About Us
Jessica Phillips began her training in a small town outside of Houston, Texas. Once she saw her first ballet performance at age 8, declared this is what she wanted to do professionally. Her primary training was with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. In addition, Jessica has studied at The School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. She competed as a finalist in the internationally acclaimed ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix in New York City for several years.
Upon graduating from the Kirov ballet boarding school, Jessica accepted an offer to join Ballet Arizona’s (BAZ) company in 2009 where she danced 9 seasons. In her time with BAZ Jessica performed corps de ballet, soloist, and principal roles in a wide range of classical ballets, neoclassical ballets, and contemporary pieces.
Through the demands of her professional dance career, Jessica realized the necessity of a holistic healthy lifestyle in order to show up on and off the stage at her best. Jessica has a passion of holistic health and wellness and is a certified holistic health coach and certified Kundalini yoga teacher. Since retiring from Ballet Arizona in 2018 Jessica has been teaching full-time ballet, creative dance, meditation, and yoga in addition to holding ballet workshops around Arizona. Recently settled into a home base in the red rocks where she is creating Sedona Dance Academy to provide quality ballet and all forms of dance to the community of beautiful Sedona!
Jessica Phillips
Founder, Director & Ballet Teacher
Kirstyn Lazur has been teaching dance for over 20 years to all ages on both the east and west
coasts of the U.S. As a young dancer, Kirstyn competed and performed throughout New England
as well as Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, New York City and New Orleans. She studied Mattox jazz
technique and musical theater with jazz master Jean Sabatine at the University of Connecticut
and went on to teach and choreograph award-winning dances for students at the Luis Pabon
Dance Arts Center in Connecticut. Kirstyn has choreographed for several community theater
productions including Sweet Charity, Grease and the Pfizer Players’ production of Carousel. A
member of the Los-Angeles based contemporary dance company Datugan Dance, Kirstyn also
served as assistant choreographer for youth performing arts workshops in Redondo Beach.
Kirstyn Lazur, Jazz Teacher
Danielle Johnson started her training in New York, receiving scholarships to study at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance (Modern, Ballet, Jazz, and Dunham Technique) and Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theater (African Dance and Jazz).
While in New York, Danielle had the honor to train under Jazz dance master Luigi.
Danielle received a scholarship to study dance at ASU and received her BA in dance.
She also holds a masters in education and loves working with children as well as adults.
Danielle has danced professionally for over 20 years and enjoys creating works with her dance company DMJ dance Collective.
Danielle Johnson
Modern & Contemporary
Eric Lindemer had his early training with Anna-Marie and David Holmes, and studied on scholarship with the Boston Ballet and the School of American Ballet.
He danced in classical and modern works with many companies including American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Eric is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and has taught ballet, yoga. massage, meditation, and energy healing throughout the US.
Eric has taught dance and yoga at many schools including Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education, Boston Conservatory, and Harvard University.
Eric Lindemer, Guest Ballet Teacher
Kay Phillips (Ms Jessica's Mom)
Virtual assistant, accountant & angel.
Kay started her career as a computer scientist working for NASA in Houston TX, soon after having children she transitioned to selling real-estate.
She knows the dance world well after many years of supporting the passions of her 3rd child's dream and souls calling.
She has recently retired completely and lives in Ashville NC with her beloved husband of over 40 years.
