Meet theStaff!
Natalie Robinette
Natalie Robinette
Owner and Director
Owner and Director
Natalie started dancing at the age of three. She trained in classical ballet until her freshman year of high school. She has performed in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Paquita, Little Red Riding Hood, and several others. At the age of nine, she started competing in all styles of dance and continued throughout high school. Not only was she involved in competitive dance, she was the captain of her high school dance team. After graduating, she continued her dance education at University of Missouri-Kansas City where she studied in the conservatory under Paula Weber, Gary Abbott, Ronald Tice, DeeAnna Hiett, Sabrina Madison-Cannon, and Mary Pat Henry. In addition to dancing at the conservatory at UMKC, she was captain of the UMKC Roos. For three years, she lead the team to NDA Championship Competitions in Florida, placing in the top three each year. In May of 2014 she received a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Modern and Ballet. Natalie began teaching at the age of sixteen. Her choreography has been recognized numerous times at many competitions in the metro area as well as winning first place in national competitions. She has many years of experience as a teacher, a choreographer, and a studio director. Natalie became the owner of Relevé Performing Arts in July of 2019, fulfilling a dream she has had since she was twelve years old. Natalie is also the Head Coach of the Grain Valley Dance Team, the Royal Talons. Natalie loves everything about teaching young dancers. She loves the discipline, structure and life lessons dance teaches, but her favorite part of teaching young people is inspiring passion and love of the art through movement.
Natalie started dancing at the age of three. She trained in classical ballet until her freshman year of high school. She has performed in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Paquita, Little Red Riding Hood, and several others. At the age of nine, she started competing in all styles of dance and continued throughout high school. Not only was she involved in competitive dance, she was the captain of her high school dance team. After graduating, she continued her dance education at University of Missouri-Kansas City where she studied in the conservatory under Paula Weber, Gary Abbott, Ronald Tice, DeeAnna Hiett, Sabrina Madison-Cannon, and Mary Pat Henry. In addition to dancing at the conservatory at UMKC, she was captain of the UMKC Roos. For three years, she lead the team to NDA Championship Competitions in Florida, placing in the top three each year. In May of 2014 she received a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Modern and Ballet. Natalie began teaching at the age of sixteen. Her choreography has been recognized numerous times at many competitions in the metro area as well as winning first place in national competitions. She has many years of experience as a teacher, a choreographer, and a studio director. Natalie became the owner of Relevé Performing Arts in July of 2019, fulfilling a dream she has had since she was twelve years old. Natalie is also the Head Coach of the Grain Valley Dance Team, the Royal Talons. Natalie loves everything about teaching young dancers. She loves the discipline, structure and life lessons dance teaches, but her favorite part of teaching young people is inspiring passion and love of the art through movement.
Allie Bestgen
Allie Bestgen
Competition Instructor/Assistant Director
Competition Instructor/Assistant Director
Allie Bestgen was born and raised just outside of Kansas City, she found my love of dance at a young age of 3. Diving into the competition world at age 9- she pushed herself to grow and soak in as much as she possibly could. She was granted many opportunities to be instructed and mentored by many amazing choreographers nationally and internationally such as Travis Wall, Miranda Davis, Ted Jackson, Tokyo, Mollee Gray, Mia Michaels , Manny Castro and many other Greats. “I am forever grateful for each and every encounter I've had, and for the opportunity to be in the competitive dance world as it evolved into something even more extraordinary. Their work and wisdom has inspired me and shaped my work today.“ She also has state and national titles at the high school and collegiate level with earning the 4x all American title. “My love and passion far dance have shaped me into the person I am and have given me the confidence and opportunities I wouldn't trade for the world.” Since beginning choreography over 12 years ago, Allie has won Multiple Choreography and artistry awards. She hopes to contintue to spread love and joy through dance.
Allie Bestgen was born and raised just outside of Kansas City, she found my love of dance at a young age of 3. Diving into the competition world at age 9- she pushed herself to grow and soak in as much as she possibly could. She was granted many opportunities to be instructed and mentored by many amazing choreographers nationally and internationally such as Travis Wall, Miranda Davis, Ted Jackson, Tokyo, Mollee Gray, Mia Michaels , Manny Castro and many other Greats. “I am forever grateful for each and every encounter I've had, and for the opportunity to be in the competitive dance world as it evolved into something even more extraordinary. Their work and wisdom has inspired me and shaped my work today.“ She also has state and national titles at the high school and collegiate level with earning the 4x all American title. “My love and passion far dance have shaped me into the person I am and have given me the confidence and opportunities I wouldn't trade for the world.” Since beginning choreography over 12 years ago, Allie has won Multiple Choreography and artistry awards. She hopes to contintue to spread love and joy through dance.
Kiersten Johnson
Kiersten Johnson
Competition Instructor
Competition Instructor
Kiersten started dancing at the age of 12, but quickly found it was her passion. She was a member of the Blue Springs High School Glitter Girls and also danced at Avila University during her college career. While attending Avila, she attend UDA Nationals and placed in the top 10 every year. She was also able to compete in the NAIA Conference Championships where her team won first place five years in a row. Kiersten finished her Master degree in Psychology and plans to continue to work full time helping children who are affected by trauma as well as teach at RPA. Kiersten is eager to share her passion and help students grow their love of dance.
Kiersten started dancing at the age of 12, but quickly found it was her passion. She was a member of the Blue Springs High School Glitter Girls and also danced at Avila University during her college career. While attending Avila, she attend UDA Nationals and placed in the top 10 every year. She was also able to compete in the NAIA Conference Championships where her team won first place five years in a row. Kiersten finished her Master degree in Psychology and plans to continue to work full time helping children who are affected by trauma as well as teach at RPA. Kiersten is eager to share her passion and help students grow their love of dance.
Ysabella Hartnett
Ysabella Hartnett
Competition Instructor
Competition Instructor
Ysabella Hartnett is happily married for two years, 3 adorable fur babies, and 2 baby boys! Dance has always been a passion of hers since was just 5 years old! Steppin Out Dance Studio is where she began her journey before later joining Studio J. In high school, she was a part of the Glitter Girls for 4 years. GG's consistently placed top 5 in jazz, hip hop, and prop routines. They were also one of the only teams in Blue Springs School’s history to advance to finals at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. After high school, She danced at Avila University where she was a part of the Dance team for 3 years and a team captain for one of them. While on Avila’s dance team, they were back-to-back NAIA champions as well as top 10 finalists at UDA College nationals. She graduated from Avila in 2018 with her bachelor's degree in radiologic science. Currently, She is currently studying for ultrasound where this summer she will be partially certified! She will continue her dance career by choreographing and teaching numerous competition routines at Releve Performing Arts Center!
Ysabella Hartnett is happily married for two years, 3 adorable fur babies, and 2 baby boys! Dance has always been a passion of hers since was just 5 years old! Steppin Out Dance Studio is where she began her journey before later joining Studio J. In high school, she was a part of the Glitter Girls for 4 years. GG's consistently placed top 5 in jazz, hip hop, and prop routines. They were also one of the only teams in Blue Springs School’s history to advance to finals at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. After high school, She danced at Avila University where she was a part of the Dance team for 3 years and a team captain for one of them. While on Avila’s dance team, they were back-to-back NAIA champions as well as top 10 finalists at UDA College nationals. She graduated from Avila in 2018 with her bachelor's degree in radiologic science. Currently, She is currently studying for ultrasound where this summer she will be partially certified! She will continue her dance career by choreographing and teaching numerous competition routines at Releve Performing Arts Center!
Andrea Cooper
Andrea Cooper
Recreational and Competition Instructor
Recreational and Competition Instructor
Andrea graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has been dancing for 22 years. While attending Northwest she was on the Dance Company Team and worked at a Dance Studio doing a variety of different styles of dance. Andrea is very passionate about teaching dance and loves working with all ages of kiddos!
Andrea graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has been dancing for 22 years. While attending Northwest she was on the Dance Company Team and worked at a Dance Studio doing a variety of different styles of dance. Andrea is very passionate about teaching dance and loves working with all ages of kiddos!
Leah Finch
Recreational dance teacher
Hi everyone my name is Leah Finch and I am so excited to start at Releve for the 2024-2025 season! I have been dancing since I was 3 and was trained at Steppin' Out and Reed Performing Arts Company! I attended Lee's Summit High School and Graduated in 2021! In addition to studio dance I was on the Varsity Tigerettes Dance Team for 4 Years! In my 4 years with the Tigerettes we won 2 MDTA State Championships and went to UDA nationals only 3 out of the 4 years due to COVID! After competing with two studios and the Tigerettes, I danced collegiately at the University of Missouri - Kansas City with the KC Roos Dance Team 2 years! While on the KC Roos Dance Team I competed at NDA College Nationals! I can't wait to meet everyone and get our dance on!
Emily Adair
Emily Adair
Recreational and competition ballet teacher
Recreational and competition ballet teacher
Emily Adair is a native of central Missouri and graduated with her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from UMKC. Emily danced professionally with Storling Dance Theater for three years and performed numerous premiere works, including Underground at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Currently, Emily holds her 600-hour Classical Pilates Education comprehensive certification. She teaches Pilates and ballet throughout the KC metro and beyond.
Emily Adair is a native of central Missouri and graduated with her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from UMKC. Emily danced professionally with Storling Dance Theater for three years and performed numerous premiere works, including Underground at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Currently, Emily holds her 600-hour Classical Pilates Education comprehensive certification. She teaches Pilates and ballet throughout the KC metro and beyond.