Studio Director & Dance Instructor:

My name is Ashley Clark. I have lived in the Treasure Valley since 2017 and previously lived here for four years. 

I grew up in Nevada and started dancing at a young age. I trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop and clogging. I was a cheerleader as a youth up until my freshman year in high school and danced on my high school dance team from sophomore to senior year. I danced on a competitive clogging team in Reno, NV. I also travelled to participate in many workshops in California and Utah for cheer, and dance. As a teen I student taught alongside several instructors at my studio and eventually taught my own classes. I am so thankful for the many instructors that supported and encouraged me throughout my years of dancing and I hope I can help young dancers enjoy the movement and expression that dance gives. I have a young family now and I see first hand how much children love to move! 

I have had the pleasure of working with both the the competitive teams and recreational dance classes at Ignite Studio. The instructors at our studio are wonderful! I'm so thankful to have this team!

Dance Instructor: 

My name is Jessica Lavigne. I have had a great love for the arts since a very young age. Everything from painting, singing, to dancing. I love the ability we have to use creative outlets to express our thoughts and emotions. Dancing has a way of making any day better, any problem smaller, and reminding us of how truly special we are individually. I love being able to teach those truths to my students and watch their confidence and love for dance grow.

I started dance at the age of three. I spent most of my dance career, at a competitive level, with DSDS located in Pocatello Idaho. We competed in multiple states and earned many respected awards in lyrical, jazz, and hip hop. I moved to Twin Falls, during my junior year, and continued competitive opportunities with Neilson’s School of Dance. I have partaken in many workshops, dance caravans, and specialty trainings; including the CSI Dance Camp Intensive during my senior year. 

Since then, I have done choreography for school teams and studios. I specialize in lyrical, ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop. My most recent teaching endeavor was with a studio in Nampa; MoD Dance Academy. I taught for two years before taking time off to have my second baby boy. I am truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity to run Ignite Studio and to work with so many amazing people. We have all worked hard together to cultivate a unique and rewarding dance program that our dancers love. We have an amazing and supportive community, here at Ignite, and there is nothing better than getting to teach and share our dancing passion with children.

Dance Instructor: 

My name is Heather Demars.  I began dancing at the age of five and, by the age of eight, realized it was one of my passions.  I soon began formal training in tap, jazz and ballet at a local dance studio. For the next six years I competed in group and solo competitions throughout southern Alberta.   However, once I began dancing on Point Shoes, ballet stood out above the rest!  I eventually completed all 8 levels of the Royal Academy of Dance Program.  As a Junior and Senior in High School, I balanced my time between high school sports and running my own dance studio, which served young girls in my own community and the surrounding towns.    

After graduation, I relocated to Provo, Utah to pursue a training certificate in the dental industry.  While there, I continued to take dance classes at Brigham Young University.  I eventually returned to Canada where I served as the Manger and Programmer of Recreation for the City of Taber, Alberta. 

During their formative years, all 3 of my daughters have danced for various local studios, and seemed to have inherited my love for both dance and sports.  Once my children were all in school, I began instructing dance in tap, jazz, and ballet for Miss Macie.  I have been with Ignite Studio in Meridian, Idaho for the last 8 years.  I love working with the staff and students at Ignite during the day so I can continue doing what I love best – being a mom. 

I am so grateful for the instructors that taught me a love for dance. Dance has given me confidence, a creative outlet, and helped me maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Seeing my students progress and develop a passion for dance is very fulfilling.  I just love to see their personalities come through as they dance!  

Dance Instructor:

Hello, My name is Kassandra Valentine and I am excited to continue my journey of being a Dance instructor and bring my vast dance experience to Ignite Dance Studio. I am from Roseville, California and I have over 23 years of dance experience. I have been trained in many genres of dance that include various styles of Jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, tap and musical theater. Beginning at age
10 through High School I danced competitively at Regional and National competitions in California and Nevada. During these years I participated in multiple dance conventions and workshops as well as took master classes from Dance professionals such as Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore and Chris Jones.

After graduating from my high school, where I was captain of the dance team, I moved to attend Boise State University and become a member of the Boise State Mane Line dance team during the years of 2010-2013, where I was fortunate to experience performing at football, basketball, and volleyball games. In addition, I was able to travel with the team and preform at 3 nationally televised Bowl games. In addition, I competed in National Dance competitions and a collegiate level.

After graduating from Boise State with my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and minor in Marketing, I moved back to California where I continued once again being a dance instructor both at the competitive and recreational level. I have been teaching dance for 10 years. At Dance Elite All Stars I taught varied ages of dancers, I was the head Instructor for the Junior Lyrical, Senior Jazz, and Musical Theater Competitive Teams . I choreographed solos , duos , small groups, and large production competitive routines . These routines were at the novice through advanced levels and were recognized with multiple awards to include: Judges Award “Routine to Watch” and High Point Excellence Award from Legacy Competitions and Nationals Final High Score Award and 2nd place at Starbound Nationals.

I recently moved back to Boise and I am looking forward to passing on my knowledge and love for this wonderful form of art to my students. Teaching dance will always be a passion of mine and I can’t wait to develop and create fun and creative routines at this new wonderful studio I am lucky to be a part of.

Dance Instructor:

Hi, I’m Mrs. Stephanie! I’m so excited to be working with the wonderful team of dancers here at Ignite! I developed a love for ballet and all things dance when I was just a toddler. All through my youth, I trained with some of the best dance instructors in Utah, focusing primarily on ballet and jazz.  In high school, I was a member of an award winning competitive dance team that took me to many events locally and nationally.

I’m now married and have a wonderful six year old daughter at home.  Seeing her learn to dance has made me want to pay forward the great instruction I received in my youth. I’m thrilled to work with this new generation of young dancers. 

My name is Abbey Roll. Dancing has always been a part of my life! I began dancing when I was 3 years old; I felt it came naturally to me.  I have training and experience in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, ballroom, cheer, gymnastics, and various other styles connected to school musicals.  I have always loved the stage and sharing my passion for the performing arts with others. 

 When I was young, I trained at Razz-ma-tazz Dance Studio in Twin Falls, ID and Center Stage Dance Studio in Orem, UT.  I was a cheerleader in Junior High and High School, where I was also asked to create the choreography for several competition routines. I was cheer captain my sophomore year and a song-leader my junior year.  Also during my High School years, I coached 4 Junior High squads, which won nearly every competition we entered using my own choreography.  After leaving High School, I did hip hop choreography for the Lone Peak High School (Utah) drill team. As a student at BYU, I took several dance classes and competed with the Ballroom Company, intermediate level. I also choreographed a ballroom routine at Sugar Dance in Sugarhouse, Utah.  I taught ballet/tap combo classes at Tip-Tap-Toes dance studio in Meridian, Idaho, and taught an intermediate hip hop class at Idaho Rhythm in Nampa.  

 I joined Ignite Dance Studio in 2021 and have loved teaching level classes as well as competitive hip hop. 

 I have been married to my husband Alex for 12 years and we have 4 children: Carson, Oakley, Harper, and Charlie. 

Dance Instructor: 

Hello, my name is Jennifer (Jenn) Goodrich. I am very excited to be joining Ignite Dance Studio and sharing my love of dance and performing with you all! I grew up near Sacramento, California and have 32 years of dance experience. I have trained in many genres of dance that include Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Choreography, Technique and Conditioning. 

My dance experience from a young age through Highschool includes dancing competitively at Regional and National competitions in California and Nevada. While training under Carrie Pereira at Carrie’s Studio of Dance, I joined the “Carrie On” dance company and participated in performances at Sacramento Kings basketball games, California State Fair, showcases, Magic Music Days & Main Street Parade in Disneyland & California Adventure, and a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Also, during this time I participated in Conventions and master classes with Pulse/Co. Dance, and Sacramento Area Dance Alliance; learning from Dance professionals such as Mia Michaels, Chris Jones, Mandy Moore, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, and Robert Roldan, to name a few. 

At the end of high school, I started my path to teaching as an instructor assistant in 2000 and went on to have my own classes and competitive teams starting in 2003. My teaching experience not only has taken place in various studio settings with all age dancers, but I have been able to work as a teacher for a dance enrichment program in elementary schools and had the great opportunity of choreographing soloists who competed for the Miss Sacramento and Miss Mendocino titles. Most recently I was an assistant dance team coach for Lincoln High School, in Lincoln California from 2018-2021, assisting with practices, sideline choreography, attended camps, football and basketball games. 

I love helping others and love teaching kids. I enjoy seeing the progress my students make in the studio and the excitement they have when they step out on stage. 

I graduated from Sacramento State University in 2008, with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and emphasis in Human Development. I studied pop jazz and tap while in college and participated in Dance Department showcases. 

Currently I am a mortgage loan processor with LoanDepot and enjoying being a new mom to my son, Devin. My husband and I just moved to Idaho in 2021 and have loved exploring this new state. I am excited to continue my love of teaching and dancing with you all. 

 Dance Instructor: 

Hello! My name is Lily Harris, and I’ve been a dancer for 13 years. I am a 17 year old student and dancer at Rocky Mountain High School, and will graduating May of 2022. 

I was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and grew up dancing at Vogue Dance Company (now Elevé Dance Studios). Beginning at the age of four, my aunts introduced me to the world of dance and it’s been my passion ever since! I’ve competed in all styles of dance since the age of six, including jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. I also trained at Idaho Falls School of Ballet the last couple of years before I moved.

At the age of 12, my family and I moved to the Meridian area. I then competed with Impact Dance Center and Fitness Studio, and trained in ballet at Eagle Performing Arts Center. After a year at these two companies, I decided to switch to a fine arts school and began my two years as a dance major at Idaho Fine Arts Academy in Eagle, Idaho. I was given the opportunity to help choreograph and prepare multiple dances that were performed on stage.

My junior year I decided to switch over to Rocky Mountain High School, and auditioned for the Diamond Dancers. This will be my second year on Rocky’s dance team and also my last! 

Through all my years of training, I continue to grow my passion for dance. There’s nothing I love to do more, and I can’t wait to work with Ignite this year!