Our INSTRUCTORS
KIMBERLY BECK THOMSON
Certified MASTER INSTRUCTOR
Dance: The Cutting Edge was conceived and created by Kimberly Beck Thomson, a certified dance curriculum expert, an award-winning choreographer, successful dance studio owner, and third-generation instructor with 35+ years of experience.
Following in the footsteps of her mother Danie Beck, Kimberly trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, lyrical, musical theater, and acrobatics from a young age. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development and a minor in Theatre and Dance. Kimberly received her certification through Florida Dance Masters – an accredited teacher training organization (Exam Based). She has since studied under many master teachers, been a student at Broadway Dance Center, Steps, and Millennium Dance Complex, and attended numerous professional workshops and teacher training courses—which she continues to attend to this day!
During her early years as an entertainer, Kimberly worked with top-level performers such as Will Smith, Marie Osmond, Chubby Checker, and Joel Grey—just to name a few.
She went on to receive awards for her choreography and has had the privilege of choreographing several opening production numbers for NBC’sOrange Bowl Parades in Miami. Other achievements include judging numerous regional and national dance competitions, serving on the faculty of distinguished dance organizations, running Dance Unlimited Miami for ten years, and serving on the Florida Dance Masters Board of Directors for twenty-five years.
Kimberly is especially passionate about working with students of all backgrounds, ages, and levels. She is proud to note that her dancers are consistently recognized for having a superior level of technique, poise, and stage presence. Kimberly’s former students have accomplishments that include: performing in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas; winning season five of the hit TV show, So You Think You Can Dance; starring in a TV series (The CW); touring with Broadway (including 42nd Street and West Side Story); teaching at Steps and Broadway Dance Center; appearing in La Cage aux Folles; and performing as back-up dancers for Britney Spears and Beyoncé.
Professional & Performing Dance Instructors
Nadine Barton
INSTRUCTOR/BALLET
Nadine is currently in her fourth season with the Alabama Ballet, performing soloist and corps de ballet roles in works such as Don Quixote and Coppelia. She is also currently commissioned to set new work with the Alabama Ballet. She teaches ballet, contemporary, pointe variations, and jazz at studios in Florida and Alabama. Nadine is a Master Teacher and judge with Florida Dance Masters, and has been granted many choreographic opportunities with the Alabama School of Fine Arts and AROVA Contemporary Ballet.
Allyn Ginn Ayers
INSTRUCTOR/BALLET
Our Basic Ballet was conceived by Allyn Ginn Ayers, a professional dancer and dance instructor based in Miami, Florida. Allyn Started dancing at the age of three and developed a strong background in both classical ballet and modern techniques. Previously working with Giin Dance Company, located in Washington, D.C., Allyn is a member of Dance Now!
Curtis Holland
INSTRUCTOR/TAP
You may recognize one of our video instructors from So You Think You Can Dance: Season 10—Curtis Holland. Curtis has trained under professionals such as Savion Glover and is currently dancing up a storm across the United States, from Oregon to New York City, where he has performed on Broadway in Mean Girls and Shuffle Along.
Elizabeth Acuna Nuevo
INSTRUCTOR/BALLET
Elizabeth is the owner and director of Artistic Dance Center, located in Doral, Florida. She began her ballet training when she was only three years old and began teaching at age fifteen. Within three years, Elizabeth became an assistant director of a prominent ballet school in Miami. Since then, she has performed in many classic and contemporary works such as Giselle and Sleeping Beauty.
Sofia Arencibia
INSTRUCTOR/PRIMARY BALLET
Sofia grew up training intensively at Artistic Dance Center where she is now the artistic director. She performed lead roles in The Nutcracker and in many variations from classic works such as La Bayadère, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Napoli, and more. She also held pas de deux roles in classical works that include Swan Lake, Paquita, and more. Sofia earned many accolades in national competitions such as the American Dance Competition and Youth America Grand Prix, where she attended the New York finals.
Alyssa Fernandez
INSTRUCTOR/TAP
Alyssa started dancing at Just Dance It in Miami, Florida, when she was five years old. At age eleven, she began to train with Mike Minery and shifted her focus to tap dancing. At fifteen, she led The Loose Screws alongside Michelle Fergis. She began teaching at sixteen, and at seventeen, she was cast as a principal dancer in a national McDonald’s™ commercial featuring Lebron James, Johnny Manziel, and many others. Alyssa is currently studying public relations at Florida International University and plans to pursue a teaching certificate so she can run a high school dance program.
Dani Solano
INSTRUCTOR/CONTEMPORARY
After graduating from Florida International University with a BS in Marketing, Dani pursued a career in dance, landing a role in the movie Step Up: Revolution. She went on to work with choreographers Parris Goebel, Tanisha Scott, Aisha Francis, and Tracy Phillips.Dani has danced alongside artists such as Pitbull, J. Balvin, Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Maluma, Flo Rida, and Becky G, and has choreographed for award shows. She also made an appearance on TV shows such as Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, Good Morning America, and The View.
Adriana Irzarry
INSTRUCTOR/CONTEMPORARY
Adriana is a contemporary, modern, lyrical, jazz technique, and jazz funk teacher/choreographer at Miami Dance Company in Miami, Florida. She also trained in ballet, hip hop, acrobatics, tap, and musical theatre. For the past six years, Adriana has been the artistic director and company manager for the nationally recognized Miami Dance Company. Her work has received numerous national choreography awards, recognition for versatility, and praise for developing strong and artistic technicians.
Leo Chavez
INSTRUCTOR/HIP HOP
Leo Chavez, founder and CEO of Last Call Talent, is a world-renowned dancer and choreographer with a wide repertoire of performances in live shows, world tours, television, feature films, and commercials. Among his many achievements, Leo’s most recent work includes the Nicky Jam Intimo World Tour, the Sech Suenos World Tour, Rich Music’s The Avengers World Tour, and the Yandel World Tour (in which he has recurring choreography). Leo also has choreography in over 60 music videos—establishing himself as a dance fixture in the music video industry.
BRIELLE THOMSON
INSTRUCTOR/VARIOUS STYLES
Brielle grew up in Miami, FL, and began dancing at the age of 2. She competed at both the regional and national levels for over 17 years, specializing in various styles of dance under some of the industry’s greatest instructors. Brielle was a 4-year member and 2-year officer of Seminole Dance Force, Florida State University’s nationally recognized competitive Sports Club Dance Team. She graduated as valedictorian from Full Sail University with a Master’s degree in Entertainment Business. Currently, she resides in New York City, where she just completed the Professional Semester program at Broadway Dance Center and is now pursuing dance professionally.
ASHLEY LAUGHLIN
INSTRUCTOR
Ashley Laughlin was born and raised in Miramar, FL. She started dancing at the age of 5 and competitively danced for 17 years in a wide range of dance styles and genres. Ashley has been recognized for her accomplishments over the years, including becoming a recipient of a True Performer Award and an award for being an Assistant Coach for Dance League. She was an officer of the Seminole Dance Force, Florida State University’s nationally recognized competitive Sports Club Dance Team. Currently, she teaches at a variety of studios in South Florida while also serving as the Head Coach for a high school dance team, known as the Archbishop McCarthy Maverick Legacies.
Julie berardi
INSTRUCTOR/DANCE TEAM
Julie Berardi is the owner and artistic director of Synergy Dance, as well as the present head coach of the Eastern University Cheer and Dance Teams. She began dancing at an early age and had extensive technical and ballet-focused instruction at the Oxford Center for Dance (PA) under Dina Gazzero and the Mid-Atlantic Ballet Company (DE) under Sara Taylor Neal. From 2015 to 2021, she was the coach of the three-time National Champion Penn State Lionettes Dance Team. Since 2015, she has choreographed for over 50 dance teams and studios and earned multiple titles and choreography awards.
