Educators of America (DEA).
Throughout her competitive career, she has received numerous choreography awards. Her students have earned such prestigious titles as, 2nd and 3rd Runners up for Junior Miss Dance of the Pacific Northwest (DMA), Teen Mr. Dance of the Pacific Northwest (DMA), Miss Teen Dance of the Pacific Northwest (DEA), Miss Junior Dance of the Pacific Northwest (DEA), Miss Dance Rave, Miss Spotlight, Jr. Miss Spotlight, 5-6-7-8 Showtime’s Dancer of the Year and 1st Runner up Miss Teen Dance of America at the Las Vegas Nationals for Dance Educator’s of America.
In addition her students have been chosen for scholarships from Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, LADF, Co. Dance, Rainbow Connections, Spotlight Dance Cup and many more for such things as workshop admission, National Ballet Intensive workshops at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and The Broadway Dance Center in New York.
Now, as a new page begins, Carolyn would like to introduce you to Premiere Dance Center, a state of the art facility with the highest quality teachers on the eastside. A place to have fun, to learn and to grow.
Hip Hop, Premiere Co.
ALI GAROUTTE
Ali Garoutte is a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and personal trainer based in Seattle, Washington. She has trained in hip hop, jazz, jazz funk, ballet, contemporary, tap, and heels dance. For the past 5 years she has been training and teaching at Kreativ Mndz Dance Complex where she was a member of PG Fam and KM Elite. Her credits include performances such as WE DAY Seattle, Jete and Carnival in LA, Monday night football halftime show with Ciara, assisting on the 541 Vibe City Tour, and more. She is a passionate student and teacher and loves to continue training to better her craft so that she can provide the best training to students that she can. Along with her passion for dance, Ali is also passionate about fitness. She has been a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise since 2017. Whether it be in fitness or dance, Ali loves helping people achieve their goals and aspirations, while creating a welcoming space where students feel free to express and be themselves.
Ballet
ALISON EPSOM
From London, England, Alison trained at The Royal Ballet School under Katya Zvelebilova and Valentina Moukhanova, before completing her training at The English National Ballet School and on scholarship at The London Studio Center, graduating with a BA Hons in Theatre Dance, First Class Honors. She has enjoyed a diverse career, with theater credits including: On Eagle’s Wing, U.S. tour and DVD (The Rembrandt Ballerina); Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film); show dance partner to Latin Ballroom legend Paul Killick for The Fire and Ice Dance Spectacular, Ballroom’s Best at The Vail International Festival of Dance,, Paul Killick’s ballroom exhibitions in London, Portugal and Hong Kong, and the prestigious Wintergarden Ballroom; Follies in Concert at The London Palladium. Since moving to Seattle she has enjoyed dancing for International Ballet Theatre in Dracula, Giselle, Coppelia and The Nutcracker. She also maintains her interest in ballroom dance, training in the American Smooth style and dancing in productions for Microsoft and the Hyatt Olive 8. Commercial credits include trade shows, campaigns and music videos for The Rakes, Sky TV, Unilever, Marks and Spencer, Tatler magazine, and Japanese dance magazine DDD.
Contemporary, Acro, Premiere Co.
DAKOTA ELIZABETH
Dakota Elizabeth is a multidisciplinary artist with a dynamic career spanning dance, photography, and makeup artistry. Specializing in contemporary, jazz, acro, technical development, and hip hop, she brings a deep understanding of movement and expression to everything she does. A proud graduate of the University of Washington, she was raised in Seattle, WA and trained with some of the industry's brightest talents. She further honed her crafts in Los Angeles, where she immersed herself in the creative professional industry.
With a teaching career that began in 2008, Dakota Elizabeth is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of artists. She is known for fostering confidence in her students while developing their individual strengths and artistic voices. Her work—whether on stage, behind the camera, or in the studio—reflects a passion for storytelling, technical excellence, and authentic self-expression. Check out www.dakotaelizabeth.com for more and be sure to follow @dakota.elizabeth on Instagram!
Contemporary, Jazz, Premiere Co.
DANA DOUTHWAITE
Dana Douthwaite is born and raised Seattle dancer. She began training seriously around the PNW at age 15 under Premiere Dance Center, Westlake and KreativMndz, specializing in contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap. Dana has participated on local companies such as Hannah Wintrode’s Westsiders and Josh Scribner’s Alchemy Tap Project. In the past year, she was hired on as Celebrity Dance Convention’s Professional Assistant for the 2018-2019 season. This gave Dana the opportunities to perform on a cruise ship, assist professional choreographers such as Cat Cogliandro and Aaron Turner, and build relationships with dancers around the country. Dana has found a passion for teaching and choreographing and works is an essential part of Premiere Co. Currently Dana lives in Los Angeles, and visits Premiere regularly for pop-up classes and Premiere Co. events.
Adult Ballet, Silver Swans
EUGENIA ROJAS GARCIA
Eugenia has been a dance teacher for over 30 years. She started dancing when she was 6 years old in Mexico City, and studied until reaching the Advanced level from the Royal Academy of Dance. She was a fellow of the Compania Nacional de Danza and a member of Ballet Arte Neoclasico. She is an ARAD RTS registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance of London, she also has knowledge in jazz, contemporary and character dance. She was owner and director of a dance school, Academia del Desierto, in Mexico City for 9 years where she also worked with challenged kids. After that she moved to Barcelona, Spain where she kept teaching in a number of schools for 7 years. Then she returned to Oaxaca, Mexico where she had another dance school, Espacio de Danza Aguyaa, for four years until 2013 when she moved to Washington. We look forward to having Eugenia share her experience and knowledge of dance with our Premiere Dance Center students.
Tiny Tots
Molly Aparico
Molly started dancing at Premiere when she was 13 and soon after joined the competition team. She has continued to compete and train with Premiere in styles like contemporary, hip hop, and jazz. Throughout her years with Premiere, she has been able to work with many talented choreographers and teachers through conventions, competitions, and intensives. Through those years of experience, she has learned so much about what it means to be a well-rounded dancer and teacher. She is extremely excited to work with young dancers and help them find a love for dance. She’s dedicated to ensuring that her class environment is both fun and educational for young dancers.
Tap, Premiere Co.
JOSH SCRIBNER
Josh Scribner trained in tap dance for ten years under one of Seattle's tap icons, Cheryl Johnson, where he had the opportunity to study with heavyweights like Savion Glover, Sam Weber, Dianne Walker and Van Porter. As an adult, he has toured with Cirque du Soleil and the Las Vegas-based Iron Beats, appeared on the TV show Showtime at the Apollo at New York's famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, and participated in the creation process for Cirque du Soleil's Zaia. As much as he loves performing, Josh found another passion in choreography and instruction, and has spent the last ten years developing Premiere Dance Center's tap program for all ages and ability levels, as well as teaching workshops and setting choreography on dancers around the US and Canada. In 2012, he founded the Alchemy Tap Project, a performance company dedicated to experimenting and furthering the evolution of the art form. It has quickly become a regular presence on stages around the Seattle area, performing at Benaroya Hall, the Seattle Art Museum, the Can Can, Folklife Festival, and many more. When not tap dancing, Josh is an avid cyclist and reader, and is currently working toward a degree in Climate Science and Policy from the University of Washington.
Tiny Tots, Ballet, Acro, Jazz, Lyrical, Premiere Co.
MACKENZY ISAACSON
Mackenzy has been dancing since she was two years old and has trained at numerous schools in the area including Dance Premier, The Connection, Westlake, MK Ballet, Deborah Hadley's School and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Mackenzy's training consists of ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, heels and Horton technique. Mackenzy was a part of a hip hop crew, RNG, which won 1st in the USA and 6th in the world at the Hip Hop Internationals Competition in Vegas in 2009 and was on Americas Got Talent in 2010. She also won 3rd place in contemporary at Youth America Grand Prix in 2011 and has trained at Movement Invention Project in New York City, Alonzo King Lines Ballet in San Francisco, Hubbard Street Dance Company in Chicago, Long Beach Ballet in Long Beach, Peridance Capezio Center in New York City as well as dance classes at the University of Washington. Mackenzy has toured and performed in seven cities in China and performed in New York City with Peridance Capezio Center Certificate Program. She has 8 years of experience teaching contemporary, jazz, lyrical, acro, heels, ballet and pointe and years of experience choreographing and rehearsing competition dances. Most recently Mackenzy has been performing with Ztheory at Soulout and In My Shoes. In 2018 Mackenzy earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Neurobiology from the University of Washington.
Ballet, Tiny Tots, Parent & Me
HAYLEY MADDOX
Hayley Maddox is from the Pacific Northwest and started her dance training at age 5 with Bremerton Dance Center. She joined Peninsula Dance Theatre from 2002- 2018 and performed in many principal roles. With PDT being part of Regional Dance America/ Pacific (now known as The Ballet Alliance) Hayley had the pleasure of performing and taking master classes at many festivals held around the U.S. She has taught in various dance styles including Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz to all ages over the last 14 years. She has choreographed for various classical and contemporary shows, and numerous competition routines. Aside from teaching, Hayley has a huge passion for sewing and costuming, and has designed and produced countless costumes for ballets and competitions.
Contemporary, Bollywood
VIKAS ARUN
Vikas is a multi-disciplinary creator and performer from Seattle, WA specializing in multiple forms of Western and Indian rhythmic and percussive dance. He is the first South Asian to be sponsored by the dancewear giant Capezio, to receive a residency at the historic American Tap Dance Foundation, and to perform in the worldwide sensation STOMP. His career has spanned multiple parts of the industry, including TV (NFL Houston Texans Halftime, Good Morning America, So You Think You Can Dance), commercials (J. Crew, Vogue), live theater (STOMP, Mystic India, 42nd Street), and high-profile private events (United Nations, US-India International Forum, CitiBank, Reebok). His company, Project Convergence, has performed at Lincoln Center, been featured in The New York Times and The Hindu, and performed for clients such as Buzzfeed and Spotify. Known for his ability to challenge and inspire his students, Vikas is sought after around the world as a guest instructor and choreographer. He currently resides in New York City where he teaches at Broadway Dance Center and is a guest lecturer at Columbia University.
Jazz, Cheer/Pom
JAMESYN GRAY
Jamesyn is a 4th year member of the University of Washington Dance Team. She is studying Bioengineering and minoring in Dance. Jamesyn competes at UDA in Orlando, Florida representing the University of Washington. Growing up, Jamesyn trained at Premiere Dance Center and other local Seattle studios. During high school, she also performed and competed for her high school team and was selected for the Washington All-Star team. Jamesyn has actively trained in all styles, but her passions are tap, precision jazz, and pom. She is a performing member of Alchemy Tap Project. Jamesyn travels regularly to New York to take Broadway style jazz and tap classes and participate in Rockettes intensives.
Yoga/Pilates, Creative Movement, Tiny Tots
AVA CROASDILL
Ava Croasdill teaches and choreographs in the greater Seattle area. On the weekends you can catch her backstage with Spotlight Dance Cup, leading the Spotlight Dance Down, or assisting with HEAT Convention. Ava trained at Allegro where she competed with the Vivace team and received the Director’s Choice Award award her senior year. She is a recent grad of the University of Washington with a degree in political science. In her free time she crochets, embroiders and is a sugar-free Red Bull connoisseur!
Technique
JOSEPH DINEEN
Joseph Schanbeck has been dancing since he was 12 years old. He trained at the Allegro Performing Arts Academy and performed with their competitive team, the Allegro Precision Dance Company. Through Allegro Joseph studied tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary & tumbling/acro. Through high school Joseph also trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet through the Dance This… program where he received training in ballet, modern dance & African dance. Through the Dance This… program Joseph performed for audiences at the Paramount Theatre & Moore theatre with various artists including: Bahiya Sayyed-Gaines (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre) & renowned tap artist, Savion Glover. Joseph attended the University of Washington where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance studying performance art & physiology with an emphasis on dance pedagogy & teaching methodology. Through the UW dance program Joseph received the Evelyn H. Green Endowment Scholarship for Artistic Promise which propelled him forward to pursue & enhance his artistry & choreographic skills. His degree in dance allowed him to explore dance with an anatomical awareness, a kinesthetic focus on anatomy & injury prevention & rehabilitation. At the UW, Joseph also performed works by esteemed Seattle choreographers including: Catherine Cabeen, Louis Gervais, Jurg Koch & UW alum ballet choreographer Francisco Gella. Joseph’s professional dance credits include: the Stone Dance Collective (under the direction of Eva Stone), Dance Contemporary (under the direction of Tesee George), & the ARC Ballet Company (under the direction of Marie Chong). In 2009, Joseph founded his own non-profit contemporary dance company, AEON Contemporary Dance. AEON’s works & performances were his self-produced, self-directed creations to share his artistry with the Seattle dance community. Currently, Joseph is co-artistic director of Seattle contemporary dance company Artistry In Motion (AIM) under Julius Flores and has built his own brand & training method through #JOSEPHSGEMS. Through his brand he has been teaching his methodic approach of "technical athletic artistry" to dancers & artists across the greater Seattle area. Competitive dance is a passion for this "Jack of all trades". Joseph's choreography for competitive dance studios has won countless regional & national top achievements along with championship titles. He has been a competitive dance judge for MOVE dance productions and is currently a dance judge for Kids Artistic Revue (KAR) & the Rainbow Dance Competition. His choreography recently was featured in a music video for SYML's single entitled Girl. His solo & group choreography has also been well received & recognized earning top achievements at the Dance Awards (TDA) in Las Vegas. Over the passed 20 years, Joseph has taught dance & educated artists/dancers across the greater Seattle area. He currently choreographs & teaches at the Company Space in Pacific, WA. Joseph is also on faculty for the Elite Dance Camp & the eXit Space School of Dance. Through his #JOSEPHSGEMS brand he aspires to share his artistry & knowledge on a national scale while continuing to build & establish his presence as a choreographer, dancer & educator in the Pacific Northwest.
Tiny Tots, Lyrical
HANNA ORBAN
Hanna has been dancing with Premiere Dance Center ever since she was 6 years old. She has enjoyed learning many forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. Hanna began competitively dancing at the age of 10. During her time on the team she’s enjoyed winning many awards alongside her fellow teammates and has received scholarships from well-known artists. Just a couple years ago Hanna had the opportunity to assist a Tiny Tots class where she fell in love with the little kids. Hanna is very excited to be sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the younger students at Premiere Dance Center.
Musical Theater, Singing, Jazz
SUZANNE MERHEJ
Bio coming soon!