Elevé Academy Instructors
Kristen Veale
Founder & DIRECTOR
Kristen began her dance training at the age of 2 studying a variety of dance styles. Kristen began her dance training at LMT Dance Academy in Webster, MA and performed with the Dance Prism Ballet Company out of Concord, MA. She continued dancing at Westfield State University and was elected as the dance club president. Kristen worked with the school to establish a dance team to perform at sports events and competitions. Kristen earned a BA degree in Mathematics from Westfield State University and a MS degree in Operations Research Systems Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology.
Kristen began instructing jazz and tap classes at the age of 16 at LMT Dance Academy. Kristen has experience teaching and choreographing for both recreational and competitive dancers in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary at Dance Sensation Dance Studio in Douglas, MA and the JCCNV Dance Academy in Fairfax, VA. Throughout her teaching career, Kristen has received choreography, entertainment, and technique awards for her work and dedication to developing well-rounded performers. Kristen continued her dance education at Joy of Motion Dance Center in Washington, DC and Ballet NOVA in Falls Church, VA. Kristen has also taught dance workshops at Ryerson Elementary School in Madison. In addition to her dance background, Kristen completed undergraduate coursework in Early Childhood Education, helping shape her passion for working with young children. She loves introducing children to the performing arts and helping dancers build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance in a positive and encouraging environment.
Brooke Cotter
choreographer & instructor
Brooke is an accomplished dance educator, choreographer, and professional performer with over thirteen years of teaching experience across New England and beyond. With more than twenty-seven years of training and performance experience, she is recognized for her strong stage presence, refined technique, and creative, detail-driven choreography. Her students have consistently achieved competitive success, earning regional and national titles, special awards, and top overall placements, including recognition at the World Dance Championships. Her choreography and training programs have also received regional and national awards for Outstanding Choreography and Technique.
Brooke is extensively trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theatre, bringing a well-rounded and versatile approach to both teaching and performance. She began dancing at the age of three and trained competitively through age eighteen before continuing her studies at professional levels. She earned her degree in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance from Naugatuck Valley Community College. She went on to further her training in New York City through the Broadway Dance Center Professional Training Program, studying under leading choreographers and educators. While in NYC, she also trained at Steps on Broadway and the Dance Teacher Summit, continuing to refine both her artistry and teaching approach.
As a performer, Brooke maintains an active presence in the professional entertainment scene throughout the Northeast. Her credits include the NYC Big Apple Tap Festival, the 5x5 Dance Festival, Foxwoods Resort Casino, The Brook Casino, Turning Stone Resort Casino, and Mohegan Sun Resort Casino. She is a featured performer with DFX Entertainment Company and appears in productions such as The Rat Pack Show, performing jazz, showgirl, and musical theatre choreography alongside live musicians and vocalists. Her performance background brings a strong sense of versatility, musicality, and professionalism to her work as both an educator and choreographer.
In addition to her performance career, Brooke also specializes in country line dance instruction, offering high-energy and engaging choreography for social events and entertainment settings. Most recently, she brought her expertise to the Helldorado Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also serves as Captain of the Comix Roadhouse Dancers, further expanding her leadership in live entertainment and audience-driven performance.
Brooke is passionate about helping dancers grow in both confidence and technique. She creates a positive, supportive, and structured training environment where students are encouraged to work hard, be challenged, and truly enjoy the process of dance while developing into strong, well-rounded performers.
Ariyanna McDaniel
choreographer & instructor
Ariyanna McDaniel, from Middletown, CT; has been dancing for 16+ yrs. She is always seen in the studio, at a convention or even on the big stage with professional gigs. When not dancing for herself; she uses her time to choreograph for friends, teammates or even high school dance teams. Being able to see the training and guidance she gives to her young dancers pay off by witnessing their growth shows she is in the right place. Her greatest accomplishments have been the recognition for her choreography, placing 1st at numerous competitions and becoming an Elite Dancer for a 3rd year.
Ariyanna plans to follow her forged path to the professional world of dance by first stopping at Dean College for a BA in Dance Science with a minor in Business. See you on the big stage!