FACULTY BIOS
Rochelle Clarkson
Studio Owner/Director
Rochelle began dancing at age 7 and continues her education still today. After training in Northern Virginia, Rochelle graduated from Shenandoah University with a BS in Dance Performance and double minors in Musical Theatre and Psychology. After graduation, she danced professionally with Fairfax Ballet while teaching in Northern Virginia dance studios. Rochelle later relocated to Central Florida where she danced at Walt Disney World and Church Street Station while teaching throughout the area. After several years, Rochelle opened Turning Pointe-A Dance Studio and enjoyed great success for over 10 years, growing to 500+ students while earning numerous Regional and National Awards. During this time she enjoyed judging for Showbiz and other Regional Conventions, was a founding member of Wekiva River Players and DanceAbilites. In 2004, she sold her studio, married her soulmate and moved to Hilton Head Island! She shared her vast knowledge and experience with a local studio to help it grow to almost 400 dancers. Currently, Rochelle is excited to be working together with parents, dancers, teachers and the community to create a strong foundation for all dancers. Alliance Dance Academy is based on Rochelle's love of dance, and giving back to the community by helping dancers experience the important life lessons that go hand-in-hand with the dedication, discipline and desire dance requires.
Ashlyn LaRiche
Studio Director/Teacher
Ashlyn began dancing at the age of 3 in Northeast Ohio. After taking dance classes in all styles of dance, she realized her love for Ballet was the greatest. In high school, she began traveling to competitions not only as a competitor, but also as the head mentor for the other competitors from the studio. Ashlyn started assistant teaching at the age of 13. A year later she began as the assistant choreographer for her musicals in high school and show choir performances. She has lead her own ballet classes since the age of 14 and is excited to continue spreading her joy of dancing from the tiny stars to the adults with the Alliance Dance Academy family. Ashlyn moved to South Carolina with her husband in 2016. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, is certified in Preschool dance from CLI Studios and is in the process of becoming a certified Rhythm Works Integrative teacher as well. When she is not dancing, she enjoys reading, baking, The Beatles and exploring with her daughter.
Kelly Milone
Teacher
Kelly holds a BFA in dance and BA in anthropology (Montclair State University) as well as an MA in cultural heritage management (Johns Hopkins University). She is a freelance dancer, choreographer and teacher, based in NYC until moving to Savannah in 2024. In addition to teaching at Alliance, she is an instructor at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. Previously she has taught at USDAN Camp for the Arts (Long Island), various studios in the northeast USA, and abroad for workshops and intensives in Kenya, Jordan, and India. Her choreography was featured in original full-length productions "THEY Call It Gravy; WE Call It SAUCE!" (Brook Arts Center, NJ) and "Northbound" (Theater for the New City, Manhattan). Performance credits include the International Indian Film Awards, "Da-Bangg Reloaded" U.S./Canada tour, Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort (Greece), "Unleashed" at Six Flags Great Adventure, Regina Opera Company, Ninja Ballet, and Make Up For Ever Academy as a body painted model and dancer. She has also served as a competition judge for Dance Champs Elite.
Aubrey Mitchell
Teacher
Aubrey started her gymnastics training in Ashtabula, Ohio at the age of 6. She later joined the traveling gymnastics competitive team and at the age of 11 she started cheerleading. She continued cheering all throughout high school and joined the Blue Streak cheer team at John Carroll University where she also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology. Over the years Aubrey has taken classes in multiple styles of dance to complement her gymnastics & cheer training. She has helped multiple students reach their goals in both gymnastics and cheer and has an outstanding passion for teaching proper & safe technique. She moved to South Carolina July of 2024 and became an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor in August of 2024 to continue helping as many people as she can reach their dreams. When she is not on the mat, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and dog.
Josey Jackson
Teacher
Josey began dancing at age 2, began competing at age 5 and assisting classes at age 14 with her home studio Fascinating Rhythm Studios. She grew up in the studio taking classes in all styles from Ballet to Pom. Throughout school, she was a varsity dance team member and captain, she performed at football and basketball games and was given the opportunity to perform at Universal Studios Mardi gras parade and festival in Orlando Florida. She also participated in a couple of pageants; she holds multiple titles and awards from them and other events. Josey currently attends the University of South Carolina Beaufort studying psychology. After earning her bachelor's degree, she plans to obtain her master's degree and her PhD to focus on grief counseling and scientific research. Josey has a strong love for dance and wants to share it with those around her in any way possible.
Ann is a seasoned dance educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Point Park University and a Master’s Degree in Dance Education from the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University. For the past 17 years, she has taught dance in public schools, bringing both expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom. A mother of four, she is passionate about fostering creativity, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the art of dance in every student she teaches.
Ann Pinelli
Teacher
Emily Daniels
Teacher
Emily is a multi-faceted professional entertainer located in Savannah, GA. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Georgia and is a 4 time national medalist for competitive aerial apparatus. She has performed aerial arts for Legacy’s “Legends Live On,” at the Historic Savannah Theater, was featured in multiple film projects in Savannah as a working actor, and has performed fire acts at venues such as Plant Riverside District and Grayson Stadium. As a dance teacher, she focuses on form correction and technique in order to refine skills. She passionately uses tools of science and art to explain complex movement patterns and motor control. Injury prevention and longevity is her top priority.
Chayse Turner
Teacher
Chayse began dancing at 2 years old, began competing at 10 years old and started assisting dance classes at 14 years old. She is a Star alumni and graduated from our teacher apprentice program (TAP) in 2025. She has done many genres of dance from ballet to step and hip hop. She had the opportunity to dance for Disney in their parade through the Dance The World program. Chayse attends the University of South Carolina Beaufort majoring in English with a concentration in professional writing. She plans on becoming an editor and publisher. Chayse’s favorite thing about teaching is watching dancers improve their technique and helping students achieve their goals. In her free time she loves to read and go on walks with her dogs.
