Hailey Watters was born and raised in Seattle and has been studying dance for most of her life. She has had the opportunity to train, perform, and travel all around the United States honing her craft. Hailey studied at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City for two years and went on to receive her B.A. in Creative Studies with a concentration in Dance from the University of Washington. Go Dawgs! She has interned at the The John F. Kennedy Center in the “Performing Arts for Everyone”/Millennium Stage department in Washington D.C. where she assisted in the production of a host of multidisciplinary performances. She also had the pleasure of interning at Dance/USA where she helped plan their 2015 Annual Conference in Miami, FL. She is a firm believer in the arts connecting communities and advocates for all children having access to the arts. Hailey will be starting her 10th season with IDT! 

Shannon comes from Salt Lake City, Utah and has studied dance since the age of 5. Her earliest memories are moving and being consumed with all things dance! She has trained in Korean folk dance, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Modern Dance. She danced competitively, both regionally and nationally, and was a two time Tremaine Dance Convention Scholarship recipient. She also had the opportunity to study at the EDGE dance studio, Performing Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Dance New Amsterdam, Peridance, The Joffrey Ballet School, Parson’s Dance Company Summer Program, American Dance Festival, The University of the Arts Summer Program, and The School at Jacob’s Pillow where she had the opportunity to study with some of the greats in jazz dance: Luigi, Matt Mattox, Chet Walker, and Patti Wilcox. Mrs. Adams graduated Cum Laude in 2004 from the University of Utah with a BFA in Modern Dance, and was a two time recipient of the Elizabeth R. Hayes scholarship. She has also performed locally for DASSdance. Shannon has a great love and passion for teaching and choreographing for her students at Issaquah Dance Theatre. She loves teaching all levels and ages and loves seeing the growth and artistry in all of her students.

Kirsten started her dance career at the age of 10 where she was a competitive drill team dancer. She later became a competitive cheerleader and a Level 5 gymnast. She has performed in a singing, drama and dance touring group and has been the creator and choreographer for her own hip-hop company for children. She has coached gymnastics as well as cheer at Cascade Elite Gymnastics. She was a co- head coach for Roosevelt High School Cheer Squad focusing on tumbling and stunting.  For the past 5 years she has been a hip-hop instructor at Woodinville Dance Academy and in the past 4 years has created and grown the Acro program there. Kirsten has a very big passion for dance as well as working with children and is excited to be at IDT!

Naomi Bray began her dance training at Issaquah Dance Theatre at the age of three studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. She continued her training at Pacific Northwest Ballet from ages 8 to 15, performing in five seasons of The Nutcracker—including the role of Clara—and progressing through levels 1–6 with a strong focus on ballet and modern technique. Naomi returned to IDT at age 15 to continue her training at the highest level, studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Heels. She has danced classical and contemporary roles, including, Giselle in Giselle, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Big Swan in Swan Lake, and featured roles in The Nutcracker like Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, and more. She furthered her training at summer intensives with Oregon Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet (CA), University of Utah, and Boston Ballet.

Naomi began teaching in 2018 and has worked with dancers ages 3–18 in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Creative Movement. While earning her Marketing degree at Washington State University, she also taught at Sanctuary Dance, where she continued developing her skills as a teacher and choreographer. She’s excited to be back at Issaquah Dance Theatre as part of the teaching and administrative team!

Mallory was born and raised in the PNW. She began dancing as a child taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop as well as joining her studio's competition team. She attended the University of Washington where she studied Communications and Dance. She returns to Issaquah Dance Theatre after a break to focus on motherhood and her career in media publishing. Mallory has a passion for working with kids and is excited to be back teaching at IDT.

Hayley is from the Pacific Northwest and started her dance training at age 5 with Bremerton Dance Center. She joined BDC’s partner pre professional company Peninsula Dance Theatre from 2002- 2018 and performed in many principal roles. Being part of Regional Dance America/ Pacific, Hayley had the pleasure of performing and taking master classes at many festivals held around the U.S. She has taught various dance styles including Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz to all ages over the last 10 years. She has choreographed for various shows as well. Hayley started her own dancewear line in 2021 and is an advocate for anyone who wants to dance (every body is a dance body). She is happy to start her fifth season with IDT.

Dakota Elizabeth is a multidisciplinary artist with a dynamic career spanning dance, photography, and makeup artistry. Specializing in contemporary, jazz, acro, technical development, and hip hop, she brings a deep understanding of movement and expression to everything she does. A proud graduate of the University of Washington, she was raised in Seattle, WA and trained with some of the industry's brightest talents. She further honed her crafts in Los Angeles, where she immersed herself in the creative professional industry. With a teaching career that began in 2008, Dakota Elizabeth is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of artists. She is known for fostering confidence in her students while developing their individual strengths and artistic voices.

Her work—whether on stage, behind the camera, or in the studio—reflects a passion for storytelling, technical excellence, and authentic self-expression. Check out www.dakotaelizabeth.com for more!

A Detroit native, and accomplished ballet dancer with twenty-plus years of experience, El has lived in Seattle for 3 years now. They were inducted into Miami City Ballet’s professional training program at seventeen. El began dancing from 2013-2018 for companies such as Charlotte Ballet, Ballet Austin, and Milwaukee Ballet, eventually finding their home at California’s Bay Pointe Ballet. Over their career, El performed in several noteworthy productions such as: Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Balanchine’s Western Symphony, and playing the role of Mina in Bruce Steivel’s Dracula. El’s diverse experiences have afforded them a wide understanding of various styles and techniques, including Vaganova and Cecchetti syllabi. El is excited to return to Issaquah Dance Theater this season!

Hi everyone! I’m Nicole and I’m so excited to be joining the IDT faculty this upcoming year! Ive been a member of the IDT PG team since 2018 and have loved being a part of it. Over the years I’ve been in ballet, jazz, acro, and hiphop. My favorite style is hiphop and I have continued to focus on it. I currently attend issaquah high school as a junior. Can’t wait to work with everyone! So excited for this season!

Belle is from the greater Seattle area and is a recent graduate from the University of Washington where she majored in Political Science and Creative Writing. Her experience ranges from working in law offices, insurance agencies, childcare, sales, and more. She values her role as Office Administrator at IDT and appreciates the artistic, hardworking, and fun atmosphere of the community. 

Ava Wine (she/her) began dancing at IDT in 2018, studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hiphop. In addition to technique classes at IDT, she is a member of the IDTPG competition team.  She is part of “Fluid Force”, a professional assisting team for the “FLUIDDANCE” competition, and is looking forward to starting her second year traveling with world class choreographers and assisting master classes. She has also attended summer intensives such as Ballet Arizona and Oregon Ballet Theater. Currently, she is going into her senior year of high school graduating from Issaquah High School, as well as dual enrollment in Bellevue College. Her goal is to attend college for Dance and Journalism in 2026. She is excited to help young dancers get the same  “IDT experience” she did while learning how to further her career as a dance teacher. 

Danielle trained with the Louisville Ballet School for 12 years as well as attending a Youth Performing Arts High School (YPAS) in KY. She received her BFA in dance pedagogy/performance from the University of Hartford, during which she performed at the Kennedy Center as a soloist in Jean Grand Maître’s Uroboros. In addition, she trained with dance masters like Peggy Lyman, Kirk Peterson, Franco Devita, and Maria Youskevitch. Danielle trained in NYC at The Alvin Ailey School and The Limon Institute and worked professionally in New York with Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Mary Seidman and Dancers, Mimi Garrard Dance Company, and danced in a site-specific project at Grand Central Station. After moving to Seattle, she worked with Spectrum Dance Theater under the direction of Donald Byrd; in which she performed in PNB’s Celebrate Seattle Festival and the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Danielle appeared as a “Shark girl” in the 5th Avenue Theater’s production of West Side Story and danced with Seattle Opera’s production of The Pearl Fisher’s. Danielle joined DASSdance in 1999 and danced in Festivals including the D.U.M.B.O Dance Festival the Dance Now Festival in NYC and at Diane von Furstenberg -The Theatre. Danielle has taught at numerous schools including Hartford Ballet School, Island Dance, & Evergreen City Ballet. Danielle is excited to be starting her 10th season.

Emmy teaches compassion, creativity, and communication through the art of dance. She has professionally performed and taught ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, salsa, partnering, and hip hop for the past ten years across the USA and Kenya, focusing on dance as a tool to break down barriers and build communities. ​Emmy is the Program Director at Arts with a Purpose. This program utilizes dance, art, music, and creative writing to build meaningful relationships; empowering trauma-impacted youth to develop tools which foster a healthy, productive future. Emmy has experienced first-hand the life changing effects of dance, and her gratitude shines brightly in her teaching style. Emmy is in her 11th season with IDT.

Nicole Bishop (she/her) is a passionate teacher and choreographer with over a decade of experience training dancers at all levels. She trained at Tempe Dance Academy in Arizona and interned at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, working closely with Jim Cooney, Sheila Barker, and Derek Mitchell. Her professional career includes performing as a Bluebell in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! in Las Vegas, Dance Captain in Dream in Guam, and roles in Guys and Dolls, Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker, and Good Morning America, with work spanning NYC, Vegas, and Phoenix. Nicole’s teaching style is dynamic and expressive, rooted in strong technical foundations.

She has choreographed hundreds of award-winning routines and thrives on guiding dancers through those exciting “ah-ha!” moments. Her students have gone on to The Ailey School, Boston Ballet II, Ballet Memphis, Ballet RI, Nashville Ballet, UT Dance Team, and more. Originally from Arizona and formerly based in Houston, Nicole now lives in Seattle with her family, continuing to teach and choreograph.

Derek Rajah is a versatile dancer and choreographer with 9 years of freestyle experience and 6 years in choreography. Specializing in Hip-Hop foundations and grooves, animation, and popping, Derek blends technical depth with expressive movement. He’s currently studying house, lite feet, locking, and waving to expand his style and versatility.Derek trains and performs with The Garden Dance Co. under Avery Gardner, and continues his growth under the mentorship of Caden Hensen and Shaq Lawrence. He also serves as the Co-Director of CDFamProductions, where he helps lead and cultivate a creative dance community.For Derek, dance is about more than movement — it's a way to express music, connect with others, and share energy. His classes focus on developing strong foundations, musicality, and personal style, all within a supportive and inspiring environment.

Gabrielle took her first ballet class when she was 2 years old and that is where her journey in the dance world began! Gabrielle has always been dancing or moving in some way, shape or form. After dancing her elementary school years at a few studios, she moved on to Evergreen City Ballet where she stayed for 11 years! One of her favorite roles she performed was the wolf in Peter and the Wolf with choreography set by Daniel Wilkins. In addition to teaching in studio, she also taught through ECB’s outreach program teaching ballet during PE hour with Renton School Districts elementary schools.

Following her time at ECB, Gabrielle went on to dance in PNB’s outreach program and had the opportunity to dance during a Sonic’s halftime show, spent a summer at Kansas City Ballet, danced with Green River Community College’s cheerleading team, and then eventually landed in the company with 127th St Dance - a contemporary company out of Seattle. 

Holly Logan Livingston is a choreographer, dancer, and dance educator in the Seattle area. She studied ballet under Elena Dominguez-Bartley, Luis Dominguez, and Nancy Dominguez-Cole at the Performing Arts School of Metropolitan Toledo. At PAMT she also trained in Jazz (Giordano based), Tap, and also extensive training in Musical Theatre. Mrs. Logan went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University with a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography with a minor in Theatre, where her studies not only included daily technique classes but also in dance composition, dance pedagogy, as well as dance mechanics and anatomy. Since her graduation in 2009 Holly has worked as a performer with companies such as Verlezza Dance (Cleveland Ohio) and here in Seattle with Sixth Day Dance as a performer, choreographer and instructor. Holly is also the Artistic Director and founder of a professional company in Seattle called Intrepedis.

Coming Soon!

Wasssup IDT! This is Harinidhi and I am so excited to dance with all of you. I have been dancing for a few years now starting with the WWU dance team, Sinihha and Hi10 in Bellingham during my undergrad. In Seattle, I have been part of The Garden run by the Avery Gardener where I have met some wonderful movers. I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy to become a physical therapist (soon). Thank you for having me! 

Ella discovered her love for dancing in Carlsbad, California at the age of 3. She danced at Dance Images and Evoke Movement until moving up to Washington where she danced at IDT from ages 11-18. She performed with IDTPG for 6 years along with 7 Nutcracker seasons. She took the opportunity of teaching a tap class her senior year of high school and continued to teach after graduation. Ella went on to minor in Dance at UC San Diego, participating in Aequora Ballet Club and performing in department productions. She also has since continued her training; with Whim Whim Company in their 2025 summer intensive program and various other classes at studios in the Seattle area.
Her training spans a variety of styles, including contemporary, modern, jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop and choreography. She especially values the discipline, creativity, and joy that dance has brought into her life.
Now returning to IDT, Ella is excited to be back in the studio that shaped her. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge, experience, and love of dance with the next generation of artists.

Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Marleen Land will play the piano for food. Her love for music began so early she honestly can’t remember NOT playing. Family lore recalls her begging to leave her great-grandmother’s friend’s house because, as she explained, “They don’t have a piano here.” Looking back, she admits it probably had more to do with being three years old and bored out of her skull.

Her passion carried through college, where she earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education. She has OFFICIALLY (with credentials to prove it) taught in five states and has the battle scars to match. Since 1992, she’s accompanied dance classes at Pacific Northwest Ballet and countless organizations across the region, from UW to West Seattle to visiting companies like LINES (San Francisco) and Hubbard Street (Chicago).

Beyond dance, she’s also played for just about every RELIGION in the area—though fair warning: avoid theological debates, she can argue any side! Mrs. Land has been accompanying classes at Issaquah Dance Theatre since 2016 and looks forward to many more years of livin’ the dream.