Kelly Smith
TDM Founder / Owner, Company Director, Master Choreographer and Instructor
Kelly Smith has been dancing since the age of 3. Raised in Dearborn, Michigan, Kelly trained at a highly competitive and technical studio. After obtaining her BA in psychology while continuing her dance training, Kelly relocated to Colorado with the desire to utilize her unique artistic voice to develop and support dancers of all ages and abilities. She founded The Dance Movement out of her passion to provide dancers with a loving, supportive environment while instilling a solid foundation in training and technique. Kelly is dedicated to excellence and specializes in choreography, flexibility, conditioning and movement. She has trained many dancers who have continued their dance careers in a variety of avenues such as signing with college dance teams, receiving dance scholarships for college studies, and booking industry jobs on television, off-Broadway and with the Radio City Rockettes. Kelly thoroughly enjoys teaching dancers of all ages and making dance a fun, positive learning experience. She is the proud mom to her daughter, Prairie, one of Colorado’s Top Competitive dancers and soloists who is a member of our TDM Company Competitive Team..
Bree Ray
Company Director, Choreographer, Master Instructor
Bree has been dancing and performing for over 25 years, including spending time as a member of professional dance teams including Colorado Crush and Rockstarz. She is renowned for educating dancers on proper technique in a variety of genres, and has been recognized for her choreography both regionally and nationally. Bree is the Director of our award-winning Competitive Company Team. As a dance instructor, Bree feels it is essential for her students to feel inspired, powerful, confident and passionate in a positive, comfortable environment.
Kayla Longstreth
Squad Competition Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Kayla is one of TDM's master instructors and choreographers educating students in a variety of dance styles including contemporary, jazz, hip hop, technique, conditioning, flexibility/stretch, Acro and Poms. Based on her years of experiencing transforming dancers with a focus on technique, flexibility and style, Kayla was selected to serve as the Director of our Squad Competition team. Having danced professionally with the Colorado Crush and the Dream Project Dance Company, Kayla brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Kayla is also an in-house master choreographer for group dances, solos and duos / trios. Her choreography has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades on the competitive dance circuit.
Lauren Hughes
Acro / Tumbling Master Instructor
Lauren started gymnastics at the age of 5 and grew up competing in Colorado in both the CARA and USAG programs. She finished her career competing collegiately for Texas Women's University in 2005. She coached recreational and competitive gymnastics, as well as cheer tumbling before joining TDM. Lauren has a love of working with children and a passion for acrobatic dance skills. She helps dancers create amazing results while emphasizing the importance of safety and proper form in her acro classes. Lauren is also the proud parent to her two children. Her oldest, Arabella, is a part of our TDM Company Competitive Team.
Macy Stacks
Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop Instructor
For the past 12 years, Macy Stacks has had the joy of shaping lives through dance. She has trained in many styles including Tap, Jazz, Hip hop, Ballet, Contemporary, Modern and Musical Theatre. Her teaching focuses on correct technique, musicality and self love. As a choreographer, Macy has choreographed multiple full length productions and has been recognized for her choreography in both the competitive and collegiate sector. Macy started her collegiate dance journey at Casper College (WY), where she was a featured soloist in the dance production Carmina Burana. She went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management with a Minor in Dance from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Macy is looking forward to continuing her dance journey while inspiring audiences and students through movement and storytelling.
Thomas Grassia
Master Ballet Faculty Instructor
Thomas began his dance journey at The National Dance Institute of New Mexico, followed by training at The Colorado Ballet Academy and Premier School of Dance before college. Thomas has studied and performed in a wide variety of dance styles, including ballet, modern, tap, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and musical theater. His performance experience includes The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream with The Colorado Ballet, along with works by André Megerdichian and the late Salvatore Aiello at CSU. Thomas graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. As a choreographer, Thomas has developed a growing repertoire of original pieces, establishing himself as a talented artist. He has been commissioned to choreograph for an operetta and an opera at CSU. Additionally, his talent has been recognized with all award-winning dances created for fraternities and sororities.
Melissa King
Master Instructor: Leaps & Turns / Technique
Melissa is one of Colorado’s top instructors for leaps and turn technique and development. Melissa’s love and dedication for dance shine through in the passion she instills in her students as well as in her choreography and coaching. She is a University of Colorado graduate with over a decade of professional experience teaching dance as well as coaching Poms Teams. Melissa is always excited and eager to inspire and teach the next generation of dancers!
Melissa Halpin
Resident Master Ballet Instructor
Melissa received her training at the School of Orlando City Ballet for 13 years under the direction of Beatrix Aldana and spent her summers training with renowned teachers including Luba Gulyaeva, Mark Spivak, Valeria Sinyavakaya, and Veronica Aldana. She performed with the student company until 2001, and upon graduation was accepted into the 2002 Youth America Grand Prix finals in New York City. In Orlando, she performed with Russian Ballet under the direction of Vadim Fedotov, and also spent five seasons with Central Florida Ballet under the direction of Vasile Petrutiu. She has had the opportunity to travel as a guest artist for many venues in the United States. Her repertoire includes classics such as The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and The Nutcracker, and contemporary works.
Darcy Glenn
Front Desk / Office Manager
Darcy Glenn is a Colorado native who resides in Erie, CO with her husband and two children. She graduated from Metropolitan State University (Denver) with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. Darcy has a passion for working with children, and has spent over 20 years as a preschool teacher. Her daughter, Birdie, started at TDM in 2021 and is a member of The Dance Movement Competitive Team. Darcy is focused on providing friendly and professional service to all of our amazing dancers and families. Please don’t ever hesitate to stop by and see Miss Darcy at the front desk. She is happy to help or answer any questions!
