Ms. Ella Grace, also known as Coach Ella, has always dreamed of owning a dance studio. Her training in dance started in ballet and became jazz focused with her interest in musical theatre. Ms. Ella Grace taught jazz and musical theatre for four years, while coaching local middle and high school dance teams. She has choreographed for numerous local theatre productions and dance teams. Her dance teams have placed 1st in Pom, 2nd in Hip-Hop, 3rd and 4th in Spirit Showdown, and 2nd in Game Day division categories at regional UDA and DTU dance competitions, 6th and 9th nationally, and she has had over 6 routines receive high scores at dance competitions. She loves coffee and sparkles (and of course dance)!

Coach Erika began dancing at a young age. She danced competitively throughout middle school and high school, winning titles at the state, regional, and national levels. In college, she continued to pursue her passion for dance by joining the University of Tennessee’s dance program, BOSS Dance, and competing with the dance team at Tennessee Tech. These experiences provided her with invaluable opportunities to showcase her artistry and learn from established mentors. She has choreographed in various styles for dance teams and programs and has enjoyed introducing teams to Pom and Game-Day styles. Coach Erika is passionate about teaching the important life skills that dance cultivates both on and off the stage!

 Brynden has taken ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and tumbling at the Oak Ridge Academy of dance since she was in middle school. Throughout middle and high school she danced competitively and became a hip hop and pom national champion! During college she danced at the D1 level at TTU, her senior year they placed 9th in the nation at UDA college nationals in the game day division. While in college she helped choreograph many middle and high school time out and half time routines, as well as with technique and college prep classes. She is currently the assistant coach of the Roane State College dance team!

Grace Karstens started dancing at 8 years old, at the competitive level at Platinum Dance Studio in Lebanon, Tennessee. Specializing in Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Jazz, but open to all styles, Grace loves to tell a story while bringing one’s passion to life through movement and rhythm within dance. She has received multiple awards and titles within her home studio, as well as doing solos of all styles from when she was the age of 11 to graduation. Since graduation she has choreographed for multiple middle school and high school dance teams, as well as helping out collegiate level teams when needed. While being on Tennessee Tech’s Dance Team, she has gotten to experience the technical styles of Pom and Game Day. By being on a collegiate team, she has gotten the opportunity to compete at the Division 1 level at UDA nationals, bringing home awards and overall ranks in the United States. While still being a student in college, she has loved getting to branch out and help dancers find their love just like she did at an early age! 

Ashlyn Warren is excited to be a teacher and choreographer at Upper Cumberland Stars! She started dancing and competing at a very young age and fell in love with it very early. She is very blessed to have been able to continue doing what she loves as a current member of the TN Tech Dance Team! She first started choreographing solos for younger members at her home studio during her sophomore year of high school. She has recently choreographed multiple groups, duets, and solos for this upcoming competition season! Growing up, she competed in many different competitions and a variety of styles. She loves all styles of dance, however, she specializes in lyrical/contemporary and hip-hop! Since she started dancing, she has dreamed of being a teacher/choreographer, and she is very excited to continue her love for dance at UC Stars! 

Katie Hale is from Dickson, TN. She is one of the teachers at Upper Cumberland Stars, and she is so excited to get started and get to know you. She has been dancing for 16 years. She was in competition dance for 10 years, on her high school dance team for two years, and in her freshman year on the TTU Dance Team. She is trained in acrobatics and tumbling, ballet, ballroom, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, improv, lyrical, pom, strength and conditioning, and tap. She specializes in ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and tap. 

She has choreographed solos and duos for individuals as well as group dances for dance teams. Each year her high school had a major fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center, and the main attraction was a dance competition. She was a team Captain and choreographed a hip hop, lyrical, freestyle/skit, and step routine along with one of her teammates. She was fortunate to work with a fabulous team, and won the “Dance Off”!!

She is excited to share her passion for dance and teach others the beauty and technique of dance. She is eager to teach dancers to hone their skills for both competitive and recreational dance. Recreational dance is fun, but competitive dance takes it to the next level. She grew up going to dance competitions and loves the atmosphere and excitement it brings. Competitive dance is a challenge but such a fun process. All in all, she thoroughly enjoys dancing whether it be on a stage or in the studio!
 

Megan Cundiff is a Roane County native who was homeschooled and went on to attend Roane State Community College and graduate from Austin Peay State University with a BS in Exercise Science and a BA in Dance. She grew up dancing with Arts in Motion in Kingston, TN, and performing for many years in the Nutcracker Ballet. She received a dance scholarship to APSU for ballet and also performed with the Dance Team. Additionally, she studied dance abroad in Japan. Megan was active in the theatre while at Austin Peay, being a stagehand for several plays and an assistant stage manager. Megan taught ballet, tap, and jazz at Arts in Motion. She has taught ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz at Austin Peay and local studios while living in Clarksville. She’s excited to be choreographing for Roane State’s upcoming musical The Sound Of Music. She is very happy the be a part of this new adventure with UC Stars Dance. 

BIO COMING SOON!