Diamond Dance Studio

Diamond Dance Studio teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, ballroom, pom, musical theatre, acro, tumbling, and stretch & conditioning for ages 2 through adult. The studio serves both recreational dancers who want to learn for fun and competitive performers aiming for regional and national rankings.

The studio is owned by Carly and Dan Thigpen, who purchased it in May 2024 after eight years as dance parents. Dan works in sales and marketing; Carly is a former grade school teacher. Both are focused on expanding the level of dance instruction and growing the Diamond Dance brand.

The teaching staff includes Kelsey Gibson (Artistic and Company Team Director, trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, improvisation, and lyrical); Kate Yurtayeva (Ballet, trained at Novosibirsk State Choreographic College and principal dancer with a State Dance Company); Joshua Bozzacco (Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, BFA from University of Arizona School of Dance, performer with Royal Caribbean and Las Vegas Strip shows); Alan Waldron (Ballroom, certified through Dance Vision, trained in Latin, Rhythm, Smooth, and Standard); Aaron Marentic (Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Popping, Tap, trained with Culture Shock Las Vegas and UNLV RGCO, 7 gold medals from UDA and ICU); Savanah Skaggs (Hip Hop, Acro, Jazz, 8+ years teaching, professional credits including Latin Grammys, Super Bowl Halftime Show 2022, BFA in Fine Arts); Isabel Flores (Hip Hop, Pom, Acro, UNLV Rebel Girls dancer, 2 NDA national titles and 1 ICU Worlds Championship Hip-hop title in 2025); and Eri Koiso (Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, graduate of Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts).

Classes run year-round with the main season from August 1 to July 31, and a summer schedule July 6–31. The studio offers free trial classes so dancers can experience the space and meet instructors before enrolling. The studio has spacious dance floors and a welcoming lobby designed as a family-friendly environment. Diamond Dance runs competition teams with auditions for dancers interested in competing at regional and national levels. The studio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that runs Chance 4 Dance, a scholarship programme offering financial support through scholarships, corporate sponsorships, and charitable events to help families cover tuition, costumes, competitions, and related costs.

You can book a free trial class to see the studio, meet instructors, and find the right class for your child's age and experience level. Classes follow specific dress codes based on dance style, which the studio provides once you enrol.

The studio employs eight named instructors with professional experience across all taught styles. Staff include Kelsey Gibson (Artistic Director, trained at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and international intensives), Kate Yurtayeva (trained at Novosibirsk State Choreographic College in Russia and principal dancer), Joshua Bozzacco (BFA from University of Arizona, performer on Royal Caribbean and Las Vegas Strip), Alan Waldron (certified ballroom instructor), Aaron Marentic (7 gold medals in hip-hop and breakdancing), Savanah Skaggs (8+ years teaching, professional credits including Super Bowl Halftime Show 2022), Isabel Flores (UNLV Rebel Girls dancer, 2025 ICU Worlds Champion), and Eri Koiso (Del Sol Academy graduate).

Many students begin with no prior dance experience, and instructors create a welcoming environment where every dancer learns and grows at their own pace.