Meet our Director

Born in Dresden, Germany, surrounded by dance legends, I developed a deep love for the art form from a young age. Years of performing, competing, and studying dance in Europe have equipped me with a unique perspective.

Competing with the Silver Spirit dance team in Dortmund is one of my favorite dance memories. We secured a runner-up title in the German cheer and dance championship, allowing us to represent Germany at the European level in Denmark.

Growing up, dance wasn't just a hobby; it was woven into the very fabric of who I became. 

So, as I pursued higher education, I craved a path that kept dance alive. In Germany, though, it often meant a choice – a pragmatic career or an artistic pursuit. The USA beckoned, offering the perfect blend. While majoring in anthropology and eventually becoming a biological anthropologist, I danced with the University of Southern Mississippi Dixie Darlings and minored in dance.

Dance equipped me with wonderful tools. The performance skills honed on stage were incredibly helpful when I defended my dissertation. The teamwork instilled by years of dance fueled my ability to collaborate in research.

From guiding tourists through a monkey sanctuary in South Africa to working on forensic anthropology projects in Guatemala and conducting research in the rainforest of the Ivory Coast, my time as a biological anthropologist has been as diverse as my dance experiences. But COVID-19 and motherhood forced me to pause and reevaluate my life.

Fast forward to a desire to find a dance school that nurtured my children's creativity, just as Dresden nurtured mine. With my background in dance and the human body, I had a clear vision. Thus, Elevate Motion Studio was born.

Elevate blends my knowledge of anatomy, scientific research, and the power of movement into a curriculum that inspires and uplifts. This is the studio where I can picture my daughters growing up. Or maybe they'll prefer soccer – and that's okay.

See you at the studio!

Elise Geissler-Huesgen, PhD