Inspire Equip Express
Pursuit School of Dance was founded in 2019 and is currently located in Farragut, TN, offering affordable, quality dance instruction in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz and tap.
Our vision is to inspire dancers to pursue their dreams, equip them with a quality dance education and give them a platform to express all that is on the inside of them. This is accomplished through weekly classes, annual performance opportunities, dance conventions and the opportunity to audition for our Company.
Michaela McAlpine
Studio Owner & Ballet/Pointe Instructor
Michaela McAlpine is originally from Pennsylvania, where she studied and trained in classical ballet for 10 years. After graduating high school, she decided to further her education at Ballet Magnificat's summer dance intensive and then moved to Alabama to study ministry and performing arts at RAMP University. There she met her husband, Brandon, who also shares the same passion for the performing arts. While in Alabama Michaela taught ballet and pointe for four years as well as choreographed, co-directed and performed in several city-wide productions. In 2017 they decided to relocate to Knoxville, Tennessee. In Knoxville, they helped launch Resting Place Church and now serve on staff and their leadership team as Kids Pastors.
Michaela has been teaching ballet, choreographing and directing for over 12 years and is honored to have the opportunity to share her love for dance with the city of Knoxville. Both Michaela and Brandon live with a passion to help individuals discover their God given purpose and empower them to pursue it with excellence. Their goal for the school is to create an encouraging environment where students and adults of all ages can purse their dreams and become everything they were created to be.
Rebecca Collins
Tap,Jazz &Contemporary Instructor
Becca Collins is originally from Everett, PA. She has been dancing for over 13 years and trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Acro at Shery Foor Dance Studio and Blair Dance Academy. She competed in Regional and National competitions, attended multiple dance conventions and received numerous awards and recognitions. She also had an opportunity to appear on an episode of “Dance Moms.”
After graduating high school, Becca move to Hamilton, AL and completed the Ramp School of Ministry majoring in Worship and Performing Arts. She lived there for three years and worked as Company Co-Director for Alysse Nicolle’s School of the Arts during that time. After her time in Alabama she moved to Grapevine, TX to be apart of a dance internship with Ingredients Dance Company where she had an opportunity to travel with the company and further her training in Contemporary, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, and other fun styles. Since then she has been living in Dallas/Ft. Worth teaching at two different studios, and is excited to be apart of the Pursuit team!
Addison Smith
Pre & Beg Ballet Instructor
Addison Smith is from Knoxville, TN, and has been dancing for over 13 years. She has a passion for the arts, and desires to help students grow not only in their technique, but also in their confidence and their love for dance.
Addison began dancing in 2010. She has now been at Pursuit for over five years, and has developed a passion for especially ballet and pointe. Aside from training at the studio, she has also completed multiple trainings from Unity Dance, Dance Revolution, and Ballet Magnificent. A couple of the lead roles that she has played since joining Pursuit include the Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker," and the White Rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland."
She desires to honor the Lord with everything she does, and believes that dance is just one of the amazing ways to glorify Him. Psalm 149:3 says, "Let them praise His name with dance!"