Meet your faculty!
Carol Fipps
Studio Owner since 1996
Carol is originally from Los Angeles, California where she graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and has also earned her degree in Secondary Education from Cal Poly Pomona.
After college, Carol pursued her dance/ choreography career in the entertainment industry working with icons such as Michael Jackson, James Brown, Garth Brooks and the Beach Boys as well as regional and national commercials.
She was a 6 year member of the NBA Los Angeles Clipper Spirit Dance Team, and was the Founder and Director for the CBA Idaho Stampede Dance Team. Carol was also a full-time faculty member teaching dance at Walnut High School in Southern California where she helped lead her team to numerous State and National titles. After moving to Idaho, Carol started the Dance Team and Dance program at Skyview HS in Nampa, Idaho. She served as the Head Dance Coach at Eagle HS in Eagle, Idaho for 9 years where she has led her team to 6 consecutive Overall State Championships.
Carol has earned numerous awards for her work with Studio C. Studio C was awarded the Most Well Rounded Studio at the prestigious JUMP Dance Convention. Carol served as an Ambassador for the NY and CA Dance Teacher Summit. Carol is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Progressing Contemporary Technique, mUv Method, Acrobatic Arts, Pilates and Easy Flexibility. Carol and her husband have 3 awesome adult children.
Melissa Klipfel
I've had the privilege of sharing my passion for dance at some of the most prestigious institutions in the industry. From Studio One Dance Academy, where my journey as a dancer first began, to the Teton Elite Gymnastics Center, where I honed my skills in cheer and tumbling, every step of my career has been marked by excellence. As a co-captain of the Skyline High School Dance Team, I led performances in jazz, military, lyrical, and solos, setting the standard for precision and artistry. At Dance Tech Academy, I not only danced on the competitive elite team but also served as a student instructor and choreographer, shaping the next generation of talent. My tenure at Boutique Dance Academy saw me taking on multiple roles, from Petite Company instructor to choreographer for various classes, all while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and creativity. And as the Acro Department Head at Eagle Rock Dance, I not only taught and trained students of all levels but also collaborated with local high school drill teams, leaving an indelible mark on the broader dance community. These experiences have not only shaped me as a dancer and instructor but have also instilled in me a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.
Callie Mick
Callie is a seasoned ballet instructor, renowned for her unwavering dedication to nurturing young dancers and fostering their growth. Armed with a diverse educational background from prestigious institutions like the Vaganova Ballet Academy and the University of North Carolina School Of The Arts, Callie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. From her transformative leadership as the Director of Ballet at Dance Tech Studios in Park City, UT, to her current position at Elite Dance Studio in Hollady, UT, where she guides students of all ages in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and pointe, Callie's adaptability, strong communication skills, and steadfast dependability shine through. Certified as an ABT Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary-Level 3, she continues to inspire her students with her passion and commitment to the art of dance. Additionally, her experience as a Trainee at State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, CA, has enriched her performance skills and cultivated a strong sense of teamwork, further enhancing her ability to connect with her students on a profound level.
Keana Fipps
Keana grew up through the Studio C dance program from the age of 2 in Baby Bee Bop class to the pre-professional Ensemble Team. She has traveled to CA, NY, NV, OR, UT and WA dancing and competing at dance convention/competitions earning top awards. Keana was also a 4 year member and a Captain of the Eagle High School Dance Team where she earned Back to Back State Championships and a National Championship with her team. After high school she danced for the Boise State Maneline Dance Team where she performed at football, basketball and volleyball games and participated in the USA Collegiate Nationals in Anaheim. Keana graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelors degree in Health Sciences and now is the Eagle High School Dance Team - Head Coach. Keana can be seen at the studio choreographing or doing private lessons, making videos for the studio's social media or subbing classes or helping out whenever needed. It is her home away from home.
Kelby Fipps
Kelby grew up at Studio C Academy of Dance. Once she reached high school she did the Eagle High School dance team for 3 years and was a captain as well. During her senior year she was crowned Miss Pacific Northwest 2016 and continued to do a college dance team at University of Hawaii at Manoa, and later at Boise State University as a Mane Line Dancer. In college, she also got the opportunity to be an intern at the McDonald/Selznick dance agency based in Los Angeles, CA.
As a Mane Line Dancer, Kelby got the chance to cheer/dance at volleyball, football and baskteball games for Boise State. She travelled to football games, the Mountain West basketball tournament in Las Vegas, Pro Action dance convention, and competed at NDA in Daytona Beach, FL.
After graduating Boise State University with her Bachelors degree in Entrepreneurship Management and a minor in Marketing, Kelby took a job working for Break the Floor Productions working admin for NUVO dance convention touring around North America. Now she is the Assistant Coach for University of Texas at Austin dance team.
She feels very fortunate to have taught and choreographed for Studio C dancers and high school dance teams over the years. Kelby was also an assistant coach at the Eagle High School dance team from 2017-2021.
Kelby is passionate about dance, and feels so lucky to have experienced all of these amazing opportunities along with teaching the amazing dancers at Studio C Academy of Dance.
Sarah Gabbard
Born and raised in Liverpool UK.
Began training at Chiltern Stage School, Liverpool UK under Colette Fenlon.
At 15 she won a scholarship to The Legat School of Classical Ballet where she was lucky enough to dance the role of Odette in Act 2 Of Swan Lake.
At 17 Sarah was offered a full scholarship to train at the newly founded Manche Academie De Danse Classique in Normandy France. Training under Royal Ballet trained teachers David Picken and Tina Young. She spent 4 years there, during which time Sarah gained her Associate certificate from The Royal Academy of Dance, London UK (ARAD)
Sarah's first professional engagement was at the age of 21 with Wiener Ballet Theatre in Switzerland. Whilst there she danced classics like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and many other classical excerpts.
At 23 she joined the world renowned, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “ Phantom Of The Opera “ in Hamburg Germany. Sarah was fortunate to be a Swing dancer, cover the role of Meg Giry and ultimately became Dance Captain for the Hamburg production.
In 2001 she worked as a ballet teacher for Liverpool Theatre School. Also during that year Sarah married her husband Dave Gabbard an American. She then moved to Boise Idaho on January 1st 2002. In 2006 Sarah became a dual citizen of both USA and UK. Since then, she has lived here with her husband and now has 2 beautiful children Mila and Liam.
In the fall of 2002, Sarah began teaching ballet for Studio C. Currently Sarah is in her 17th year teaching for Studio C. Sarah is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and Pilates. Sarah feels so fortunate to be working with such a wonderful cohesive faculty and many wonderful students.
Tori Gee
Tori Gee started dancing when she was 3 years old at Studio C Academy of Dance in Boise, Idaho. She has trained in several different styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, pointe, hip hop, and some gymnastics. She has competed in several competitions throughout the Northwest receiving several high placement awards and scholarships. Tori has had several performing opportunities throughout Idaho including the Paul Mitchell Hair Show. She also competed for two years on her high school drill team, winning state and national titles both years she competed with them.
Tori attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She danced with the BYU Cougarettes for three years from 2013-2016. Tori performed in several events with the Cougarettes including Dancing Under the Stars, Cougarettes in Concert, BYU Homecoming Spectacular, Utah State Drill competitions, Miss Drill Utah pageant, several charity events, and more. While on Cougarettes, her team won 4 National titles in the Dance and Hip Hop divisions. She also had the opportunity to serve as an officer for the Cougarettes. Tori graduated from BYU with a degree in Exercise and Wellness.
Tori has worked closely with many choreographers including Karl Mundt, Shandon Perez, Alan Salazer, Jaci Royal, Bree Hafen, Travis Wall, Denise Wall, Tessaundra Chavez, Ade Obayomi, Tony Czar, Jaymz Tuaileva, Johanna Sapakie, Sabrina Phillip, and many more.
Tori has taught master classes at several studios throughout Utah including Artistic Dance Project and Aspire Dance Academy. She is excited to finally be back home in Boise with her husband and 2 beautiful children and teaching at Studio C!
Laila Hardman
Laila has distinguished herself in the field of choreography, teaching and judging for many years. She has choreographed for commercials, televised NFL and NBA half time shows, trade and fashion shows and has been awarded over 30 choreography awards. Laila was also nominated for a Heartland Emmy award for a commercial she choreographed for Starz/Encore. She danced and served as a dance captain for the Denver Nuggets Cheerleaders and has choreographed for the Denver Nuggets and Denver Bronco Cheerleaders. She has been seen on Extreme Makeover UK as part of the “Dream Team” and patented “Air Guitar Aerobics” in Europe. She has judged all over the United States and the United Kingdom.
Laila served as a private dance coach for several Disney Mickey Mouse Club members, most notably Justin Timberlake. Some of her former dancers can be seen on Broadway as well as in music videos, commercials, on NBA and NFL dance teams, and on tour with artists such as Rihanna, and Taylor Swift. Laila worked as the Associate Artistic Director for the award winning Starstruck Dance Academy in Denver, Colorado, was the founder of Extreme Dance London as well as London Dance Project located in London, England. She was a teacher for Pineapple studios in London, and was the former owner and founder of The Dance Project SLC in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. She is currently the owner and director of the professional dance company “Urban Fairytalez” in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Laila is a ERYT 500 hour certified yoga instructor. She is an avid practitioner of yoga and Pilates for over 20 years and she also holds certifications in mUvmethod, biomechanics and mat Pilates and is very involved in the safe training of dancers throughout the country. Laila is also the Studio Management Consultant and Onsite Manager for NRG Dance Project Conventions.
Shana Kittrell
Shana Kittrell has been dancing her entire life, starting at the age of three in Boise Idaho. She has always been passionate and had a love for dance at an early age. Shana was captain of the Timberline High School dance team and was Miss Dance Idaho 2003. Shana attended Boise State University where she was a Mane Line dancer. After college Shana danced under the direction of Jaime Moore and was captain of the, Boise Burn Hotshots. Shana has had the opportunity to teach and coach at various studios and high schools all over the valley, including her own alumni Timberline High School as head coach bringing home their first national title.
Shana is currently the lead Barre3 instructor in Eagle. Shana has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Multidisciplinary studies with and emphasis in leadership from Boise State University. When Shana is not teaching dance or fitness classes, Shana is also a CNA for Labor and Delivery at St Lukes Hospital. Shana has 2 beautiful children and she is so excited to continue her teaching career with Studio C!
Kimberly Markus
Kimberly is a graduate of Boise State University with a Biology degree and a minor in Chemistry and has also earned her degree in Secondary Education. While attending Boise State she was a 4 year member and Dance Captain of the BSU Maneline Dancers, and had the honor of going to the Aloha Bowl. Kimberly also served as an instructor and adjudicator for the United Spirit Association for 7 years and has taught dance in Hawaii, California, Texas, Utah, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Kimberly has also coached for high school teams in the treasure valley such as Capital HS and at Centennial HS. She is most recognized for her many accomplishments as a coach for the National Championship Centennial High School Sweet Liberty Dance Team. For 18 years she has had a military routine place in the Top 2 spots at USA Nationals and has a daughter who has danced on the BYU Cougarettes.
Kimber has been a faculty member at Studio C since 1997 and she teaches many Fairytale and Baby Bop classes along with the Studio C Company dancers. Her performing groups have earned numerous High Score awards and she has received Outstanding Choreography awards. Kimber is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and mUv Method.
“Miss Kimber” is adored by her many students due to her love for her students and her amazing ability to communicate to her students at their level. She is happily married and a mother of 6 amazing children and 5 grandchildren!
Camille Martinez
Camille Martinez started dancing when she was 3 years old and is trained in jazz, ballet and tap. She has had the opportunity to train at many dance studios in the Boise area, as well as numerous camps and conventions around the country. She has also had many exciting performance opportunities at Disneyworld, Disneyland, the Rose Bowl Stadium and on the Big Red Boat.
Camille has been a member of many studio performance/competitive teams, was captain of the Eagle High School Edge Dance Team, and was a 3-year member of Boise State’s National Champion Maneline Dance Team. She was the head coach of Borah High School’s dance team in 2004. She started teaching at the age of 17 and has taught jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop to all ages, ranging from 3 years old to adult. Camille loves teaching dance and being a part of the Studio C family.
Camille has a degree in accounting from Boise State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Camille lives in Eagle with her husband and four beautiful children.
Morgan Swanson
Bio coming soon.
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Krissy Swallow
Krissy has had a love for dance since she was little and started dancing at age seven. She has trained in jazz, hip hop and ballet. She grew up in Boise and graduated from Centennial High School where she was a 3 year member of the nationally ranked Sweet Liberty Dance team. As a senior she served as captain of the dance team. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Family Science from Brigham Young University where she continued training in jazz and also found a love for ballroom. She has had the opportunity to be involved in choreographing and teaching over 500 youth for the Paramount Stake Dancefest, the youth cultural celebration for the Boise LDS temple and also the youth cultural celebration for the Meridian LDS temple. Krissy has enjoyed being a member of the Studio C faculty for the past 14 years and especially loves working with the little ones. She is happily married and has stayed busy raising five children, three of which are daughters, who also love to dance! She’s loved being involved in their training and watching her oldest go on to dance for the BYU Cougarettes.
Kalel Tan
Bio coming soon.
Savannah Thompson
Savannah, originally from Spanish Fork, Utah, started dancing at age 3 and hasn’t stopped since. She has extensive training in jazz, hip-hip, contemporary, ballet, tap and tumbling. In high school, her dance team won two straight regional titles while she served as Dance Captain and President of the team. She was also a member of the Utah All-State Drill Team.
In college, Savannah was a member of the now 20-time National Champion BYU Cougarettes for four years and has personally been a part of six national titles in the Hip-Hop and Dance divisions. Savannah was also able to travel and compete internationally with the team. She served as an officer for the Cougarettes and was able to choreograph a hip-hip routine for one of the teams basketball half-time performances. After graduating, she became the assistant coach of the Cougarettes for one year and helped lead them to another a national title. Savannah graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors degree in Exercise and Wellness.
Savannah continues to teach and choreograph jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, pom and technique for many studios and high schools throughout Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Washington. With her main emphasis being hip-hop choreography, she has choreographed many award winning hip-hip routines. Savannah is happy to now be living here in Idaho with her husband and two beautiful children and so excited to be a part of the Studio C family!
Heidi Wilson
Heidi Wilson has had a love for dance ever since the age of five when she began her first dance lesson. She grew up in Boise and graduated from Centennial High School, where she was a three year member of the nationally ranked Sweet Liberty Dance Team. While serving as team captain during her senior year, Heidi competed and placed in many solo competitions at the State, Regional, and National levels. She was crowned Miss Pacific Northwest in 2003.
Heidi continued her dance career during college as a three year member of the nationally ranked Boise State Mane Line Dance Team. She graduated from Boise State in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.
From 2004-2008, Heidi coached the Centennial High Sweet Liberty Dance Team. Heidi had the opportunity to choreograph many competition routines for the team, nine of which took 1st place championship titles at USA Dance Nationals. Sweet Liberty was the first 5A dance team to be crowned state champions in 2006. Heidi continued to help with their winning streak of three consecutive years as state champs, until she stopped coaching after the 2007-2008 season. At the end of her coaching career, Heidi was named the ICDC Coach of the Year. Heidi still enjoys choreographing for high school teams and soloists across the Treasure Valley, and continues to create pieces that go on to win national championship titles.
Serving in her church and community is also another way that Heidi continues to share her passion for dance. In 2012, Heidi choreographed, taught, and directed over 700 youth for the LDS Boise Temple Youth Cultural Celebration. She was also asked to help in 2017 with the LDS Meridian Temple Youth Cultural Celebration, by creating and teaching a lyrical piece for over 600 young women ages 12-17.
Heidi has been a part of the Studio C faculty for 15 years. Her choreography for the studio continues to be recognized and has earned high placement awards at various competitions and conventions throughout the region. Motivating dancers on the individual and team level across the Treasure Valley is a part of Heidi’s life. Her passion for creativity in movement, music, and proper technique show in her teaching methods, as well as the students she helps develop. Heidi and her husband Chase are happily married and raising three beautiful daughters.
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Rochelle Williams
Bio coming soon.