Meet the Teachers
DENISE GULDIN has been a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) since 2008, an NCBTMB Approved Provider since 2013, and an Herbalist since 2022. With a passion for holistic wellness, Denise has dedicated her career to helping individuals achieve physical and emotional balance through the power of therapeutic touch and holistic healing.
In addition to her hands-on practice, Denise is the co-founder of Enlighten Continuing Education, where she offers a range of courses designed to empower fellow therapists with the latest techniques and knowledge in the field. Her commitment to education ensures that practitioners stay informed about evolving practices, fostering a community of skilled and compassionate therapists.
Denise's approach combines various modalities, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. She believes in the importance of continuous learning and strives to inspire others to deepen their understanding of the mind-body connection.
In 2024, Denise became a T Spheres Certified Dance Instructor to blend her passion for movement and healing with her commitment to holistic wellness. She has seen first hand with her daughter who has been dancing since 2013 that T Sphere can offer dancers a unique way to connect mind, body, and spirit, as well as promote physical health and emotional well-being. By teaching this practice, Denise aims to empower other dancers to express their creatively, and enhancing their physical and mental health while using T Spheres for injury prevention. Her goal is to create a supportive environment where individuals can explore movement, release stress, and foster a deeper connection with themselves.
Certified August 2024
KIM MCSWAIN is an energetic and compassionate teacher, educator and mentor that is leading a movement to change the lives of dance students and teachers across the globe.
As a dancer, Kim was undefeated as a soloist throughout her entire career as a competitive dancer, and as a professional dancer, she took Los Angeles by storm booking almost every job she went on. As a teacher, she worked on the convention circuit with Adrenaline and the largest in the world, JUMP. After that Kim joined NUVO as the Children’s Director. Interacting with thousands of students and focusing on technical development, she gained a reputation for inspiring young dancers to be more than excellent performers, but also excellent people.
The longer Kim taught, the more other instructors wanted to learn from Kim. In city after city, Kim’s teacher seminars drew huge crowds as she motivated countless instructors to be the best educator and role model they could be for their students.
These experiences led Kim to retire from the convention circuit to focus on the success of her unique Changing Lives program. Kim now owns KM Agency, the only dance consulting agency that travels across the country focusing on what dance studios need to succeed and educate their entire studio community on culture, programming, training and curriculum. Kim became a certified T Spheres Dance Teacher simply because the product works! She self proclaims that she is obsessed with them and everybody should own T Spheres and carry them with them at all times. Her philosophy remains that we are not just teaching dance. We are changing lives!
KM AGENCY is a private label partner and you can purchase the T Spheres sets “Chill Out” 58mm - Lavender and Peppermint aroma and “PURE CHILL” - no aroma here.
Certified July 2024
LAUREN RITCHIE (MEd, BA, ESFCC) is an established mental skills educator, dance teacher, and choreographer. Her areas of interest and expertise include sports and performance mental training, as well as the intersection of well-being and mindfulness. T Spheres have become an integral part of Lauren's well-being, and she looks forward to offering dancers another tool to take care of themselves and perform at their best.
Her work has led to the creation of international teacher training programs, dance and sport conventions, the pioneering show The Dance Podcast, and mental performance-based curriculums for dancers, athletes, and coaches. Lauren’s proficiency in performance preparation and enhancement has led to supporting youth and professionals in dance, theatre, hockey, music, gymnastics, volleyball, and soccer.
Lauren has been a featured speaker for the Women In Sport Speaker Series, the Female Sport Summit, Alberta Dance Alliance, Dance Studio Owners Association, House of Jazz (London), and the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo. She has delivered workshops to prestigious schools and programs like Harbour Dance Centre, the Alberta Ballet School, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, Capilano University, the University of Calgary, and The Bridge Movement.
Certified July 2024
COURTNEY THURSTON grew up in Clifton, VA just outside of Washington, DC. She has trained at schools such as The Rock School, The Joffrey Ballet, ABT, The Washington Ballet, and Broadway Dance Center. Some of her childhood works include: Debbie Allen’s production of “Alex in Wonderland” and ABT’s Christmas special “The Nutcracker”.
Courtney graduated from Pace University located in New York City with a BFA in Commercial Dance and Pedagogy. Her work includes body doubling Julianne Hough for a commercial choreographed by Marinda Davis. She can also be found on the big screen, where she danced in a movie titled “In The Heights” which premiered in the summer of 2021! Courtney toured with JUMP dance convention judging competition and running their JUMPstart program for many years. She is now a mentor At KMagency. Her past works include assistant choreographer for the “Sugar Bowl” halftime show, and assistant choreographer alongside Mia Michael’s for many different events and performances around the country. She has been a main dancer in ads for Canon Camera, McDonalds and Degree. Courtney was also featured on the hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” season 10.
Since graduating, Courtney has developed an interest in psychology. She studied abroad to receive her 200hr yoga teacher training . She has been certified in mindful meditation coaching, T Spheres Techniques, and is in the process of receiving her positive psychology certification. She shares her passion for dance and wellness by traveling the country teaching at different studios and events!
A fun fact about Courtney is that she held the world record for consecutive back handsprings from 2013-2016.
KENNA MCLAUGHLIN is a former professional NFL dancer for the Dallas Cowboys. She grew up dancing competitively in Garland, Texas where she found her love for Pro-league Dance teams. Along with a love for pro-team, Kenna danced alongside major artists such as Fergie, Black-eyed Peas, Slash and Usher. She was selected for MTV’s battle of the bands, as well as being chosen to choreograph for BET’s independent artist’s’ performance in 2017. While performing for selected gigs, Kenna received her BA from the University of Texas at Dallas in Dance and Performance. During this time, she was judging and choreographing at a National level for American Dance/drill Team School. After college, Kenna directed High School Dance and Drill Team. This is where Kenna obtained her Texas Educator certification in Dance and Physical Activity. Kenna has instructed and choreographed for Dance Institutes and Companies from Washington DC to Dallas, Texas over the past decade.
Kenna retired her career as a professional dancer to focus on contract choreography and open her own fitness facility in Amarillo, Texas, Branded Bodies. She also leads Branded Groove Crew, an extension of her company to share her passion for dance choreography and give dancers any opportunity to share their talent. It’s this passion for dance and fitness that lead her to further her expertise with a T Spheres Techniques Certification.
ALLY PAWLOWSKI is a movement artist and choreographer from Buffalo, NY, where she trained at Steppin' Out Dance Academy under the direction of Patty Wegryn-Pawlowski. In 2016, she received a BFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo. Ally presented work throughout her time at university, then trained as an apprentice with Jon Lehrer Dance, previously known as LehrerDance. In 2018, she moved to Los Angeles and joined The Assembly Dance under the direction of Lara Wilson. Ally performed as an artist in collaboration with Elizabeth Turks and Laguna Art Museum in Shoreline Project, a 1,000 person experience performed at the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach, CA. Ally's commercial credits include Silversun Pickups "It Doesn't Matter Why" music video, Native American Music Awards, and Hamburg Casino commercial promo. She has shown work at Mash Up Dance's International Women's Day and Brockus Project Dance's SHIFT/west residency. She is an adjudicator and master class teacher with Spotlight Dance Cup and works at Free People Movement, where she is able to combine her love of fashion and movement. Ally brings her passion for teaching to several studios throughout the Los Angeles area and Western New York. Ally is excited to be certified in T Spheres Techniques and looking forward to bringing more light to the importance of self care.
ALEXA SANNIOLA has been a dance educator for over a decade, advocating for "smart" dance training, with special focus on anatomy and the mind-body connection. She graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts 2014 with her B.F.A. in Dance having received the University Dance Work Scholarship and Dance Express Choreography Award. Alexais currently a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with Corrective Exercise and Performance Enhancement Specialties and is certified in T Spheres Techniques, Relative Motion, Progressing Ballet Technique, & Progressing Contemporary Technique. Her students have gone on to perform in the National Tour of Matilda, to attend Boston Conservatory, University of the Arts,Mason Gross School of the Arts, Alvin Ailey’s Pre-Professional Program on merit scholarship,and more! Alexa has worked with choreographers including Larry Keigwin, Brian Brooks, Doug Elkins, Ginger Thatcher, & Stefanie Battan Bland and performed in the Princeton Dance Festival& at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. As a member of Zella Dance Company, Alexa performed across the United States and she toured internationally withthe production Uma Saudação à Whitney Houston. In 2017 Alexa founded Lambarri Dance Arts, in memory of her grandmother Nilda Lambarri who passed from Dementia, to provide a spacefor young dancers to grow as artists while developing their technique incorporating functionalmethods to train in "smart" and more efficient ways.
MELANIE SANNIOLA is dedicated to providing young dancers with elite level dance education that incorporates not only technique but awareness of the body. She is a graduate of the MasonGross School of the Arts at Rutgers University 2016 with a B.F.A. in Dance cumlaude and wasthe recipient of The James Dickson Carr Scholarship. Melanie is currently certified in T Spheres Techniques, Progressing Ballet Technique, Relative Motion, and FLX Athletics. She has worked with choreographers Jessica Lang, Nick Bruder, Kate Weare, Jennifer Freeman, Kim Gibilisco, Keith Thompson, Paulette Sears, Randy James, Doug Elkins, and John Evans. As a member of The Movement Playground she has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.) and Jacob’s Pillow. Melanie is a graduate of the Christine Valmy International school and is a licensed esthetician in both NJ & NY. Melanie has always been an advocate for self-care and not only continues to further her own education, but shares all of this important knowledge with allof her students.
LIZ BOROM got her start in South Carolina studying classical ballet with the Columbia City Ballet. She was a soloist for the Spartanburg Civic Ballet before receiving an honors scholarship to attend the SC Governors School for the Arts where she trained under the direction of Edward Villella, Mel Tomlinson, and Sandra Neil. She continued her training in all genres of dance and studied in several notable studios and programs from SC to NYC. She went on to study dance performance and choreography in college at UNCC and Coker College.
Since college, Liz has been teaching, choreographing, and dancing all over the US for the past 25 years. Professionally, she has danced in commercials, film, television, and performed with several professional companies throughout the US.
Liz is currently on faculty as an Adjunct Dance Professor at Western Carolina University in NC. She is also on faculty for several dance conventions and she travels nationwide teaching and choreographing.
Liz's choreography has won multiple awards regionally and nationally. She writes a blog for dancers and dance teachers on her website geared toward using innovative ways to build dance technique and improve competition performance. Her classes teach dancers independent thinking and problem-solving. She is constantly seeking ways to expand creativity in young dancers and foster diversity.
You can find out more about Liz on her website www.lizbdance.com.
BLAKE STANLEY is a prodigious young choreographer and educator. Mentee of popular contemporary dance legend Mia Michaels, he is not only the recipient of numerous traditional national choreography awards, but is also on the forefront of new methods of injury prevention pedagogy, certified in the T Spheres Injury Prevention method. His mentees and students include dancers at the most prestigious performing arts schools (LaGuardia Arts, Frank Sinatra, Mark Twain), pre professional companies (Alvin Ailey, Joffrey, Ballet Academy East), and acceptance into universities, (NYU-Tisch, Marymount, Pace). Blake received his formal education at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory, as a full scholarship student, and consistently trained with industry leading choreography icons and educational leaders. He was a guest performer for the Joffrey Ballet, and continues to be an advocate for the Make A Wish Charity Foundation. Blake is a previous director of Brooklyn Center for the Arts, and currently holds residencies at several studios and universities across the United States.
HOLLY MEHEDIN, originally from New Jersey, began her dance training with Julie Caprio of the Hamilton Ballet Theatre. First immersed in Ballet and Jazz; she later added Tap, Modern and Musical Theatre to her repertoire. As a graduate of Mercer County, Holly received her Associate Degree in the Fine Arts-Dance. From anatomy and kinesiology, to ballet, jazz, and modern; her education increased her passion for dance. She thrives on education, and has studied in private and classroom settings with some of the best, including guidance from teachers such as April Cook, Shea Sullivan, Justin Boccito, Aaron Tolson, and Julie Garofalo. She also kept perfecting her skill set at Koresch School of Dance, and spent time performing with the Ballet South Company of New Jersey. She has been teaching for 21 years and has made it her top priority to give her students the best education possible. She focuses on anatomy and injury prevention in her classes, and is currently back in school pursuing her degree in Physical Therapy. She loves educating her dancers about the benefits of self care, and is excited to begin working with T Spheres!
JAIMIE GOODWIN grew up training under Denise Wall. She has gone on to perform on SYTYCD both as a contestant and an Allstar. She has also appeared in commercials, movies, and television shows including Dancing With The Stars, Ellen, Glee, Rock of Ages, High School Musical 3, Mad Men, Two and A Half Men, and many more. She's enjoyed making appearances on the Emmy's, The Academy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and The American Music Awards as well as working with several artists such as Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue, and Miley Cyrus. She has also enjoyed the theatrical world of touring with Travis Wall's Shaping Sound. When she's not performing she nurtures her passion to share through teaching. Jaimie has choreographed for and taught dancers all over the world through conventions, at studios, and at universities. She has overcome several severe injuries that have led her to be an advocate for wellness and injury prevention in dancers and she has most recently been certified in Sugarfoot Therapy's injury prevention conditioning program as well as working alongside T Spheres to bring the knowledge of wellness and longevity to our community.
LISA EBEYER trained at Giacobbe Academy of Dance in New Orleans, LA. She started her professional career at age 16 with The Jackson Ballet. When she left Jackson Ballet she went back to New Orleans & joined Delta Festival Ballet dancing many Principal roles in ballets such as La Fille Mal Gardee, Arthur Mitchell's Holberg Suite, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Nutcracker & Fernand Nault's rock opera ballet Tommy. After several years with DFB she moved to NYC & danced For Michael Kraus & New Choreographers on Pointe. When she moved to LA she danced Snow White in Disney's Symphonic Fantasy national tour & Anybody's in West Side Story at Sacramento Light Opera as well as some film & television work. She now teaches ballet primarily for Dana Foglia Dance Programs and Self Care for Dancers for T Spheres and is so very happy!
Born and raised in Costa Rica, LORENA PEREZ recently graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, acquiring her MFA degree in dance with an emphasis in performance and pedagogy. Throughout her life as a dancer, Lorena has performed in a variety of venues from television to non-profit events, such as Nigel Lythgoe's Dizzy Feet Foundation in Los Angeles, Dancing with the Stars, Costa Rica and the first Broadway musical in Costa Rica, West Side Story. She has also performed works such as "Grace" by Ronald K Brown in Radio City Music Hall and worked in site specific performances for choreographer Kate Harpootlian. She recently performed her first work as an apprentice with VALLETO dance company and is currently part of the faculty at Ballet Hispánico and Dance Management studio. In her ten years of teaching dance and choreographing, she has had the opportunity to teach at the NYU Future Dancers and Dancemakers program and choreographed for the SADC company and for various concerts at the Jack Crystal Theater. As an educator, she seeks to protect and help dancers lengthen their artistic careers through a preventative approach to injuries. Therefore, she is immensely honored and thrilled to join the T Spheres team as a new certified injury prevention instructor.