Kaelynne

Classical Ballet - Pointe - Preschool & PKK Classes (Ballet, Tap/Jazz)

Kaelynne has been teaching for over three decades.She grew up dancing under the amazing Shelley Tucker in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.Shelley instilled in her a passion for dance that gave her a passion for life.Many successful years were spent on the convention circuit with training from Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Marcea Lane, Barry Lather, Al Gilbert, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, and Luigi to name a few.In her pre-teen years Kaelynne wanted more technique and found herself at the Christensen Center created by Willam F. Christensen.Her life changed in the parking lot after auditions where the legendary Mr. C at 80 years old followed her out to talk.This conversation completely shifted her direction. She focused her training to be in his company and the next several years were spent under the tutelage of the Master Mr.C. Watching how he choreographed original works from the ground up instilled in her a passion for choreography that has never left.And even today when Kaelynne teaches, she not only teaches original Mr. C combinations but also references His many unforgettable phrases.While training under Mr.C, many notable guests came to teach.One of the most memorable was Jacques d’Amboise.Listening to him talk about his passion for teaching the next generation in the National Dance Institute he founded was monumentally influential.Teaching a child to dance has power.Kaelynne has never forgotten his words.She not only took them to heart, she was determined by them.

At the young age of 14, Kaelynne was asked to create and teach a dance program at the day care center next to her home.Twice a week she worked with all the children.One day was spent dancing and the other was spent around the piano with Kaelynne playing and the children singing and adding in movement.This complete belief that a 14 year old could be in charge allowed her to develop her teaching and syllabi skills.At 15 years old she was asked to teach the after school dance program through Jordan School District.At 16 years old she was asked to teach jazz, tap and ballet at several local dance studios.As she entered High School and continued training under Mr. C, her love for jazz found her auditioning for the award winning Accadian Drill team at Brighton High School. Her Junior and Senior years were spent as Head Captain responsible for choreographing and cleaning routines.Their team won State and National titles and Kaelynne individually won the State Drill Down competition.But most of all, she found her best friends.

Kaelynne competed her Senior year in the Utah Miss Pageant and placed 3rd runner-up and also won the talent and speech categories.She was a member of the ZCMI Seventeen Fashion Board and was then asked to return after graduation as their choreographer for several years of their productions at Capital Theater.At age 17 she was offered a company position by Gus Giordano that she turned down to pursue her education at the University of Utah.Kaelynne graduated with a BFA in Ballet and a MFA in Choreography and Teaching. During her tenure at the U she was a member of Utah Ballet, SAC President of the ballet department, Educational Outreach Director, Assistant Public Relations Director, and assigned to teach several technique classes. The opportunities to choreograph during her education was rich with success, with many receiving rave reviews, especially her graduating Masters piece entitled “Stages of Grief”. One of her favorite professional performing opportunities was as lead dancer in Utah Operas production of Aida.

It was also during these years that she began teaching at Dance Concepts in Sandy, Utah.Here she found a home of incredible mentors like Judy LeVitre and Melissa Graehl where they trusted Kaelynne at a young age with the ability to lead the ballet program and choreograph and teach for many classes including their competitive dancers. It was also in the first year of teaching at Dance Concepts that she began teaching a young 6 yr old dancer by the name of Megan Fairchild.Very quickly they bonded and Kaelynne began privately training her competitive solo/variation routines and technique. This continued for many years and they are still very close to this day.She also trained several other young dancers who are now accomplished leaders in our dance community: multiple drill and high school dance team coaches, studio owners, a Cougarette coach, and so many other gifted teachers teaching today.Every year her dancers achieve competitive scholarships, collegiate scholarships, national company placements, and even Broadway.And of course she also taught Megans brother Robbie Fairchild too, (who didn’t always love the slow pace of being in ballet class - including Ms.Kaelynne’s:), but she never gave up and it paid off.But she also loves seeing her past dancers achievements in fields of interest other than dance, especially that of Mom and Dad.Today she finds great joy in teaching many children of her former dancers.

Kaelynne’s choreography over the years has won numerous awards at every reputable dance competition with decades of winning and accolades too numerous to mention. She also spent many hours choreographing for drill teams, high school dance teams, and other competitive teams.After graduating with her Masters degree she continued directing, teaching and choreographing, but also found herself in an unusual unplanned job that was only meant to be a small side hustle; working for Challenger Schools.Kaelynne was a PS, Kindergarten, 1st/2nd grade teacher, assistant Principal, Principal of the Cottonwood school, and then Regional Elementary Coordinator.She also developed at the Salt Lake location her own successful after school dance program.These five years of being promoted quickly through several positions taught her many many things.One of the most significant influences was learning in depth about the trusted and impactful educator Harry K. Wong.His brilliant philosophies not only made sense to her dancer/choreographer mind, it made her a better classroom manager and has greatly influenced how she teaches to this day, and especially how she trains new teachers through her AIT Intensives.

In 2011 Kaelynne began teaching for Utah Dance Artists and was their Conservatory Ballet Ensemble Director for several years. It was in this program that many successful choreographies were created and won numerous awards.One of the most notable moments was when Kaelynne curated a night of dance at the Draper amphitheater entitled “Moonlight Dance” in connection with the Draper Reception Department.Megan Fairchild, Robbie Fairchild, Tiler Peck, and Andrew Veyette headlined the event, along with many local dancers from other studios.The George Balanchine Trust generously donated the ability to have George Balanchine’s choreography performed for free in honor of Kaelynne’s time spent teaching Megan and Robbie.What an incredible example of how the arts can influence us all for good when we come to together to celebrate its beauty and strength and make giving back to our community important.

After decades of choreographing winning routines for competitions, Kaelynne decided to shift her focus at Utah Dance Artists and developed a new program that would concentrate on molding the next generation of dancers and choreographers. She created Ensemble and the Artists In Training Intensives.AIT is an incredible hands on program where advanced level dancers learn how to teach and how to choreograph.This unique and singularly crafted AIT intensive syllabi from Kaelynne has been decades in the making. Many studios seek her out for speaking and teacher training because of this unique program.

But something else needed to be created. For decades Kaelynne had her own story ballet locked inside her creative mind.Utilizing these programs gave it a chance to finally become a reality.Wings: A Faerie Tale was created and performed for several years, and best of all, her AIT dancers were able to be participating choreographers and teachers.Seeing her dancers be a part of this will always be a dream fulfilled. Winning 1st place can be wonderful, winning the overall high point award is very special, being called out as having the top choreographic piece is exciting, but seeing your dancers find their own path in the creative process is a career highlight.This has now become Kaelynne’s real passion. Guest teaching and choreographing is very special to her, especially when she is with a group that is hungry to be better.She has stepped back from directing but still loves teaching and choreographing all levels and multiple genres.The ability to go from a very young beginning class to the most advanced competitive level all in the same day has become very fulfilling for her.If you are fortunate to have her as a teacher, a guest teacher, or choreographer, you must know this; she will become your Dance Mama and takes this role very seriously.So should you.

But Kaelynne’s greatest creative and life achievement will always be her three girls and being married to an amazing man.Without them, nothing else makes sense.

And if you have made it this far in reading, you should know this about Ms.Kaelynne, she can still do a back spin.

Education and Professional Experience:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet - emphasis in performance - University of Utah
• Master of Fine Arts in Ballet - emphasis in choreography and teaching - University of Utah

Career Highlight:

• Former member of Utah Ballet
• Guest performer for Utah Opera's "Aida" Production