Meet the Team
dana douthwaite
founder & artistic Director// jazz & contemporarySeattle-born and raised, Dana Douthwaite discovered her passion for dance and choreography at a young age. She trained with multiple technical programs along with local companies, such as The Westsiders and KreativMndz PG, where she developed a strong foundation and artistic voice.
She later moved to Los Angeles, working in music videos and live performances before becoming the Manager and Program Director at Millennium Dance Complex—the most recognized dance studio in the world—from 2022 to 2025.
Now based back in the Pacific Northwest, Dana is a sought-after teacher and choreographer, working with dancers locally and across the nation. She is passionate about creating a high-level, supportive training environment and is dedicated to helping her students grow, build confidence, and reach their full potential in dance and in life.
dakota elizabeth
head of operations/marketing // acroDakota Elizabeth is a multidisciplinary artist with a dynamic career spanning dance, photography, and makeup artistry. With a strong background 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.
ali garoutte
Hip hop // companyAli Garoutte is a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and personal trainer based in Seattle, Washington. She has trained in hip hop, jazz, jazz funk, ballet, contemporary, tap, and heels dance. For the past 5 years she has been training and teaching at Kreativ Mndz Dance Complex where she was a member of PG Fam and KM Elite. Her credits include performances such as WE DAY Seattle, Jete and Carnival in LA, Monday night football halftime show with Ciara, assisting on the 541 Vibe City Tour, and more. She is a passionate student and teacher and loves to continue training to better her craft so that she can provide the best training to students that she can. Along with her passion for dance, Ali is also passionate about fitness. She has been a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise since 2017. Whether it be in fitness or dance, Ali loves helping people achieve their goals and aspirations, while creating a welcoming space where students feel free to express and be themselves.
alison epsom
Ballet extraordinaireFrom London, England, Alison trained at The Royal Ballet School under Katya Zvelebilova and Valentina Moukhanova, before completing her training at The English National Ballet School and on scholarship at The London Studio Center, graduating with a BA Hons in Theatre Dance, First Class Honors. She has enjoyed a diverse career, with theater credits including: On Eagle’s Wing, U.S. tour and DVD (The Rembrandt Ballerina); Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film); show dance partner to Latin Ballroom legend Paul Killick for The Fire and Ice Dance Spectacular, Ballroom’s Best at The Vail International Festival of Dance,, Paul Killick’s ballroom exhibitions in London, Portugal and Hong Kong, and the prestigious Wintergarden Ballroom; Follies in Concert at The London Palladium. Since moving to Seattle she has enjoyed dancing for International Ballet Theatre in Dracula, Giselle, Coppelia and The Nutcracker. She also maintains her interest in ballroom dance, training in the American Smooth style and dancing in productions for Microsoft and the Hyatt Olive 8. Commercial credits include trade shows, campaigns and music videos for The Rakes, Sky TV, Unilever, Marks and Spencer, Tatler magazine, and Japanese dance magazine DDD.
amy sugawara
company manager // multidisciplinary instructorAmy Sugawara was born in Orange County, California, and moved to Washington at the age of 14. Inspired early on by her mother, Amy followed in her footsteps and began a lifelong journey in dance. Her formal training began in California, where she studied Tap, Jazz, and Ballet at Freddie Finn Dance Studios and Inspirations Performing Arts Center. In 1995, Amy joined Turning Pointe Dance Centre, where she expanded her repertoire to include Lyrical and Hip Hop. She was among the original members of the Turning Pointe Dance Team, now known as The Trilogy Dance Company. Throughout her career, Amy has also danced with several renowned Seattle-based companies, including In Effect, Team Boogiezone’s Breed, Twisted Elegance, and The Next Movement (TNM). She also performed inThe New Millennium Tap Dance Review. Amy’s choreography has been showcased across Washington state. She has created original works for The Trilogy Dance Company, Washington State University’s Crimson Girls Dance Team, Gig Harbor and Jackson High Schools, Eastern Washington Elite Dance Team, Footlites Dance Studio’s Dance Explosion Team, and Broadway Bound Dance Academy’s Dance Addiction. Additionally, she serves as choreographer for Radio Disney’s On Stage Road Crew and Talent Team in Seattle. Amy has a deep appreciation for all styles of dance and believes it fosters self-discipline, passion, and lifelong connections. As an instructor at Turning Pointe, she cherishes the opportunity to introduce students to the world of dance, helping them explore creativity, build confidence, and develop strong foundational skills.
terrence spencer
hip hopTerrence Spencer is a choreographer, creative director, educator, and performer from Tacoma, Washington. As the Creative Director of Kollective8 Arts Studio, Director of the Seattle Storm Dance Troupe, and Director of the Washington Wolfpack Dance Program, he has established himself as a respected leader in the Pacific Northwest dance community and beyond.
Throughout his career, Terrence has worked with and shared the stage alongside internationally recognized artists including Mariah Carey, Ciara, Macklemore, Marques Houston, Mila J, and Hannah Monds. His creative work spans live performance, commercial entertainment, film, television, and major festivals, with choreography and appearances featured in movies, music videos, and productions seen by audiences worldwide.
A recipient of a choreography award from Monsters of Hip Hop, Terrence is known for blending his powerful, dynamic movement, with a smooth sensual flow at times, that creates his unique groove and bounce. Whether directing professional dance programs, creating for the stage and screen, or mentoring the next generation of performers, his mission remains the same: to inspire, elevate, and create meaningful experiences through dance and entertainment.
madison lydia
contemporaryBio coming soon!
christina kinder
adult hip hopBio coming soon!
apprentice faculty
We believe that investing in the future of dance means investing in future leaders. Our Apprentice Faculty Program is designed to foster the growth of emerging educators through intentional mentorship, practical teaching experience, and professional development. By nurturing their passion for leadership and education, we aim to prepare them for meaningful opportunities within the dance industry long after graduation.
payton hammitt
avery birds
