Don't just reach for the stars be one!
Staff
Michelle Crisp
Michelle Crisp is director and instructor for Starsteps. Her dance training began at age 5 at Asheville Dance Theatre with Becky Wilson and the late Hayes Robinson. Michelle participated on the Teen and Senior Competitive teams for 9 years. She later danced with the Asheville Jazz Works and HIM Christian Dance Ensemble. She has taught dance for Asheville Dance Theatre, Center Stage Dance, In His Steps dance ministry and Asheville Center for Performing Arts. She has over 40 years of dance and gymnastics experience, with over 27 years as an instructor. Michelle graduated with a bachelors in Management from UNC-Asheville in 1999. Michelle is married to Jeff and has 3 children Joshua, Ava and Josie.
Leah Felmlee
Leah Felmlee is a 2003 graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and an experienced dance and acrobatic teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Leah graduated from Clarion University with a Bachelors in Communication and a Minor in Theatre emphasis in Dance. After college she completed year one of the Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School at the State University of NY at Buffalo. Throughout her dance career she has taken dance classes at Steps Dance Center in NY, Broadway Dance Center, Pointe Park University in Pittsburgh, and Pine Tree Performing Arts Center in Pennsylvania. Before entering college, she was a competitive gymnast for 10 years competing at the state, regional and national level, and has also coached competitive gymnastics and cheerleading. In 2016, Leah became certified Module 1 Acrobatic Arts teacher and is proud to be teaching the Acrobatic Arts curriculum at Starsteps. Leah loves children and specializes in teaching gymnastics, tumbling, and acrobatics classes. Leah is married to Adam and has four children, Acacia, Titus, Arlee and Amelia.
Elizabeth Kirby
Elizabeth Kirby is a familiar face around Starsteps. She brings a lifetime of dance experience to the studio. With over 10 years of experience teaching and motivating young dancers, she loves helping students grow in confidence, creativity, and self-expression through dance. Elizabeth holds a BA from Lenoir-Rhyne University and brings both heart and enthusiasm to every class she teaches.
Elizabeth and her husband, Matt, live in Caldwell County. As a proud Starsteps alumna, she’s excited to give back to the studio that helped shape her love for dance. When she’s not cheering on her dancers, you’ll find her serving the community or spending time with her family and their sweet pup, Maggie Mae.
Kimberly Morgan
Kimberly Morgan is a wonderful addition to the Starsteps faculty. Kimberly began dancing at the age of three. Dancing has always been in Kimberly's heart and soul. She continued to dance in high school and college. In college at Appalachian State University, Kimberly took modern, technique and ballet classes and performed with the Appalachian Dance Ensemble. Kimberly graduated ASU with a BS in Secondary Math Education in 2007. After college Kimberly continued her dance education at Starsteps and performed in Dorothy's Adventures in Oz as well as many local and national competitions. In 2012, Kimberly became a professional AHL cheerleader with the Charlotte Checkers as a "CheckMate" for two seasons. In 2014, Kimberly went on to become a professional NFL cheerleader, performing with the Carolina Panthers for four years as a TopCat. She continues to be involved with the organization as an alumna and occasionally performs during halftime shows. Kimberly loves sharing her love of dance with the students at Starsteps. She has a strong desire to share proper technique and performance quality with all Starsteps dancers. Kimberly is married to Patrick and they have one well loved puppy.
Gretchen Perkins
Gretchen Haas is a Starsteps Almuni and is in her second year teaching at the studio. Gretchen brings a love of dance and learning to her classes. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University, where she received a psychology degree. She loves working with young learners, allowing their interests to guide explorations and experiences. Here is a quote from Gretchen: "I believe that children should have unlimited opportunities to interact with color, sound, and movement, allowing their natural curiosity to guide their learning during their early years. Teaching and the Fine Arts are two of my biggest passions, and for those to be combined is an absolute dream come true. Gretchen is the proud dog mom of Olive.
Cierra Wilcox
Cierra Wilcox is a Starsteps Alumni who has become a wonderful addition to the Starsteps Staff.. She performed in many recitals and competitions and has a great love for performing. Cierra is a graduate of ASU in Social Work and has a minor in Spanish. She has over 20 year of dancing experience and 11 years as an instructor . She has worked with numerous camps and classes. Cierra does a great job helping children have fun while learning the art of dance. Cierra married her best friend Kyle in November 2016 and welcomed her baby boy Camden in May of 2022!
Ava Crisp
Ava Crisp is a Starsteps alumni and teaches at the dance studio and gymnastics center. She danced for 16 years here at Starsteps, 12 years on the competitive Starsteps Dance team. She also did competitive gymnastics at Starsteps for 3 years. Ava participated in collegiate Acro-Tumble for 1 year at Belmont Abbey College. Ava is currently a senior at CCC&TI and will graduate in May with her associates in early childhood education.
Ava loves working with children and helping them learn and grow as a gymnast or dancer!
Josie Crisp
Josie Crisp has been teaching and assisting both dance and gymnastics at Starsteps since 2018. Her dance training includes eighteen years of dance at Starsteps Dance Center, eleven of those being on the competition dance team. She currently trains at Anderson University as she is minoring in dance and is a member of the Pom Squad. Josie loves the art of dance and being able to share it with the younger generation. Her compassionate heart and fun attitude makes her a valuable member of the Starsteps staff.
Emilee Aldaco
Emilee Aldaco began her dance journey at Starsteps Dance Center at the age of four and trained there for 12 years, including six years on the competition team. She went on to serve as Hibriten High School Dance Team Captain for two years before graduating in 2010.
Emilee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts Education from Appalachian State University in 2014 and has spent the past 12 years teaching visual arts to elementary school students. Her background in education strongly influences her teaching style, emphasizing creativity and building confidence in her students.
Now in her second year teaching dance at Starsteps, Emilee is thrilled to return to the studio where her love for dance began. She is passionate about inspiring young dancers and fostering a positive, encouraging environment where students can grow both artistically and personally.
Sarah Summers
Sarah Summers is a Lenoir local and an alumni of Starsteps. Sarah teaches at both the dance studio and gymnastics center. She has 14 years of experience dancing at Starsteps, and spent 9 of those years on the Performing Company Team. Her time on the Performing Company Team taught her how to lead by example and provided the technical skills she needs to teach the new generation of dancers and gymnasts. Sarah graduated from Appalachian State University in December of 2025 with her BS. Sarah loves to provide a fun and encouraging atmosphere for your students to grow and learn new skills!
Employment
Starsteps is always looking for highly motivated, talented, nurturing individuals to work with our dancers. If you would like to be considered for employment please email your resume to us at starstepsdance@gmail.com