Amelia Pullen – Artistic Director

BFA Dance Belhaven University

Ballet, Pointe, Modern

Amelia has been teaching and choreographing for The Dance Center for the past 19 years. She has been training in the art of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and pointe since a young child with The Dance Center. After graduating high school in 2004, Amelia went on to pursue a bachelors degree in dance at Belhaven University, in Jackson Mississippi. While attending college she taught and choreographed for many local studios in the Jackson are. Amelia also received excellent technique training under Elizabeth Hansen, Ravenna Tucker, a former principle dancer with The Royal Ballet, Laura Morton from the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Betsy Druary McMillian from Ballet Magnificat, Steven Wynne from Joffrey Ballet, and Britta Heerman-Wynne. She has enjoyed many performing opportunities throughout her dance career and loved working with numerous dance companies while at Belhaven. Since receiving her degree in 2008, she has enjoyed sharing her passion for technique and the artistry of dance in the great state of Maine, and looks forward to continuing her dance career as The Artist Director of The Dance Center.

Elizabeth Hansen

Dance Department Skidmore College

Ballet LA Instructor

Elizabeth received her training at Skidmore College with Melissa Hayden, Elizabeth Carroll, Juan Anduze, Paul Meija and many more. Elizabeth feels blessed to be able to teach, choreograph and dance with so many wonderful people in the Central Maine community for nearly 31 years. She founded The Dance Center in 1992 and continues her love for dance through teaching.

Lily Yarnevich – Director of Intro to Dance and Technique

BA Dance/Studio Management Dean College

Hip Hop, Modern, Ballet, Intro to Technique

Lily has her bachelors degree in dance and a concentration in studio management from Dean College. She received training in pedagogy, creative movement, ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. While at Dean, Lily trained under Krisitna Berger from The Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Jill Silverman from Boston Ballet, Todd Shanks, Stephen Tracey-Ursprung, Roshni Pecora, Sheramy Keegan-Turcotte. She was also able to enjoy extensive training and performing experiences from many guest choreographers, and companies. Lily was also selected for the prestigious, “Choreographers Concert” to showcase her work and receive feedback from professional choreographers, such as Eloise Kropp, and Bill Hotaling. Before her time at Dean, she was a student with The Dance Center for five years, where she performed in the annual recitals. She has performed and choreographed for shows at Dean College. Lily is very excited to be back in Maine and sharing her love of dance technique with her numerous students.

Lauren McBride – Director of Social Media and Marketing

BFA Ballet Texas Christian University

Ballet, Pilates, Jazz

Lauren Theriault graduated from Texas Christian University School for Classical & Contemporary Dance with a BFA in Ballet and a minor in Social Work. She trained under Elizabeth Gillaspy, Jessica Zeller, Keith and Kelley Saunders from Dance Theatre of Harlem, Sarah Newton, Suki John, Susan Douglas Roberts, Laura West Strawser, Adam McKinney of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nina Martin, and various guest artists. Lauren began her training in 2006 with the Dance Center, started teaching in 2017, and choreographing in 2018. She is trained in Ballet, Pedagogy, Pointe, Intro to Dance, Modern, Jazz, and Tap. She was born and raised in Central Maine, and will always be a New Englander at heart. Throughout her life Lauren has developed passions for dance, strength training, and various movement types. During her time at TCU she completed a 700-hour comprehensive Pilates certificate program to further her movement education. She also teaches Pilates at SALUD in Portland, ME. Lauren strives to teach classes that are challenging and invigorating, while allowing space for individuality and inclusivity prioritizing health and growth.

Alex Hamby

BA Dance Belhaven University

Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Partnering

Alex graduated from Belhaven University in April of 2022, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance. She primarily concentrated on Modern Dance, Pedagogy, and Choreography for the Camera. During her time at Belhaven she received extensive training under dance professionals; Laura Morton, Krista Bower, Ravenna Tucker-Wagon, Mia Whitehead, Steve Rooks, and many more. She had the opportunity to perform with Belhaven’s Dance Ministry Ensemble for two seasons, as well as produce works for The Emerging Choreographer’s Concert and Collaborative Arts Concert. Prior to her time at Belhaven, Alex trained for 15 years with The Dance Center. Participating in all the technique classes offered; performing in A Nutcracker Christmas, Student Choreography Showcase, and the annual Recital. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with each of her students for years to come.

Rachael Mullen

BFA Dance Belhaven University

Originally from Connecticut, Rachael began dancing at age two and danced competitively through high school. At age sixteen, she pursued more formal training at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-Day Program and Ballet Hartford. She then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Belhaven University, graduating magna cum laude. At Belhaven, Rachael studied under renowned artists and educators including Ravenna Tucker Wagnon (The Royal Ballet), Marcie Robertson (Ballet Magnificat!), Krista Bower, Elizabeth Sweatt, and Clara Grace Watts. Beyond the studio, she was actively involved in the dance department, serving as a production assistant and in multiple leadership roles within Belhaven’s student-led dance club. In 2026, she received both the Diakonos Award for Exceeding Ministry Through Practical Service and the Excellence in Production Award. She is honored to join Ballet LA and is excited to use her gifts to serve audiences as she begins this next chapter.

Madeline Fenlason

BA Dance/Studio Management Dean College

Ballet, Intro to Dance, Jazz, Pilates

Madeline started dancing at 4 years old at studio in Winthrop and later transferred to Vicki’s School of Dance in Hallowell during high school where she trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. As a young dancer, she has attended numerous dance conventions, workshops, parades and competitions, and has had the opportunity to dance under many talented choreographers. After graduating high school in 2020, Madeline went on to pursue dance in higher education at Dean College, receiving a Bachelors degree in dance with a concentration in studio management. During her time at Dean, she received training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hiphop, improv, creative movement, pilates, dance composition, and dance pedagogy. Madeline also had the privilege to study under Krisitna Berger from The Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Constance Dinapoli from The Paul Taylor Dance Company, Luciano Aimar from The Boston Ballet, Kimberly Sedlak from The Radio City Rockettes, Stephen Tracey-Ursprung, Jill Silverman, Todd Shanks, Pierfrancesco Valpreda, Katie Pustizzi and many other professionals in the dance industry. Madeline has worked as a dance instructor, substitute instructor, choreographer, and guest choreographer at Exhale A School of Dance in Norfolk MA, Edge Studio of Dance in Canton, MA, and Spruce Mountain High School in Jay, ME. She also had the privilege to co-teach with two wonderful senior mentors at Exhale A School of Dance; Renae Maccioli-McLeod and David Connolly who have had professional careers in the dance industry. Madeline is excited to be back home in Maine and join The Dance Center family to share her passion with new generations of dancers!

Lacey Moyse

Former Company Dancer Maine State Ballet

Ballet, Pointe, Variations

Lacey began her training at the age of 5. She has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, and ballroom. She received extensive training with Maine State Ballet performing as a company member with them for ten years. Lacey performed numerous classical and neoclassical pieces such as Balanchine’s Serenade and The Nutcracker, Symphony in C and Britten. She has also performed with Maine State Music Theater and Community Little Theater. She has choreographed for Community Little Theater and The Dance Center. Lacey directs and choreographs the CLT Youth Summer program as well as Geiger Elementary School’s DramaGators.

Addyson Blankenship

BFA Dance Belhaven University

Hip Hop, Ballet, Pointe, Modern/Jazz

Addyson is a dance artist and educator from Laurel, Mississippi. She began her dance training at Laurel Ballet Academy, where she studied ballet, contemporary, modern, and pointe. She continued her education as a high school apprentice and later earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Belhaven University. During her time at Belhaven, Addyson performed in fourteen dance concerts and studied under distinguished faculty and guest artists while expanding her knowledge of dance technique, choreography, and pedagogy.
Addyson is passionate about sharing the joy of dance with the next generation of dancers. She strives to create a positive, encouraging classroom where students are challenged to grow in both technique and artistry while developing confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of movement. She looks forward to investing in each student and helping them reach their full potential both inside and outside the studio.

Benjamin Tancrede

Pre-Professional TDC Graduate

Men’s Class

Ben has been dancing with The Dance Center for 10 years, over these past years Ben has participated in many technique classes, performances and summer intensives. He has danced intensives both at The Dance Center and studios around Maine. Ben has participated in many roles in Ballet LA’s shows, including A Nutcracker Christmas and Cinderella, some of his favorites being Soldier Doll, Lead Chinese, Spanish, Nutcracker and Snow. Ben is looking forward to dancing with Ballet LA from The Dance Center our professional company and training the male dancers in our pre-professional division.

Sabrina Blais

Tap

Sabrina has been dancing for over 14 years and was a member of Alma Lea’s Competition Team. She has trained in pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and tap, and has a passion for both performing and helping young dancers grow. Through years of competitive dance and assisting classes, Sabrina has developed a strong appreciation for technique, artistry, and building confidence in every dancer. She is excited to teach at Ballet LA from The Dance Center, sharing her love of dance, creating a positive and encouraging environment where students can learn, have fun, and reach their full potential.