Meet Our Team
Kaitlyn Knapp
Owner, Head Visionary, and Teacher
Driven by her mission to prioritize student well-being and development, Miss Kaitlyn founded Uplift to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where all dancers are celebrated for their authentic selves. When she isn’t working in the business, she’s working on the business, dedicating her days to teaching classes, building community relationships, and supporting her team - and she loves every single minute.
She recently shared:
"When you are driven by a higher purpose, it doesn’t feel like work. It is no small thing to discover one’s passion. I feel extremely fortunate for the moment that I realized mine was dance. I am so grateful to spend every day sharing the gift of dance with others.”
Kaitlyn majored in Dance Management and Instruction at New Hampshire’s Plymouth State University and holds high-level certification from Acrobatic Arts, the world’s leader in AcroDance education. She has been teaching her craft for 18 years.
Kaitlyn’s favorite part about being a dance and acrobatics teacher is building strong bonds with the children she teaches and their families. She enjoys being a positive role model for her students and is grateful for the ability to watch their confidence, courage and strength grow with every new skill learned and with each passing year.
Kaitlyn's mission is to help our youth spend less time on screens and more time in the studio where they can become masters of their own bodies, learning to use them as a medium to create art and express themselves.
When Kaitlyn isn't at the studio, she loves spending time with her husband and their son, Caleb. She enjoys getting outdoors with her Chocolate Lab, Bella, and cuddling up with her two cats, Ava and Max. Kaitlyn also has a passion for kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, practicing yoga, and foraging for wild seasonal foods. In her downtime, she cherishes moments with friends.
Emily Fuguet
Dance and Acrobatics Teacher
Known for her dedication to teaching our littlest learners, Miss Emily has been such a wonderful addition to our Uplift team! As a teacher for 8 years, she ignites a passion for dance in every child she works with. It only takes a moment with Emily to see that working with and teaching children is truly her gift. Her students often share that they simply feel better about themselves after being in her class.
Emily currently holds a certification to teach in PreK-5th grade in the state of Vermont and she is also “Ready, Set, Dance” and “Ready, Set, Acro” Certified! She has an incredible attention to detail and is a dedicated teacher. Continuing education is a daily practice for Emily as she is always researching new skills and new combinations to share with her students to take them to the next level. This year, Emily is most excited to teach Lyra and Silks at Uplift!
When not at the studio, she's often gardening, chasing butterflies or grilling pizzas!
Alison Friend
Dance and Acrobatics Teacher
Ladies and Gentlemen - it’s time to introduce our very own, Ali Friend…all those things about her we hold near and dear to our hearts.
With over 20 years of dance experience and a degree from AMDA in New York City , Miss Ali is not just any instructor. She's a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher, a dynamic performer, and a passionate educator dedicated to sharing her love for the performing arts with Uplift’s next generation of dancers.
When we asked Miss Ali about what she’s most looking forward to at Uplift this season, it was hard to pick. Though, I have it on good authority that her eyes sparkled brighter than Broadway lights when she talked about All. That. Jazz!
Ali has become well-known for her innovative dance moves, outstanding choreography, and her talent for guiding students to reach their highest potential in both dance and acrobatics.
When Ali’s not teaching she loves being with her friends, family, and of course her dog, Hope.
Lyndsay Knight
Dance and Acrobatics Teacher
Lyndsay brings with her over 15 years of experience in both dance and acrobatics. She spent 8 years on various dance companies, performing all over New England, and has trained in an incredible range of styles – contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, tap, jazz, musical theatre, modern, ballet, pointe, and acro – as well as acrobatic disciplines such as Aerial Silks, Lyra, and Partner Acro.
Her students are in for such a treat! Lyndsay is a well‑rounded dancer and acrobat who is deeply passionate about teaching children. She has a kind heart, an infectious positive attitude, and a gift for connecting with everyone she meets.
Lyndsay will be teaching full time at Uplift this season while pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education, a field that perfectly complements her love of working with kids and helping them grow.
We feel incredibly lucky to have her on our team, and we can’t wait for our students and families to experience the joy she brings to the studio!
Edie Pryll
Acrobatics and Contorition Teacher
Edie is a powerhouse performer with a specialty in ground acro, contortion, foot juggling, and Chinese pole, and her strength, artistry, and grace are simply mesmerizing.
Originally from Charlotte, NC, Edie has been performing for years, captivating audiences with her daring skills and expressive style. Her passion for circus arts, acro and dance shine in every movement, and we can’t wait for our students to learn from such an inspiring artist.
Whether she’s folding herself into gravity-defying shapes or teaching others to explore their flexibility, Edie brings innovation, heart, and next-level technique to everything she does.
Edie is currently in the New England Center for Circus Arts’ Professional Track program as a contortion major. Edie’s goal is to create innovative performances that correlate to her own style and to inspire other artists to think differently about their chosen medium.
Savanah Boots
Aerial Acrobatics and Dance Teacher
Originally from North Carolina, Savanah grew up dancing and fell in love with movement from an early age. That love eventually led Savanah to the circus—and all the creativity, challenge, and community that comes with it. Savanah moved to Brattleboro, Vermont to train at the New England Center for Circus Arts, where they are currently a student in their Professional Track Program.
With over ten years of experience in a variety of circus disciplines—including, but not limited to, aerial fabric, swinging trapeze, duo trapeze, and triple cloud swing—Savanah brings both skill and heart to everything they do. Teaching is something that Savanah thoroughly enjoy, especially when it comes to aerial fabric, their original apparatus. In the classroom, Savanah is known for creating a fun, supportive space where students can feel safe to explore, grow, and challenge themselves—all while building strong technique and confidence.