Kristen Baker is the Owner and Artistic Director of Expressions Academy of Dance.  Her love of Dance began at the young age of three while dancing at Dance Expressions in El Dorado Hills. Kristen focused on Ballet until age eight ​when she began studying Jazz and other forms of dance. At age eleven she joined a performing company, Expressions Productions.  While in this troupe she studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Polynesian, Clogging, and Musical Theater. She had the opportunity to be taught by Kim Nead, Jessica Layton, Susan Daugherty, Shirin Keyani-Rose, Ryna Taylor, Georgina Coleman, Debi Davis Worth, and Dawn Paulson. She dedicated herslef to the dance community at a young age, and began touring with the dance troupe. While with Expressions Productions, a pre-professional touring company, she had the opportunity to tour locally to San Francisco, Disneyland, and Hawaii, as well as internationally to Mexico with the World Dance Festival. While in high school she was accepted into the Sacramento Ballet Summer Intensive, and studied under Kirsten Bloom, Sunny Staton, Ron Cunningham, and others.

After graduating Ponderosa High School in 2003, Kristen moved to the Bay Area to study dance under the direction of Warren Lucas and Vernon Gallegos.  She also obtained her Bachelors Degree from California State University Sacramento in Dance.  While at CSUS Kristen had the privelage of dancing for Lorelei Bayne, Nolan T'Sani, Philip Flickinger, and Lisa Ross. While at CSUS Kristen choreographed and performed in mutiple shows, and was a performer in a piece that was chosen for adjudication at the American College Dance Festival Association. 

Kristen's Director noticed a special talent she possesed with children, and at age fourteen Kristen became a teaching assistant.  By age fifteen Kristen had her own classes, and had found a new passion in life. Teaching brought more happiness and joy to her life, and she knew that owning a studio and teaching dance was her destiny.  She has taught for Dance Expressions, El Dorado Dance Academy, Foothills Dance, Mission Dance & Performing Arts, CLAP Arts, Tricks Dance Studio and now at her life long dream, Expressions Academy.  She has taught all ages, ranging from two to adult, and teaches many styles including; Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Pointe. Kristen has been the Director of mutiple Dance Teams and Performing Companies, and is delighted to have a resident team at her own studio, Expressions. 

Kristen hopes that Expressions Academy can be the catalyst for dreams to come alive for generations of dancers in the Lincoln community. Dance was a way for her to express and release emotions in a healthy and creative way.  She believes that dance can change lives and that together we can help encourage self confident and strong dancers to take on the world.  She loves being involved in local events, and with the Lincoln Community, and plans on being here for decades to come! 

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Kelly began her dance career at the age of 3 and joined Dance Expressions in El Dorado Hills, CA at age 11. Shortly after she joined the international touring company Expressions Productions, Inc. and fell in love with the ability to serve the community by using dance to spread social messages and bring joy to underserved populations. Kelly became a dance instructor at age 16 and discovered she had a gift for teaching young girls and connecting with them through dance and art. 
 

Kelly went on to dance at De Anza College and University of California, San Diego where she received a BA in Psychology. After graduation Kelly married her sweetheart, Navy Corpsman Dave Crittenden who was stationed with the Marines in Jacksonville, NC. While Dave served two deployments to Iraq, Kelly directed a program with the Boys and Girls Club that matched active duty Marine and Navy service members with local at-risk youth into year long mentor partnerships. Dave’s end of service with the Navy brought the couple back home to California where Kelly managed a non-profit program that provided independent living and recreational opportunities for developmentally disabled adults. The arrival of their daughter Katelyn in 2011 inspired Kelly to complete a certification course in children's Yoga teacher training and launch Empowered Kids, a mindfulness character education program that promotes confidence centered anti-bullying training through exposure to the arts, dance, yoga, and community service. 
 

Kelly is honored to join forces with Miss Kristen to open Expressions Academy of Dance. She is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to develop physical, mental, and spiritual strength and encouraging each child to confidently create their own unique identity. Kelly loves dancing, teaching, practicing yoga, and empowering families to live positive, healthy lives. 

Miss BJ started dancing at the age of 6 and by the time she was 15, she was competing several times a year throughout the Sacramento and Bay areas with her local Dance Company. At this same time, she was attending high school at Natomas Performing & Fine Arts Academy where her focuses were theater and dance. After high school, Miss BJ attended American River College, performing and choreographing with their Honors Dance Company for several years while obtaining her AA degree in Theater Arts. Once she transferred to Sacramento State, she had the pleasure of performing and learning from choreographers including Lorelei Bayne, Nathan Jones, and Nolan T’Sani. Over the last 20+ years, her Dance training has included many styles such as Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Lyrical, Afro-Carribean, Improvisation techniques and Principles of Choreography. 

Since she was a teenager and started assisting her first classes, teaching was something that ignited a fire within her soul. She dreamed of having her own classes and students some day, but it would take many years to finally get there. Until one day in 2020, she crossed paths and was introduced to Miss Jessie (Miss Pickles) and soon, the rest of the EAD family! Becoming Miss BJ is one of her top memories and is truly a dream come true! Her favorite thing about working for EAD is being a part of an Inclusive community where everyone is invited to come as they are and express themselves! The Staff truly cares about each other and each individual student’s wellbeing. She loves being able to help guide her students as future artists!

She says, “My hope and dreams for my students is that they understand and believe in their abilities to overcome obstacles. To know that they are worthy and capable of obtaining any goal or dream they set their sights on. To find the courage to step outside their comfort zone and try something new. And no matter how far their training takes them- to step out on stage, and always remember deep in their soul, why it is they love to dance. 

Tanya has studied ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, hip hop, and bellydance.  She has performed and trained with the following choreographers, Julia Dugan, Catherine Marie Davalos, Nina Haft, Dana Lawton, Randee Pauvfee, Benedicte Schoyen, FRIT & FRAT, Kalila Raks, and Jodette Johnson. She has danced in a number of California professional and community settings in regional dance companies and musical theater productions.  Currently she is a Training Analyst for CDCR,  Assistant Director of Ballet America, a professional belly dancer with Jewels of the Nile, and a Level 1 EBAS certified instructor. She holds a BS in Psychology from Saint Mary's College and a minor in dance.    She has a history of teaching movement programs, cheerleading programs and managing dance companies.  As an instructor, her passion is to help dancers feel empowered to understand their body mechanics, technical strengths and weaknesses honestly to build a better understanding of what is needed to achieve their goals, and to continually grow in our dance exploration.

She loves teaching at EAD because all the students are eager to grow and enjoy this craft of dance as artists.  She is proud to be affiliated with such a wonderful staff of peers who share their talent and expression of dance  in such a joyful manner.

Miss Tanya wants her students to know that although she is always providing detailed feedback that she sees their authenticity, loving spirit, and efforts.  She believes in you and it is because of that faith in you she challenges you to strive for more.

Keli started dance at age 3, but it has always been in her blood. Her two older sisters danced ballet for many years prior, so she likes to joke that “she was practically born in a ballet studio.” Throughout her years of extensive and professional training, she has had the privilege of working with and being mentored by many accomplished dancers such as Maia Wilkins, former principal at the Joffrey Ballet; Peggy Dolkas, former first soloist at Ballet West; Jen Bradford, award-winning choreographer; and Ron Cunningham, former director of the Sacramento Ballet.

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Her years of training have led to many opportunities, such as being a scholarship student at The School of Sacramento Ballet (2017–2019), being invited to Ballet West's summer intensive, being invited to Pacific Northwest Ballet's summer intensive, performing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Placer Theater Ballet’s The Nutcracker, and attending the Youth America Grand Prix in Southern California. Along with ballet, Keli is also skilled in contemporary and acting, accompanied by 8 years of dancing en pointe.

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Keli graduated as a 4.0 student at age 17 in 2024 and decided to pause her personal ballet career. In doing so, she absolutely fell in love with teaching. After working as a lead preschool teacher for a local school, she was thrilled to finally begin teaching what she truly loves—dance. She has always had a passion for children and now gets to dance through them while watching them grow in their self-confidence, passion for dance, and creativity.

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Keli married her high school sweetheart in May of 2025 and is living her best life, continuing to do what she loves! Expression Academy of Dance has offered her wonderful opportunities, and she is forever grateful for the trust, guidance, and support they provide.

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“I have had many accomplishments along my dance journey, but teaching is my favorite destination.” – Keli Prescott

Miss Mia started dancing at the age of 5 in ballet and continued to love performing. She was a part of a Musical Theater called Magic Circle Theater (now called Tower Theater) and performed in multiple productions there during elementary school. She also trained in gymnastics and tumbling at Tumble Time Gymnastics in Cameron Park. She started competing as a figure skater at age 10 and received private and group lessons at Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville. She then went on to continue dancing during high school at El Dorado Dance Academy in El Dorado Hills where she trained in Contemporary, Modern, and Hip-Hop Dance. She thrived in her hip hop class and loved helping the teacher demonstrate routines for the other students. She also was enrolled in Drama class at her high school. As an adult, she now enjoys roller skating and taking part in Zumba and Jazzercise in her free time. 

Miss Mia has always had a passion with working for children and has worked as a Nanny for children of all ages for 9 years. She has also worked as a behavioral therapist for autistic kids at CARD, volunteered at Sierra Forever Families adoption agency, and worked as a teachers assistant in the Special Ed class in high school. She loves being able to use her love for dance and children in the same profession! Seeing each child’s unique style and personality while dancing is her favorite part about teaching dance!

Bio TBA

Trained in advanced tap, jazz, musical theater and acting, from Schumacher’s School of Dance, Notre Dame De Namur University’s School of Theater, Evergreen Valley College Dance Department and San Jose State University’s School of Music & Dance, Jenny believes you never stop learning!

She furthered her tap improvisation studies under the direction of tap master, Sam Weber, completed her certification in babywearing dance fitness with Joimove International and earned her Assistant Teacher permit in Early Childhood Education.

Jenny has also taken workshops with world renowned tap dancers: Jason Samuels Smith, Andrew Prashad (Monsoon Wedding), Victoria Jones (Las Vegas Tap Festival), Anthony LoCascio (Tap Dogs), Bruce Biada (ODC San Francisco’s Global Dance Passports). Passionate about showmanship, Jenny has performed in theatrical works such as A Christmas Carol, Grease, Gypsy, Wild Honey, and The Skin of Our Teeth. She performed with Shrungaar of Northern California, an award-winning traditional Indian dance team under the direction of Madhavi Desai. As a flyer/dancer for CHEER San Francisco, Jenny performed at America’s Best Cheerleading Competition, California’s Great America, San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade and various parades throughout the country.

Her teaching philosophy of infusing dance technique with hilarious stage presence led Jenny to winning the “Air Guitar Challenge” on KOFYTV20’s Dance Party.
A firm believer in education, Jenny holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministries (Holy Names University), bachelor’s degree in Public Relations (San Jose State University) and recently published a children’s book, Francisco the bunny. When she’s not teaching dance, you can find Jenny homeschooling her two children, serving as a board member for Leaps & Bounds Rabbit Rescue and sharing her husband’s award-winning artwork (Tony Baran Art) via the Placer Artist
Tour and Art League of Lincoln.

I began my dance journey in Pennsylvania at the age of four, taking recreational classes until I moved to California in fifth grade. I joined the Dance Elite Competition Team. While I loved the team experience, I didn’t love the pressure of dance competitions and made the move to Expressions Academy of Dance. It was the best move I could have made because I became a part of the EAD family, made the best friends ever, and found this studio always provided me with love, support, and encouragement in all aspects of life…. Not just dance.

My first lead role came in 2016 when I played Anna in the Christmas show, “Land of Snow.” This memorable experience included my first solo as one of my favorite characters. In 2018, I took on the role of Jacqueline Frost in “All Wrapped Up”. At age 13, I was so excited to achieve the accomplishment of receiving my pointe shoes and spent the next few years practicing en pointe, another dream come true! My final significant role was as the Snow Queen in “Clara's Enchanted Evening” in 2019, where I had a pointe solo. Additionally, I participated in the Teacher Assistant program, assisting my teachers, Kristen and Kelly. This experience taught me so much about varying teaching techniques, student support, and completely inspired the teacher I have become.

In addition to my dance experience at EAD, I was also part of my high school’s dance team. I earned the role of captain in my second year. I created, cleaned, and led sidelines and halftime routines, further developing my leadership skills and exposing me to a different dynamic of dance.

One of the EAD classes I teach, and hold close to my heart, is a class at Gigi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome achievement center. I teach a 30-minute class for individuals of all ages with Down Syndrome, focusing on basic skills, movement with props, and rhythm. Look out for their dance in our next recital!

In addition to teaching at EAD, I am working towards my associate degree in Early Childhood Education, which I expect to complete this winter. I plan to transfer to National University to earn my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential, along with a master’s degree. My goal is to become an elementary school teacher or explore a career in special education.

Dance has been a significant part of my life, and I am thrilled to share this journey with my students!

Miss Alexis started her dancing journey at the age of 4 in hip-hop and continued to expand herlove for dance. She preformed at many dance recitals and concerts during her elementary school years, learning many more styles along the way. She attend high school in San Jose,where she danced all four years and learned styles such as Jazz, Ballet, and Tap. During those years she got perform at peep rallies, football games, middle schools and retirement homes bringing the joy of dance. After high school she got a job at California sports center where she taught children dance and gymnastics, there she got to make routines for the children where they performed at recitals and other community events. She enjoys dancing on her free time and spending time with her family and friends.Miss Alexis has always loved working with kids and will always continue to have a passion for working with them. She has also been a nanny for a little over 4 years now and she has lovedit, learned a lot. Being able to teach kids about her passion for dance has always been her favorite part in her dance journey. She hopes to one day open a company of her own and continue her passion for teaching kids dance.

Andrea Obando, based in Sacramento, California, began her journey into dance at a young age, initially drawn to hip-hop while in elementary school. Her passion for dance evolved as she explored a wide array of styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Mexican Folklorico, African Caribbean, and Ballroom. This diverse exposure inspired her to pursue dance professionally.

Andrea's dedication led her to earn a Bachelor's degree in Dance from Sacramento State University, where she honed her skills and developed into a polished dance artist. Known for her expressive and captivating movements, Andrea is recognized for her sophisticated approach to dance. Her love for the art form shines through in every performance, making her a pleasure to collaborate with.

Miss Taylor is the friendly face you'll see when you walk through the doors of Expressions Academy of Dance. While she doesn't have a background in dance, she grew up doing gymnastics and has always loved the energy and creativity of movement. She is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for everyone who comes into the studio - whether you're a first time dancer or an experienced performer. She is here to help with scheduling, questions, and making sure your time here at the studio is smooth and enjoyable!