Meet Our STAFF

Nicole Hardman

Studio Owner / Teacher

Creative Dance, Tap, Jazz & Ballet

"My dance experience started at 4 years old when I took a tap/ballet class at my local community center. At the age of 10 I joined a dance studio and participated in tap, jazz & ballet, performing in annual performances and competitions. My love for dance continued into college, where I majored in Dance Education. During my years at Brigham Young University, I had opportunities to perform in educational outreach programs both locally and in New York inner city schools. While on the east coast, I participated in a collaboration with Temple University performing at the Dance and the Child International conference. The following year I was able to attend the DACI conference in The Hague, Netherlands where I presented research to other dance educators involving the positive effects of dance for the development of our youth. I firmly believe that art, music and dance can enhance a child's educational, emotional, physical and social development. Teaching dance brings me so much joy!"

Mirandy Lewis

Office Manager

"My name is Mirandy Lewis, and I have been involved with dance & music for most of my life! I have 5 kids ages 20 to 13. My daughter started dancing at just 18 months old and is now in college. I also have 4 boys who play different musical instruments. I was also a band/choir kid throughout school and played the piano and percussion. I absolutely love the arts and love that we can bring the art of dance & music to Fernley!" 

Melissa Franz

Teacher

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre

"My name is Melissa Franz and I have been dancing since I was 3 years old! I have danced for 20 years and have been teaching dance for the last 8 years. I love working with children and watching how dance helps them develop self-confidence and unlocks their artistic creativity. I have taught ballet, hip-hop, and musical theater. I have performed in Broadway pieces, musicals, and other performing arts, and I love them all! I am a mother to two children and a director for a daycare center. I am also a vocal coach and a trained opera singer. The arts are just my forte and working with children is my passion. I look forward to working with your children in the upcoming dance year."

  Jamen Workman

Teacher

Percussion, Piano

"My name is Jamen Workman. I am currently going to college for music education. I started learning to read music in the first grade and started playing percussion when I got into the third grade. In high school, I played in the jazz band, concert band and marching band. I am currently a part of the UNR marching band's drumline. I also am on the worship team at Summit Church, as their drummer. I am also the drummer for the rock band, In Another Life. Music is my passion, and I love teaching!

  Noah Chavez

Teacher

Guitar, Piano

Noah was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and was surrounded by music from a very young age. When he was eight years old, his parents put him into piano lessons. He continued those lessons for nearly twelve years performing at the UNLV Junior festival competition for the majority of those years. After graduating high school, Noah picked up the guitar and music production in an attempt to start creating his own original material. His love for music and songwriting inspired him to begin playing in a band, In Another Life, a band that he continues to rock on with today. Noah also writes and produces music with his brother Alex for the band Myriad. In addition to music, Noah also enjoys rock climbing, reading, running and hiking among other hobbies. Noah is excited to spread his love of music, piano and guitar to inspire the next generation of rockers and pianists. 

  Buddy Wagner

Teacher

Guitar

Buddy Wagner is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and performer with over 25 years of experience playing rock, metal, contemporary, and classical styles. He currently plays with the Northern Nevada rock band Diminished Return. He is also an active board member and volunteer with the Fernley ACES, who put on amazing local events supporting the arts! 

Sophie Workman

Teacher

Ballet,  Jazz, Tumbling, Competition

"Hi! I’m Sophie Workman, also known as Miss Sophie! I’ve been in the dance world since I was two years old. I have experience in competition, jazz, pom, hip-hop, ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, and so much more! I am 18 years old and have helped assist with the studio since I was 12. I am now an official teacher and teach all tumbling classes and preschool ballet! I also help coach the competition teams! I love dance and working with young minds, so being a dance teacher is a dream come true. I work at the Boys & Girls Club outside of the studio, and adore it! I have been working with kids for as long as I can remember, and have grown a passion for it. The kids I work with mean the world to me! "

  Sarah Roberts

Teacher

Violin

"My name is Sarah Roberts. I started learning to play the violin when I was 9 years old and took lessons for 10 years. I studied under David Porter, a violinist for the Utah Symphony. I competed in violin federation for 8 years, earning several awards for my performances. I participated in Suzuki Institute for 4 summers and played in a community orchestra as well as chamber groups. I have been teaching for almost two years now. I took a break from violin while I was in college and starting a family. I have loved getting back into violin and helping my students learn to express their creativity through music."

Demi Tekelidis

Teacher

Ballet

“My name is Demi Tekelidis and I’ve been dancing ever since I learned my first plié! My dance journey started when I was 6 dancing recreationally; I instantly fell in love with ballet and the Vaganova technique. I continued to dance all the way up until I was diagnosed with extreme scoliosis which required a surgery that would forever impact my range of motion. However, my love for dance made what should have been a halt in my journey into a mere bump in the road. I reintroduced dance into my life when I joined my high school cheer team which was where I learned a love for pom dance. I continued my ballet training at Western Nevada Performing Arts center and then at the UNR where I now dance ballet and minor in dance education. UNR is where I fell in love with teaching dance while studying dance pedagogy. I have now taught numerous dance classes ranging from summer camps all the way to professional warm up classes! My favorite part about teaching ballet is sharing my love of the technique with the little dancers and teaching them that if you have passion and dedication, anything is possible!

Xiomy Santos Alvarez

Teacher

Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet

Xiomileth Santos Alvarez is a dancer, choreographer, and licensed dance educator from Puerto Rico. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Arts with Dance major from the University of the Sacred Heart. She also holds minors in Theatre & Stage Production and Production  & Marketing of Events. Her passion has led her to get certified in Cuban Ballet Methodology Levels 1–8 and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Levels 1–3.

Mrs. X. Santos holds professional dance teaching credentials in Puerto Rico, Texas, and Nevada. Her Puerto Rico certifications include Fine Arts Teacher K–12: Dance, Movement & Body Expression and Fine Arts Teacher K–12: Ballet. She also holds a Texas Standard Classroom Teacher Certificate in Dance (Grades 6–12) and a Nevada Standard Secondary License with a Dance Endorsement (Grades 7–12).

Her professional training includes Arrows International, the Martha Graham Winter Intensive, and the Zion Dance Project Summer Series. Throughout her career, she has performed, choreographed, and taught in a variety of artistic settings, including theatres, dance festivals, choreographic showcases, educational programs, and ministry events. She has also participated in artistic collaborations throughout the United States, Panama, Honduras, and Bolivia.

She has extensive experience teaching ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, creative movement, and other dance disciplines to students of all ages.

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that the classroom is a garden. Every student is like a different flower that blooms in their own time. Each one of them requiring guidance and structure to reach their full potential. She loves to cultivate a positive and encouraging environment where students can develop strong technique, artistic expression, confidence, discipline and a love for dance.

Mrs. Xiomy, as many call her, is passionate about helping dancers grow both as artists and individuals while discovering the joy and transformative power of movement.

Molly Wilkinson

Assistant Teacher

Hip Hop, Tap

"My name is Molly Wilkinson. I have been dancing for as long as I can remember. Dance is one of my favorite things, it is such an amazing way to express yourself and have fun! I have been teaching dance for 3 years now, and it is one of my favorite things! I love to teach children how awesome dance can be!"

Lindsay Durocher

Teacher

Mommy & Me

" I’m Lindsay Durocher. I grew up in Utah. We’ve lived in Fernley for four years now and really enjoy it. My husband and I just celebrated 11 years of marriage, and we have four kids. I used to teach elementary school, but right now I stay home with the kids. I also teach REFIT classes at my gym and church. I love kids, music, dance, and movement, so the Mommy and Me class is perfect for me! "