Meet the Staff
At Danse Élan, our faculty is made up of dedicated educators who value thoughtful instruction, age-appropriate training, and a supportive classroom environment. Each member of our teaching faculty is certified and trained in the genres they teach, bringing both expertise and care into every class. Together, our teachers work collaboratively to support the growth, confidence, and well-being of every student.
JAMIE ROUMAYAH
Dance Educator, Choreographer,
Company Artistic Director and Studio Owner
Jamie Roumayah is a dance educator, choreographer, and studio owner with a lifelong commitment to thoughtful dance education. Originally from the metro Detroit area, she has spent decades teaching dancers and mentoring teachers in a variety of studio and community settings. Jamie relocated to the Charlotte region of North Carolina in 2016 after more than fourteen years of teaching and arts leadership in Charleston, West Virginia.
Jamie began her career in dance education in 1988 and has been certified in ballet, tap, and jazz since 1992. She teaches a wide range of styles—including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, and pointe—and works with students from early childhood through advanced levels. She is especially passionate about guiding young dancers from their first class through years of steady, healthy growth, valuing both strong technique and the joy of the learning process.
In addition to teaching, Jamie is deeply engaged in original choreographic and collaborative projects. She believes in the power of the arts to build empathy, confidence, and community, and has used performance as a way to support charitable causes benefiting women and children. Her most recent original work, The Garden of Many Colors, is a fully original stage production that reflects her commitment to storytelling, artistry, and meaningful creative experiences for young performers.
MARY KATHERINE DISHER
Resident Dance Educator, Choreographer,
and Assistant Director to DECYC
Mary Katherine has been a resident dance educator at Danse Élan since November 2021. She brings a deep love for dance and a genuine desire to enrich the lives of others through thoughtful, meaningful instruction.
Her early training began in ballet, where she first discovered the joy of disciplined practice and performance. As her education continued, she developed a strong appreciation for jazz, modern, and contemporary dance, drawn to each style’s expressive and creative possibilities. Mary Katherine pursued a degree in Dance Studies at Salem College, where she gained a broader understanding of dance education through diverse cultural perspectives and lived experiences.
While completing dual degrees in Dance Studies and Business Administration, she had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside a variety of respected artists and companies, further shaping her artistic voice and educational approach. Since graduating cum laude, Mary Katherine has remained committed to teaching, creating, and sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages. She also looks forward to continuing her performance and creative work with Charlotte Dance Company.
Outside of the studio, Mary Katherine enjoys baking for friends and family, greeting every dog she meets, spending time with her cats, and doing her best to keep her growing collection of houseplants alive.
RAINE ANDERSON
Resident Dance Educator and Choreographer,
and Photographer
Raine Anderson is a certified dance educator and creative artist who brings both technical knowledge and thoughtful perspective to her teaching. Born in Detroit and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, she has called the Lake Norman area home since 2016.
Raine has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and pointe, and is a former company member of JADCO Contemporary Dance Company in Charleston. Her artistic work extends beyond performance into choreography, where she was recognized with a choreography award for her original piece Helen Keller, reflecting her interest in storytelling and expressive movement. She has also been a recipient of scholarships to the Motor City Tap Festival.
Raine has completed her certifications in tap, jazz, and modern dance and is a member of Carolina Dance Masters. She has spent several years assisting and interning under the direction of Jamie Roumayah and is excited to continue growing as a faculty member at Danse Élan, bringing her own ideas, creativity, and care into the classroom.
In addition to dance, Raine is an accomplished photographer with a focus on nature, architecture, industry, and dance. She has a particular interest in construction and design, especially as they relate to disaster relief work. Her wide-ranging creative interests inform a thoughtful, observant approach to both teaching and art-making.
CELESTE BORMAN
Guest Faculty & Choreographer
Celeste is a professionally trained dancer originally from Denver, North Carolina. She received her early training at Charlotte Ballet Academy, where she spent four years in the Pre-Professional program, including two years as a Senior Trainee.
Following graduation, Celeste joined Nashville Ballet II, where she became actively involved in the company’s Community Engagement program and performed in productions alongside the main company. She will continue her professional journey as an Apprentice with Nashville Ballet’s main company in the upcoming season.
Throughout her training and performance career, Celeste has had the opportunity to perform a wide range of classical and contemporary works, gaining experience across diverse choreographic styles. She brings her professional training, discipline, and enthusiasm for dance into the classroom, offering students a thoughtful and inspiring perspective rooted in both performance and education.