Our Performing Arts Faculty & Staff
Get to know The Edge Dance Complex’s esteemed performing arts faculty and staff. Our dedicated team of experts is committed to nurturing talent and fostering creativity in every student, providing unparalleled guidance in their artistic journey.
Kelsey King - Owner & Artistic Director
At a young age, Kelsey began dance training extensively in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, and Pointe. Her prowess in strength, flexibility and stage presence soon garnered attention. Today, she leverages her professional-level certification from Dance Masters of America to provide the best dance education possible. She aims to impart the same level of excellence and passion to her students, ensuring they receive top-tier instruction.
She is the Head Dance Coach at Stevenson University, where she has lead their team to win their Division III National competition three years in a row!
Professional Choreography Work
Her award-winning choreography for individual and group performances has established her as a renowned choreographer and esteemed master teacher in studios throughout Maryland. She notably choreographed for dance troupes like the Broadneck High School Dance Company, the Anne Arundel County School system, and the Anne Arundel County Dance Ensemble.
Kelsey actively leads choreography for our East Coast Dance Company and directs Essenza, our touring professional dance company, where she also performs.
Kelsey actively leads choreography for our East Coast Dance Company and directs Essenza, our touring professional dance company, where she also performs.
Patrick Harrington - Assistant Director & Elite Dance Company Manager
Bio Coming Soon!
Kristy Cooke - General Manager
Since joining our dance family in 2009, Kristy has embraced various roles within our performing arts studio. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her participation in three American College Dance Festivals, an experience that equipped her with advanced leadership skills and innovative choreography ideas gleaned from interactions with dance professionals nationwide. As a dance teacher, she utilized this new knowledge to improve our students' dance education.
Educational and Dance Background
Kristy graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a degree in Dance Education in 2013. Complementing her academic achievements, she completed two years of teacher training with Dance Masters of America at Buffalo University. She also earned certifications in teaching Zumba to both adults and children. Her extensive dance background includes years of performing with Essenza and being a former Anne Arundel Community College’s Dance Company member.
Jordan Browning, Instructor - All Genres
With over two decades of dance experience, Jordan is trained in various dance styles, including Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Tap, and Pom. She is currently the assistant coach of Stevenson University's dance team since 2018.
Dance Background
While Jordan has been a member of the Stevenson Dance Team throughout college, she became its captain from her sophomore to senior year. Her reputation as a dancer enabled her to become a guest instructor for the Bel Air Dance Academy, the Inferno Dance Camp, and our Extreme Dance Camp. She also choreographed for Oakdale High School's Dance Team.
Caitlyn Haslam - Instructor, Acro + All Genres
Caitlyn Haslam began her dance training at the age of 6 and continued throughout high school. Caitlyn is trained in Ballet (including the Cecchetti Method up to level 3), Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Pointe. While attending Anne Arundel County public schools Caitlyn was a three-time Maryland All-State Dancer and All-County Nominee. Caitlyn also choreographed several pieces for her high school dance company and AACPS Elementary and High School festivals. In 2017, Caitlyn fully produced and performed in her own benefit concert raising funds for Operation Enduring Warrior. Then in 2018, Caitlyn was awarded the honor of Teen Miss Dance Chapter 17 through Dance Masters of America. She has taught at local dance studios, at Chesapeake Arts Center, as well as for summer intensives including the Maryland Festival Ballet. Caitlyn is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher and certified through Dance Master’s of America in Ballet and Jazz. In December 2024 Caitlyn will graduate Towson University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with a PreK-12 Teaching Certification.
Michael Gellert - Vocal Department Director
Mr. Gellert brings a diverse and extensive musical experience to our performing arts studio. Most recently, he was the director and musical arranger of Harbor City Music Company, a 110-voice women's a capella chorus and award-winning chapter of Sweet Adelines.
Performing Arts Background
As a Baltimore Opera Company chorus member, he secured several supporting roles, like Gregorio in Romeo and Juliet, Wagner in Faust, and the Marquis in La Traviata. He has performed in over 40 operas at the opera company, culminating in around 120 performances. Since Mr. Gellert began his private study in Baltimore and Gettysburg with Forrest Barrett in 1973 and with Todd Duncan in Washington, he has had a steady stream of voice students of all ages.