Olivia Reid grew up in Petersburg and danced with Steppin’ Out for ten years before pursuing her education in Moscow and Lewiston, Idaho. After college, she returned home to start a family and share her passion for dance through teaching at MDT. Since 2019, Olivia has taught ballet to students in 2nd through 8th grade and continues to expand her teaching skills, including attending the Pacific Northwest Ballet teacher workshop in 2023. In her spare time she enjoys dancing with MDT’s adult group, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two boys. 

Kelsey Lambe grew up in Oregon, where she danced competitively through high school and earned a spot on the Oregon All-State team. She continued performing at Southern Oregon University and danced with a hip hop company and competitive team in Ashland and Eugene. After moving to Petersburg in 2016, she joined the MDT staff in 2018 and now teaches jazz and hip hop. In 2021, she started Southeast Dance Force, a performance team that continues to grow each year. Outside the studio, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters, and dancing with MDT’s adult group.

Caroline Crain grew up in Petersburg and danced with Steppin’ Out for ten years before joining the MDT teaching staff in 2014. She teaches a variety of styles, including pointe, ballet, jazz, and creative movement, and has experience working with dancers of all ages—from preschoolers to adults. Caroline continues to grow as a dance educator through ongoing training, including workshops with Pacific Northwest Ballet. She enjoys performing with MDT’s adult dance group, taking classes from other inspiring instructors, and practicing as a certified Reiki Practitioner.

Kaili Watkins grew up in a small farming community in rural Indiana and has been dancing since the age of three. In high school, she performed in the marching band’s color guard before earning a BA in Dance/Movement Therapy from Indiana University, where she also danced with the African American Dance Company. She went on to complete her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling at Columbia College Chicago. Kaili moved to Petersburg in 2007 and began teaching with Steppin’ Out, continuing through the transition to Mitkof Dance Troupe. She teaches creative movement, modern, ballet, and jazz.

Outside the studio, Kaili works as the clinic’s reception coordinator and loves connecting with the community. She’s also a superhero at Kinderskog (an outdoor afterschool program) and enjoys adventuring with her three unique and awesome kids—Parker, Elliott, and Wren.

Lauren Thain was born and raised in Petersburg, Alaska, and has been dancing since the age of two with Steppin’ Out and Mitkof Dance Troupe. From dancing around the kitchen at home to spending every spare moment in the studio, dance has always been a huge part of her life. Lauren continued her dance training at Oregon State University, where she studied ballet and jazz while earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Studies and Family Development.

She loves exploring different styles of dance and was lucky enough to dance en pointe for over six years—a lifelong dream come true. When she’s not dancing, Lauren works as a nurse, spends time with her three children, and enjoys all things cats. She is so excited to be the Pre-K teacher and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the next generation of little dancers!