Rise Academy of Dance
About Rise Academy of Dance
Family owned Business
Welcome to our family-owned dance school, where passion meets dedication! With years of experience in the dance world, we are committed to sharing our love for dance with every student. We believe that everyone can achieve and enjoy dance, no matter their age or skill level. Our goal is to create a supportive and inspiring environment where dancers can grow, express themselves, and become part of our dance family. Join us, and let’s dance together!
About Us
Melissa Cleverly/Director
Melissa Cleverly/Director
Melissa Cleverly/Director
Melissa's dance journey began at age 5 with ballet and tap, later expanding to jazz, tumbling, hip-hop, cheer, and contemporary. As a junior high and high school cheerleader, her teams won state and national titles. She also competed on the drill team, earning both state and national championships before making the cheer team at Ricks Col
Melissa's dance journey began at age 5 with ballet and tap, later expanding to jazz, tumbling, hip-hop, cheer, and contemporary. As a junior high and high school cheerleader, her teams won state and national titles. She also competed on the drill team, earning both state and national championships before making the cheer team at Ricks College.
She earned a degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University, became an ACE-certified aerobics instructor, and taught before pausing to raise her first child. When her daughters fell in love with Irish dance, Melissa joined them, training and competing at the Preliminary Champion level while teaching young dancers. She also designed custom Irish dance costumes.
Her daughters excelled in Irish dance, competing in national and world championships under the Scariff-Hardiman School. Melissa also supported her daughters by costuming several school musical productions and supported her younger daughters in cheer and drill, serving as head cheer and drill mom at Layton High School.
A certified High Fitness instructor, Melissa remains dedicated to dance, fitness, and community, inspiring others through her passion and leadership.
Mckenna/Acro/Irish TCRG
Melissa Cleverly/Director
Melissa Cleverly/Director
Mckenna began gymnastics/dance training at age 4 she trained in ballet, gymnastics, and Irish dance. She fell in love with Irish dance and trained at Crawford, Weber Academy and Scariff -Hardiman School of Irish dance. She became an Open Champion by 11 and danced until her junior year of high school. In 2014, She was the first female dan
Mckenna began gymnastics/dance training at age 4 she trained in ballet, gymnastics, and Irish dance. She fell in love with Irish dance and trained at Crawford, Weber Academy and Scariff -Hardiman School of Irish dance. She became an Open Champion by 11 and danced until her junior year of high school. In 2014, She was the first female dancer from Utah to place at the World Championships in London.
In high school, she explored show choir and theater, earning solos, and lead roles. In college, she trained in various dance styles and earned certifications in Acrobatic Arts, aerial, back handspring instruction, and acrobatic dance judging. She Taught at Bravo Arts Academy, Davis Dance Academy and has been teaching at Rise Academy of Dance for 6 years.
Mckenna is a Weber State graduate in Dance, Sports Medicine, and Health Promotion, is a CLRG-certified Irish dance teacher and NASM-certified personal trainer specializing in flexibility, nutrition, and athlete programming. Her passion for movement and teaching continues to inspire students.
Danielle/Acro/Irish TCRG
Melissa Cleverly/Director
Danielle/Acro/Irish TCRG
Danielle began dancing at three, training in ballet and gymnastics before discovering her passion for Irish dance at six. She excelled at the Crawford School and also trained at Weber Academy and Scariff-Hardiman school of Irish Dance. She reached open championship level by age 10 and competed in regional, national, and world championsh
Danielle began dancing at three, training in ballet and gymnastics before discovering her passion for Irish dance at six. She excelled at the Crawford School and also trained at Weber Academy and Scariff-Hardiman school of Irish Dance. She reached open championship level by age 10 and competed in regional, national, and world championships under CLRG. She placed in the top three at the Western Region Oireachtas and became a World qualifier several times. She competed at worlds and nationals several times placed at nationals several times.
Expanding her artistry, Danielle trained in musical theatre, jazz, contemporary, and aerial arts. She is a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor and TCRG-certified Irish dance teacher. She has been teaching at Rise Academy of Dance for the past 6 years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing with a minor in Accounting from Weber State University, blending her dance expertise with a strong academic foundation.
About Us
Aleaya/Cheer/Acro
Taila/Dance Technique/Acro
Taila/Dance Technique/Acro
Aleaya began her athletic journey at three with gymnastics and ballet before focusing on Irish dance, achieving Open Champion status and competing at national and world levels under CLRG. She traveled to prestigious competitions, including the World Championships in London and nationals in Montreal. She won many awards and was in the top
Aleaya began her athletic journey at three with gymnastics and ballet before focusing on Irish dance, achieving Open Champion status and competing at national and world levels under CLRG. She traveled to prestigious competitions, including the World Championships in London and nationals in Montreal. She won many awards and was in the top 10 at regionals. At 12, she expanded her skill set to tumbling and cheer, earning first-place honors at Legacy Junior high. She continued her love for cheer throughout high school and served as head cheer captain her senior year.
She combined her passion for movement with teaching, coaching at Velocity Tumbling Gym, and later earning an Acrobatic Arts certification. She has taught Acro and private cheer lessons for five years and occasionally substitutes as an Irish dance instructor at Rise Academy of Dance.
Taila/Dance Technique/Acro
Taila/Dance Technique/Acro
Taila/Dance Technique/Acro
Talia began Irish dancing at age 3 and started competing at 6. She quickly became an Open Champion and competed at Regionals and North American Nationals in Montreal placing in top 20s.
She later explored other dance styles, training in acro, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and lyrical while competing on the top team for four years at Davis Danc
Talia began Irish dancing at age 3 and started competing at 6. She quickly became an Open Champion and competed at Regionals and North American Nationals in Montreal placing in top 20s.
She later explored other dance styles, training in acro, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and lyrical while competing on the top team for four years at Davis Dance Academy. Taila then joined the Layton High Drill Team for the next four years who won top 5 at state all 4 years. She served as Junior captain and then Head Captain on the drill team and earned All-State honors twice. She excelled in solo competitions, winning top scores and placing 2nd runner-up at Miss Drill. She was also Layton High sterling scholar in dance and went to the state level award ceremony. Now as freshman at Weber State University studying Architecture, she dances on their nationally and world ranked dance team and teaches choreography, technique, and private lessons. She is also an assistant coach for the Layton High school Drill Team.
Jill/Irish dance TCRG
Taila/Dance Technique/Acro
Jill/Irish dance TCRG
Jill Crawford began Irish dancing at age 6 with the McTeggart Irish Step Dancers in Denver, CO, training under Maureen McTeggart Hall. By 10, she was competing in Open Championships and qualified for the Worlds in Ireland. She performed extensively, including with Micheal Collins Pipes and Drums, Natalie McMaster, and Cherish the Ladies.
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Jill Crawford began Irish dancing at age 6 with the McTeggart Irish Step Dancers in Denver, CO, training under Maureen McTeggart Hall. By 10, she was competing in Open Championships and qualified for the Worlds in Ireland. She performed extensively, including with Micheal Collins Pipes and Drums, Natalie McMaster, and Cherish the Ladies.
At 18, she began teaching and later earned her TCRG certification in 2002. She moved to Utah to teach for McTeggart before founding the Crawford School of Irish Dance in 2005, directing it until 2012. Her students competed at Nationals and Worlds, and she co-directed the Rhythm of Ireland and Celtic Journey dance companies. She also organized the Utah State Championships and Feis competitions.
After stepping away to raise her four children, Jill has returned to teach at Rise Academy of Dance, continuing her passion for Irish dance.
