TIFFINY SMALLEY

DIRECTOR/ OWNER

Since 2001, Tiffiny Smalley has been at the helm of Davis Dance Academy, where she has combined her passion for dance with her commitment to the social and mental development of children. Under her leadership, the studio has flourished, winning national championships multiple times over the past two decades. However, for Tiffiny, the true success lies not in the trophies but in the growth and development of her students.  Tiffiny’s approach to teaching goes beyond dance; she aims to equip her students with the skills they need to become successful adults. By cultivating an environment of positivity and ensuring that her curriculum is always up-to-date, she creates a space where children can thrive both on and off the dance floor. Tiffiny also prioritizes the professional development of her coaches, certifying them in top-level programs to bring the best possible experience to her students. Her dedication to excellence and her unwavering belief in the power of dance to shape young lives have made Davis Dance Academy a beacon of inspiration and success. 

SYDNEY HORTON

COMPETITION DIRECTOR

Sydney found her love for dance at a young age, and has been dancing for over 20 years with training in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, pointe, and contemporary. She danced on her high school teams, where she choreographed and was Dance Captain on her Drill Team. She has continued to choreograph and coach on both a studio and high school level since graduating, finding a passion for technique and choreography. Professionally, Sydney joined Moments Of Grace Dance Company for a season, was a certified UHSAA Drill Judge, and now judges for studio competitions. She began teaching at DDA in 2020, while also coaching for Syracuse High School’s Drill Team for 3 seasons. Now, Sydney is coaching for the 22X State Champion Bountiful High Mandonelles, helping them to their most recent title in 2025. She continues to choreograph and teach for us here at Davis Dance Academy. Sydney’s choreography continues to grow, earning many overall titles at both local and national conventions and competitions.

MCKAYLA WELLISCH

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

COMING SOON.

ReNae Sorenson was destined to dance. Her mother professionally danced, taught, and choreographed, and owned a studio, Spotlight Revue. She began dancing at a young age and trained in jazz, tap, and lyrical. ReNae began teaching at 15, and a year later began training at Utah Academy Dance Studio. At 18, she won an Assistant scholarship from Tremaine Dance Convention and a scholarship to train with Linda Rhetter’s professional company in L.A.. She then began assisting for Tremaine, and trained at Rocky Mountain Preperatory Ballet. Here she performed various roles and went on to choreograph many variations in the Nutcracker with the company. Over the 26 years ReNae has been teaching, she has earned many choreography awards and has had students go on to dance professionally. She has been the Ballet Director at 3 studios, as well as becoming the Company and Artistic Director at Spotlight Revue. She continued her training by being certified in Progressive Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. In 2024, she became an Aspire Dance Pro Judge. For ReNae dance isn’t a way to make a living, it’s a way of life. 

JENNY BARRETT

RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR

Jenny began her dancing at the age of 3, where she trained for 14 years. She trained in jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and pointe, participating in conventions and competitions. She was a varsity cheerleader and a member of the Skyline High School Dance Company, beginning her choreography career.  After graduating college with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, and her Master’s degree, her love of dance never wavered. She became an adjudicator in 2011 judging with Aspire Dance Pro and Amplify. She has also judged and volunteers with various charity events including Dancers Against Cancer and the Will Dance For Kids Project: Peanut Butter Jam. Since 2019, she has worked for Davis Dance Academy as both an instructor and choreographer.  Her choreography has won several regional and national titles and awards. Jenny also is a member of the UDJA and has certifications in both Progressive Ballet and Acrobatic Arts. 

KIRBY MORTENSEN

UNITY DIRECTOR

Kirby started dancing at the tiny age of 3, training in Jazz, Ballet, and Ballroom. Early on she knew her greatest love was for Ballet and started assisting classes at 14 then teaching at 16. She taught for a few different studios over the next 7 years and then took a break to be with her family. Being back teaching has filled a void that nothing else can! She strives to create a fun positive learning environment that not only will create better dancers but better people in general! She has 4 kids that share her name, but every dancer at the studio becomes part of her family.

Courtney found her love for dance at Davis Dance Academy. She started competing in 7th grade, and with hard work, was able to make the Layton High Drill Team, and work her way to an officer position her senior year. After high school, she competed and taught at DDA for two years, while dancing with a professional company. While teaching at DDA, she coached for Clearfield High’s Drill Team for one year, and was head coach of West High’s Drill Team for two years. After coaching, Courtney moved to Wyoming where she founded and owned her own studio, County 6 Dance, for 5 years. Courtney is a firm believer that a teacher’s education is never over, and has taken multiple trainings on IDT, RADAR, muVmethod, Acrobatic Arts, and ADTA.

SUMMER PHILLIPS

INSTRUCTOR

Summer began dancing in her youth, and has continued dancing for 15 years. Over the years, she has trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. After dancing at studio, Summer became a member of the Layton High School Drill Team and was a Captain her senior year. In spring of 2024, she was on the Game Day Team at Utah Valley University, helping them earn a national title in Daytona. Summer cannot wait to share her ideas, watch the dancers grow, and to join the DDA family.

KATELYN LINDSEY

INSTRUCTOR

Katelyn trained at Davis Dance Academy growing up, then went on to dance 3 years on the Viewmont Vykelle Drill Team. Her last 2 years she was an All State Dancer, as well as Dance Captain, leading her team to win 2 State Championships. After graduating, she spent 1 year on the Weber State Dance Team winning a double title in Jazz and Hip Hop at NDA Nationals, and Overall Grand Champion with their Jazz. They were also selected to represent the United States as the Premier Hip Hop Team at the ICU World Championship. Here, they received first place and a gold medal. She is now on a Pre-professional Dance Company, Continuum, and is an Assistant Coach for the 2024 State Champion Viewmont Drill Team.

Talia started her dance training at Davis Dance Academy at a young age. This led her to join the Layton High Drill Team, where she served as both Junior Captain and Head Captain. Within the drill world, She made the 6A Allstate team twice, choreographed routines, and won multiple overall soloist titles. Currently, Talia is a member of the National and World Champion Weber State University Dance Team. She has been teaching for several years to dancers of all ages and levels. Talia is grateful to be able to spread her love of dance where it all began for her.

ASPEN AHLQUIST

INSTRUCTOR

Aspen began dancing at Davis Dance Academy, training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and acro. She went on to join the Davis High Drill Team for all 4 years of high school, and was Co Captain her senior year. While on drill, she was a member of the 6A All State team, Academic All State recipient, State Drill Down winner, and was the Sterling Scholar runner up in Dance. She is currently attending Utah Valley University studying dance, and has been teaching and choreographing at Davis Dance Academy for 2 years. She is currently an Assistant Coach for the Maple Mountain Drill Team, and a member of the Synergy Dance Company at UVU.

ELLIE RIRIE

INSTRUCTOR

Ellie has been dancing for 18 years, and teaching for 5. She’s skilled in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical, and loves sharing her passion with her students. She holds certifications in the Building Blocks of Dance and Pre-pointe Evolution programs, which are grounded in scientifically backed physical therapy principles. She also has led both a preschool dance program and a ballet program which are both largely successful. Outside of the studio, Ellie is currently in school studying functional medicine, a field that allows her to explore the connections between health, wellness, and movement.