Our Team
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all passionate about EADE's mission.
Riley Perkins
EADE Owner, Director, Instructor
Riley Perkins founded Ellen Alvin Dance Exchange in 2019 while studying at Austin Peay State University. After graduating in May 2020 with a BBA in Finance/Economics, Riley decided to expand the studio into the middle Tennessee area. Riley danced competitively for nine years and performed with the APSU Dance Ensemble for three years. In 2022, Riley returned to APSU to earn her MA in Teaching. Riley is a certified Dance Masters of America teacher, served on the Finance Committee, and served as Co-Chair of Solo Performance for DMA Chapter 33. Riley represented DMA Chapter 33 as the chapter delegate on the National DMA Board of Directors for two years and currently teaches Economics at Dickson County High School.
Taylor Russell
EADE Co-Director, Instructor, Head of Marketing
Taylor Russell danced competitively for 9 years in Dickson County. After high school, she studied Art Education at Tennessee Tech and graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts. While living in Cookeville, Taylor taught at The Centre School of Dance for three years coaching their youth companies and dancing for their Collective College Company. In 2021, Taylor was the first addition to the EADE staff. She developed our Foundations and Assistant Program in 2022. Taylor loves to create digital art and marketing and also loves photography. While teaching with EADE, Taylor is also the Elementary Art Teacher at Charlotte Elementary School.
Josie Russell
EADE Business Manager
Josie Russell is starting her third year with EADE. Josie will graduate from Austin Peay State University this fall with a degree in Health and Human Performance. Josie manages client communication, Dancer Accounts, event logistics, and overall studio organization. Josie‘s dance experience is limited to her two adult hip hop classes she took last summer, butshe loves to watch our dancers‘ creativity and growth in the studio. Josie creates relationships with all of our dancers, knows every student by name, and is the smiling face you see at the front desk.
Natalie Smith
EADE Instructor
Natalie Smith is beginning her second year on the EADE Staff. She started dancing at the age of 3 and danced competitively for 10 years. Natalie won multiple regional and national solo titles throughout her competitive dance career. Natalie is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique--a global organization which partners a physical therapy approach to ballet training. Her goal is to encourage dancers to explore their full potential, build self esteem, and create an environment where everyone feels accepted to be themselves. Natalie also works as a Technician at STAR Physical Therapy in Waverly.
Tristen Worstall
EADE Instructor
Tristen‘s training started in a gymnastics gym at the age of two, and then she fell in love with dance as she danced for studio and school teams in her hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee. She continued her dance career in college where she competed with Austin Peay State University‘s Dance Team. During her four years with APSU, her team brought home two trophies in 2020 and 2021. Tristen is working to bring training to dancers who want to thrive during their college experience. She networks with collegiate programs to help provide information and awareness of post-secondanry opportunities. In class, she focuses on training the skills and technique necessary to preparing dancers for their future dance goals. Tristen also works at the Bone and Joint Institute in Franklin, Tennessee.
Neriah Ramey
EADE Student Instructor
Neriah has danced competitively at EADE for three years and actively trains in all styles of dance. In 2022, Neriah was named Ellen Alvin Dancer of the Year for her relentless work ethic and dedication to EADE. Neriah has expereince assisting EADE in acrobatics, ballet, and mini team choreography. Neriah is joining Ellen Alvin as an acrobatics teacher this season, and she is a member of EADE‘s competitive team.
Grayson Locklear
EADE Student Instructor
Grayson Locklear is beginning her second year with the EADE faculty team. She started dancing at age 3 and is entering her 9th year of competitive dance on Elite Team. She was part of EADE's inaugural season in 2019 and was named Ellen Alvin Dancer of the Year in 2023. Grayson held assistantship roles in both Foundations and Technique Training classes for two years prior to joining EADE’s faculty last season. Her goal is to help each child discover their own unique passion for dance while encouraging personal growth, improving confidence, and building self-esteem. She thoroughly enjoys instilling a passion for dance in every tiny soul she meets.
303 Lewis Hollow Road
Dickson, TN 37055
ellenalvindanceexchange@gmail.com
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