Lance Hardin is a native of Chicago, IL where he received his training from Larry Long at the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ballet from Indiana University, where he studied under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Jacques Cesbron, and Violette Verdy. As a professional dancer, Mr. Hardin has danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, North Carolina Dance Theatre (currently Charlotte Ballet) , Chautauqua Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Boulder Ballet, Springfield Ballet Company, and the Yoko Kasai Ballet Studio located in Japan.

Mr. Hardin has taught dance for the past 23 years and holds numerous choreographic credits including works for Boulder Ballet, James Sewell’s BalletWorks Project, The Denver Independent Choreographer’s Project, and Springfield Ballet Company. Mr. Hardin and his wife Amy Earnest have served as Co Dance Directors at The Myles Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, MN since 2012.

Melissa is a Seattle, Washington native where she received extensive training in all dance forms at Premiere Dance Center and Cornish College of the Arts. She performed locally for companies such as the Seattle Symphony, Club Cruz Control, Seattle’s television series, “The Big Night Out” and modeled for Paul Mitchell, to name a few. She then ventured out and was a ballet soloist in the production of Eve in LA as well as guest performed for Ricky Palomino’s contemporary company, Poetry in Motion, in Poland. She began to explore her love for choreographing and has been recognized for her unique take on contemporary movement. Her choreography has been performed around the country and can be seen on such stations as the Bio Channel. Melissa had the opportunity to move to New York where she assisted Derek Mitchell on So You Think You Can Dance as a contemporary artist, was an assistant choreographer for Suzy Minser for a number of in- production Broadway shows, and has had the privilege of working with the world renowned contemporary company Cedar Lake. She also assisted in the creation of Jacques d’Amboise’s tap program for his children’s dance center, The National Dance Institute or New York. Venturing across the country, Melissa ha had the opportunity to dance in Los Angeles, CA , where she worked for Natalie Gilmore and most recently Andrew Winghart. Knowing one of her true callings is to help inspire the next generation of dancer, she is a judge for both Celebrity Dance Competitions and Spotlight Dance Cup. She is also certified as a Vinyasa yoga instructor and Yoga Barre instructor, helping to advocate for a healthy lifestyle at any age and ability level. 

Autumn grew up in Orlando, FL where she performed with Orlando Ballet’s The Nutcracker, at the young age of 12 and danced at Walt Disney World. She performed with the Radio City Rockettes for 7 years and was extremely honored to be apart of such a prestigious, internationally known group. She was one of Radio City’s main Rockettes chosen to give interviews for radio, newspapers and television. Autumn has also danced for Tokyo Disneyland in Japan, Holland America Cruise Lines, Perichoresis Dance Company in NYC, the Olympic Game Opening Ceremony, Kia Motors and performed at several Universities in Africa. Her other experiences include work in film and television with musical groups such as Outkast and appearances on The Today Show, CNN, Waterboy, Rosewood, The Division, First Women Magazine and America’s Health Network. She is also a commercial voice over artist for radio.

Along with her dance career, Autumn graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Telecommunications and a Minor in Theatre. She then continued her education in NYC at The Kane School for Pilates and The School for Film and Television. Autumn has taught at The Joffery School of Ballet, The Orlando Ballet, The Rockette Dance Intensive, Project Dance NYC, Dance Masters of America, Fox Theatre’s Rising Stars, New York Backstage and at the Texas Dance Educators Association. She has been a high school dance team coach, Adjunct Professor at Brenau University and producer of Project Dance Atlanta for 4 years. She currently guest teaches, choreographs musicals, judges dance and musical theatre competitions and is a convention teacher with Celebration Talent.

Autumn and her husband, Nicholas, also run their non-profit, Make and Believe Productions and produce the M&B Summer Dance Intensive. AutumnMorgenstern.com @AutumnMorgenstern

Michael Lasris has been teaching and choreographing in Northern Colorado for 9 years. Currently he serves as the Resident Choreographer at Midtown Arts Center and has choreographed such shows as Rock of Ages, 42nd Street, A Christmas Story (Henry Award nomination), and Miss Saigon (BWW Award–Best Choreography). Upcoming projects include: Performance Now’s Crazy For You (director/choreographer), Diva Bee Productions’ Roy Orbison Experience (director), and MAC’s My Fair Lady (Doolittle). In addition to choreographing, Michael is the founder of the Academy at Midtown Arts Center and has been teaching tap and musical theatre lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. He is excited to rejoin the SWDC team after a short hiatus! Find him on Facebook: “Michael Lasris Studios”!