Missy Dennison (Morelli) grew in Arvada, Colorado. She started dancing and teaching at a very young age. After being a competitive dancer for many years, she decided to pursue a career as a professional dancer. Her first big dance job was a background dancer in Disney's "High School Musical 2" when she was just 15 years old. A week before she turned 18, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams. Missy has had the opportunity to appear on "GLEE" off and on for four years, danced with LeAnn Rimes on "America's Got Talent" (AGT), as well as perform on the "AGT" national tour. She was a contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 8, was chosen as the SYTYCD female wildcard of the Season 8 national tour, and danced on "The Voice" just to name a few. It wasn’t until Missy started teaching at one of the best dance studios in the country "The Rage" that she realized how much she missed teaching kids.
In August 2013 Missy had been living back in Colorado for a year when she purchased the existing business Westwoods Center of Performing Arts, now MOVE by Morelli. Since becoming owner Missy has worked hard to improve the overall quality of dance and music classes. MOVE by Morelli is a place that works hard to promote amazing artists as well as people.
Missy Dennison (Morelli) Owner
Jazz, Turns + Leaps, Contemporary
Ms. Margo began dancing at the age of 6 in her home town of Arvada, Colorado. From the moment she stepped foot into the dance studio, she fell in love with the art. She then began to teach and train in 1994 at the studio where she took lessons as a child. She was able to study under exceptional choreographers like, Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Marguerite Derriks and many more in the industry. While teaching full time Margo received a Bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in Holistic Health. Margo also choreographed regional and national level routines in Lyrical, Tap and Jazz. She has also coached and choreographed for many local high school pom and cheer squads and performance groups in the area. She only stopped teaching briefly when she and her husband, Joe, had their three beautiful children, Joey, Grace and Wyatt. When Grace began to dance, Ms. Margo jumped, enthusiastically back into the Dance world and hasn’t stopped bringing her energy to MOVE by Morelli since she entered the doors.
Margo Grieve
Director of Education
Tiny dancers are “her people”
Hi I'm Christie Piper I am the office manager at MOVE by Morelli. I have lived in Arvada all my life. I am married and have 4 kids 1 boy and 3 girls. My three girls have all danced at MOVE by Morelli, formerly WCPA, since the age of 3. I have worked at MOVE by Morelli for 9 years and I love my job.
Christie Piper
Financial Director
Vickie Morelli
Creative Director
Costume Extraordinaire
Jackie McMenaman did not take the road less traveled to becoming a dancer or a teacher. Beginning her athletic career as a pint-sized swimmer taking to the water as physical therapy for a broken collarbone, she soon realized that kick-boards and swimming lanes did not inspire her creativity. Opting to get artistic in the water led to synchronized swimming which was supplemented by ballet classes. Not long thereafter, Jackie realized her love (and the greater long term career potential) of being in the dance studio. Henceforth, Olympic dreams were swapped for pointe shoes and a new passion blossomed.
Jackie’s dance education began on scholarship with her local studio, and was later supplemented with scholarship opportunities from Montana Dance Arts Association, Ballet West, Summer Dance Laboratory, and others. In college, she owned and operated her own ballet studio where she honed her teaching skills and had the privilege of instilling a love of dance in her students. Upon moving to the Denver area, she joined the ranks of David Taylor Dance Theatre, later Dawson Wallace Dance Project, where she performed as a mainstay and a principal dancer for over twelve years. During that time she was personally mentored by the renown ballet master Nikoloz Makhateli, whom she credits with her technical and artistic development.
Jackie has also performed with Gravity Works Dance, Zikr Sacred Dance Ensemble, Summit Dance Collective, Chadash Contemporary Dance Movement, Fox Theatre Productions, Montana Ballet Company, Colorado Renaissance Festival and Delusions of Grandeur Productions. Favorite roles include the Dewdrop Fairy and the tipsy maid in DTDT’s Nutcracker, the nymph in Makhateli’s Morning in a Field, and the beatnik girl in Jeoff Horgan’s Cheek to Cheek.
Jackie McMenaman
Ballet
Payton is from Northern Colorado and began her dance training at The Conservatory and Loveland Dance Academy—better known as Dance Dream Studios—at the age of 4 where she danced on scholarship and competed. She attended Colorado State University and graduated Cum Laude and as a University Honors Scholar in May 2021 with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Administration. While attending school, Payton was selected for the Jane Sullivan School of Dance scholarship and the Creative and Performing Arts scholarship. At CSU, Payton had the opportunity to perform in over 15 shows, attend National Dance Education Organization, attend American College Dance Association, travel with the Outreach program where she performed and taught, and act as President of the Dance Student Advisory Committee. Throughout her 18 years of dancing, she has had the opportunity to take master classes under prestigious names including Denise Vale, France J. Roach, Jeri Kumery, Raffaele Morra, Lauren Gibbs, Cat Cogliandro, Kenny Wormald, and Mia Michaels.
Payton moved to the Denver area to be closer to the buzzing dance scene the city has to offer. Her passions lie in contemporary dance, choreography, dance education, and dance for film. She plans to keep performing as long as she can while sharing her love for dance to others through teaching, choreography, engagement, and advocacy. Payton is very excited to begin teaching at MOVE by Morelli!
Payton Lauer
Jazz & Contemporary
Alison is a Colorado native and began at age seven at her home studio in Lakewood. After high school, she was hired by the Universal Dance Association (UDA), where she spent 5 years as a head instructor and had the opportunity to teach high school and college level students all around the country. Alison graduated from Colorado State University with her bachelors degree in dance and performing arts and was also a member of the CSU dance team and CSU Tour Dance Company. Following college, she went on to tour and dance around the world by cruise ship for nearly 10 years. She traveled to over 70 countries and performed onboard ships for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises. While on small breaks from sailing the seven seas, she also performed for Colorado Mammoth Wild Bunch, Legends in Concert Las Vegas, and Smoky Mountain Opry in Tennessee. In 2020, Alison made her way back to Colorado with her husband Scott and the two are thrilled to get to call it their “forever home”. She is eager to get back in the studio with her students. It’s her goal to provide dancers with exceptional technical training and push them to their highest potential, while maintaining a positive and empowering classroom setting. She believes dance can change lives and she’s ready to share her knowledge and love with the dancers at MOVE by Morelli!
Alison Bray
Jazz, Contemporary & Ballet
Tory Raterman grew up in Colorado. She began taking dance classes at a young age, training and competing in all styles. After high school her dance career took her to Boston, MA to continue her studies at Dean College, where she earned her BA in dance and choreography. Tory had many opportunities for performance as a student at Dean including William Evans’ 2017 Spring Concert at Festival Ballet Providence, the 2016 American College Dance Association Regional and National Conferences, and the 2015 NFL Patriots Season Opener. Since graduating Tory moved back to Colorado where she has performed and choreographed across the state. Tory’s recent professional credits include performances in the 2019 Flight to Luxury Benefit, the 2022 National Jewish Health Beaux Arts Ball, and most recently, performing with Interweave Dance Theater at the 2022 Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop. When she is not performing, Tory enjoys teaching Contemporary and Tap to students at Move by Morelli. Tory is currently a member of Rogue Co. Dance Company, under the Direction of Meghan Lawitz, and an instructor at CorePower Yoga.
Tory Davis
Director of The Club
Contemporary & Tap
Jordan Allender was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado, and has been dancing for 18 years. Jordan started teaching and choreographing jazz, lyrical, and musical theater while she was still in high school. She moved to Fort Collins in 2019 adding tap, ballet, and hip-hop to her repertoire. In 2021, Jordan continued her dance career as she became the Varsity Dance Assistant Coach at Fort Collins High School. During her time at FCHS she produced a top 10 jazz competition routine, a top 10 senior contemporary solo, and 2 end of year showcases. She also taught at Front Range Dance Academy continuing to work in hip hop, pom,
and technique classes. Jordan is excited to further her dance journey and meet new young dancers! She loves that moment when the dance "clicks" with her dancers - it's what makes teaching so rewarding.
Jordan Allender
Ballet/Tap Combo
Allison started dancing at the age of 2. She has trained in many styles of dance. She has been on the Move Club competition team for the past 8 years. She is currently on Senior Crew with Celebrity and a Soulelite with SouldeSoul assisting conventions. Allison can’t wait to connect with students and families this year and be a part of this amazing dance community!
Allison Davies
Ballet/Tap Combo
Front Desk
Meghan started dancing at the age of two and trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and musical theater. At the age of four she started competing and won awards at both the regional and national level. After high school, Meghan continued her dance career as a part of the University of Northern Colorado Sugar Bears Dance Team. Meghan is a K-8 special education teacher in Westminster Public Schools. She looks forward to sharing both her love of dance and teaching with the students at MOVE!
Meghan Morelli
Jazz, Turns + Leaps
Rebecca Leslie Wright was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. and moved to Virginia at the age of three. Shortly after moving to Virginia Rebecca started dance lessons at the local YMCA and was bitten by the Dance Bug. She begged her mother for more classes and spent several formative years at the Martinique School of Dance where she performed many lead roles in recitals and was a part of The Night Before Christmas for two seasons. When she knew she was serious about dancing Rebecca began her training at The Richmond Ballet where she performed in The Nutcracker for four years and one season of Coppelia. In her first year at VCU Rebecca was chosen to take part in a restaging of Martha Graham’s “Panorama” and performed with the company at the Carpenter Center. She has studied under many guest artists such as Ron Brown, Nicolas Leichter, Gus Solomons Jr., and had a number of performing experiences while in the Dance and Choreography Department. Rebecca was also fortunate enough to be a part of works chosen to go to two American College Dance Festivals. Much of Rebecca’s eclectic nature is a product of her world travels and working with children for over 25 years. Over 10 years ago Rebecca moved to Colorado and found it abundant with Arts opportunities and got involved performing, teaching, and choreographing with such organizations as Ascential Dance Theatre, Your Soul’s Movement, and Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids. Rebecca has attended two annual IABD Conferences participating in panel discussions and continuing her training in master classes. Rebecca is hungry for the creative aspect of teaching and looks forward to engaging this community while bringing the passion and dedication of dance into your lives.
Rebecca Wright
Ballet
Jalaina began dancing at the age of 2 and quickly fell in love. She grew up training at various studios in Northern Colorado focusing on ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theater. She grew up as a competitive dancer, attending competitions, conventions, and traveling for nationals. Jalaina’s love for dance is deep but her passion for teaching is even deeper.
Jalaina attended Colorado State University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education and is currently in graduate school at Lesley University for her Masters of Fine Arts. When Jalaina isn’t teaching art or dance you can find her in nature, playing with her dog, or visiting friends and family.
Jalaina Felker
All genres
Stephanie is thrilled to contribute to the Move by Morelli team as an office support staff. As a previous elementary teacher and high school volleyball coach, she has a passion working with children. After taking time to raise her family, Stephanie is excited to be a part of the Move By Morelli team. Stephanie lives in Arvada with her husband and three children, Bradyn, Genesse, and Bentley. Genesse has been dancing at Move by Morelli since the age of three, cultivating a love for dance over the past 12 years. Stephanie has loved supporting Genesse's journey, both at the studio and on the Move Club Competitive team. In her new role, Stephanie looks forward to connecting and collaborating with all the families at Move by Morelli.
Stephanie Craft
Front Desk
Joshua Glenn
Hip Hop