Elevate Performing Arts Center is More Than Just Great Dancing™! We believe each student has God given worth and abilities, and the performing arts not only bring out each child's unique qualities, but also teaches them important life lessons! We know that not every student will go on to perform professionally, but our hope is that the lessons they learned through the performing arts will last them a lifetime.
Our goal is to provide a family friendly environment, with positive teachers in professional studios, all while instilling values and traits that will help develop our students into leaders. Our focus is to raise up the next generation to be strong leaders through classes, performance and volunteer opportunities, and our LEAD Performance Company.
Staff and Instructors
Elevate is proud to provide a professional instruction in a family environment. With a mixture of tradition and innovation, our faculty brings the best out of students each and every day.
Danielle Aikens-Holland
Founder & Artistic Director
Ms. Danielle has been dancing and playing piano for over 40 years. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a focus on piano performance, as well as a minor in Voice and Dance from Brenau University. She founded Elevate Performing Arts in 2002, which has allowed her to share her passion for music and dance and have a positive impact on hundreds of students over the last 25 years. She is proud that Elevate is the charter member of More Than Just Great Dancing affiliated studios for the state of Georgia.
Justin Holland
School Director
Mr. Justin is the School Director of Elevate and has been leading the team from the start. Former Stage Manager for Savoyards Light Opera in Atlanta (now the Atlanta Lyric Theater), he has been involved in productions of the Pirates of Penzance, Fiddler on the Roof, Kismet and more. He is passionate about inspiring kids to be the best that they can be and teaching them to give back to community.
emma browning
Elementary Hip Hop, Junior Hip Hop, Senior Hip Hop
Emma began her dance journey at Elevate 13 years ago, training in Hip Hop, Jazz, Pom, Contemporary, Ballet, and Pointe. She participated in the Taking Shape Leadership Program, serving as a class assistant for two years. She was also a member of our competition dance company, received the More Than Just Great Dancing award, and joined the studio on multiple trips to Walt Disney World and New York City. She attended the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Sciences. While at UGA, she was part of the UGA Red Hotz competition team and Counterpointe. She has taught ballet and hip hop at Elevate and is thrilled to return this season! When she’s not dancing, you’ll likely find her in the water working as a Fisheries Biologist, specializing in the management of aquatic nuisance species and educational outreach in Georgia.
alaina cardiges
Contemporary Ballet, Senior Jazz, Senior Contemporary
Alaina has been dancing for 22 years. She began her dance training at North Georgia Dance and Music Factory, and started taking classes at Elevate Performing Arts Center in the 5th grade . She has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop, Acro, and Contemporary, and was also a member of our Competitive Dance Company, where she received numerous awards, and also received a scholarship from the Pulse. Alaina has taught various styles and ages at the studio and is excited to be teaching again this season. Along with having a marketing degree from the University of North Georgia, she loves having the opportunity to perform professionally around the Atlanta area. Alaina enjoys being able to help her students grow as dancers and have fun while they learn.
shawn ensminger
Guitar, Bass
Shawn is a seasoned guitarist with over 30 years of playing experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Business, bringing both strong instructional skills and real-world perspective to his teaching. With a passion for working with students of all ages, Shawn focuses on creating a supportive, engaging, and effective learning environment.
Originally from North Georgia, Shawn is excited to be back after spending time in California. He is also a proud parent of two teenagers and looks forward to sharing his love of music while helping students build confidence, skill, and a lifelong appreciation for guitar.
isabella holland
Acro, Hippity Hop
Isabella has been dancing at Elevate Performing Arts Center for 20 years. She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro, and Tap. She has also been a part of our Taking Shape Leadership Program, and served as a class assistant for 5 years. Isabella was a member of our Competition Dance Company from 2012-16, and 2022. In addition to attending JUMP and Pulse conventions, she has also had the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney World twice, as well as performing in Times Square and at the New Amsterdam Theatre in NYC! She looks forward to helping her students grow as dancers, while having fun!
becall johns
Musical Theater
With more than 20 years of experience onstage, Becall has a lifelong love for performing and all things musical theatre. Her connection to Elevate began many years ago when she studied with Danielle and Justin as a young artist. She later moved to New York City to study Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy. Some of her favorite roles include Rizzo in Grease, Sharpay in High School Musical, and Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird. Outside of theatre, Becall enjoys working with individuals with special needs, singing in her church choir, and spending time with her pets, Duckie and Otter. Becall is thrilled to return to Elevate and looks forward to inspiring the next generation to find confidence, connection, and joy through musical theatre.
bria kellar
A Chance to Dance, Tippy Toes
Bria is a pediatric occupational therapist by day, and A Chance to Dance teacher by night. She is a local to Northeast GA where she began her dance training at age 4, growing in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance and performing in Atlanta with her pre-professional modern dance company, Good Moves. She attended Kennesaw State University where she decided to pursue a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in dance, though was active in the KSU dance company and Nu Delta Alpha. Bria pursued her Master’s of Science in OT at Brenau and currently practices in an outpatient clinic locally. Bria was an avid volunteer for a special needs dance program in undergrad and knew that once her education was complete, she wanted to head off her own program. Bria began small with local dance camps before finding her place with the EPAC community and Darby’s Dancers. She loves being able to combine both her passion for working with children with disabilities and her lifelong love of dance in a way that is fun and beneficial for all involved!
lily pittman
Ballet Beginnings, Elementary Jazz, Elementary Tap,
Hippity Hop, Junior Tap, Senior Tap
Lily discovered her passion for dance while dropping into a lyrical class at the age of 14. From there she was hooked! She then started her dance training at Sawnee School of Ballet in 2014. During Lily’s time at SSB she was a member of the Sawnee Ballet Sapphires performance group who were invited and danced in the Night Parade at Disney World, an inaugural member of the Sole Tappers performance group, along with participating in Sawnee Ballet’s Class Assisting Training program. She continued to trained in Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Irish, and Tap. On the side she dipped her toe into the community theatre world and danced in the musical ensembles of Holly Theatre’s White Christmas and 42nd Street. In 2018-2019 Lily also performed as a Principal Dancer In Sawnee Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” as the Rat King. In 2018 she then started her journey as a dance teacher and taught Jazz, Lyrical, Creative Movement, Ballet, Pointe, Acro dance, Tap and her personal favorite Irish. Lily worked as the Choreographer for “Holiday Inn” (2021) and “She Loves Me”(2022) at The Historic Holly Theatre in Dahlonega, Ga. Lily is beyond thrilled to be back and sharing her passion for dance again!
kelly rayborn
Junior Contemporary, Junior Jazz
Kelly, a native to Lawrenceville Ga, received her training from Southern Ballet Theatre. She has attended summer intensives at Atlanta Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. She continued her education as a dance major at Brenau University where she received partial scholarship and later finished at Kennesaw State University with a ballet concentration. Over the past 7 years, Kelly has performed professionally for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where she performed on 6 different ships in over 13 various production shows. She most recently finished two tours with “The Thorn”. Kelly is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers to captivate audiences and share the art of dance.
Alexis roper
Ballet Beginnings, Elementary Ballet, Intermediate Ballet
Alexis grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and trained in various styles of dance from the age of 4. She received a Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University. After graduation, she continued her training in New York and performed on the Today Show’s Halloween Special. Alexis also performed as a cast member on the Queen Mary 2 with Cunard. There she trained in the UK before boarding the renowned ocean liner. She has had the privilege to choreograph and coach for the Mill Creek Dance Team since 2019. Her pom choreography helped secure Mill Creek’s first state title. She has continued her education through certification in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique). Alexis’s heart for teaching has traveled with her wherever she goes from Oklahoma to New York to Atlanta. She loves being in the classroom to inspire the next generation of artists.
elyse teheran
Budding Ballerinas, Mini & Me, Tippy Toes, Tutus & Bowties
Elyse is a passionate ballet instructor with experience in the Cecchetti Ballet Method, specializing in young children and beginner pointe. She trained under Dana Williams, German Dager, and Magda Aunon, and at institutions like Ballet Magnificat, Atlanta Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet.
Since moving to Gainesville in 2023, she’s fallen in love with the Square and the community here. Outside of ballet, she enjoys camping and fishing with her son. She teaches with kindness, respect, and a focus on helping every dancer grow and thrive.