Instructors

Classical Ballet Conservatory
Head Coach
Elisse Shell is the owner and director of Classical Ballet Conservatory. She grew up dancing under Christy McQuaid and Attila Ficzere. Upon graduation from highschool, she attended BYU on a talent scholarship in the Ballet Department. She received her Bachelor of Science in dance from Brigham Young University and was a member their pre-professional touring company, Theatre Ballet. While studying at BYU, Elisse Trained under Jan Dijkwel, Shani Robison, and Suzi Wood. Elisse received the Phyllis Jacobson Dance Talent Scholarship, and a scholarship to study Martha Graham and Jose Limon methodologies. Her choreography was chosen to represent BYU at ACDFA (The American College Dance Festival Association).
Shortly after graduating from BYU, Elisse was awarded a choreographic residency at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. After a cold summer in San Fransisco, she went on to earn her Masters of Fine Arts in ballet with an emphasis in teaching and choreography from the University of Utah; during which, she was an assistant professor and taught both beginning and advanced ballet, pointe, character dance, and modern at the University.
Elisse has Choreographed and taught all over the Wasatch front, and is the Resident Choreographer for Mountain West Ballet. Her choreography has also been seen in The Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Show, Utah Opera, Utah Ballet, Youth America Grand Prix, and on solo competition stages throughout the state.
Danielle Thompson
Head Coach
Elisse N. Shell
Head Coach
Elisse Shell is the owner and director of Classical Ballet Conservatory. She grew up dancing under Christy McQuaid and Attila Ficzere. Upon graduation from highschool, she attended BYU on a talent scholarship in the Ballet Department. She received her Bachelor of Science in dance from Brigham Young University and was a member their pre-professional touring company, Theatre Ballet. While studying at BYU, Elisse Trained under Jan Dijkwel, Shani Robison, and Suzi Wood. Elisse received the Phyllis Jacobson Dance Talent Scholarship, and a scholarship to study Martha Graham and Jose Limon methodologies. Her choreography was chosen to represent BYU at ACDFA (The American College Dance Festival Association).
Shortly after graduating from BYU, Elisse was awarded a choreographic residency at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. After a cold summer in San Fransisco, she went on to earn her Masters of Fine Arts in ballet with an emphasis in teaching and choreography from the University of Utah; during which, she was an assistant professor and taught both beginning and advanced ballet, pointe, character dance, and modern at the University.
Elisse has Choreographed and taught all over the Wasatch front, and is the Resident Choreographer for Mountain West Ballet. Her choreography has also been seen in The Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Show, Utah Opera, Utah Ballet, Youth America Grand Prix, and on solo competition stages throughout the state.
Isabel Holt
Assistant Coach
Isabel has been dancing since a young age and received her bachelor’s of science in dance and a dance teaching certificate from the University of Oregon. She specializes in ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, and drama. She has taught in the Eugene, Oregon area for four years, teaching at Hosanna Dance, Oregon Ballet Academy, Eugene Ballet Academy, and the Academy of Ballet Fantastique.

At the University of Oregon, she performed in various contemporary pieces, notably Sarah Ebert’s in medias res, performed for the School of Music and Dance’s 2022 commencement, as well as pieces choreographed by Shannon Mockli, Brad Garner, and Walter Kennedy. Her piece 'To Have and To Hold' was selected as the UO’s student choreography representative for the Formal Concerts at ACDA NW’s 2022 Conference. She was honored with the Outstanding Dance Artist Award upon graduation.

Isabel is passionate about moving, teaching, and choreographing, and is excited to join the staff at Classical Ballet Conservatory in 2022!
Kimberly Robbins
Head Coach
director, photographer, choreographer and director. Kimberly recently directed and choreographed Eyes Wide Open, and The Wizard of Oz in Nephi, Utah and has previously music directed several productions including: Children of Eden, Bright Star, and several musical reviews. She is also currently working on her certification to become a Body Mapping Educator through The Association of Body Mapping Educators specializing in helping Vocalist and Dancers.

When she is not instructing she enjoys to get onstage herself. She has performed with several professional and community theater companies. Recent roles include ‘Elisabeth’ in King of Kings and ‘Mary Mother’ in Lamb of God with Draper Philharmonic and Choral Society; ’Polly Baker’ in Crazy for You; ‘Woman 2’ in Songs for a New World; Cast Member in Sondheim on Sondheim; ‘Eve’ in The Apple Tree; and ‘Millie’ in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Kimberly studied Classical, Musical Theater and CCM Voice at Utah State University under the direction of Dr. Cindy Dewey. She has performed all over the USA, Italy, England, and the Philippines in both Choral and Solo settings. Kimberly was also a part of the Utah State University Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Corey Evans as well as a member of American Festival Chorus under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessop.

Kimberly also enjoys doing photography and specializes in Performer Headshot Photography.

Lauren Frost
Head Coach
Lauren has danced since she was three, with her youth training by Attila Ficzere, Jan Dijkwel, Shani Robison, and Christy McQuaid. Lauren attended the University of Utah on talent scholarship and there studio ballet, and then received her BFA in Modern Dance.

Since college, Lauren has danced for SALTII, Wasatch Contemporary, Motab Christmas, Mountain West Ballet, and TC Nutcracker as a featured soloist. She traveled to South Africa and taught English and dance. She is certified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique), as well as starting her training in Yoga certification. Lauren takes her diverse and well seasoned background into her classes and choreography - helping students grow and create in an environment of diverse techniques and experiences.