Kelsey Burke
Owner/Director/Founder
 
 
Ms. Burke, from Colorado Springs, CO grew up in the Rocky Mountains training extensively in multiple styles. She is an award winner for multiple ballet and jazz competitions within Colorado, and has trained at various intensives including Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Ballet Austin, and River North Dance Chicago.
 
Ms. Burke was a scholarship student and received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Dance with a minor in Business from the prestigious University of Arizona. During her tenor with the University she had her choreography showcased in their spring faculty performance, as well as their world renowned Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase. She performed multiple leading roles in their faculty shows, many of which were Balanchine Ballets, and received the Maria C. Mandel Memorial Scholarship for her excellence in ballet. Aside from the U of A, Ms. Burke was also a full time teacher throughout her 4 years in Arizona. She taught and choreographed for a local school, and later became the Assistant Director.
 
After graduating, she moved to Austin, TX where she performed with their professional ballet company, Ballet Austin. She also taught and choreographed for two of the local dance studios, where her choreography was awarded, and many of her students went on to study at other prestigious college dance programs. She was also the resident choreographer for a television show on ABC Family during her time in Texas.
 
Ms. Burke later moved on to teaching at Tiffany’s Dance Academy in California. For two and half years she taught kids ages 2-18 in many different styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary and lyrical. She also taught many of Tiffany’s renown Twinkle Star Dance classes, and has choreographed an extensive amount for that program in which other studios around the world subscribe to. In 2014, Ms. Burke taught at the Twinkle Star Dance user conference in PA. She recently has created her own curriculum for preschool dancers ages 2-5. She is excited to share her TIPTOE Tots Preschool Dance Program with her students!
 
In May of 2015, Kelsey and her husband, Aaron welcomed their first daughter in to the world, and just six short weeks later opend the doors to The PEAK School of Dance for the very first time. Since then, Kelsey has grown her studio and it has become one of the go to studios in town. Known for the welcoming family atmosphere, The PEAK School of Dance has thrived in the community winning The Gazette's Best Dance Studio for Kids in 2019 and 2020. Because of Ms. Burke's persistence, determination and ability to quickly adapt to change (skills you learn through dance), she was able to keep all of her staff members employed and her business running throughout covid. The dancers never missed a beat! She continues to lead by example, motivates and inspires her team and students, and shares her passion for dance with everyone who walks through the doors.
 
Ms. Burke is an experienced teacher/choreographer/dancer who is full of life, maintains perseverance through her work, and is an acclaimed artist. She is excited to be working with all of the talented students in and around Colorado Springs. 
 

Aaron Burke
Owner

 
 
Mr. Burke is the heartbeat behind the scenes at The PEAK School of Dance. Aaron is a retired Executive Chef who now runs his own handyman company, Burke Handyman Services. From the floors to the ceiling, he has built the studio with his quality craftsmanship. You will see him from time to time around the studio, on stage as our Emcee at our Showcases, and you can always hear him cheering the loudest in the audience at competitions. Mr. Burke is a proud PEAK dad to two of our competitive dancers, a fantastic team manager to the staff and the most supportive (and patient) husband and partner to the Boss Lady Burke.
 
 

Dana Westfall
Instructor/Costume Manager

 

 

Dana Westfall began her early training in Colorado Springs, Colorado at Springs City Ballet. She supplemented her dance education by attending summer intensives at Houston Ballet, Ballet West, City Ballet of San Diego, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In 2011 she graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet and a Minor in Business, where she had the privilege of being a member of Utah Ballet. During this time she performed featured roles in classical ballets such as La Bayadere, Le Corsaire, and Paquita, as well as worked with choreographers Rick Tija, Eddie Toussaint, Jiang Qi, and Edgar Zendejas.

 

Following graduation, Ms. Dana joined Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and performed many memorable roles including Fleur de Lys in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Queen of Hearts in Alice and Her Bizarre Adventures in Wonderland. Throughout her professional career she taught at studios in Colorado, Indiana, and Illinois.

 

After relocating to Boston, Ms. Dana became a faculty member for Boston Ballet School’s Classical Ballet and Children’s Programs. While there, she had the privilege of working closely with Tamara King, Luciano Aimar, and Maureen Kelly to develop her knowledge and experience as a teacher. 

 

In 2022, Ms. Dana moved back to Colorado Springs and joined the faculty at the PEAK School of Dance. She is overjoyed to be back in her hometown and to share her passion and love of dance with her students! 

 

 

Lindsey Kellen
Instructor

 

 

 

Ms. Lindsey Kellen, a Colorado native, began her dance training at the age of 4, and has been teaching/choreographing professionally throughout the Colorado Springs area since 2017. She has been a full time member of the PEAK faculty since the summer of 2021!

 

Miss Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance from Lindenwood University, where she completed her education after attending Pikes Peak Community College. While attending Lindenwood, located in St. Charles, Missouri, she was able to take classes and train with professionals from all across the country.

 

Lindsey is trained in a variety of dance styles including, but not limited to jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, modern, poms, and tap. She has experience teaching students in both a competitive and recreational setting, as well as working with performing arts programs in public schools.

 

Miss Lindsey is also the dance and theatre director for an arts integrated elementary school in Colorado Springs School District 11. In addition, she has been a board member of the Colorado Dance Education Organization since 2018.
 

Miss Lindsey's excitement and love for dance is infectious as she is always excited to help her students grow and realize her/his/their full potential as artists and individuals!

 

 


Brittany Hail
Instructor

 

 

Ms. Brittany began her dance training at the age of 2 in Brandon, Florida, where she was born and raised. She has over 30 years of training in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, African, Tap, Swing, Pointe, Hip Hop, Belly, Hula, Acrobatics, Musical Theater, and Acting. 

 

During her youth, Brittany spent ten years competing all over the United States. She has had the privilege of studying under Dr. Fredrick Pierce and Dionne of Alvin Ailey, Ann Barrett of Rhythm and Motion San Francisco, Doug Caldwell, Ann Reinking, Bob Rizzo, Mr. Wiggles, Erkki Tann, Tabitha and Napolean, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Mr. Wiggles, Desiree Robbins, Brian Friedman and Dave Scott for several years, all around the United States.  She, also, spent 4 summers training at Edge Performing Arts Center in California. 

 

In addition, she has 8 years of training in aerial hammock and lyra and is a Certified Aerial Hammock and Lyra instructor.  This is her 23nd year of teaching and choreographing recreational and competitive dance and 5 years teaching Aerial Arts. 

 

Ms. Brittany holds a A.S in Addiction Studies, a A.A. in Dance, and a B.A in Psychology with Focus on Counseling and Exceptional Needs.  She is, also, currently working as a Behavioral Therapist for Exceptional Needs Adults.

 


Lauren Owens
Instructor/Administrative Assistant

Lauren Owens, born in New Jersey, began her dance training at the age of 5, moving around as a child of a military service member before settling down in Arizona at the age of 10.  

 

Once in Arizona, her love of dance only grew and thrived as she joined her local studio’s competition team and studied many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, tap, hiphop, musical theater and acro tumbling. It was at this studio where Lauren also grew her love for teaching and choreographing, assisting her teachers in classes and helping to choreograph for younger teams. Throughout her training and competing in Arizona, she received many awards and scholarships, one of her most memorable being a summer intensive and a performance opportunity at the University of Arizona.

 

At the age of 20, Lauren moved to Texas and truly began her teaching journey. She would train many different ages of dancers from 3 to 18 in various styles and techniques, building her passion and career. Here she has developed experience in teaching and choreographing not only for recreational, but competitive dance students. 

 

After 3 years teaching in Texas, Lauren moved to Colorado and found herself a new home teaching at The Peak School of Dance. As Lauren begins her first season teaching at The Peak in 2024, her excitement and passion for teaching and dance only grows. She strives to bring that enthusiasm across to all of her new students, allowing them to bloom and become the artists they aspire to be.

 


Marissa Baker
Instructor

Marissa Baker grew up dancing in Colorado Springs, CO. She has received excellent training from dance studios across the state in styles such as tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, and jazz dance. Marissa is a nationally awarded performer and has been part of many dance companies, including Speaking in Taps, Moore Rhythm Co., and is currently a part of Tap Speaks. She is also an ACE for Amplified Productions and an apprentice under Tap into the Network. Marissa began teaching at 13 and immediately embraced the joys of teaching. She loves sharing her passion for dance and is excited to pass on what she’s learned in her dance journey.

Melaina Bjorklund
Strength & Conditioning Instructor

Melaina is a third generation dancer whose very first memories are in the studio.  She grew up in Houston, TX and danced competitively until moving to Colorado at the age of 13 to train at the World Arena in figure skating.  At that point, Melaina danced more recreationally to support her training on the ice, but her love and passion for it never faltered.  She danced through high school and college, eventually performing for the last time on the Miss America stage in 2011, as Miss Colorado 2010, at the age of 24.  She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences and Nutrition, as well as a Master's Degree in Sports Nutrition, and currently works as a Registered Dietitian.  Melaina also began her fitness career in 2012 as a group fitness instructor, with experience in multiple modalities of strength and conditioning, and currently teaches at Life Time Fitness. 

Melaina has been married to her husband, James, since 2012 and together, they have two children, Landon and Olivia.  Landon plays soccer and baseball, but is the ultimate dance brother and cheerleader when he's not on the field.  Olivia, who has been dancing at The PEAK School of dance since the literal day she turned 2, wouldn't be who she is without this studio.  Melaina is excited to give back to this incredible community and dance family by investing in our kids here at PEAK and empowering them to know their own strength and use it to shine for many years to come!

Jessika Allison
Customer Service Specialist

Originally from Iowa, Jessika has an extensive background in dance, with training in jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, and hip-hop. She grew up competing and performing, and continued her passion for dance as a four-year member of the University of Northern Iowa Dance Team. After earning her bachelor's degree in Psychology, Jessika stayed on to help coach the UNI Dance Team while pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She will graduate in May of 2026 and will become a professional counselor. 

With years of experience both on and off the stage, Jessika is excited to be part of the dance community again and looks forward to getting to know all of the dancers and families at the studio.

Hannah Dodson
Hip Hop Instructor

Hannah Dodson began her dance journey here in Colorado Springs about 7 years ago. She has training in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, and lyrical, but specializes in Hip-Hop technique and Street Dance culture. Hannah has competed in the World of Dance competition in California and VeRVE Collisionz in Boulder.

Hannah graduated from Liberty High School in 2024 and is now an Elementary Education student at UCCS. During her time at Liberty, she was an executive board member of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts (NHSDA) as the Hip-Hop Club liaison and choreographer. During her senior year, she was an All-State dancer for the Colorado All State Ensemble at CoDEO.

Hannah has been teaching for 4 years and has a passion for making students see their worth and develop a love for dance. She is very excited to continue growing in her skills as a teacher and inspire the next generations of dancers to dance proudly and live boldly!