All About “Dance Illusion” and our Talented Staff!
“For Professional and Quality Instruction”
The Dance Illusion LLC has been in business since 2008 in beautiful Cache Valley. Our goal as a studio is to strongly improve the technique and knowledge of everyone of our students in a structured and positive environment. We pride ourselves in giving constant “personal attention” to all of our students, and we keep our class sizes appropriate to do so.
Our staff is very experienced with large bios to back up their knowledge and expertise. We LOVE to challenge our students and share our excitement for dance with them daily!
(See bios listed below)
We have 6 different studios for our students to take class in. We offer regular weekly classes, at a moderate rate, as well as multiple competitive company teams. We will perform at community events, competitions, as well as have 2 recitals throughout the year.
BIOS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED
Bios of Instructors:
 | Lisa Preece grew up in the Ogden area and has over 35 years of dance experience, in over 12 styles of dance. She is the proud mother of 2 beautiful children and has lived in Cache Valley for the past 17 years. She is a former Utah State Aggiette, and former coach of the Logan Hi-Lo’s Drill Team. While coaching them for 6 years they won numerous National, State, and Region Championship titles. For 11 years she worked for the Universal Dance Association (largest instructional dance company in the U.S.) and has taught camps and conventions as a Head Instructor in over 20 states. She is a Nationally acclaimed judge who has judged UDA Nationals (featured on ESPN), in Orlando, Florida, USA Nationals in California, West Coast Championships, over 10 State Championships, and numerous other National and Local Invitationals. She was the Secretary for the Utah Dance and Drill Association and was voted the State Drill Team 2007 Coach of the Year Award. She is a certified Utah Dance & Drill Team Judge, has served on numerous committee boards for UDA, and was a UDA State Director for 5 years. Lisa has choreographed for the London New Year’s Day Parade, Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade, UDA College & High School National Champion Teams, Studios, All-Star Cheer Teams, and many Musical Theatre Productions. Lisa also has a huge love for Musical Theater and has performed in over 50 different musicals. She loves to continue her education as a dance teacher and owner and yearly attended Dance Teacher conferences like Rhee Gold’s Teacher Conference, Dance Teacher Web, Tremaine, and many more! She is now very excited to start her 15th year of Dance Illusion! |
 | Jane Miller began dancing at the age of 3. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and acro tumbling. Growing up, she trained and competed with a local studio. In high school, Jane was a member of the drill team, and went onto serve as both Drill Mistress and Vice President. It was at this time she also began training at Dance Illusion under the direction of Lisa Preece. After graduation, she danced on the Utah State University Dance Company. She also worked as an instructor for the Universal Dance Association for 3 years and had the opportunity to work with many dance teams on the West Coast. At age 20, Jane became the head coach for the Logan High School Hi-Lo’s Drill Team. She led them to a region championship, state military title, and national military title. After two years of head coaching, Jane decided to pursue her nursing degree. She enjoys still being involved in drill team as a UHSAA certified drill team judge. She also had the opportunity to be the assistant coach for the Weber State University Dance Team in 2018 and helped them win an NDA national title in hip hop. Jane has been chosen as a guest/master teacher at many different events in styles including jazz, jazz technique, lyrical, and military. She has choreographed many award-winning routines for teams, small groups, solos, duets and trios in different states including Nevada, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. Jane also graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Weber State University and works full time as a Registered Nurse. She is grateful for the opportunity she has to still share her love of dance with all of the sweet dancers she teaches, and is looking forward to her 13th year at Dance Illusion! |
 | Karlee Bowen is excited to start her 13th year with Dance Illusion. She is trained in lyrical, jazz, contemporary, basic ballet, and tap. Karlee is certified in Radar turns and leaps technique course. She’s choreographed and worked with many Drill teams throughout the state of Utah and Idaho. She is also the head coach at Ridgeline high school, she was excited for the opportunity to start and create the new program back in 2016. Since coaching, Ridgeline drill team has won 6 region titles, top 2 placements at state, as well as top 5 placements at state every year. Two years ago, Karlee was voted coach of the year. She loves sharing her passion and is excited to share more knowledge with the state. Karlee choreographs many routines for the studio, as well as several solos, duets, and trios. Her favorite style to teach is lyrical. She has so much love for the students and parents at the studio. She is always excited when a new year rolls around and she gets to work with new and old dancers. Karlee graduated from college with a degree in human movement. She uses her knowledge from college to help teach proper technique and strength as she knows the basics of how the body works and which muscles create movement and resistance during physical exercise. She loves sharing her anatomy terminology with her dancers. Karlee recently got married on a private beach in Puerto Vallarta. It was her dream day and can’t want to start this next chapter in her life as the new Mrs. Bowen. |
 | Liz Schwartz grew up in Smithfield Utah and has over 29 years of dance experience in both competitive and performance dance. Liz has five sisters and amazing parents who have always supported her in all she does. Aside from dance, Liz loves to travel with her husband and two daughters (Adelaide 7, Scotlynn 3). Since the age of three she has been in love with dance. At four years old Liz was competing in solo's all over the state of Utah. While competing in solos, she took many championships and overalls. In 2001 Liz was able to dance in the Salt Lake City Olympics. Since the Olympics she was cast in: Utah Festival Opera “Kismet” as an Arabian Princess dancer, High School drill & cheer team, and much more. Liz competed Nationally and placed 1st at nationals several times. She has been lucky to train under many amazing choreographers and teachers such as; Joe Tremaine, Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, Cris Judd, Laurie Johnson, Barry Youngblood, and many more. In 2015 Liz was asked to come start a dance program and provide its curriculum for a company in Brigham City Utah. She met a lot of great people through that program and loved being apart of it. Since then she has become an Utah State drill team judge and a member of the Utah Dance Judges Association. In 2021 she joined the drill team coaching staff at Ridgeline High School. Since joining the staff they have taken second at the State competition in the 4A division, as well as a fifth year repeat region championship. She loves the world of drill and all it has taught her. Along with coaching, she has choreographed for several high schools in cheer and musical theatre. She has found a new love to choreograph and work with groups outside of the studio world. She is excited to start her sixth year teaching at Dance Illusion! |
 | Tristin Tate grew up dancing her whole life and trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, tap, and tumbling. She trained from world famous choreographers and competed at conventions all growing up where she earned many scholarships and overall awards. Tristin was Layton High’s Dance Sterling Scholar which helped her get a scholarship for college. Tristin attended Utah State University where she was on USU’s Dance Company and a pre-professional modern company called “Studio Artists”. Most recently, Tristin was a Utah Jazz Dancer for 2 years where she got to dance at over 84 jazz games, perform at the 2023 All Star Game, open for Wiz Khalifa, and perform at various other events. Tristin has choreographed numerous solos and team dances across the state and to children in Nepal and Guatemala on humanitarian trips. Tristin loves that dance is a universal language that allows her to express herself more fully. She hopes to create a safe haven in her classroom where her dancers can grow, create, share, and become. |
 | Jodie Lamb After a few years off, I am so excited to be back in the studio sharing my love of dance! I have over 35 years of experience teaching dance of all styles. I’ve coached high school Cheer and Drill for 20 years and now my life is full of fabulous people that I’ve met through dance. I have many years of experience in choreography, judging, educating and mentoring dancers and teachers, and designing/sewing Dancewear and costumes. I have an amazing husband, six kids, one son in law, and one grandson. Dance and my family and my family has been my life… I am so lucky! My goal this year is to help students train properly to prevent injuries, and help them realize that dance is not only athletic, but artistic. I want them to be passionate about their training and find a love for dance that will stay with them their whole life. Building confidence in every single dancer by finding their individual strengths will also be a priority for me. We have so much talent here at Dance Illusion, I feel so excited to become part of the process. |
 | Michelle Bartlett is beyond excited to start her third year with Dance Illusion. She moved to Logan, Utah in August 2021 from Tri-Cities Washington and loves the community here. While in Washington, Michelle spent twelve years at The Dance Class training, assisting, and teaching in jazz, hip hop, ballet, pointe, character, acro tumbling, lyrical, contemporary, and, her favorite, tap. She grew up learning from incredible tap teachers and choreographers including Angela Carter, Eddie Hoyt, and Ryan Lohoff. While in high school, Michelle also had the opportunity to spend two years with a local middle school dance team as an unofficial assistant coach working with dancers in pom and hip hop routines. Her first year in Logan, she taught at another local studio before becoming a part of the Dance Illusion family. Michelle recently graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in History and will be returning this fall to start her Master’s degree in History and curation fellowship at the Hill Aerospace Museum. Since coming to Dance Illusion, Michelle’s team and solo choreography has placed in category and division overalls with speciality awards including best choreography, best costuming, and best technique. She is so grateful to be part of an amazing program and cannot wait to start what she already knows will be an amazing year! |
 | Kate Spencer My name is Kate Spencer, and I have been dancing since the age of 3! I grew up training at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem, Utah. I trained in jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, ballroom, and hip hop. I’ve won numerous awards and scholarships. I’ve worked with many amazing choreographers including Talia Favia, Jaqi Royal, Hefa and Randi, and Teddy Florence. I was a part of Alta Dance Company in high school where I was the head choreographer and president. I’ve choreographed numerous dances and love to teach. I am now a part of the Utah State Spirit Squad as an Aggiette. I’m so excited for my third year at Dance Illusion and to work with each one of you! |
 | Brinkley Buchanan I’m Brinkley Buchanan. I have been a part of the dance world for over 17 years. I am currently working for South Cache Middle School as a Paraeducator in the Life Skills classroom. I recently got married in August 2021 and I live in the Logan area with my husband, Hunter, and our cute dog, Russell. I started dancing at the age of 4 and I moved to Dance Illusion at the age of 9. I have received training in jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and modern styles of dance. I competed on high level competition teams while at Dance Illusion. I have attended many dance conventions and additional trainings. I was involved with the modern company and performed at SALT Choreography Festival. I improved my skills by attending intensives and master classes including Ballet West and Cache Valley Civic Ballet, hip hop with Anthony Carr, Twitch and Chris Fonseca, and modern and contemporary with AILEY II and SALT. I had the opportunity to be a dancer on Studio Artists with Dance Illusion and have increased training in modern and choreography. I was a member of the Mountain Crest and Ridgeline Drill Team for four years and held many leadership positions including Drill Mistress my senior year. I received Ridgeline’s Female Athlete of the Year award my senior year as well. After high school I attended Snow College as a member of the Badgerettes Snow College Dance Team. After coming home from college due to Covid I met my husband and decided to stay! I have since been a Mountain Crest assistant coach for a year. Now I’m doing what I love most- teaching dance in a studio setting! I am so excited to return to Dance Illusion! |
 | Kylie Thomas Kylie was trained in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, modern, and acro tumbling. In high school she won various region and state titles, including all state and top corp. She has been able to take on multiple leadership positions throughout her high school and college dance experience, which included the positions as USU Dance Company President & Team Captain. She received her bachelors degree from Utah State University in Human Development. Her love for dance also extends to a love for teaching. She’s been a dance instructor for 4 years which has given her opportunities to work for companies such as EPIC Drill and Cheer Productions, Utah State University, Dance Illusion, and various other studios. |
 | Karalee Garrison started taking dance classes at the age of 4. When she got a little older, she quickly discovered that her favorite genres were Jazz and Hip Hop. She enjoyed dancing all growing up, and would make up dances with her little sister. Karalee was the head captain of the American Fork Drill Team her senior year, and choreographed her team’s Hip Hop competitive routine. She graduated with her Associates Degree in Dance Education attending Brigham Young University-Idaho and Utah Valley University. She recently graduated from Utah State University earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, with a Minor in Entrepreneurship. Karalee loves teaching dance! She has taught at various studios for the past 5 years, and loves all of her students! She pushes for excellence, while still making dance class a fun experience for all of her “gold stars!” |
 | Miranda Butterfield Hi! My name is Miranda Butterfield! I was born and raised right here in Logan, Utah and grew up dancing here at Dance Illusion! I got to be on several competition teams here! I was also a competitive tumbler at high point for several years, and I was on the Ridgeline cheer squad as a cheer captain! I am so excited for another year at Dance Illusion! |
 | LeAnn Ravsten My name is LeAnn Ravsten and this is my second year teaching at Dance Illusion! I grew up dancing for 22 years of my life and have received training in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and ballroom. I’ve participated in Ballet West's Nutcracker performances as a Page. I was on my high school’s ballroom team for two years and was a captain for the team my senior year. I danced on Utah State’s Dance Company for two years and was a captain for the dance company my second year! I just recently graduated from Utah State with a bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics and a double minor in Statistics and Anticipatory Intelligence. I’m excited to be at Dance Illusion and looking forward to the amazing dance year ahead of us! |
 | Saige Wiser My name is Saige Wiser, and I have dedicated 14 years to dancing. Most of my journey has been at Dance Illusion where I’ve not only trained but also taught for a year. I find joy in instilling a strong work ethic in my students while ensuring they have fun. Working alongside people who are so sweet and share the love of dance has been so rewarding. I’ve loved witnessing personal growth and meaningful relationships from the commitment and time dedicated. Logan has been my home for my entire life. Currently, I am pursuing a finance degree at Utah State University and simultaneously dancing as an Aggiette. I look forward to continuing my education and dance journey at USU. |
 | Susanna Russell is from Southern California and trained at Pasadena Civic Ballet, then with faculty of South Bay Ballet, Southland Ballet Academy, and privately with Alicia Head in Gyrotonics, Gyrokinesis, and ballet before graduating in 2016 and moving to Ballet West Academy in SLC. She attended summer intensives with Boston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Washington Ballet, ABT New York, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet West/artÉmotion, New York Dance Project, and the National Choreography Intensive. In 2017 she became a trainee with Ballet West and danced in their main and second company’s productions for two years. A few performing credits from 2015-2019 include Balanchine’s Valse Fantasie (soloist) and Concerto Barocco (soloist), “Jewels” from Ballet West II’s Aladdin (Black Opal solo), Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht Ballet, Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi, and Wendy in Jacqueline Colledge’s Peter Pan. Her choreography experience includes an Annenberg Foundation year-long Art of Choreography fellowship, choreographing a piece selected to open RDA/Pacific and chosen for State Street Ballet’s mixed repertory, and choreographing / coaching variations for YAGP competitions. In 2019 Susanna created and co-directed the first “Choreography Showcase” for Ballet West Academy. During 2022, she directed and choreographed her first music video in Los Angeles. Susanna also trained in jazz, tap, character, modern, Pilates, and privately with Shakespearian actress Diane Venora, fostering love for the storytelling of ballet. She is now living in and loving Logan, and is so excited to work with the dancers at Dance Illusion! |
 | Sienna Hunt grew up in Lehi, UT and has over 18 years of dance experience. She has been trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop. She spent 4 years on the Skyridge Drill Team, and won various region titles. She served in many positions and choreographed many pieces for the team. She has been a part of the USU dance company, and loves working with other dancers! She is in her second year at USU and loves living in Logan, and is so excited to be teaching at Dance Illusion! |