Our Staff
Meet the directors, teachers, and student teachers who make Flatirons Dance Academy feel like home.
Jessica Fitzgerald
A Colorado native, Jessica received her Bachelor's degree in Dance from Colorado Mesa University under the direction of Melonie Buchanan-Murray and Matthew Lindstrom, and has worked with renowned artists including Keith Clifton, Tony Coppola, Susan Hadley, and Jennifer Kahl. She performed with Aspen Dance Connection Company, in Chicago: the Musical, the Grand Junction Symphony's Nutcracker, and as a guest artist in Glacier Ice Arena's annual production.
Her choreography has won numerous awards, including the showmanship award at I Love Dance, overall choreographer at the National Believe Competition, and multiple platinum awards at Intensity, Starquest, and Releve Dance. Jessica was granted a full scholarship to the American Dance Festival at Duke University, and is trained in teaching jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, musical theater, ballet, and creative movement.
Jessica@flatironsdance.comMeet Our Teachers
Lynlee McGary
Front Desk ReceptionistLynlee is one of the warm, welcoming faces you'll see when you walk through the doors at Flatirons Dance! She plays an important role in helping the studio run smoothly and making sure dancers and families feel welcomed, cared for, and right at home.
Whether you have a question, a comment, need a Band-Aid, or a hug after a hard day — Lynlee is your girl. She brings so much kindness, positivity, and fun to the front desk for every Flatirons family, new or longtime.
Lanea Goulding
Artistic Director · Competition/Company DirectorLanea 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, her evolution as a dancer and choreographer led her to explore hip-hop styles including house, breaking, waacking, and popping.
Before Flatirons, Lanea was part of dance companies and shows including Side by Side, Backbone Dance Company, Murmuration Dance, and The Block Party, with collaborations including Nike and events like the Vail International Dance Festival and Thesis Dance Festival.
As a teacher, Lanea's passion for nurturing dancers extends through workshops and masterclasses across states and countries, fostering a supportive, inclusive environment through trust exercises and open discussion.
Lizzy Whistance
Ballet DirectorLizzy began her journey in dance at Premiere School of Dance in Thornton, Colorado, and studied further at Dancer's Edge Studio in Brighton under Jessica Fitzgerald herself. She earned an Associate of Arts in Dance Performance at Casper College on scholarship, then a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Dance at the University of Wyoming.
Lizzy believes dance is a beautiful expression of kindness, creativity, and strength, and prioritizes an atmosphere where dancers feel confident, loving, and accepting of themselves and others. She's taught for 4 years across the Denver metro area and Wyoming, and has trained with the Limon Dance Company, Moraporvida contemporary dance company, and Repertory Dance Theater, among others.
Cassandra Weaver
Tap Director · Kinder Class DirectorBorn and raised in Colorado, Cassandra started dancing at 3 years old and grew up at her mother's dance studio, Off-Broadway Academy of Dance. She's trained in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz for over 32 years, and Contemporary and Lyrical for 29, starting assistant teaching at just 12 years old.
Cassandra received her B.A. in Dance from Colorado Mesa University, and was featured in an Adam Parson jazz piece and works choreographed by James Wallace, Holly Lampe, and Caitlin Grey. She taught at Allana's Academy of Dance for 7 years and danced with Denver contemporary company Esmé for 5 years. She's looking forward to year six with Flatirons Dance.
Ashley Thatcher
Jazz & Poms DirectorA Colorado native dancing since age 3, Ashley began under Jeannine Belliston at Belliston Academy of Ballet, learning ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pom, and hip-hop. After four years on her high school's varsity poms team, she went on to dance professionally for the Denver Outlaws (MLL) and the Colorado Mammoth (NLL), sharing the floor with Stephen "Twitch" Boss, Allison Holker, and Alex Wong.
Ashley finished her bachelor's degree in speech-language and hearing sciences at CU Boulder with a minor in dance, then earned her master's in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Wyoming. Outside the studio, she works full-time as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist.
Haley Smith
Acro DirectorMiss Haley hails from New Jersey and has been teaching dance for 17 years. She grew up competing around the country and has choreographed for nationally ranked collegiate and high school dance teams, and has judged many events throughout the tri-state area.
When not at dance, she's in the mountains with her husband, two dogs, and their newest addition, baby Violet!
Oriana "Obi" Coronado
Hip Hop DirectorObi is a Venezuelan dancer, choreographer, and creative producer with a strong foundation in Latin, jazz, hip-hop, and commercial dance. She began dancing at age 3 in Caracas, continuing to train while earning her Bachelor's in Marketing Communications, all while competing nationally and internationally in hip-hop and salsa.
She's trained at Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Millennium Dance Complex (LA), and The Puzzle Box (Chicago), and was accepted into the prestigious IMMAbeast company in 2019. She co-founded Ritmov Dance Academy, serving over 150 students across four schools, and has organized large-scale dance competitions and performances.
Emma Vornhagen
Physical Therapy DirectorAn Arvada native, Emma grew up dancing at the Arvada Center and went on to minor in dance at Creighton University, graduating with her Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science. She later received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, also from Creighton.
Outside the studio, Emma is a pediatric physical therapist specializing in early childhood development. At Flatirons, she teaches ballet classes and provides individualized physical therapy services to FDA dancers.
Shannon Cummings
Ballroom DirectorShannon was born and raised in Colorado and grew up dancing and teaching at Bella Danze Artz. She fell in love with the art and moved to LA, earning her associate degree in Dance Theater, then moved to Atlanta, GA to study ballroom dance at Arthur Murray, instructing and dancing for 2 years.
She specializes in hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and ballroom rhythm dances.
Cheryl Brown
Musical Theater & Ballet TeacherBorn in California but raised in Arvada, Cheryl graduated from Pomona High School, where she danced with Lisa Trujillo's Dance Academy and cheered for all 4 years. Music was also a passion, performing in musicals like Guys and Dolls and Music Man, and singing the National Anthem at events for Colorado State University and the Denver Nuggets.
She attended Colorado State University on scholarship as a vocal performance major, toured the East Coast with the Living Word Singers, and later became a music teacher, vocal coach, and dance instructor at The Studio in Fort Collins, teaching musical theatre, ballet, and jazz. She's been blessed with 4 children and is excited to jump back into teaching!
Keara Nichols
Competition DirectorOriginally from Southern California, Keara began as a competitive dancer before starting formal ballet training at 13. In 2020, she attended the Prix de Lausanne and received the Grand Prix Award at YAGP. In 2021, she trained with Colorado Ballet's Pre-Professional Division, and in 2022 joined Colorado Ballet's Studio Company, performing in Jekyll & Hyde, Swan Lake, Coppélia, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella.
In 2024, Keara joined Twin Cities Ballet as a company artist, performing leading roles including Elizabeth in Frankenstein, the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Juliet in Romeo & Juliet. She's choreographed numerous YAGP solos, with her competition choreography winning special awards and first place overall.
Mackenzie Bell
Company Teacher · Ballet & KinderA Colorado native with over seventeen years of dance experience, Mackenzie began as a competition dancer before joining The Silhouettes, a professional shadow dance company, performing nationally including on America's Got Talent: The Champions, Season 2. In 2026, she graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
She's performed as a guest artist for Southwest Ballet Theatre's productions of The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland, and her choreography has been selected for the American College Dance Association's Northwest Conference and won 2nd place as an "emerging choreographer" at The Dance Platform in Palm Springs. She's currently a company member and performer for Messengerz dance company, and emphasizes anatomy and injury prevention in her teaching.
Cora Wallman
Student TeacherMiss Cora is a dedicated member of the Flatirons Dance Academy Company and is thrilled to be a student teacher this season. She brings her passion, creativity, and leadership into the classroom, inspiring younger dancers through her example and love for dance.
Liberty Timmens
Student TeacherIf you've ever seen Ms. Libby dance, you'll understand why she's our beginner Acro teacher. She constantly places at competitions for her acro skills, and we're so excited she's sharing her knowledge with our beginning acro dancers.
Ellianna Johnson
Student TeacherMiss Ellianna is a member of the A-West Varsity Dance Team. She brings her high-energy spirit and performance experience into every class, helping dancers grow in confidence and style while keeping things fun and upbeat!
Anistin Martin
Student TeacherMiss Anistin is a dedicated Flatirons Dance Academy Company member and student teacher. She teaches jazz classes, bringing her strong technique, positive energy, and love for dance to every lesson, and is passionate about helping younger dancers grow in confidence and develop their own unique style.
Maggie Brown
Student TeacherMiss Maggie is a student teacher at Flatirons Dance Academy who assists in ballet classes and competes in the ballet division with the FDA Company. She's known for her grace, focus, and dedication to her craft, and loves sharing her passion for ballet with younger dancers.