Staff
Introducing Dance Fever's 2021-22 Teaching Staff
Nikki Underwood
Instructor
Karlie Krizanik
Owner/Director
Karlie's love for dance began in Erie, PA at the age of three- training in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, gymnastics, cheerleading, and more. As a teen, she joined her studio's Acrobatic Adagio Company and danced/cheered competitively. She began teaching at 13 and has been doing so ever since! Karlie earned a Bachelor's in Child Development and Family Relations with a minor in Dance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Upon moving to Charlotte, Karlie attended the University of North Carolina Charlotte for graduate school, earning a Masters in Dance Education. Karlie has been employed as a Dance Educator with Rowan-Salisbury School District, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, and has experience specializing dance instruction for students with special needs. After teaching with Dance Fever, Karlie fulfilled her lifetime dream of becoming the studio owner and director. She is beyond excited and proud to call Dance Fever home. Karlie's goal is to continuously learn and grow as a life long student of dance and to share that knowledge, providing excellent dance education to all students! "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor
Taryn Moreno
Charlotte Manager / Instructor
Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor Taryn was raised in Fort Mill, SC where her passion for dance began at the very young age of two. She began performing and competing all around the country in Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Pom, Lyrical, and much more! Taryn began teaching at the age of 19 while receiving her degree in Sport Management at Winthrop University. She has had the privilege of dancing for the University by performing with the Dance Department in many different showcases and musicals. Taryn danced professionally for the Charlotte Checkers CheckMates and coached the Winthrop Spirit Squad upon graduation.
April Carte
Instructor
April has been a part of the Dance Fever family since she was 5 years old and started competing at age 8. As a student at Dance Fever, she trained in all dance styles and spent many hours student teaching and working the front desk. April is excited to have joined the teaching staff and remains an important part of the Dance Fever family. April is a graduate of Mallard Creek Highschool and UNC Charlotte.
Gabby Lockovich
Instructor
Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor Gabby Lockovich was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. A graduate of Lake Norman Charter High School and UNCC. She started dancing at Dance Fever Charlotte in seventh grade, training in ballet, jazz, acro and was a part of the competition team as well as a student-teacher. In her free time, she loves to travel, shop, and spend time outdoors.
Brianna Graves
Instructor
Brianna started dancing at the age of 2 in Arizona and is entering into her 20th year dancing, as well as her 8th year teaching dance. She trained at a young age in both Arizona and California before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. She started competing with dance at the age of 8 and has trained in many diverse styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre, latin dance, and hip hop. She began assisting dance classes through the fine arts program at her school in the 6th grade and eventually started teaching her own classes before graduating high school. She has experience working with various ages of dancers ranging from preschoolers up to adults in many styles. She recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor's degree in Dance Studies. Throughout her college experience she had the opportunity to perform in and choreograph for main stage shows, such as the Appalachian Dance Ensemble, as well as club showcases. She was also the President of Entropy Dance Crew, a hip hop and street styles dance club at App State. After graduating, she moved back to Charlotte and is very excited to start teaching at Dance Fever this year as she continues spreading her knowledge and passion of dance onto the younger generation of dancers!
Nikki Underwood
Instructor
Payton Miller
Instructor
Brianna Graves
Instructor
Brianna started dancing at the age of 2 in Arizona and is entering into her 20th year dancing, as well as her 8th year teaching dance. She trained at a young age in both Arizona and California before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. She started competing with dance at the age of 8 and has trained in many diverse styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre, latin dance, and hip hop. She began assisting dance classes through the fine arts program at her school in the 6th grade and eventually started teaching her own classes before graduating high school. She has experience working with various ages of dancers ranging from preschoolers up to adults in many styles. She recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor's degree in Dance Studies. Throughout her college experience she had the opportunity to perform in and choreograph for main stage shows, such as the Appalachian Dance Ensemble, as well as club showcases. She was also the President of Entropy Dance Crew, a hip hop and street styles dance club at App State. After graduating, she moved back to Charlotte and is very excited to start teaching at Dance Fever this year as she continues spreading her knowledge and passion of dance onto the younger generation of dancers!