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.
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, Odyssey Arena, Belfast and DVD; Michael Flatley’s Celtic Tiger World premier Birmingham, European premier Budapest, U.S. premier Madison Square Garden, NY, U.S. tour and DVD (The Rembrandt Ballerina); Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film); showdance partner to Latin Ballroom legend Paul Killick for The Fire and Ice Dance Spectacular, Florida, Ballroom’s Best at The Vail International Festival of Dance, Colorado, Paul Killick’s ballroom exhibitions in London, Portugal and Hong Kong, and the prestigious Wintergarden Ballroom, Blackpool; Follies in Concert at The London Palladium (The Young Bolero Dancer). Since moving to Seattle she has enjoyed dancing for International Ballet Theatre in Dracula (Mina),Giselle (Myrtha), Coppelia (Coppelia) and The Nutcracker. She also maintains her interest in ballroom dance, training in the American Smooth style three times a week, and dancing in productions for Microsoft and the Hyatt Olive 8. Commercial credits include trade shows, campaigns and music videos for British band The Rakes, Sky TV, Unilever, Marks and Spencer, Tatler magazine, and Japanese dance magazine DDD.
Latin Dance
BRIAN JOLLY
Latin ballroom dance techniques have become essential techniques for young professional dancers to have in their repertoire with the evolution of tv shows such as Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Brian Jolly is the Pacific Northwest’s best Latin Ballroom Instructor, and a United States Champion. You will learn Latin dances such as Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Swing and Salsa - we are so lucky to have him on faculty!
Tiny Tots, Premiere Co.
CAITLIN AMBLER
Caitlin started dancing with Premiere back in 2006 and was a part of the Premiere Competition Team from 2007-2014. Caitlin is currently a second grade teacher and holds a bachelors degree in Integrated Educational Studies from Chapman University. During her undergrad at Chapman she was Vice President of the Chapman University Tap Ensemble (C.U.T.E.) and studied under Brandee Lara, Chloe & Maud Arnold, Sarah Reich, Luyz Baldijao, Evan Ruggiero, Jason Rogers, Christopher Anthony Scott, and Channing Cook Holmes. She has preformed with C.U.T.E. throughout the Orange County area. After spending 6 years in California, she is thrilled to be back in the PNW and dancing at PDC.
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 mostly with the mini and junior competitive levels at Premiere. While she loves creating art in the forms of choreography and painting, she is also a full-time business student at Seattle University.
Contemporary, Acro, Premiere Co.
DAKOTA ELIZABETH
Dakota Elizabeth is an artist from Seattle, WA who specializes in dance, photography, and makeup artistry. Raised in the PNW, Dakota trained at studios such as Premiere Dance Center, Westlake, and The Connection and specialized in contemporary, hip hop, and tap. She has trained under some of the industry's brightest including Daniel Cruz, Kolanie Marks, Cameron Lee, and many more. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Biology, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a photographer and makeup artist for companies such as Break The Floor and on several independent films. Dakota is now back in Seattle and is so excited to be back teaching at Premiere Dance Center! Check out www.dakotaelizabeth.com for more and be sure to follow @dakota.elizabeth on Instagram!
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
JENNA JOHAR
I love to dance and express myself through movement and artistry. My feet are an extension of my heart. I have been involved in formal dance training and performance since I was 3 years old. I have passionately participated in dance around my home state of Colorado, but have also been blessed with the opportunity to perform in New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Seattle.
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Premiere Co.
JAMESYN GRAY
Jamesyn is attending the University of Washington, pre-accepted to the College of Engineering. She is thrilled to have been selected to perform and compete for the UW Spirit Dance Team. Jamesyn graduated from Redmond High School with a 4.0 GPA, receiving highest scholastic honors. Jamesyn began competing in dance at age six. She has trained and competed for Premiere Dance Center under the direction of Carolyn Farrar since moving to Seattle at the age of nine. She had been awarded numerous accolades for her performances in musical theatre and tap. The past three years, she has auditioned in NYC and been selected to train with the Radio City Rockettes during their summer intensive. Jamesyn is also a company dancer for Alchemy Tap Project directed by Josh Scribner.
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.
Director of Tiny Tots, Tap, Premiere Co.
KRISTINA MORRIS
Kristina first began dancing as a five year old at Premiere Dance Center. She has continued her training in a variety of styles including Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Tap ever since. At the age of ten, she entered into the Teacher Assistant Training Program at Premiere Dance Center. She developed a passion to work closely with dancers to encourage their improvement in all styles of dance. While a part of the Premiere Dance Center Competition Team, she has received numerous scholarships and has been recognized by some of the best in the industry. She is currently a member of Alchemy Tap Project, a professional tap company that performs in a number of gigs and shows throughout Washington State. Kristina is excited to be a part of the Premiere Dance Center faculty where she plans to use her knowledge and experience to help younger dancers achieve their dreams.
Lyrical, Jazz, Heels, Premiere Co.
KRISTINA KOUMAEVA
Kristina Koumaeva is a professional dancer/instructor with BLOC talent agency and creative director of events with Artists Creating Entertainment. She grew up dancing in the greater Seattle area, training in all styles before beginning her teaching career in 2011. In 2012, she attended the University of Washington and performed with the Cheer & Pom squad and The Three Yells modern dance company before graduating with a BA in Marketing from the Michael G. Foster School of Business. After completing undergrad she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a commercial dance career. During her 3 years in LA, she booked with luxury brands Gucci, Hermes, Redken, and Louboutin and worked with a handful of musical artists including JoJo Siwa and Justin Timberlake. While dancing she also worked as a manager for Millennium Dance Complex and produced entertainment events with Artists Creating Entertainment. In July of 2020 Kristina relocated back to the PNW and brought Artists Creating Entertainment (ACE) with her. She will be producing ACE events in the Greater Seattle area while also offering private dance training, artists development and professional choreography.
Hip Hop
PHI VOBA
Phi started out as a self-taught dancer, learning his first moves from YouTube and episodes of America's Best Dance Crew. In 2012, he began training at Westlake Dance Center where he became a member and eventual choreographer of groups such as Breed Seattle, Cruz Control, and Westsiders, as well as a WDC faculty member. Phi joined PG Boys in 2014 and since then he has performed, choreographed, and taught all around Seattle, and was recently featured in a Macklemore music video.
Song & Dance
ROBYNE DE JONG
Robyne has been teaching and working with children for over 30 years. She has a B.A. from Cal State Fullerton in Musical Theatre. In addition to teaching ballet, tap, musical theatre, and jazz/lyrical dance classes, she's spent many years teaching music, drama, acting, gymnastics, and karate, has been a substitute in the public school system, and has even taught horseback riding lessons for kids. She is the proud mom of a young musician.
Robyne also enjoys a career as a professional performer. A member of the Actors' Equity Association, Robyne has performed all over the U.S. in musicals and plays. Locally, she has performed with The Village Theatre, Second Story Rep, Snowflake Lane Caroling Quartets, and Split Second Improv. She has sung with several jazz, blues, and pop bands, recorded character voices for many video games and animation projects, and has appeared in commercials, live stream comedy shows, and films. She sings, and plays guitar and keyboard with the regional rock band EveryLeaf. She is also a children's recording artist, releasing her debut album, Ooples and Banoonoos a few years ago. She is very excited to be teaching at Premiere Dance Center. Seeing young people have fun growing artistically, emotionally, and physically through learning and practicing dance and music is one of her favorite phenomena.
Lyrical
TANISHA WILCHER
Tanisha Wilcher aka “Tani,” was born and raised in WA and has been training in all styles of dance for as long as she could walk. At age 14, she joined Seattle Hiphop crew “Boogiezone Breed” and Contemporary company “Westlake Performing Group.” She’s also performed with Cruz Control, The Westsiders, and M.O.D: a crew she and other some high schoolers created. As soon as she turned 17 she moved to LA, joined Millennium Dance Complex’s Company on scholarship, and signed with Go2 Talent Agency. Since then, she’s been in music videos, commercials, and competed on NBC’s World Of Dance and did the Primetime Emmy’s with her current contemporary company “Radiance.” She has performed at venues all throughout LA and has trained with Radiance, Derek Hough, Chase Bowden, Lonni Olson, Tony Tzar and Kenny Wormald. She choreographed for WNBA Storm Dance Troupe, UCLA’s “NSU Modern” HH Crew, and many solos throughout the PNW. As a casting assistant, she has worked on America’s Got Talent, Card Sharks Game Show, Starbeat Entertainment and more. Since she’s been back in WA, she has done a few television gigs and has taught at many studios around the area. Outside of dance, she loves to hike/be outdoors, learn, and spend quality time with family and friends.