INSTRUCTORS + STAFF
CHANSEY EAMES – DIRECTOR + INSTRUCTOR
Chansey began teaching dance as a freshman in high school and has been passionate about the art ever since. A dedicated performer, she was a four-year member of her high school drill team, serving as Captain during both her junior and senior years. She also trained at her local studio in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Clogging, and Hip-Hop. Chansey was honored to represent her school as the Dance Sterling Scholar and continued her education at Snow College on a dance scholarship. She later pursued Business Management at Salt Lake Community College.
Chansey’s performance experience includes tours and shows at Disneyland, aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, and throughout the Mexican Riviera. Her greatest passion lies in training the next generation of dancers and sharing her love of dance with the community she serves.
Chansey is married to her husband, Ryan, and together they have three wonderful children: Kobree, Knoxx, and Phynix, who are the lights of her life. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, exploring the scenic beauty of Utah, and, of course, dancing.
ALLIA PEREZ — INSTRUCTOR
Allia is a technically trained Jazz and Contemporary/Modern dancer who has been passionate about dance from a very young age. She began her journey at just three years old and has since trained in a wide range of styles, building a strong foundation in both technique and versatility.
She spent a year on the Maple Mountain Drill Team, where the team earned 2nd place at the state level. She then joined the school’s Dance Company for two years, where she developed a love for choreography, taught team routines, and had her original work professionally adjudicated.
Allia is deeply passionate about teaching and is excited to share that passion with the dancers at SUDA. Her goal is to help students grow not only in their technique but also in their confidence and love for dance.
ADI JOHN — INSTRUCTOR
Adi began dancing at the age of three and spent 11 years as a competitive dancer, training in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop. She was also a member of her middle school’s dance company and later danced on her high school drill team for four years, serving as Dance Captain during her senior year.
Over the years, Adi developed a deep passion for dance and is excited to share that love with the students at SUDA. She brings both experience and enthusiasm to the classroom and looks forward to helping dancers grow in confidence and skill.
Adi is currently attending Salt Lake Community College, where she is majoring in Occupational Therapy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and is looking forward to an incredible season ahead.
EMMA WADSWORTH — INSTRUCTOR
Emma Wadsworth began dancing at the age of two as part of her physical therapy after experiencing multiple broken bones. What started as rehabilitation quickly grew into a lifelong passion. She trained for more than a decade at Classical Ballet Academy before joining the Pre-Professional Program at Ballet West Academy at age 12. During her time at Ballet West, she earned multiple scholarships and performed in a wide range of productions, deepening her commitment to the art form.
While at Ballet West, Emma was introduced to adaptive dance classes for students with special needs. This experience sparked her dedication to inclusive education, inspiring her to establish several special needs dance programs at studios throughout her community after high school graduation.
Emma’s foundation is rooted in classical ballet, but her training extends across contemporary, lyrical, neoclassical ballet, jazz, and ballroom. She danced with both her junior high and high school companies and competed nationally on her ballroom team, earning top placements. In her senior year, she competed in the Youth America Grand Prix and was invited to the prestigious finals in New York City.
Today, Emma is a freelance artist performing in multiple productions annually while also teaching and mentoring students of all abilities. Alongside her artistic career, she is pursuing a degree in nursing with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner—continuing her lifelong mission to help others through both movement and medicine.
JAZMYNE SHARP — INSTRUCTOR
Jazmyne began dancing at the age of five and quickly developed a deep love for jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. She was a dedicated member of her high school drill team for four years, serving as an officer her junior year and Drill Mistress her senior year.
Jazmyne is currently pursuing a degree in Dance Education at Utah Valley University. A well-rounded student, she was also recognized as a regional finalist for the World Language Sterling Scholar award. Jazmyne is passionate about continually growing as a dancer and educator and loves helping others discover their own passion for dance.
HAYLEY DEVOE — INSTRUCTOR
Hayley is a dedicated and passionate dancer with years of training in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballet/pointe. She began dancing at a very young age and fell in love with it from the start. As one of the original dancers at Straight Up Dance Academy, Hayley has grown both as a performer and a leader within our studio family.
While pursuing her own dance career, Hayley began assistant teaching and discovered her passion for mentoring younger dancers. She has been a member and officer of her school dance companies throughout middle and high school, which further developed her leadership skills and deepened her love for the art.
Hayley has earned numerous first-place awards, judges’ choice honors, and overall titles in competitions—both as a soloist and team member. One of her proudest achievements was receiving the prestigious All-American title at nationals.
Whether she’s in the classroom or on stage, Hayley brings creativity, energy, and a genuine love for dance to everything she does. Her journey reflects her commitment to hard work and her dedication to inspiring the next generation of dancers.
KATE CHRISTENSEN — INSTUCTOR
Kate began her dance journey at age 12 and quickly immersed herself in a wide range of styles. She spent four years dancing with the company at Utah COPA and an additional two years in their Musical Dance Theatre (MDT) program, developing both technical skills and stage presence.
In addition to her dance background, Kate competed in tumbling and trampoline for four years with High Altitude Tumbling and danced competitively in clogging for three years with RME Cloggers. She also brings over a decade of experience performing in musical theatre, further enriching her versatility as a performer.
Kate recently completed her first year of college on a dance scholarship at Utah Tech University. She will continue her education this fall at Utah Valley University, pursuing a degree in Business with a minor in Dance. Kate is excited to share her passion, experience, and enthusiasm with the dancers at SUDA.
LIDIA CHAMERLAIN — INSTUCTOR
Lidia discovered her love for dance at a very young age and truly found her stride when she began competing with Straight Up Dance Academy. As a dedicated and disciplined student, she excelled in her training across multiple styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop.
To further her technique and deepen her classical foundation, Lidia continued her ballet training with West Point Ballet. She is currently in her second year at Brigham Young University and is excited to return to SUDA to inspire and mentor the next generation of dancers.
PAIGE MATHEWS — OFFICE MANAGER
Paige has been a valued member of the Straight Up Dance Academy family for many years and served as part of our office staff last season. During that time, she demonstrated a strong commitment to creating an organized, welcoming, and well-communicated environment for our dancers and their families. Friendly, dependable, and knowledgeable, Paige is a true asset to our team.
She and her husband are proud parents to four children and are deeply dedicated to creating a joyful and memorable childhood for each of them.
Paige is excited to continue supporting our SUDA families and looks forward to providing the same level of care and dedication she has consistently shown in the past.
