Matthew Helms, formally a martial artist and child actor since three year old, began his training in Colorado on full scholarship at the International Ballet School and competed at the Youth America Grand Prix and the Denver Ballet Guild’s Young Dancers Competition in 2008, receiving a full scholarship to Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City for three years. Matt was promoted to the Ballet West Pre-Professional Trainee Program in under the company direction of Adam Sklute dancing in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Satanella, Madam Butterfly, Don Quixote, Gala Concerto and at the same time was a guest artist with the Utah Ballet Company & Utah Regional Ballet preforming leading roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Peter Pan and guest Company’s/Choreographers including Berlin State Ballet’s Troy Games and many contemporary showcases. Matt joined Boulder Ballet in 2010 dancing in lead roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, American In Paris, Giselle, & Flames Of Paris and was recently chosen to perform leading roles in Paul Taylor Dance Company’s “Airs” and Christopher Wheeldon’s “Five Movements, Three Repeats”. For the last nine years, Matthew has traveled around the US as a guest artist and teacher in California, West Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.

Krista Zozulia (she/her) comes to Elite Dance Academy after spending the last year as the director of a local recreation dance program in a nearby Colorado neighborhood. Within just a year, Krista grew the program from 30 to 200 students as a result of her focus on curriculum, class offerings, and youth dance company. Krista is originally from Chicago where she danced with Joel Hall Dancers and trained with Visceral Dance, The Cambrians, and several other local Chicago artists. Additionally, Krista holds a Masters in Education from DePaul University and a Bachelors in Dance from Indiana University. Some of her favorite dance training includes her time at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance in Israel, a semester study abroad program, and Hasadna, a 3-month workshop in Tel-Aviv both of which focused on the Israeli movement language, Gaga. Recent 2022 performances include time with Wonderbound, Cleo II, Control Group Productions, and now upcoming with T2 Dance company.

I was born and raised in Broomfield, CO and have been dancing since age 3. I grew up in a dance studio, practicing all styles. Once I started high school, I left the studio and found a passion for Poms. I've worked for Jeffco Public Schools for 15 years, working in before and after school child care and grants accounting. I graduated in 2019 from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in business management. Outside of work and dance,  I love golfing, paddle boarding and going on adventures with my husband.

I am from Minnesota. My favorite style to coach is Kick or Jazz Funk. My favorite style to dance is Hip Hop. My favorite color is yellow, and I enjoy fashion!

Ava has been dancing at Elite since she took her first Enchanted Beginnings class at 2 ½ years old. In that time, she has trained in every style offered at Elite and was a member of the Company, Pre-Professional, and CORE teams for a total of 11 years. This is Ava's second season teaching classes at Elite. She is a current Senior in high school, a member of her high school's Varsity Dance Team, and an NRG Prodigy. When she is not teaching or dancing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, vacationing, and snowboarding.

A multiethnic performance artist, scholar, performer, and choreographer. 'Cass' is a Passionate and detail-oriented aerial dance performer with 10 years of teaching experience and 20 years of performance experience. Ever-exploring a multitude of styles and well-versed in a variety of apparatuses, yet keeps a particular affection toward improvisational dance. She interweaves her art with emotional intention, knowledge of anatomy/physiology, empowerment for social change, and the building of community. Casandre grew up in community theatre and graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY. In this program, she majored in Theatre and Musical Theatre exploring a variety of techniques and partaking in semi-professional community theatre. After discovering her love for Aerial Dance; she began performing professionally as well as instructing students of all ages. She graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance/Production in Boulder, CO. She now owns her own performance/aerial dance entertainment company and truly enjoys any opportunity to create community through dance performance. “I am really looking forward to joining the program this semester at Elite Dance Academy and getting to know the students that make it so special! We are going to create some beautiful and fun choreography inspired by the unique talents of each student.”

Jayme is so excited to join the Elite Team, teaching Enchanted Beginnings, Fundamentals of Dance, Ballet/Tap 1 and Musical Theater. She originates from Nebraska where she danced for 13 years learning all genres from ballet, tap, jazz/lyrical, point and hip-hop. Jayme grew up on stage, always having a passion for all things arts; singing, dancing, and acting. Show choir, high kick drill team, and dance were always a part of her life, where she continued her love for music, and attended college at University of Northern Colorado.

She graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance, with a music minor. During her time in college, she enjoyed being a part of the UNC dance team, and took pride in her many years of choreography for the well accomplished Western Nebraska Community College Varsity Vocalise. Some of her favorite musicals she has performed in include Seussical, The Musical, Rent, South Pacific, and The Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Besides teaching and performing, Jayme's favorite past time is spending time with her husband and three children. Miss Jayme has a strong passion for teaching children the beauty of performing and the ultimate love that can be found through dance! She cannot wait for a great semester here at Elite Dance Academy!

Brittany Capone began dancing at the age of 3 and danced competitively starting at age 12.  As a Colorado native she danced at several different studios locally in the Denver area.  After high school she went on to be a University of Colorado Dancer, Outlaws Lacrosse dancer and even a Denver Broncos Cheerleader.