Meet the Instructors
Kelsey Faulk Pérez, Owner & Artistic Director
Director and Owner of Everything Goes Dance Studio, Kelsey Renee Faulk Pérez (She/Her) has been part of the “EGD Familia” since the young age of 7, where she began taking dance classes in 1998 under the direction of the late Shannon Calderon-Primeau.
Kelsey grew up on the stage, not limited to dancing. Her love for acting & singing blossomed alongside dance, where she has performed in dozens of plays & musicals throughout her years on the stage. Over her years of performing in theatre & dance, she has won multiple awards, including Best Female Newcomer Performer at Jewel Box Theatre, the Senior Superlative of “Most Likely to be on Broadway” at her alma mater, Putnam City North High School, Excellence in Tap, Ballet, & Modern Dance, and both Junior & Senior Miss Elegance as a student at Everything Goes Dance Studio.
Kelsey discovered her love of choreographing and teaching in 2008, when, as a senior in high school, she was handed a dance class her theatre teacher with zero dance knowledge was asked to teach. Kelsey led 15 of her peers, level beginner to advanced, through a successful semester of learning ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. Kelsey has thrived in the classroom as an instructor ever since.
She was head choreographer and stage manager at NW Optimist Performing Arts Center, where she choreographed dozens of shows, including Oklahoma!, Fame Jr., Anything Goes, The Apple Tree, Grease, Aladdin, and Cinderella, to name a few. In 2014, she choreographed, produced, and directed Project: Choreograph It, a showcase of movement meant to help break the stigma on mental illness, helping raise hundreds of dollars for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Kelsey continues to expand her knowledge of dance and instruction, including receiving certifications from Dance Teacher University and Acrobatic Arts©. Kelsey proudly serves as a member of the Programming Committee for the inaugural Calderón Dance Festival, helping ensure that the festival stays true to the wishes of the beloved Miss Shannon Calderón, and plans to continue assisting with the festival for many years to come.
Kelsey is not afraid to try new things—she sees dance and instructing as a forever-changing art form and will always continue her training, research, and learning in order to become a better teacher, choreographer, and artist. ‘Miss Kelsey’ takes sincere pride in her art and loves to spread her joy of creativity to anyone who shares her passion. She feels honored and extremely blessed to be the Owner/Artistic Director of Everything Goes Dance Studio and is dedicated to keeping Shannon Calderon-Primeau’s legacy and dreams alive through the studio’s passionate and whole-hearted presence in the community.
Kevieion Johnson, aka “KJay”
Instructor & Company Director
Instructor & Company Director Kevieion Johnson (He/Him), aka KJay, started out as an assistant choreographer/student under Ernesto Calderon at Everything Goes Dance Studio back in 2010.
Even with classes in high school, Francis Tuttle, and BPA he still tried to squeeze in and help as many classes as he could. After graduating both high school and Francis Tuttle, he decided to dedicate most of his time to the studio.
KJay has now been with EGD for 14 years. He started as a Hip Hop instructor and Hip Hop Crew Dance Company Director in 2018. His true-to-traditional-hip-hop choreography has won our EGD Hip Hop Crew multiple awards at competitions, including Judge’s Award “Beasts in the Making”, PAC Attack Callbacks, and Most Creative Concept.
He is excited for his 7th year as an EGD Hip Hop Instructor, and says he has many years to come. Teacher KJay is known for his goofy but passionate teaching style, and can often be found hyping up his EGD familia in any way he can!
Adelita Dixon-Hernandez, Instructor
Adelita Dixon-Hernandez (She/Her) was a member of the University of Central Oklahoma’s (UCO) Kaleidoscope Dance Company from 2002-2005.
After graduating from UCO with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance, she attained her K through 12th Dance Education Certificate, and taught dance at both the middle and high school levels. Her accomplishments include Capitol Hill High School’s Teacher of the Year, Multi-Cultural Teacher of the Year and the state Fine Arts Educator of the Year. Adelita spent over 18 years dancing and performing as one of the principal dancers with Norahua Mexican Folklorico Dancers of Oklahoma.
She attended summer intensives in the areas of Mexican Folkloric Dance from the University of Chihuahua (Bellas Artes). She also studied under professor Isidro Salas of Houston Texas, and was the official contemporary director for the world famous dance company Compania Folklorico Alegria Mexicana. Adelita is an internationally known choreographer in the area of Mexican Folkloric Dance.
Her choreography has been featured in Mexico’s Festival Del Mundo, various award winning Mexican Folkloric Dance Companies in Texas, and at the International Festival in Disneyland. Miss Hernandez is known for her strong and passionate teaching style, where her love of Folklore shines bright while sharing her knowledge in the classroom.
Halee Harder, Instructor & Company Director
Halee Harder (She/Her) graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. She started dancing when she was three years old under the direction of the late Shannon Calderon Primeau. Halee trained with the Everything Goes Dance Studio for fifteen years where she trained in flamenco, hip hop, ballet, pointe, modern, tap, and jazz. She is now currently a dance teacher/choreographer for Everything Goes. She has won awards such as the 2019 Oklahoma Education Award for Arts Excellence in dance, the 2023 Choreography Award for Platinum Performance Plus Dance Competition, and the 2023 Choreography Award for Best Choreography in the Dance Department at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Halee had the opportunity to attend the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and train under the direction of Andrew Palmero and Levi Marsman. She was also a part of the University of Central Oklahoma Kaleidoscope dance company and was able to work with various choreographers including Michael Esperanza, Alexander Olivieri, Hui Cha Poos, Tina Kambour, and Sheri Hayden. In 2022 she was able to travel with Kaleidoscope Dance Company to perform in New York City with Bare Dance Company. In 2022 she was awarded the University of Central Oklahoma Research, Creative, Scholarly Activities Grant and was accepted to travel to Eau-Claire, Wisconsin with her cast to present at the 2023 National Conference for Undergraduate Research.
In August of 2023, Halee founded Mysterious Minds Dance Company, where their mission is to provide awareness to Mental Health and Suicide Awareness. In the Fall of 2024 she will be attending the University of Central Oklahoma to pursue her Masters in Public and Nonprofit Administration.
Ms. Halee can often be found doing dance improv in an empty studio room, and is known for her unique choreographic style and huge passion for watching her students learn and improve.
Liz Kraft England, Instructor
Liz Kraft England (She/Her) is a native of the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. metropolitan area. She had the privilege of training with some of the most renowned teachers and ballet schools on the East Coast.
She spent 10 years under the direction of Robin Conrad Sturm and Robert Sturm at the Northern Virginia Dance Academy. Her professional training also included The Washington School of Ballet, The Russell School of Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Magnificat. While living in the Washington Metro area she danced for 5 years with the Asaph Dance Ensemble, a professional dance company.
The Asaph Dance Ensemble performed in the District of Columbia at venues including The Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, the Lisner Auditorium, and several venues in Northern Virginia. She also danced with Ballet Magnificat, another professional dance company, from 2006-2009. In 2007, she was one of three Ballet Magnificat dancers selected to choreograph and perform in the live PBS filming of John Tesh’s show, "Alive." Liz danced with Arrows International, in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
She has also danced internationally in New Zealand, Africa, and London, England. Liz has taught dance for over 13 years in Virginia, Mississippi and Oklahoma. In 2009, Liz moved to Oklahoma City where she began teaching at several local dance studios.
From 2015 until Spring of 2019 Liz owned her own dance studio where she enjoyed teaching classical ballet as well as setting full length ballets on her students such as: Peter Pan, Cinderella, Peter and the Wolf, The Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote. Liz currently enjoys teaching dance as well as group fitness in the Oklahoma City metro. Ms. Liz is known for her passion for teaching younger generations the love of a classical style.
Megan Murray, Instructor
Oklahoma native, Megan Murray (She/They), began tapping when she was 8 years old. While most tappers grew up in the inner cities, Megan grew up on a large ranch in central Oklahoma.
Megan has been under the directorship of Professor Robert L. Reed until his passing in July, 2015. As his protege, she has danced with or performed the choreography of some of tap's greatest including Jason Samuel Smith, Karen Calloway Williams, Avi Miller & Ofer Ben, Bill Irwin and Cathie Nicholas, to name a few. Megan has studied the history of America's first unique dance style - tap, which originated from slaves as a form of communication.
It is one of their many goals to keep tap alive by teaching, choreographing and performing the Tradition of Tap. ..."I'm so glad to see you continue to carry on his legacy (Robert L Reed) and I think you are the best one to do it..."; Diana (Lady Di) Walker.
Exciting and traditional rhythmic tap choreography has been responsible for winning many of our EGD Tap Companies and Tap Soloists top awards at competitions and are a favorite of the stage during community events. Ms. Megan is known for their cool and calm style and can often be found tap-jamming when an EGD studio room is empty.
Elizabeth Kabrick, Instructor
Elizabeth Kabrick (She/her/They/them) began dance at age three at Bill Graham Dance Studio as an outlet for an abundance of energy. Two years later, she joined the Lawrence School of Scottish Highland Dance under the direction of Betty Lawrence, who remained their teacher and mentor for over 20 years.
Along with learning the dances, history and technique were important components of Elizabeth's education in Scottish Highland. With their first exam at age eight, Elizabeth tested regularly under the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) eventually earning Highly Commended Member status at age sixteen. Scottish Highland helped open the world to Elizabeth as she trained and competed in Canada, Australia, England, and of course Scotland, as well as numerous US cities.
Highlights from their competitive years include performing in Glasgow’s Lord Provost Procession, competing in the Sydney Opera House, and qualifying for the US Championship three times. In 2011, Elizabeth received an unexpected, yet life-changing invitation from Professor Robert L. Reed to join a tap class.
She learned as much as she could from him until his passing in 2015, continues to study rhythm tap under his protégé, Megan Murray, and attends tap workshops such as The Big Apple Tap Festival in NYC when possible.
Elizabeth is thrilled to share the joy of dance at Everything Goes Dance Studio, where everyone is welcome on the dance floor. Ms. Elizabeth is known for their high-energy and passionate teaching style and can often be found taking classes of all styles as an EGD student, as well.
Heidi Brooks, Instructor & Company Director
Heidi Brooks (She/Her) is originally from Phoenix, Arizona where she began dancing at the age of three. She is classically trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary.
Heidi received her Bachelor's degree in Arts Entrepreneurship with an emphasis in Dance Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma. She also earned her masters degree in Adult and Higher Education at the University of Oklahoma. As an avid Arts advocate, Heidi served as the Events Manager for Oklahoma City’s Scissortail Park through spring of 2023.
She believes in the power of the arts and building relationships within the arts community. She is now excited to expand her knowledge of arts management and dance, helping on various projects with multiple companies around the OKC Metro as a freelancer. Heidi’s pedagogy is strongly rooted in fostering dancers' skills and artistry with each individual taking ownership of their dance experience.
Ms. Heidi is known for her encouraging attitude and technique-driven-passion in the classroom.
Judge Kabrick, aka “Teacher J”
Instructor & Company Director
Judge Kabrick (They/He) has been dancing at Everything Goes Dance Studio since he was 9 years old, starting in Tap and Hip Hop. Judge has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Mexican Folkloric, and Break Dancing in their 12+ years of dance experience.
During their time at EGD, Judge was involved in Hip Hop Company and Spirit of Mexico. They have also been a dancer in the Race Dance Academy from the years 2016-2019, and was a trainee with Race Dance Company for the 2022-2023 season.
With his time at Race he has had the opportunity to dance for a number of community events in Oklahoma as well as special performances, such as dancing with New Kids on the Block, performing Thriller with the Oklahoma Philharmonic, and performing in their annual Hip Hop Nutcracker. Judge has also choreographed for Harding Fine Arts Academy’s musicals of Shrek and School House Rock. He has also worked for Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, teaching and choreographing for their camps and classes. In Spring of 2024, Judge graduated from Oklahoma City Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Theatre Arts.
Teacher J is incredibly excited to continue teaching at Everything Goes, their original dance home, and is known for their contagious smile and fun-loving & encouraging attitude around the studio.
Kayla Smith, Instructor & Company Director
Kayla Smith (She/Her) is originally from Highland, Michigan, and has been dancing since she was five years old. Kayla graduated from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University in May 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in American Dance Pedagogy, and a minor in English.
Some of her favorite courses were Jazz, Tap, and Ballet Pedagogy, History of Teaching Dance, and Choreography Theory. Kayla performed with the American Spirit Dance Company in the annual Home For The Holidays and Broadway Revue productions.
When she wasn’t performing, Kayla worked with the wardrobe team as the Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor and Assistant Costume Shop Manager to help create many of the costumes used in the American Spirit productions. Her favorite style of dance is Jazz. Kayla is also a Pure Barre instructor.
Miss Kayla is known for her cool, calm, and positive attitude in the classroom and loves building her students up with love and confidence!
Thyrsa Da Rosa, Instructor
Thyrsa Da Rosa (She/Her) is a native of Asuncion, Paraguay. She graduated from the National Institute of Fine Arts of Paraguay with a degree in Classical Ballet Pedagogy, and then studied modern dance at the University of Oklahoma, with an extensive focus on Graham and Limón techniques, a certified Pilates instructor and also an American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum Fellowship Teacher, who has completed certification in Primary through Level 5 of the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum.
She has performed with the National Ballet of Paraguay, and was a member of Momentum Dance Company of Guatemala City, touring Guatemala and Mexico. As a founding member and Executive Director of the OKC-based Hartel Dance Group, she has performed in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Sioux Falls, SD; Fort Myers and Orlando, FL; Austin, TX; New York City; Barcelona, Spain, and Asuncion, Paraguay.
Thyrsa has been a member of the jury of the Seminario Internacional de Danca de Brasilia since 2014, teaching classes, coaching, and judging one of the oldest dance competitions in Brazil. Every summer since 2016 she has traveled to teach and coach dancers at the Centre de la Dansa de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Currently, she is the programs and communications director of the Oklahoma International Dance Festival, a yearly summer intensive focused in bringing world-class instructors to the OKC Metro area.
Ms. Thyrsa is known for her high-energy attitude and shows a huge passion for her students, young and old!
Abby Welch, Instructor & Company Director
Abby Welch (She/They) was born and raised in Oklahoma City, and started dancing at the age of 13 at To The Pointe Dance Academy, knowing that she wanted to pursue a professional career in dance.
Through high school she was an assistant teacher at TTP and began teaching her own classes her senior year. After high school she attended the University of Central Oklahoma where she graduated in Summer 2019 with her B.F.A. in Dance Performance. During their time at UCO, Abby was a member of KD2 and the Kaleidoscope Dance Company.
Through this experience, they had the opportunity to train with choreographers such as Mike Esparanza, Melissa Brading, Noa Shiloh, and Jeremy Duvall. They were also a part of the Kaleidoscope performance tour to South Korea in May of 2019.
They additionally trained at the Oklahoma City Ballet Summer intensives the years of 2015, 2016, and 2017. Abby continued teaching all ages throughout college, styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, improvisation, and acro/tumbling. She is currently the Assistant Director of FALL: Aerial and Contemporary Dance.
Through her trainings, she found a love for the challenge presented in more power and acrobatic based styles, such as acro/tumbling and aerial dance. Over 2021-22, she worked to become a certified teacher through Acrobatic Arts© and is certified in modules 1 and 2. Abby has a passion for strength and injury prevention education and is always eager to share that passion with her students.
Ms. Abby is known for their fun-loving and focused teaching style, and can often be found at every EGD performance, cheering the Familia on or helping out backstage.
Ashlee Harder, Instructor
Ashlee Harder (She/Her) started dancing when she was three years old under the direction of the late Shannon Calderon Primeau. Ashlee has been dancing with the Everything Goes Dance Studio for fifteen years where she has trained in tap, ballet, jazz, flamenco, hip hop, modern, and pointe, as well as being a part of the studio’s tap, jazz, and hip hop companies.
For three years Ashlee spent two weeks out of the summer at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, where she would train intensely in ballet and modern dance under the guidance of DeeAnna Hiett, Roscoe Sales, Raquelle Chavis, Tomiko Magario, and JoLea Maffei. Ashlee has been rewarded the 2024 Oklahoma Education Award for Arts Excellence in Dance. Ashlee graduated from Classen School of Advanced Studies as a dance major in the spring of 2024. In the fall of 2024 Ashlee will be continuing her dance education at The University of Central Oklahoma where she will pursue a degree in Dance Education.
Ms. Ashlee is so excited to join the other side of the EGD Familia as an instructor & choreographer!
Ana-Mari Susa, Instructor
Ana-Mari (She/Her) is a dedicated dancer and physician from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She began her dancing journey at the age of five with ballet lessons at the Guayaquil Arts Center. At the age of eight, her passion for dance expanded to Spanish Dance, which she pursued at the Academia de Danzas Patty Salcedo. There, she mastered various styles, including classic Spanish dance, Flamenco, Jota Aragonesa, and Sevillanas. She taught flamenco level 1 and tap level 1 classes from 2011-2014.
In 2014, Ana-Mari graduated from the dance academy and joined the Saratzu dance company. Seeking to deepen her expertise, she continued her dance education at Mambra studio, immersing herself in specific flamenco palos. Alongside her dance career, Ana-Mari is a dedicated physician. She practiced as a general physician in Ecuador until 2021, when her journey brought her to Oklahoma City.
Ana-Mari became a student at the Everything Goes Dance Studio just a few years ago, and assisted Ms. Erika in Flamenco Instruction in the 23-24 dance season. “Ms. Ani” is thrilled to now have a class of her own as a volunteer teacher for the EGD Familia!
Christy Harder, Front Desk Manager
Christy Harder (She/Her) became a part of the EGD Familia when her daughter, Halee Harder, became a student in 2004. Over the years, Christy has become our studio “PTA” mom, stepping up with organizing fundraising for our dance companies throughout each dance season.
As of fall of 2021, Christy stepped into the role of Front Desk Manager. Her dedication, organization, and easy-going attitude keeps the studio running smoothly! She makes sure parents, teachers, and students are informed, costumes look great, tuition is collected, and everything is in ship-shape condition.
Christy’s daughters, Halee & Ashlee Harder, both trained from ages 3-18 at Everything Goes Dance Studio. They are both now instructors for EGD.
When not at the studio, Christy can be found spending time with her family, attending her son’s baseball games, going to the movie theatre, attending local performing arts events, or vacationing in her family’s favorite spot- Disney!
Ms. Christy is our director, Kelsey’s, right-hand, and always does a wonderful job of making sure families, dancers, and anyone that walks through our doors feels welcome.