Elijah Anderson is a dynamic and versatile dancer specializing in contemporary, jazz, jazz funk, and lyrical techniques. His dance journey began at Dance by Hillary at the age of 10, where his exceptional talent quickly gained recognition in the dance and competitive worlds.

As a dedicated teacher at Dance by Hillary, Elijah contributes significantly to both the competitive team and recreational programs. His expertise extends to choreography, with numerous dance studios benefiting from his innovative and engaging creations. Elijah’s passion for dance drives his commitment to helping others discover and nurture their own love for the art form. Through his teaching and choreography, he aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of dancers and artists.

Connor Britt-Tripp has been teaching and performing professionally since the age of 17. Teaching and choreographing for competitive dance studios for 8 seasons has been a dream come true.

During his formative dance years, Connor trained under many world-renowned teachers and choreographers. He was accepted to numerous college dance programs, but chose to start his professional career right out of high school.

Through his love for dance, he found a passion in circus. Connor performs professionally as a dancer, aerialist and acrobat. He’s worked with some of the top choreographers in the industry such as Jesse Robb and Jason Sparks. He currently teaches at Nxt Lvl Dance Experience where he is on the competition company management team.

Traveling the country, educating dancers and setting choreography for competitive studios is a huge passion of his. His choreography has placed in the top 10 and has received special judges and choreography awards at numerous conventions and competitions. Some of these include Break the Floor Conventions; DMI, Velocity, Platinum, and Encore.

Connor judges for One Beat Dance Brands, Impact Dance Adjudicators, and Dream Makers. He most recently started teaching on Dance Conventions. You can find him teaching jazz for One Beat Dance Brands, and Tap for Inspire NDC. Aside from competitive dance, Connor’s choreography can be seen on high school dance teams, theater productions, and music videos for the band Oracle Blue.  @Connorschoreo1 @Ctbt13

Anna Cannavo is a dedicated and accomplished dance artist and educator with a strong foundation in both performance and choreography. A graduate of Point Park University, Anna holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Dance and Elementary Education.

Throughout her academic career, she performed in numerous works by the conservatory’s esteemed faculty and guest choreographers. Anna’s professional journey has been marked by a commitment to continuous growth, as a performer, teacher, judge and adjudicator. Her choreography spans a range of styles and continues to inspire students and performers alike, across Pennsylvania.

She is currently a judge/adjudicator for All Out Dance Competition and PAC Collective Dance Competitions. In addition to her performance and choreography pursuits, Anna is a certified ACE Group Fitness Instructor and holds a certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

She is currently an elementary school teacher in the Mount Lebanon School District and continues to expand her own training and auditioning for future performance opportunities. Anna is a member of Nolan Dance Collective and most recently performed at KoDaFe Festival, hosted by Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York City.

Dmitry Demidov has been dancing since the age of 6. Originally from Russia, he competed in ballroom & Latin for many years worldwide. In 2001, the International Dancesport Federation ranked him as the #10 couple in the world. Dmitry has shared the competitive floor & stage with many celebrity dancers, including Karina Smirnoff, Peta Murgatroyd, Chelsie Hightower, & others from Dancing with the Stars, SYTYCD, & World of Dance. Dmitry holds a Master's Degree in Dance & Physical Education. He is a registered dancesport professional with the National Dance Council of America & USADance. He owns Demidov Dance Studio in Fox Chapel, PA, where he trains amateur competitive & social dancers of all ages. Dmitry is also the Latin & Rhythm coach for the Carnegie Mellon University Ballroom Club. Nationally, he is known as a "Top Teacher" of American & International style ballroom & Latin dance.

Meet EJ, a highly accomplished and talented choreographer, dancer, and performer from Pittsburgh, PA. With a passion for excellence and a drive to succeed, EJ has achieved remarkable feats in his career. He has served as the choreographer for the hit show Luminosity powered by Pepsi and has won the bronze medal in the IDO World Dance Championships. EJ has also appeared in several films and television shows, including The Dark Knight Rises, Adventureland, and episodes of Amazing News by KEI of New York.

EJ has ranked 8th in the world at the IDO Hip Hop Championships, appeared on season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance, and performed with Aaron Carter at the International Children's Games. He was also the choreographer for teen pop star Spencer Kane's summer tour and three music videos, where he can be seen dancing in all three. EJ has also choreographed halftime shows for the NBA and WNBA, showcasing his versatility and creativity as a choreographer.

Currently, EJ is the Creative Director for the national dance competition On Stage America, where he uses his skills in design and marketing to inspire and motivate young dancers across the country. EJ is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience with young dancers and inspiring them to reach their full potential. Whether through his work with On Stage America, his travels across the country, or his performances on stage and screen, EJ is a natural leader in the dance community.

EJ's passion for dance and commitment to excellence have made him a sought-after choreographer and performer in the dance world. He is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience with others and is always looking for new ways to make a positive impact in the dance community.

Jackie Hovis stepped into the role of head coach of the Lionettes in 2023. In her first year coaching, the Lionettes earned bronze in the D1A Pom Division at UDA Nationals. Throughout her early dance career, Hovis trained and competed at Elite Dance By Damian. She also toured the United States and Canada with the dance convention Artists Simply Human assisting world renowned choreographers. Following this experience, Hovis began choreographing award-winning pieces for several studios and dance teams. After high school, Hovis attended Penn State University and became a member of the Lionettes Dance Team. During her time on the team, she choreographed multiple competition pieces for the team and led as a captain her senior year.

Emily Jeffries, an Ohio native, graduated from Point Park University‘s Conservatory of Performing Arts with a bachelor of fine arts in jazz dance. Most recently, Emily was seen performing in Reno, Nevada in “Christmas on Ice” with Dublin Worldwide Productions at the Eldorado Showroom, and in Times Square for New Year’s Eve as a dancer with Pzazz Productions. Emily was also recently seen performing in the Lucille Lortel Awards in New York City as a swing for a section of “Contact” choreographed by Susan Stroman and set by Tome’ Cousin. Other career highlights include performing at the Jarvis Estate in Napa Valley, CA, as a Can-Can Dancer in the “Cabaret Cabernet”, dancing for Dublin Worldwide Production’s “Christmas on Ice” at the Fallsview Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, dance captain for “Cinderella”at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, and performing as a swing for a reconstruction of “Rich Man’s Frug” with the Fosse Verdon Legacy. On the weekends, Emily loves to adjudicate for Nexstar, ID Dance Competition, Impact Dance Adjudicators, and Turn it Up Dance Challenge. Emily is represented artistically by Nick Baldasare with YOU Management.

Elijah Morton is a renowned figure in the world of dance and entertainment, known for his innovative choreography and dynamic studio leadership. As the owner of his celebrated studio, Elijah has not only honed the skills of countless dancers but has also proudly cultivated national and international champions. His passion for dance extends beyond the studio, capturing the hearts of audiences on both TV and in the commercial sector.

Elijah’s artistic genius has led him to collaborate with some of the music industry's most celebrated artists. His signature moves and creative vision have been integral in performances for stars like Jeremih, Macy Gray, Aloe Blacc, and Flo Rida. These collaborations not only highlight his versatility but also his ability to adapt and innovate in various musical genres.

In the realm of television, Elijah’s talent has shone brightly on major platforms. His impactful contributions to "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 7 and "America’s Got Talent" Season 10 have garnered him recognition and admiration from both peers and viewers alike. These appearances have emphasized his ability to bring a fresh perspective and elevate performances to extraordinary levels.

Elijah is also a prominent figure at dance conventions across the nation. His workshops at TurnItUp, Elite Performance Challenge, Beyond The Stars, Wild, and The Experience are eagerly anticipated, with participants flocking to learn from his rich expertise and infectious enthusiasm. His influence at these events is marked by a commitment to nurturing young talent and inspiring the next generation of dancers to break boundaries and exceed expectations.

Through his unwavering dedication and creative prowess, Elijah Morton continues to leave an indelible mark on the dance industry. His achievements as a studio owner, choreographer, and artist collaborator stand as a testament to his passion and commitment to the art of dance. As he continues to share his gifts with the world, Elijah remains a beacon of inspiration, a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in transforming dreams into reality.

A dynamic force in the world of dance, Summer Redwing Reed has established herself as both a distinguished performer and an influential mentor. Originally from New Salem, Pennsylvania, her natural talent was evident from an early age, earning recognition at top competitions across the country. At just 13, she was invited to train privately with Mansur Kamaletdinov, former Principal Dancer and Acting Director of the Bolshoi Ballet, where she was introduced to the refined artistry of the Vaganova method—a foundation that continues to shape her approach today.

Summer later earned her certification in the Vaganova method from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, solidifying her expertise in this time-honored training system.

Shortly after, she was discovered by Albert Cataffi, an acclaimed innovator in dance, film, and choreography. As his assistant and demonstrator, she gained invaluable experience working at prestigious workshops and conventions. Under his mentorship, she earned top accolades at the Youth America Grand Prix, including Top 12, 2nd Overall, and the coveted Choreography Award, with a self-choreographed solo that reflected her emerging signature style.

She refined her technique at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet before being accepted as a trainee with Kentucky Ballet Theatre (KBT) at the age of 15. There, she trained under Norbe and Rafaela Risco, developing a deep understanding of classical technique, character work, and the art of storytelling through movement. She performed a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length classical ballets to contemporary and neoclassical works, earning recognition for her versatility and stage presence.

In 2014, she joined Grand Rapids Ballet under Patricia Barker, performing principal and featured roles while collaborating with internationally renowned choreographers, including Gina Patterson, Sagi Gross, and Val Caniparoli. During this time, she also began working closely with world-respected Master Teacher Nikoloz Makhateli, whose mentorship led her to The Grand Audition in Barcelona, Spain. Selected from a pool of over 500 international dancers, she was chosen to perform in the Top 50 Gala, evaluated by artistic directors from some of the world’s most esteemed ballet institutions, including the Mariinsky, Royal Swedish Ballet, and Het Nationale Ballet.

In 2020, as the world of dance adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Summer continued to perform as a freelance principal artist, expanding her artistic reach while maintaining an active presence in the professional ballet world. Recognizing her unique gift for teaching, she made the decision to open her school full-time, dedicating herself to developing the next generation of artists.

A passionate advocate for dance education, Summer founded Little Mozarts Performing Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to shaping the next generation of artists through workshops, coaching, choreography, and private instruction. Committed to fostering both technical excellence and artistic expression, her work continues to inspire young dancers, preparing them for professional careers while ensuring the legacy of ballet thrives in future generations.

Sierra Stipetich joined the Virginia National Ballet in 2022 as the principal dancer. She’s danced in Cinderella, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker at, Jasmine in Aladdin,  solo roles in the world premiere of Rafik Hegab’s “The Four Seasons,” Evil Queen in Snow White, Tango Nights, Moonlight,  Bolero, and Pictures at an Exhibition. 

Sierra comes from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and attended Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School’s Graduate Program where she trained from 2019-2022. She has performed in PBT productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Raymonda, La Bayadère, and Coppélia. Sierra has taught at numerous studios across the nation and judged on the guest panel at national competitions.