Our Founders

Kelsey Crum
Co-founder and Executive Director

Originally from Rock Hill, SC, Kelsey studied with York County Ballet Company as well as the University of South Carolina Dance Program where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education.  Kelsey’s first experience of dance education led her to form a dance program with Westminster Academy of the Arts in Rock Hill. She danced professionally with modern and contemporary companies in Columbia and Greenville, SC. Kelsey has choreographed many theme‐specific contemporary pieces and has worked with numerous dance studios as well as public middle and high school dance programs. Kelsey served as the Outreach Director and Interim Director of the 501c3 Carolina Ballet Theatre in Greenville, SC from 2013-2015. In 2015 Kelsey started Dance Collaborative with colleague and college friend, Alyson Dixon. Kelsey loves sharing her passion in arts integration bringing exposure, education, and involvement in dance throughout the different communities in the Carolinas. She can't wait to see the future and expansion of the Dance Collaborative in years to come and looks forward to growing her team and her vision.

Alyson Dixon
Co-founder and Director of Education

Originally from Massachusetts, Alyson started ballet at a young age. She studied under the direction of Jessica Wilson at Ballet Workshop for New England and MetroWest Ballet, and supplemented her training at Boston Ballet, Jose Mateo Ballet Theater and Burklyn Ballet Theater. Upon completing her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education with K-12 certification from USC in 2013, Alyson continued her studies overseas, at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, where she received a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Dance. While in London, Alyson worked with Corali Dance Company and the Ovalhouse Theatre where she taught and assisted dance classes for disabled adults and children. After returning stateside, Alyson taught dance as related arts in SC Richland County District One and Two elementary schools. In 2015, Alyson co-founded Dance Collaborative with Kelsey Crum, furthering her dedication to dance education for all. She continues to be a beloved instructor as well as the Director of Education and Development.