-Meet Miss Nelly, the Director & Founder of Xscape nPerforming Arts Center!
Beg./Int Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop/Flip-Flop,Jazz 2/4, Int. Tumbling, Little Dancer, Tap 3/4 and Stretch & Conditioning Teacher.
Miss Nelly Reynolds started dancing at just three-years-old, training in ballet, jazz, tap, tumbling, hip-hop, contemporary and lyrical. She danced competitively until she was 18; Winning many scholarships and awards. Miss Nelly is a grade 7 certified Cecchetti ballet dancer. After high school, she took her dancing professionally in Los Angeles, California. Here she worked in many music videos, productions, and TV shows, as well as in a dance company called "Xamino." After working in the dance business in LA, she found her true passion in dance was choreographing and teaching. Nelly has been teaching for over the last fifteen years. She taught at numerous studios in Reno/ Sparks and Los Angeles. She is the director & owner Xscape Performing Arts Center! She also teaches classes at Truckee Dance Factory in Truckee. She hopes to create a fun, loving, inspiring place for students of any age to Xscape Reality!.
Beg./Int Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop/Flip-Flop,Jazz 2/4, Int. Tumbling, Little Dancer, Tap 3/4 and Stretch & Conditioning Teacher.
Miss Nelly Reynolds started dancing at just three-years-old, training in ballet, jazz, tap, tumbling, hip-hop, contemporary and lyrical. She danced competitively until she was 18; Winning many scholarships and awards. Miss Nelly is a grade 7 certified Cecchetti ballet dancer. After high school, she took her dancing professionally in Los Angeles, California. Here she worked in many music videos, productions, and TV shows, as well as in a dance company called "Xamino." After working in the dance business in LA, she found her true passion in dance was choreographing and teaching. Nelly has been teaching for over the last fifteen years. She taught at numerous studios in Reno/ Sparks and Los Angeles. She is the director & owner Xscape Performing Arts Center! She also teaches classes at Truckee Dance Factory in Truckee. She hopes to create a fun, loving, inspiring place for students of any age to Xscape Reality!.
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Meet Karenza Strode
Technique & Contemporary Teacher Karenza Strode has been dancing since she was seven-years-old, competitively from age 8 to 17. During her dance career, she won the titles of Miss Star of Hope at Starbound Nationals in Lake Tahoe and Jr. & Sr. Sweetheart at the I Love Dance competitions in Sacramento. While growing up in arts, she also performed in The Nutcracker, Jazzed up Like the Dickens and Scrooge, where she performed the roles as Clara & The Snow Queen in Nutcracker and Tiny Tina (Tiny Tim) in Scrooge. After graduating from high school, she went on to perform in the tribute show, Red Hot Superstars at the Grand Sierra, while she continued to take classes keeping up on her training. Ms. Karenza continues to work at Starbucks as a shift supervisor when she is not teaching dance at Xscape, along with the other amazing & talented teachers. |
Meet Ms. Jessica Shull
Ballet 1/2/3 and Jazz 3 Teacher
Growing up in Lake Tahoe, Jessica began dancing professionally with companies including The Main Event, Sierra Nevada Ballet Company and as a vocalist/performer for the WNCT. She has performed in Once Upon A Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy for You, The Wizard of Oz, Grease & many more. She soon became a choreographer and educator for The Theatre of Arts Discipline, Sierra Nevada Opera Company and several competitive dance studios in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles. She relocated to Los Angeles, becoming a member of the contemporary company, Emerge. Jessica starred in Laurianne Gibson's TV show, BORN TO DANCE, several TV commercials, Cuba Gooding Jr's Bayou Caviar and Girls Trip, music videos and TV shows, including Glee, NCIS and The Monique Show. She performed along side Shakira in the Latin Grammys and worked as an assistant choreographer and dancer in Nick Cassavette's movie, Yellow. Internationally, she became an aerialist, magician’s assistant and lead performer for Norwegian Cruise Line and Bahamas Paradise. adjudicator for the competition circuit. She created her own production company based out of New Orleans, Louisiana, producing, directing and adjudicating several shows. She is excited to be apart of our team at Xscape Performing Arts.
Ballet 1/2/3 and Jazz 3 Teacher
Growing up in Lake Tahoe, Jessica began dancing professionally with companies including The Main Event, Sierra Nevada Ballet Company and as a vocalist/performer for the WNCT. She has performed in Once Upon A Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy for You, The Wizard of Oz, Grease & many more. She soon became a choreographer and educator for The Theatre of Arts Discipline, Sierra Nevada Opera Company and several competitive dance studios in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles. She relocated to Los Angeles, becoming a member of the contemporary company, Emerge. Jessica starred in Laurianne Gibson's TV show, BORN TO DANCE, several TV commercials, Cuba Gooding Jr's Bayou Caviar and Girls Trip, music videos and TV shows, including Glee, NCIS and The Monique Show. She performed along side Shakira in the Latin Grammys and worked as an assistant choreographer and dancer in Nick Cassavette's movie, Yellow. Internationally, she became an aerialist, magician’s assistant and lead performer for Norwegian Cruise Line and Bahamas Paradise. adjudicator for the competition circuit. She created her own production company based out of New Orleans, Louisiana, producing, directing and adjudicating several shows. She is excited to be apart of our team at Xscape Performing Arts.
Meet Ms. Marie Sperber
Competition Choreographer
Marie has been dancing since she was three, with twenty years of experience training dancers. She is truly versatile having studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, modern, hip hop and musical theater. In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles performing with choreographers such as Malaya and Ryan Heffington. She has performed for industrial productions Il' Circo and Extreme Show. She trained at Edge Performing Arts Center, Millenium Dance Complex, and Debbie Reynolds. Marie honed her skills dancing with Chris Dupre, Christina Woodward, Malaya, Ryan Heffington, Havic, Scott Hislop, Terri Best, Denise Leitner, Dante7, Kitty McNamee, Eddie Garcia, Mandy Moore and Jayson Wright. For the past 17 years, Marie has taught at numerous studios in the Los Angeles area for both recreational and competitive programs. Marie is the co-founder of Peninsula School of Performing Arts Dance Company in Palos Verdes California. Under her direction, the team quickly grew from seven to 53 competitive dancers. Receiving many top awards and scholarships, many members have gone on to professional careers. She can also be seen in Sugar a music video by Connie Lim. Marie is a Module 1 certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor. She is known as an excellent technician and has the ability to bring the best out in all dancers from beginning to advanced pre-professionals. Marie teaches tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, hip-hip, ballet, pre-ballet and combo classes.
Competition Choreographer
Marie has been dancing since she was three, with twenty years of experience training dancers. She is truly versatile having studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, modern, hip hop and musical theater. In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles performing with choreographers such as Malaya and Ryan Heffington. She has performed for industrial productions Il' Circo and Extreme Show. She trained at Edge Performing Arts Center, Millenium Dance Complex, and Debbie Reynolds. Marie honed her skills dancing with Chris Dupre, Christina Woodward, Malaya, Ryan Heffington, Havic, Scott Hislop, Terri Best, Denise Leitner, Dante7, Kitty McNamee, Eddie Garcia, Mandy Moore and Jayson Wright. For the past 17 years, Marie has taught at numerous studios in the Los Angeles area for both recreational and competitive programs. Marie is the co-founder of Peninsula School of Performing Arts Dance Company in Palos Verdes California. Under her direction, the team quickly grew from seven to 53 competitive dancers. Receiving many top awards and scholarships, many members have gone on to professional careers. She can also be seen in Sugar a music video by Connie Lim. Marie is a Module 1 certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor. She is known as an excellent technician and has the ability to bring the best out in all dancers from beginning to advanced pre-professionals. Marie teaches tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, hip-hip, ballet, pre-ballet and combo classes.
“I believe in training past the competition realm and into a professional career. It is my joy to see dancers get the education to help carry them in to a life after studio. Teaching is my passion. I enjoy working with dancers of all ages and levels recreational and competitive. I offer quality training, technique, performance and artistic exploration. All dancers, recreational and competitive, deserve quality instruction. I am thrilled to be back in my hometown and look forward to sharing my love for dance with the next generation in the Reno/Sparks area.”
Meet Ms. Haley Blakeman
Competition Choreogragher
Haley Blakeman is 20-years-old and has been training for 12 years. During which, she has trained in hip-hop, ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz and most recently, heels. In 2017 Haley was awarded a full paid scholarship to Relativity Dance’s three week musical theatre intensive, where she had the opportunity to build her singing and acting portfolio. Over the past five years, she has traveled to conventions and has been hand selected at galas, along with earning scholarships for further convention training. This past year, she choreographed her first competition group piece, placing first overall at a local competitions: Starbound & Spotlight. She has found a love for creating and connecting with people and hopes to inspire the students at Xscape to find that same love she has, during her time on the stage.
Competition Choreogragher
Haley Blakeman is 20-years-old and has been training for 12 years. During which, she has trained in hip-hop, ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz and most recently, heels. In 2017 Haley was awarded a full paid scholarship to Relativity Dance’s three week musical theatre intensive, where she had the opportunity to build her singing and acting portfolio. Over the past five years, she has traveled to conventions and has been hand selected at galas, along with earning scholarships for further convention training. This past year, she choreographed her first competition group piece, placing first overall at a local competitions: Starbound & Spotlight. She has found a love for creating and connecting with people and hopes to inspire the students at Xscape to find that same love she has, during her time on the stage.
Meet Mr. Lucas Dalton
Tumbling 1 & 3 Teacher
Coming from the martial arts, skiing and gymnastics world, Lucas has over two decades of experience with kicking, flipping and combination movements. Currently, he is using these skills to teach our advanced tumbling class, where students learn everything from backflips, advanced tumbling skills and break-dancing, incorporating skills into their dancing. Teaching is a passion of his and he is excited to be a part of the Xscape family!
Tumbling 1 & 3 Teacher
Coming from the martial arts, skiing and gymnastics world, Lucas has over two decades of experience with kicking, flipping and combination movements. Currently, he is using these skills to teach our advanced tumbling class, where students learn everything from backflips, advanced tumbling skills and break-dancing, incorporating skills into their dancing. Teaching is a passion of his and he is excited to be a part of the Xscape family!
Meet Miss Sierra Taylor-Cline
Adv. Hip-Hop/Heels Adult Hip-Hop Teacher
Sierra Taylor-Cline is a 25-year-old dancer and choreographer from Las Vegas. She has been teaching in Reno & Sparks for seven years and is currently pursuing her dreams as a versatile and well-known choreographer. She is trained in contemporary, lyrical, jazz/jazz funk, hip-hop, and heels. Not only does she love teaching, but she has a strong passion for inspiring young adults to be the greatest versions of themselves. In addition to teaching, Sierra is also in the works of getting her life-coaching certification. Her aspiration in life is to become, not only a dance teacher, but someone who successfully helps others achieve their goals.
Adv. Hip-Hop/Heels Adult Hip-Hop Teacher
Sierra Taylor-Cline is a 25-year-old dancer and choreographer from Las Vegas. She has been teaching in Reno & Sparks for seven years and is currently pursuing her dreams as a versatile and well-known choreographer. She is trained in contemporary, lyrical, jazz/jazz funk, hip-hop, and heels. Not only does she love teaching, but she has a strong passion for inspiring young adults to be the greatest versions of themselves. In addition to teaching, Sierra is also in the works of getting her life-coaching certification. Her aspiration in life is to become, not only a dance teacher, but someone who successfully helps others achieve their goals.
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Meet Ms. Nina Carpenter
Assistant in Hip-Hop Flip-Flop Classes Nina Carpenter is 26, coming to Xscape from the East Coast, she has lived in Reno for close to four years. While living in Massachusetts, she danced for 14 years, most of which were competitive. Training in styles from pointe, ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and modern. Upon graduating from high school, she continued brushing up on her dance skills. She spent two of her college years as a cheerleader, but dance will always be her first love. For the past nine years, she worked with children, not only at the dance studio, but in her daily life. She worked at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts for about five years at the Child Development Center and has worked for over four years at Aleph Academy in Reno! She is so grateful for this opportunity at Xscape with my love for teaching and dancing! |
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Meet Ms. Patricia Fahey
Jazz 1 / Beg. Tumbling Teacher Patricia Fahey has grown up at Xscape, taking classes and participating in the competitive dance team with Nelly Reynolds for five years. Prior to dancing at Xscape, she had extensive trampoline and tumbling training and was a member of Gym Nevada and Legacy T&T’s competitive teams. She qualified and participated in Nationals several times and was a three time state champion. In her free time, Patricia was a member of the Health Science Academy and the GATE Institute at Hug High School and is currently aiming for a AP Capstone and CTE diploma with honors. In school, she also extends her love for music and the arts by being the principal cellist for the concert orchestra. She has a great love for children, which makes teaching dance and tumbling at Xscape such an amazing opportunity! |
Meet Ms. Eryn Naylor
Contemporary Teacher
Eryn Naylor is a 18-year-old competitive dancer who has taken classes at Xscape for over seven years. Dancing competitively has given her many opportunities, including a college scholarship opportunity with AMDA in California. Prior to dance, she was a part of a small after-school performance group involving both singing and dancing for about two and a half years. This performance group paved the way for her love of dance and gave her the idea of joining a competitive dance team. During her junior year at Spanish Springs, Eryn earned a CTE certificate for Foods in Nutrition, after taking the course for three years. Along with this, she earned a certificate in workplace readiness. She graduated with an honors diploma, continuing her education at TMCC. Although her competition days are coming to an end, Eryn wants to expand her knowledge of dance through teaching, hoping to teach more classes in the future.
Contemporary Teacher
Eryn Naylor is a 18-year-old competitive dancer who has taken classes at Xscape for over seven years. Dancing competitively has given her many opportunities, including a college scholarship opportunity with AMDA in California. Prior to dance, she was a part of a small after-school performance group involving both singing and dancing for about two and a half years. This performance group paved the way for her love of dance and gave her the idea of joining a competitive dance team. During her junior year at Spanish Springs, Eryn earned a CTE certificate for Foods in Nutrition, after taking the course for three years. Along with this, she earned a certificate in workplace readiness. She graduated with an honors diploma, continuing her education at TMCC. Although her competition days are coming to an end, Eryn wants to expand her knowledge of dance through teaching, hoping to teach more classes in the future.
Meet Ms. Sabrina Cellucci
Acting Teacher & Office Manager
Sabrina Cellucci has directed close to 40 stage productions during her 27 years teaching theatre in WCSD including, Lin Manual-Miranda's In the Heights, 42nd Street with a cast of close to 50 tappers, South Pacific, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls and Once on this Island to name a few. She received her Masters’ Degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago in Theatre with a Concentration in Directing. She has been seen in several shows including Fiddler in the Roof, Cabaret, Three Penny Opera and Oliver, along with performing with the Nevada Opera at a very young age. She passionate about theatre, traveling to New York regularly and has seen over 250 Broadway shows. She is a Reno Native, whose heart is in New York! She has one son, Landon, who started college in Canada this year. She is very excited to share her passion in performing with our Xscape dancers and enjoys being a part of this special family.
Acting Teacher & Office Manager
Sabrina Cellucci has directed close to 40 stage productions during her 27 years teaching theatre in WCSD including, Lin Manual-Miranda's In the Heights, 42nd Street with a cast of close to 50 tappers, South Pacific, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls and Once on this Island to name a few. She received her Masters’ Degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago in Theatre with a Concentration in Directing. She has been seen in several shows including Fiddler in the Roof, Cabaret, Three Penny Opera and Oliver, along with performing with the Nevada Opera at a very young age. She passionate about theatre, traveling to New York regularly and has seen over 250 Broadway shows. She is a Reno Native, whose heart is in New York! She has one son, Landon, who started college in Canada this year. She is very excited to share her passion in performing with our Xscape dancers and enjoys being a part of this special family.
Mrs. Jennifer Fahey
Adult Tap and Tap 3 instructor
Dance Apparel Plus Shop owner
Jennifer Fahey and she is very excited about teaching these classes at Xscape. Extensive training under Verna Pharo, with the Radio City Rockettes, led to a professional career including such shows as Lullaby of Swing, City Lights, Lido de Paris and Copa Girls with the Miami Sound Machine.Mrs. Fahey spent her early years studying dance, operating her own dance studio in New Jersey for over 15 years. Her love of teaching took her from the dance studio to the mathematics classroom. She had the privilege to teach mathematics for 15 years in the Washoe County School District. She is thrilled be bringing her dance passion to Xscape Performing Arts as studio manager, tap teacher and owner of Xscape’s very own Dance Apparel Plus shop.
Adult Tap and Tap 3 instructor
Dance Apparel Plus Shop owner
Jennifer Fahey and she is very excited about teaching these classes at Xscape. Extensive training under Verna Pharo, with the Radio City Rockettes, led to a professional career including such shows as Lullaby of Swing, City Lights, Lido de Paris and Copa Girls with the Miami Sound Machine.Mrs. Fahey spent her early years studying dance, operating her own dance studio in New Jersey for over 15 years. Her love of teaching took her from the dance studio to the mathematics classroom. She had the privilege to teach mathematics for 15 years in the Washoe County School District. She is thrilled be bringing her dance passion to Xscape Performing Arts as studio manager, tap teacher and owner of Xscape’s very own Dance Apparel Plus shop.
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Mrs. Mariah Wilderman
Tap 2, Ballet 4, Pionte and Technique 1 Teacher Mariah has loved to dance since she began at age three! She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary and musical theatre. She competed with her studio, Dance Unlimited in Boise, Idaho for 11 years. She was also a member of her high school dance team; where she won multiple state and national awards as a soloist including: Miss Idaho State Invitational, Queen of Western States Competition and 1st Runner up to Miss Dance Drill USA. In college, Mariah was an Aggiette dancer on the Utah State University Spirit Squad. She had the opportunity to perform and cheer at all the University athletic events and many events throughout the community. She will be a forever Aggie fan! She graduated in 2020 with her Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics. Mariah began teaching dance at the age of 16 at her home studio in Idaho. She continued teaching in Logan, Utah at Dance Illusion. She taught competition teams, ballet classes, jazz technique classes, progressive ballet technique classes and preschool classes during her four years there. Mariah has had the opportunity to choreograph for high school teams, studio competition teams, college teams and soloists and has won various awards for her choreography. Mariah loves teaching and is so excited to continue in Nevada! She loves her students and hopes to instill the excitement and passion she has for dance in these amazing young students! |