Meet our Instructors

We have a diverse set of instructors at Uphora. Many of our team members have years of experience and are either professionally trained, certified or licensed in their respective styles ranging from Zumba, Hip Hop, Popping, Choreography, Salsa, Bachata, Belly dancing, Line dancing, Twerking, Flamenco, Fitness, and much more!

Below are some quick bios of each of our instructors. We encourage you to follow them on their social media accounts to see what they’re up to.

Of course, pictures and words don’t do them any justice. Drop-in to try a class or purchase a whole package of classes. Don’t take our word for it, our instructors reviews speak for themselves. For serious fans, we also offer various levels of membership as well.

All
Zumba
Hip Hop
Bachata
Salsa
Stylized
Fitness

Abria

Abria has danced competitively since the age of 4. She trained in hip hop, contemporary, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, and more. She is super passionate about being a dance instructor. Her favorite styles to teach include hip hop, jazz funk and jazz.

@dancinwithging

Marissa

Marissa Hilley has enjoyed bringing dance to many lives for the past 20+ years. Her fitness classes are high energy cardio dance with unique routines consisting of hip hop, rock, jazz funk and latin styles in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.

@marissahilleydance

Katie

Katie is a hip hop fitness instructor who is super enthusiastic about teaching and spreading her love for dance fitness to others. When Katie’s not teaching, she loves to spend time with her family, go on hikes, go camping, and enjoy the outdoors.

@knix0902

Raymond

Raymond is a licensed Zumba instructor who has been teaching since 2014. Raymond loves to dance and he is passionate about connecting with his students. Outside of teaching, he enjoys listening to music and watching movies.

@raymond_major_1

Deborah

Deborah is a licensed Zumba instructor who has been dancing through every stage of life. As a child she ran the gamut of jazz, tap and ballet. In high school and college, cheerleading and kickline took center stage in feeding her desire to keep dancing. Deborah has been enjoying Zumba ever since and became licensed to teach in 2020.

@deb_palminteri

Laura

Laura is a mom, wife, friend, sister and LOVER of all the moves! She started her fitness career in the mid-90s in Atlanta, GA. Since then she has taught over ten formats in three states including Hip Hop cardio dance, Les Mills BODYPUMP ™, Step©, Slide©, HIIT classes, Baby Bootcamp©, and more.

@bebadhiphopAVL

Yesica

Yesica is a licensed Zumba instructor who is skilled in various styles of dance. She is also certified in group and personal training.

@yesicasalaszin

Kim

Kim teaches Zumba. More Coming Soon!

@klanzarotta

Anastasia

Anastasia has been dancing for over half of her life. She specializes in Hip Hop and other similar styles including R&B, Pop, and Afrobeat. Anastasia has experience taking classes and workshops with well known dancers like Jojo Gomez. For the past year she has been a performer with the local dance crew, House of Hazard Dance Academy.

@anise.tasia

Arturo

Arturo teaches bachata classes. More Coming soon!

@arturochavezdance

Blue

Blue teaches Zumba classes. More Coming soon!

@blue_4_fitness

Heena

Heena Patel has been dancing for as long as she can remember. Bollywood and Indian folk dance have been at the heart of her dance practice. She’s taught Indian dance workshops around the world. Heena is the artistic director and producer of the touring productions Bollywood Boulevard and Garba360.

@heenaconnects

Chloe

Chloe grew up dancing in Vermont since the age of 3 in many styles including tap, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical. Her Jazz class is approachable for any level of dancer. She combines theater jazz, jazz-funk, and contemporary jazz into her choreography so there is always something for everyone. She’s excited to jazz up Asheville!

Chloe Johnson

Tay

Tay teaches hip hop choreography. More Coming soon!

@taythegawd

Lydia

Lydia teaches Zumba and Salsa. More info coming Soon!

Sheila D.

Sheila B. teaches Zumba. More Coming Soon!

Mei

Mei Li Johnson is a dancer with performance and choreographer experience in multiple styles including Latin, modern, and contemporary dance. With over 10 years of experience, she aims to share the joy of dancing with students in an inclusive and welcoming space.

Sheila S.

Join instructor Sheila Shanti to learn essential twerking skills. Her class is for all levels–beginners are welcome! Embrace your body and move with Sheila.

Nikki

Nikki is a licensed Zumba instructor who believes that anyone with rhythm can learn to dance. All you have to do is be willing to put yourself out there, make mistakes, and above all, remember to breathe. She is committed to helping others feel more confident in trying new things and to advocating for safe and inclusive dance spaces.

Saige

Saige Armistead teaches jazz, jazz funk, and hip hop choreography. More info coming Soon!

Lakai

Come learn a unique, classic street dance style with our incredible instructor, Lakai! Popping is characterized by sudden tensing and releasing of the muscles.

Angel

Angel teaches Zumba. More info coming Soon!

Tiffany

Tiffany teaches Indian dance. More Coming Soon!

Cindy

Cindy teaches line dance. More info coming soon!

Ashlyn

A native to Asheville, Ashlyn Tori began her dance career 12 years ago as a latin ballroom dancer, traveling the country training, competing, & teaching. For over 5 years she has trained with the top instructors in the industry. She shares her knowledge and love for dancing and healing in heels with other women in hopes that it will help them to feel amazing, confident, and powerful in their skin.

Monika

Join experienced instructor Monika Guerra for fun bellydance lessons! Monika is an experienced dancer and instructor specializing in Traditional Egyptian bellydancing. She often teaches with fun accessories such as hip belts, veils, and even zills (finger cymbals).

Come experience her fun and empowering class while working your core muscles!

Katrina

Join trained dancer and instructor Katrina Totten to learn Contemporary Fusion Belly dance, a modernized style with influences from many cultures and dance forms.

Nathan

Nathan teaches Salsa. More info coming soon!

Sir

Sir Hodges teaches bachata. More info coming soon!

Desiree

More info coming soon!

Lizzy

Transformational fitness & embodiment for women to release stress, connect to their inner guidance & embody their true power. Lizzy combines somatic tools for nervous system regulation & emotional resilience, with functional strength training, pilates, intuitive movement, dance, meditation & self love for a complete body, mind, soul activation.

Paola

Join experienced instructor Paola Tinoco for an beginner-friendly Flamenco class series. This class is perfect for beginners or dancers with minimal Flamenco dance background.