Jessica Ashton is the 15th year owner/director of Up North Dance Studio.  Jess started dancing in Massachusetts at the age of 12 and continued her training when she moved here to Vermont. She has taken classes and competed in Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Ballet, African, Salsa, Irish but really discovered the love of dance when she was introduced to Hip Hop. She started teaching and choreographing at age 16 for such events as the Boston Celtics Pregame Show and Disney’s Magic Days, and always dreamed of having a studio of her own.  After meeting studio owner and long time friend, Sarah Cover, Jess discovered the Urban Dance Complex in Williston VT where she started teaching and taking classes. She was then inspired to take the big step and open a studio. Along with running the studio and teaching at North, Jess travels around the state to teach dance at schools, do workshops, and judge dance competitions. With each year getting bigger and better UP NORTH, she is excited for what is in store for this year! 

"UNDS is a family - we cry, laugh, dance, and grow together. It's what I've always dreamed of and its happening"

Brianna Hurley is 18 years old and lives in Milton VT. She has been dancing at UNDS for 12 years. She has taken all of the genres UNDS has had to offer over the years. She has assisted and subbed for 6 years and is excited to have her own class this year. She is known for her fashion sense but on the flip side she enjoys activities like hunting, fishing, and managing Milton's hockey team.  

Maekayla Brower is 21 years old and lives in Colchester VT. When she is not dancing she is running her own cleaning business "Neatly Maid". She is a big sister to 3 siblings and loevs spending time with kids. After taking some time off to live in Florida she is back and ready to teach at UNDS. Maekayla has been assisting, subbing, and teaching for many years and is a huge asset to our Saturday morning program. 

Rj is 40 years old and lives in Georgia VT. He has been dancing since he was 6 years old. RJ has been with UNDS for six years and teaching tap for four of those. From teaching kids the beginning basics of tap to the advanced classes with the adults, he loves to have fun and see the dancers grow. In his spare time he loves to experiment with photography. 

Lauren Kaye Sylvia is a performer, educator, choreographer and former dance studio owner in Milton, VT.  She is trained in various styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern and Acrobatics.  She currently is an online educator teaching kids from around the world and has been doing so for the past 3 years.  

She has trained in various forms of dance and has shared her talents in the states of Massachusetts, Ohio and Vermont.  Her training was received at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, as well as Dean College, where she holds a Bachelors Degree in Dance.  She also was a professional for Dancing with the Stars Burlington and has graced the Flynn stage with her performance in 2019 and guest performance in 2022.  

She provides wholesome dance classes where movement and music selection is always age appropriate.  Her main focus is to create a fun and energetic learning environment allowing kids to express themselves!  She has been instructing children of all ages for 19 years and has loved every minute of it! 

Rianna is 17 years old and lives in Milton VT. She has been dancing for 9 years at UNDS and has done hip hop, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. Rianna has been assisting and subbing classes for over 3 years and is very excited to have her own classes this semester!