Meet Our Team
Kaitlyn Knapp
Founder, Head Visionary, and Dance and Acro 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.
Alison Friend
Dance and Acrobatics Teacher
Ladies and Gentlemen - it’s time to introduce our very own, Ali Friend… and 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 and family!
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 developed a passion for movement from an early age. That love eventually led to the circus, and all the creativity, challenge, and community that come with it. Savanah moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, to train at the New England Center for Circus Arts, where enrollment in the Professional Track Program continues today.
With over ten years of experience in a variety of circus disciplines, including aerial fabric, swinging trapeze, duo trapeze, and triple cloud swing, Savanah brings both skill and heart to every performance and class. Teaching is a true passion, especially on aerial fabric, the original apparatus that sparked Savanah’s circus journey. In the classroom, students know Savanah for creating a fun, supportive environment where exploration, growth, and strong technique build confidence!
Vikki Kamberalis
Dance and Acro Teacher
Vikki is a passionate dancer, choreographer, and educator whose love for acrobatics, tumbling, and handbalancing shines through in everything she does.
In 2023, Vikki completed prestigious professional dance training at the CLI Conservatory, a program dedicated to preparing dancers for successful careers in the industry. She is now in her first year of the renowned NECCA Protrack Program, where she is specializing in tumbling and hand balancing!
Vikki has spent her dance career competing in acrodance, ballet, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical, and over the past year, she has fully immersed herself in teaching. She is Acrobatic Arts trained and ready to inspire our dancers with her knowledge and encouragement.
What excites Vikki most is watching young dancers thrive, conquer their personal goals, and experience that incredible burst of joy when they nail a new skill. She can’t wait to bring her energy, expertise, and positivity to the Uplift community this season!
Coral Cazares
Lyra Teacher
Coral brings a vibrant mix of training, performance experience, and a true passion for helping students discover their strength and confidence in the air.
Coral first fell in love with circus arts in 2018 when she began training on aerial silks, but it was when she discovered Lyra (aerial hoop) that she knew she had found her home. She was captivated by the way the hoop allowed her to create sequences not just inside, but also above and below the circle, unlocking endless opportunities for movement and artistry.
Currently, Coral is in the ProTrack Program at the world-renowned New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), where she is now entering her second year of professional training, majoring in Lyra. Before NECCA, she performed with youth and adult troupes at Aerial Revolution in San Diego, CA, her hometown studio. She also brings a rich background in the performing arts, having graduated from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts with a major in musical theatre – training that gave her a deep appreciation for communication, professionalism, and ensemble work.
Her Teaching Style:
Encouraging • Technical • Safety-Conscious
Coral loves guiding students to grow stronger, braver, and more confident with every class. She believes Lyra is not just about learning tricks, but about building solid technique, discovering your own artistry, and leaving class feeling proud of what your body can do.
Her favorite Lyra moves? Front and back hip circles, skills that once challenged her, but became pure fun once mastered. She’s excited to pass along that same sense of accomplishment and joy to her students.
Beyond the Hoop
Outside the studio, Coral is a creative soul who enjoys thrifting, sewing, restoring vintage treasures, collecting vinyl records, and crafting (yes, even rhinestoning costumes!). She’s also bilingual in Spanish and loves spending time with her family.
Why She’s Excited to Join Uplift:
“I’m so excited to meet new people and help students reach their physical and artistic goals. I can’t wait to see Uplift students surprise themselves with what they can do on Lyra!
Catherine Gessner
Dance Teacher
Cat began gymnastics at a young age but discovered her true passion for dance in high school, and she’s been dancing ever since. As her high school’s dance captain for Beauty and the Beast, she found a love for choreography that grew through college productions like Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, and Hairspray.
Now the Theater Arts Teacher at Stevens High School, Cat continues to choreograph musicals, her favorite being Matilda, and teaches ballet, jazz, modern, and cultural dance styles. She can’t wait to bring her creativity and energy to Uplift and be inspired by her students every day!
Charlotte McFarlin
Executive Assistant
A seasoned yoga teacher and alternative health practitioner, Charlotte brings over a decade of experience in creating warm, welcoming spaces for families and children. Whether you’re emailing us, calling the studio, or stopping by the front desk, you’ll quickly feel her calming presence and thoughtful communication style.
Charlotte is a trained practitioner of Conscious Communication and is excited to put those skills to use as she supports our families, staff, and operations behind the scenes. From answering questions to helping the studio run smoothly as we continue to grow, Charlotte is here to uplift the Uplift experience!
Outside the studio, Charlotte is a proud homeschooling mama of two and a lover of gardening, writing, singing, and natural healing.
We’re so lucky to have her on the team, be sure to say hello when you see her at the desk this fall!