Peak Company Dancers

Emmaree is nine years old and has been dancing since the age of two. Her favorite style of dance is ballet because she loves advancing her skills as a ballerina. Emmaree has enjoyed performing in several recitals and the Nutcracker with her favorite role being a mouse in the battle scenes! This will be her second year on Peak Company at Ascend. She is looking forward to performing with her friends and attending convention classes.

Makenna is currently in 12th grade at Cactus Shadows High School. She has been dancing competitively since the age of 8 in both group and solo performances in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Lyrical, and Ballet. She loves all styles of dance but shines most in Ballet and Lyrical. She loves expressing her emotions on stage through different dance genres.

In 2016, she earned first for her lyrical solo at Showstoppers Phoenix and second overall. In 2017, she was a Rainbow Dance Competition Dancer of the Year finalist and earned first in lyrical solo at Celebrity Phoenix and third overall for her age group. In 2018, she was KAR Dancer of the Year Title Finalist in Phoenix, earned second place in lyrical solo at LADM Phoenix, and third place overall at Just Dance Invitational Phoenix. In 2019, she earned an honorable mention at the California Dance Classic competition in San Diego for her lyrical contemporary solo. In 2021, she earned the Outstanding Dancer Experience scholarship as a Regional Outstanding Dancer Runner-up at the NYCDA Phoenix competition/convention and performed at the NYCDA Nationals Competition Gala. In the years 2022-2024 she earned a Streetz class scholarship to compete for Dancer of the Year at Streetz Nationals. In 2023, she placed first overall in the Senior category at the Fly Dance Competition and received a JDI award at the Just Dance Invitational in Phoenix with her contemporary solo. In 2024, she placed first overall at Streetz Regionals in Phoenix, Tremaine Regionals in Los Angeles, Groove Regionals in Phoenix, won the title of Miss Starbound Phoenix, and placed in the top 25 of the Dancer of the Year Streetz Nationals.

Makenna has received scholarships to additional intensives, including the Francisco Gella Dance Works New Year Training Camp, the 2025 Zeitgeist Dance Theatre Trainee Audition Invitation for the Summer Company Experience, and the Joffrey Workshops, which awarded a  full one-time workshop. The University of New Mexico has awarded her a dance team finalist along with pre-major acceptance in the Theatre and Dance department.

Makenna is an ambassador for and participates in seasonal intensives and master classes with Core Technique Training (CTT) as well as appearing in CTT on Demand videos and live zooms for dancers demonstrating technique and various exercises. In 2024, she attended a two-week ballet intensive at Ballet 5:8 outside Chicago. She has also participated in six productions of the Christmas classic ‘The Nutcracker’ in various roles including Sugarplum Fairy, Clara, Snow Queen, Party Scene, Flowers, Tea Cakes, Snow Corps, Soldier Doll, and Spanish Chocolate.

Hannah is 13 years old and has been dancing since the age of 3. Her favorite styles of dance include Ballet, Contemporary, and Broadway. Hannah enjoys Ballet the most since it was the first style of dance she learned, but also enjoys Contemporary because it allows her to move her body more freely. Hannah enjoys how much Broadway has made her come out of her shell as a dancer and expand her artistry. This is Hannah’s first year competing with Peak Company. The thing she is looking forward to the most this season is building a closer bond with her dance friends and growing as a dancer. Hannah has been in multiple productions of The Nutcracker since she started dancing. Her most recent roles were Clara’s sister Frannie and Reed Flute

Realizing her passion at an early age, Kenlee has devoted her life to dance. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kenlee began dancing at the age of two. As a high school Junior, she has been training and competing with Ascend Dance Academy ever since they opened their doors in 2020. She has been dancing in her studio’s and past studio’s annual productions of The Nutcracker for the last 10 years.  This year she is thrilled to be dancing the role of Clara.  She loves being a part of The Peak company at Ascend, competing in both group dances and solos. She is also a member of Performance Dance at SDOHS. In addition, she is preparing for her second season as a member of the Tremaine Performance Company and is excited for her first year as a member of the Streetz Dance Company Team where she travels and assists at conventions and performs in the weekends closing show. Kenlee is also an ambassador for Core Training Techniques and enjoys extra training in Pilates, filming for their app CTT on Demand and assisting at their intensive training programs.

When Kenlee is not dancing, she is often promoting dance through social media. She has been an ambassador as a “Crew Elite Pro” for Oh La La Dancewear. This past year, Kenlee collaborated with Oh La La on the release of a dance clothing collection which she called Unapologetic. She travels to participate in Catalog shoots with the brand twice bi annually and also proudly served as an apprentice with Gray Arrows Photography. While Kenlee loves being in front of the camera, she also enjoys the opportunity to support and mentor others who also share her love for dance. She loves having the opportunity to be a TA for level 2 dancers this season at Ascend.

Natalia is 10 years old and started her journey with dance 3 years ago at Ascend Dance Academy. Her favorite styles of dance include Contemporary, Broadway and Ballet. This will be Natalia’s second year on Peak Company and she is eager to get on stage again. Last season Natalia received a convention scholarship from LUX as well as a class and studio scholarship from STREETZ for her Jazz solo. She also was chosen to be an ambassador for Michele Dawson Photography and has loved doing the photo sessions with Michele and the other girls. The things she is looking forward to the most this season is her upcoming performance in the 2nd annual Nutcracker and performing her Broadway solo and group dance. 

Lily is 11 years old and has been dancing since the age of 3.  Her favorite styles of dance include ballet and contemporary because they bring her joy.  She has completed ballet intensives with Ascend Dance Academy, Legacy Ballet Academy, and Ballet Arizona.  Lily has participated in productions of “The Nutcracker Suite” for 7 years, with her roles including Party Tot, Cherub, Gingersnap, Gallop Girl, Russian Dancer, Mouse, Spanish Chocolate, Soldier, Angel, Chinese Tea.  This is Lily’s fourth year on Peak Company and last year she placed 10th overall for her ballet solo at Streetz and 4th and 9th overall for her ballet and contemporary solos at Starbound.  The thing she is looking forward to the most this season is competing in her ballet and contemporary solos and with her contemporary group at the various competitions.

Alyssa is 12 years old and has been dancing since she was two!  This will be her 4th year on Ascend’s Peak Company Team.  Her favorite style of dance is contemporary because it helps her express herself.  Alyssa has competed with her fellow dancers in group performances as well as in a solo at NYCDA, Streetz, Starbound, Hollywood Vibe, and Groove.  She received a scholarship award at Streetz and enjoys all the training at the different conventions.  Alyssa performs in Ascend’s Nutcracker production each year and enjoys all the different roles she’s been able to have.  She’s looking forward to another year with Ascend and the competition season ahead.

Genesis began her creative journey and passion for dance at age 3. She likes all styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Broadway with her favorite being Ballet. Genesis began competing in 2014 and has been attending conventions annually since 2012. These Conventions include Hollywood Vibe, Celebrity, Bella Moxi, Groove, Lux and Releve.

Genesis has performed in many productions of ‘The Nutcracker’ and some of her favorite roles have included Bon Bons, Spanish Chocolate and Flowers. In 2019, she danced alongside Kathryn Morgan in the classical ballet ‘Giselle’. She has also had the unique opportunity to perform at a Phoenix Suns game.

Genesis is competing her first solo this season and is excited to continue her competitive journey with her peers and the caring faculty at Ascend!

Ariana is 12 years old and has been dancing since the age of 5. This is her third year on Peak Company and her favorite style of dance is Contemporary with Ballet as a close second!  Ariana has received scholarships from both LUX and STREETZ Conventions. She won 9th overall for her contemporary solo at STREETZ in 2022 and received 14th place for her ballet solo at NYCDA. Last season, Ariana won 2nd overall for her contemporary solo at Just Dance Invitational. She also received a class scholarship at STREETZ and was an Elite finalist. Ariana participates in Ascend’s Annual Nutcracker each year. Her performance roles include Tea, Toy Soldier, Angel, Mouse and Spanish Chocolate. She is most looking forward to performing her Contemporary solo and group dance for the 2024 Season!

Madison is twelve years old, and has been dancing since she was three years old. It is her fourth year on Ascend’s competition team. Madison’s favorite styles of dance are Jazz and Ballet. She is very excited for another year competing with Ascend!