Meet the Team
Lauren Hammond
Owner
Lauren Hammond is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer based in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up in the studio and training in every style under the sun, she knew from a young age that she would one day make dance her career!
As a student in Grand Canyon University's dance department, Lauren performed with the Ethington Dance Ensemble for four years as well as for events around the greater Phoenix area, including the Herberger Festival of the Arts, the National Dance Education Organization Conference, and 13th Floor Haunted House. Alongside her training at GCU, Lauren had the privilege of studying commercial jazz at CSU Summer Arts in Monterey, CA and ballet at the Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago, both on scholarship.
In both 2017 and 2018, her choreographic works were recognized as one of the top 12 pieces presented at the American College Dance Association Festival. Her works have been praised by artists such as Rennie Harris, Stephanie Batten Bland, and Christian von Howard. Lauren was a part of [nueBOX]'s Dance Café Committee for two years, providing input for Mesa Arts Center's programming and assisting with the elevation of the arts in Phoenix.
Lauren continued to teach, choreograph, and perform in Phoenix until she and her husband relocated to their hometown in Tucson in 2020, where Desert Dance Collective was born. Lauren has a bachelors degree in Dance, a minor in Business Management, and holds a certification as a registered yoga instructor (RYT 200).
Lauren Hammond is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer based in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up in the studio and training in every style under the sun, she knew from a young age that she would one day make dance her career!
As a student in Grand Canyon University's dance department, Lauren performed with the Ethington Dance Ensemble for four years as well as for events around the greater Phoenix area, including the Herberger Festival of the Arts, the National Dance Education Organization Conference, and 13th Floor Haunted House. Alongside her training at GCU, Lauren had the privilege of studying commercial jazz at CSU Summer Arts in Monterey, CA and ballet at the Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago, both on scholarship.
In both 2017 and 2018, her choreographic works were recognized as one of the top 12 pieces presented at the American College Dance Association Festival. Her works have been praised by artists such as Rennie Harris, Stephanie Batten Bland, and Christian von Howard. Lauren was a part of [nueBOX]'s Dance Café Committee for two years, providing input for Mesa Arts Center's programming and assisting with the elevation of the arts in Phoenix.
Lauren continued to teach, choreograph, and perform in Phoenix until she and her husband relocated to their hometown in Tucson in 2020, where Desert Dance Collective was born. Lauren has a bachelors degree in Dance, a minor in Business Management, and holds a certification as a registered yoga instructor (RYT 200).
Ali Michel
Ballet Instructor
Ali Michel is a dancer, instructor and choreographer. She was born into a dancing family. Her mother was an accomplished tap and jazz dancer. Her grandfather danced with Ginger Rogers doing USO shows. Ali began her training at the age of 3 at Flagstaff School of Ballet. She then moved to Phoenix with her family, dancing with Dance Motion dance company at Betty Johnson School of Dance. She was accepted into the EurAsian dance company by age 16, performing around the Valley. She trained with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oaks Dance Project by age 19. She was a dance major at the University of Arizona with a dual emphasis major in ballet and jazz.
In 1996, she moved to Los Angeles to dance, act and model. Soon after arriving, she was invited to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). She was in several films, commercials, music videos and live shows, including Batman and Robin, The Sleepless, Trojan Wars, Money Talks, That Thing You Do, Big Kenny, A Time to Kill, Knockout, Bug Busters and many more. During that time she worked with many amazing choreographers, directors, and producers.
She began teaching while going to the University of Arizona and continued her love of teaching while working as a dancer in California and New York. She created a dance program in Compton, California where all funding for the arts had been pulled and taught there for several years. She currently does ballroom dance competitions. She loves to share her passion for dance with others.
Ali Michel is a dancer, instructor and choreographer. She was born into a dancing family. Her mother was an accomplished tap and jazz dancer. Her grandfather danced with Ginger Rogers doing USO shows. Ali began her training at the age of 3 at Flagstaff School of Ballet. She then moved to Phoenix with her family, dancing with Dance Motion dance company at Betty Johnson School of Dance. She was accepted into the EurAsian dance company by age 16, performing around the Valley. She trained with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oaks Dance Project by age 19. She was a dance major at the University of Arizona with a dual emphasis major in ballet and jazz.
In 1996, she moved to Los Angeles to dance, act and model. Soon after arriving, she was invited to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). She was in several films, commercials, music videos and live shows, including Batman and Robin, The Sleepless, Trojan Wars, Money Talks, That Thing You Do, Big Kenny, A Time to Kill, Knockout, Bug Busters and many more. During that time she worked with many amazing choreographers, directors, and producers.
She began teaching while going to the University of Arizona and continued her love of teaching while working as a dancer in California and New York. She created a dance program in Compton, California where all funding for the arts had been pulled and taught there for several years. She currently does ballroom dance competitions. She loves to share her passion for dance with others.
Kiana Mason
Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical
Kiana Mason is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer. She grew up dancing in Tucson. She is well versed in many dance genres such as ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, and hip hop. Kiana went on to continue studying dance at Grand Canyon University. In college, she was a part of Ethington Dance Ensemble for three years as well as many student choreographed shows. She's performed in Phoenix at the Herberger Festival of the Arts. During her attendance at Grand Canyon University, her passion for dance began to transform into a passion for teaching dance. Beyond her studies at GCU, Kiana also studied at Gus Giordano dance school in Chicago for a summer.
After graduating with a bachelors in Dance Education, Kiana moved to San Diego with her husband. She has auditioned and worked in the greater San Diego area at studios and bringing arts to non-profits. As Kiana and her family are relocated back to Tucson, she is excited to return home and join the Desert Dance Collective team!
Kiana Mason is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer. She grew up dancing in Tucson. She is well versed in many dance genres such as ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, and hip hop. Kiana went on to continue studying dance at Grand Canyon University. In college, she was a part of Ethington Dance Ensemble for three years as well as many student choreographed shows. She's performed in Phoenix at the Herberger Festival of the Arts. During her attendance at Grand Canyon University, her passion for dance began to transform into a passion for teaching dance. Beyond her studies at GCU, Kiana also studied at Gus Giordano dance school in Chicago for a summer.
After graduating with a bachelors in Dance Education, Kiana moved to San Diego with her husband. She has auditioned and worked in the greater San Diego area at studios and bringing arts to non-profits. As Kiana and her family are relocated back to Tucson, she is excited to return home and join the Desert Dance Collective team!
Jess Moore
Musical Theater, Jazz, Lyrical
Jessica has been dancing since the age of two in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. She danced competitively on her studio's dance team from the age of 5 until she graduated high school. She started teaching at her studio her senior year and fell in love with teaching! She loves teaching ballet and jazz, but is also trained in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and gymnastics.
Jessica also has been training in musical theater since she was eight years old. She has performed on the biggest stages in Pittsburgh and played the lead roles in Chicago, Mary Poppins, Fiddler on the Roof, and Little Women, just to name a few.
She is now living in Tucson while studying for her degree in business and a minor in dance, and is excited to be teaching at Desert Dance Collective!
Jessica has been dancing since the age of two in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. She danced competitively on her studio's dance team from the age of 5 until she graduated high school. She started teaching at her studio her senior year and fell in love with teaching! She loves teaching ballet and jazz, but is also trained in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and gymnastics.
Jessica also has been training in musical theater since she was eight years old. She has performed on the biggest stages in Pittsburgh and played the lead roles in Chicago, Mary Poppins, Fiddler on the Roof, and Little Women, just to name a few.
She is now living in Tucson while studying for her degree in business and a minor in dance, and is excited to be teaching at Desert Dance Collective!
Madeline Brown
Intern
Madeline Brown has been dancing since the age of 3. She is from Chicago and is currently a freshman majoring in dance at the University of Arizona. She was on a competitive company all throughout high school and found a love for teaching at her home studio. Her favorite styles are jazz and contemporary but she has studied ballet, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, and modern as well.
Madeline is partaking in an internship at DDC and will be helping with Performance Team rehearsals, assisting classes, and running the front desk!
Madeline Brown has been dancing since the age of 3. She is from Chicago and is currently a freshman majoring in dance at the University of Arizona. She was on a competitive company all throughout high school and found a love for teaching at her home studio. Her favorite styles are jazz and contemporary but she has studied ballet, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, and modern as well.
Madeline is partaking in an internship at DDC and will be helping with Performance Team rehearsals, assisting classes, and running the front desk!
Amanda Hale
Front Desk
Ms. Amanda is one of DDC's front desk receptionists! When she's not at the studio, you can catch her supervising at the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, planning a wedding with J. Robertson Events, or hanging at home with her cat, Bart.
Ms. Amanda is one of DDC's front desk receptionists! When she's not at the studio, you can catch her supervising at the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, planning a wedding with J. Robertson Events, or hanging at home with her cat, Bart.
Leslie Hammond
Front Desk
Ms. Leslie is one of DDC's front desk receptionists! She loves to chat and welcomes all questions and conversations. She loves gluten free dessert, Disney, and her schnauzers.
Ms. Leslie is one of DDC's front desk receptionists! She loves to chat and welcomes all questions and conversations. She loves gluten free dessert, Disney, and her schnauzers.
Noel Yarmolovich
Front Desk
Noel has always known that dancing was her passion, and she has been training since she was three years old. She has been with studios such as Creative Dance Arts, The Drop, and 4mation Dance Studio, and was on Ironwood Ridge High School's pomline team until she graduated in 2020. Noel is currently a sophomore at the University of Arizona and is a substitute and summer camp instructor at DDC!
Noel has always known that dancing was her passion, and she has been training since she was three years old. She has been with studios such as Creative Dance Arts, The Drop, and 4mation Dance Studio, and was on Ironwood Ridge High School's pomline team until she graduated in 2020. Noel is currently a sophomore at the University of Arizona and is a substitute and summer camp instructor at DDC!