Our Staff
Jessica Fitzgerald
Jessica Fitzgerald is a Colorado Native! She received her Bachelor's degree in Dance from Colorado Mesa University under the direction of Melonie Buchanan-Murray and Matthew Lindstrom. She has had the privilege of working with renowned artists such as Keith Clifton, Tony Coppola, Susan Hadley, Jennifer Kahl, Holly Lampe, Kim Noffsinger, Stephanie Powell, and Tracy Sanfield. Jessica also performed in Aspen Dance Connection Company, Chicago: the musical, the Grand Junction Symphony's Nutcracker, Beyond Boundaries, Dance Collective, and as a guest artist in Glacier Ice Arena's annual production. Jessica's choreography has been selected to be performed in the main stage dance productions at Colorado Mesa University and numerous times in student productions. Her choreography has won many awards at local competitions, including the showmanship award at the I Love Dance dance competition, overall choreographer of the National Believe Competition, and multiple platinum awards at Intensity Dance, Starquest Dance, Releve Dance, and others. She has won many awards, including being recognized twice in the Who's Who among American College students, the Dancers Heart Award, Best Performer (2 years), The Moss Performing Arts Scholarship, and the Mesa Talent Scholarship. Jessica was granted a full scholarship to the American Dance Festival at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. There, she had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers and expanding her dance training. Jessica loves to teach and is trained in teaching jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, musical theater, ballet, and creative movement.
Email us with questions and comments at Jessica@flatironsdance.com.
Studio Owner / Director
Meet Our Teachers!
Lanea Blackburn
Lanea Blackburn is the Competition Director at Flatirons Dance Academy and the Artistic Director and Founder of Epilogue, based in Colorado. From a background in jazz and contemporary, Lanea's journey through the world of dance has been marked by an unwavering dedication to growth. Her evolution as a dancer and choreographer led her to explore various hip-hop styles, including house, breaking, waacking, and popping, creating as a versatile artist.
Before her time at Flatirons, Lanea was an integral part of the dance companies and shows, Side by Side, Backbone Dance Company, Murmuration Dance, and The Block Party. Her talents have also been showcased in collaborations with renowned brands like Nike and prestigious events such as the Vail International Dance Festival, Thesis Dance Festival, and The BodyPoets show.
Lanea's artistic vision extends beyond performance. She actively engages in educational outreach and community involvement. Her contributions to the cultural landscape include choreographic works for diverse platforms such as the Taylor Tuke Music Video, Temporarily Unavailable Dance Show, The Playlist Dance Competition, and the Endless Summer Dance Show.
As a teacher, Lanea's passion for nurturing talent extends through her travels, where she has conducted workshops and masterclasses for dancers of all ages across multiple states and countries. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment is evident in her classes, where trust exercises and open discussions pave the way for transformative experiences. Lanea Blackburn's journey in dance is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the dance community.
Competition Director
Lizzy Whistance
Lizzy Harrison began her journey in dance at Premiere School of Dance in Thornton, Colorado. She studied further at Dancer’s Edge Studio in Brighton, Colorado, where she was fortunate enough to learn from Jessica Fitzgerald herself! Lizzy pursued her love of dance on a scholarship at Casper College, where she earned an Associate of Arts in Dance Performance. She continued her dance training at the University of Wyoming where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Dance.
Lizzy believes that dance is a beautiful expression of kindness, creativity, and strength for the purpose of communicating ideas and concepts while encouraging one another and building self esteem and community. Fostering an atmosphere that encourages dancers to be confident, loving, and accepting of both themselves and others is of top priority in her teaching. She strives to create a fun and safe environment where her students feel comfortable to fully express themselves and are unafraid to make mistakes. She loves creating fun combinations with the little dancers as well as guiding older students in their personal journey of artistry.
Lizzy has been teaching for 4 years in the Denver metro area as well as in Wyoming while pursuing her degree at Dance Evolutions Inc. in Casper, Wyoming and Dance Studio B in Laramie, Wyoming. Lizzy is grateful to have experienced class with the Limon Dance Company at Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival 2019 and to work with the students as a camp counselor. She has been thankful to learn from Jacob Mora, the director of Moraporvida contemporary dance company and Dan Higgins, choreographer and dancer for Repertory Dance Theater among many other guest artists. During her college career, she was excited to perform in Casper College Mainstage productions including An Adaptation of Charlotte’s Web C ontemporary Dance Concert, Mary Poppins the Musical, and A Rock and Roll Fantasy Contemporary Dance Concert. She was also featured in University of Wyoming’s production of Spring To Dance 2020 as a soloist in Cat Kamrath’s Alpenglow. Lizzy is so excited to be a part of Flatirons Dance!
Ballet Director
Cassandra Weaver
Cassandra Weaver was born and raised in Colorado; she started dancing at the age of 3 and grew up at her Mother’s dance studio, Off-Broadway Academy of Dance. She has been trained in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz for over 27 years; she has also trained in Contemporary and Lyrical for 24. Cassandra started assistant teaching at the age of 12 years old and fell in love with it. Cassandra went to Colorado Mesa University where she received her B.A. in Dance. She had the honor of being featured in an Adam Parson Jazz piece and working and dancing pieces choreographed by James Wallace, Holly Lampe, and Caitlin Grey. After Graduating College in 2012, she started teaching at Allana’s academy of dance. She has been there for 6 years now, teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and poms to ages 2-18. She has also been dancing with a local Contemporary dance company called Esmé for 5 years now. They have performed for Denver Pride Fest and other local dance performances around the state, alongside with during a huge production every year
Tap Director
Alexandra Stephens
Ali has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Dance has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Ali did 6 years of competitive Irish dance and performed with the Silhouettes from America’s Got Talent for 3 years. She’s performed for many businesses such as Boeing, Wings Over the Rockies Museum, and AACN: American Association of Critical Care Nurses. As a 2020 graduate from Ralston Valley High School, Ali attends Metropolitan State University of Denver to major in Video Production and minor in Dance. She loves being at Flatirons Dance because of the amazing dedication and positivity that spreads throughout the studio.
Ashley Connor
Ashley Connor is a Colorado native who has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Ashley began her dance career under the direction of Jeannine Belliston at Belliston Academy of Ballet. During her time as a student, she enjoyed learning many forms of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pom, and hip-hop. From dancing on her high school’s varsity poms team for four years to making her first professional team, dance has always been one of her biggest passions. After high school, Ashley decided to take her career to the professional level and tried out for the Denver Outlaws. She danced for the Denver Major League Lacrosse (MLL) team for two years before switching to the Colorado Mammoth (NLL). As a professional, Ashley has had the privilege to dance with Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Allison Holker, and Alex Wong.
Ashley finished her bachelor’s degree in speech-language and hearing sciences at the University of Colorado-Boulder with a minor in dance in 2019. She recently earned her master’s degree from the University of Wyoming in Speech Language Pathology. Apart from working at the studio, Ashley works full time as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist, helping little ones communicate and thrive in school.
Ashley's passion for dancing continues to grow, and she is excited to continue teaching at Flatirons Dance!
Jazz & Poms Director
Haley Smith
New to Colorado! Haley is from Northern NJ, has over 25 years of dance training and grew up competing all over the country. She has a strong background in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop and acrobatics. She was the captain of her high school and college dance teams, an NDA Collegiate National Champion in 2012 and made it to the top 40 for Radio City Ensemble auditions (out of 350 dancers) in 2017. She taught at the King Centre for the Performing Arts in NJ for 3 years, was the head coach of a varsity dance team for 8 years and the head coach of the nationally ranked Ramapo College Dance Team for 4 years. In addition to all of the above, she has over a decade of choreography experience and spent 3 years judging dance events throughout the tri-state area. She's currently a certified personal trainer, graphic designer and dog mom; eager and excited to share and learn from all of you!
Sierra Sharratt
Sierra began her dance journey at the age of 5, dancing at a small studio in Eagle, Colorado. During her childhood and teenage years, Sierra danced in a wide array of classes from HipHop and Breakdancing to Ballet and Pointe. Sierra attended Hofstra University in Long Island, New York where she received a Bachelor's degree in both Dance and Psychology. While in school, Sierra was able to attend ACDF (American College Dance Festival) to learn from teachers all around the area and perform student choreographed pieces. After graduating with her Bachelor's degrees in May of 2017, Sierra moved back to Colorado to pursue her Master's degree.
Sierra received her Master's degree from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Her degree is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentrated in Somatic Psychotherapy and Dance/Movement Therapy. Sierra currently works as a full time therapist, utilizing Dance/Movement Therapy to help others heal through movement.
Sierra loves all forms of movement and is passionate about teaching others how movement and dance benefits the mind, body and soul. Today, Sierra loves to teach a wide array of classes and share her passion and love of dance through teaching.
Reese Fellman
Reese Fellman was born and raised in Colorado. She started dancing recreationally at a young age and then progressed her professional training at 12. In 2016, Reese joined Mpact Dance Project in Aurora where she trained with multiple professional choreographers and was exposed to many dance genres.
Reese has worked as a choreographer for many organizations such as M.O.P.S, Cherokee Trail High School, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and many studios around the Denver area. Along with choreographing, Reese loves to perform.
Reese has not only competed and performed in studio recitals, but she also has performed in multiple showcases with MSU Denver, the Denver “Wine and Works in Progress”, performed at the Ellie Caulkins Theatre for Dance Industry Day, and Vitality the Company. In 2023, Reese was accepted into Vitality the Company as an original principal dancer. Vitality is a Colorado-based company directed by Katie Hazard. Their training specializes in a fusion of styles.
Reese enjoys training in all dance styles, but she particularly loves hip-hop, contemporary, and jazz. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her friends, explore different genres of music, and watch films.
Michelle Sims
Michelle began her dance training at the age of fourteen, after training for eleven years as a competitive gymnast. She took a variety of classes at The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, where at sixteen, was hired to teach within the Hip-Hop program. She continued to teach and choreograph for the next thirteen years. Following high school, Michelle earned a spot on the professional modern company, Ascential Dance Theater. She also danced with the Metropolitan State University hip-hop team, the Aristocrats, and has performed in many showcases and productions throughout Denver including dancing in a web commercial for Bellco Credit Union and opening for hip-hop artist, Trina, at the Summit Music Hall in 2014. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and has combined her passion for dance and fitness by developing and teaching classes that build both strength and flexibility, while learning to dance in a high energy, supportive atmosphere.
Ellison Namba
Ms. Ellison was Flatirons first student ever. She has grown up in the studio and we are so happy to have her teaching. While we are sad this is her last year with us we know she will be off to do amazing things at college.
Ali-Rae Valentine
Ms. Ali Rae is a dancer and teacher everyone looks up to. With her incredible technique and ability to relate to each dancer she has taken her classes to new levels. She will be moving in the fall to study at Baylor University. We are so proud of her many accomplishments.
ElliJo Musgrove
ElliJo is such a gem. She has been one of our dynamic dancers since the start of Flatirons. She loves children and loves to teach the and inspire them in the beginning years of their training.
Liberty Timmens
If you’ve ever seen Ms. Libby dance you will understand why she is our beginner Acro teacher. She constantly places in the top groups at competition for her Acro skills and we are so excited for her to be sharing her knowledge with our beginning Acro dancers.
Lia Wallman
Ms. Lia loves to teach and loves kids. She consistently comes up with new and innovative moves and ways to teach keeping the dancers inspired to learn more.
Sophia Griffith
Ms. Sophia has worked the last 4 years training to be able to teach her own class. As an internship for her school, Ms. Sophia must submit weekly lesson plans and checkin’s with the director of her school and Ms. Jessica. We are so proud of the work she has put in to teaching and can’t wait to see her grow as a teacher.
Ainsley Miller
Ms. Ainsley is an amazing student and teacher who we are so lucky to have on our staff! She is beyond caring and takes the care of everyone in the room! We are so lucky to have her on our staff!