Melissa George, All-Star Coach/Instructor

Melissa is co-owner and director of Absolute Dance, and instructs recreational and All Star classes.  She is the coach of the Noe Middle School Dance Team. Melissa has ten years of teaching experience and 20 years of performance experience and professional training.  Melissa attended the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) of Manual High School from 1996 to 2000, and at the University of Arizona in 2000 as a dance major.  As a student, she studied at some of the best dance facilities in the country, including Louisville Ballet, University of Louisville Dance Academy, Millennium Dance Complex and Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, and the Broadway Dance Center in New York.  In addition to teaching at local studios since 2001, Melissa served as head coach and choreographer to the North Oldham High School dance team in 2005, and technique coach of Ballard High School's dance team in 2006.  Since 2006, she has been a guest hip hop teacher at Louisville Collegiate School, Holy Spirit School, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. James School in Elizabethtown.  As a competitive coach, Melissa has received awards for her instruction and choreography, such as the most "Outstanding Senior Level Choreographer" award in 2005 from Footloose National Competition.  Her routines have received over 75 first place category awards, over 25 first place overall awards, and 6 national titles!  Melissa's students have received scholarships to dance conventions and competitions, and have been seen performing on ESPN!  In October 2008, she and Absolute Dance student, Darren Hatch were featured in an article in Dance Spirit Magazine (click to read). Next April Melissa will be married to Joshua York and will have one stepdaughter, Alex.

Lisa Ingram, All-Star Coach/Instructor

Lisa teaches hip hop, ballet, tap and jazz to our recreational and competitive dancers. She is the coach of the Meyzeek Middle School Dance Team.  Lisa has many years of experience training at local studios as well as at the Youth Performing Arts High School. Lisa and her fiancée welcomed their baby boy, Braxton, this past summer, and will be married next July. Congrats, Lisa!

Abbie Whitman, Ballet Instructor

Abbie, originally from Los Angeles, began her dance training at the Rozann-Zimmerman Ballet Center under Patrick Frantz and Patricia Davis.  She attended the Milwaukee Ballet Summer Intensive for three years on scholarship, which lead to an invitation to join Milwaukee Ballet II.  Since then Abbie has danced professionally with La Danserie, Rockford Dance Company, Nashville Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Moving Collective and Paradise Ballet Theatre in Key West, FL.  Since moving to Louisville, she has taught Ballet for all ages throughout the area and is excited to bring her love of dance to the next generation.

Harcourt Allen, Assistant Instructor

Harcourt has been dancing with Absolute Dance for the past 4 years, and participates on the All-Stars competitive team. She is great with the little ones and the kids love her.