Faculty

Charlee T. Campbell

Charlee T. Campbell, Owner / Director / Choreographer / Dance Instructor is from West Des Moines, Iowa. She has danced for 27 years, taught for 15 and choreographed professionally for 13 years. Charlee has extensive training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, pointe and tumbling. She trained at numerous studios in the Des Moines area and later with Moore School of Dance. She continues her training by participating in several conventions each year. Her studies have included: Gus Giordano’s, University of Arizona, Steps on Broadway, Chicago, World Jazz Dance Congress and the University of Iowa. She has participated in many competitions where she was a consistent national high point winner. Since high school Charlee has had the opportunity to choreograph for college dance teams, fundraisers, swinging in Des Moines, telethons, high school musicals, show choirs, TV commercials, gymnastic floor routines, figure skating, local dance schools and their competition teams. She also has served as a judge for regional dance and dance team competitions and was the Waukee Varsity Dance Team Coach for three years.

Charlee graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. At the university she performed in over 20 concert pieces and galas, as well as having her original choreography performed in concerts. In her spare time, Charlee was Co-President of the Undergraduate Dance Organization. Her love of dance has given her the opportunity to perform at the Des Moines Playhouse, Space Place Theatre, Civic Center, CY Stevens and Hancher Auditorium, along with touring the midwest in the dance company, “Dancers in Company.” She has been in commercials for the Iowa Lottery, Swinging in the Junction and Koalaty Time. As an instructor her goal is to promote growth and self-esteem in each dancer.

   

Lorrie Campbell

Lorrie Campbell, Dance Instructor, began dancing at the age of 5 and is a native of West Des Moines. Her dance training includes tap, ballet, jazz and tumbling. She has attended many dance courses and seminars, and continues her education through adult tap and jazz classes at Charlee's Elite School of Dance. In addition to teaching for Charlee's Elite, her instructional background includes assisting at Betty Hill Dance and roller skating lessons at Skate West. Her experience in choreography includes numerous middle school, high school and roller skating productions. Lorrie is currently self-employed as a hairstylist at Salon Studios in Urbandale, and is proud to be a part of her daughter Charlee's dance school.

   

Amy Gulbranson

Amy Gulbranson, Dance Instructor and Office Manager, began dancing at the age of 3 and is a native of Des Moines. Her dance training includes ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, and modern. Amy has attended dance conventions, dance workshops, competed and performed with Des Moines Dance Ensemble, and has taken classes at Des Moines Ballet, Ballet Iowa, and the University of Iowa. She currently lives in Clive with her husband and two children, both of whom are students at Charlee’s Elite School of Dance. She has worked at Eason Elementary as a teaching associate for 4 years, taught at Constructive Learning Center and West Lakes Child Care for five years, and works full-time at Charlee's Elite School of Dance.

   

Laurie E. Coder

Laurie E. Coder, Tumbling Instructor, grew up taking gymnastics and dance in Ames, Iowa. In high school she was a four-year letter winner and started on the Ames High gymnastics team. Throughout her high school career, she placed in the top six in various events at meets and tournaments, including placing fifth on beam at State Championships. Laurie graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from Iowa State University. She was a member of the Ames Gymnastics Club, and taught for them for over 10+ years. In addition, she was an IDEA Foundation/ACE Certified Fitness Instructor at Fitness World West for 5 years. Laurie has a passion for both gymnastics and dance. She will further enhance the Elite Dance Program with tumbling. Her discipline, focus and drive in class helps the students establish and obtain their goals.

   

Kelly Ugolini

Kelly Ugolini, Dance Instructor, has been a dancer since the age of 10. She is a former Miss Dance of Mid-America for DMA, placing as a national ballet finalist. Mrs. Ugolini has a Master’s Degree in Education, and an undergraduate Elementary Education Degree with a Dance Minor from Iowa State University. At ISU she was a member of the Wrestling Cheersquad & Orchesis I Dance Company, performing in and choreographing for many University and NCDFA shows. She was also a member of the Waterloo Metro Dance Theatre, Moves Jazz Dance Company, and the UNI Orchesis team. Kelly has judged regional dance team auditions & competitions and has supervised elementary cheer and dance camps. She received her training at Moore Dance in Ankeny, where she was an instructor for a total of 10+ years. Additional training was received at Giordano’s in Chicago, UNI, ISU, U of I, and numerous regional and national workshops. Mrs. Ugolini has two dancing daughters (both happily part of the Elite Edge Dance Team), and one kindergarten-aged son. Kelly is a second grade teacher in the Saydel School District, where she has taught for the past 17 years. Creativity and movement are priorities to her, and she is here to help all dancers succeed!

   

Trisha Smyth

Trisha Smyth, Dance Instructor, has been a dancer since the age of 5. She has been teaching in the Des Moines area for 15 years and choreographing competitively for 5 years. At the young age of 10, Trisha was selected to travel with a summer dance camp to assist with the camps in the next year. As a high school student she participated in Cheerleading, Dance Team, Show Choir and Colorguard. She has competed and received high honors in each of these programs. Trisha attended Knox College in Galesburg , Illinois where she created and grew the Dance Team program. Each of her 4 years at Knox, she was voted captain and choreographer. In her many years of dance, she has had the opportunity to learn pointe, ballet, tap, jazz, pom-pon, musical theatre, hip hop, lyrical, modern and several styles of ballroom. She continues to broaden her education by attending dance conventions and workshops. Trisha currently lives in Adel with her husband and boy/girl twins and works for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in downtown Des Moines . She is excited to share her ‘if you believe it, you can achieve it’ philosophy with the dancers.

 
       


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